In need of reassurance/advice

[nicolej5]

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So I am applying to PT school in the fall and am planning on applying to NAU, AT Still, Midwestern (both AZ and IL), Touro Nevada, Chapman, LSU New Orleans and Arkansas. My stats are:

school: Arizona State
major: Kinesiology
minor: Psych
cumulative GPA: 3.64
science/prereq GPA: not too sure, will most likely be slightly lower than cumu.
GRE: V- 149, Q-153 AW- 4.0
Volunteering: 50 hours in a hospital (pediatric physical therapy) and am planning on shadowing in a clinic for the rest of summer
Extras and others: Kinesiology honors society, pre-physical therapy club, dean's list for every semester, did other volunteering duties at the hospital (70 ish hours besides the 50 above), recreational softball

Please, be honest with me and tell me if I have a reasonable shot!

 

[Litlwarrior08]

I applied to your first 5 schools this last cycle. Accepted at Touro in Nov, interviewed w/ AT STILL, Interviewed at NAU-wait listed #6. Midwestern told me I was on waitlist for an interview but never got close. Also grad 2012 of ASU/Kin program-old program, w/ a lot of psych. You didn't apply to Franklin Pierce in Goodyear. THey didn't even consider me due to low sc GPA.
Your GPAs are higher than my 3.1 / 2.7. GREs real close to mine-average. I recommend 100-125 ish volunteer hrs in PT specifically-and in at least 3 different environments. SNF/hosp/in/out/neuro etc. Knock them dead w/ LORs and your essay. Show your passion and committment..........reflect who your are.
Would like to say Touro is a sure shot if you apply early.........but have seen others not accepted. Still keeping my fingers crossed for NAU-really want to stay in state. It was a great surprise to get an intrerview w/ them w/ my 3.1 overall GPA, and get this far on the waitlist.

Good luck you should do fine.

 

[nicolej5]

Thanks for the response! I'm hoping to stay in-state as well but I think I will have a hard time getting the three references needed for NAU, so Midwestern and AT are my only hope. I already will have a professor write one, but I am having a rather difficult time with observing a physical therapist in my area. I started emailing them but I realize I will have to call....why put an email address if you don't answer?! 😡

 

[ptootles]

Your stats look just fine to me (similar to mine when I was applying) so I'm sure you will get interviews based on just that. As Lilwarrior08 noted, observation hours in several different settings is equally important because the schools want to know you've seen various aspects of the profession. It sounds like you're doing pretty well on that. Also, I'm sure you know this, AT Still does give some priority to ASU Kines graduates - I got my BS in Kines from ASU and was accepted at AT Still though I did not attend (went with Franklin Pierce). You may want to consider adding FPU to your list of programs since you indicate you really want to stay in AZ.

A reasonable shot? Absolutely! 😉

 

[nicolej5]

Thanks, I actually was interested in FP at first, but something that has sort of deterred me was their lack of an actual campus/lab. I've heard better things about AT and Midwestern on here but just remain unsure about FP. I'll take another look at them again, though.

 

[ptootles]

Thanks, I actually was interested in FP at first, but something that has sort of deterred me was their lack of an actual campus/lab. I've heard better things about AT and Midwestern on here but just remain unsure about FP. I'll take another look at them again, though.

There is no doubt that, facilities-wise, ATSU and MWU have more to offer because FPU is still operating out of a temporary building (the FPU board of trustees told us earlier this year they were still looking for permanent accomodations). I was drawn to both of those other schools for the simple reason that they had a more permanent-appearing presence. However, I chose FPU for the small class sizes and more comfortable "fit" of the program for me personally. So far, it has been great and I cannot honestly say I feel I am missing anything by being at FPU versus the others. I'm not trying to sell FPU, but just pointing out my reasons for being there and that if you really want to stay in AZ, perhaps you should add FPU to your application list because you never know. 🙂

 

[CristianoParese]

Can't stress enough that you should have more experience. You NEED to be someone who knows in mind, body and spirit AND shows through your actions thats you MUST become a DPT. Take your shadowing experience and aim to learn as much about the treatment process as possible. Finding a job as a tech more so long-term will be invaluable in learning more about what you're going to spend a LOT of money on. Eh, either way, you can always get married, have kids, and quit practicing if you don't like it. BOTTOM LINE: Love what you do and what you do will love you back!
This is me pouring my heart out after I finally just heard this morning I am actually going to grad school. I have over 5000 hours observation/work experience and it paid off. That was my route. Choose your's wisely; I'm pretty sure you want to be in PT school before you're 27 and getting married in 2 weeks. I wish you dedication and perseverance.

 

[DariaZ]

Hi everyone,
I an wondering if somebody can give me an advise.
I am applying to TWU this Summer,
My stats are:
Kinesiology'13
Overall GPA 3.87
Prerequisite GPA 4.0 so far
But my GRE score is low, 147 for verbal and 153 quantitative and 3.0 for analytical writing.

I am wondering if I should retake the GRE to would my GPA compensate for it.

Would they even consider me with this score or will I be cut?

I appreciate all the responses!

