Advice for Re-applying

[bb1991]

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Hello all. New to this forum but I've been watching it for quite awhile. So my situation is that I failed to understand PTCAS means of calculating cGPA. I had thought I had a 3.08 but I had a 2.95 according to PTCAS and including retakes. I applied this year and was rejected flat out everywhere except one place. I was granted and interview there and I'm now on the alternative list but I'm preparing for next year. I am already taking classes so next cycle my cGPA will be a 3.006.

My stats
cGPA: 3.01 next cycle
pGPA: 3.43
GRE: 156V 149Q 4.0W
I have over 1,500 hours experience as an aide. I feel like I could shadow some inpatient in order to diversify that. I am also considering retaking two pre-reqs I recieved B's in to get A's and raise my pGPA to a ~3.6.

Does that sound like a good plan if this waitlist does not pan out? Thanks for any advice.

 

[Smash Atoms]

Bringing up the cGPA sounds like a good plan, but most schools (at least in Tx) want a MINIMUM of a 150 on both parts of the GRE. May want to buckle down and hit that hard.
Most schools I have spoken to also look heavily at diversity of hours as opposed to quantity, and even on a few of the state school websites there will be statements like "we would rather see 100 hours at 5 locations as opposed to 1000 hours at one" etc etc etc...

Figure out how the schools you are applying to calculate. Texas State for example does not even look at cGPA, only pre-requisite, last 60 hours, and math/science along with your GRE score.

Good luck!

 

[bb1991]

That's what I've heard on the hours as well. Ironically the therapists I've worked for all thought that being in one place would be better. I'm PRN so I get exposure at a lot of different places associated with the same company but I'll attempt to get more exposure. As far as the GRE I was unaware. I'm from PA and the surrounding schools here didn't have a preference as long as you hit a minimum score, say 295, depending school to school.

 

[starrsgirl]

I would cram in as many summer classes as you can. Yes, retake those pre reqs and throw some other fluff classes on there too to help out your cum GPA. I agree with studying and retaking the GRE too. Other than that, work. Earn money and save for tuition. You could do a few hours here and there but I don't think that will make a huge difference. Make your essays awesome and practice your interview skills.

 

[Smash Atoms]

The other thing to do would be to call some of the schools you are interested in and tell them about yourself/stats, and how interested you are in their program... And get some suggestions about how to best position yourself or things you may be able to do between now and application time to make yourself more competitive.
Some schools track it, some don't, but in any case it certainly wouldn't hurt to make a few calls and put yourself out there.

 

[bb1991]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I called a few of my top choice schools and they suggested the thing holding me back was my cGPA being 2.95. That problem is remedied now. They all overwhelmingly told me not to even worry about that anymore as it would take another major of straight A's to get to even a 3.2. I was told the best thing to do would be to get my pGPA to 3.7ish to show I am competitive in that area and that would make a big difference as far as being invited for interviews. I was waitlisted this year simply because of my interview I would say. Like I said though I'm preparing for next cycle. I appreciate it everyone!