is PT possible with my record?

[Rehcra]

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Hi all,
So I am 100% set that I want to pursue DPT. I am 21 and have messed up super bad in community college these last few years. I want to know is DPT even a possibility or have I already gone to the point of no return? If it is possible, which route?

I started off in community college with not a clue what I wanted to do so I just did my gen-ed. After two years I decided I had to pick something and for whatever reason chose Business (accountant). Was just not in the right state of mind and just flunk a bunch of classes. I really think that PT is my calling it's just I wish I had found out about it in high school.

My record to date is as follows...
Attempted hours: 81
Passed hours: 59
GPA: 2.36

Now I want to become a physical therapist so badly and willing to do ANYTHING. But is it too late?

I talked to my schools counselor and she basically said that I'm screwed. I went in her office and told her I wanted to change majors to Kinesiology and she told me I would need 44 more units in that and then no CSU's would let me in with over 100 units and if I got straight A's i would barely get a 3.0. She used Chapman University as an example and told me to find a non-impacted major (ie. religious studies) that has a low unit transfer, transfer to a csu, then come back to community college to do my PT pre-requisites.

 

[bpdpt]

For most schools the minimum gpa to apply is a 3.0 and if you have anything less they won't even look at your application. In reality, to get into a program you would need a much higher gpa than that. I have read stories on here of people getting in with less than a 3.0 so I don't know if all hope is lost necessarily, but maybe you should do some research into PTA programs if pt is really your passion.

 

[aaronlp88]

It will be tough but not impossible. If PT is really what you want to do, you can get nothing but A's the rest of the way. Also, I'm assuming that GPA is from community college. Keep in mind that it's only going to get tougher in the university, and even more tougher in PT school. However, there are a few schools that require a minimum 2.75 gpa to be considered; I suggest you research those schools, call them, and explain your situation and what you should do to have a chance to gain acceptance into their program. You've dug yourself into a very deep hole, but it's not impossible to get out of it.

 

[Rehcra]

For most schools the minimum gpa to apply is a 3.0 and if you have anything less they won't even look at your application. In reality, to get into a program you would need a much higher gpa than that. I have read stories on here of people getting in with less than a 3.0 so I don't know if all hope is lost necessarily, but maybe you should do some research into PTA programs if pt is really your passion.

I researched that if I go into PTA that is a completely different courseload than a PT and you can't make the switch from PTA to PT.

Yes I know I dug myself into a deep hole but now what can I do about it? I understand Universities are going to be harder but it wasn't that I failed because the classes were hard. I just didn't apply myself at all (not even going to class).

Now what I want to know is what major to take to get out of community college and to transfer to what csu. I need a blueprint. I am from so-cal but location is not a factor. I will go anywhere if it means that the end result is that I become a PT.

 

[Rehcra]

I went to my schools counselor in hopes that she could give me an outline but left still as confused which is why I googled up PT forum in hopes that someone here can show me the way. Or if anyone can recommend a counselor that would look at my record and give me an outline as to what I need to do to become a PT.

I was going to school for the sake of going to school. If I knew I was digging such a deep hole by not having focus I would have just dropped out while I figured out what I wanted to do.

 

[bpdpt]

PT schools won't care what your major is or what undergrad school you go to. Pick something that you can get good grades in and that interests you while also having the chance to take your prerequisites. From there you just have to make the rest of your application solid so get a ton of observation hours in as many different settings as you can, study hard and ace the GRE, get really strong letters of recommendations, and work hard on your personal statement/essay when it comes time to apply

 

[okramango]

Your major doesn't matter to PT schools, so choose a major that you're interested in and can do well in. It could be helpful to choose a major that includes some PT prerequisites, but you could also do the PT prerequisites at a cc later.

It's never too late. Your job is to raise your GPA, so whatever you major in, you need all or mosty A's from now on. Once you graduate, you can continue taking classes at a cc until you have a GPA that can get you into PT school. Remember, some schools only look at your last 60 units GPA, so after a couple of years of A's, you can really turn things around. It's a lot easier to get high grades when you have the motivation and a clear goal.

 

[aaronlp88]

Here's what I would do if I were in your situation:

I would finish as many prereqs as I could at the community college while being below the unit max to transfer. Aim for nothing lower than an A.

As far as major to choose? Honestly, I would pick whatever major interests me the most. Schools don't really care what major you take as long as you finish the prereqs and get a bachelors degree.

