Chances of getting into PT school - please help

[Member2244]

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Hey guys, i am worried that i am not going to get into PT school. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. This is my situation.
Just graduated with an overall GPA of 3.29 in Exercise Science/ Pre-Physical Therapy.
My prerequisite class grades are:
Biology 1: C+
Biology 2: C
Chemistry 1: A
Chemistry 2: B
Chemistry 2 lab: C
Anatomy&phys 1: A
Anatomy&phys 1 lab: A-
Anatomy&phys 2: A-
Anatomy&Phys 2 lab: A
Statistics: C+
Intro to psychology: A
Developmental psychology: B+
Physics 1: A-
Physics 2: B+
I am a member of Exercise Science Club and National Society of Collegiate Scholars. I have been working as a Physical Therapist Tech for about a year at an outpatient clinic. I have 120 hours observing at another outpatient clinic.
I have not taken the GRE yet and plan to this Summer. I plan on applying through PTCAS this summer and I am willing to move anywhere I just want to get into any school.
Do you guys think I will get into PT school? I plan on applying to about 8 schools. Any advice or suggestions is greatly appreciated!!

 

[schnell8]

It's hard to say because your right at the borderline in my opinion...at least according to the requirements by the standards at Michigan schools...(which are hard to get into).

What is your pre-req GPA? It has to be over 3.0 for most schools. If it's not, you might have to retake both Bio's and your stats class. You could probably get away with retaking them from a community college. I would leave Chem Lab alone because I'm assuming it's probably only 1 credit? However, before you retake anything and before you enroll at a community college for retakes, I would investigate your schools to see what they say about retaking classes and community colleges. Check out PTCAS or email admissions advisors (<--they don't make the decisions but can help give you advice). Some schools will flat out deny you for this, BUT some schools will simply give you a small penalty (a penalty worth taking just for the opportunity to apply). As I have said in multiple posts about retaking classes, as long as you get a 4.0 in them, you will be taking one step back to go 3 steps forward.

As for your volunteer hours, you need to get inpatient or nursing home hours in. 200 hours of a variety of inpatient, outpatient, nursing home settings will ALWAYS be better than someone with 400 hours of outpatient only.

As for extra stuff, this is optional but look into research. I did write a post about volunteering for research on this forum. Check it out here...http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=1002014

Hope this helps!

 

[nicolej5]

C's aren't optimal but they aren't a deal breaker. What is a deal breaker in some instances is your limited experience. Only outpatient? You NEED to find a way to get inpatient, pediatrics, geriatrics...anything besides outpatient. I've had so many admissions counselors tell me that they would take someone with mediocre grades and varied experience over someone with a 4.0 and 1,000 outpatient hours. Experience, experience, experience. Be smart with where you apply. If you're applying to 8 of the top schools in the country (I know rankings don't count, so just think the top most desirable), good luck. Apply to a few "easy" schools, a few schools that match your stats and few "reach" schools.

 

[NewTestament]

Retake Biology. Get As in them. Leave Chemistry II alone. Every application has a blemish somewhere.

But like nicole said, you need to add variety to your experience. There are so many settings other than outpatient. They're harder to find, but you must find them. You will not be competitive with just outpatient hours.

Kevin

 

[Member2244]

Awesome thanks a lot guys !! I'll get on that as soon as possible

 

[GTT4DPT]

Are Biology 1 and 2 considered pre-reqs for the programs you're considering? For me, they were just needed in order to get into A&P, but they weren't part of my pre-req GPA.

 

[jdaniels360]

Bio 1 and 2 not part of your pre-req GPA? Really? What school?