Terrible student, reformed

[timberphil]

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Longtime lurker here, finally created an account to ask if anyone had thoughts/advice:
When I first went to college, I was a lackluster theatre student (GPA of 2.2, and that's with grade replacement). Never finished the degree; after some time off, I started at a new school as a pre-PT major. My GPA this time around is somewhere north of 3.9, and my prereq GPA is roughly the same (never took any of the sciences as a theatre major). I've yet to take the GRE, but will have between 200 and 300 observation and shadowing hours by the end of the summer.
My question is this: will PT schools even look twice at such an application? I've got a pretty good narrative to present, and a sharp upward trend as far as grades are concerned. But many schools want a minimum 3.0 from PTCAS (which might take me years to assemble) just to apply, and all seem quite competitive. I can't help wondering if I should be starting to write off PT as a real option.

 

[ktachiba]

What's your cumulative GPA now?

 

[timberphil]

Depending on how one calculates (switched from a semester to a quarter system, so nothing quite matches up), between 2.75 and 2.87.

 

[89bogues]

Depending on how one calculates (switched from a semester to a quarter system, so nothing quite matches up), between 2.75 and 2.87.

Longtime lurker here, finally created an account to ask if anyone had thoughts/advice:
When I first went to college, I was a lackluster theatre student (GPA of 2.2, and that's with grade replacement). Never finished the degree; after some time off, I started at a new school as a pre-PT major. My GPA this time around is somewhere north of 3.9, and my prereq GPA is roughly the same (never took any of the sciences as a theatre major). I've yet to take the GRE, but will have between 200 and 300 observation and shadowing hours by the end of the summer.
My question is this: will PT schools even look twice at such an application? I've got a pretty good narrative to present, and a sharp upward trend as far as grades are concerned. But many schools want a minimum 3.0 from PTCAS (which might take me years to assemble) just to apply, and all seem quite competitive. I can't help wondering if I should be starting to write off PT as a real option.

First, a few questions to better evaluate your app. What state are you from, and what is your prereq GPA, Science GPA, and Last 60 credit hours GPA?

In short, no you should not write PT off as a real option. It seems as though you are doing the right things to strengthen your app. Just reading on this forum alone will give you knowledge and guidance that most other applicants do not have.

I was in almost the exact same situation when I decided to pursue physical therapy, and I had the exact same thoughts as to whether getting accepted to a program was even possible, or if I was just wasting my time. In retrospect I just kind of pushed on blindly, but in the end my desire to become a PT gave me the motivation to do all of the extra little things required to gain acceptance to my number one school which also happened to evaluate recent coursework.

This thread relates my experience in the admissions process.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/my-experience-in-applying-to-dpt-programs.1115591/

Obviously, getting a cgpa of 3.00 will open up your options, but there are schools that look at recent coursework/grade trends/last 60hrs and don't require a min 3.00 cgpa. Some schools also use grade replacement for retakes instead of averaging them.

You will have to do the necessary research to go through these schools with a fine tooth comb, and select schools to apply to that will give you a chance. I spent hours upon hours going through the APTA program directory and reading program websites to determine which schools I would have the best shot at. I then formulated a plan to do all the things these schools were looking for. School A likes recent coursework gpa and under water ballerinas, not a problem.

I honestly almost treated the admissions process like a game in which I looked for every advantage I could find to help me gain acceptance and in essence "win". When you have a weak part of an application you have to overcome, take every opportunity you are given to offset or strengthen it.

 

[starrsgirl]

I think you definitely have a fighting chance. I was in a very similar situation myself. But I think you need to really push to get above a 3.0 cumGPA. Getting above that mark will significantly expand the options on schools you can apply to. I recommend taking a million low level online CC courses to tip the numbers in your favor.

 

[SwampPT]

I was in the exact same boat. My cGPA ended up at a 3.15. However, my last four plus years was a 3.8 or 3.9. I had applied to 11 schools and got into one very quickly. I also had interview offers a 4 other schools, but turned them down. I would absolutely try to break the 3.0 threshold and get shadowing hours in at least 5 settings. Make sure you get excellent LOR's as well. Then research programs thoroughly to find programs that weigh the last 60 hours more heavily. I would also apply to a school like the University of St Augustine. Good school, but not on PTCAS. Your odds would be very good there. There are also schools that have a 2.9 GPA minimum such as Nova Southeastern University (where I'm going).

 

[okramango]

Definitely look into schools that look at your last 60 units GPA rather than total cumulative GPA.

 

[timberphil]

My thanks for everyone's replies. It's sounding like there are definitely schools to which I can plausibly apply next year (I'll have the BS by spring or summer 2016), but that that it's more likely I'll have a gap year or two to build my GPA and take 'suggested' courses.

 

[DesertPT]

Just FYI as well, there is a plethora of great threads on what to do about bad grades/low GPA when applying to PT school. If you search for them and do some thorough reading you will find tons of good advice. The strategy certainly varies a bit from person to person depending on circumstances, but for the most part it is the same: pre-req GPA, cGPA, GRE score, diversity of observation hours, quality of LORs and quality of essay are the "big 6" that all need to be optimized to the greatest extent possible (roughly in that order, in general).

 

[timberphil]

Oh, and to 89bogues: I'm currently in Oregon, but will be applying all over; prereq and science are both north of 3.9, and I've so far (knock wood) a 4.0 for the last 60 credits.

 

[DesertPT]

I'm currently in Oregon, but will be applying all over; prereq and science are both north of 3.9, and I've so far (knock wood) a 4.0 for the last 60 credits.

You should be ok then if you select the schools you apply to judiciously. Every school does their process differently, so it takes a lot of research.

And FWIW, the Pacific Northwest seems to be one of the most difficult areas of the country to get accepted in. There have been several people on here with solid apps who applied only to the schools in WA and OR and didn't get in anywhere. So if you are able to branch out to some other states it's a good idea. Many apply in AZ from what I can tell.

 

[89bogues]

+1 to what DesertPT said. Wish I could give you some insight into some schools in the region, but I mainly focused my efforts in the south/southeast.

 

[The_Trainer]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...-or-take-highest-grade.1038883/#post-14574105

I'd say find out which schools look at last 60 credits. That'll be your ticket in.

 

[UjaiiB3]

I was in the same situation as you. I think it's very important to have a strong GRE to back the low cumulative. It seems a little silly to place so much emphasis on the test if you have a lot of experience as a non-traditional student, but it's important because admissions ranks your numbers off of a points scale.