Feeling extremely discouraged…Pre-req GPA

[dj1772]

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Hi all,
Long story short - my first choice school has a pre-req gpa requirement of 3.0. my pre-req gpa is around 3.2, this is when you include the non-math/science pre-reqs (psych, etc). I just read now that this school only counts math and science classes when looking at pre-req gpa…and with that my pre-req gpa is 2.9. i don't really have time to re-take classes as I have a full plate trying to finish the classes I need to get my bachelors degree. My cumulative undergrad gpa is a 3.5, and my GRE math and verbal are 60th percentile, analytical writing is 80th percentile. I don't feel like my other stats are too bad at all..

I'm not sure what to do.

Additionally, does this mean I am safe to apply to other schools that don't specify on their PTCAS pages or websites that they only look at math and science when calculating pre-req gpa? If they don't then I know I am in better shape because as mentioned before, my pre-req gpa including the non-math science courses is above 3.0.

I'm feeling really discouraged. With a 2.9, do you believe my first choice school will completely toss me out when reading through apps? I'm applying early decision to this school, and as I said my other stats don't seem too, too bad.

I would be so thankful for some positive words of encouragement/advice at this point.

 

[NewTestament]

Go ahead and apply anyway. Some schools automatically discard any applicants who subseed 3.0, even if by .1 points. Call the programs if you want to be really sure. Why can't you retake any classes? I'm sure you have a few Cs or C+s in those classes somewhere. If you changed one C+ to an A, you would exceed 3.0. Your other stats aren't bad at all, but that pre-req GPA is the most important number. How did you do in biology and human A&P?

 

[dj1772]

I have 3 C's - Gen Chem I, Physics 2, & Trigonometry. I received A's in both A&P 1 and A&P 2, and a B in Bio 1. Rest of my science classes are B's…the psych-english-othre prereqs are all A's. I'm taking my Bio 2 this fall.
The only chance I have to retake is during next spring semester. If I wanted to retake Gen Chem 1 next spring semester, even though I cannot register for it yet, should I add it to my "planned" course list on PTCAS? This way they would know that I am planning to retake it? Idk if that would help at all, seeing as how I wouldn't receive a grade in the course until after the school had already made a decision about me - please let me know if you think adding it to planned courses would help!

 

[Kuhdaytee]

I'm not sure about the school you're interested in, but here's my situation:

I will be retaking bio 2 this fall. Some of the schools I'm applying to have interviews this fall, so my pre-req gpa may not be high enough. However, some schools have interviews in the spring, so the academic update will really help me, once I finish taking bio 2.

Also, are you interested in any other schools? My pre-req gpa ranges from 3.3 - 3.8, depending on what classes the school considers and whether they accept the highest grade for repeats, rather than just averaging the two grades.

Don't give up yet! Definitely plan to retake some courses. It shows that you're serious about this career, and it'll help you for the 2015-2016 cycle if you aren't competitive enough to be accepted this year.

 

[rl91]

@Kuhdaytee @NewTestament @dj1772

I'm somewhat in the same situation. I'm graduating this Summer after finishing this Summer course at my University and I'm retaking Chem II and LifepSpan Development since I know the schools I am trying to apply to (TWU, Texas State, UNTHSC) consider LifeSpan as a strongly recommended courses and it falls under the Prereq of Psychology credits. My predicament is also a low GPA. I transferred from a CC with a decent GPA (~3.6) to a University but having a ~2.7/8. But I know that GPA isn't taken into account ALL my taken courses, but just the ones I have taken there. I did poorly at my Uni in Chem II which I feel like hurt my GPA to bring me down to that 2.7, so I'm retaking it at a CC this Summer. Retaking Lifspan since I got a C, hoping to get an A along with Chem II. I haven't taken my GRE, but anticipating on taking it in August. I have B's in A&PI & II and I plan on retaking courses over the Fall Semester BUT I know early decision for some of the PT schools I'm applying is October 1st. So my grades won't be in and my GPA wouldn't raise by early decision deadline.

I planned on applying this coming cycle (15-16), hoping to apply for the Early Decisions because I heard from reading posts that you have a better chance of getting in? But, I'm also wanting to know, if my cGPA doesn't raise and I apply to that early decision, get denied, but i think UNTHSC has rolling applications? Would my application still sit with them until regular decision which ends in January which also gives me time to retake and get my grades in when Fall Semester ends? I'm really wanting to get in this coming cycle so I'd appreciate any advice and encouragement also!

