Pls shed some light on my situation

[calli4591]

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Hello everybody,

I really need some guidance because I decided that I wanted to pursue a physical therapy career about 2 years ago. I never intended to go to grad school and just did enough to get by. Not to mention I spent most of my time working for experience rather than participating in any extracurricular activities.

I am graduating this spring with a nutrition science BS and I'm freaking out seeing my gpa and my lack of experience in the field of physical therapy. Is it too late to start now? Seeing everyone's stat on this forum is kind of discouraging and wondering if I should continue to go down this path. I'm not doing it for the money I'm doing it because it's my passion. I've encountered many personal trainers and physical therapists and I know this is my calling and nothing excites me more than the thought of helping someone by physically involving myself to better their body and see them heal day by day because of the work that I am doing.

For anybody that graduated with a not so good gpa, and got into PT school can you share some of your experiences? When I say not so good, I mean a gpa that's under 2.5 overall. I haven't calculated my science gpa yet and I haven't taken all the required classes for PT school, so maybe there's a chance to raise my gpa?

If anybody could share some of their knowledge towards this situation of mine, I really really appreciate it!


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[PWDPT]

As long as you get good prereq grades and good GRE's anything is possible! just try to kill the last of your prereqs and the GRE's, get some great LOR's and possibly check out schools that only look at last 60 or 45 credits/ low cGPA minimum schools. Im in the same boat with really poor stats but I have hope. And you should too!

 

[UpDownPT]

This starts with a plan to get your GPA above a 3.0 and getting a 4.0 in pre reqs. Because your stats are still sub standard you need a lot of experiences to help get over the edge. This does not mean being a PT aid, which is a waste of time. This means going to China and teaching English, joining the peace corps or excelling in a career for at least 5 years.

Come up with a plan then decide if the chase is worth.

Comparing PT with personal training shows that right now you really do not understand PT. You need to figure this out as well.

Good luck

 

[calli4591]

This starts with a plan to get your GPA above a 3.0 and getting a 4.0 in pre reqs. Because your stats are still sub standard you need a lot of experiences to help get over the edge. This does not mean being a PT aid, which is a waste of time. This means going to China and teaching English, joining the peace corps or excelling in a career for at least 5 years.

Come up with a plan then decide if the chase is worth.

Comparing PT with personal training shows that right now you really do not understand PT. You need to figure this out as well.

Good luck

I'm sorry maybe I should've been clearer. I am not in any way comparing PT to personal trainers. They are completely different careers and I understand that. The personal trainers that I've encountered are either in the route of becoming a physical therapist or have already gotten into PT school. That is why I mentioned them above.

I really don't know if whatever you're suggesting is a sarcastic comment or you're being serious. I came into this forum to ask a serious question on a serious issue. I really don't think you should comment unless you have some professional advise towards the situation. Thank you. Good luck to you too.


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[PWDPT]

I'm sorry maybe I should've been clearer. I am not in any way comparing PT to personal trainers. They are completely different careers and I understand that. The personal trainers that I've encountered are either in the route of becoming a physical therapist or have already gotten into PT school. That is why I mentioned them above.

I really don't know if whatever you're suggesting is a sarcastic comment or you're being serious. I came into this forum to ask a serious question on a serious issue. I really don't think you should comment unless you have some professional advise towards the situation. Thank you. Good luck to you too.


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I think he's just being smug. no doubt that comment was uncalled for. best of luck to you.

 

[IIIIIIIIII]

I would look into PTA to be honest. The safer investment is to look at what is required for PTA school. You may spend a lot of money returning to school to complete a myriad of pre-reqs which are not easy courses to get A's in. And after all that effort in your pos bacc it is not even guaranteed you get into PT school with a gpa in the range of 3.0 to 3.2.

 

[UpDownPT]

I'm sorry maybe I should've been clearer. I am not in any way comparing PT to personal trainers. They are completely different careers and I understand that. The personal trainers that I've encountered are either in the route of becoming a physical therapist or have already gotten into PT school. That is why I mentioned them above.

I really don't know if whatever you're suggesting is a sarcastic comment or you're being serious. I came into this forum to ask a serious question on a serious issue. I really don't think you should comment unless you have some professional advise towards the situation. Thank you. Good luck to you too.


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I just wanted to make sure you really knew what roles a PT performs so you don't spend a ton of time and energy on a something does not fit you well. If you feel you have a good understanding then that part is checked off.

Like someone else mentioned PTA is great option. Pretty close to the same income level for the first half of career as a PT that takes loans to go to a private college.

 

[soccer1111]

I'm sorry maybe I should've been clearer. I am not in any way comparing PT to personal trainers. They are completely different careers and I understand that. The personal trainers that I've encountered are either in the route of becoming a physical therapist or have already gotten into PT school. That is why I mentioned them above.

