Non-traditional with old prerequisites

[green_machine]

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I'm a non-traditional applicant with a BS in neuroscience from 2006. Most of my prereqs were completed between 2002-6 except anatomy, physiology, and physics 2 (current - 2015). Many schools exclude me from the get-go with rules about age of prereq coursework. Luckily the 2 programs nearest to me do not. I have loads of research experience starting freshman year of college (including 2 fellowships and a SURP) + worked for 9 years post-college in clinical research at a local university.

cGPA: 3.74
pGPA: 3.97
GRE: 227 (V 166, Q 161, W 4)
PT observation: orthopedic 80, neuro 75, hospital inpatient 10

I've spent a lot of time and money into finishing my prereqs this year, and now that it's application season I'm worried that it was all a waste! Thoughts on whether I am competitive with an old degree? Should I be repeating my coursework even though I got all As (and 1 A-)!?

 

[steveyk]

there are many many schools that take old prerequisites (with the exception of A&P). I think as long as you research and select your programs carefully, you should at least be invited to a few interviews. Most programs will look at your GRE and immediately be impressed. Good luck and I hope all works out for you.

and your GRE is a 327 total by the way.

 

[sss_pt]

and your GRE is a 327 total by the way.[/QUOTE]

That explains the 161 quantitative! Haha

 

[green_machine]

haha exactly! i tend to make really dumb mistakes on Q. Thanks for the tips!

 

[starrsgirl]

Have you had specific conversations with your target schools about your pre reqs? (reading it on the website isn't enough for you). You sound like you will be just fine as long as the school says they allow these "older" pre reqs. Get it in writing! I had some trouble with pre reqs like English 1o1, psychology and speech. Some of the my schools waived the requirement based on work experience, some accepted my older courses even though they were outside the 10 year window, and some required that those courses were within 10 years (so I quickly took them online at a community college).

 

[ldpt43]

I was in a similar situation to you (graduated undergrad, went on to do a master's in research right away, worked, took my remaining pre-reqs, and applied) the best thing you can do is comb through PTCAS and figure out which schools are likely to accept your older pre-reqs and then reach out to them and ask. I did this all by e-mail and saved every confirmation so that I had written proof just in case. I found that many of the larger, private universities did not have a 10 year cap on pre-reqs (Northwestern, WashU, etc). Also, research experience is a great asset to have as a pre-PT student so make sure to include a lot of your work history in essays and interviews. All of my prior work has been in research and I've been surprised by how helpful that has been during the application process.

 

[green_machine]

Thank you! I think it's mostly nerves at this point. One school was A-OK with it, and the other seemed to be too. I just don't trust it fully. With so many qualified candidates it feels like a major weakness, but I think you're right that the research is an asset that more than makes up for it. I just hate the idea that my undergrad expired before I even paid off the loans!

 

[okramango]

Honestly I think PT programs see non-trads as a strength, not a weakness, because they have more life experience and can contribute their skills and what they've learned to their class in PT school. Use your experiences as a strength, both in your essays and in your interviews. As long as your programs will accept your pre-reqs, then you are not at any disadvantage compared with other applicants. I was more non-trad than you are (applied 12 years after finishing undergrad), and had slightly lower stats than you overall, and still got into every program that I applied to!