Fall Classes Before Next Cycle

[Mayomi]

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Hello and thank you all for your help over the past few months. All your answers have been very helpful. Today I am facing a dilemma with my school, because I have already taken some of the classes I want to retake and made a satisfactory grade I am told I am only allowed to take one class over again this summer. My initial plan was to take 2 classes over the summer in order to beef up my application for my application to PT schools for 2017. My question is: If I end up taking these 2 classes in the fall instead of the summer will it hurt my chances for admittance? I have a C+ in both classes, and if I take them in the fall the grades will not be in until mid December of 2016. Do schools see unfinished classes as a reason to overlook that applicant over someone who may have all courses completed or will they wait to see how I did in these retaken classes before deciding? From what I was told by one admissions office was that it would be okay to have 2 classes that I do not have a grade for, but I just wanted to see if anyone was in a similar situation that I am currently in.

 

[starrsgirl]

I would just find a community college to retake the classes this summer if you can. Don't even worry about telling your school that.

 

[Mayomi]

I would just find a community college to retake the classes this summer if you can. Don't even worry about telling your school that.

I'm having trouble registering for the courses I need. I may only be able to take one class at a CC. That is why I may have to wait until the fall.

 

[starrsgirl]

I'm having trouble registering for the courses I need. I may only be able to take one class at a CC. That is why I may have to wait until the fall.

Full classes or what? Have you checked all colleges in the area?

 

[hhma16]

If you're taking a non-science pre-req (psychology, statistics, or medical terminology) that doesn't require or have a lab, I'm sure there are always online options out there for you to check out - either at a CC or as an extension student at a 4 year university.

 

[Mayomi]

The CC requires that I apply as a "special student" since I am not going to school for their specific 2 year degree's. Because of this I get last priority to register, and its unlikely I get into the classes I would need. Also the classes I am taking are science classes that would not be offered online, and also some of the schools I am applying to do not like seeing science courses taken online. My university will only let me grade raise one grade as a undergraduate student, and I wanted to retake two classes I got C+'s in (Physics 1 and Chemistry 1).

So now I was going to take one in the summer and then wait to apply at the CC this fall as a normal student or when there are more classes offered and I have a better chance of getting into the class.

I am just hoping that having a C+ in a class but an in progress status on the retake won't hurt my chances of getting into schools because they will not have my grade for the retake until the December before the next application cycle.

 

[starrsgirl]

Can you apply as a normal student this summer? How hard would that be? What area are you in? Are there any other community colleges in neighboring towns? Are there any other colleges or universities besides yours?

I think it's important you that applying with 2 C+s is going to hurt. The "in progress" won't help you at all (UNLESS you are applying to really late cycle schools). What is your current pre req GPA? Calculate that now with those C+s and see where that puts you. Do you even meet the pre req minimums with that mix of grades?

I'm a big advocate of careful planning and seeking creative options now versus being surprised if you don't get in just over a few small things.

 

[Ginglymus]

If I were you I would try to take both courses in the summer. Im confused as to why the school would only let you take 1 course. After my degree I went back and retook the same courses as a "non degree seeking student" and wasn't limited on how many courses I could take. As far as registering, in my experience if a class was full (this happened to me many times) I would first email the professor or go talk to him in his office too see if he would add me, or at the very minimum sit in the class the first day and talk to him after lecture.

 

[hhma16]

The CC requires that I apply as a "special student" since I am not going to school for their specific 2 year degree's. Because of this I get last priority to register, and its unlikely I get into the classes I would need. Also the classes I am taking are science classes that would not be offered online, and also some of the schools I am applying to do not like seeing science courses taken online. My university will only let me grade raise one grade as a undergraduate student, and I wanted to retake two classes I got C+'s in (Physics 1 and Chemistry 1).

So now I was going to take one in the summer and then wait to apply at the CC this fall as a normal student or when there are more classes offered and I have a better chance of getting into the class.

I am just hoping that having a C+ in a class but an in progress status on the retake won't hurt my chances of getting into schools because they will not have my grade for the retake until the December before the next application cycle.

If your university or a neighboring CC offers the courses you need, why don't you just use your one grade raise attempt at your university for one course and take the other course over the summer at a CC? Or better yet, if possible, take the two courses at two different CC's that are close by. Knocks two birds out with one stone. Takes less pressure on having to get both in the fall.

