Retaking classes vs. Applying! Help please!!

[guardguy13]

Hi everyone,

 

I can't decide if I should apply now or retake classes. My GPA isn't the best but I have great recommendations and experience. Please take a look and give your thoughts.

Academic

Overall GPA: 2.9

Science GPA: 2.8 (unofficial, I used the CASPA guidelines though)

 

Experience

EMT assistant ~850 hrs -I don't know if this will count because I did it while in HS but I responded to 911 calls with EMTs and helped assist with pt care. Vitals etc.

 

Camp health care team ~1200+ hrs - I give shots, first aid, checked blood sugars.

 

Current job ~4000 hrs- doing research. I enroll patients into studies and follow up with them.

 

Thanks!

[GatorRRT]

Not to be rude, but you have borderline experience and a subpar GPA with what you assume are decent recommendations. GPA>>>>HCE>>Recommendations. Use the money you would spend on applying to fund classes to get above a 3.0, get some solid HCE (Er tech, Emt, Cna), then consider applying.

[holycow]

I would say take some classes and bring that GPA above 3.0 as gator said. Also, realize that if you retake classes, CASPA averages them. Also a lot of schools don't accept research as HCE.

[NJlovesPA]

Now you need to have both good GPA and a lot of experience to be considered competitive. Not either one. With low GPA, the computer system will weed your application out before the committee even get to see it. good luck

[marktheshark89]

definitely retake classes. Those 4,000 hours of enrolling patients in studies may not qualify as actual patient care, and for most schools you really need above a 3.0 to be somewhat competitive.