Re-applicants: Please read!

[physicaltherapyapplicant]

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Hey everyone!

I'm seeking advice from students who did not get into physical therapy school the first time. I applied this past cycle to five programs and interviewed at one. However, I did not get in! I graduated this December and already reached out to programs on things I could do to strengthen my application. I have plans of retaking a handful of science pre-requisite courses at a local community college to raise my GPA. I also have already been applying for physical therapy technician jobs to get additional observation hours. But I just wanted some extra advice from students who were re-applicants such as things you did differently the second time around etc. Every little bit helps!

Thank you in advance! 🙂

 

[ldc124]

Hi! I was in the exact same position as you last year; I applied to 5 schools, got an interview with 1, got waitlisted, and was rejected by the others. The things Ive done to apply this year is observing in 1 new setting and retaking 2 science classes. I already had a lot of hours from being an aide and volunteer at nursing home, but wanted to get more diversity and volunteered in a pediatric office. The 2 prereq classes I retook were to replace a C and C+ (my prereq GPA was just making a 3.0 and my overall was 3.3)

This time around I applied to 10 schools, got interviews at 4, waitlisted to 2 and accepted to 1 so far! Even after retaking the 1st class, my prereq GPA was only a 3.1 which stinks but I got into 1 school so thats all that matters! I hope this helps somewhat 🙂

 

[physicaltherapyapplicant]

My current GPA is pretty similar, so this helps a ton! Thank you!

 

[cobi31]

Hi! So last year I applied to nine schools, interviewed at two, and was waitlisted for three. Since then, I raised my final overall GPA my senior year of undergrad and took a social science/psych pre-req for 1. as a replacement of my current psych requirement (which wasn't bad) and 2. I had significant interest in the course. I wish I retook one of my science courses that was a C and C+. My prereq probably comes out 3.0 and overall GPA is 3.4. I gained more shadowing experience and currently work as an aide and do research. This time, I really focused on the reapplicant essay to really show how I am a stronger and well-qualified applicant. This time I applied to 11 schools, had 5 interviews, 3 waitlist, and 2 acceptances!

*update-6 acceptances

Honestly, reapplying was one of the best decisions I made. Because in that time between being rejected ( from last year) to reapplying, I was able to shadow and think more about my decision and career in PT. In that time, it reassured me that this is where my passion is. So if you end up reapplying, I know it may suck, I did not want to have a "gap year" from undergrad to PT school, but you definitely can make the most out of it.

 

[WakingUp]

You're doing the all the right things and seem to have a good attitude and approach to the situation! I would add that if you for some reason cannot get a physical technician job, any experience and insight you gain can be spun in a positive way. I worked for four years in a field outside of physical therapy and used what I had learned and gained from this career in all of my personal statements and had gotten a LOR from my boss. I have now gotten into 4 programs and have 2 more interviews!

So if you are having trouble finding a tech job. Don't fret! Do what you can and just do your best and learn what you can wherever you go.

 

[physicaltherapyapplicant]

Wow! Thank y’all so much for all the advice. I appreciate it.

 

[ya1]

What I did: Got observation hours in 2 more different settings. Got another recommendation letter and assessment from another PT (one of the schools told me PT's letter was not really good). Applied to less competitive schools. Applied to schools that did not require GRE or had low GRE requirements. Applied to schools that looked at the last 60-100 units GPA only. Result: got accepted to 3/3 schools after the 2nd round and did fine in PT school.
Good luck!

 

[physicaltherapyapplicant]

I have another question to add to my original post.

I only took the GRE once this application cycle and didn't study too hard. I ended up around 150 on both sections and got a 4 on the analytical section. I'm planning on taking it again in the next couple of months, but want to study more for it. However, I absolutely HATE studying for and taking standardized tests. Are there any manuals or tools you used that made studying easier?

I had one interview this cycle and I'm going to be honest...I was a nervous mess. I met with current PT students about the interview, typed answers and read through questions etc. I felt that I had prepared as best I could, but the minute I entered the room everything I practiced was gone. Did anyone use any books, manuals, etc to help with the interview process? I think interviews tend to be my weakest point not because I don't have solid answers but because I get nervous. Any help would be appreciated in this area.