How are my chances? What's the best thing to do?

[DAQT]

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School: University of California, Irvine
Major: Economics
Graduated 2010

Non-traditional (if I understand this right, I worked for a few years after graduating from undergrad)

Right now: A community college to take/retake perquisite classes

Undergrad cumulative GPA: 2.64 (if including retaking/taking perquisite classes and getting straight A's, 2.88 upon completing)

Perquisite GPA: 3.87~ (assuming I get A's in the rest of my classes I'm going to take)

Extra: 4 years as a biomechanical engineering research assistant, published paper as primary author in HCI, worked as a Business Analyst for a couple years at a small private company. I have been involved in olympic weightlifting or powerlifting for the last three years.

GRE: 163 Verbal, 160 Quant, 5 Writing, at Nov '12

I actually took this on vacation without much prior studying, and I can definitely do better. Should I retake?


It's really important to note that I was born profoundly deaf, and I wear cochlear implants to hear. Will this be neutral, a positive, or negative on my app? Ethnicity is asian if that matters as well.

I did really bad in undergrad because I didn't want to be in school, so I have a really bad GPA.

Right now I'm taking/retaking perquisite classes at a community college, and have gotten straight A's so far in Bio 1, A&P 1 and 2, chem 1, physics 1, intro to psych, and physics 1.

In fall I'm taking Field Bio, physics 2, chem 2, and abnormal psych to fulfill more perquisite classes.

I'm worried about not getting straight A's in fall classes, how bad is it if I drop either physics or chem to take in the spring?

How bad is my chances with my really bad cumulative GPA? What can I do to make a stronger application?

 

[NeuroRehabilitation]

First off, it's definitely possible for you to get into PT school as long as you develop a strategy. Your GRE score is very competitive and with A's in all those prereqs, you've got a shot. I also like your RA experience and you should definitely tie that in with your application. The two major weaknesses I see are the lack of PT experience (observation hours, volunteer work) and that GPA. My best advice is to get started volunteering at a clinic or hospital to develop relationships with PTs for your LORs. Also, it would be wise to target schools that have a lower cGPA minimum. I've seen programs listed that go as low as 2.5-2.75. Some programs place more weight on science and prereq GPA anyways.

For your fall classes, make sure that you allocate your time wisely and you should be able to pull A's. If within the first week it seems like too heavy a course load, drop one and take it in the fall. The fact that you have cochlear implants can definitely be a talking point, I doubt it'd be a negative. What led you to becoming a PT?

 

[DAQT]

I've been involved in the strength (powerlifting, olympic weightlifting) for a few years now and the number of injuries that people that like to lift competitive is pretty staggering. Back, knees, elbows, shoulders...etc. Injuries is really prevalent in this sport, and there's so much rehabilitation, movement pattern fixing, and so on that many people have to do because of injuries or incorrect motor patterns. A lot of people I know struggle with chronic injuries, doctors and PT's with little sports/strength experience, and have a much harder time than they should to get better and back to normal. This really bothers me. I hate that there's so few knowledgeable doctors/chiros/DPT's that know how to treat and handle these injuries. Having injuries is depressing. I was laid low with a severe calf strain for 9 months, and if I had a good DPT or chiro in the very beginning instead of ineffective doctors that didn't do anything, I would not have been out of commission for more than a couple months than nine ridiculous months.

I know of DPT's and chiros that are absolutely incredibly at their job and help their patients recover much, much faster and better than other DPT's/chiros, and I want to be a DPT that can help people get over injuries as fast and effectively as possible so they can achieve their true, full potential in strength sports.

 

[jaypac523]

I agree start gaining observation hours. 50+ hours spread out over 1-3 months would be good with school and make sure you vary the settings from outpatient, acute(hospital) setting and sub acute, VA, pediatric, geriatric, etc.
I had a low undergrad gpa 2.7 as well but there are a few schools that focus more on your prerequisite classes and since you're a non traditional student some put more focus on the last 45-60 credits you take. Go on the apta site and the listings of programs they have info on average gaps for most of the dpt programs ( those that use PTCAS). I would also look more into schools that don't use PTCAS that may give you better chances of acceptance (ex. U of st Augustine).
Keep getting As in your prerequisite classes that will bring up your cumulative gpa. I was able to get my gpa to a 3.0 from my 2.7 music undergrad degree and like you I didn't want to be in school then and went back to community college to do my prerequisite courses. You're not alone in this and there are ways. You're prerequisite gpa is awesome as are your GRE scores. Keep at it. Show a good upward academic trend. With a little homework and strategy on applying to programs you have a shot. Good luck !

 

[starrsgirl]

I'm coming from a similar gpa situation as you. In my experience, I had to get it (cum gpa) to a 3.0. If you have the flexibility to target those few schools with lowere gpas, great. But in reality figure out how many more classes you need to get above a 3.0. I took a ton of random online courses from a community college....whatever I could sign up for. Was it silly? Yes, but I got there.

 

[TheIron]

Hey man! We got our passion for PT in almost the exact same way. It was crazy how many of my training partners (strongman) had injuries as a result of bad movement patterns and compensations. Good to see a fellow strength athlete have the same drive to DPT!

I absolutely think you have a chance of getting in. There are definitely schools that have a minimum cumulative GPA of less than 3.0, the lowest I've personally seen was a 2.75 so if you hit that 2.88 that would be perfect. After I was rejected by a school last year I talked with the director about my app, and she recommended I get 2 LOR from professors to speak to my academic credibility. She also emphasized how the essay is a way to showcase your background beyond GPA, so make sure it is amazing.

I would also get some observation hours wherever you can. Schools sometimes have a requirement of 2 or more settings, so even Don't worry about your GRE scores, they are absolutely stellar.

Good luck and happy lifting!

 

[DAQT]

Wow, lots of great feedback, thanks!

Question, how bad is it if I shadow a sports chiro? There's a sports chiro that works with a few of the pro sports teams (Chicago Blackhawks), would that be good observation hours to get?

 

[starrsgirl]

I would be hesitant to shadow the chiro unless just for personal interest. This is not something to use on your application. (Get under a licensed PT)