 

[NewTestament]

I don't know about TWU, but a 4.0 pre-req GPA will stand out. As long as you meet the minimum GRE score, you should not re-take it. None of the schools I visited seemed to make a big deal of the GRE. They cared more about character, volunteer experience, pre-req GPA, and LORs more than anything. Does TWU interview? If they do, peruse this site for sample questions and be able to answer them.

Kevin

 

[nicolej5]

thx for the replies everyone! I think observation hours are a hit or miss depending on the school? I've read some threads where people have had hours and hours and gotten denied and then some where the opposite happened. I will have about 150 when I apply, which I think is adequate to show interest in the field.

 

[Litlwarrior08]

150 hrs w/ PT is good, best if experience is varied. Extra curriculars, even in high school tied into character, leadership skills, diversity etc. in your essay helps. Show Who you are and how you got to be the person you are----and how all this relates to you being a PT.

I believe the ASU - KIN / AT STill connection reserves a certain number of seat for ASU KIN majors........call to see--they also do early decision....but are particular about you having most of the prereqs done. call the office they are very helpful. Janice was great, hope she is still there.

(I'm up to #4 at NAU, ha ha--Touro starts next week. Glad to have a spot!! )

 

[DariaZ]

Thank you for your responses.

I went to see my adviser and she said that I will not get in in the first trial with the GRE like this. But there is still a chance to get in in the second.
I am seriously considering retaking it. 🙁

 

[jdaniels360]

DariaZ, with a GPA like that you'll be fine. You're GRE scores are not BAD by any stretch. I'm sure you've heard this before but I wouldn't waste anymore time or $$$ on GRE.

 

[wjs010]

Trust me if that was a bad gre score everybody would be ****ed

 

[nicolej5]

150 hrs w/ PT is good, best if experience is varied. Extra curriculars, even in high school tied into character, leadership skills, diversity etc. in your essay helps. Show Who you are and how you got to be the person you are----and how all this relates to you being a PT.

I believe the ASU - KIN / AT STill connection reserves a certain number of seat for ASU KIN majors........call to see--they also do early decision....but are particular about you having most of the prereqs done. call the office they are very helpful. Janice was great, hope she is still there.

(I'm up to #4 at NAU, ha ha--Touro starts next week. Glad to have a spot!! )

Just curious, who did you have write your letter of recommendations for NAU? I have tried to email them but of course they never responded. I know they require at least one pt and I have a professor writing me one, but for the last one I was going to have my old high school teacher write it. We've known each other for 7 years and still keep in touch. It would be more of a character/work ethic reference but I just didn't know if that you hold any weight? I feel like he knows me really well and could give them a sense of the type of student that I am.

 

[Litlwarrior08]

Just curious, who did you have write your letter of recommendations for NAU? I have tried to email them but of course they never responded. I know they require at least one pt and I have a professor writing me one, but for the last one I was going to have my old high school teacher write it. We've known each other for 7 years and still keep in touch. It would be more of a character/work ethic reference but I just didn't know if that you hold any weight? I feel like he knows me really well and could give them a sense of the type of student that I am.

I submitted 4 ref. in PTCAS because some schools required it. I used a KIN professor who I took about 3 classes w/, a PT I shadowed 70 hours w/ and another I did 30 hrs with and my employer of 6 years (I'm a life guard - swim instructor w/ my city). Your recs will be done on line when PTCAS notifies, them you will need a reliable email and have them watch for it. I printed out the instructions and gave it to them so they knew ahead what type of questions / format to expect. and they are to check SPAM. Also included a cc of my essay and a bio with my volunteer hours/extra currics / employment etc so they can reflect that in their comment section. Outside of PTCAS programs w/ have their own forms '/ process. I stuck w/ PTCAS.
You can use the HIGH SCH teacher if the program list that as OK under their approved LORs. Maybe use it as your 4th one. The schools choose the 3 they want/require.

You will always have a better response if you call not email. This also gives you an opportunity to "visit" a bit w/ the person ans. the phone. You will be inspired to ask more questions. Just don't call too often.......there is a balance.

Hope this helped. Oh My ASU prof was Kristin Hoffner. You'll have to stay on these people to make sure they follow up..........check PTCAS frequently for the status, and have some back up ref. ready to help in a hurry if needed.

 

[Litlwarrior08]

Thank you for your responses.

I went to see my adviser and she said that I will not get in in the first trial with the GRE like this. But there is still a chance to get in in the second.
I am seriously considering retaking it. 🙁

my scores were in the 50%ile........its my science GPA that kept me from interviews at a couple schools. GRE is just a filtering process, a necessary evil........knock them dead w/ your essay, LORs.

 

[nicolej5]

thx litlwarrior, one more question. When you got your lor from the pts, did you establish at the beginning of the observations that you wanted a LOR or did you just leave it till the end to ask?I'm shadowing somebody right now but i don't get that vibe that they will write one for me.

 

[jdaniels360]

Great question above, I'd love an answer for this too if somebody could provide one.

 

[Litlwarrior08]

The 70 hr PT person knew because I'd also done hrs there when I first started Kin classes as a soph., the 2nd PT was at a hospital and maybe 10hrs into I mentioned it. They are all very busy but most know the process.......have done it for other observers and MOST are happy to help. I didn't bother w/ the 10hr obs. didn't feel you can establish a rapport in that little time.