Future DPT help and advice

[PTVinny_30]

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I am a recent graduate from Drexel University with a 3.09 GPA. So far I have received rejection letters from DPT schools and I am worried about my low GPA. I got into a PTA program at Harcum College so I am hoping to get this degree and hopefully get straight As in Anatomy etc. I will then use these grades into PTCAS for future application for DPT schools.

Am I going in the right direction? The reason I am choosing PTA instead of Post Bac is because I will be guaranteed a job and have the chance for better grades.

please help

 

[jblil]

You've read the other thread (started by PTAstudent510) so you understand the pros and cons. What else do you need help with?

 

[PTVinny_30]

The main question I had was that can I view this PTA route as a "post bac" and post the grades I receive from this program on my future DPT applications

I am hoping the DPT schools will see my improved grades and overlook my grades from Drexel

 

[jblil]

You have gone through the process with PTCAS once so you know the drill... You have to list all the classes you have taken along with their associated grades.

As for whether the PTA route will be considered as a post-bac and looked on favorably by PT schools, you should check with the individual schools themselves. Whatever we say will be pure guesswork, and I for one would never want to stake my future on the opinion of strangers.

 

[DesertPT]

Obviously if you take two additional years of classes and get straight A's, it is going to raise your cumulative GPA. Like jblil said, that is about all we can say definitively.

 

[starrsgirl]

A couple of thoughts, I don't know you or what else you have posted but here are some things that come to mind...

(What is your pre req GPA? I think that would help us give you better advice. I'm assuming 3.09 is a cumulative)

1) it looks like the ONLY class you will complete that will count for PT application is A&P I and II. How are your grades in Chemistry, Physics and other classes as required? If they aren't high, then that will be another year of MORE classes in addition to your PTA degree to even apply. In my mind, this is NOT a post-bac path at all. But, like other posters said, that doesn't matter at all.....PTCAS will average all your scores together and specifically look at your pre req GPA.

2) This PTA school does not appear to have a biology department. Is it a community college? I can't tell....but I would specifically call the PT schools you will apply to now and verify they will even accept that particular A&P course. It would be a big waste if they don't.

3) I've been in your shoes....started with a 2.5 GPA out of undergrad. I applied and got in with slightly over a 3.0 cumulative BUT I had straight A's in all my pre reqs/retakes. It is much more efficient in my mind to plan 1 more year of courses. Load up on every science course you need, retake everything, do a full load for 2 semesters and get some more hours. Retake the GRE if needed. Then you will be ready to apply again in a year, versus at least 3 years going the PTA route.

4) Being a PTA is an admirable goal. But I don't think it's a stepping stone at all towards a DPT. It's not going to help your application other than bump your overall GPA (which you can do in many other ways) It's more like a separate path. If you want to be a PTA and think you will love it, go for it! But if you really want to be a DPT then why not do that?

 

[PTVinny_30]

My science GPA is a 2.53
So I am unsure as to what to do.

My PTA program begins on Tuesday. So I am trying to decide if I should retake Anatomy etc at a community college and then reapply for 2016 DPT. But I am worried I am wasting time and money

 

[PTVinny_30]

Starrsgirl - from what your are saying, it will be smarter for me to retake Anatomy and Physics for 2 semesters to boost my GPA (I did well in chemistry and good enough in BIO), gain more hours and then reapply for 2016?
My goal is to one day get my DPT, not PTA...so now im leaning towards not getting my PTA degree

 

[starrsgirl]

Sit down and do the math tonight. Your science gpa is very low. What is your pre req gpa (or is that what you meant by science). You need to know exactly how many credits you need to take to get that at least above a 3.0. That way you can make a better decision on how long it will take. What's "good enough" in Bio? If it's anything less than a B, retake it bebatse you will need to take more classes than just A&P and physics to substantially move your GPA.

 

[starrsgirl]

Are you taking science classes this upcoming semester? If not, sign up ASAP!!

 

[NewTestament]

Withdraw from the PTA program and become a non-degree student. Focus on your science classes. The PTA program will only distract you and consume time and energy you need for your pre-requisites. With a low GPA, you need to maximize your pre-req GPA.

 

[DesertPT]

@PTVinny_30 ,

I agree with starrsgirl and NewTestament. As backwards as it may seem, having a good pre-req GPA (and just good grades/test scores in general) will help you get into PT school more than being a PTA will. Because so few applicants have been to PTA schools, but all applicants have to take the same pre-reqs, this is what the PT schools have to use as a basis of comparison.

You really just need to put all your grades in a spreadsheet and do the math. Put PTCAS grade points for each class in one column (ie. 4.0 for A+/A, 3.7 for A-, 3.3 for B+, 3.0 for B, etc. etc.). Then put the number of credits the class was worth in the next column. Then you obviously multiply each and divide by the total number of credits to get the GPA. Once you have your whole life's coursework entered in this format, you can easily just plug more classes in or change numbers around and see what sort of PTCAS GPA you end up with. You can also select out the pre-reqs and calculate that GPA separately and then see where retakes put you, etc.

Additionally, you would do well to call each school you are interested in applying to and find out what their procedure for retakes is. Some may do direct grade replacement, some may average the two, etc. Then you can actually know with accuracy what each of these schools will ultimately be determining your pre-req GPA to be. Find out what their average pre-req GPA for admitted applicants has been the past couple of years. Once you have done all the math and collected all this data, you can easily select the schools at which your ultimate pre-req GPA (based on predicted future grades in retakes, additional classes, etc) will be the closest to the school's average.

 

[DesertPT]

My science GPA is a 2.53

Is this your PT pre-req GPA? If so then you wouldn't have even met the minimum requirement at any schools.

 

[starrsgirl]

^^^^agree. If this is your pre req GPA, sadly a computer likely rejected you before anyone looked at your app. Take the requirements seriously. Don't apply to a school unless you meet all of them.

 

[PTVinny_30]

Thank you for all your responses I will be just focusing on improving my prereq grades

Also I have been searching for PT Aide jobs at clinics but so far no one is looking for one. Does anyone who where PT Aides usually get hired?

 

[PTMattI]

Your best chance will most likely be at an outpatient orthopedic clinic. If you live near a big city you may be able to find some openings for aide / tech jobs through craigslist.