After Undergrad

[TheCBkid]

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Hello all,
So, a while back i made a post about how terrible my transcript is due to dealing with hypochondria and other mental disorders. They have ruined my life up to this point.. But I am determined not to let that stop me. I have been getting better over time, but that doesn't change the fact that, barring some miracle, I'm not going to get into a grad school after college. So I am currently planing taking time off to better my resume/application afterwards.
i guess my questions are
1- Are there any jobs/volunteering I could do that would help me and NOT cost extra money for certification?
2- How much would taking graduate level courses (non-degree seeking) help me? how possible is this? I hear a lot of people do it, but idk how they do it. I basically want to know if taking (and doing well in) 4 or 5 graduate level science courses + having a solid "last 60" would help me get into a PT school. Does this actually work?
3- Any other suggestions?

 

[Dreambig23]

I would definitely look for PT Aide jobs!! You can do those without any certification and it will help you gain "hours" to add on for observation. Plus it will give you a leg up when you get into school because you will have some hands on experience in a PT setting.

As far as graduate classes, I've heard it doesn't really help you out at all. But I have no experience with that.

I would suggest working really hard on your personal statement and making that pop and stand out. Hope this helps a little bit.

 

[obeshy]

Yes, I agree PT aide. Depending on the state you live in, it may or may not require CPR certification. If you don't want to become certified, then volunteering in many types of PT settings is a must. Make sure to observe as many as you can so that way when you fill out your application, you'll be able to mark them all up.

Instead of taking graduate classes right off the bat, what does your pre-req GPA look like for your top choice schools? If it's in good standing (ie. 3.7+), taking additional classes may help. Some PT programs even have a recommended classes list, which is not calculated in your pre-req GPA but adds strength to your app. Check out the PT directory for info regarding that. If your pre-req GPA isn't too strong (3.0 ish), the first classes I'd take are the pre-req classes you did not do so well in.

I also believe a good personal statement can make a big difference. At one of the schools I interviewed at, one of the faculty came up to me and starting asking me questions. Later she said she was part of the group that reviewed personal statements and she remembered my essay.

 

[TheCBkid]

I am actually already CPR certified, so that's a plus! Haha.
My GPA is going to be shot. Plain and simple. This semester I'm pulling off a 3.8, but even if i average a 3.8 for the rest of my time in college (about 50 more credits), I'd only pull off like a 3.2. i have some Fs, Ds, and ws. I just don't want to believe that my career aspirations are gone just because I developed a mental illness when I was 18 and couldn't handle it until I was 20/21

I really appreciate all of your responses. A lot. Helping keep me calm!

 

[Dreambig23]

Have you retaken the classes in which you got Fs and Ds?? Although it may not help your PTCAS GPA too much (since they take into account every class taken), most schools will calculate their own GPA using your highest grades. So with retakes I'm sure your GPA would be boosted tremendously!!

Also I would suggest researching the schools and comparing your GPA, pre req GPA, GREs scores etc. and apply to places which you will be a more competitive applicant. I know numerous people who have not done this and simply applied to schools because they wanted to go there and got turned down. Those who have researched where they are going to be most competitive tend to get more interviews and acceptances.

I hope that gives you some hope!! 🙂

 

[NewTestament]

1- Are there any jobs/volunteering I could do that would help me and NOT cost extra money for certification?
2- How much would taking graduate level courses (non-degree seeking) help me? how possible is this? I hear a lot of people do it, but idk how they do it. I basically want to know if taking (and doing well in) 4 or 5 graduate level science courses + having a solid "last 60" would help me get into a PT school. Does this actually work?
3- Any other suggestions?

1- Not really. You're going to graduate school because you have to spend a lot of money on education before you can generate any income. Work at Whole Foods. Great place to work. Good pay too.
2- Don't waste your time and money. They won't help you as much as retaking classes. Apply to schools that take into account the last 60-90 credits.
3- Write a good essay and explain why you did so poorly in school and how you have changed.

 

[situational]

1- Not really. You're going to graduate school because you have to spend a lot of money on education before you can generate any income. Work at Whole Foods. Great place to work. Good pay too.
2- Don't waste your time and money. They won't help you as much as retaking classes. Apply to schools that take into account the last 60-90 credits.
3- Write a good essay and explain why you did so poorly in school and how you have changed.

Regarding #3 I think that may be situational whether to put that in the main essay or not. I would try not to deviate too far from answering the prompt for the essay and focus on why you want to be a PT. However, there is another essay prompt on PTCAS where I personally put why I did so poorly in school and how I've gotten better academically since. There is a question that asks whether you feel your GPA reflects your academic potential, and if you say no, you have to write another essay why you feel that way. I'd put it there instead, although you don't have a lot of allotted space to do so.

 

[TheCBkid]

To clarify since you guys have asked (And I really appreciate every answer in this thread, very mch. You guys didn't have to respond, but you did)
i have 2 Fs, a D and 3 ws
i have retaken both F classes. One of them I got an A-, the other one I got a b+.
The D class I retook and got an A, but it was a smmer class at a different school
The 3 ws are what scares me. The ws are in classes that I have either failed or gotten a D+. For the same reasons, I jst never could get anything going.
So my grades for one class will be w/D/A or f/w/b+ and the 3rd w is currently in the process of being taken, which I currently am getting a B- in (so not great, need a good showing on my final).