Please look at my stats and help me make a decision :/

[PTHoustonTX]

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Hi! I desperately need to make a decision, anyone and everyone is welcome to help! No comment is a dumb comment! 🙂 Basic info listed:

Interested in: Physical Therapy programs preferably in-state (Texas), will go out of state if not accepted in Texas
Year: Senior at University of Houston
Cum GPA: 3.87
Pre-req GPA thus far: 4.0 (have only taken A&P 1, A&P 2, PHYS 1... planning to take CHEM1, PHYS2 in the spring aaand BIO1 in June, aaand BIO2, Adv Bio, CHEM2 in the fall)
Will not have completed the following pre-reqs when I apply in July: BIO2, Adv BIO, CHEM2
Volunteer hours: Planning on doing about 150 hours in the spring, and about 200 in May but have been unlucky in getting a wide variety of settings. Thus far, only got inpatient and outpatient.
GRE: taking it in April

QUESTION! What are my chances of getting in ANYWHERE when I apply in July. I am really concerned about the pre-req classes I will not have completed when I apply. I am also concerned about my hours. Should I wait another year and apply next cycle? I really don't want to waste a year as I will already have been wasted one. About how many programs should I apply to? I was thinking bout 30, is that too many? PLEASE HELP 🙁 I am freaking out.

 

[ktachiba]

Hi! I desperately need to make a decision, anyone and everyone is welcome to help! No comment is a dumb comment! 🙂 Basic info listed:

Interested in: Physical Therapy programs preferably in-state (Texas), will go out of state if not accepted in Texas
Year: Senior at University of Houston
Cum GPA: 3.87
Pre-req GPA thus far: 4.0 (have only taken A&P 1, A&P 2, PHYS 1... planning to take CHEM1, PHYS2 in the spring aaand BIO1 in June, aaand BIO2, Adv Bio, CHEM2 in the fall)
Will not have completed the following pre-reqs when I apply in July: BIO2, Adv BIO, CHEM2
Volunteer hours: Planning on doing about 150 hours in the spring, and about 200 in May but have been unlucky in getting a wide variety of settings. Thus far, only got inpatient and outpatient.
GRE: taking it in April

QUESTION! What are my chances of getting in ANYWHERE when I apply in July. I am really concerned about the pre-req classes I will not have completed when I apply. I am also concerned about my hours. Should I wait another year and apply next cycle? I really don't want to waste a year as I will already have been wasted one. About how many programs should I apply to? I was thinking bout 30, is that too many? PLEASE HELP 🙁 I am freaking out.

You can probly get into any school you want with those stats as long as you don't bomb the GRE and maintain a high pre req GPA (3.6 or higher) .That's good that you got an A in a Anatomy and Physio as those are the 2 classes schools care bout the most. Also, 200 volunteer hours is usually the max hours I've seen required by a school. Some schools require as low as only 15 hours.

Also, usually schools require 1 or 2 psychology courses as well. I didn't see you list them as part of your pre req courses.

You probly only need to apply to 6-10 schools if you keep up those stats. Include some safety schools to be safe (they list avg accepted gpa on PTCAS for each program)

 

[Romazicon]

I also live in Texas, DFW area. I wasn't going to apply this cycle but I went for it. I got 60 hrs in a August in peds (20) and inpatient (40) and took the GRE during that same month (302 average, 4.0 AW) and I got into UTSW and TWU Dallas (1st choice). I have a 4.0, but your GPA compared to mine is not much of a difference, especially if you apply early decisions as I did. I only applied to 3 schools and got into 2. I was missing developmental psych and technical writing for all of the other texas schools. Don't worry!

A question about advanced Bio...why are you taking it? I only needed Bio1 and Bio2. Also, I would take Bio 1 and Bio 2 in the summer if it allows you to take them in 5 or 6 week courses back to back. Then you would only have Chem 2 in the spring. If not, then take chem 2 and bio 1 in the summer and then bio 2 in the spring. That'll be your preference based on where your strengths are.

Last question. Are these prereqs the ONLY classes you have left?

