PT Program Deadlines

[Mayomi]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello I am applying to PT school for the 2016-2017 cycle. I have just graduated from my respective college, and I have all the pre-reqs complete. I will be taking the GRE in the coming months and also have more than enough observation hours through an internship, and also working as a PT tech. I am currently retaking Chemistry I to improve my grade to make my application more competitive. I am also taking 2 courses in the fall semester at a CC as well. After looking at some of the application deadlines for some of the schools I want to apply to, I am becoming a little worried because I will not have grades for the 2 classes in the fall until December. How will it look to an admission board when they see I have 2 C+'s in Physics 1 and Biology 2 prerequisite courses, but that I am also retaking Physics 1 and Biology for a better grade.

I am hoping because I received an A in Physics 2, and also made an A in 3000 level biology courses since taking those classes that they will assume I will do better in those intro level classes. Anyone have any advice or been in a similar sitatuion? Will not having these grades by deadline hurt my chances, or will they still take into account the rest of my application. I feel I have strong letters of recommendation, over 500+ hours of observation, and I am hoping for a good GRE score as well.

 

[starrsgirl]

What is your pre req GPA currently? The schools cannot factor in your "in progress" classes at all. All that tells them is if you are qualified and are accepted, you are on track to complete the requirements by program start date.

I highly encourage you to wait on your Chem I grade. Again, if you apply without that grade, admission decisions will likely be based on your application the moment you hit send (unless a school has late admission dates).

Are all your pre reqs at least done besides retakes?

 

[Mayomi]

Yes all my pre reqs are done, I technically graduated already. I am just retaking those 3 classes because my pre-professional adviser told me it would be wise to retake those courses because I had C's/C+'s in them. Also my Chemistry I retake grade will be in by early August. My Pre-req GPA as it stands is about a 3.2-3.3 depending on what schools pre-reqs you factor in.

 

[starrsgirl]

Although I agree you should retake Cs, most schools won't be able to count those retakes. You need to check school policies. Some schools only allow 1-2 total Cs in pre req classes but this varies a lot. If the schools application deadline is prior to December, you might not qualify. I would bring in some schools with late app dates just in case.

 

[Mayomi]

Although I agree you should retake Cs, most schools won't be able to count those retakes. You need to check school policies. Some schools only allow 1-2 total Cs in pre req classes but this varies a lot. If the schools application deadline is prior to December, you might not qualify. I would bring in some schools with late app dates just in case.

Most of the schools I have chosen to apply will take the retake grade into account in the Prerequisite GPA calculation, but obviously the old grade will still be counted in the overall cumulative GPA. Your right though, I'm starting to realize that those early registration schools will probably not see my new grades in time.

Can you explain to me then why they say on the program website that they will allow 1-2 prerequisite courses to be taken the spring semester before maturation (this applys to schools I am applying to that start in the summer session of 2017.) If someone is taking a class in Spring of 2017 they will not have that grade until early May, but the deadline for registration is October of 2016. How will the admissions committee be able to decide on these students with classes still to be taken?

 

[starrsgirl]

In my experience, if you are a straight A student (or close to it), you can absolutely have 2 pre req courses still outstanding. That's not a big deal usually as you have a very proven track record, and have usually taken the 1st class of the sequence of pre reqs. Having retakes left is a completely different ball game. In that case, your history of that exact class is poor so they can't assume anything about the retake (could be good, could be bad). So again, in my experience, for retake classes, the schools really need to see those grades to see you can do the work. You will be evaluated with the C+ grades unless the applications are reviewed later (after academic update), again depends on the school and you can always search here or call and ask.

Bottom line is you have to meet the minimum qualifications of the school at the time you apply (NOT counting any in progress or future classes)....unless the school makes decisions after academic update in Dec/Jan. There is no other way to update your grades until that update period. If the school says you can only have 1 C in pre reqs, but you have 2 when you apply, you aren't qualified. A computer will generally make that cut. I have read so many posts of people who are surprised they don't get accepted for reasons like this. Even though they end up getting straight As in their senior year, sometimes none of those fall/spring semester classes count towards application (depending on school admissions date) and they are surprised by their rejection. But when they sent their application to PTCAS, they didn't meet minimums. This happened to me the first time I applied. I figured I was .01 of a point off the required GPA but that wouldn't matter since I was retaking everything. I learned the hard way it did, no one even looked at my app. You aren't in the worse position assuming you are qualified with your grades right now. But if you aren't qualified without the fall classes, don't bother applying to that school or at least reach out to the school first.

For students who are taking spring classes, generally the admission is contingent upon them finishing the remaining courses with a certain grade. You get a letter detailing those requirements when you are accepted.

 

[NJ DPT HOPEFUL]

Most of the schools I have chosen to apply will take the retake grade into account in the Prerequisite GPA calculation, but obviously the old grade will still be counted in the overall cumulative GPA. Your right though, I'm starting to realize that those early registration schools will probably not see my new grades in time.

Can you explain to me then why they say on the program website that they will allow 1-2 prerequisite courses to be taken the spring semester before maturation (this applys to schools I am applying to that start in the summer session of 2017.) If someone is taking a class in Spring of 2017 they will not have that grade until early May, but the deadline for registration is October of 2016. How will the admissions committee be able to decide on these students with classes still to be taken?

This means if you are missing a pre req, you can apply and be evaluated without it, then they can accept someone conditionally assuming they complete the missing prereqs with a satisfactory grade. It does not affect retakes, if they don't have a new grade they use the one you currently have. Targeting schools that do not use rolling admission and have later deadlines might be a good strategy to help improve the strength of your application.

 

[Mayomi]

thanks you two for the additional info. My application as it stands is about average. (Somewhere in the ball park of a 3.4 GPA pre req GPA.) Having said that my two retakes are in Physics I and General Biology II in which I received a C+ in both. Since taking those classes back in 2013 when I was young.. and didn't take school as seriously I have taken Physics II (and made an A) and also I have taken Cellular Physiology, a 3000 level course, and also made an A in the class. Obviously its not the same class as my retakes, but I am hoping that the schools will see that I have done much better since taking those 2 courses years ago and will likely do much better in the retaken course.

Most of the schools besides 1 school have deadlines in October-November when my retake grades would not be in. At this point I am going to apply and see what happens. If nothing else I will better understand the application process and be able to have a competitive application for next year. I only wish I had done better years ago when I was young and dumb, but hey ya live and you learn.