As for counseling. Look up what potential schools you are interested in and call an adviser from that program. I've talked to a few adviser and they are very friendly and really want to help. They also give the best info in what they are looking for and on how you could improve your application.

Since you are still in community college, you still have ALOT of time to improve you application and demonstrate an upward trend. There are some schools that look at the last 45 or 60 semester units you've taken and would not look at your grades that you started with. St. Augustine in San Marcos is a California school that does that. Don't listen to your CC counselors. I always thought they were useless since they know nothing about getting into grad school.

Good Luck!

 

[Rehcra]

The problem that the counselor told me I would run into if I started taking my PT school pre-reqs now is that most have a 5 year expiration date on the classes so if I were to take lets say anatomy and phys this coming fall, they would expire by the time I apply for grad school.

To get my bachelors I need to transfer to a 4 year CSU. To Transfer to a CSU, I need to pass their lower division courses for whatever major I choose. So that is around 5 years.

I am ready to have no social life and hit the books 24/7! Thanks a lot for the help so far. Please keep them coming, my fall registration date for CC is in a couple days on the 15th so I need to know what classes to take.

 

[aaronlp88]

If the schools you are interested in do have a 5 year expiration, then I would take the prereqs at a cc after you get your bachelors while finishing some at the university.

 

[Rehcra]

Alright. Now what about non-impacted majors? I understand to go into PT school as long as I do good from now on then it should be fine but now the problem is getting into a CSU. From my understanding impacted majors wont accept anything below 3.5 and that is out the window for me. Thank you everyone for your responses.

 

[jdaniels360]

Well you could always legally change your name and start over 😉 .... Just thought I'd bring some levity to your situation 😛

 

[AlexFLA]

Listen buddy there is always a chance! Retake courses, and Nail your prereqs and do well on the GRE get lots of hours In different settings
You can do it!

 

[AlexFLA]

You miss 100% of the chances you don't take

 

[schnell8]

It is still possible but it will take a lot of time, work and money from where your at right now.

Step 1: Research the requirements for lots of schools. Find schools that will accept lower GPAs as well as several retakes.

Step 2: Look at your current classes taken and retake any that apply to your field.

Step 3: Get your bachelors degree and dont screw around! Pick your professors wisely and STUDY and get awesome grades!

Step 4: While your in school, get TONS of hours in SEVERAL varieties of PT. Do NOT get 300 in Outpatient and call it good. (Alternative: Find a paying job as a PT Tech/Aide)

Step 5: Volunteer for a research organization at the university. This isn't a requirement, but with your GPA, this might actually be needed to strengthen your application more. (Alternative: there are jobs available as research assistants sometimes)

Step 6: Take the GRE and score VERY high. Give yourself MONTHS beforehand to study for it and prepare.

Step 7: Do your best to get to know notorious professors from your university so you will have a GREAT Letter of recommendation. Step 5 will help with this A LOT.

Step 8: Nail your application and Interviews.

Basically, most of these steps are tips for you to improve your application in other ways. If you can at least get your GPA and pre-req GPA to around a 3.1 or a 3.2, you will have a CHANCE at SOME schools IF you find the right schools. No guarantees though... Its like I say to most in situations like this: If you want it bad enough, you can do it. Your situation is POSSIBLE...but like I said It might take you a good 4-5 years from where your at to get yourself to a good enough point to apply. Also, keep in mind what other people have said: Most school focus primarily on your last 60 credits. If you really focus hard on those last 60 credits and do awesome, you will be able to justify your current mess when it comes time for the application (there is a section on the application where you justify any messes you might have gotten yourself into gradewise..lol and it helps!) A good school to apply to for lower GPAs is UM - Flint in Michigan because they focus on your experiences moreso than grades. As of last year anyways, the pre-req minimum was a 2.75 and cGPA was 3.0 to even apply. I consider myself a good example of a 'borderline' student as my GPA wasn't that great compared to most but I made up for it in other ways. Here are my stats if you want a comparison and good luck!!