PM me if you have any questions.

 

[PTHoustonTX]

Romazicon, Oh wow, i believed I needed to complete over 100 hours for PT programs. I'm trying my best to make it to about 200 and in different facilities. Yes, those are the only pre-reqs I have left to complete, have already completed all my psychology classes. Ok I will take my pre-reqs that way. And I am taking advanced bio as some schools out of state requite it. I am mainly very concerned about my PT hours...

 

[PTHoustonTX]

You can probly get into any school you want with those stats as long as you don't bomb the GRE and maintain a high pre req GPA (3.6 or higher) .That's good that you got an A in a Anatomy and Physio as those are the 2 classes schools care bout the most. Also, 200 volunteer hours is usually the max hours I've seen required by a school. Some schools require as low as only 15 hours.

Also, usually schools require 1 or 2 psychology courses as well. I didn't see you list them as part of your pre req courses.

You probly only need to apply to 6-10 schools if you keep up those stats. Include some safety schools to be safe (they list avg accepted gpa on PTCAS for each program)

Ok thank you very much for your input! Yes I have completed all of my psychology pre-reqs. I am mainly concerned about my shadowing hours.. and the different locations they require..

 

[PTHoustonTX]

I also live in Texas, DFW area. I wasn't going to apply this cycle but I went for it. I got 60 hrs in a August in peds (20) and inpatient (40) and took the GRE during that same month (302 average, 4.0 AW) and I got into UTSW and TWU Dallas (1st choice). I have a 4.0, but your GPA compared to mine is not much of a difference, especially if you apply early decisions as I did. I only applied to 3 schools and got into 2. I was missing developmental psych and technical writing for all of the other texas schools. Don't worry!

A question about advanced Bio...why are you taking it? I only needed Bio1 and Bio2. Also, I would take Bio 1 and Bio 2 in the summer if it allows you to take them in 5 or 6 week courses back to back. Then you would only have Chem 2 in the spring. If not, then take chem 2 and bio 1 in the summer and then bio 2 in the spring. That'll be your preference based on where your strengths are.

Last question. Are these prereqs the ONLY classes you have left?

PM me if you have any questions.

Romazicon, Oh wow, i believed I needed to complete over 100 hours for PT programs. I'm trying my best to make it to about 200 and in different facilities. Yes, those are the only pre-reqs I have left to complete, have already completed all my psychology classes. Ok I will take my pre-reqs that way. And I am taking advanced bio as some schools out of state requite it. I am mainly very concerned about my PT hours...

 

[Watson27]

I agree with Romazicon on the classes. Are any of the other pre-reqs you need offered in summer? You could take Bio1 and Chem2 in the summer and that would leave only one/two incomplete pre-reqs when you apply. If this isn't possible, make sure you only apply to schools that allow you to have incomplete pre-reqs. Some schools limit you at two, or they require you to have specific sequences complete.

Your GPA is great. Make sure you get A's in the remaining courses. Rock the GRE. If your GPA and GRE are above the average, you will get in to most schools.

Don't stress out about the observation hours. Yes, it is better to have a ton of hours in many different settings, but as long as you meet the minimums of the schools you are applying to you will be fine. As far as quantity goes, there's no need to have over 200 hours. Most schools require between 50-150. If you have inpatient and outpatient already there's no need to worry. The biggest mistake you can make is having only outpatient sports/ortho. The benefit to observing in a variety of settings is it gives you more to talk about in interviews and essays.

DO NOT apply to 30 schools. What a waste of time. What are the chances that you would actually finish all those supplemental apps? Would you go to 30 interviews if they all offered you one? DO YOUR RESEARCH. Find schools that you can get accepted to and that you want to go to. Apply to 6-10 schools that your stats match up to. Example: Don't apply to a school with a GRE cutoff of 310 if you only have a 305.

You'll do great and can surely get accepted to several programs. Good luck!

