Am i overdoing it?

[Cooperylee]

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Hey guys. I am in the process of applying for 2013. It has been a long time since i applied and i was wondering if you can help me out. Due to my low overall GPA, i was planning to apply to 20~30 Universities. Am i over doing it? I would think the more i apply, the better my chances are. What do you think? Here are my stats, does it look decent enough to be admitted to a PT program?

University: California State University of Long Beach
Major: Art - Photography
Overall GPA: 2.8 (as of now) but will finish with a 2.97~3.05
Pre-Req GPA: 3.7 (possibly higher when applying)
GRE: Haven't taken it but i say average

Extra-Curric: Volunteer / Leader @ church / multiple oversea missions (India, Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras) / Tennis Clubs / Art Club

Volunteer: 300+ hours at clinics/hospitals

Please help.

 

[jchen707]

20-30 is a lot.. i applied to 11 and thought that was a lot. you have to keep in mind that you have to pay to send your GREs to all of these programs and pay hte PTCAS price per program. So if money is not an issue then by all means apply if you feel that would give oyu a better chance of being admitted.

On the other hand, your GPA(overall) is quite low. Many places will require a 3.0 minimum to even be considered. which means even having a 2.97, they will not consider you. With that said, a 3.05 is barely making the cut, but you will get a much better shot at acceptance if you have a 3.05 than a 2.97. If you can, try to retake some classes, because PTCAS will factor all of the classes you've ever taken at a college level into your overall GPA, so a couple A's might help that out (this doens't meant they have to transfer back to your undergrad institution), you will just note on your PTCAS app that besides Long Beach, you took classes at College X. and if your GREs are only average (i know you haven't taken them, but shooting for average might not help your case), you might have some difficulty getting into some programs with such a low GPA. I know your pre-reqs are high, but see if there is anyway you can boost that overall GPA. good luck with your application

 

[CaFlgirl]

20-30 is a lot. I was planning on applying to a lot of schools too because I was afraid I wasn't going to get in anywhere, and I ended up applying to 8. Try to get your GPA up to 3.0 like you're doing and you'll have a shot. You can always explain low grades in your essay. Additionally, any interview you get, you will have the opportunity to explain your low grades. To be honest, applying to that many schools gets confusing, because every school is different and some schools want you to send your transcripts to their department, even though they're getting them through PTCAS too. Then sometimes you have to send them again when you've completed your classes. Some schools say send them before the deadline, some say wait until you've decided to go there. And of course, there's the cost of applying to all those programs. I would say if you're really nervous about not getting in, apply to 15. Otherwise, 10 is enough.

 

[Litlwarrior08]

Ditto what jchen said. Choose your schools wisely. 10 should be enough. Prereqs weigh heavier than the GPA. Make sure your volunteer hrs are under a PT supervisor. My stats meet most min. (GPA 3.1 PGPA 2.8 w/ average GRE) and I applied to a couple w/ lower requirements. I have one acceptance so far. One not reviewing my file. All you need is one!!! I consider myself very lucky>

 

[Cooperylee]

Hey guys! I really appreciate your help. I feel like PT is such a tight and supportive profession and been encouraged/blessed. Hopefully I will be able to be where you guys are in a year. Good luck and thanks!

 

[Myze]

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[PTisfun]

That is too many schools probably.
But go to the school's website you are interested in and look at the minimums. If you do not meet them, do not apply unless you speak with someone specifically at the school who tells you they will consider grades below minimums.
At the school I work, we have a min GPA and GRE.....it truly amazes us every year how many apply below the published minimums. Those applications are not reviewed, and the applicant wastes money. If the application is not reviewed, then your essay or anything else is not even read. And I think most schools do that. There are so many applications received that it is unnecessary to go below minimums for many schools' admissions committee.

 

[Cooperylee]

That is too many schools probably.
But go to the school's website you are interested in and look at the minimums. If you do not meet them, do not apply unless you speak with someone specifically at the school who tells you they will consider grades below minimums.
At the school I work, we have a min GPA and GRE.....it truly amazes us every year how many apply below the published minimums. Those applications are not reviewed, and the applicant wastes money. If the application is not reviewed, then your essay or anything else is not even read. And I think most schools do that. There are so many applications received that it is unnecessary to go below minimums for many schools' admissions committee.

Thanks for that reply PTisfun. I am currently going back to my university to retake my classes to bring my overall GPA up. Have to do my best to bring that overall to a minimum.

 

[kttdancer]

Yes- 20-30 are too many
Yes- Your overall GPA is low

BUT! Your prereq GPA is stellar and you have a lot of experience. So, while, unfortunately, some schools will disregard you because of your low overall, there are just as many that will look at the whole picture. If you study your a** off and get a great GRE score, make certain to seek out people who will write individualized, favorable recommendations, spend time to make your personal statement stand out (e.g. what makes you different than the 200+ other students who want to be PTs) you WILL find a school that wants you.

I had less than stellar stats and ended up at a highly respected PT program. I even know that one of my classmates had a GPA <3.0. It's because my school considers the whole person. Not just grades. Those are the institutes you want to be applying to.

Good Luck!!

 

[rcedillo4]

Yes- 20-30 are too many
Yes- Your overall GPA is low

BUT! Your prereq GPA is stellar and you have a lot of experience. So, while, unfortunately, some schools will disregard you because of your low overall, there are just as many that will look at the whole picture. If you study your a** off and get a great GRE score, make certain to seek out people who will write individualized, favorable recommendations, spend time to make your personal statement stand out (e.g. what makes you different than the 200+ other students who want to be PTs) you WILL find a school that wants you.

I had less than stellar stats and ended up at a highly respected PT program. I even know that one of my classmates had a GPA <3.0. It's because my school considers the whole person. Not just grades. Those are the institutes you want to be applying to.

Good Luck!!

Wow! I would say I'm in a very similar situation as Cooperylee. May I ask where you are attending kttdancer?

 

[kttdancer]

I'm at MGH-Institute of Health professions, but I was initially offered acceptances at other schools.

I had a GPA ~3.2, but spent a lot of time in the writing center at school making sure my statements stood out and represented me. I did apply to quite a few schools (12), but I made every effort to make sure schools actually looked at me!

It is possible.

 

[Cooperylee]

where else did u apply kttdancer?

 

[kttdancer]

It's not necessarily important where exactly I applied. However if you really want to know, I think I have it listed on the GPAs sticky thread somewhere around the 3rd page. I picked a variety of schools and was not discriminatory about location. I applied mostly to schools that interviewed since I saw this as a sign that I was more than a piece of paper.