Freaking out about $$$$..advice needed

[phillyfan49]

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Hey all, I am entering my final semester of undergrad and was planning on applying to PT school. It is what I have always wanted to do. My freshman and sophomore years were a challenge for me as a biochem major, personally and academically. I was in the hospital for internal bleeding during midterms of the hardest semester, my brother was having some drug problems, and I was dealing with very bad depression and anxiety. I decided it was time for a change. I transferred to a state uni and entered the pre-PT program. I seeked treatment for my depression and anxiety and my life has been great since. I have excelled in all my science courses and raised my overall GPA from a 2.9 to about a 3.4, getting A's in physics, anatomy, physiology, and other bio classes. I am taking my GRE next month and have been studying.

As I said i am in the process of applying to graduate schools. I am a PA resident, and am looking into Slippery Rock, as it seems to be the cheapest option in PA. I reallly need a cheap option for PT school, as my parents are not going to be able to help me at all after sending my brother to rehab and paying off his debts. I have been researching some cheap out of state schools, but it seems like they are extremely competitive and my stats won't be good enough. Also, I have read about some schools offering out of state students instate tuition, but do not know specific schools that do this (Tx?). Does anyone have any advice/schools I should look into? Thank you very much!

 

[gapeach3]

Hi! I've been using this site http://physical-therapy-schools.startclass.com/ to compare tuitions myself. The cheapest is definitely going to be in your own state at the state schools. What I've been doing is just looking through the schools and noting down all the ones with lower tuitions... they won't be "low" but compared to other out of state ones they are. Also, you should definitely explain everything from the first part of your post in the part that says your GPA isn't properly reflected because of all that happened. Honestly, raising your GPA from a 2.9 to 3.4 is HUGE. Seriously that is amazing and impressive. It's hard to do especially all you've been through, and they definitely want to know all that. Just keep chugging and try to submit ASAP. Some cheaper ones I'm looking into are Indiana University and University of Tenn at Chattanooga.

 

[davidtheusername]

Hi! I've been using this site http://physical-therapy-schools.startclass.com/ to compare tuitions myself. The cheapest is definitely going to be in your own state at the state schools. What I've been doing is just looking through the schools and noting down all the ones with lower tuitions... they won't be "low" but compared to other out of state ones they are. Also, you should definitely explain everything from the first part of your post in the part that says your GPA isn't properly reflected because of all that happened. Honestly, raising your GPA from a 2.9 to 3.4 is HUGE. Seriously that is amazing and impressive. It's hard to do especially all you've been through, and they definitely want to know all that. Just keep chugging and try to submit ASAP. Some cheaper ones I'm looking into are Indiana University and University of Tenn at Chattanooga.

Be careful with double checking the tuition and fees on that site. My school, University of Tennessee Health Science Center is listed 39,000 a year for instate tuition. I just got my bill for the 1st semester not long ago and it was around 7,000 for the semester which would be 14,000 or so for the year.

 

[southernswimmer]

Hi! I've been using this site http://physical-therapy-schools.startclass.com/ to compare tuitions myself..

Like davidtheusername said, the numbers on that site are not correct at all. It's best to just go to each program's website to calculate costs yourself. Keep in mind, too, that tuition goes up a certain percentage each year. You can also email or call the admissions office and ask for a breakdown of tuition and fees.

 

[engmedpt]

There is a section on the application where you can state whether or not your academic record reflects your capability. Just make sure that you can state that you can provide precautions that it wouldn't happen to you again if in school. Recoving from a diagnosed mental illness is also a personal issue that you can say you've taken steps to completely improve (make sure this is honest though......that's not trickery....like legitimately make sure you have coping mechanisms and are working with your physician for your own well being).

Biochem is rough. My major was closely aligned with it and I took some biochem electives. I think I only differed from the degree in 12 creds or so. Hardest of the sciences. That gradepoint trend is a really big jump. Try to attend open houses etc. at slippery rock and get on the admissions radar.

 

[Bluecase]

Don't be deterred from private universities- many offer scholarships that will drastically reduce the sticker price