DPT applications and Low GPA

[arit25]

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Hi everyone, I'm a California native, just graduated from SDSU and I'm considering applying to DPT schools this Fall. I would prefer to get into a CSU but am keeping my options open and looking into a few privates and even out of state. I'm second guessing applying this Fall because I have a 3.2-3.3 overall/pre-req GPA. I haven't taken the GRE's yet, planning on sometime this summer and I have over 200 hrs of inpatient and outpatient clinical hours.

Here are my top choices:

CSUN, CSULB, CSUF, Mount Saint Mary's University, West Coast University, Touro University

considering: University of Saint Augustine, SDSU, Midwestern, AT Still, UNLV, Samuel Merritt in Oakland,Western University etc.

Price is an issue that's why I'm steering towards CSU's and places with cheaper rent. I'm also looking to get federal aid or a hispanic scholarship. I'm missing a pre-req requirement in CSULB, Mount Saint Mary's and Touro which sucks because these are my top choices.

For those that have gotten in, is there a chance for me with my GPA to get into maybe CSUN or any of the other schools mentioned above, or should I wait another year to take more classes to maybe boost my GPA and finish those requirements? Please help, I am really stressed out.

 

[ktachiba]

Cal states usually require having a 3.7 GPA or higher...I had a 3.6 overall and 3.8 pre-req and was waitlisted at #96 for CSUN🙁... It will be very difficult to get into any state schools with your stats. You should have a decent shot at the other schools you listed, just try and get over a 300 on the GRE.

 

[ktachiba]

Out of the schools you listed, the hardest are the state schools and UNLV....I'm not sure about Samuel Merrit, but you should have a chance at all the other schools

 

[Daniel M. Pitta]

I have a 2.65 last 60 from undergrad, 2.8 cGPA from undergrad and 3.4 prereq gpa. Be happy you have the stats that you do.

 

[FitPanda]

I hear you Daniel M!

I have a 2.65 last 60 from undergrad, 2.8 cGPA from undergrad and 3.4 prereq gpa. Be happy you have the stats that you do.

My undergrad GPA was 3.11 and my science GPA ranges between 2.3 and 2.8 depending on the calculation.
I still have 2 courses left to take, so I am really going to try to get a 3.7 or higher in them. I won't let my low GPA stop me from getting into grad school! Everyone I've ever worked with has told me I'd make a great PT.
My plan is to apply with 120 observation hours under my belt.

 

[ptlover]

Hey checkout my recent guest blog post on applying to PT school for newgradphysical therapy.com it'll help you figure out what schools to apply to.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/index.php?threads/1140840/

 

[Rgvmed]

I hear you Daniel M!


My undergrad GPA was 3.11 and my science GPA ranges between 2.3 and 2.8 depending on the calculation.
I still have 2 courses left to take, so I am really going to try to get a 3.7 or higher in them. I won't let my low GPA stop me from getting into grad school! Everyone I've ever worked with has told me I'd make a great PT.
My plan is to apply with 120 observation hours under my belt.

did you really mean a 2.3 to 2.8, or 3.3 to 3.8...

 

[FitPanda]

2.3 to 2.8, or 3.3 to 3.8...

Those stats are not a typo

 

[Azimuthal]

OP, your chances of getting into a CSU with your current stats are very slim, even with a 300+ GRE. CSU's get anywhere from 800-1500 applicants per cycle for 32-36 seats. CSUN being the most competitive. Of the program's listed, your best chances are with Touro NV, West Coast University, and USA. Note that two of the programs listed are private for-profit institutions. I'd add Western University to your list to increase your chances.

 

[aroszko]

I hear you Daniel M!


My undergrad GPA was 3.11 and my science GPA ranges between 2.3 and 2.8 depending on the calculation.
I still have 2 courses left to take, so I am really going to try to get a 3.7 or higher in them. I won't let my low GPA stop me from getting into grad school! Everyone I've ever worked with has told me I'd make a great PT.
My plan is to apply with 120 observation hours under my belt.