 

[PTHoustonTX]

I agree with Romazicon on the classes. Are any of the other pre-reqs you need offered in summer? You could take Bio1 and Chem2 in the summer and that would leave only one/two incomplete pre-reqs when you apply. If this isn't possible, make sure you only apply to schools that allow you to have incomplete pre-reqs. Some schools limit you at two, or they require you to have specific sequences complete.

Your GPA is great. Make sure you get A's in the remaining courses. Rock the GRE. If your GPA and GRE are above the average, you will get in to most schools.

Don't stress out about the observation hours. Yes, it is better to have a ton of hours in many different settings, but as long as you meet the minimums of the schools you are applying to you will be fine. As far as quantity goes, there's no need to have over 200 hours. Most schools require between 50-150. If you have inpatient and outpatient already there's no need to worry. The biggest mistake you can make is having only outpatient sports/ortho. The benefit to observing in a variety of settings is it gives you more to talk about in interviews and essays.

DO NOT apply to 30 schools. What a waste of time. What are the chances that you would actually finish all those supplemental apps? Would you go to 30 interviews if they all offered you one? DO YOUR RESEARCH. Find schools that you can get accepted to and that you want to go to. Apply to 6-10 schools that your stats match up to. Example: Don't apply to a school with a GRE cutoff of 310 if you only have a 305.

You'll do great and can surely get accepted to several programs. Good luck!

Oh okay, everything you said made perfect sense and was very very helpful! Thank you very much!!

 

[DesertPT]

DO NOT apply to 30 schools. What a waste of time. What are the chances that you would actually finish all those supplemental apps? Would you go to 30 interviews if they all offered you one? DO YOUR RESEARCH. Find schools that you can get accepted to and that you want to go to. Apply to 6-10 schools that your stats match up to. Example: Don't apply to a school with a GRE cutoff of 310 if you only have a 305.

Watson27's been doing a great job of preaching on this topic lately. It has been much needed. 👍

 

[DesertPT]

OP, like others have mentioned, 3 outstanding pre-reqs is pushing it. I would do what you need to do to get 1 or 2 more done by the time you apply.

If you keep getting A's and do above average on the GRE, get some strong LORs and write a good essay, you'll be all set to apply to pretty much any school you want.

 

[DesertPT]

Volunteer hours:... Thus far, only got inpatient and outpatient.

All PT setting are either inpatient or outpatient (actually all healthcare period is either provided on an inpatient or outpatient basis...you either stay the night at a facility or you don't). You could have various different inpatient settings (eg rehab, acute and SNF) and various outpatient settings (eg. ortho, hand therapy and peds). Generally I'd say that 2 inpatient setting and 2 outpatient settings, with 30-50 hours at each is roughly a good goal to shoot for. Remember that breadth of experience matters more than depth of experience. Aim to see as broad a variety of PT patients as possible.

 

[PTHoustonTX]

OP, like others have mentioned, 3 outstanding pre-reqs is pushing it. I would do what you need to do to get 1 or 2 more done by the time you apply.

If you keep getting A's and do above average on the GRE, get some strong LORs and write a good essay, you'll be all set to apply to pretty much any school you want.

Then, do you suggest me not applying during early app cycle and just wait until I complete the pre-reqs by the end of summer and submit my application towards October?? Is not applying early going to significantly effect my chances in a negative way?

 

[PTHoustonTX]

All PT setting are either inpatient or outpatient (actually all healthcare period is either provided on an inpatient or outpatient basis...you either stay the night at a facility or you don't). You could have various different inpatient settings (eg rehab, acute and SNF) and various outpatient settings (eg. ortho, hand therapy and peds). Generally I'd say that 2 inpatient setting and 2 outpatient settings, with 30-50 hours at each is roughly a good goal to shoot for. Remember that breadth of experience matters more than depth of experience. Aim to see as broad a variety of PT patients as possible.

Got it!! Thank you very much for your insight!

