What are my chances? US Army Baylor/Texas Schools

[pthopeful121]

Hello Everyone!

First, I just want to say I love how everyone is so willing to help each other out. Thank you all so much.

This is my second time applying for PT school. I made the mistake of only applying to 2 schools last cycle. I want to apply to US Army Baylor, TWU, UTMB, UNT, and UTHC-San Antonio. Let me know if you recommend I apply elsewhere, because I feel like I have mediocre/bad stats.

Overall GPA: 3.5
Prereq: probably a 3.2 (retook a few of them but still failed to get an A. I tried to cram 4 sciences in 1 semester and it was harder than I anticipated. I had B's previously and 2 of the 4 classes I ended up with B's again. Our school has the +/- system so the grades went from B- to B+ but the schools will just see them both as B's)
GRE: I'm retaking it because the only strong-ish part I had was the essay (4.5) but the my total was 298 so far. I'm studying a lot harder this time around and hope to get at LEAST 310.
Hours: I have 200+ still working on more. Majority has been outpatient, but I have some inpatient acute care and I'm planning to shadow at the VA which I think is inpatient rehab.
I've held multiple leadership positions in an organization at my school that organizes events for wheelchair sports, and I've been involved in research. I was 2nd author on a poster but the poster was on disability marketing. I've also done an internship in Cardiac rehab but it was only for 1 semester (~4 months) but this was run by RN's and exercise physiologists, not therapists so it wouldn't count as observation hours.

I will be graduating in the Fall so it's too late for me to join ROTC to get a feel of the military (I'm a civilian who just did my research for military PT and fell in love with the profession), but I spoke to one of the professors and they said I can take a freshman "intro to leadership" course in the fall. Should I take it? Also, how are my odds for getting in? I feel like many schools will overlook my extracurriculars because my grades are not that good so I'm worried. If there are any other schools I should apply to that you think I have a better chance of getting in please let me know! US Army Baylor is the school I really want to go to but I really don't think I have a chance of getting in. I figure if I get into a civilian school then I can take the direct commission route. Again, that means I have to get into a civilian school but I'm not even sure if my application is competitive enough. Thank you guys so much for your help!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Impulse1578]

Honestly with those stats it may be tough, but its not totally impossible. Have you looked into St. Augustine in Austin or UIW in San Antonio? The tuition at those locations is pretty high, but you might have a better shot at getting in there. Definitely try and get your GRE score up, but IMO schools don't really focus on that. STRONG letters of recommendation, especially from an alumni from one of the schools you're most interested in, and a variety of observation settings with a good amount of hours will really help bolster your application. How does your last 60 credit hours GPA look? Most schools factor that in as well, so if you showed improvement and solid grades in your upper level classes, that reflects positively as well. Worst case scenario, you may end up having to retake some of those pre-reqs again, maybe at community college. Look to see which schools take the highest grade on retakes and don't average them.

 

[scrawnyguy]

Army-Baylor would be tough. I went on a tour there last week and we were told last year's class had a average prereq and cum GPA of 3.8. I think the average GRE was around 314. Have you talked to a Army Healthcare Recruiter yet? From what I have been told the Army-Baylor program is the major feeder into the Army's PT field and very, very few are assessed from civilian PT schools. There are generally a lot of civilian PTs working in military clinics that went to civilian programs, but for the most part the green suiters (military PTs) went to Army Baylor.

Hello Everyone!

First, I just want to say I love how everyone is so willing to help each other out. Thank you all so much.

This is my second time applying for PT school. I made the mistake of only applying to 2 schools last cycle. I want to apply to US Army Baylor, TWU, UTMB, UNT, and UTHC-San Antonio. Let me know if you recommend I apply elsewhere, because I feel like I have mediocre/bad stats.

