Admissions question - what gives?

[111589]

Last year I was invited for an interview for one of my top PT programs. However, I was ultimately informed I was not accepted. When applying for the second time this cycle, I had improved my GRE, GPA, had more PT volunteer/paid experience in new settings, stronger LORs and a better personal statement ( I believe). Granted the increase in my GPA and GRE were not huge, but I did improve.
But I was rejected from the same program and not even offered an interview.
I am just wondering if anyone had the same experience or any feedback. One of the only things I can think of is that the applicants this time were much more qualified/competitive that I wasn't even considered?
[fyi I have not called the program to ask them this yet, even though they stated that they do not offer feedback regarding admission decisions]

 

[bnwj89]

The only thing I can think of is what you've already stated: that this is a result of the increasing competitive nature of the profession. What are your stats?

 

[nicolej5]

agreed with above, it would help to see your stats. But even then, it would just be speculation. That's pretty lame the school doesn't give feedback, but I guess I could understand if they reject 200 people and they all want to know why.

 

[ptisfun2]

But I was rejected from the same program and not even offered an interview.
I am just wondering if anyone had the same experience or any feedback. One of the only things I can think of is that the applicants this time were much more qualified/competitive that I wasn't even considered?
[fyi I have not called the program to ask them this yet, even though they stated that they do not offer feedback regarding admission decisions]

Yes. We invited about 250 applicants to interview. We had about 700 who met the minimums (and a lot who did not meet the minimums..we never understand why they even apply). We just cannot interview all. It is just a competitive year this year. Seems like (well for us) this is the most competitive year.

 

[biscuits1234]

Ugh, that's really unfortunate. I've been talking to a couple people who were recently accepted, they told me that it really helps to go to info/preview days to meet professors and current students to get your name out there. But for some of us, traveling, time, and money are huge issues. The whole increase of competition is really discouraging.

 

[latechdawgs1]

agreed with above, it would help to see your stats. But even then, it would just be speculation. That's pretty lame the school doesn't give feedback, but I guess I could understand if they reject 200 people and they all want to know why.

were you rejected from LSUNO just now?? (like the 2012 admissions cycle) or was this from a previous application year?

 

[nicolej5]

i have no idea i'm just assuming because I never heard a thing back from them, which is totally professional i applied for fall 13 entry

 

[HughLee]

Yes. We invited about 250 applicants to interview. We had about 700 who met the minimums (and a lot who did not meet the minimums..we never understand why they even apply). We just cannot interview all. It is just a competitive year this year. Seems like (well for us) this is the most competitive year.

We do not get as many applicants as ptisfun2, but here are our numbers. About 375 total applicants. About 100 did not meet our minimum, 3.00 pre-req GPA and at least 5 pre-reqs completed. Of the remainder, we are inviting about 110 applicants to interviews, and we expect to interview about 90. Our current minimum pre-req GPA is 3.37. And we have 33 openings.