I really don't know if whatever you're suggesting is a sarcastic comment or you're being serious. I came into this forum to ask a serious question on a serious issue. I really don't think you should comment unless you have some professional advise towards the situation. Thank you. Good luck to you too.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

If people are going to be rude I don't know why they bother answering at all so ignore their comment. But anyway, don't lose hope! As for them saying being a PT aide is a waste of time that is most definitely wrong. I learned more from that job than any of my undergrad classes needed to apply for pt (minus the anatomy classes). They like to see that you have had experience working with patient care. However, that cant be your only form of experience. Make sure that you get a bunch of hours in a variety of settings this way you stand out in the experience section of the PTCAS. There are a lot of different settings for example inpatient, outpatient, sub acute rehab, school, nursing home, even hippo-therapy with horses which is interesting. And just like a few others said make sure that you do well on your GRE and your prereqs. Most schools care more about your prereq grade than ur overall GPA (however most schools do require at least a 3.0 to apply).

 

[Teekam]

I have been accepted to two schools so far. I didn't have a GPA below a 2.5, but I had a GPA below 3.0 when I first tried to get into schools about 4 years ago. First step is to recognize that you just will not get in if you don't meet the minimums. Schools will not even look at anyone below minimums, but there are an incredible amount of people that still apply. I was one of those people back then. I took a couple of years off to make more money than a PT tech can make before trying again this year.

The next step is going to be retaking important courses. For me, that was my two anatomy and physiology courses. I did this over 2 semesters at night at a community college while working a full time job during normal 8-5 hours. It wasn't that hard because they were just 2 nights per week per semester. I ended up bumping my GPA up to a 3.21 just because of those two classes. A&P is probably the most important class to crush, if you haven't already. Then the other sciences, meaning Chem, Bio, and Physics. Take your time if you need to spread it out over a couple of years. Do not get anything below an A when retaking a course, because many schools just average your original and retake grades. Many schools will take a last 45-60 hours GPA over your cumulative GPA. Speaking of school, if you haven't been close to your professors, get close to the ones when you retake classes and be the student that pipes up to ask smart questions and shows interest. Two of my letters of rec came from my retake profs. Very useful since I didn't have a professor for the previous 4 years.

Some time in between there, you should be studying for the GRE and get an above average score. Mine was 157V 157 Q and 4.5 W, which I was told helped me get into school, since I had a below average GPA. You really don't want to have to deal with this freakin test twice, so study for a few months, take a prep course if you can afford it.

You absolutely need experience in the field. Getting at least 3 settings is more important than total number of hours, but if you can afford to work in clinics instead of a higher paying job, then you could also rack up the hours. I had 3 settings and about 700 hours. Apart from schools wanting to know that you've actually explored this profession, having multiple settings allows you to write more on your essay.

Honestly extracurricular activities seem to be mostly unimportant, I was not in any undergrad programs at all. Volunteer in some fashion for the next year for about 50 hours or more and you should be fine. Some schools may place extra weight on extracurriculars, but that would be up to you to contact them to find out. The only other thing I had going in this regard was being a non-traditional student who has worked in the business field for 4 years.

This is a long and expensive application process. Recognize that, decide if it's worth it, and then keep your hopes up high and your head down low. Good luck.

 

[UpDownPT]

If people are going to be rude I don't know why they bother answering at all so ignore their comment. But anyway, don't lose hope! As for them saying being a PT aide is a waste of time that is most definitely wrong. I learned more from that job than any of my undergrad classes needed to apply for pt (minus the anatomy classes). They like to see that you have had experience working with patient care. However, that cant be your only form of experience. Make sure that you get a bunch of hours in a variety of settings this way you stand out in the experience section of the PTCAS. There are a lot of different settings for example inpatient, outpatient, sub acute rehab, school, nursing home, even hippo-therapy with horses which is interesting. And just like a few others said make sure that you do well on your GRE and your prereqs. Most schools care more about your prereq grade than ur overall GPA (however most schools do require at least a 3.0 to apply).

There is a common misconception that being a PT aide will somehow get someone into PT school. The benefit of being a PT aid versus having a career working in a group on large projects or leading s team are vast. Yep get the observation in at least three settings but being a PT aide for three years is of little benefit when a person could have developed so many skills. It delays person growth and does not set a sub standard stat student apart. It is a red flag of a person that has failed to launch.

Have plan to get at least a 3.0 gpa, 4.0 pre req, very high GRE and career or experiences that show person growth.

This is not being rude. It is honest advice that is needed. The poster has a long hill to climb and needs a plan with goals. Acting like every other applicant will cause them to remain in the failure to launch mode.

 

[PWDPT]

There is a common misconception that being a PT aide will somehow get someone into PT school. The benefit of being a PT aid versus having a career working in a group on large projects or leading s team are vast. Yep get the observation in at least three settings but being a PT aide for three years is of little benefit when a person could have developed so many skills. It delays person growth and does not set a sub standard stat student apart. It is a red flag of a person that has failed to launch.

