Applying to Professional School with an Imperfect Record
The uncertainty gnaws at you as you prepare your professional school applications. Will that rough first semester come back to haunt you? What about the limited shadowing hours or that youthful mistake you made? You stare at your transcript, counting the less-than-perfect grades in human anatomy, wondering if your past missteps will derail your dream of earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from your first-choice program.
Here’s what admissions experts want you to know: Perfection isn’t the price of admission.
“We don’t expect anybody to be perfect,” says Heather Knight, PT, DPT, NCS, associate professor at Creighton University. “Sometimes the imperfections are what make an individual unique and can create opportunities to highlight personal growth over time.”
This shift in admissions philosophy reflects a deeper understanding of what makes successful healthcare professionals. The journey to professional school isn’t about presenting a perfect record. It’s about demonstrating growth, resilience and the potential to serve others.
What Counts as an “Imperfect” Record?
Lindsay Johnson, director of Admission at Creighton, sees the full range of applicant challenges. Academic struggles top the list: students who struggled during their first college semesters before finding their footing, those who worked full-time while pursuing prerequisites or applicants who discovered their passion later in their academic journey.
“We’ve had students who encountered situations during their college years that required accountability,” Johnson explains. “Complete clarity and honesty about what happened and how you addressed it. You can’t run from it, but you can own it and show growth.”
Beyond academic setbacks, admissions committees often see applicants with limited shadowing experience, gaps in service activities or even minor legal issues from their past. Angela Patterson, OTD, OTR/L, FNAP, an associate professor, points out that during COVID-19, explanations for academic struggles became even more common as students faced unprecedented challenges.
“Sometimes it wasn’t even learning accommodations. It was life accommodations,” Patterson observes. “They lost a close relative. They were working full-time as they were trying to pay for their college.”
The Power of Owning Your Story
Laura Klug, PharmD, associate professor, serves on admissions committees and highlights an important point: hiding your struggles rarely works. “It’s hard when they don’t address it at all,” she says. “When students just put it out there—hey, this was a semester where I didn’t do as well, this is why—it’s about showing that potential and showing that reflective growth.”
This transparency isn’t about making excuses. Admissions committees can tell the difference between taking responsibility and blaming others. Knight explains what they’re assessing: “We can’t control what others do, but we can control how we react to a situation. From a character perspective, it raises concerns if we’re blaming others in those scenarios.”
The most compelling applications showcase what educators call “reflective practice”—the ability to analyze challenges, draw lessons and apply those insights moving forward. This skill directly translates to professional healthcare settings where practitioners must continually adapt and learn from complex patient situations.
Learn more about preparing for the interview process
Turning Weaknesses into Strengths
Think about the pre-pharmacy student who earned less-than-optimal grades in general chemistry during their first year. Instead of ignoring those grades, successful applicants address them head-on. They might explain how that early challenge taught them to seek tutoring, build better study habits or find their most effective way of learning.
“What we’re looking for is somebody who learned from those experiences,” Knight emphasizes. “How did you adapt? What resources did you use? What did you learn about yourself?”
Johnson recommends specific strategies for addressing academic concerns: “If the professor knows you well in their class and you have demonstrated great academic prowess, have them validate who you are as a student. Validate your academic progress by having an academic reference.”
For students with limited clinical experience, the approach remains similar. Rather than avoiding the topic, acknowledge the limitation and show your commitment to understanding the profession. “What are you going to do between now and the time that you start the program?” Johnson asks. This forward-thinking approach shows admissions committees you’re actively addressing perceived weaknesses.
Holistic Review in Professional School Admissions
Modern professional school admissions embrace holistic review processes that evaluate applicants as whole persons, not just numbers. This complete approach means every element of your application—from academic performance to interview skills to personal experiences—can positively influence your admission outcome.
“We don’t want all of our students to have a perfect record,” Patterson states. “We want a well-rounded group of classmates that can go through this and support each other.”
The interview process becomes especially important for applicants with imperfect records. Since many programs use blind interview formats where interviewers don’t review academic records beforehand, this provides opportunities to highlight personal qualities that transcend grade point averages.
Klug describes the strategic approach: “When interviewers ask you some iteration of ‘what are your plans to be successful?’—that kind of opens the door if you want to talk about a time you weren’t successful and what you learned and how that helped form your plan for success in the graduate program.”
Learn more about the holistic review process
Why Character and Context Matter in Admissions
Professional school admissions committees prioritize character because they’re not just admitting students—they’re controlling entry to healthcare professions that serve vulnerable populations. However, context and growth matter significantly.
The key is demonstrating genuine change and understanding consequences. Admissions committees want evidence that applicants have developed the judgment and professionalism necessary for healthcare practice. Whether addressing academic struggles, personal challenges or lapses in judgment, the emphasis should be on accountability, lessons learned and specific steps taken to prevent similar issues from happening again.
Practical Steps for Applicants with Imperfect Records
If you’re considering professional school despite a less-than-perfect record, admissions experts offer clear guidance.
Schedule conversations with admissions counselors. “We can oftentimes help them figure out how to address a particular weakness in their application,” Johnson notes. “We’re happy to do that and to be able to best set them up for success.”
Use application essays strategically. Many applications have optional questions meant to give context for academic challenges. Use these chances to share your story authentically.
Obtain strong recommendation letters. If academic performance is a concern, get recommendations from recent professors who can speak to your current abilities and work ethic.
Consider retaking strategic courses. For prerequisite courses with concerning grades, retaking them can show commitment and improved mastery of key concepts.
Apply early and carefully. Johnson emphasizes that applying early provides more time for careful reflection and a complete presentation of your experiences.
Learn more about writing your personal statement
Your Path Forward
The healthcare field urgently needs professionals who understand hardship, show resilience and bring diverse perspectives to patient care. Your challenges don’t disqualify you—they might actually improve your ability to connect with and help others facing their own difficult situations.
“We’re looking at the whole person when we decide to admit a student who is going to be a future professional,” Knight explains. “We hope this reflects our philosophy to train professionals who are prepared to care for the whole person in clinical practice.”
As you prepare your applications, keep in mind that admissions committees care about your success. They want to admit students who will finish their programs and become excellent healthcare providers. Your goal isn’t to show perfection—it’s to show authenticity, growth and genuine commitment to serving others.
Take responsibility for your past, consult with admissions professionals and pursue your dreams with confidence. The healthcare industry values what you bring, imperfections and all.