Should I retake the GRE, and what about summer Physics?

[Aero SSX]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I just want some insight on what you guys think.

I'll give you the ballpark of my stats:

Major: Exercise Science
cGPA: 3.51 (likely to be higher after this semester)
pGPA: not sure, I'll guess 3.75 with retakes
GRE: 153 V, 150 Q, 3.5 W
Observation Hours: 200 total in 3 settings: Acute (70), Ortho (90), Pediatrics (40), likely to be ~225 total, with possibly another setting
Extra-Curric: Feed My Starving Children volunteer (two summers, ~40 hr), USTA Assistant Tournament Director and participant (two summers), First Aid/CPR/AED certified, Movement Science Club, Tennis Club
Will Likely Apply to: University of Minnesota, Mayo, St. Scholastica, UW-Madison, UW-LAX, UW-Milwaukee, University of North Dakota, University of South Dakota, Des Moines University, University of Iowa, St. Ambrose, Nova, Mercer

I was very busy when I took my GRE this summer, and I was planning to retake it next summer. I talked with my adviser and he isn't particularly concerned with it. He recommends I take Physics II in the summer (an idea I despise). He thinks it wouldn't hurt to take the GRE again, but that since I got 150+, I'll be OK.

My inclination is to re-take the GRE and leave Physics II for Fall 2016. What are your thoughts? Does it matter that much to have one outsanding pre-req? And I'm confident my GPA will be close to 3.6 by the time I apply next year, but I am still wary of how competitive things are, and I feel retaking the GRE would give me a better chance.

 

[redrose424]

One outstanding pre-req is fine, and I don't think you need to retake the GRE.

 

[Aero SSX]

But how beneficial would it be to re-take is my question? I mean how likely do you guys think it is for me to get in with stats like that if I'm missing say Physics and I don't retake the GRE?

 

[redrose424]

Your GRE score is slightly below average, depending on the schools average acceptance, but I don't think its something that would necessarily hinder your application considering you have good cGPA, pGPA and observation hours. I am currently enrolled in 3 pre-reqs (meaning they are still outstanding) and have another one to take in the spring and I have been offered two interviews, most schools just want the classes done before your enrollment in May. If you have the money/time/desire to retake the GRE then do so, but statistically your score is only likely to go up a few points. I don't think that will make much of a difference to your application.

 

[StayHumbleHustleHard]

Don't waste the money to retake. I got 146, 145, 4.5 and got three interviews so far. Only 5 schools that I've applied to require interviews and it's still early so I expect to hear back from other schools soon.

 

[tcpt]

If you don't get accepted into a program, then the first thing you should do is retake the GRE, in my opinion. The scores are good, but could be improved. The prereq and cum GPA are fine, and your observation hours are right on track. Good luck.

 

[Aero SSX]

Thanks for the advice. Honestly, I plan to retake the GRE anyway, despite popular opinion. If I didn't retake it, and didn't get in, I can't imagine saying: "Yeah I have to wait another year to get into PT school, which means another year to accumulate interest on my debt and another year before I can start making decent money, but regardless, I'd rather wait a year than spend $200 on the GRE and study for a month".

Plus, the average GRE scores for the schools I may apply to whose data I was able to obtain is: 153 V, 154 Q, 4 W. Average cGPA ~ 3.7, average pGPA ~3.65. However this isn't a full-scale reflection, but mainly based off of my most competitive schools.