Have plan to get at least a 3.0 gpa, 4.0 pre req, very high GRE and career or experiences that show person growth.

This is not being rude. It is honest advice that is needed. The poster has a long hill to climb and needs a plan with goals. Acting like every other applicant will cause them to remain in the failure to launch mode.

You say that as if your original comment was constructive at all. Don't act like you care about his situation now that people are roasting you. You wanted to jump on him for something to make yourself seem smarter don't lie about it now and justify your pretentious comment. Imagine you were working with a patient and you made that sort of comment. You get it? Don't be like that.

 

[DPThopeful1859]

There is a common misconception that being a PT aide will somehow get someone into PT school. The benefit of being a PT aid versus having a career working in a group on large projects or leading s team are vast. Yep get the observation in at least three settings but being a PT aide for three years is of little benefit when a person could have developed so many skills. It delays person growth and does not set a sub standard stat student apart. It is a red flag of a person that has failed to launch.

Have plan to get at least a 3.0 gpa, 4.0 pre req, very high GRE and career or experiences that show person growth.

This is not being rude. It is honest advice that is needed. The poster has a long hill to climb and needs a plan with goals. Acting like every other applicant will cause them to remain in the failure to launch mode.

Being a PT Aide isn't a waste of time. I was able to aide for 2 different facilities for about 5 years combined and frankly, that's where my growth occurred. I can tell a major difference in the type of health care provider I want to be and know that my skills acquired over the years will allow me to adapt easily into the school setting coming up. I think showing growth has to do with many variables, such as re-taking classes, more volunteering, more leadership type roles, more responsibility and showing an admissions committee that you've exceeded expectations when it comes to setting you apart from other candidates.

 

[UpDownPT]

You say that as if your original comment was constructive at all. Don't act like you care about his situation now that people are roasting you. You wanted to jump on him for something to make yourself seem smarter don't lie about it now and justify your pretentious comment. Imagine you were working with a patient and you made that sort of comment. You get it? Don't be like that.

Settle down. It's a forum. Feel free to disagree but no need to attack. I am not speaking to a patient, I am giving great advice on a forum.

 

[UpDownPT]

Being a PT Aide isn't a waste of time. I was able to aide for 2 different facilities for about 5 years combined and frankly, that's where my growth occurred. I can tell a major difference in the type of health care provider I want to be and know that my skills acquired over the years will allow me to adapt easily into the school setting coming up. I think showing growth has to do with many variables, such as re-taking classes, more volunteering, more leadership type roles, more responsibility and showing an admissions committee that you've exceeded expectations when it comes to setting you apart from other candidates.

You understand this is essentially a college graduate.

 

[PWDPT]

Settle down. It's a forum. Feel free to disagree but no need to attack. I am not speaking to patient, I giving great advice on a forum.

LOL! So calling you on your bs is attacking you? You say, "Feel free to disagree but no need to attack." When you basically asked the OP how many chromosomes he has. like... "Comparing PT with personal training shows that right now you really do not understand PT. You need to figure this out as well."...... really?

 

[UpDownPT]

LOL! So calling you on your bs is attacking you? You say, "Feel free to disagree but no need to attack." When you basically asked the OP how many chromosomes he has. like... "Comparing PT with personal training shows that right now you really do not understand PT. You need to figure this out as well."...... really?
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I do not wish to be your friend!!!

 

[DPThopeful1859]

You understand this is essentially a college graduate.

All of us here are college graduates. Any experience in the field of PT is beneficial, whether working as an aide, front desk or simply volunteering. You act as if working as an aide is detrimental to someone's chances for getting into PT school. Is it essential? No, but for me, it was quite beneficial actually, more so than just volunteering. I had access and responsibilities most volunteers don't get. Unfortunately, as much as I searched for a "career" or a higher up type of position, I wasn't lucky enough to have that opportunity granted to me so I worked my tail off, making what I could to get into a school to begin my "career." So, I would be careful as to how you word things and approach people about this matter.Most, if not all of us, plan for PT to be our career, so working towards that might not always mean having a "career" before your desired "career."

 

[Cheezy89]

Hey calli4591, I'm one of those that got into PT school with a cGPA of 2.6. I know how hard you have to work in order to get into a school. Take the majority of the responses you have been getting as a warning sign for what should be ahead. There is a high of demand for PT and the field is evolving, which can only mean that the PT education will keep rising. This education that you are seeking is an expensive investment and people don't want to see you spend that much money and energy just to increase a probability. You want to be guaranteed that you will be accepted, but guess what, life isn't guaranteed. So take your chances man! You can't give up on anything until you know for sure you have done all that you could, and you have not even started. PM if you want to talk some more and we can come up with some strategies.