Dilemma. Please help

[Strive4success]

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hello
So my cumulative GPA is 2.9 and I haven't taken the GRE yet. I also did not do volunteer work for the field of Physical Therapy. However, I am in my 5th year of school and I will be graduating soon (last quarter left). Would the best choice be for me to take my time and finish off the quarter strong and then study for GRE and do PT work to boost my competitiveness or should I try taking the GRE and apply this cycle.

Thanks

 

[markelmarcel]

Personally, if it were me, seeing that your GPA is right on the borderline of what 98% of schools require for entrance, I would finish out as strongly as possible and then take the GRE/do your observation hours.

I had a very strong GPA (ended up with a 3.89) and waited until I was done with all of my classes before I did my shadowing and attempted the GRE. I wanted to be able to focus my energy on one thing at a time to make myself the best candidate I can be. 🙂

 

[psu17]

I would also wait - get your GPA at the 3.0 level this semester - you'll need a good GRE score to make up for your GPA, so you might as well take your time and focus on making them both as high as possible

 

[Muscles00GT]

Depends where you want to apply. I was in a similar situation last year..I graduated in the Fall and ended up with a 2.9 GPA. I didn't apply, but instead spent a ton of time shadowing and working with PT's once I graduated. I took the GRE's prior to graduation and did okay on them, nothing great. I ended up with a 1030 total which is above the 1000 cutoff for most schools. Again, my GPA isn't stellar; however, I had a bunch of things going on in undergrad that influenced my grades. With that said, I got involved in a TON of activities, specifically in the healthcare/research fields.

I just finished applying for this admissions cycle. We will see what happens.

I would say graduate, take the GRE's and get in AS MUCH experience as you can and apply to quite a few schools.

 

[pttrac]

Is that your GPA for undergrad or your pre-req GPA? I would just concentrate on bringing that up as others have mentioned. After school is done, focus on GREs and getting the experience needed to apply. Without any experience your application this cycle might appear weak. Also, did you obtain LORs?

 

[Strive4success]

yeah thats my undergrad gpa
Thanks for the advice!! I think i will definitely try to finish strong and then see from there.

 

[Muscles00GT]

yeah thats my undergrad gpa
Thanks for the advice!! I think i will definitely try to finish strong and then see from there.

Your best bet is going to be to apply early. Again, you're in a very similar situation as me. I have a 2.9 undergrad overall. The whole app. process takes a while especially when it comes to obtaining LOR's, getting experience, sending out transcripts, GRE scores, etc. It's a long process. Worry about this semester then once it's all over, take your GRE's, get in as much experience as necessary and start filling out your PTCAS app. as soon as it becomes available, which I believe is July.