Overall GPA: 3.5
Prereq: probably a 3.2 (retook a few of them but still failed to get an A. I tried to cram 4 sciences in 1 semester and it was harder than I anticipated. I had B's previously and 2 of the 4 classes I ended up with B's again. Our school has the +/- system so the grades went from B- to B+ but the schools will just see them both as B's)
GRE: I'm retaking it because the only strong-ish part I had was the essay (4.5) but the my total was 298 so far. I'm studying a lot harder this time around and hope to get at LEAST 310.
Hours: I have 200+ still working on more. Majority has been outpatient, but I have some inpatient acute care and I'm planning to shadow at the VA which I think is inpatient rehab.
I've held multiple leadership positions in an organization at my school that organizes events for wheelchair sports, and I've been involved in research. I was 2nd author on a poster but the poster was on disability marketing. I've also done an internship in Cardiac rehab but it was only for 1 semester (~4 months) but this was run by RN's and exercise physiologists, not therapists so it wouldn't count as observation hours.

I will be graduating in the Fall so it's too late for me to join ROTC to get a feel of the military (I'm a civilian who just did my research for military PT and fell in love with the profession), but I spoke to one of the professors and they said I can take a freshman "intro to leadership" course in the fall. Should I take it? Also, how are my odds for getting in? I feel like many schools will overlook my extracurriculars because my grades are not that good so I'm worried. If there are any other schools I should apply to that you think I have a better chance of getting in please let me know! US Army Baylor is the school I really want to go to but I really don't think I have a chance of getting in. I figure if I get into a civilian school then I can take the direct commission route. Again, that means I have to get into a civilian school but I'm not even sure if my application is competitive enough. Thank you guys so much for your help!

 

[Future Physical Therapist]

Army-Baylor would be tough. I went on a tour there last week and we were told last year's class had a average prereq and cum GPA of 3.8. I think the average GRE was around 314. Have you talked to a Army Healthcare Recruiter yet? From what I have been told the Army-Baylor program is the major feeder into the Army's PT field and very, very few are assessed from civilian PT schools. There are generally a lot of civilian PTs working in military clinics that went to civilian programs, but for the most part the green suiters (military PTs) went to Army Baylor.

3.8 average gpa? Wow thats tough. Definitely got to step my game up. Yeah i heard having some military experience really helps increase your chances of getting in to army baylor pt program. Very competitive school.

 

[pthopeful121]

My last 60 is about the same as my GPA unfortunately. Thank you guys for all the information! I did speak to a recruiter but he said that since the applications this year are through ptcas they don't really help us with it. I heard if you had a good phone interview it might help? Does army Baylor phone interview all applicants or do they narrow it down before the phone interviews? I heard about St. Augustine. I'll apply there as well, thank you! Do schools typically look at grades first and if that's not good they reject you, or do they still look at the rest of your application? Thank you all for all the info!

 

[scrawnyguy]

3.8 average gpa? Wow thats tough. Definitely got to step my game up. Yeah i heard having some military experience really helps increase your chances of getting in to army baylor pt program. Very competitive school.

Yeah, it's a little intimidating just looking at those numbers. I'm lucky enough to be above the average, but I'm a little worried about the GRE. I think last year's class was around 40% prior service. I never did find out what the acceptance rate of the prior service folks was but they did say it plays a part in the admissions decision. I just left the Army last year after more than a decade so that's another thing I have going for me. I was also fortunate enough to rack up a lot of hours in military and VA PT facilities. Overall I think my packet will look pretty good but with a program this competitive I am definitely not a shoo-in.

 

[scrawnyguy]

My last 60 is about the same as my GPA unfortunately. Thank you guys for all the information! I did speak to a recruiter but he said that since the applications this year are through ptcas they don't really help us with it. I heard if you had a good phone interview it might help? Does army Baylor phone interview all applicants or do they narrow it down before the phone interviews? I heard about St. Augustine. I'll apply there as well, thank you! Do schools typically look at grades first and if that's not good they reject you, or do they still look at the rest of your application? Thank you all for all the info!

They don't interview everyone. This is the first year they will use PTCAS so the process is a little different this year. This is how they explained it to us at the tour.

