Extremely competitive admission pool this year

[Sophiberry]

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I have applied for DPT program for early admission in TTU and TWU. Submitted my applications early in Aug and Sep this year. At this time of the time, I was waiting for answer from either school anytime now. And the letter from TTU came this afternoon. The letter says that they would like to hold my application until they see the rest of the application pool when they comes in Jan. I have not heard from TWU.

These are my stats:
Pre-req GPA: at least 3.7
last 60 hour GPA: at least 3.7
over all GPA: 3.4 ish
GRE: 1140, 3.5
Volunteer: 60 inpatient, 60 outpatient, over 500 personal attendant

Not thinking my stats are very great, but they are hinting that I might not make it. According to TTU, their previous year class GPA average was 3.5 (both science and general).
Although this is not the waiting list since they are still waiting for the regular applications, but I can imagine what type of student population I am up against.

Just a heads up to rest of you out there waiting to hear from your school. Sorry to ruin your holiday mood. But at least this is something you can read and prepare yourself emotionally.

Yet keep hopes up!

 

[black]

I don't know about the TTU stats of last years class but against other programs you have about average stats. My guess is you received a early decision rejection, meaning they want to see if they get better applicants than you. This doesn't mean they will but it's not a rejection letter which could mean a couple things.
1) There are fewer early decision applicants with better stats than spots in the program.
2) If you applied with your stats last year you would have had a chance to get in, this doesn't mean you will this year but my guess is it's something they look at.
If you're worried and have to get in this year apply to more programs if not try not to worry until you get the letter saying no.

 

[Sophiberry]

I agree black. This put me into perspective. I have been browsing the forum for monthes. And the only thing that I can compare to are stats from last year and people's "what are my chances" post. I hungered for some realistic new, but there has not been much.

I have to admit with a little shame that I have been pretty confident with my grades, and didn't worry much until recently. Yet, I still reserve some faith in me.

I am posting this post as a piece of "current event" for the massive anxious people check news for admission on this forum. Message is "This year is gonna be tougher". And for those who wander what there chances are with 3.2 ish GPA, your chance just got slimmer. Due to the economy, more people are sticking to the education. Those who used to belong in medication school will be counting your spot in PT school.

I will be working on alternatives for insure my future. It is not something I would bet on.

 

[Bigshoguns]

Let me start out by saying PTCAS has made things easy and hard. app process has been really easy but ppl just with a click of a mouse can apply to any program. this makes it really hard and competitive almost as much as medical school.

BUT i wouldn't be looking down or having 2nd thoughts your stats are pretty good. early decision is always 50/50 but your stats are up there, if i were you i wouldn't be worried.

 

[DPTErudition]

I have applied for DPT program for early admission in TTU and TWU. Submitted my applications early in Aug and Sep this year. At this time of the time, I was waiting for answer from either school anytime now. And the letter from TTU came this afternoon. The letter says that they would like to hold my application until they see the rest of the application pool when they comes in Jan. I have not heard from TWU.

These are my stats:
Pre-req GPA: at least 3.7
last 60 hour GPA: at least 3.7
over all GPA: 3.4 ish
GRE: 1140, 3.5
Volunteer: 60 inpatient, 60 outpatient, over 500 personal attendant

Not thinking my stats are very great, but they are hinting that I might not make it. According to TTU, their previous year class GPA average was 3.5 (both science and general).
Although this is not the waiting list since they are still waiting for the regular applications, but I can imagine what type of student population I am up against.

Just a heads up to rest of you out there waiting to hear from your school. Sorry to ruin your holiday mood. But at least this is something you can read and prepare yourself emotionally.

Yet keep hopes up!

Sophi, not to instill any false hope in you, but having talked to some of the people that have interviewed already, I would say you have a good chance of being invited for an interview during normal admissions.

 

[rosebud1]

Let me start out by saying PTCAS has made things easy and hard. app process has been really easy but ppl just with a click of a mouse can apply to any program. this makes it really hard and competitive almost as much as medical school.

I've been getting mixed info on this topic. On one hand, I've heard that admissions are getting tougher because of PTCAS and people applying to so many schools. But at the same time, I also keep hearing that interest is decreasing due to the rising costs of education because of the DPT vs relatively low salary compared to other healthcare fields.

So do the two balance each other out leading to similar acceptance rates as previous years? Thoughts, anyone?

 

[truthseeker]

Des Moines University used to have rolling admissions. If you apply early, you get a response early, no waiting around to see if something better comes along.

BTW, I don't think it is harder to get into medical school than PT. The class sizes in PT make acceptance more restrictive and therefore more competitive. The GPAs of PT applicants are as high as med school applicants.

 

[MinnDasota]

BTW, I don't think it is harder to get into medical school than PT. The class sizes in PT make acceptance more restrictive and therefore more competitive. The GPAs of PT applicants are as high as med school applicants.

Agreed!

 

[vinganca]

Let me start out by saying PTCAS has made things easy and hard. app process has been really easy but ppl just with a click of a mouse can apply to any program. this makes it really hard and competitive almost as much as medical school.

yes, but...PTCAS or not, an individual can only attend one school in the end! 😛 More spots will open up after successful applicants start declining the other 3 or 5 or however-many admissions offers they received.

The only real nail-biting difference is that more people will recieve admissions offers later after being initially put on the waiting list, whereas before the PTCAS-induced deluge of applications, they may have just been accepted outright.

