Should I apply this year or wait a year?

[s.razz]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi everyone! First post here, sorry if I posted in the wrong section or if there's already a thread for this!

I'll get straight into it.

I failed a biology class (cell biology) and retook it and got an A. The GPA below (not pre req) include the failing grade and retake grade. I didn't bother calculating without the failing grade.

Major: Biology

Overall GPA: ~3.39
pre req GPA: 3.4
sgpa: ~3.14

extras:
~112 hours in patient care (may 2015 - august 2015 - might continue this summer)
~260 hours in a free clinic (either summer 2011 or 2012 - present)
~60 hours tutoring foriegn adults in english (the past 2 summers, will continue this summer)

Shadowing: ~50 hours so far, still continuing. Will probably 180+ by the end of June.

GRE: havent taken yet, but I'm aware I need to do very well to even have a chance.


My dads health started declining shortly after I started college, in my second year he was diagnosed with ALS which was difficult for me to grasp at the time (still kind of is) and put a lot of stress on my family both emotionally and financially. This is also one of the reasons I decided to pursue PT. My GPA this past semester (fall 2015) was a 4.0 (16 cred). The GPAs from the previous year were (fall 2014 - 13 cred) 3.69 and (winter 2015 - 18 cred) 3.78.
The classes I took during these semesters were Orgo 1&2 (B+/A-) w/ lab (A/A), Calc 1&2 (A-/A-), Human physiology (A), Spanish 1&2 (A,A-), Cell biology (retake A), Developmental Psychology(A), Physics 1 (A) w/lab (A), and some other general requirements that aren't worth mentioning. This semester I'm taking 17 credits (genetics, statistical psych, first aid & CPR, and 2 gen ed reqs) and should be able to make another 4.0. I am also planning on taking about ~13 credits at a community college this summer (Physics 2 w/ lab, medical terminology, and 2 gen ed requirements)

I'm interested in schools in Michigan, specifically Oakland, Wayne State, and U of M Flint, but more so the first two. On the plus side, my GPA is around 3.5~3.6 for the pre reqs these schools specifically look at. I am not willing to go out of state.

My previous GPAs were around low~mid low 3.0s and then one very awful semester (2.3) and then the GPAs I mentioned above. I realize I have a semi strong upward trend, but it doesn't change the fact that my numerical stats overall are still quite low. Should I still apply this summer, or wait a year and apply summer 2017 after I've graduated and taken more science classes (biochem, evolution, comparative phys, developmental bio, structural embryology, histology, and analytical chem) I'm confident I'll be able to do well in these classes - probably not all A's, but a B+ or higher.

I'm going to start attending informational tours held at my schools of interest this semester, but I'd still love to hear any advice anyone can give me .

Lastly, sorry this is really long... I wanted to be as detailed as possible and thank you in advance!

 

[tmoyer32]

Hi everyone! First post here, sorry if I posted in the wrong section or if there's already a thread for this!

I'll get straight into it.

I failed a biology class (cell biology) and retook it and got an A. The GPA below (not pre req) include the failing grade and retake grade. I didn't bother calculating without the failing grade.

Major: Biology

Overall GPA: ~3.39
pre req GPA: 3.4
sgpa: ~3.14

extras:
~112 hours in patient care (may 2015 - august 2015 - might continue this summer)
~260 hours in a free clinic (either summer 2011 or 2012 - present)
~60 hours tutoring foriegn adults in english (the past 2 summers, will continue this summer)

Shadowing: ~50 hours so far, still continuing. Will probably 180+ by the end of June.

GRE: havent taken yet, but I'm aware I need to do very well to even have a chance.


My dads health started declining shortly after I started college, in my second year he was diagnosed with ALS which was difficult for me to grasp at the time (still kind of is) and put a lot of stress on my family both emotionally and financially. This is also one of the reasons I decided to pursue PT. My GPA this past semester (fall 2015) was a 4.0 (16 cred). The GPAs from the previous year were (fall 2014 - 13 cred) 3.69 and (winter 2015 - 18 cred) 3.78.
The classes I took during these semesters were Orgo 1&2 (B+/A-) w/ lab (A/A), Calc 1&2 (A-/A-), Human physiology (A), Spanish 1&2 (A,A-), Cell biology (retake A), Developmental Psychology(A), Physics 1 (A) w/lab (A), and some other general requirements that aren't worth mentioning. This semester I'm taking 17 credits (genetics, statistical psych, first aid & CPR, and 2 gen ed reqs) and should be able to make another 4.0. I am also planning on taking about ~13 credits at a community college this summer (Physics 2 w/ lab, medical terminology, and 2 gen ed requirements)

I'm interested in schools in Michigan, specifically Oakland, Wayne State, and U of M Flint, but more so the first two. On the plus side, my GPA is around 3.5~3.6 for the pre reqs these schools specifically look at. I am not willing to go out of state.

My previous GPAs were around low~mid low 3.0s and then one very awful semester (2.3) and then the GPAs I mentioned above. I realize I have a semi strong upward trend, but it doesn't change the fact that my numerical stats overall are still quite low. Should I still apply this summer, or wait a year and apply summer 2017 after I've graduated and taken more science classes (biochem, evolution, comparative phys, developmental bio, structural embryology, histology, and analytical chem) I'm confident I'll be able to do well in these classes - probably not all A's, but a B+ or higher.

I'm going to start attending informational tours held at my schools of interest this semester, but I'd still love to hear any advice anyone can give me .

Lastly, sorry this is really long... I wanted to be as detailed as possible and thank you in advance!

If you have no other conflicts why not apply to the first two or even all four to see if you get in this year. If you are trying to save money or apply to more if you can. This will save you a year. You can take the GRE in time. If you are able to get everything met for those schools I don't see why not. Worst case you don't get in but now you can ask the schools what they think you need to improve on and then make the additions and expand the number of schools you apply to in 2017.

 

[MI48065]

I think that it won't hurt to apply. You for sure have some special circumstances that you could possibly add into any kind of essay question on the application. I have applied to similar schools that you are looking at and I must say that for Oakland they do look for very high GPAs and Wayne State does their interview order based almost solely on GPA. I interviewed in early November (2015) for Wayne State and the interview date was only for applicants who had a GPA of 3.7 or above. However, they did say that they always need a large waitlist due to the number of students who decide to go elsewhere.

For comparison, here are my stats:

Majors: Biology and Exercise Science
GPA: 3.98
GRE: V: 153, Q: 157, AW: 5.5
Applied: Oakland, Wayne State, Grand Valley State, and Central Michigan
Accepted: All

I was accepted at all four schools I applied to so when people say that Michigan schools heavily weight GPAs I believe it. However, I do believe that it is worth applying and if you don't get accepted you can see what kind of advice Oakland or Wayne has to improve your application for the next cycle.

 

[steveyk]

Just apply.

 

[cc5]

The year off has helped me. I took the first couple months after graduation to to study for the GRE (ended up with a 316, 10 points higher than last time) and rack up some serious volunteer observation hours. Now I am working and waiting on potential acceptance offers. Do what your gut tells you. Mine told me that I could greatly improve my packet so that's what I did.