-The PTCAS portion is due by Nov 1.
-They select the best applicants to interview around late Nov-Dec
-The best of the group then moves on to the military processing portion such as physicals and background checks
-The selection board meets in Feb
-Selected individuals are notified in March

That's the general timeline they gave us. I think PTCAS can make the process a little smoother but at the same time I'm a little nervous about being the guinea pig class.

 

[tcpt]

3.8 average gpa? Wow thats tough. Definitely got to step my game up. Yeah i heard having some military experience really helps increase your chances of getting in to army baylor pt program. Very competitive school.

It helps but not as much as you may think.Military applicants have the same academic entry requirements as civilians. They have to have a very solid academic record plus a solid military record.

 

[pthopeful121]

Yeah, it's a little intimidating just looking at those numbers. I'm lucky enough to be above the average, but I'm a little worried about the GRE. I think last year's class was around 40% prior service. I never did find out what the acceptance rate of the prior service folks was but they did say it plays a part in the admissions decision. I just left the Army last year after more than a decade so that's another thing I have going for me. I was also fortunate enough to rack up a lot of hours in military and VA PT facilities. Overall I think my packet will look pretty good but with a program this competitive I am definitely not a shoo-in.

That's awesome you sound like you have everything down! Congratulations on that! I noticed you responded a lot to these forums on US Army Baylor, could I ask you a few more questions? The recruiter I spoke to said that some people don't get in their first time because they need to go through more things/need to experience more. Do you happen to know what that means? I'm a civilian and I really want to go to US Army Baylor. I always felt the urge to serve but I never thought my parents would let me. After a few months of persuading, they gave in (to a point where they'd rather me not go, but they realized I'm going to do what I want to). As a result, I don't know much about the military and I want this so badly but I just don't know if it'll happen. I've been thinking if I don't get into US Army Baylor but get into a civilian school, I might just apply to US Army Baylor again because I read above that if you go through a civilian school then become a military PT it's not the same as becoming a military PT from US Army Baylor? But in the meantime while I wait to reapply, could I become an officer in the Army? (I'll have my bachelor's already) or is that a bad idea if I want to reapply? I apologize if that doesn't make sense!

 

[scrawnyguy]

That's awesome you sound like you have everything down! Congratulations on that! I noticed you responded a lot to these forums on US Army Baylor, could I ask you a few more questions? The recruiter I spoke to said that some people don't get in their first time because they need to go through more things/need to experience more. Do you happen to know what that means? I'm a civilian and I really want to go to US Army Baylor. I always felt the urge to serve but I never thought my parents would let me. After a few months of persuading, they gave in (to a point where they'd rather me not go, but they realized I'm going to do what I want to). As a result, I don't know much about the military and I want this so badly but I just don't know if it'll happen. I've been thinking if I don't get into US Army Baylor but get into a civilian school, I might just apply to US Army Baylor again because I read above that if you go through a civilian school then become a military PT it's not the same as becoming a military PT from US Army Baylor? But in the meantime while I wait to reapply, could I become an officer in the Army? (I'll have my bachelor's already) or is that a bad idea if I want to reapply? I apologize if that doesn't make sense!

It's true that many don't get in their first time around. At the tour one of the faculty member who we talked to said about half of the current faculty, all of whom are Army-Baylor alums, didn't get in the first time around. During the briefing they told us how many people got in on repeat applications but I can't remember what it was. I'm slightly older than the average student (I'd be 35 at the time class starts) so I'm really going out of my way to get in the first time.

As far as getting more experience perhaps they are talking about getting experience in a military PT clinic. Army-Baylor really emphasizes the fact that they are training you to be a military PT, not just a PT. If you really want to be a military PT, Army-Baylor is the way to go. I've only meant one PT who went to a civilian program and they were a prior service medic so they weren't a total noob. From the PTs I've talked to the program and their alumni base is pretty tight knit. It's almost like a good ol' boys/girls club.

