Re-applying Help

[boogang24]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello,

I know there are a lot of reapplying posts but I couldn't seem to find one similar to me. I applied this year to 11 DPT schools, I interviewed at 4, and got waitlisted at 4 and am confident I won't get into any. I have a cumulative GPA of around 3.4-3.5 and my last 90 credits were 3.8. I got high 150s on the verbal and quantitative on the GRE. I have over 2000 observations hours spread across outpatient, sports rehab, inpatient pediatric, and some inpatient geriatric. I got great references. I just don't really know what to do to make myself better for next year. My cumulative GPA is lower because I started off doing engineering and got a couple C's in very high level math classes. I got B- in the physics series but I took physics with calculus. All of my prereqs are a B+ or higher, most of them are A's. I don't really think taking a full year of physics is worth it. I could try to get some skilled nursing hours, but I don't know think that would really do anything. I am playing with the idea of becoming a PTA or doing something completely different, but I don't know what. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[dptwannabee1]

Hello,

I know there are a lot of reapplying posts but I couldn't seem to find one similar to me. I applied this year to 11 DPT schools, I interviewed at 4, and got waitlisted at 4 and am confident I won't get into any. I have a cumulative GPA of around 3.4-3.5 and my last 90 credits were 3.8. I got high 150s on the verbal and quantitative on the GRE. I have over 2000 observations hours spread across outpatient, sports rehab, inpatient pediatric, and some inpatient geriatric. I got great references. I just don't really know what to do to make myself better for next year. My cumulative GPA is lower because I started off doing engineering and got a couple C's in very high level math classes. I got B- in the physics series but I took physics with calculus. All of my prereqs are a B+ or higher, most of them are A's. I don't really think taking a full year of physics is worth it. I could try to get some skilled nursing hours, but I don't know think that would really do anything. I am playing with the idea of becoming a PTA or doing something completely different, but I don't know what. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

The only advice I might have is looking at the schools you are applying to. There are schools who look at last 60 hours, which might be a better fitfor you. Also look at the competitiveness of them as well. Talk to the admissions offices of the schools you applied to this cycle and ask what you can do to strengthen your application. Certainly the physics may be an issue for some, certainly make sure that you say in your application that it was calculus based when you were an engineering major. What about your essay? Can you get some additional people to read and critique? Make sure you have four great references that span every option. There are plenty of people on here with stats less than yours who have gotten into schools. I wouldn't worry about your GREs unless your writing score was less than 4. Look at different school options, and see if there is anything you can add that you did in college to make you stand out. I know several people that didn't get in one cycle, didn't retake anything, but added some new shadowing and references and really worked on their essay and got into multiple schools the second cycle. Best of luck to you. Maybe you will get an acceptance off a waitlist soon.

 

[NJ DPT HOPEFUL]

Hello,

I know there are a lot of reapplying posts but I couldn't seem to find one similar to me. I applied this year to 11 DPT schools, I interviewed at 4, and got waitlisted at 4 and am confident I won't get into any. I have a cumulative GPA of around 3.4-3.5 and my last 90 credits were 3.8. I got high 150s on the verbal and quantitative on the GRE. I have over 2000 observations hours spread across outpatient, sports rehab, inpatient pediatric, and some inpatient geriatric. I got great references. I just don't really know what to do to make myself better for next year. My cumulative GPA is lower because I started off doing engineering and got a couple C's in very high level math classes. I got B- in the physics series but I took physics with calculus. All of my prereqs are a B+ or higher, most of them are A's. I don't really think taking a full year of physics is worth it. I could try to get some skilled nursing hours, but I don't know think that would really do anything. I am playing with the idea of becoming a PTA or doing something completely different, but I don't know what. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

If you were able to interview at 4 schools you're doing okay on paper. My guess is you're either just on the cusp or need to improve your interview skills.

I would probably retake the physics series (algebra based) to improve the numbers and reflect on how your interviews went

 

[Sammtheman21]

My question is, what was the date that you applied?

 

[Dinked]

with those states you should have gotten into alot of schools....

 

[CanCrusher]

with those states you should have gotten into alot of schools....

I was thinking the same exact thing. Just going off the stats alone you should of gotten into at least a couple schools right off the bat

2000 hours shadowing, mid 3.0 GPA, and a GRE score over 310 is amazing (especially the GRE score)

What where the 11 schools and what are the 4 that have you wait listed ?

