barely making the cut- should I go further?

[eatbroccoli]

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Hi Everyone, I'm applying for the 2013/2014 cycle. I will be a senior this fall.

Just wondering if I could get some input on whether I should retake the GREs and also get some more volunteer hours. Here's what I have so far:

Major: Health Administration
Overall GPA: 3.67
Pre-Req GPA: 3.5
GRE: 151 Verbal, 152 Math, 5.0 analytical writing
Volunteer: 78 Outpatient (Orthopedic), 60 Inpatient (Othropedic Rehab, Geriatrics), 14 outpatient in Barcelona, Spain (MS clinic)
Recommendations: 1 PT, 1 anatomy professor, 1 academic advisor, 1 employer
Looking to apply to: Arcadia, Drexel, UMaryland-Balt, UMDNJ- Stratford, Thomas Jefferson University, UPitt

I don't feel very secure that I will get into the schools I am applying for. Should I re-take the GREs or get some more hours? Or just apply to more schools to up my chances? I'm really worried that if I take the GREs again it won't make much of a difference. But I JUST made the competitve score and I'm not sure if that would help me to get in anywhere I'd like to go. I'm hoping to finish submitting all my applications before August 30th.

I've already looked through countless posts to see if anyone has similar stats as me but most either have a very high GRE and low GPA, high GRE and high GPA, or vice versa (or they have a lot of other extracurricular or hours to compensate for losses). Didn't really find any "in-betweeners" like me. What I'm also really looking into is whether I would also be able to recieve some sort of financial scholarship...but then again, I think my stats are very average for the schools I'm applying to. So I'm not sure.

Some advice would be comforting! Thank you all in advance.

 

[schnell8]

Just a warning, you might get bashed a bit for your post...read this thread for your answers and stuff! Good luck!

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=1016024

 

[eatbroccoli]

I don't see why I would get bashed.. I read that thread and their GRE is higher than mine. Plus my I wouldn't consider myself to have outstanding stats. I'm just worried that I just make the cut. I know that alot of schools require the 150 minimum and I was wondering how strictly they take those standards,

 

[AlexFLA]

The average accepted GRE scores are around 153/153 and both your GPAs are competitive.

 

[AlexFLA]

Maybe switch to spinach instead of broccoli for that extra edge lol
Good luck!!

 

[jdaniels360]

You'll be fine. Get some more diversity in your hours since you still have some time. Don't waste your time retaking the GRE, and your writing score is great by the way.

 

[schnell8]

I don't see why I would get bashed.. I read that thread and their GRE is higher than mine. Plus my I wouldn't consider myself to have outstanding stats. I'm just worried that I just make the cut. I know that alot of schools require the 150 minimum and I was wondering how strictly they take those standards,

I personally wouldn't bash you but I have seen enough threads and stats to know you might get bashed by others...some people take offense by others who have high stats and consider themselves 'borderline.' However, you might be borderline for your specific schools, we don't know which is why I dont necessarily agree with bashing myself.. But unfortunately, there are the occasional instances in which in happens.. :-\

 

[okramango]

You are definitely in competitive shape and should apply. I wouldn't consider you borderline at all. Make sure to write a great essay for your application. Some programs might want LORs from 2 PTs instead of just one, so you should check on that. Applications are more than just stats, so make sure you have good diversity in your observation hours, extracurriculars, and a great essay. Good luck!

 

[Azimuthal]

Ugh, another malingering pt. Here is an HEP: breathe. That's billable. NEXT!

 

[hongryhippo]

hey! your stats look great! in my opinion, your high GPA will offset your GRE scores.

I think you will definitely be a competitive applicant this cycle. Don't stress!! If you have time, I would suggest getting a few more hours as you complete the application process. A lot of schools do take the 150 hours min seriously so I would try to make the min hours. I know UCSF/SF state takes their min requirement seriously and highly recommends more hours especially because it is getting more and more competitive to get into PT school.

One thing to keep in mind - some schools will only count a setting if you have a certain amount of hours in it. For example, my school will only count a setting if applicants have at least 40 hours in the setting. I know there are a few schools out there that have that condition!

if you can afford it, i would apply to more schools this cycle just in case (it can never hurt!). that's just what i would do if you were extremely worried.

best of luck!

--
http://christina-pt.blogspot.com

 

[NewTestament]

You should definitely make obtaining more observation hours in an outpatient setting your priority. Fourteen in a different country will not suffice. I would aim for at least 50. Since you're applying to competitive schools, I would get more total hours, at least 200. So look for an outpatient setting where you can observe and observe for 100 hours. Fortunately for you, outpatient clinics are the most common.

Kevin

 

[DesertPT]

You should definitely make obtaining more observation hours in an outpatient setting your priority. Fourteen in a different country will not suffice. I would aim for at least 50. Since you're applying to competitive schools, I would get more total hours, at least 200. So look for an outpatient setting where you can observe and observe for 100 hours. Fortunately for you, outpatient clinics are the most common.

Kevin

It did say they did 78 outpatient ortho hours as well as the ones overseas...

 

[IndianaDPT]

@eatbroccoli:

These statistics are pretty favorable for Indiana University's DPT program, at least if past classes are any indication. Unfortunately we can't predict how competitive the 2014 class will be.

If anything, I think your GRE scores are in the 49-55%ile, outside of the Analytical Writing score. That GRE is below the average of our last admitted class.

Best of luck to you! The other measures like CGPA and prerequisite GPA look favorable.

Josh Morrison
Director, Student Enrollment Services
IU School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, IUPUI
[email protected]
shrs.iupui.edu