As far as becoming an Officer first, it might not be a bad idea but it comes with risks. For starters, how old are you? They've tightened up the age restrictions on officer accessions in recent years. Army-Baylor falls under the Medical Command so it's a little more lax. I thought about doing the same thing, but I am already too old to apply to OCS. Like I said before, they want to see that you are committed to the military, not just to getting a "free" degree. If you are already an officer you obviously have that commitment, but there's a risk. As a current officer you would have to get permission from your career branch to apply to Army-Baylor. The Army spends a lot of money training you in your particular branch. They may be hesitant to let you switch easily. I'm not saying it's not possible but they may want you to serve a certain amount of time before they release you. Both of the 3rd year students I talked to were already officers when they applied so it's definitely possible, but I think they served a few years in their first career field before applying. If you do go officer try to get into one of the medical branches. I think may be more likely to let you transfer because it doesn't have the same effect on their end strength. I'm not 100% but I think getting into the medical branches without specific training (nursing, dietetics, etc) can be difficult but I do think they have some entry level positions. You'd have to talk to a recruiter to get more details. My recruiting days are long behind me and all of that stuff is a little fuzzy.

I hope that helps. I'll definitely keep posting on here throughout the application process to let everyone know how things are going.

 

[pthopeful121]

It's true that many don't get in their first time around. At the tour one of the faculty member who we talked to said about half of the current faculty, all of whom are Army-Baylor alums, didn't get in the first time around. During the briefing they told us how many people got in on repeat applications but I can't remember what it was. I'm slightly older than the average student (I'd be 35 at the time class starts) so I'm really going out of my way to get in the first time.

As far as getting more experience perhaps they are talking about getting experience in a military PT clinic. Army-Baylor really emphasizes the fact that they are training you to be a military PT, not just a PT. If you really want to be a military PT, Army-Baylor is the way to go. I've only meant one PT who went to a civilian program and they were a prior service medic so they weren't a total noob. From the PTs I've talked to the program and their alumni base is pretty tight knit. It's almost like a good ol' boys/girls club.

As far as becoming an Officer first, it might not be a bad idea but it comes with risks. For starters, how old are you? They've tightened up the age restrictions on officer accessions in recent years. Army-Baylor falls under the Medical Command so it's a little more lax. I thought about doing the same thing, but I am already too old to apply to OCS. Like I said before, they want to see that you are committed to the military, not just to getting a "free" degree. If you are already an officer you obviously have that commitment, but there's a risk. As a current officer you would have to get permission from your career branch to apply to Army-Baylor. The Army spends a lot of money training you in your particular branch. They may be hesitant to let you switch easily. I'm not saying it's not possible but they may want you to serve a certain amount of time before they release you. Both of the 3rd year students I talked to were already officers when they applied so it's definitely possible, but I think they served a few years in their first career field before applying. If you do go officer try to get into one of the medical branches. I think may be more likely to let you transfer because it doesn't have the same effect on their end strength. I'm not 100% but I think getting into the medical branches without specific training (nursing, dietetics, etc) can be difficult but I do think they have some entry level positions. You'd have to talk to a recruiter to get more details. My recruiting days are long behind me and all of that stuff is a little fuzzy.

I hope that helps. I'll definitely keep posting on here throughout the application process to let everyone know how things are going.

Thank you so much for all this info! I set up an appointment with a recruiter to gain more knowledge! I'm about to be 21 in a couple weeks. How long do you think they'd make me serve before allowing me to apply? I was hoping to shadow in a military PT setting but the closest is 2.5-3 hours away one way and financially I can't really afford the gas/hotel stay. Do you happen to know of any way I could network? Is that possible for a civilian? I'm sorry if these are dumb questions haha. Thanks!!

 

[ptmonster]

I also have a question, Do I have to contact a
US Army healthcare recruiter prior to applying to ptcas?

