Retaking a prerequisite in the summer?

[GADPT2016]

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I applied to 2 schools for the current cycle and it's not likely that I will be receiving an acceptance. My current stats are:

cGPA: 3.67 (Biology major at GSU)
pGPA: 3.74
GRE: V-155, Q-153, AW-4.5

EC's: about 70 hours volunteering at 2 hospitals, 50 hours volunteering at a nursing home, 50 hours of metagenomics research in undergrad and 50 hours of tutoring high school students (ongoing), also held a job as a pharmacy tech for 20 hours a week throughout undergrad

Observation: 60 hours skilled nursing and 60 hours outpatient clinic

I plan to apply again in July. My plan is to obtain 80-100 more observation hours in 2 new settings. I also plan to retake the GRE and hopefully raise my score. I was considering retaking a pre-requisite this summer but the priority deadline for my top school is July 4rth. Summer classes don't end until August 2nd. My question is, if I retake anatomy for an "A" instead of a "B" will I still be able to apply for priority admission through PTCAS? Will it help at all? Also, if anyone has any advice on improving my application, feel free to add it. Thanks

 

[redrose424]

I applied to 2 schools for the current cycle and it's not likely that I will be receiving an acceptance. My current stats are:

cGPA: 3.67 (Biology major at GSU)
pGPA: 3.74
GRE: V-155, Q-153, AW-4.5

EC's: about 70 hours volunteering at 2 hospitals, 50 hours volunteering at a nursing home, 50 hours of metagenomics research in undergrad and 50 hours of tutoring high school students (ongoing), also held a job as a pharmacy tech for 20 hours a week throughout undergrad

Observation: 60 hours skilled nursing and 60 hours outpatient clinic

I plan to apply again in July. My plan is to obtain 80-100 more observation hours in 2 new settings. I also plan to retake the GRE and hopefully raise my score. I was considering retaking a pre-requisite this summer but the priority deadline for my top school is July 4rth. Summer classes don't end until August 2nd. My question is, if I retake anatomy for an "A" instead of a "B" will I still be able to apply for priority admission through PTCAS? Will it help at all? Also, if anyone has any advice on improving my application, feel free to add it. Thanks

I think I responded to another thread you made about this. You seem to be a curious case because in all honesty your "on paper" stats look pretty good. More observation hours will never hurt, but I think retaking the GRE will add unnecessary stress and probably won't help much. Your scores meet all minimums and the average of accepted students. Regarding the pre-req, I think your pGPA is high and am also not sure if changing a B to an A will make much difference. If you took it during the summer then you could add it onto your application during the academic update (but most schools already have their decisions by then).

You should really delve into the other factors that went into your application to decide what went wrong. It is possible that a recommender wrote you a less than stellar review which negatively affected your application. Or maybe your PTCAS personal statement or school specific essays/supplementals weren't as great as they could have been. If you did not receive an interview invitation to either school, one of these may be the culprit.

If you received an interview to both/either schools then perhaps your area of weakness is the interview. In that case, there are plenty of friends and resources to combat that. Either way, the best thing to do would be to contact each school after applications have closed and find out where your application could have improved.

Lastly, perhaps for the next cycle you expand the list of schools you want to apply to. I understand having a "top two" that would be your preference, but if it came down to being a PT alum from a different school or not being a PT at all which would you choose?

 

[starrsgirl]

I agree with the above poster. In your case, I'm not sure I would retake any classes nor redo the GRE. Get feedback from the schools if possible. Did you make the deadlines? Did they have one requirement you didn't meet and so got rejected? How was your essay? (how many different people reviewed it?) How were your recommendations (don't assume these are strong if you don't know). How did your prep for interviews and how did they go? (may be worth it to get some outside help here too).

