New- looking for feedback

[djb051]

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Hi, I am new to this forum.
I am looking to get some feedback.

I plan on applying for DPT programs next year (Fall 2012)
There are still 2 prerequisites that I need to take.
Also I was considering retaking both of my gen chems.

I just graduated recently with a BS in Biology.
My GPA for all of my 300 - 400 level classes (last 60 credits) is 3.83.
However, I did not do well in my freshman and sophomore year. My GPA after sophomore year was 2.80, and because I was a biology major then too, I had already took a lot of the prerequisites needed for PT school in my freshmen and sophomore year since it was required for my major, and so my prerequisite GPA is probably around 3.2 to 3.3.
Is it worth taking my gen chems over again when I got C's in both of them? I took organic chem in my junior year and received a B+ in lecture and an A in lab.

I did not take fresh and sophomore year as seriously because I had no idea what I was interested in career wise. I just knew I liked biology. Now, I am worried that my GPA in my first 60 will prevent me from getting into pt school.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[NiCal]

I would definitely retake your chemistry courses if you got C's in both. Every school I have talked to says they like to see students retake courses that they did not do well in. PT school's application numbers are going up exponentially every year and the competition is getting stiff. Anything you can do to boost your chances is probably a good idea.

 

[adh28]

If you have time then retake them if not then I would not stress too much, it all depends on the schools you are applying to as well. If you're last 60 or 30 hours GPA is great, many schools will see that as a sign of trending success for grad school. I know a few people who were in your same situation with two C s in chemistry and still got into a few PT schools

 

[thekman]

If you have time then retake them if not then I would not stress too much, it all depends on the schools you are applying to as well. If you're last 60 or 30 hours GPA is great, many schools will see that as a sign of trending success for grad school. I know a few people who were in your same situation with two C s in chemistry and still got into a few PT schools

I agree with adh28. If you apply broadly, nail the GRE, get some good observation hours, and present yourself as someone that's actually been out in the world, your GPA should be adequate.

If you are able to relocate, a variety of schools consider only your junior and senior years (or last 60 credit hours) when calculating your cumulative GPA. Consider applying to a few of those along with your programs of choice. What is your cumulative GPA?

How recently did you graduate? What have you been doing since graduation?

 

[djb051]

Thanks for the advice everyone
I am not positive what my cumulative GPA is because I transfered schools after sophomore year so my GPA started over at the new school. I would have to guess that my cumulative is anywhere between 3.3 to 3.45.

I graduated in May 2011. I work full-time in the business administration field, completely unrelated to biology I know. Outside of work, I am taking some online classes mostly. I have not started volunteering. My brother works at a hospital, and I am hoping to start volunteering soon at the PT department at that hospital.
In the spring, I am going to take the two prerequisites that I still need and the GRE. I will probably repeat the gen chems. Again, thanks for the advice!

 

[puppypaws]

I agree with adh28. If you apply broadly, nail the GRE, get some good observation hours, and present yourself as someone that's actually been out in the world, your GPA should be adequate.

thekman makes a good pint here

Having good observation hours helps. From my experience, it's best to volunteer at multiple settings. Three different settings/places seemed to be the magical number for most of the places I applied to, but you'd really have to check on the programs' websites that you're interested in to see what they require/is important to them. Some programs have the overall statistics (gpa/GRE) of the previous year's applicants posted somewhere on their website. That would be a good way to find out where your gpa stands.

 

[thekman]

Thanks for the advice everyone
I am not positive what my cumulative GPA is because I transfered schools after sophomore year so my GPA started over at the new school. I would have to guess that my cumulative is anywhere between 3.3 to 3.45.

I graduated in May 2011. I work full-time in the business administration field, completely unrelated to biology I know. Outside of work, I am taking some online classes mostly. I have not started volunteering. My brother works at a hospital, and I am hoping to start volunteering soon at the PT department at that hospital.
In the spring, I am going to take the two prerequisites that I still need and the GRE. I will probably repeat the gen chems. Again, thanks for the advice!

Your cumulative GPA is squarely within striking distance of last year's admitted students' mean GPA, so fear not. Bang out A's in those remaining two prereqs, kill the GRE, and let your interest and desire for PT take you the rest of the way.

I also majored in business, and spent three years out in the field before going all out for PT. I emphasized being a "career-changing businessman" in my application and during my interviews, so it can certainly be an asset if you frame it correctly. Message me if you want specifics.

 

[markelmarcel]

I also majored in business, and spent three years out in the field before going all out for PT. I emphasized being a "career-changing businessman" in my application and during my interviews, so it can certainly be an asset if you frame it correctly. Message me if you want specifics.

Although I'm not a business major I did come from an unrelated field and it was fairly easy for me to compare teaching to PT and did so in my app and interviews as well, and it's totally true what thekman says, you can definitely make it into an asset. 🙂

 

[myzougrad]

University of Missouri at Columbia calculates overall GPA based on the last 60 hours of your undergrad degree. It's a non PTCAS school that has about 500 applicants a year. The average GPA admited is 3.7 3.8 and admits 44 students to each program. Go Tigers