 

[scrawnyguy]

I'm not sure how long you would have to wait to tell you the truth. Once you are in everything is "needs of the Army". A lot of it comes down money and manning. If you choose a branch that is undermanned they are less likely to let you go. Unless you are already qualified you will have to attend Medical Officer Basic Officer Leader's Course (BOLC) before you start the DPT program at Baylor. If you are already a medical officer you will have this knocked out so money wise they aren't out all that much if you merely switch career fields within the branch. Does that make sense?

2.5-3 is a pretty good hike. I know Ft. Carson has a special student shadowing program that let's you shadow for 20 hours. I'm sure other posts have something similar. On Carson it is all run through the Education Center. Perhaps you could find someone you know near a post that would let you crash there a couple of days. They HIGHLY suggest that you obtain some hours in a military clinic. Military clinics operate differently than civilian clinics. Even VA clinics have a different feel than active duty clinics in my experience. I drive 1.5-2 hours each way, once a week to volunteer at Ft. Carson. I spend almost as much time in the car as I do in the clinic. It's kind of a drag but I hope it pays off.

As far as networking goes you might try LinkedIn. It can be hit or miss. Where in the country are you located? I've only been out a year and change so there's a good chance I can find a point of contact for you on most posts.

 

[scrawnyguy]

I also have a question, Do I have to contact a
US Army healthcare recruiter prior to applying to ptcas?

I would if I were you. The application isn't open yet but you can go into PTCAS and see what questions each program will ask you for your application. One of the questions is something like "What recruiter have you been working with?". The healthcare recruiters seem to get pretty busy so I would contact them sooner rather than later. From my time as a recruiter I saw people get disqualified for all types of things that seemed relatively minor. They could often get in with a waiver but those take time. My plan is to apply as soon as the application opens up on July 1st. I want to have everything pretty much done by the time I take the GRE the first week of August. That leaves me plenty of time to fix any snafus that come up. This is the first year with PTCAS so I'm expecting a few hiccups.

 

[pthopeful121]

I'm not sure how long you would have to wait to tell you the truth. Once you are in everything is "needs of the Army". A lot of it comes down money and manning. If you choose a branch that is undermanned they are less likely to let you go. Unless you are already qualified you will have to attend Medical Officer Basic Officer Leader's Course (BOLC) before you start the DPT program at Baylor. If you are already a medical officer you will have this knocked out so money wise they aren't out all that much if you merely switch career fields within the branch. Does that make sense?

2.5-3 is a pretty good hike. I know Ft. Carson has a special student shadowing program that let's you shadow for 20 hours. I'm sure other posts have something similar. On Carson it is all run through the Education Center. Perhaps you could find someone you know near a post that would let you crash there a couple of days. They HIGHLY suggest that you obtain some hours in a military clinic. Military clinics operate differently than civilian clinics. Even VA clinics have a different feel than active duty clinics in my experience. I drive 1.5-2 hours each way, once a week to volunteer at Ft. Carson. I spend almost as much time in the car as I do in the clinic. It's kind of a drag but I hope it pays off.

As far as networking goes you might try LinkedIn. It can be hit or miss. Where in the country are you located? I've only been out a year and change so there's a good chance I can find a point of contact for you on most posts.

I think you'll have no issues getting in! I live in Houston, TX so the closest Army base is actually Brooke in San Antonio. I was going to shadow a few hours when I go up there for the tour, but they ran out of room in their shadowing program and told me to contact them in July, but I'm taking a class in July so I wouldn't be able to shadow until August and it would probably only be for a day. I tried to find $1 bus routes from Houston to San Antonio but they all drop you off in Downtown San Antonio. I'll definitely try my best to get there one way or another! That totally makes sense! Thanks! That would be great if you could do that for me! Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

 

[pthopeful121]

I would if I were you. The application isn't open yet but you can go into PTCAS and see what questions each program will ask you for your application. One of the questions is something like "What recruiter have you been working with?". The healthcare recruiters seem to get pretty busy so I would contact them sooner rather than later. From my time as a recruiter I saw people get disqualified for all types of things that seemed relatively minor. They could often get in with a waiver but those take time. My plan is to apply as soon as the application opens up on July 1st. I want to have everything pretty much done by the time I take the GRE the first week of August. That leaves me plenty of time to fix any snafus that come up. This is the first year with PTCAS so I'm expecting a few hiccups.