 

[Mayomi]

The reason I can only take 1 class to grade raise is because I haven't officially graduated, and would be registering as an undergraduate. I could go apply to the masters program and become a non degree seeking graduate student but the problem is that is a process and registration for summer classes begins in a few days. My best option right now is to take what I can this summer, and then take the other course in the fall. My pre-req GPA is around a 3.2 as it stands. Which I am aware is on the low side. My focus besides retaking these classes, has been on strengthening my application in other areas. Last semester I did research for one of the professors of the PT department at my school. I also have been interning at an outpatient clinic owned by a graduate of the DPT program at my school and used to be on the board of admissions. He also is the PT for all of the athletes at my school, so he is a very well known PT in town. I am hoping getting a good letter of recommendation, doing well on the GRE, and getting more inpatient shadowing hours will improve my chances of getting into school. Retaking these courses and doing well would put the icing on the cake in terms of improving my chances. I am confident that if I get a interview, I will prove to the board that I am serious about a career in Physical Therapy... Its just a matter of getting the interview that I am worried about.

 

[starrsgirl]

I think you have gotten some great responses here. Many of us have been in your shoes. But, it seems like you are resistant to hearing what everyone is saying....as you look through this thread, you can see that nearly every poster is trying to figure out a way you can get those classes done. Raising your GPA and finishing more classes for your situation as you explained it to us seems to be your most important factor. No, a good letter of recommendation or more research or more hours probably won't make the difference for you. Interviews are largely given for grades and GRE and I still fear you are ignoring those factors and thinking you can bypass it.

I know it seems difficult to try and get the courses in this summer, but that stands out as the single best thing you can do for yourself right now. Talk to the school, talk to the community college. Applying with a 3.2 pre req and 2 C+s and 4 outstanding classes is not setting you up for success as an applicant. I was a 2nd time applicant myself before being accepted and there are so many things I wish I understood better. It sucks to think I could have been graduating this May instead of next year just because I made a few ill informed decisions (for me, not understanding the importance of retakes and pre req GPAs). So....I just want to help as many as I can from wasting a whole year as well. Will the summer suck? Yes. Can you do it? Absolutely!

 

[Mayomi]

I think you have gotten some great responses here. Many of us have been in your shoes. But, it seems like you are resistant to hearing what everyone is saying....as you look through this thread, you can see that nearly every poster is trying to figure out a way you can get those classes done. Raising your GPA and finishing more classes for your situation as you explained it to us seems to be your most important factor. No, a good letter of recommendation or more research or more hours probably won't make the difference for you. Interviews are largely given for grades and GRE and I still fear you are ignoring those factors and thinking you can bypass it.

I know it seems difficult to try and get the courses in this summer, but that stands out as the single best thing you can do for yourself right now. Talk to the school, talk to the community college. Applying with a 3.2 pre req and 2 C+s and 4 outstanding classes is not setting you up for success as an applicant. I was a 2nd time applicant myself before being accepted and there are so many things I wish I understood better. It sucks to think I could have been graduating this May instead of next year just because I made a few ill informed decisions (for me, not understanding the importance of retakes and pre req GPAs). So....I just want to help as many as I can from wasting a whole year as well. Will the summer suck? Yes. Can you do it? Absolutely!

I do appreciate all the help from every one of you. IAnd I thank you Starrsgirl for being blunt and honest with me. I may have made myself sound a little arrogant to the fact GPA is a huge factor in obtaining an interview. I understand this, and that is why I am retaking these classes that are holding me back.

On a side note the reason I have been so hesitant on taking these classes at the CC is because I was told I be last priority because I am a special student and won't be able to register until May 2. The semester begins on May 16th. Getting into these classes and the classes being offered at times that aren't interfering with each other, not to mention all 3 would have labs. That is where my thought process is at. I don't want to put my eggs in one basket and then I am unable to get into a class or all the classes I need to retake.

Today I registered for the Chemistry class for the summer session at my University. I plan to take General Biology 2 and Physics 1 over again this Fall. Both courses I got C+'s in. Even though they will be incomplete grades until December, I am hoping PT schools will see that I will do better in the retake and I am serious. (I got a A in both a 3000' s level Cell Physiology class and in Physics 2).

 

[NJ DPT HOPEFUL]

I do appreciate all the help from every one of you. IAnd I thank you Starrsgirl for being blunt and honest with me. I may have made myself sound a little arrogant to the fact GPA is a huge factor in obtaining an interview. I understand this, and that is why I am retaking these classes that are holding me back.

On a side note the reason I have been so hesitant on taking these classes at the CC is because I was told I be last priority because I am a special student and won't be able to register until May 2. The semester begins on May 16th. Getting into these classes and the classes being offered at times that aren't interfering with each other, not to mention all 3 would have labs. That is where my thought process is at. I don't want to put my eggs in one basket and then I am unable to get into a class or all the classes I need to retake.

Today I registered for the Chemistry class for the summer session at my University. I plan to take General Biology 2 and Physics 1 over again this Fall. Both courses I got C+'s in. Even though they will be incomplete grades until December, I am hoping PT schools will see that I will do better in the retake and I am serious. (I got a A in both a 3000' s level Cell Physiology class and in Physics 2).

