In need of advice about gpa as pt school deadlines rear!

[2whomuchisgiven]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello Professionals!

Ok, so I'm new and I watched the video about ppl coming and just posting things that have already been discussed. I understand the rules. My situation is somewhat different, I suppose.

Ok so I've spent the past 3 months setting up and polishing my ptcas application (not including the year of prereqs prior). I've come to the realization that I don't quite know my gpa so I decided to sit down and calculate it. Turns out I have a overall cum gpa 2.78, last 60hrs 3.318, and science only (no math) gpa 3.217! I assumed that I'd have at least 3.0, that was my mistake.

With this realization I'm kind of lost in the process with regards to where I am eligible to apply this cycle and/or what I should do from here. I'm almost done with my prereqs, I'm taking chem 2 at a community college cause it's cheaper, I'm going to try taking physics 1+1 at a 4yr, and all other prereqs are done (more B's than A's)! I graduated with a bachelors in liberal arts and sociology so I'm not so strong in sciences (hence my taking only chem this semester). And I scored terribly low on GRE with 276 (after 3 weeks of study) 🙁

I guess what I'm looking for here is info as to whether I stand a chance of getting in somewhere this cycle, where, and what I should be doing from here on out. I have letters of rec completed from pt and professor and others; and I'm serious about becoming a PT! If I don't get in this year I'll apply next year, and the year after and the year after UNTIL I GET IN! That's just what it is.

Any recommendations??
Thanks!!

Also, I'm thinking of starting a masters in exercise science while I wait to get in pt school. I'm studying now for GRE and hoping that I can get 300 and just apply for schools with 2.7 cum gpa. Sounds ok right??

 

[NewTestament]

You will not get accepted anywhere with those stats. My recommendation to you would to re-take any pre-reqs that are less than a B and reapply. Your cumulative GPA will disqualify you from 75% of schools, and your GRE will disqualify you from all other schools. You need at least a 280 to even qualify.

Don't waste your time or money on a masters in exercise science. It won't help your application or help you find a job.

If you're really serious, then reapply next year.

Kevin

 

[somehowmadeit]

I unfortunately agree with NewTestament. Your odds are not good, and beginning a masters in exercise science will not help you to get into PT school.

What will? Take the GRE FAR more seriously. Some people are capable of studying for the GRE in three weeks and scoring highly, and there are enough people out there who will do just that. There are others for whom the GRE is very difficult, but they'll study very hard and score much higher than you. Put those two populations together and you are squeezed out.

Focus like crazy on getting nothing but As from here on out. You didn't specify what your Analytical Writing score was but it must be above a 4. A 4.5 and higher is what committees are looking for.

If you must apply, apply only to those schools that accept a cumulative GPA of 2.75 and higher. I'm not sure but there may be a few out there. Otherwise, it's best to save your money, buckle down and figure out a plan for the next year that will give you more volunteer/aide hours, a higher GRE, and only As with your remaining classes. Consider retaking any science classes where you earned less than a B, but only if the programs you plan on applying to will allow retakes.

 

[2whomuchisgiven]

Thank you Kevin and somhowmadeit! I understand your responses and appreciate them as well. Let me go a bit further into my situation.

I currently have no C's but mostly B's in all my prereqs. I studied only for three weeks for GRE not because I didn't want to but because I had a time conflict with working and taking chem 1 all summer. So once my class was up I studied but that only left me with a few weeks to do so. I scored 290 on the practice GRE but then did worse on the actual exam. I studied 4-6hrs a day but I did so from only the Kaplan set of books. That was a lesson learned. So I did take GRE seriously but it didn't work in my favor. I need more time, which is why I'll be studying for it again for another 6-7 weeks and test again.

With regards to the masters in exercise science or rehabilitation, I'm considering that so that I can 1) get my gpa up without just taking courses with a means to no end 2) prove that I can do the course work 3) have some kind of knowledge base for the sciences/rehabilitation 4) use the degree to possibly get a part time job as a manager at a gym while I prepare for PT school if needed

Also, it is my understanding that second and third time applicants get more consideration in the application process with SOME schools. So I'm thinking that if I apply this year, even though my chances are small of getting in, I could possibly increase my chances in the cycle next year.

Please don't crucify me for my way of thinking, I'm just playing the cards I'm dealt. I really want to get into PT school and be an outstanding PT but time is of the essence and I don't want to wait 4+ years to get in if I can possibly get in in 2yrs.

 

[Kuhdaytee]

Also, it is my understanding that second and third time applicants get more consideration in the application process with SOME schools. So I'm thinking that if I apply this year, even though my chances are small of getting in, I could possibly increase my chances in the cycle next year.

I don't quite understand your logic here. I think that 2nd and 3rd time applicants only have a better chance because they have an extra year or two to make themselves more competitive. I doubt the schools care how many times you have applied. If you applied four times but you're not as qualified as a first time applicant, they'll go with the person more qualified.

As for the masters, I totally get why you want to do one. I feel like that's a lot of extra money for a degree you'll only use for the year or so until you get into PT school. It makes more sense to me to just retake your pre-reqs, especially since I don't think that masters programs will have the pre-reqs. (correct me if I'm wrong about this, I don't know much about masters programs)

 

[2whomuchisgiven]

As for the masters, I totally get why you want to do one. I feel like that's a lot of extra money for a degree you'll only use for the year or so until you get into PT school. It makes more sense to me to just retake your pre-reqs, especially since I don't think that masters programs will have the pre-reqs. (correct me if I'm wrong about this, I don't know much about masters programs)

This is true. This is exactly why I decided to ask you good people on this thread since you guys have already gone through the process of getting into school somewhere. So would it make any sense to try PTA school in the mean while or might that be a waste of money too as I'm only really looking into becoming a PT?

