Advice brahs

[kc90]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey guys. I've been lurking around this site for a while and have gotten a lot of great information! So Thank you. I am looking for some advice on PT applications.

So a little background about myself:

• Currently undergrad student at McGill in Environmental Sciences (Canada).
• Messed up my first and second year, my CGPA went down to 2.6 at one point, but I am now in my 3rd year and got it back up to 3.0 right now.
• Will be taking Intro to Psychology, Anatomy/Physiology summer and over next year
• Still looking for volunteer....really difficult for me because I don't speak French (I'm in montreal)

I got 3.4 term GPA last semester, and I will probably be able to get AT LEAST 3.3 term gpas for rest the of semesters left. (3 semesters left)


I am looking at schools from Canada (crazy competition), USA, and Australia. I am not too sure about this but it seem like I have a best shot at becoming a physical therapist in USA? What would you guys estimate my cgpa would need to AT LEAST be at, to be able to be accepted in the States?

I'm not really thinking about Canada...I've heard their cut-off gpas were at 3.7, thats freaking crazy.

Any thoughts about Australian Schools? They are highly regarded in this field, anyone know how competitive they are to get in?

Any advice would be great!
-kc90

 

[Seatown87]

I have a 3.2 and have been accpeted to schools. Just make sure everything else in your application is top notch. Start getting lots of observation hours and start building relationships with PTs so they can write you awesome letters.

I talked to my boss about going to school in Australia and he said that as far as employment goes it doesn't matter. Just pass the US boards and you're fine. I know University of Melbourne has a DPT program but other schools have a masters program....if that matters to you.

 

[NeophyteParkour]

GPAs vary. Yes, some students do get in with a 3.0 or 3.2, but the odds of getting accepted with those stats isn't in your favor. Last year PTCAS reported the average accepted student had around a 3.49 I think. Some schools accept lower GPAs, but some schools want higher ones (like the 3.7).

To further what Seatown said, you really need to focus on your entire application though. Every aspect has to be top notch.

As for the USA vs others, I really have no idea about that.

 

[Kepania]

Schools here in the US seem to vary quite a bit in terms of GPAs required, as well as the rest of the things they consider important. But it is a good idea to shoot for 3.0 and up. Some schools require no less than 3.0 to even apply (some may have higher minimums). Personally I applied to a private school (more expensive :-( but a little less competitive than state schools). The school allowed a 2.8 minimum GPA, but I still found it to be competitive and it seems like a really great program. At least it better be for the price!

Anyway, here's what I was working with:

Undergrad GPA: 2.94 (graduated with biology degree in 1999)
Post-bac GPA: 4.0 (real estate classes, art classes, and Anatomy)
Overall GPA: 3.16
Pre-req GPA: 2.98

I think the only way I overcame my awful GPAs and got an interview and eventually accepted (by way of the waitlist, but at least I was #5 on the list lol!) is because I scored well on the GRE (V160 Q158) and had a few other strong points to my application. Do Canadian schools use the GRE btw? Also, I am guessing that my school considered how long ago I got my degree and that I appeared to be a more serious student now. And I think my essay was pretty good and my letters of reference I think may have helped as well.

The bottom line is that I do not think I would have gotten in without all the various parts of my application being considered. If you do well in your remaining classes and work on making a strong overall application, you should be a competitive candidate for many great US schools.

Good luck to you!

 

[CherokeeWahine]

A very good friend of mine currently attends University of Queensland. Check them out! 🙂

 

[kc90]

Anyway, here's what I was working with:

Undergrad GPA: 2.94 (graduated with biology degree in 1999)
Post-bac GPA: 4.0 (real estate classes, art classes, and Anatomy)
Overall GPA: 3.16
Pre-req GPA: 2.98

The bottom line is that I do not think I would have gotten in without all the various parts of my application being considered. If you do well in your remaining classes and work on making a strong overall application, you should be a competitive candidate for many great US schools.

Good luck to you!

Thank you Kepania! This sort of thing is what keeps me motivated and going strong. Nope, GRE is not required for Canadian Universities, the most emphasized requirement is a good gpa here...they'd take someone with really bad references but with strong gpa over someone with really good references with alright gpa any day.

A very good friend of mine currently attends University of Queensland. Check them out! 🙂

Yes! University of Queensland is actually my dream school. Their professors are some of the most renowned experts in PT! Most of the recent researches actually come from them. Is your friend doing Bachelors in PT, or Graduate Entry Level PT in Queensland? And do you know what she thinks about it?


Thank you all that have responded to my post! You guys have been extremely helpful!

 

[CherokeeWahine]

He is doing the grad entry level PT program. He absolutely loves it!