Any Biology majors out there?

[Swift_PT]

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So I'm a biology major and I don't know anyone who has taken the path of a biology major, pursuing physical therapy so I do not have any stats to compare to...It's honestly making me nervous because my GPA isn't the best due to all the science classes I had to take.

If you are a biology major who is applying to PT school this cycle or who are already in it a PT program, do you mind posting your stats?

 

[steveyk]

So I'm a biology major and I don't know anyone who has taken the path of a biology major, pursuing physical therapy so I do not have any stats to compare to...It's honestly making me nervous because my GPA isn't the best due to all the science classes I had to take.

If you are a biology major who is applying to PT school this cycle or who are already in it a PT program, do you mind posting your stats?

I am a biology major applying to PT school right now. I struggled with school as well and my overall GPA is ridiculously low. However, I retook many classes and finished up another year or so of courses after graduating. My last 40 hour GPA is 3.41 and my prereq GPA is 3.0-3.55 depending on the different courses and retakes each program accepts.

My cumulative GPA is <3.0 but I somehow landed an interview with a program for this cycle. I'm really in no place to give advice (haven't gotten accepted anywhere yet), but rather than worrying about stats, I would recommend researching programs that take your last 40 or 60 credit hour GPA (and the best attempt for your prerequisite GPA) and just retaking prerequisite courses that you have made C's on. I would also start shadowing/observing A LOT. I would say AT LEAST 3-4 settings for about 30 hours each.

Good luck! And if you would like to see more of my stats, they are on my profile.

 

[Azimuthal]

The top major in my class were between the various exercise science degrees and biology.

 

[SDD06]

I am a Biology major and I recently got accepted to Midwestern. This was my second time applying.. I think my GRE score was my main problem.
I also didn't do as well as I would've liked in some lower level Biology classes but I ended up making up for it in my upper level Bio courses. Definitely look into programs that put more emphasis on last 60 credits though. I had an interview at Wheeling Jesuit in WV and Long Island University in Brooklyn last cycle. I was wait-listed for both but they filled up all their spots. I am kind of glad I didn't get in since I ended up at Midwestern which is close to home and it was my first choice!

I feel like retaking classes and having a variety of experiences might help. I retook two pre-reqs which I feel like made a big difference. Too bad PTCAS takes the average but it still helps.

These are my stats, hopefully they make you feel a little better.
Major: Biology
Overall GPA: 3.51
Pre-Req GPA: 3.31
GRE: 145 V 149 Q 4.5 AW
Extra Curricular: Officer for Tri Beta Biology Honors Club, Little Brothers of the Elderly Volunteer, Alexian Brothers Medical Center Volunteer, Maryville Children's Healthcare Center Volunteer, MESA, LASO, Cadaver lab
Observation: 1500 hrs in skilled nursing home facilities (I have been a rehab aide for 4 years in SNF setting), 300 hrs in outpatient neurological rehab, 40 in outpatient ortho, 20 in acute care
Applied: Midwestern - Downers Grove ED (submitted 8/16)
Interviews: Midwestern 9/17
Acceptances: Midwestern DG

 

[starrsgirl]

I agree that biology is a very common major for pre PT. The best advice I can give is retake any pre reqs you have a C in (or even B-) so your pre req GPA is strong.

 

[dgt329]

Chem+bio double here, and I share the same concerns with you :/ I'm a junior so I've still basically got 2 whole more years of school to go, but I plan on applying next cycle. My stats are:
Cum GPA- 3.3
Prereq GPA- ~3.5-3.7
GRE- Q:168 V:161 AW:4.0
Hours- 40 private outpatient ortho, 100 outpatient ortho/wound care in a public hospital, 65 neuro. I plan on accruing about 50 more hours in an inpatient setting
Extracurriculars- founder/president of school's pre-PT club, chem lab research student, chem lab TA, o-chem tutor, SAT/ACT tutor, ultimate frisbee
Applying: cal states, APU, Chapman, Western, MSMU, Pacific University Oregon, NAU

Mainly worried about the cum GPA and ECs. Even though it's going up over the next year, I'm hoping schools will consider the course load that comes with my majors and that being the head of the pre-PT club is enough pt-related ECs. My school is mainly a business school (we have only one UD kinesiology class that is probably gonna get phased out) and has basically no resources for pre-PT students, so I have to make them. DM me if you wanna chat about the pre-PT bio major life lol

 

[southernswimmer]

There are plenty of biology majors in my class, and I know many others at other PT schools! I wasn't quite a bio major (I was animal science), but I've found that the science classes in PT school are a bit easier thanks to all the hard science classes I took in undergrad.

 

[Javi450]

Another Bio major here and the great thing is that I was able to replace some pre reqs with upper level courses because of my major like Orgo and Biochem.

 

[steveyk]

On APTA, Biology majors are among the most common majors applying to PT schools. If I can recall correctly, they were either third or at the most fifth most common.