 

[Shugo]

I agree black. This put me into perspective. I have been browsing the forum for monthes. And the only thing that I can compare to are stats from last year and people's "what are my chances" post. I hungered for some realistic new, but there has not been much.

I have to admit with a little shame that I have been pretty confident with my grades, and didn't worry much until recently. Yet, I still reserve some faith in me.

I am posting this post as a piece of "current event" for the massive anxious people check news for admission on this forum. Message is "This year is gonna be tougher". And for those who wander what there chances are with 3.2 ish GPA, your chance just got slimmer. Due to the economy, more people are sticking to the education. Those who used to belong in medication school will be counting your spot in PT school.

I will be working on alternatives for insure my future. It is not something I would bet on.

I think it is presumptuous to say that because you are discouraged with the two schools you applied to other people should be feeling worried also. The motive for your posting was to report your high application stats along with the trouble you are experiencing so that others can share your worry, right? Schools value different qualities, I have a lower GPA than you but higher GRE and experience and I have been accepted into a program for next year. Someone will probably ask what my stats are: 3.2 cumulative GPA, 3.5 pre-req GPA, 1200 GRE 4.0 AW, around 1500 hours of experience in several outpatient settings and 2 hospitals.

 

[vinganca]

I think it is presumptuous to say that because you are discouraged with the two schools you applied to other people should be feeling worried also. The motive for your posting was to report your high application stats along with the trouble you are experiencing so that others can share your worry, right? Schools value different qualities, I have a lower GPA than you but higher GRE and experience and I have been accepted into a program for next year. Someone will probably ask what my stats are: 3.2 cumulative GPA, 3.5 pre-req GPA, 1200 GRE 4.0 AW, around 1500 hours of experience in several outpatient settings and 2 hospitals.

Agreed; I can't stand fearmongering. What on earth is the point of banging on about how difficult it all is, how so few make it, etc? Trust that we're all aware of the situation and quite nervous enough without any additional prodding! 😛

At the same time, I do sympathise with the OP being in a place of worry and "what if?" My heart goes out to everyone applying this cycle; the waiting game can be torture, esp when the stakes are so high and we've all worked so hard for so long toward this.

Speaking of working hard...congrats on your acceptance, Shugo! 🙂

 

[Sophiberry]

Thank you, DPTErudition, for you reinsurance.

And.....nope, I did not start this thread to spead fear and anxiety(since it is so rare among this time of year on this forum...).

I am more concerned about speading news. This is the only news I have got in a long time, and I guess I was too emotionally involved.

I think people appreciate any processive news, good one, bad one, confusing ones(like mine).

....right?

OK... (change topic)I didn't know med school admission has similar GPA requirement. Then why does medicine doctors always think they are all that?...(ops, got personal again)

 

[Danae00]

.

 

[vinganca]

And.....nope, I did not start this thread to spead fear and anxiety(since it is so rare among this time of year on this forum...).

😛 OK, I should be more understanding; it is a stressful time for a lot of people right now. I apologise.

I'm just at the point where I've been so inundated with all the negativity that if I hear one more word from anyone IRL or online about PT admission being competitive, I think I might literally explode. I do wish you the best and hope you get accepted. 🙂

 

[DPTErudition]

Generally speaking, it is MUCH harder to get into med school than a PT program. The GRE & the MCAT:: thumb wars & fighting Mike Tyson in his prime.

 

[Akiramay]

Generally speaking, it is MUCH harder to get into med school than a PT program. The GRE & the MCAT:: thumb wars & fighting Mike Tyson in his prime.

Oh man, that analogy is awesome! XD

 

[johnnytruant]

Generally speaking, it is MUCH harder to get into med school than a PT program. The GRE & the MCAT:: thumb wars & fighting Mike Tyson in his prime.

lol

I've glossed over some MCAT review books and that thing is a freaking nightmare compared to the GRE.

 

[lee9786]

If your intention is medical school, than I'd say there is no better time than this year to apply. MCAT and prereqs aside, I've heard it's easier to get into Med school than PT school now. I heard this from a PT actually. He recommended I go to Med school. lol

 

[rosebud1]

If your intention is medical school, than I'd say there is no better time than this year to apply. MCAT and prereqs aside, I've heard it's easier to get into Med school than PT school now. I heard this from a PT actually. He recommended I go to Med school. lol

The average med school has like a 5% acceptance rate. PT schools typically have much higher rates than that.

I don't think that either field can substituted for the other as a back-up, though, because to be a successful applicant at either type of school, you have to have significant experience in the field and prove to the admissions committee that it's absolutely 100% what you want to do. If someone set on PT applies to med school, their lack of passion for it will likely show, thus making it very unlikely that they'll get accepted. And vice-versa.

 

[vinganca]

The average med school has like a 5% acceptance rate. PT schools typically have much higher rates than that.

Yep. I had to check something on the website of one of the schools I'm planning to apply to, and just for kicks I also searched through their med school pages and compared the application/acceptance rates. PT: 210 applicants, 55 seats. Med school: over 4400 applicants, 160 seats. (yeah, I know that's only one example, but still.)

And all the cleverly worded statistics I keep running into, and the reactions they inspire in a lot of grad school hopefuls, make me want to write out a massive "how to spot deceptive statistics" post. Maybe I will, after I get through finals week.

If someone set on PT applies to med school, their lack of passion for it will likely show, thus making it very unlikely that they'll get accepted. And vice-versa.

Exactly. And I think that the influx of people who are going into PT solely because it's being incessantly touted as the cushy new "hot career" 🙄 will be seen through in a similar fashion.