Advice for getting accepted with a low cGPA

[amaxwell02]

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Hey guys. I am looking to apply to PT school next fall (fall 2020) in the hopes of being accepted somewhere for the fall of 2021. I will graduate with a B.S. in Exercise Science in the spring of 2021. My first 2 years, I really messed up my GPA and got some low grades. My school with allow 3 repeats where the first one is not counted. Therefore, beside that grade on my transcript, it says exempt. I was really dumb and failed my statistics and biology 2 class but with those repeats, retook them and made a B in both. I am so mad at myself now for not just withdrawing from them but theres nothing I can do now. I know many schools will take the higher of the grades in the prerequisite GPA and will count all in the undergraduate GPA. I am wondering if since on my transcript, the courses have an E beside them, would they still be counted? Currently, my cGPA is at a 3.01 and I am retaking some classes this spring in order to boost my prerequisite GPA. I am working very hard to make a 4.0 this semester and know that I need to make that from here on out in order to really have a chance. I am also studying to take my GRE this winter and am hoping to get really good scores in order to balance it out. Currently I am working as a physical therapy technician. I am wondering if anyone has had a story like mine and if I have any chance at getting in or if I should start lookin got do something else.

 

[Future-Physical-Therapist]

Honestly, you're story is just like mine. I'm applying this year and had a rough start during undergrad. PTCAS calculates grades in a weird way. I would say it's best to email them (ptcasinfo@ptcas.org) and ask how they would calculate the Exempts (it's best to email them a couple times because you might get a different response every time). Furthermore, like you mentioned, PTCAS calculates every single grade (except withdrawals). If they do calculate the Exempts as an F, you're cGPA will be significantly lower than a 3.01 (under the 3.0 minimum for most schools). I'm sure you've read millions of stories regarding students who got accepted in to schools with a GPA below or right above a 3.0. My advice is to KILL those GRE's, start building a relationship with PT's & professors (you'll need them for recommendations),and apply to schools that base their admissions on the last 60 credits or even the prerequisite GPA. Good luck with everything. I hope I was enough help.

 

[TheDancingWriter]

There is no hope! Just kidding. 3.0 is often the minimum most schools look at (of course, there are exceptions, as you know), so I wouldn't stress too much. Just do the best you can in your retakes, which it sounds like you are. As for your GRE, I would work on trying to score well in this. I received a 302 on mine, and I would say you need to score higher than that. My cGPA is a 3.6 and my pGPA is even higher, so I'm not worried, as my GRE score passed the minimum score the school I applied to wants. Get plenty of observation hours in multiple settings, specifically outpatient, in-patient, and subacute/SNF or acute. Get amazing LORs, write killer essays, and if you can, get some extracurriculars going, which can include volunteer hours at places like soup kitchens or whatever. But I'm honestly not sure how exempts would affect your GPA. And I'd try calling PTCAS. I wasn't impressed with their email system. I'm convinced they've outsourced the entire thing to India or something.

 

[ya1]

You will probably be able to get in somewhere. Just do not apply to schools that are very competitive. Sounds like you already met minimum requirements for GRA. You have a plan how to still improve it for the next year. So if you choose appropriate schools for your stats, you will have a chance.
I would suggest NOT to spend hundreds of hours on observations (unless you want to continue working as PT tech). 200 h would be plenty. Do 3 different settings (inpatient, outpatient). It is MUCH MORE important to spend time on improving your GRE and preparing for GRE.
Good Luck!