Rejected from 10 Schools

[jino76]

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Hello,

I'm from India and I have applied to 10 DPT programs but got rejected by all of them 🙁

My stats:

Major: Physicl Therapy
Overall GPA: 3.53
GRE: 303 ;V-150 Q-153 ;AWA 3.5
Toefl:94
Volunteer/ Observation Hours: 6 months internship + 2 months experience [both in PT]

The Schools i have applied:

UT southwestern medical centre
University of Scranton
MGH Institute of Health Professions
University of Kentucky
Cleveland State University
Medical university of South Carolina(Waitlisted,but rejected later)
Hampton University
University of Miami
Shenandoah University
University of Scranton
East Carolina University


Will I get admission if i apply to other schools?Can anybody here recommend me some schools which are easy to get in to?
Im also looking at OT if i didnt get admission for this time.
Thanks

 

[davidtheusername]

If you don't mind me asking, what was your prereq gpa? I've seen people get into schools with similar numbers, they are probably often waitlisted first, but getting in is getting in so if you research and find some schools with lower median numbers for acceptance you might have some luck (I know for the school I am applying for the PTCAS directory had the median numbers) If your prereqs are low maybe retake some of them to try to raise it a bit? Maybe retake the GRE too. I'm only applying to UTHSC, so that's the only school I know the numbers for, but there the median is 152 v/153 Q I think. If you retake the GRE you'd only need to get a couple more questions right to get closer to the median on the verbal score. Also, I'm not sure how residency works for you, but I know some public schools limit the number of non-state-resident students they take. That could be biting you too, but you should be able to research and find schools that don't. My knowledge of specific schools is limited to one though. Best of luck!

 

[southernswimmer]

You're an international student, so it will be MUCH harder for you to gain admission to a DPT program in the US. That being said, from what I've seen, it is possible. Check through the GPA's, GRE's, XTRA's, ACCEPTANCES sticky thread. There's a Korean student on page 30 who gained admission to a couple schools, and there may be a few more internationals like yourself in there.

You'll have to cast a wide net, since you're at a significant disadvantage not being a US citizen/resident. Be careful which state schools you apply to; many do not take a large number of out-of-state students. East Carolina is one of those--they take MAYBE 1 or 2 students per class from outside North Carolina. MUSC, on the other hand, takes an inordinate number of out-of-state students (something on the lines of 35%). Your numbers for MUSC are low, however. Average is a 3.6 GPA and 62nd percentile (mid/high-150s) on the GRE.

Don't be discouraged! Your GPA is good. Like @davidtheusername said, up your GRE score and research the stats for each school you want to apply to. For state schools, specifically search for the number of out-of-state students they take each year. And--reach out to admissions at each school. Undoubtedly they've worked with international students before and they'll probably be able to help you more than we can.

Good luck!

 

[okramango]

I would suggest contacting some of the schools you applied to, to find out why you were rejected. Your stats are decent, but you might not have met some kind of admission criteria and had your application automatically thrown out. Some schools don't accept international credits, or have special requirements for them (I don't know if you took your classes in the US or abroad). Also, you didn't list your prereq GPA, which is usually the most important number. The only way to know why you were rejected is to ask the programs.

 

[Azimuthal]

Caught a red flag here, guys... Let's hold off recommending where to apply until we get more background from the OP. He already has a BS in Physical Therapy... He did not mention if he applied to tDPT programs, or the traditional entry-level DPT programs.

OP: Did you get your credentials (BS Physical Therapy) reviewed for exam licensure? If you already have a BS in Physical Therapy from your home country, then you may already be eligible. (Ref: https://www.fsbpt.org/FreeResources/CredentialingOrganizationsforNonUSCandidates.aspx).

If you have not, then I recommend that you do that first. The agency you select will grant you 'equivalency' or tell you what classes to take to make up the difference and how much intern/volunteer hours you need to licensure. It sounds like you have already started interning.