Easy fix for this is to declare a major at the CC, that doesn't mean you have to finish the degree

 

[socalboy7]

I retook prerequisite classes at the local community college as a last priority to register too. I took Chemistry 1 as a new student. Do you know how impacted it was? By the time it was my turn to register, I was already like 25th on the waitlist. I finally received an email to register 2 weeks before class started. Some of my classmates in that class got off the waitlist as well. One of them even petitioned to get in. This was my first time at that community college, so I was at the back of the list. The point is, people will drop. Not even considering registering is a loss before even trying. If you want it bad enough, petition. Show up on the first 2 weeks of class. If the professors sees that you are willing to work hard in the classes, they are more likely to add you.

 

[Mayomi]

I retook prerequisite classes at the local community college as a last priority to register too. I took Chemistry 1 as a new student. Do you know how impacted it was? By the time it was my turn to register, I was already like 25th on the waitlist. I finally received an email to register 2 weeks before class started. Some of my classmates in that class got off the waitlist as well. One of them even petitioned to get in. This was my first time at that community college, so I was at the back of the list. The point is, people will drop. Not even considering registering is a loss before even trying. If you want it bad enough, petition. Show up on the first 2 weeks of class. If the professors sees that you are willing to work hard in the classes, they are more likely to add you.

You have valid points, and that very well could work. At this point though, I am already registered for the summer class at my university and I plan on doing what NJ DP HOPEFUL said about declaring at the CC in the fall so I would have a higher priority. I feel good about my decision, and given the circumstances feel it was the best thing I could do given my situation.

 

[aroszko]

You have valid points, and that very well could work. At this point though, I am already registered for the summer class at my university and I plan on doing what NJ DP HOPEFUL said about declaring at the CC in the fall so I would have a higher priority. I feel good about my decision, and given the circumstances feel it was the best thing I could do given my situation.

...Why don't you at least try registering for the summer courses, if you get it then great you'll be able to knock a class (or two) out and be done with it. If you don't get in then continue with your plan as is. I feel like you're asking for help from people and then doing what you were already planning to do. You know that your application is not the strongest why are you not even going to try to make it better before you submit your application? Like starrsgirl said applying with a 3.2 is not setting you up to be a successful applicant, yes I know you said you will have a strong LOR etc....but in all honestly to get to the interview its all numbers - GPA, scienceGPA, GRE schools use these to attempt to decrease the number of applications they receive. My school for the most recent class received 1900 application...1900... do you think they took the time and went through each and every one? Absolutely not they immediately drop those who do not meet minimums (GPA or GRE, #of observation hours, etc) so that cuts a few 100 off and then from there they have say 1500 applicants left all who meet the requirements who are good students and could possibly be successful in the PT program. Basically what I'm trying to say is you want AS MUCH of your application done with before you submit, because I can guarantee you there are people out there applying to the same schools as you with everything done/completed so why is a school going to take a chance on someone passing a class when they already have a applicant who has passed everything that they can accept.

 

[Mayomi]

...Why don't you at least try registering for the summer courses, if you get it then great you'll be able to knock a class (or two) out and be done with it. If you don't get in then continue with your plan as is. I feel like you're asking for help from people and then doing what you were already planning to do. You know that your application is not the strongest why are you not even going to try to make it better before you submit your application? Like starrsgirl said applying with a 3.2 is not setting you up to be a successful applicant, yes I know you said you will have a strong LOR etc....but in all honestly to get to the interview its all numbers - GPA, scienceGPA, GRE schools use these to attempt to decrease the number of applications they receive. My school for the most recent class received 1900 application...1900... do you think they took the time and went through each and every one? Absolutely not they immediately drop those who do not meet minimums (GPA or GRE, #of observation hours, etc) so that cuts a few 100 off and then from there they have say 1500 applicants left all who meet the requirements who are good students and could possibly be successful in the PT program. Basically what I'm trying to say is you want AS MUCH of your application done with before you submit, because I can guarantee you there are people out there applying to the same schools as you with everything done/completed so why is a school going to take a chance on someone passing a class when they already have a applicant who has passed everything that they can accept.

It is just a lot of uncertainty with the summer class situation. And I can't pick both summer classes because of the sessions, my CC only does 12 week sessions and my university does 6 weeks, so they would conflict with each other. My university is also in a different city than my CC. You both are right about what you are saying, and I don't want you to think I am not considering both of your opinions. I will look into your idea, but if it does not work out for me this cycle, I will be well prepared for the next one. PT is the profession I want to do, and i'm prepared to do what I can to get to where I want to be. Thank you again for the support and honesty.