 

[PT2Bee]

Lol I think I was the worst applicant ever. I waited until 2 months before apps opened to get observation hours. I had just a little north of 100 when I applied. I believe most schools just want to see that you've immersed yourself in the profession for a few hours to get a taste and see if you still want to pursue it. Grad school is big business, they can't have anyone changing their mind about attending 🙂. When compared to stats, observation hours get far lower weight than GRE or GPA. They won't tell you, but observation hours are basically one of their filters (especially since we live in a time where a school can get north of 1,200 applications ), along with minimum GPA and GRE requirements, which is among the reasons why they require them. Good luck.

 

[DesertPT]

Then, do you suggest me not applying during early app cycle and just wait until I complete the pre-reqs by the end of summer and submit my application towards October?? Is not applying early going to significantly effect my chances in a negative way?

Depends if the schools you are applying to use rolling admissions or not. But even if you took classes in the summer you could still have your application done and in by the end of August which wouldn't be too big a deal. A lot of Universities also offer classes that are done by half way through the summer too.

Now if you are talking about applying early decision that is a totally different thing, and yes of course you would have to meet that deadline.

 

[DesertPT]

That's good that you got an A in a Anatomy and Physio as those are the 2 classes schools care bout the most.

I have never heard or seen this to be the case. Can you provide any evidence for this statement?

 

[starrsgirl]

I would just wait to press "submit" until after your summer class grades come in. You will still be applying plenty early. you will have a much stronger application then (it's good already)

Also, as another opinion, I did not find that number of hours was a big factor in admission decisions. As long as you had the minimum number, I didn't find it to be a limiting factor for me or friends.

 

[ktachiba]

I have never heard or seen this to be the case. Can you provide any evidence for this statement?

No hard evidence...but from past threads I've seen people get into PT school with C's in chemistry or biology. I don't think you can get a C in anatomy or physio and be accepted into PT school as they are the most important pre-reqs.

Also, I have just finished my Fall semester where I took Zoology, Chem 1B, and Physiology, and at my URI interview the professor only was curious about my grade in Physiology.

 

[DesertPT]

I would just wait to press "submit" until after your summer class grades come in. You will still be applying plenty early. you will have a much stronger application then (it's good already)

I agree. You can have the application all done and filled out by the time your class is done, then you will be able to submit ASAP.

 

[PT2Bee]

The schools I interviewed at tended to look at A and P more because class wise it is the best predictor of how a student can handle that level of rigor. A and P is one of the first sequences you take in PT school, so if you don't fare well in undergrad classes, tough chance with PT A and P.

 

[uncwpt2018]

The most important thing you need to do is research school requirements because most schools do not allow more than 2 outstanding pre-requisites at the time of application. Use this to plan out your outstanding classes and don't take any that you don't have to.

Like others have said, don't waste time or MONEY applying to 30 schools!!! I wouldn't apply to more than 10 (15 max) but make sure you fulfill every requirement or your application will automatically be discarded. Also look at the stats of admitted students that are usually on their websites and see how you compare.

As long as you do well on the GRE and have good recommendation letters you should be fine.

Even if you do take a year off, it wouldn't be wasted. You could save up some money and have a lot of time for observation hours/resume boosters.

 

[DesertPT]

The most important thing you need to do is research school requirements because most schools do not allow more than 2 outstanding pre-requisites at the time of application. Use this to plan out your outstanding classes and don't take any that you don't have to.

Like others have said, don't waste time or MONEY applying to 30 schools!!! I wouldn't apply to more than 10 (15 max) but make sure you fulfill every requirement or your application will automatically be discarded. Also look at the stats of admitted students that are usually on their websites and see how you compare.

As long as you do well on the GRE and have good recommendation letters you should be fine.

Even if you do take a year off, it wouldn't be wasted. You could save up some money and have a lot of time for observation hours/resume boosters.

Although realize that there are sometimes schools that allow a certain number of outstanding pre-reqs (usually 2), but give preference to applicants with all pre-reqs completed. I have all mine completed, so I haven't ever asked any schools specifically about this, but I have heard it be mentioned. It would be worth it to call your target schools and ask about this if you are worried.

 

[PTHoustonTX]

A HUGE thanks to everyone who has helped me in this thread! This is an amazing forum for students like me. Thanks a lot for helping us out!