Then you will need to apply to tDPT programs, NOT entry-level DPT programs. Most, if not all entry-level DPT program will NOT consider anyone who has already completed a PT degree, even if it was international (non-CAPTE). Some transitional DPT programs will consider you, however it alone is not enough to sit for the NPTE. That is why most tDPT programs require that you already be licensed and practicing before consideration. If you have your credentials reviewed, approved and meet the other requirements, you may take the NPTE. If you pass, you can work with sponsorship or apply for a tDPT with student visa.

If you in fact attempted to apply to entry-level DPT programs, stop. You're wasting your money.

Summary:
1. Apply for a credential review
2. Complete credential requirements.
3. Apply to tDPT programs, NOT entry level.

 

[jino76]

thanks for the reply guys 🙂
davidtheusername :sorry,i dont know it because my marks were in percentage and wes converted it to GPA.My coverted grades are not lesser than B.Thanks for the advice.

southernswimmer Thank you.I will research on those.I think i have applied to schools that are hard to get into,those were suggested by my brother in North Carolina.I think he chose the schools in states near NC.

okramango Thanks,here are some reasons.

UT southwestern medical centre: doesnt say a
specific reason,says that They review 3 GPA scores for
entrance: Overall GPA, Last 60 hours GPA and the Pre-Requisite GPA

University of Kentucky: The criteria include overall grade point average, performance in selected science pre-requisite courses, GRE, experience in PT, and references. Once again this year, many truly outstanding students applied for admission to this highly competitive program. After reviewing your application, the Admissions Committee regrets to inform you that you were not among the candidates chosen for an interview for spring semester 2014.

Hampton University ;They say that they have received 700 applications for 26 seats

Most of the rejects point to these reasons except for one which said that some of my prereqs are not valid as it had to be taken within a specific period before entering the program.

dalingil;Thank you,I will surely look in to it.

Azimuthal;Thanks.But the schools that i have applied to mention that they accept international candidates,and i think credentialling is needed only if you want to pursue job as PT in U.S.Equivalency is already calculates by wes.com,who reviewed my transcripts and reported to the respective schools as "equivalent to 4 year U.S Degree".So i think i was safe.

I think if i was an engineering student with this stats i would have got admission atleast in one school,even guys with low gpa and 274 in GRE gets admission.I guess for DPT the bar is set too high.Anyways i will choose some schools and try again.

 

[Azimuthal]

Did you apply to a transitional DPT (tDPT) program, or entry-level DPT program? Also, US equivalency for PT is only valid by the listed agencies from the link I posted. Also, to complicate things, different states may accept equivalency reports by different agencies from that list. I would check, if you have not. It also seems that you are already a PT, so remember that entry-level DPT programs will NOT accept those who are already granted a BS or MS PT degree/diploma (whether the applicant is domestic or international, it does not matter). I would call those schools and confirm.

 

[jino76]

I have applied to entry level DPT program,and i have applied to most of the programs via PTCAS,which notes that International Students are eligible,with a biology degree that is equivalent to 4 year U.S degree.Please have a look at one of the schools:
http://www.ptcas.org/ptcas/public/Listing.aspx?seqn=1203&navid=10737426783

Also t-DPT is open onlt to U.S citizens(i guess)

 

[Azimuthal]

I have applied to entry level DPT program,and i have applied to most of the programs via PTCAS,which notes that International Students are eligible,with a biology degree that is equivalent to 4 year U.S degree.Please have a look at one of the schools:
http://www.ptcas.org/ptcas/public/Listing.aspx?seqn=1203&navid=10737426783

Also t-DPT is open onlt to U.S citizens(i guess)

You said your major was physical therapy, not biology, in your original post. Which is it?

 

[rtisansndot]

I got rejected from 14 schools my first time applying, so I tried at USA-ATX and got in without any trouble. Good Luck.