AND sorry for the long rant/post 🙁

Thank you in advance!

 

[starrsgirl]

I would call the school first and likely not waste the time or money on that school. I didn't even get a look last cycle to the school with that math and science breakdown (I retook everything with straight As but I had a lot of old math classes from 14 years ago that still factored in). They flat rejected me (immediately, automatically) but I got accepted at all my other schools. No, putting the class as planned won't help much unless you for sure will submit the grade during academic update and the school still has spots left by then.

I would call your schools and ask if the website seems vague. In my experience though the only schools who did the math and science gpa had it on their website.

 

[Kuhdaytee]

@Kuhdaytee @NewTestament @dj1772
I planned on applying this coming cycle (15-16), hoping to apply for the Early Decisions because I heard from reading posts that you have a better chance of getting in? But, I'm also wanting to know, if my cGPA doesn't raise and I apply to that early decision, get denied, but i think UNTHSC has rolling applications? Would my application still sit with them until regular decision which ends in January which also gives me time to retake and get my grades in when Fall Semester ends? I'm really wanting to get in this coming cycle so I'd appreciate any advice and encouragement also!

I'm also looking at UNTHSC! I'm pretty sure that Early Interviews are by Oct 1, and if they don't offer an interview invite, then you're thrown into the stack with the later applications. Those with early admissions/rolling admissions might be more competitive, especially since seats will be filled early.

I would definitely email or call the schools about any worries that you have. Also, maybe look into out of state schools? Texas schools are all pretty competitive, as are most California schools where I'm from, so most of my applications are out of state.

 

[khakipants]

I got into school in 2010...so it's been a few years. I got in with a 3.0 (slightly below actually) to Regis and Columbia. From my experience, I got into 2 schools, wait listed at 2 and rejected to two. I know getting into school was completely different 4 years ago, but I must have done something right on my apps. When I help applicants now, I think it's really important to do well on the GRE (I did well there) and REALLY strong applications. Make sure every word counts and is what you want to say. I spent tons of time making my apps perfect and once I got the interviews, the acceptances came too. The only other thing I think helped my case was I was at a good (not amazing, but good) undergrad school with a major in Biochem (which was TOUGH).

Keep your spirits up. Plenty of people told me I would never get in. I got into Columbia. So if you want it, you can make it happen.

 

[TheDarkKnight14]

I got into school in 2010...so it's been a few years. I got in with a 3.0 (slightly below actually) to Regis and Columbia. From my experience, I got into 2 schools, wait listed at 2 and rejected to two. I know getting into school was completely different 4 years ago, but I must have done something right on my apps. When I help applicants now, I think it's really important to do well on the GRE (I did well there) and REALLY strong applications. Make sure every word counts and is what you want to say. I spent tons of time making my apps perfect and once I got the interviews, the acceptances came too. The only other thing I think helped my case was I was at a good (not amazing, but good) undergrad school with a major in Biochem (which was TOUGH).

Keep your spirits up. Plenty of people told me I would never get in. I got into Columbia. So if you want it, you can make it happen.

1) Dang you must really like khaki pants. Your blog seems to be named after a pair too. 😛
2) If you don't mind me asking, since Columbia has a rolling admission, how early did you apply?

 

[khakipants]

1) Dang you must really like khaki pants. Your blog seems to be named after a pair too. 😛
2) If you don't mind me asking, since Columbia has a rolling admission, how early did you apply?

1) Yes...kind of. I've learned to not waste money on good clothes for work. They get ruined easily between showing exercises and getting "people" on you (if you know what I mean...) and then they have to be washed frequently to get their sweat,oily skin gunk out of your clothes. Also, out of all the PT stereotypes, I do think its funny that wearing khakis is one I fit 🙂
2) I don't remember when I applied, but I interviewed in February. I remember because it snowed over a foot when I was there, and it sucked. I imagine I applied in November/December.

 

[onomotoria]

I graduated w/ my bachelors in 2013 and I hated this advice when I was graduating but appreciate it now as I re-apply: consider waiting a year to re-take classes, work as an aide (save up some $!) and build up a stronger application.

 

[rl91]

@onomotoria

Lol, same here! I honestly disliked hearing it from people, but I've finally realized and appreciated it too. I'm graduating this Summer and retaking pre-reqs like Chem II. I'm hoping and praying I'll be able to get in applications by this cycle and get accepted... Sigh*