Applying to Army Baylor

[goodwi57]

Hey everybody,

I've followed this forum for some time now, checking in every now and then to see what people have to say about applying to PT school. I just recently joined the site, and I have some questions regarding Army Baylor.

Here are my stats as I prepare to apply for this program:

-Currently have a BA in Health & Exercise Science (Cumulative GPA: 3.40, graduated Spring 2014)
-Currently completing my pre-requisite science courses at a local community college (Current GPA: 3.37, intend on having around a 3.6 by the end of this year)
-Have taken the GREs once, back in July 2014 (Cumulative GRE Score: 302), intend on taking it at least once more before the end of this year, probably around October
-Have accumulated over 2,000 hours volunteering/working at an outpatient orthopedic clinic since August 2012, and will continue to work there until acceptance into physical therapy school
-Have not yet gained experience in an active duty clinic, or at a VA Hospital; however, I intend on volunteering at the Philadelphia VA Hospital upon completion of my first semester of Summer classes, and will be contacting them soon to begin whatever application process they require.
-I have worked in various capacities during undergraduate studies, including for the Dean of Student Life, Orientation Services, Student Government Association, and have maintained a part-time job as a sales clerk for a small hardware store for the past five years.
-Currently living at home with my parents until I have a definite plan of action regarding my future schooling.

I realize that, based on other threads that I've followed, how competitive Baylor University is to get in to (they're #5 in the country for a reason). I also realize that my stats aren't top tier among other applicants; they're solid, but nothing spectacular. But I intend on improving those stats in the coming months as I decide if this path is truly the one I want to take.

Baylor University is a great school for a multitude of reasons, the first and foremost being able to serve my country in a purposeful profession. As I learn more about it, I realize how much of an honor it would be to get accepted into their program.

I've already applied to PT school for the 2015 school year; I applied locally to Jefferson University, Neumann University, and Widener University, in the hope that I could commute from home and/or possibly work to save some money. I got waitlisted by Jefferson and Neumann, and while I was somewhat disappointed about the response, I am also grateful now that I am taking the time to learn more about other PT programs, especially Baylor's, to see what else is out there.

I guess my questions from all this are, whether or not I'd stand a real chance of getting in for the 2016 school year, and assuming I didn't get in for next year (or if I got waitlisted, instead), would it be worth my time to just work part-time and volunteer for an additional year and try again for the 2017 school year? At this point, I'm not tied down by anything at home that would keep me from going, and the opportunities it would afford to persistently apply to their program would far outweigh the waiting time it would take to get in.

Any advice would really be appreciated on this subject. Thank you.

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[tcpt]

Hi, you'll stand a better chance of acceptance if you apply than if you don't. 🙂

The primary way an applicant becomes competitive is by a strong undergraduate record, a strong prerequisite record, and a strong GRE score. You should also expect to be able to articulate why you would want to become a military physical therapist. The program seeks applicants with a solid educational background, leadership potential and physical fitness. Many stellar applicants have had to apply twice--the class size is small and quite competitive.

The US Army-Baylor Univ DPT Program must train its students in two professions---as a military officer and as a great physical therapist. This is quite distinct from other programs. It must also train its students how to provide care in a deployed environment, also pretty unique. The program must also do that within 30 months--so its a quite rigorous program that is dissimilar to a standard university environment.

The program offers tours to prospective applicants to meet with faculty and students so they can make an educated decision on whether that is a path they want to take.

 

[Azimuthal]

Also speak to an officer recruiter.

 

[lnh507]

Just saw this thread after bumping an old one a bit ago. I'm also applying this cycle and am in somewhat of a similar situation as I applied to several schools last year and didn't end up getting in anywhere. I didn't apply to Army Baylor last time- thought about it and started the initial steps in the process, but realized I was way too far behind/unprepared so didn't go through with it. Since then I've realized a lot more how competitive admissions are and how extensive the process is, and I definitely understand how it goes better now, so I'm hoping that'll help me out.

I'm curious about a lot of the same things as OP, like what my chances are and how to improve them. My GRE is strong (168v/158q) and my GPA's not bad either (3.75 cumulative with last 60 hours significantly higher), so what I think hurt me last time was basically being unprepared and lacking knowledge as to what one needs to do to have a good chance at admission- specifically, I got just about all of my applications in last minute, had almost all of my hours at one location, and had technical problems with some of the transcript/coursework parts of PTCAS that kept my application from being processed for a long time.

I'm planning on observing/volunteering at a number of different practices this coming year, including hopefully some military stuff in San Antonio that will help me get connected with people in the program. If I do this and make sure to get strong LORs and submit my application early, would I stand a decent chance this time? /any advice on how to strengthen my application would be heartily welcomed. It would be a dream to get into Army Baylor, and they are definitely my top choice program.

Sorry to hijack the thread OP, but figured we're both wondering about some similar things so any advice could help us both 🙂

 

[tcpt]

I would encourage you to fully think through and develop an answer to the question --why do I want to become a military physical therapist? All of the gpa and GRE info is great to get the admission committee to look at you, but you need to hand them something so that they select you. That can be captured in your statement of motivation and should reflected in your LORs. Thus, military service is something you should discuss with them.
Good luck

 

[goodwi57]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I know it's been a while since I posted, but I do appreciate the insight.

@Inh507, no worries about hijacking the thread. I like to see where other people are at in the process. But your stats are incredible (at least compared to mine). My strongest asset at this point is the amount of hours I've gotten (probably over 2,000 working hours). Only problem is they are all at one location, and I haven't yet volunteered at a military hospital.

I'm thinking at this point that I will at the very least try to apply to Baylor, but realistically, I know I won't get in. But that's OK; if I can find a better paying job in the interim and continue to improve my stats (and really focus on why I would want to be military PT), I will continue to strive for Baylor. It might take a little longer to get in than I'd like, but getting into such a highly-respected school would be such an honor.

Thanks, everybody.

 

[Apollo#1585...]

Rankings dont matter.
In addition to the "serving my country," its also free & comes with a salary while your in school, which contributes to, I would say, a good portion of your competition. All who will say "I want to serve my country in a meaningful profession." You'll need more than that during your interview should you get one, so be prepared. Yes it is a good school, but make sure you do more reading up on what being an Army DPT actually entails job description wise, its different in a lot of different factors. Like anything else, there is a very real possibility you get deployed and have to do PT with far less resources than you would have in the states in the Civilian Sector, its very different. Good luck though, Hope you get in!