 

[jino76]

@Azimuthal
sorry,its a typo.I was just genaralising,i meant as long as i have completed the prereqs i am eligible.Actually im pretty sure that im eligible for DPT with my PT degree as i have contacted the PT admission dept at Temple university and after reviewing my wes evalauation they said that i am eligible 🙂

I see you are an OTD student.I am also interested in MOT(i have done some volunteering in OT).So can you tell me whether it is that much difficult to get in to OT schools?like that in DPT.

 

[jino76]

I got rejected from 14 schools my first time applying, so I tried at USA-ATX and got in without any trouble. Good Luck.

Thanks.Are there international students in your batch or your senior batches?

 

[Azimuthal]

@Azimuthal
sorry,its a typo.I was just genaralising,i meant as long as i have completed the prereqs i am eligible.Actually im pretty sure that im eligible for DPT with my PT degree as i have contacted the PT admission dept at Temple university and after reviewing my wes evalauation they said that i am eligible 🙂

I see you are an OTD student.I am also interested in MOT(i have done some volunteering in OT).So can you tell me whether it is that much difficult to get in to OT schools?like that in DPT.

I'm a 3rd year DPT student. It's your application money. During my application cycle a few years ago, the entry level DPT was for entry level applicants only. Hence, "entry-level". In my opinion, you may be eligible to sit for the NPTE if one of the qualifying boards say that you meet equivalency. That makes you ineligible for any US entry-level DPT program. Any contact with schools you make should emphasize that you already have a PT diploma and to ensure whom ever you speak to fully understand that. Temple will gladly take your supplemental application fee. Best of luck to you.

 

[jino76]

I'm a 3rd year DPT student. It's your application money. During my application cycle a few years ago, the entry level DPT was for entry level applicants only. Hence, "entry-level". In my opinion, you may be eligible to sit for the NPTE if one of the qualifying boards say that you meet equivalency. That makes you ineligible for any US entry-level DPT program. Any contact with schools you make should emphasize that you already have a PT diploma and to ensure whom ever you speak to fully understand that. Temple will gladly take your supplemental application fee. Best of luck to you.

Hello..sorry for the late reply as i was not at home.If i am not ineligible how did i get waitlisted at MUSC ?,and none of my rejection letter states that im ineligible,some even says that i can apply next year with/without improvements.I dont think people would be that much cruel,to hide the reason of ineligibility over the real one.

 

[okramango]

Most of those rejection letters are generic. They send the same letter to everyone. It's not because they are "hiding the real reasons", but they just don't have the time to send an individual letter to everyone with their specific reasons for rejection. I still suggest directly contacting some of the programs to find out some of the specific ways that you could improve your application and be more competitive. Some programs will be willing to look at your application and let you know why they didn't choose you, and other programs will not be willing to do that and might just give you a general answer, but you can at least try, so that way you will get feedback about your individual application.

 

[Azimuthal]

Hello..sorry for the late reply as i was not at home.If i am not ineligible how did i get waitlisted at MUSC ?,and none of my rejection letter states that im ineligible,some even says that i can apply next year with/without improvements.I dont think people would be that much cruel,to hide the reason of ineligibility over the real one.

Only the school can answer why you were waitlisted and rejection letters can be very generic. To obtain a more accurate reason, you should call and ask, specifically if having a BS in PT had any bearing on the matter. I've explained what I know and it may not be 100% accurate, but that is why I included my reasoning and recommend that you ask each school by phone with clarification on the BS in PT.

2/3 of the classes you take will be nearly identical. If the school sees that your degree is NOT PT equivalent but sufficient for a 4-year degree, then that may be enough for admit. There are BS PT's who graduated from India and are currently practicing in the US, that is why I doubt you can't get equivalency.

 

[starrsgirl]

I agree about the generic rejection letters! I got a one last year when I didn't meet a basic entry level requirement. I knew I didn't have a requirement for a school (in my case my plans changed after application was sent) so it cracked me up that I got a "we had so many competitive applicants, work to improve your stuff" letter when I clearly didn't have a chance. Definitely call every school and talk to someone.

 

[jino76]

thank you all for the replies 🙂,i will call/mail the schools regarding the BS PT degree before applying,this year