extra-curriculars?

[vinganca]

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How vital are extracurriculars when applying for a DPT program? Should they all be related to PT, or do they generally like to see that you're well-rounded?

If I've got a 3.8 GPA, solid LOR's, a good amount of observation/volunteer hours in a variety of settings, and an above-average GRE score, but not many extracurricular activities...will that sink my chances?

Also, I've been involved with my local chapter of Food Not Bombs for the past year and a half...but is that "too political" to put on my app as an extracurricular or community service experience? I mean, our main activity/mission is to prepare and serve food to the homeless; I'd say that definitely qualifies as community service. But I'm afraid the Adcoms will see nothing but the group's political beliefs and could be turned off by that. Should I pick up a "safer" group for community service?

 

[crockdub]

How vital are extracurriculars when applying for a DPT program? Should they all be related to PT, or do they generally like to see that you're well-rounded?

If I've got a 3.8 GPA, solid LOR's, a good amount of observation/volunteer hours in a variety of settings, and an above-average GRE score, but not many extracurricular activities...will that sink my chances?

Also, I've been involved with my local chapter of Food Not Bombs for the past year and a half...but is that "too political" to put on my app as an extracurricular or community service experience? I mean, our main activity/mission is to prepare and serve food to the homeless; I'd say that definitely qualifies as community service. But I'm afraid the Adcoms will see nothing but the group's political beliefs and could be turned off by that. Should I pick up a "safer" group for community service?

You should be fine. If you are in doubt about the food not bombs, just say it's a program designed to give food for (not sure what they do, but you get the point).

 

[vinganca]

Thanks for the input 🙂 This extracurricular thing is driving me nuts...I'm really trying to focus a lot on my grades, and then relevant things like PT observation hours and GRE prep...but all that doesn't leave much time for outside activities! Are your grades, LORs and GRE scores the most important things when applying?

And the extracurriculars that I've been involved with don't have anything to do with PT (mostly performing-arts related; no idea how I could possibly tie that in!)

 

[crockdub]

Thanks for the input 🙂 This extracurricular thing is driving me nuts...I'm really trying to focus a lot on my grades, and then relevant things like PT observation hours and GRE prep...but all that doesn't leave much time for outside activities! Are your grades, LORs and GRE scores the most important things when applying?

And the extracurriculars that I've been involved with don't have anything to do with PT (mostly performing-arts related; no idea how I could possibly tie that in!)

It depends on the school. For example, Sacramento State does not factor GRE in at all (the university grad program only requires you take it), other school require less hours. LOR's at CSUN only factor in if they are bad because everybody's will say the exact same thing.

If you are required to write an essay, maybe focus on the fact that you were busy with so much (non-profit, performing arts, etc) and still maintained your GPA....that's just my opinion.

 

[vinganca]

If you are required to write an essay, maybe focus on the fact that you were busy with so much (non-profit, performing arts, etc) and still maintained your GPA....that's just my opinion.

Good idea.

Speaking of GPA...I have a BA in Music, and I'm terrified that's going to make me less competitive when it comes to PT admissions, going up against tons of people with science-related degrees. 🙁 So I'm contemplating how to work in to my application and/or interviews that switching from a completely unrelated track to the sciences and then getting a high GPA in the sciences is a positive thing. Shows that I'm adaptable, a quick learner, creative, etc.

So hopefully I can turn the music degree into a selling point instead of having it be my downfall. Because I would hate to have to get a second undergrad degree just to get into PT school.

My first choice school is GWU, second choice is Samuel Merritt, and both only require 40 hrs observation; I plan to get in as many as possible though. Whether things like that will count in my favor or not, I don't know--but my philosophy is when in doubt, overcompensate. 😉 (And my "it's probably a long shot but I'm applying anyway" school is UMB, and they require more hours.)

 

[lee9786]

Good idea.

Speaking of GPA...I have a BA in Music, and I'm terrified that's going to make me less competitive when it comes to PT admissions, going up against tons of people with science-related degrees. 🙁 So I'm contemplating how to work in to my application and/or interviews that switching from a completely unrelated track to the sciences and then getting a high GPA in the sciences is a positive thing. Shows that I'm adaptable, a quick learner, creative, etc.

So hopefully I can turn the music degree into a selling point instead of having it be my downfall. Because I would hate to have to get a second undergrad degree just to get into PT school.

My first choice school is GWU, second choice is Samuel Merritt, and both only require 40 hrs observation; I plan to get in as many as possible though. Whether things like that will count in my favor or not, I don't know--but my philosophy is when in doubt, overcompensate. 😉 (And my "it's probably a long shot but I'm applying anyway" school is UMB, and they require more hours.)

I certainly wouldn't worry about attaining another Bachelor's degree. I'd spend the time on doing things that give you more experience within the PT field and increase the GRE/prereq stats. I hear what you're saying regarding extracurricular activities. For nontraditional students there isn't much time for anything extra. I'm hoping I can list my experience as a tutor. I wonder if that is considered extracurricular though because I'm getting paid?

 

[crockdub]

In my class, we have a music major, Enlish lit, hotel/rest management, a few psych majors and only half were kinesiology majors. It really shouldn't matter because everything they want you to know about kinesiology they will most likely teach you anyways.