University: Lansing Community College -> Michigan State University
Major: Kinesiology - Exercise Science
Overall GPA: 3.23
Prereq GPA: 3.17
(Not sure how PTCAS calculated these...but below were my final GPAs according to my school records AFTER I retook some classes)
MSU Final GPA (with retakes): 3.24
LCC Final GPA (with retakes): 3.45
Extra-curricular: MSU Bowling Team for a year (quit due to cost and time..lol), Pre-Physical Therapy Association (PPTA), Human Energy Research Lab (HERL).
Volunteer: 60+ hours Outpatient Orthopedic, ~20 hours Outpatient Neuro, ~20 Inpatient Acute, 240 hour internship Inpatient Orthopedic. ~340 total hours.
GRE: 480 Verbal 630 Math, 4.0 Writing (not sure how this translates with the new GRE)
Applied: GVSU, CMU, OU, WSU, AU, Northwestern, UM - Flint
Interviewed:Andrews University
Wait List: Northwestern
Acceptances: Andrews University, UM - Flint
Rejections: GVSU, CMU, OU, WSU
Attending this fall: UM - Flint

 

[WarriorPT]

.... I want to know is DPT even a possibility or have I already gone to the point of no return? If it is possible, which route?

From a PT's perspective:

First, don't give up on a dream. At the very least fail in pursuit. Your GPA is very important, but each school is different. Each school will emphasize your pre-req GPA. While some consider your cumulative GPA, others may emphasize your last 2 years of study as they want to measure your RECENT dedication to academics.

My recommendation is this: Pick a major, transfer, and finish strong. It sounds like you need some practice learning how to study and prepare for classes. These next 2 years are crucial. After you graduate return to a junior/community college and take your remaining pre-reqs. Don't bother with them at the transfer school. Just focus on your major there. Best to take the pre-reqs at a school that does NOT grade on the +/- scale. At these schools a B- is the same thing as a B. More room for mistakes, and more GPA power. It is unlikely that you will bring your GPA up high enough to be competitive. With that said, if you do bring it up near 3.0 (or just under). Apply for a master's program that you can handle. A two-year program such as this will prepare you better for the graduate work in PT school. This also gives you an opportunity to achieve an excellent graduate level GPA in 2 years. These may be the last two years that some PT schools will consider when deciding your candidacy (your RECENT academics).

PT school is not easy. It isn't just classes and papers. You will be doing work in some form for 5+ hours a day after 5-8 hours of classes.

Lastly, good luck! And I'll revisit my first comments: "Don't give up on a dream. At the very least fail in pursuit."

 

[NewTestament]

I don't have much to add here, other than encouragement.

Schnell8 really summarizes what you need to do. I would say, however, that it shouldn't take you four or five years to get into a good position. If I were you, I wouldn't apply this year or next year, but I would apply in 2015 for schools that begin in the spring or summer of 2016.

When I applied for PT school, my only difference was that I had a 3.6 overall GPA as an undergradute. I had hardly fulfilled any of the pre-requisites, I had no observation hours, no LORs, no contacts, nothing. Less than two years after deciding to go into physical therapy, I was accepted into school.

With patient and persistence, and a little luck, it is possible to get accepted somewhere. Be strategic, and look at schools that put more emphasis on the last 60 hours of your GPA.

A lot of things had to go right for me to get accepted. But now I'm in PT school. A lot of things need to go right for your to go to PT school. But as Branch Ricky said, "luck is the residue of design."

Kevin

 

[pubicsymphysis]

I was in your shoes. I graduated college with a 2.4 GPA with 120 sum credits (with plenty of W's, D's, and F's). I knew I wanted to do PT so for 2 years i took all my prereqs, extra courses such as biomechanics/exercise physiology, and repeated my D's and F's (75 units worth of classes). I obtained a 3.8 GPA and brought my overall to a 3.1 GPA. It is possible! I am now at Loma Linda University, 5 weeks into my program and I am loving every moment. PM me if you wanna talk more. I can shed some more details and light since it seems like we both came from the same place.

 

[Outdoors]

In reference to Pubicsymph above.... you need to retake ALOT, I mean a ridiculous amount of coursework. How big is your budget? how much are you willing to go into debt for this career choice?

Just to give you an example.... to take courses at a local CC is around average $1000 bucks a course (some are as high as 2k with lab fees, others as little as 6-700$ but lets pick easy numbers here). Thats roughly another 50-75,000$ just to bring your GPA up before you have a shot of being accepted.

I dont mean to be negative, just trying to put it in perspective, you can certainly accomplish it but it wont be easy.

You can also reapply to college with your highschool transcripts and start fresh. You will have forfited all of the credits you have done up to this point, but grad schools do not have to see any of the records you have now if you start on a fresh slate.


Best of luck!!


PS: I worked with someone during my observation hours who was in a very similar situation as you, they ended up going to PTA school, I highly recommend looking into it.