Not to sound like a Debbie Downer over here but I HIGHLY recommend retaking all of your science classes to make sure you have AT LEAST a B in (A is obviously better) because having a 2.3-2.8 science GPA will make it very difficult to get in to PT school, you do have above a 3.0 cumulative so that it ok but do realize that EVERYONE has that, if not higher. Its great that you're determined to get in to school and that people that work with you say you'd be a great PT but the application process is a HUGE numbers game, schools get anywhere from 800-2000 applications a year and of those they throw out any that don't meet any of the minimums (so if science GPA is 3.0 and you were to apply your application would be thrown out before even looking at the rest - it dosnt matter how good your references are or your essay at that point, you have to get past the initial cut to even be looked at). Have you taken your GRE yet? Also make sure your observations are in several different aspects of PT (in patient, out patient, aqua, hippo, meds, school etc). Best of luck!

 

[starrsgirl]

^^^As someone who had this GPA....just plan on retaking everything now and quickly BEFORE applying. (I'm assuming you mean pre req GPA by "science GPA"?) You won't get in with these kinds of numbers no matter how awesome your application is. I wish I had realized that sooner because I would be a little further in school at this point. You can't "overcome" severely weak areas on your application with other sections. You cannot get into schools who state their minimum requirements are 3.0 are up....no waivers, no exceptions. You just need to get your GPA higher.

 

[Lakeshow4Lfye]

Hope everyone gets into the school they like!!!

I am also a California native but am applying to schools out-of- state and schools that do not require the GRE (mostly privates). I have an accumulative GPA of 3.23 and my pre-req is 3.5-3.6 varrying on the program. My last 60 units are also a 3.7 which I think is decent. I am a former division 1 soccer player and professional athlete and I really want to pursue my Physical Therapy degree. I have a total of 750 hours from 3 different in patient/outpatient settings. I have a couple outstanding classes which I will take in the Fall and Spring but I am still going to apply for a few schools this summer.

Does anyone have a clue with my stats what they think about my chances of getting in 1st time around? Any help is greatly appreciated, much love!

 

[Rgvmed]

Not to sound like a Debbie Downer over here but I HIGHLY recommend retaking all of your science classes to make sure you have AT LEAST a B in (A is obviously better) because having a 2.3-2.8 science GPA will make it very difficult to get in to PT school, you do have above a 3.0 cumulative so that it ok but do realize that EVERYONE has that, if not higher. Its great that you're determined to get in to school and that people that work with you say you'd be a great PT but the application process is a HUGE numbers game, schools get anywhere from 800-2000 applications a year and of those they throw out any that don't meet any of the minimums (so if science GPA is 3.0 and you were to apply your application would be thrown out before even looking at the rest - it dosnt matter how good your references are or your essay at that point, you have to get past the initial cut to even be looked at). Have you taken your GRE yet? Also make sure your observations are in several different aspects of PT (in patient, out patient, aqua, hippo, meds, school etc). Best of luck!

I think even suggesting there is a slim chance the OP will get in should be considered a crime!! Don't give people hope when there is NONE. Retake all of your classes at a community college so you can save money and hopefully have an easier shot at an A (although this is not always the case!). This is not a charity, you will have to bust your butt to get in so don't expect it to come easy. I would recommend not looking at these forums again until you string together multiple semesters of a 3.5 gpa at minimum...you need to target schools that only look at your last 60 credit hours and utilize the GRE heavily in your admissions profile.

 

[jzoo725]

Recent DPT grad here (texas woman's university) who is also a california native. Here were my stats before applying, being waitlisted, and eventually pulled off for acceptance:

Undergraduate Program: Dartmouth College
Undergrad cumulative GPA: 2.4
Last 60 hours GPA: 2.8
Science Pre-req GPA (all taken at a community college): 3.8
GRE Math: 760 GRE Verbal: 650 (i'm not sure what this equates to on the revised edition)
Inpatient hours: 120
Outpatient hours: 350

With these stats, it is nothing short of a miracle getting into TWU since they are a top 25 program WITHOUT an interview (only paper based application with no interview). I think what helped me a lot was my extracurricular experience of being a tennis coach and running my own academy, being a competitive tennis player for 14 years including being a top player on a D1 team, and running my own photography business as well. Because of my low GPA I had to explain why it was so low and that I had improved my academic performance significantly in the last two years of college.

I would highly recommend retaking those science classes before applying because the science GPA matters a lot, and you're basically doing science courses for the next three years at a much higher level. The schools need to know you can handle tough science courses. If you have any questions feel free to message me and i'll be happy to answer any questions. I'm currently studying for the licensure/board exam so i'll do my best to respond in a timely manner. Best of luck my friend.

