Pre-req's

[tenshi01]

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Hi!
I'm currently taking 5 courses this fall semester to fulfill my pre-req's (four more in spring to finish all my pre-reqs). One of the courses I'm taking now is Exercise Physiology. Most, if not all the schools I am going to apply to do NOT require this course as a pre-req. I'm thinking of dropping the class right now because my other classes are going to consume most of my time already. The only reason I took it in in the first place was I thought it might look better on my application if I took an extra course like this. Do the schools even look at things like that?
I'm aiming for a 4.0 Pre-req GPA to make up for my average GRE scores so I don't want to take a class that I don't need to.
Any suggestions?

 

[FloridianDPT]

I would say take it if you can handle it. You may want to look at how intense the class is by feedback from other students. I think schools definitely look at it, and you can always mention it in an interview or your essay. When I spoke with a USF admissions rep, she said that they definitely look at courses that weren't required or recommended. They look at the courses in your transcript to see rigor of coursework and stuff like that. For example, I took Neurobiology and she said, that is definitely something they look at and can be positive for you because it shows you are taking courses to prepare you for the DPT curriculum. So anything that we will actually be taking in DPT school is good to take in undergrad. But if you don't think you'll do well in it because of course load....then I would say no unless you can drop a different class.

 

[kptnau]

I took it, but I'm not sure it will really help me that much. Some schools explicitly say "we prefer/require exercise phys" but most do not. Check their prereqs web page or call the schools and ask if it will help. Most of the schools I am applying to are very helpful over the phone once you get the right person.

 

[tenshi01]

Thanks for the replies 🙂
Unfortunately I can't drop any other course because they are pre-reqs I must take.
I always took 5 classes per semester back in my undergrad days and I did well (3.87 cumulative GPA), so I kind of figured I could do it again. Right now I'm taking Inorganic Chemistry I, Biology I, Physics I, Abnormal Psychology and the Exercise Physiology. I can tell right now the Physics class is going to consume most of my time. The Exercise Phys. seems like it's going to be a work load too.

By the time I submit my applications I would not have finished my fall semester anyways. The only pre-reqs I completed were Psychology I and A&P I over the summer and I got A's in both courses. I don't know how well that's going to bode. I know most schools just need you to finish all your pre-reqs before the program start date.

 

[Brandon1986]

I wouldn't take if I was you. That is a pretty tough course load without the exercise physiology. Biology I is pretty brutal by itself at my school the class avg on exams was between 20-40%. I know each school is different but it appears to be the weed out class at most. Physics requires a lot if time chem and abnormal psych aren't bad. Don't forget you will have to juggle all of those labs as well. Each person is different as to what they can handle.

 

[okramango]

If you are applying by PTCAS, you will be updating your fall grades during the Academic Update period in December, and a lot of schools see those grades before making decisions. I would probably drop the ex phys in order to focus on getting the best grades possible in those other important prereq classes.

 

[tenshi01]

When I was registering for these classes I didn't account for the labs (even though my brother warned me that labs are pretty much like an extra class) I guess I was too gong-ho.

I am applying through PTCAS. Since this my first time, I don't know how it all works.
A couple schools I'm applying to, the application deadline is October 1. If I submit my application by then, will my fall grades even get looked at?


Also, if I submit my PTCAS application to those schools in October, can I still submit my application again at a later date to other schools, the ones with later deadline dates? Or is it a one time all at once kind of deal?

 

[okramango]

When I was registering for these classes I didn't account for the labs (even though my brother warned me that labs are pretty much like an extra class) I guess I was too gong-ho.

I am applying through PTCAS. Since this my first time, I don't know how it all works.
A couple schools I'm applying to, the application deadline is October 1. If I submit my application by then, will my fall grades even get looked at?

Also, if I submit my PTCAS application to those schools in October, can I still submit my application again at a later date to other schools, the ones with later deadline dates? Or is it a one time all at once kind of deal?

Even though you are submitting before October 1, PTCAS has a system called "Academic Update" that starts in December. During that time, you can go back into your application to put in your fall grades and the classes you plan to take in the spring. You also need to send them updated transcripts. PTCAS then sends this info to the schools you applied to. Lots of schools don't even interview until January-March, so they will see those grades. Here's the info about the Academic Update:
http://www.ptcas.org/UpdatingFallCourses/

Also, yes, you can send your application to more schools after the first time you e-submit.

 

[okramango]

One other thing: Lots of schools do not accept applicants that still have so many science prereq courses left to complete, because they want to see what grades you earned in those classes. Many schools consider the prereq GPA to be more important than the cumulative GPA, so it's really important to get great grades in those prereq classes this semester so that they will see that after the academic update.

 

[tenshi01]

Thank you! That was a big help!