 

[GADPT2016]

I think I responded to another thread you made about this. You seem to be a curious case because in all honesty your "on paper" stats look pretty good. More observation hours will never hurt, but I think retaking the GRE will add unnecessary stress and probably won't help much. Your scores meet all minimums and the average of accepted students. Regarding the pre-req, I think your pGPA is high and am also not sure if changing a B to an A will make much difference. If you took it during the summer then you could add it onto your application during the academic update (but most schools already have their decisions by then).

You should really delve into the other factors that went into your application to decide what went wrong. It is possible that a recommender wrote you a less than stellar review which negatively affected your application. Or maybe your PTCAS personal statement or school specific essays/supplementals weren't as great as they could have been. If you did not receive an interview invitation to either school, one of these may be the culprit.

If you received an interview to both/either schools then perhaps your area of weakness is the interview. In that case, there are plenty of friends and resources to combat that. Either way, the best thing to do would be to contact each school after applications have closed and find out where your application could have improved.

Lastly, perhaps for the next cycle you expand the list of schools you want to apply to. I understand having a "top two" that would be your preference, but if it came down to being a PT alum from a different school or not being a PT at all which would you choose?

I really appreciate your response. I just feel like I need to significantly improve my application before re-applying to show that i'm serious about pursuing PT. It is possible that my LORs weren't stellar so I will try to get new ones this time. I can send you my PTCAS essay if you don't mind looking at it. I have a few W's on my transcript so maybe that's it. I will definitely contact schools as soon as I hear back. Thank you again.

 

[redrose424]

I really appreciate your response. I just feel like I need to significantly improve my application before re-applying to show that i'm serious about pursuing PT. It is possible that my LORs weren't stellar so I will try to get new ones this time. I can send you my PTCAS essay if you don't mind looking at it. I have a few W's on my transcript so maybe that's it. I will definitely contact schools as soon as I hear back. Thank you again.

I don't think the Ws would negatively affect your application (unless they are WF which I believe hurt your GPA). Make sure you build strong connections with your LOR writers and when you ask them for a letter make sure say something along the lines of "I'd appreciate it greatly if you could write me a POSITIVE letter of recommendation if you feel comfortable doing that." That way, you open the door for someone to politely decline your request if they feel they would only write you an average letter for any reason. I can read your essay if you'd like, PM me on here with it or I can send you my email.

Did you also make sure to complete the supplemental sections and applications for each school you applied to?

 

[GADPT2016]

I don't think the Ws would negatively affect your application (unless they are WF which I believe hurt your GPA). Make sure you build strong connections with your LOR writers and when you ask them for a letter make sure say something along the lines of "I'd appreciate it greatly if you could write me a POSITIVE letter of recommendation if you feel comfortable doing that." That way, you open the door for someone to politely decline your request if they feel they would only write you an average letter for any reason. I can read your essay if you'd like, PM me on here with it or I can send you my email.

Did you also make sure to complete the supplemental sections and applications for each school you applied to?

I think my letters may have been average unfortunately. I will send you my PTCAS essay now. I completed the supplemental for both GSU and Mercer, although I didn't complete the personal statement for GSU because it said only the biographical portion was required.

 

[redrose424]

I think my letters may have been average unfortunately. I will send you my PTCAS essay now. I completed the supplemental for both GSU and Mercer, although I didn't complete the personal statement for GSU because it said only the biographical portion was required.

I'll read over your essay. I'm assuming both schools confirmed that all materials were received and your applications were complete?

 

[GADPT2016]

I'll read over your essay. I'm assuming both schools confirmed that all materials were received and your applications were complete?

Yes, I got th confirmation email for both schools.

 

[malibu3]

Hey there,

I did the same thing you did and applied only to GSU and mercer last year. I didn't get into either, reapplied this year to 5 schools and got into Brenau. Don't lose hope, just apply to more next year!

 

[GADPT2016]

Hey there,

I did the same thing you did and applied only to GSU and mercer last year. I didn't get into either, reapplied this year to 5 schools and got into Brenau. Don't lose hope, just apply to more next year!

Thank you for your kind words. It's really hard not to lose hope, so much effort goes into each application cycle.