What unique aspect/experience helped you get accepted?

[Z_K]

Hello all,

I'm applying for the next cycle of DPT. For all the recent acceptance folks, is there any "unique" aspect of your application you believe helped secure a spot? For example, being a non-traditional student or Veteran? Or having a particular volunteer/shadowing/life experience? Perhaps, you were a competitive athlete?

For example, a DPT I shadowed told me he had subpar pre-pt stats but got into a top 15 school. He mentioned how the school was particularly interested in his entrepreneurial experience during the interview, which he credits towards getting accepted.

Thanks!

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[Daniel86155]

With a lot of programs adding a research component to their curriculum, I believe that research in undergrad was a big plus (and it even boosts up your GPA alot!). I also did medical scribing which helped me get a bigger perspective in healthcare and solidify my passion in the healing process physical therapists do instead 🙂 hope this helps!

 

[nd_dpt]

I got published in the National Institute of Health when I was a senior in high school, which is something that I think stood out on my resume.

 

[DPT143]

I am a first generation college graduate and a non-traditional student who started college at 30 years old. I worked in a grocery store for nearly 10 years before deciding to go back to school.

I was worried that these things would make me look like I wasn’t cut out for PT school. So I worked really hard to get a high GPA, volunteered at a hospital for a 1 1/2 years, and worked as a therapy aide at the same hospital for over a year.

So I think it was my past and how I turned around which landed me a spot.

 

[DPTuron]

For me, it would probably be showing deep interests in the schools I applied to. I started conversation threads with admissions since Day 1 and kept in contact with each of them throughout the process. For some I even went out to the schools and met with admissions in person - just to match a face with a name when they review my app.

Also my experiences in and out of the PT field were very broad.

 

[dancingpt]

I had a lot of experience as a patient in PT for about 8 years, I’ve been dancing for 20 years, and I worked as a research assistant in undergrad. I think those were the most helpful “unique” aspects of my application.

 

[pelado]

Hi there, at 28 years old, I'm a nontraditional applicant who earned an English BA in 2011. Although I believe my overall GPA of 3.8 and pre-req GPA of 4.0 helped me immensely, I do credit my experiences/essays.

I suspect Georgia State, University of Southern California, and UTEP valued that:
-I'm a first generation college graduate and a Hispanic male (in a white female dominated industry)
-I worked part-time while getting my BA and worked full-time while I did my pre-reqs.
-I held plenty of leadership positions while I was at undergrad and in the workforce.
-I've had two careers prior to applying: I was an educator through Teach for America and I'm currently a marketing specialist at an NGO birth control clinic.
-I grounded my essay in my reliance on physical activity as a tool to overcome obstacles related to bipolar depression and drug abuse. I literally started my essay by hinting at an OD and I NEVER dropped the B word. Make no mistake, I didn't whine or make excuses. I described how I own my downfalls and how I stay healthy. I admitted that my desire in becoming a physical therapist is equally grounded in self-interest than any other altruistic motivator. I might have hinted that PT isn't the last career I will have.
-I met the average GRE score of 300 and the required observation hours. I did 153 (GSU required 80, USC 150, UTEP 50)
-While I suspect I had two really mediocre LORs from PTs that hardly knew me, I think I had two great ones from a past professor and my current supervisor at work.

I think it's great that you're asking this question. However, I think you should be asking a different question to different people. If you haven't already, I would pool a group of people (subjective and objective) and ask them (as well as yourself):
A) What specific attributes make you a "professional"?(AKA how the hell are you going to survive the most arduous schooling you'll likely ever do)
B) What makes PT a suitable career for you? (you should also know the answer to this question in a quick elevator pitch. Preferably, a pitch that has nothing to do with the 3 months of PT you had to do after you blew out your shoulder or IT band)
C) What career, other than PT, would suit you?

I'll give the profession and my patients 100% for maybe 15-20 years then focus on some of my other passions-- audio storytelling, creative writing, graphic design, and hopefully running an NPR affiliate or independent media publishing company with my career journalist girlfriend (and future wife)

 

[GirlsGoneGaga]

Hello all,

I'm applying for the next cycle of DPT. For all the recent acceptance folks, is there any "unique" aspect of your application you believe helped secure a spot? For example, being a non-traditional student or Veteran? Or having a particular volunteer/shadowing/life experience? Perhaps, you were a competitive athlete?

For example, a DPT I shadowed told me he had subpar pre-pt stats but got into a top 15 school. He mentioned how the school was particularly interested in his entrepreneurial experience during the interview, which he credits towards getting accepted.

Thanks!

Having research experience & publications is a plus

 

[YellowYoga]

I am a non traditional student. I applied at one of the #1 top ranking PT programs on the very last day and I got accepted, despite a lower than average GPA and a somewhat embarrassing GRE score. What helps you to stand out from the rest as a non traditional student is your life experience! Highlight your strengths, professional experiences and how you have overcome obstacles/challenges in your life. I believe that is of so much value to your future patients. As a PT you need to be able to motivate, advise, encourage, educate, manage and support. How does your previous life experience relate to that? What can you bring to the table? Have you developed resilience? Or a tolerance of uncertainty?
What also helps are volunteering positions that come from the heart, that you have a true connection with. For me, I offered private Yoga/Personal training on a sliding scale for people in need, e.g. single moms, seniors or underserved communities.
Also, I adressed that I am not afraid to ask for help. Most of the time it’s a team effort to ensure the best outcome for your patients. Show that you can work with other professionals and acknowledge when you need further guidence and support. Nobody is perfect. I bet that a lot of application essays/interviews leave that out.

 

[reesetee]

I am a non traditional student. I applied at one of the #1 top ranking PT programs on the very last day and I got accepted, despite a lower than average GPA and a somewhat embarrassing GRE score. What helps you to stand out from the rest as a non traditional student is your life experience! Highlight your strengths, professional experiences and how you have overcome obstacles/challenges in your life. I believe that is of so much value to your future patients. As a PT you need to be able to motivate, advise, encourage, educate, manage and support. How does your previous life experience relate to that? What can you bring to the table? Have you developed resilience? Or a tolerance of uncertainty?
What also helps are volunteering positions that come from the heart, that you have a true connection with. For me, I offered private Yoga/Personal training on a sliding scale for people in need, e.g. single moms, seniors or underserved communities.
Also, I adressed that I am not afraid to ask for help. Most of the time it’s a team effort to ensure the best outcome for your patients. Show that you can work with other professionals and acknowledge when you need further guidence and support. Nobody is perfect. I bet that a lot of application essays/interviews leave that out.

Thank you for that advice. 🙂

 

[MiniDPT]

I had pretty average grades and GRE score, but over 3000 observation hours!