Low stats and the possibility of acceptance

[ChangedMan]

Hey all,

I have some questions for any of you that know a bit about the DPT admissions process. Here is a little background; I have a very low undergrad GPA (Bio) at 2.2. Let's just say that I enjoyed college too much and lost track to why I was really there. I figured if you just graduate and pass, everything will take care of itself after college (obviously I was wrong). I really wish I can go back and re-do my undergrad but it is what it is. It was only recently due to some personal events (the last 2 years) that I found DPT to be something I wanted to pursue. I went ahead to retake some classes that I did horrible in (got A's) and took some new classes that I never took during undergrad but are pre-reqs (A&PI +II, stats, abnormal psych, also attained A's). I don't know the average age of accepted students but I feel like I'm an older candidate @ 28. I currently do research for a well-known PI (a pretty well known professor and doctor) and attained authorship on a couple of BIG papers. I put in a lot of time at work and I still try to find ways to shadow pt doctors in which I currently estimate to be around 50-60 hours (though I know that pales in comparison to others, but I'm doing what I can). I haven't taken the GRE's yet but have taken some practice GRE's and did pretty decent on them. I know I screwed up when I was younger and want to make amends for it as my work ethic is on a much different level as to my undergrad. These are my questions; do any of you have any more suggestions to improve my stats and do you know if anyone with similar stats/situation got into DPT school? I just want to know if I have a chance. Thanks in advance everyone!

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[MSR0307]

It all depends on what the schools you are applying to are looking for. However most school ask for a minimum GPA of 3.0. This could be undergrad or last 60 credits. Study hard for the GRE, a high score can somewhat make up for a low GPA.

 

[Litlwarrior08]

The PTCAS app should average ALL your classses to get the overall GPA. Any really low grades are hard to come back from, your retakes can help show committment and pull up the GPA a bit. Good Luck

 

[Kepania]

First of all, YES you have a chance!!! Keep working hard and you'll continue to improve your chances. I'm no expert, and I've been off the forum for a couple of months, but one thing I learned from here and my own experience is that most schools are looking at your whole application, not just scores. Yes, some schools have a weeding out process based on scores, but that's just more incentive for you to kill it on the GRE. Go get yourself some study prep materials and do really well on it. Also, get more observation hours in a couple different settings. Maybe even build up community service hours.

Also, it sounds like you've taken about half of the prereqs and gotten a 4.0 (some new, some retaken). If you have time, retake some more classes to get some more As. Personally I only applied to one school, a private school with a slightly lower GPA requirement because many had a 3.0 minimum. Yes I will pay for the private school decision dearly (literally...the school is expensive!) but it was the program I wanted anyway out of the choices in my state.

As for the age issue...I'm old as hell. 39!!! Yikes! Although I did get carded for beer the other day so that's a plus lol. Here are my stats, which may provide some encouragement:

University: UCSB
Major: Biology, 1999
Undergrad GPA: 2.94
Post-bac GPA: 4.0 (real estate & art classes mostly, but also Anatomy & Physiology)
Overall GPA: 3.16
Pre-req GPA: 2.98 (Eek!)
GRE: V160 Q158 AW4.0
Observation: 70 hours inpatient

Applied, Interviewed, Waitlisted, and then finally accepted: Samuel Merritt

P.S. I feel like I totally blew the interview because I was too nervous. Also, one interviewer did not seem to like that I had no community service. Anyway, best of luck to you!!!! Don't give up!