GRE dilemma

[Meadows22]

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So today I took my GRE for the first time. I knew I wouldn't do so well because I've never been good at standardized tests. I studied for a long time to prepare for the GRE and I still did not do well. My results were 144 on the quantitive portion and 150 on the verbal. I feel pretty good about the analytical writing but as you know, I won't see those results for about a week.

Overall my GPA is a 3.7 and my prereq GPA is a 3.6. I only have two classes to finish and I will be done with the prereqs and I will have over 200 shadowing hours. My other volunteer work includes 300 hours with the red cross and a 40 hours with the Wounded Warrior Project. I'm currently in the military but will be getting out before DPT school starts if I get accepted. My question is, do you think I should take my GRE over? I am planning to apply to schools all over the US but mostly Florida. Do I have a chance on getting into a school this upcoming cycle?

 

[BiffTheFlashRogers]

Try to get it up to a 300 total. Most programs require that as a minimum, with some exceptions.

 

[jdaniels360]

Yes. Get a practice math book and just do problems. Most people take it at least twice. Get up to 300 and you'll be fine.

 

[rltruong]

if you don't meet the min that the school states then its not even worth applying. they will not even look at your application. take the GRE again and score a 150 on each section is what most schools consider the min

 

[Meadows22]

Thanks for the input. I guess I'll be sitting through that awful test again. Do most PT schools look at the best scores from each time you take it?

 

[situational]

Luckily you can send them your best score (whole attempts, can't pick and choose highest scores), unlike the MCAT where they see a history of all the scores and attempts you've tried.

 

[Cjm21]

I just took the GRE for the second time and my scores went up but not as high as I wanted them to. I got a 151 verbal 150 quant which according to the ets website is a 49% and a 41% respectively. Do you guys recommend I get a tutor and take it again? Maybe i'm just gonna do well on this test because I took two kaplan courses prior to today's test and studied a lot.

 

[Cjm21]

maybe i'm just NOT gonna do well****

 

[natmasc86]

I just took the GRE for the second time and my scores went up but not as high as I wanted them to. I got a 151 verbal 150 quant which according to the ets website is a 49% and a 41% respectively. Do you guys recommend I get a tutor and take it again? Maybe i'm just gonna do well on this test because I took two kaplan courses prior to today's test and studied a lot.

Ideally you want the highest scores possible. But you have a combined score of 300, which most schools recommend. So it's really up to you.

I personally had my fill of the GRE after 2 attempts. My final score was 145Q 157V and 3W and I got into all threw schools I applied to.

 

[Meadows22]

Ideally you want the highest scores possible. But you have a combined score of 300, which most schools recommend. So it's really up to you.

I personally had my fill of the GRE after 2 attempts. My final score was 145Q 157V and 3W and I got into all threw schools I applied to.

What schools did you apply to?

 

[Meadows22]

maybe i'm just NOT gonna do well****

I feel the same way. I am taking it for the second time 28 April and I've been studying as much as possible but I just am not good at standardized tests. I am really strong in all the other areas so hopefully I'll get in somewhere. If people can get accepted with a 3.0 for their science GPA, I feel like I can get in with low GRE scores.

 

[natmasc86]

What schools did you apply to?

I applied to UNM, UNLV, and UNT.

 

[situational]

I feel the same way. I am taking it for the second time 28 April and I've been studying as much as possible but I just am not good at standardized tests. I am really strong in all the other areas so hopefully I'll get in somewhere. If people can get accepted with a 3.0 for their science GPA, I feel like I can get in with low GRE scores.

My impression is that different programs will weigh the GPA and GRE differently. If you apply to a school that is completely a university that prepares people for medical careers, then science and prerequisite GPAs will mean more. If a school has focus on liberal arts, they will probably look at essays, GRE, writing scores, outside activities, and perhaps if you're a non-traditional applicant or not.

Just as a note, the reason why programs take GRE into consideration is because, I can't be bothered to find it and link it at the moment, but there is a chart that shows a correlation between high GRE scores and passing the license examination.

 

[a7rcana]

Take the GRE over - your scores put you in a pretty low percentile of students. Why would you put so much effort doing the best you can do in other areas of your application but be content with less than 50 percentile GRE score? It's a lot of work but it will be worth it when you aren't questioning and second-guessing yourself if you don't get accepted the next cycle. "Oh, what if my GRE scores were what held me back?"

https://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/gre_guide_table1a.pdf

 

[SPTCSCS]

this is the problem I have with these questions...does anyone realize the board exams are standardized tests? SO if you cant do well on a general standardized test, how can you expect to pass your boards after PT school?

 

[Meadows22]

Of course we realize that the boards are standardized. My passion isn't Math, its Physical Therapy and I know that I'll be able to pass by boards. Not only will it be fresh in my mind, compared to the math I learned years ago, but it actually interests me. You can say the same thing about the people with 3.0 science GPA's. There is a ton of science in the DPT program and if an applicant already has a low science GPA then that school is taking a gamble when they accept him/her.

 

[situational]

I don't think programs care much about the quantitative section, though you still do have to get the minimum score they require. They care much more about the verbal and analytical writing portions of the GRE because as a PT you'd probably have to communicate well and articulate your thoughts well to your future patients.

 

[npatell]

If you don't mind me asking, what was your GPA/GRE scores? Are they highly competitive or would a 3.4 suffice for admissions?

Thanks!

 

[jdaniels360]

152Q 148V 4.5AW and I was accepted to 9 out of 15 programs.

 

[situational]

If you don't mind me asking, what was your GPA/GRE scores? Are they highly competitive or would a 3.4 suffice for admissions?

Thanks!

Who are you asking in particular? I'll throw mine here just for more information to use.

My overall and prerequisite GPAs were 3.14 / 3.11, GRE was 162Q / 161V / 5.0 AW. I was waitlisted to two places, got accepted off the waiting list for one.

 

[natmasc86]

If you don't mind me asking, what was your GPA/GRE scores? Are they highly competitive or would a 3.4 suffice for admissions?

Thanks!

Here's mine:

cGPA: 3.89, pGPA: 3.68, GRE: 157V, 145Q, 3.0W.