I need some advice.

[GADPT2016]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am new to this forum and this is my first time applying to PT school. I live in Ga and this cycle I applied to only 2 schools because they were nearby (Mercer and GSU). My dad is disabled and I am not in the financial position to relocate for school. These are my current stats:

cGPA: 3.67 (Biology major at GSU)
pGPA: 3.74
GRE: V-155, Q-153, AW-4.5

EC's: about 70 hours volunteering at 2 hospitals, 50 hours volunteering at a nursing home, 50 hours of metagenomics research in undergrad and 50 hours of tutoring high school students (ongoing), also held a job as a pharmacy tech for 20 hours a week throughout undergrad

Observation: 60 hours skilled nursing and 60 hours outpatient clinic

I applied pretty late in the cycle and was rejected from Mercer without an interview. I got an interview at GSU and was told it didn't matter when I applied and I thought the interview went well but it's been 3 weeks and I haven't heard anything so I assume the worst.

I will be applying again in July and am currently trying to find another setting to shadow in. Would it be advised to retake my GRE? Also, my last year in college my GPA fell from a 3.77 to a 3.67. I didn't make bad grades per say but a lot of B's and B+'s due to a heavy course load. Should I take some classes this summer? I don't think they will help for the upcoming cycle and it's quite expensive. Any advice on improving my application is much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[starrsgirl]

Your stats seem decent. I would just get a few more hours, apply earlier next time and sharpen your essay and interview. I wouldn't retake the GRE. I *might* retake the one worst pre req you have if you feel like you really want to do something.

 

[antochí]

I would just focus on applying as early as possible.

 

[Daniel M. Pitta]

Your stats are solid, I would apply as early as possible. My advice would be to try not to limit yourself to schools that are nearby, unless you need to. The more schools that you apply to, the higher the probability you have of being accepted somewhere. The most important factor is your GPA and yours is definitely good enough to get into most programs.

 

[redrose424]

I am new to this forum and this is my first time applying to PT school. I live in Ga and this cycle I applied to only 2 schools because they were nearby (Mercer and GSU). My dad is disabled and I am not in the financial position to relocate for school. These are my current stats:

cGPA: 3.67 (Biology major at GSU)
pGPA: 3.74
GRE: V-155, Q-153, AW-4.5

EC's: about 70 hours volunteering at 2 hospitals, 50 hours volunteering at a nursing home, 50 hours of metagenomics research in undergrad and 50 hours of tutoring high school students (ongoing), also held a job as a pharmacy tech for 20 hours a week throughout undergrad

Observation: 60 hours skilled nursing and 60 hours outpatient clinic

I applied pretty late in the cycle and was rejected from Mercer without an interview. I got an interview at GSU and was told it didn't matter when I applied and I thought the interview went well but it's been 3 weeks and I haven't heard anything so I assume the worst.

I will be applying again in July and am currently trying to find another setting to shadow in. Would it be advised to retake my GRE? Also, my last year in college my GPA fell from a 3.77 to a 3.67. I didn't make bad grades per say but a lot of B's and B+'s due to a heavy course load. Should I take some classes this summer? I don't think they will help for the upcoming cycle and it's quite expensive. Any advice on improving my application is much appreciated. Thanks.

I was accepted to GSU and interviewed and was subsequently waitlisted at Mercer.

I thought Mercer did not have rolling admissions so I'm not sure how you were outright rejected without an interview unless you applied after their deadline.

In regards to GSU, you need to apply as early as possible. Preferably within the first one to two months after the application opens, GSU has a "priority" deadline and regular deadline. It is not traditional rolling admissions but it definitely affects your application. Your GPAs/GRE are about average for what GSU accepts so I'm not sure you should retake anything but get more hours and awesome recommendations. Also make sure your personal statement and essays are great.

 

[GADPT2016]

I was accepted to GSU and interviewed and was subsequently waitlisted at Mercer.

I thought Mercer did not have rolling admissions so I'm not sure how you were outright rejected without an interview unless you applied after their deadline.

In regards to GSU, you need to apply as early as possible. Preferably within the first one to two months after the application opens, GSU has a "priority" deadline and regular deadline. It is not traditional rolling admissions but it definitely affects your application. Your GPAs/GRE are about average for what GSU accepts so I'm not sure you should retake anything but get more hours and awesome recommendations. Also make sure your personal statement and essays are great.

I applied a couple days before the deadline for Mercer. They sent me an email saying they received everything. The last interview date passed and then I finally received my rejection a couple days later. I really have no idea what happened. it's just hard not knowing what to fix.

 

[redrose424]

I applied a couple days before the deadline for Mercer. They sent me an email saying they received everything. The last interview date passed and then I finally received my rejection a couple days later. I really have no idea what happened. it's just hard not knowing what to fix.

You could contact the school and find out.

 

[GADPT2016]

You could contact the school and find out.

Do you really think applying earlier will increase my chances for GSU? My interviewer told me it didn't matter.

 

[redrose424]

Do you really think applying earlier will increase my chances for GSU? My interviewer told me it didn't matter.

They accepted half of their students from Priority deadline and half from regular is what I was told during the interview.

 

[FruitNinja]

It looks like Mercer requires a minimum of 20 volunteer hours in a "service or community project". I'd call the school to see if they were able to count your hospital volunteer work towards this. Otherwise, I cannot see why they would have rejected your application outright assuming you submitted their supplemental application and fulfilled all the pre-reqs.

For GSU, find out through past years' threads when acceptances and wait list notices went out after interviews. Some schools can take a while. You may still be in the running! If you end up applying again, definitely contact them and get some advice on how to improve your application. It looks like your GRE scores meet the minimum and almost match the average for GSU (same with GPA). IMO it's not worth the money or time to re-take the GRE, unless that is the feedback they give you. Re-taking a pre-req, while more expensive, might help you once you get in to a program. Review the first-year curriculum at GSU and try to anticipate which courses you might need a leg up on. More observation hours in a different setting or working as a PT Aide is always good, and won't cost you anything.

 

[GADPT2016]

It looks like Mercer requires a minimum of 20 volunteer hours in a "service or community project". I'd call the school to see if they were able to count your hospital volunteer work towards this. Otherwise, I cannot see why they would have rejected your application outright assuming you submitted their supplemental application and fulfilled all the pre-reqs.

For GSU, find out through past years' threads when acceptances and wait list notices went out after interviews. Some schools can take a while. You may still be in the running! If you end up applying again, definitely contact them and get some advice on how to improve your application. It looks like your GRE scores meet the minimum and almost match the average for GSU (same with GPA). IMO it's not worth the money or time to re-take the GRE, unless that is the feedback they give you. Re-taking a pre-req, while more expensive, might help you once you get in to a program. Review the first-year curriculum at GSU and try to anticipate which courses you might need a leg up on. More observation hours in a different setting or working as a PT Aide is always good, and won't cost you anything.

I also tutor high school students (50 hours) for Upward Bound, so I think that should count. I was actually missing 1 pre-req but planned to take it in the summer. Thank you for your advice I have contacted someone about observing at a hospital. In regards to GSU, apparently a wait list and majority of acceptances have already gone out but I haven't gotten anything since my interview.

 

[redrose424]

I also tutor high school students (50 hours) for Upward Bound, so I think that should count. I was actually missing 1 pre-req but planned to take it in the summer. Thank you for your advice I have contacted someone about observing at a hospital. In regards to GSU, apparently a wait list and majority of acceptances have already gone out but I haven't gotten anything since my interview.

Have you contacted GSU for an update?

 

[GADPT2016]

Have you contacted GSU for an update?

Yes, I emailed but haven't gotten a response yet.