How to improve application?

[futuredpt987]

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I'm currently on 4 waiting lists (Arcadia, Chatham, Long Island University Brooklyn, and West Coast University), but have not been accepted anywhere yet. The application for 2017 opens up June 30 so I'm starting to get everything together to reapply in case I don't get in this year and I would really appreciate some advice for ways to improve my application.

My problem is that my first year of college I went to Michigan State and did not do well. After that first year I transferred and re-took the important classes and ended up with a 3.55 overall from Central Michigan. The issue is that PTCAS combines both GPA's so my overall is only a 3.27. Also my prerequisite GPA is a 3.11.

I have A's and B's in everything (after retaking chemistry, which I did not do well in my first year) except for a C+ in the 2nd part of physics lecture. Physics is a really hard topic for me and I had a Russian professor who didn't explain things well on top of it. I'm currently working as a tech, I have great recommendation letters and a lot of observation/work hours. I don't have as many in-patient hours though, so I'm thinking about getting some more in-patient hours.

I got 155 verbal, 152 quantitative, 307 overall and a 4.0 writing on the GRE. I am planning to re-take it even though I did ok because I feel I need to blow it out of the water in order to compensate for my GPA.

So basically this is my current plan/ideas to improve:
-re-take the GRE
-2 or 3 new recommendation letters (1 from my boss who is a PT, 1 from an orthopedic surgeon and 1 from a PM&R doctor)
-possibly re-take physics....but I'm not sure if I should since it was only 1 part that I got a C in, and I would have to re-take both parts because I don't really remember the first part (also scared I still won't ace it, but I would do everything in my power to do well)
-possibly take a graduate-level course and ace it to show I can handle graduate work
-more hours of inpatient experience

What are your thoughts? Thank you!

 

[DPThopeful1859]

I feel your pain my friend. I didn't have a stellar undergrad, but I did some post-bac work, including retaking Physics I and some other classes to improve my academic resume. Here are my stats as of now:

Undergrad GPA: 3.14
Post-Bac-3.85
Total: 3.31
Sci: 3.27
Self-reported pre-req (according to PTCAS):3.45
GRE: V155 Q146 W:3.5

I'm on one waiting list (Campbell U. in N.C) and I've been denied everywhere else. I didn't get to apply to a lot of places last year since my best GRE scores were purged (I found out at the last second), so I scrambled to just take it again for mediocre scores. I know for me, there isn't much more academically I can do to improve what I have. I could re-take Physics 2, but it isn't worth the money or time because I know I don't remember much from Physics 1 from 2 years ago. I do plan on taking my GRE again, even though I totally suck at standardized testing, nor do I believe it's an accurate measure of an individual's ability. I've worked as a tech for about 5 years in a few places and now I'm front office in an outpatient facility. So, I've got an incredibly well-rounded idea of therapy, even though I haven't logged hours for inpatient rehab or SNF, mostly outpatient hospital and outpatient private clinics. I'm looking into possibly logging volunteer hours over the weekend somewhere like that if necessary, but I know really studying my ass off and taking the GRE will help me the most. I've had excellent recommendation letters too.

Don't waste your time taking graduate courses unless you want to pay the money or plan on getting a graduate degree in something else other than PT. Frankly, I'd maybe take the GRE again, but try to log different hours in different settings, have stellar recommendations and honestly, when I have applied in the past, I ALWAYS write a re-applicant essay, even if I have not applied to that university before. It gives me an opportunity to write about my struggles and how far I've come to get to where I am today (academic and personal life wise). Some schools don't really ask extra questions and other than the essay, I feel like it's my opportunity to stand out and say something. I'm also looking into schools who look at the last 45-60 hours GPA and take the highest GRE scores or highest grades from repeated courses. Just my two cents 🙂