On the subject of recruiters, I spoke to my recruiter a couple weeks ago and he's actually getting deployed to Egypt so I'm not sure if they're going to replace him or if he's going continue his recruiting duties there?

 

[scrawnyguy]

On the subject of recruiters, I spoke to my recruiter a couple weeks ago and he's actually getting deployed to Egypt so I'm not sure if they're going to replace him or if he's going continue his recruiting duties there?

He wouldn't be recruiting from Egypt so there has to be a replacement. I think the DPT program uses 4-5 regional recruiters to act as point men, so to speak, for the application process. I think the recruiter for your area is CPT Mello, but when I was at the tour he mentioned he was on his way out the door. I might have to the contact info for his replacement in my email. I'll look for it this afternoon.

 

[pthopeful121]

He wouldn't be recruiting from Egypt so there has to be a replacement. I think the DPT program uses 4-5 regional recruiters to act as point men, so to speak, for the application process. I think the recruiter for your area is CPT Mello, but when I was at the tour he mentioned he was on his way out the door. I might have to the contact info for his replacement in my email. I'll look for it this afternoon.

Yes sir! CPT Mello is the one I was speaking to. That'd be great! Thank you! This might be a dumb question, but what are we allowed to use the recruiters for? For example, are they allowed to edit our essays or help us improve our application, or is that only after we get accepted? Thanks again!

 

[scrawnyguy]

Yes sir! CPT Mello is the one I was speaking to. That'd be great! Thank you! This might be a dumb question, but what are we allowed to use the recruiters for? For example, are they allowed to edit our essays or help us improve our application, or is that only after we get accepted? Thanks again!

According to the last email I have from CPT Mello the replacement is:
SFC Ryan J. Lee
Toll Free ☎: (877) 574-7031
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]

I don't think they will help with essays or anything of that nature. Before this year they used a paper based application. I believe all of your docs would go to them and they would put it all together and send it to the board. Their role will obviously change now that PTCAS is being used. They might not be all that involved in the early stages of the application process. If you make it to the military processing stage they would be involved in helping set up your physical, background check, etc. I believe they also notify you of your acceptance and send you your orders if accepted.

 

[pthopeful121]

According to the last email I have from CPT Mello the replacement is:
SFC Ryan J. Lee
Toll Free ☎: (877) 574-7031
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]

I don't think they will help with essays or anything of that nature. Before this year they used a paper based application. I believe all of your docs would go to them and they would put it all together and send it to the board. Their role will obviously change now that PTCAS is being used. They might not be all that involved in the early stages of the application process. If you make it to the military processing stage they would be involved in helping set up your physical, background check, etc. I believe they also notify you of your acceptance and send you your orders if accepted.

That makes sense. Thank you! The military processing stage, are the interviews after or before that?

 

[scrawnyguy]

That makes sense. Thank you! The military processing stage, are the interviews after or before that?

From what we were told the processing comes after the interview. I also read somewhere that all interviews are done before Dec 1st and then all processing takes place in Dec and Jan. The board meets some time in Feb so everything else has to be done by then. I'm a little curious about how this will work because it doesn't leave much time for potential waivers, especially during the holiday season.

 

[pthopeful121]

From what we were told the processing comes after the interview. I also read somewhere that all interviews are done before Dec 1st and then all processing takes place in Dec and Jan. The board meets some time in Feb so everything else has to be done by then. I'm a little curious about how this will work because it doesn't leave much time for potential waivers, especially during the holiday season.

Ahh okay. Yeah that's true! Thanks so much for all the info! Best of luck to you!