 

[beyoutiful_sunshine]

What was your analytical writing score?
When did you apply ? And to which schools?

 

[beyoutiful_sunshine]

I feel like the best way for you to get ready for next cycle is to contact the schools you applied to ask them feedback on what you could improve on your application or what was the deterring factor. We can make educated guesses about what went wrong but none of us saw your application, read your essays, actually read your references etc
I believe you have the grades, scores and hours to get into at least one program so you just need to figure out exactly what went wrong to improve your chances.

 

[twotired]

What you've shared about your GPA, GRE, and Obs. Hrs. looks fine. I wouldn't bother retaking a few classes unless your prerequsite GPA falls under 3.0 or school-specific minimums.

Other components to a solid application like well-written PTCAS + supplementary essays, and good recs need to be considered as well. Judging by the fact that you attended four interviews, on paper you are good enough to be considered. I had a slightly lower cGPA, way less observation hours, and a similar GRE and was accepted to 4/5 schools on my list (2 outright, 2 off-waitlist, declined last waitlist spot, no rejections).

How are your interview skills? You can also try sending a letter of interest to one of your waitlist schools.

 

[One Punch Man]

How did your interviews go?

 

[preptkittty123]

Your stats are good. A lot of us have gotten into schools with lower stats than you. It's probably just where you applied. I would be so annoyed -_- BUT 4 waitlists is a lot so there is still hope! The waiting game is real but try not to stress too much. Find ways to improve your app but also don't let the process get you down. You are qualified to be a PT student & I'm sure the schools know it. There are just soo many dang applicants!

My only advice is if the school is rolling admissions try to apply early, also apply to some private schools and schools in more rural areas, they probably don't get as many applicants as in-state schools and ones in major cities people want to live in.

I was on 5 waitlists and got in off one a few weeks ago. Don't lose hope!

 

[boogang24]

My question is, what was the date that you applied?

I applied in the fall of 2016

 

[boogang24]

How did your interviews go?

The first one was bad. It was multiple mini interviews and I didn't know how to prepare for it. The second one was good the third one was fine and I thought the last one was great.

 

[boogang24]

What was your analytical writing score?
When did you apply ? And to which schools?

I got 4.0 on the writing. I applied fall 2016. I applied to univ. of rhode island, Rosalind Franklin, western university of health sciences, George fox, pacific, UW, eastern Washington, Elon, Samuel Merritt, northern Arizona univ (unaware that they only take around 5 out of state), and last was one in Texas that I'm blanking on

 

[boogang24]

I was thinking the same exact thing. Just going off the stats alone you should of gotten into at least a couple schools right off the bat

2000 hours shadowing, mid 3.0 GPA, and a GRE score over 310 is amazing (especially the GRE score)

What where the 11 schools and what are the 4 that have you wait listed ?

I was waitlisted at Samuel Merritt, George fox, university of Rhode Island, and western university of health sciences. I replied to someone else with the full list. Sorry I don't feel like typing it again

 

[boogang24]

What you've shared about your GPA, GRE, and Obs. Hrs. looks fine. I wouldn't bother retaking a few classes unless your prerequsite GPA falls under 3.0 or school-specific minimums.

Other components to a solid application like well-written PTCAS + supplementary essays, and good recs need to be considered as well. Judging by the fact that you attended four interviews, on paper you are good enough to be considered. I had a slightly lower cGPA, way less observation hours, and a similar GRE and was accepted to 4/5 schools on my list (2 outright, 2 off-waitlist, declined last waitlist spot, no rejections).

How are your interview skills? You can also try sending a letter of interest to one of your waitlist schools.

I think my interview skills are ok. My boyfriend did a really long mock interview for me. I wrote out answers to all sorts of questions so that I wouldn't have a hard thinking of an example and ran my answers by PT/PTA coworkers. I don't really know what more I could have done to prepare. I sent a letter to WesternU.