 

[bpdpt]

I could be wrong but I think grades in a graduate degree are calculated by ptcas totally differently so that might not bring up your gpa. And really you should just focus on what the pt schools are looking for (gpa, gre, observations, etc) instead of going the PTA route

 

[lengbayifu]

You didn't specify what your Analytical Writing score was but it must be above a 4. A 4.5 and higher is what committees are looking for.

 

[666666]

Hey,

I hate to say it, because you seem really dedicated to this profession, but I don't see it working out for you. Your stats are simply too low. It is unlikely that you would be able to significantly improve your gpa because the number of classes you will have calculated into it. Even retaking classes is unlikely to greatly improve your overall gpa and a lot of schools don't allow for more than a few retakes. I'm not sure a high gre would even make up for your low gpa because most schools (at least the ones I have researched) look at gpa more so than gre.

Also if you are not strong in science I don't see you being successful in the profession. I am by no means an expert (I am applying this cycle just like you) but science is the foundation of the profession. When I have spoken to admissions personnel, they have told me that the reason the standards are so high are A) because there is a lot of competition and B) because individuals with low stats are usually unsuccessful in the program and many do not make it to graduation. If you consider the scores you have received the best you are capable of, I don't think you would make it through the program.

If I were you I would try for a more realistic career path. My sister had a similar situation when she applied to speech path programs and she kept applying and applying and never got in. Her stats were simply too low and nothing she did could make up for it. Its also important to mention that her stats met the minimums, but weren't competitive. Though the admission for the programs have their differences, in this way I believe your situation is similar. With your stats, especially if they end up not meeting minimums, it will be almost impossible to get into a program. Also I should note that many people told her that reapplicants are given some brownie points because it shows dedication to the profession, but on the last cycle she asked the admissions committees and they said there is no preference.

That all being said, I'm sure there have been cases were an applicant barely made minimums and got in somewhere. However that is the exception, not the rule. If you want to keep applying, it is your decision to do so, but in my opinion you would be wasting your time.

I hope you don't think I'm being too harsh. I know that you did not come to the forum to be attacked, so please don't think that's what I'm doing. Its hard to give this opinion via text without seeming really mean so please know I'm coming from a genuine place. It is not my intention to bring you down. I hope you are successful in whatever path you choose but I also think you should be realistic about your chances.

-K

 

[okramango]

It is not worth wasting your time, money, and energy to apply this cycle when you know you won't get in anywhere yet. If you want to continue down this path, I suggest putting every ounce of your focus into raising your GPA. Whatever classes you take, make sure to get all A's. It might take a couple of years of all A's to raise your GPA high enough to have a chance, but it's possible if you have it in you. You can then look at programs that only look at your last 60 credit hours. I believe there are a few programs that don't consider GRE.

Also, if you can't take more than one science prereq in a semester, then that is a red flag that you might not be able to keep up with the rigor of PT school. I took all my science prereqs together in one year, which was pretty hard, but even that doesn't compare with the rigor of PT school.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

 

[doubletrouble88]

I know that no one has added to this thread in a while, but I just happened upon it, and wanted to leave some encouragement to 2whommuchisgiven.

All of the prior posts are very realistic... it is going to be hard to get in with your stats.

But I couldn't ignore that you said that you were going to keep trying and keep applying until you get in. If that is true, it seems like you really really want this. While really wanting something cant make you get it, it can give you the motivation to keep working until you do get it! If you only see your self being a PT then I'm certainly not going to tell you you cant do it.

One thing I thought about but didn't see mentioned here is becoming a PTA. It is lesser education because it is lesser responsibility, but it is in the field, and would help you get your foot in the door. If you worked as a PTA for a while then applied again, you would have a ton of experience in the field, that many other applicants wouldn't have.

Second thing I thought about is all of your grades. Many schools average grades that were retaken, or limit the number of classes that can be retaken. However, many schools say that prerequisite classes can only be 5 years old. If you were willing to take some time off, then re-take some classes, it could be that only the new classes would be counted towards your GPA. You would have to talk to the schools on this, but it is worth asking at the very least.

If you don't want to give up on a career in PT, then don't give up. Its not going to be easy getting there, but its not impossible either.

Good Luck!!

 

[DesertPT]

^^^I doubt the OP has looked at SDN in over a year. This was the only thread he had every posted in....but good advice nonetheless I guess...

 

[FTZ]

I'm not going to tell you that its impossible to get in with those stats because its not. Retake the GRE though. That's important. However, I have a 2.9 cGPA, 3.5 prereq GPA and I'm having no problems getting interviews, so it's possible. You'll need to do better on the GRE. I would take some other science classes of you can too. Your cGPA probably isn't going to ever be up there with lots of other students so be ok with that and find other unique ways to make your app strong. I did a few things in which I was told no other student has done before, so find those things and do them. Your personal statement can do wonders along with your letter writers as well. If you have and Q's, DM me and we'll chat. Best of luck and you will get in. If I can, you can too.