Help/advice needed

[jchin22]

I recently graduated from CUNY Hunter College with a Bachelors in Psychology and a minor in Biology.
I was looking into Physical Therapy programs but I'm a discouraged due to the fact that my GPA is nowhere near to what schools are looking for. I was thinking about getting a MBA in Business Administration from CUNY Baruch and saw that they have a MBA program in Healthcare. I was thinking about applying for the MBA at Baruch, boost my GPA and attempt to apply to a PT program in NYC.

Any suggestions?

[juilletmercredi]

I'm not sure that this will lead you to where you want to go.  Most programs will look at your undergrad and grad GPAs, and some graduate programs don't really care much about your grad GPA.  For instance, I have heard that law schools care much more about your undergraduate GPA than any subsequent MA GPAs, so a 3.7 master's GPA won't really help a 2.5 undergrad GPA get into Harvard.  I can't say for sure, but I would imagine physical therapy is the same - especially given that an MBA is completely unrelated to the physical therapy degree.  Besides, it seems like quite a waste of money to get a master's you don't really want just to try to get into a different program.

 

I chatted with a PT student once because my sister was interested in the field, and she said that many of her classmates - after graduating with a bachelor's - actually returned to school to become certified as a physical therapist's assistant.  They worked for a few years in that field, and then applied to their physical therapy programs.  It seems to me that that would be a better path than the MBA.  You'd get the clinical hours you need and you'd also get close to at least one PT who could write you a letter of recommendation (most PT programs require a letter from at least one PT who has seen you work).

 

If you have the prerequisites, you might also consider getting an accelerated BSN and doing really well that way, and then working as a nurse for a while - perhaps a rehabilitation nurse who works closely with physical therapists.  Another option, since you are in NYC, is doing a physicians assistant program.  CUNY York and CUNY City College both have bachelor's level PA programs - they take about 2 years and 4 months, but the pay is quite high.  I think the PTA route is the best route if you know you want to be a PT, but nursing and PA are both better-paying.

[jchin22]

@jullietmecredi

Thank you for your response. As I mentioned my GPA is nowhere near where it should be. I believe to be even considered for either BSN, PT or PTA, I would need atleast a 3.0. I'm currently at 2.7 GPA.

I was thinking about going to a community college and retaking some courses and get better grades to boost my GPA. But I heard that grad programs dislike the fact that you take classes over and especially if you take them at a 2-year college.

What's your opinion?

[jchin22]

I meant to say PA not PTA

[ProfLorax]

What about a medical-focused post-bac program? For example, San Francisco State offers a Pre-Health Professions Certificate Program for people who already have a BA. I'm sure many other universities have similar programs. 

 

ETA: Never mind. It looks like CUNY's post bacc program is specifically not for people interested in PT and requires a 2.8 UGPA. 

[jchin22]

@proflorax

Hey, thank you for the suggestion. I still may check CUNY bac program out. Maybe I'll retake some classes to boost my gpa

[Horb]

If you already graduated, I'm not sure how you could boost your UGPA. Normally, schools do not let you retroactively add courses to alter your GPA. You most likely will have to look at the alternative options listed above. 

[jchin22]

@horb

Well when you apply to programs,don't they ask you for your official transcripts? Including classes you may have taken as a non degree student?

[lyonessrampant]

There are quite a few post-bac programs out there.  It seems like doing one of those would be the best way to strengthen your record, get experience, and develop the skills needed to do a PT program.

[Horb]

They will ask for transcripts, but they might not necessarily recalculate your GPA. So they'll see the 2.7 from your undergrad, plus the GPA calculated from the other set of transcripts. I'm just saying, if you have two transcripts, they'll see the 2.7 and be most likely be concerned, even if your extra courses indicate improvement. 

[jchin22]

Appreciate the insight. I'll try my luck and see what I can do within the coming weeks. Hopefully talk to a counselor but it seems like i may go the PTA route and then PT