 

[astarblaze]

I got 4.0 on the writing. I applied fall 2016. I applied to univ. of rhode island, Rosalind Franklin, western university of health sciences, George fox, pacific, UW, eastern Washington, Elon, Samuel Merritt, northern Arizona univ (unaware that they only take around 5 out of state), and last was one in Texas that I'm blanking on

You may want to look into different schools that are slightly less competitive.
At least some of the programs you applied to are super hard to get into. NAU has a cutoff GPA score that's extremely high (usually like 3.7ish) for out of state candidates. If you're below the cutoff, you get an automatic rejection. UW rejects plenty of people with near perfect stats (3.9 GPAs and high 160s GRE scores). EWU is also extremely competitive. Samuel Merritt is less so, but if you didn't go to their info session, you might have lost out there, since they give strong preference to folks who went to visit.

As mentioned before, I'd also contact schools to see if they can tell you what part of your app needs improvement. It's possible that your rec letters or essays were the weak part of your application, and schools will sometimes tell you if this is the case.

You're also likely to have a much better shot at schools that look at last 60 GPA instead of cum. Lots of Texas schools do this.

 

[beyoutiful_sunshine]

You said you applied during Fall of 2016.... that's basically as early as August and as late as December, that's a big gap and it makes a difference... do you remember during which month you applied ?
And I agree with what's been said above, you should try to apply to a wide array of schools, some competitive and others a little bit less. And definetely give every school you applied to a phone call to get feedback on your application

 

[Sammtheman21]

I asked the date because that's a big factor when applying. Applying in the August timeframe can give you a leg up. Especially with rolling admissions. Think about it, the earlier you apply, the less competition you have. Also like others have said, apply to an array of schools, include some that are a bit less competitive. In most cases, with an eceotion of some programs, you will get a quality education if the program is accredited.

 

[astarblaze]

I asked the date because that's a big factor when applying. Applying in the August timeframe can give you a leg up. Especially with rolling admissions. Think about it, the earlier you apply, the less competition you have. Also like others have said, apply to an array of schools, include some that are a bit less competitive. In most cases, with an eceotion of some programs, you will get a quality education if the program is accredited.

The time you applied ONLY matters for rolling admissions schools. For other programs, assuming the application is submitted before the school's deadline, it shouldn't make a difference precisely when boogang24 submitted their application.

 

[Sammtheman21]

The time you applied ONLY matters for rolling admissions schools. For other programs, assuming the application is submitted before the school's deadline, it shouldn't make a difference precisely when boogang24 submitted their application.

I mean yeah but my point was the earlier the better because it seems most programs are rolling.

 

[boogang24]

You said you applied during Fall of 2016.... that's basically as early as August and as late as December, that's a big gap and it makes a difference... do you remember during which month you applied ?
And I agree with what's been said above, you should try to apply to a wide array of schools, some competitive and others a little bit less. And definetely give every school you applied to a phone call to get feedback on your application

I applied to almost all of them in September but none of them are rolling admissions. And thanks I'll definitely be giving them a call if I decide to reapply.

 

[boogang24]

I mean yeah but my point was the earlier the better because it seems most programs are rolling.

None of the ones I applied to are rolling. Almost all the schools I looked at weren't rolling. Is that more common on the east? Could you tell me schools off the top of your head that are rolling? I'd like to take a look at them. I figure those schools won't have interviews which might be my downfall.

 

[boogang24]

You may want to look into different schools that are slightly less competitive.
At least some of the programs you applied to are super hard to get into. NAU has a cutoff GPA score that's extremely high (usually like 3.7ish) for out of state candidates. If you're below the cutoff, you get an automatic rejection. UW rejects plenty of people with near perfect stats (3.9 GPAs and high 160s GRE scores). EWU is also extremely competitive. Samuel Merritt is less so, but if you didn't go to their info session, you might have lost out there, since they give strong preference to folks who went to visit.

As mentioned before, I'd also contact schools to see if they can tell you what part of your app needs improvement. It's possible that your rec letters or essays were the weak part of your application, and schools will sometimes tell you if this is the case.

You're also likely to have a much better shot at schools that look at last 60 GPA instead of cum. Lots of Texas schools do this.

Thanks I'll definitely look into Texas schools. I didn't take a full year of general bio which eliminated a lot of schools that I could apply to but I didn't look at a lot of southern schools so hopefully I can find some.

 

[Sammtheman21]

With regards to some programs that I applied to, the ones that's were rolling were Lynchburg, Mount St. Mary's, UMES, Elon, Thomas Jefferson, U of Sciences Philly, may be more but those are the ones I remember I applied to off the top of my head.