JT

 

[Rgvmed]

Recent DPT grad here (texas woman's university) who is also a california native. Here were my stats before applying, being waitlisted, and eventually pulled off for acceptance:

Undergraduate Program: Dartmouth College
Undergrad cumulative GPA: 2.4
Last 60 hours GPA: 2.8
Science Pre-req GPA (all taken at a community college): 3.8
GRE Math: 760 GRE Verbal: 650 (i'm not sure what this equates to on the revised edition)
Inpatient hours: 120
Outpatient hours: 350

With these stats, it is nothing short of a miracle getting into TWU since they are a top 25 program WITHOUT an interview (only paper based application with no interview). I think what helped me a lot was my extracurricular experience of being a tennis coach and running my own academy, being a competitive tennis player for 14 years including being a top player on a D1 team, and running my own photography business as well. Because of my low GPA I had to explain why it was so low and that I had improved my academic performance significantly in the last two years of college.

I would highly recommend retaking those science classes before applying because the science GPA matters a lot, and you're basically doing science courses for the next three years at a much higher level. The schools need to know you can handle tough science courses. If you have any questions feel free to message me and i'll be happy to answer any questions. I'm currently studying for the licensure/board exam so i'll do my best to respond in a timely manner. Best of luck my friend.

JT

honestly, it's not really a shock you got in. TWU likes prestige and your undergraduate degree is ivy league, regardless of your GPA. Not to mention, your GRE score is on the very high end for the average PT applicant. Your GRE score, undergrad pedigree and prepreq GPA are more than enough to get into a school like TWU. On the other hand, people who had a 2.4 at Southwestern Saint Arkansas State are in a much different position.

 

[okramango]

honestly, it's not really a shock you got in. TWU likes prestige and your undergraduate degree is ivy league, regardless of your GPA. Not to mention, your GRE score is on the very high end for the average PT applicant. Your GRE score, undergrad pedigree and prepreq GPA are more than enough to get into a school like TWU. On the other hand, people who had a 2.4 at Southwestern Saint Arkansas State are in a much different position.

I'm a TWU student and have never heard of them specifically accepting students from "prestigious" schools. I'm pretty sure they mainly look at the numbers (last 60 and science GPAs, GRE), observation hours, volunteer hours, resume, essay, & LORs. Jzoo's numbers were all pretty high except for his last 60 (TWU doesn't look at cumulative), so he probably got in with his high science GPA and very high GREs, plus essays, etc. I don't know of anyone in my own class that went to an ivy league, and most of us attended public universities for undergrad. I'm wondering where you heard that they favor "prestige"?

 

[SloanTriumph]

I have a low GPA, but my issue is that I did well in all science classes are my low grads are in random classes. I was Waitlisted to 4 schools this term and not pulled off any. How should I address having low grades in non PT related classes?

 

[starrsgirl]

^^retake any pre reqs that you don't have an A in....it will boost your already higher science GPA and boost your cum GPA. Next, turn a critical eye to the rest of your application and make sure there isn't something else that was holding you back. Post away if necessary. This forum is a very honest crowd.

 

[PT forever]

Recent DPT grad here (texas woman's university) who is also a california native. Here were my stats before applying, being waitlisted, and eventually pulled off for acceptance:

Undergraduate Program: Dartmouth College
Undergrad cumulative GPA: 2.4
Last 60 hours GPA: 2.8
Science Pre-req GPA (all taken at a community college): 3.8
GRE Math: 760 GRE Verbal: 650 (i'm not sure what this equates to on the revised edition)
Inpatient hours: 120
Outpatient hours: 350

With these stats, it is nothing short of a miracle getting into TWU since they are a top 25 program WITHOUT an interview (only paper based application with no interview). I think what helped me a lot was my extracurricular experience of being a tennis coach and running my own academy, being a competitive tennis player for 14 years including being a top player on a D1 team, and running my own photography business as well. Because of my low GPA I had to explain why it was so low and that I had improved my academic performance significantly in the last two years of college.

I would highly recommend retaking those science classes before applying because the science GPA matters a lot, and you're basically doing science courses for the next three years at a much higher level. The schools need to know you can handle tough science courses. If you have any questions feel free to message me and i'll be happy to answer any questions. I'm currently studying for the licensure/board exam so i'll do my best to respond in a timely manner. Best of luck my friend.

JT

I am new at this forum but really want to become a physical therapist and your post just gives me so much hope. Thank you!!