DPT Schools in Illinois

[happy2befree]

Hi all,

I'm currently a Pre-PT student getting my undergrad at a school in IL. Although my school does have a DPT program, it's very competitive so I'm making sure to look into all other options. Although I'll apply out of state,I really want to stay in Illinois. Here's a list of the IL schools I'm interested in. If you have applied to any of these, attend any of these, or been accepted to any of these- it would be SO helpful if you could post your stats and any insight you may have. Thanks 🙂

Bradley University
Governors State University
Midwestern University
Northern Illinois University
Northwestern University
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
The University of Illinois at Chicago

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[happy2befree]

I have researched these schools throughly, I'm just trying to get a good grasp on how competitive they are as far as grades/GRE/observation hours go!

 

[happy2befree]

Does anybody have any input?

 

[DesertPT]

This sticky at the top of the pre-PT forum is the Grand Poobah of them all. Start your research here. Hundreds and hundreds of people have posted their stats and their results at each school they applied to over the past seven years or so. Focus on posts from the last 2-3 years for more relevant information. Open the thread, click the search bar at the top, check the box for "search within this thread" and enter your school of interest to see every post regarding this school.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/gpas-gres-xtras-acceptances.427018/

Also, the advanced search function of SDN allows you to search within a specific forum or forums. Select that you want to search within the PT forums and type in your school of interest. You will find every post ever that has mentioned that school. Also, if you restrict your search to just thread titles, you will probably find school-specific threads from previous application cycles.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/search/

Please change your status from "Physical Therapy Student" to "Pre-Physical Therapy". Good luck and happy reading. 🙂 I'm sure others will be able to chime in with specific insights into these schools.

 

[happy2befree]

Okay thanks!!

 

[ander120]

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign '14
Major: Interdisciplinary Health
Overall GPA: 3.52
Pre-req GPA: 3.2 (increases depending on school because I have retaken classes)
GRE: 157 V 156 Q 4.5 AW
Observation: 105 outpatient, 60 inpatient
Exta-Curric: pre-pt club, kinesiology research assistant, student intern at health center, sorority leadership position, volunteer at nursing home, dean's list (3 semesters), graduated with honors

Applying: Rosalind Franklin, Midwestern DG, Midwestern Glendale, UIC, Governors State, Nova Southeastern
Interviews: Midwestern Glendale 10/31, Governors State 12/5 or 12/10
Accepted: Midwestern Glendale 11/4, Nova 11/18, Governors State 12/15
Wait-listed: UIC
Rejected: N/A
Attending: Governors State

*I did not apply to Bradley or NIU because I could not see myself living in Dekalb or Peoria. Did not apply to Northwestern because their price tag is insane.

Still have not heard from Rosalind or Midwestern DG. I am a little surprised that I haven't heard ANYTHING, not even a rejection. Especially because I applied very early and have heard of many people being offered interviews at MWU with lower stats than mine. However, I don't really care at this point. I would choose GSU over both of them anyways.

I had average grades and really stressed out about getting accepted for a LONG time. I mean like years. My adviser told me I would most likely not be accepted to an Illinois school, however I was not going to accept that. Governors State was my number one choice because of location and cost. I can easily commute to the school. About two years ago, I reached out to the DPT adviser at GSU. I met with him and he looked over my stats. He gave me advice on areas to improve and what they look for. I remained in contact over the following two years, asking questions when I had them. I also attended two open house sessions to show how interested I was. Needless to say, I think they were well aware of who I was haha. I think sometimes people underestimate just how far expressing your interest, without being obnoxious, can really go. I researched everything I could about the program and was extremely prepared for my interview. I think they were impressed by the amount of research I had done. Moral of the story: I had average grades, nothing spectacular. But I did absolutely everything I could do elsewhere, tried my best on the GRE, and it paid off.

Oh, and apply EARLY. Start your essay before the application opens. Get your references in place and submit as soon as possible.

 

[DesertPT]

Did not apply to Northwestern because their price tag is insane.

Not a lot different than Midwestern from what I can tell...

 

[ander120]

I know, but atleast for Midwestern I would be able to commute.

 

[Carson Ranger]

I went to both NU and UIC open houses this year, and in my opinion UIC wins hands-down.

 

[mrleroyfashion123]

University: Northern Illinois University
Major: Pre-Physical Therapy

My stats after the academic update(according to PTCAS):
Total GPA: 3.82
Science GPA (I've taken everything but physiology): 3.62
PT Prereqs: 3.75

At NIU my GPA is a 3.856

GRE: 152V, 157Q, 4.5 writing

Observation Hours:
Early intervention pediatrics: 25
Nursing Home: 28
Outpatient Ortho:44
Women's health: 60
Extra Curric: Pre-PT club, Alpha Phi Omega (co-ed service fraternity). I'm also graduating in 3 years total, which I think helped me get into a few of the schools.

Accepted: Concordia University Wisconsin, Midwestern Downers Grove, Rosalind Franklin, Northern Illinois University

Waitlisted: University Illinois Chicago, UW Milwaukee, Carroll University

Rejected: None

I didn't apply to Bradley because they primarily take their own students. I didn't know that about Carroll university either (don't apply there! They take at least 60 of their 80 spots and give them to their own students!). I didn't apply to Governors State University because they require an additional bio or chemistry class and I only took the 2 required chemistry and bio courses. I didn't even bother with Northwestern. I didn't think I would get in!

I am going to go to Concordia. I liked it best because it's only a class of 26 and last year they had a 100% first time pass rate for the exam! Also the faculty is very involved with the students, it's a great program! Rosalind Franklin and Midwestern have larger programs. On my tours for both schools the students and faculty members didn't seem that interested in talking to me or getting to know me. NIU is a great option if you're looking to save money. I personally just want to get out of Dekalb, it's boring and in the middle of a corn field -_-