Top 10 Things Pre-Physical Therapy Students Should Know About Their Schools Of Interest

Here are some essential things every Pre-PT should know about the schools to which they apply. Keep in mind that all programs are different and you should ask yourself these questions for each one.

1. What Prerequisites do your schools require?

Knowing what prerequisites your schools require is arguably the most important information to know in your application journey. This information will guide you in deciding what classes to take and which ones you should focus more on as they typically have a separate GPA. Prerequisite classes are often science-based and are used to show that a student can excel in doing rigorous work. This will also help when deciding in which subject you want to major. While you can major in anything as long as you complete all of the prereqs, some majors have classes built in such as Biology, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, and Chemistry.
It is incredibly important that you know what prereqs each school you are interested in requires. There are often a lot of common classes, but there will always be 1 or 2 unique to a specific program. You can usually find this information in the Admissions section of a program’s website. For more information about the specific prerequisites see my blog post: Top 10 Most Common Physical Therapy Program Prerequisites. 

2. How many prerequisites do your schools need to be completed before applying?

So, we just covered that all PT schools require the completion of certain prerequisites upon applying but be sure to know how many they require to be done before applying. It would defeat the purpose of applying and showcasing your abilities as a student if you’ve only completed 3/9 required classes. The average number of classes that can be incomplete upon applying is 2-3, but this is dependent on the specific program. It is important to know what your specific schools require. 

3. Does your school accept transfer credits?

In some cases, students have been able to complete some prerequisites either before college in the form of Dual Credit or Advanced Placement credit or at another institution like a community college. Whether or not your program accepts community college or Dual Credit credits (or how many they will take) is completely unique to each school. It is also important to find out if they accept AP credit. Typically, schools might accept AP credit for the math prerequisite, but your score must be a 4 or 5. This could also apply if your undergraduate school is a private or public institution. Again, contact your schools to know for sure, this could save you a lot of time and money. 

4. What are your schools’ average acceptance rates for GPA and GRE?

“Comparison is the thief of joy”

This is completely true and should not make you feel inferior or bad about yourself as a student. However, it is smart to understand how you measure up to the previously accepted applicants. It is important to note that the average GPA and GRE scores of the accepted class are just that, averages. This means that a significant number of applicants got in with both lower and high scores. I only encourage you to know how you compare because ignorance is not always bliss. It is important to know what areas you might want to improve upon and which areas you should feel secure about. A higher GPA does not necessarily equal a great applicant just like a lower GPA doesn’t indicate a bad applicant. I merely encourage Pre-PTs not to go in blind to the application process. 

5. What are your school’s GRE and GPA minimum requirements?

This information is incredibly important to know as well. If you do not meet the minimum GPA and GRE requirements, your application will most likely be denied. This would lead to a waste of time, money, and effort and you don’t want that.  Minimum GPA requirements are typically 3.0 and can vary for the GRE. In fact, some schools don’t even require the GRE anymore. Contact your schools to find out this information. 

6. How many letters of recommendation are required and from whom?

Letters of Recommendation are a great way for schools to understand applicants as a person and not for their grades. It is important that you are presented in a good light as a great student as DPT programs are taking you on to be just that, a student. You will want letters written about you that accurately reflects you as a person so choosing who should write them is important, but so is the number you need.
Some schools require 2 letters, one from a professor or employer and one from a physical therapist. Others require 3 letters, one from a professor or employer and two from physical therapists. Some schools want letters of rec from PTs you observed for a certain amount of time. For example, if a school requires 100 hours and two letters of recommendation, you must spend 50 hours with each PT that’s writing a letter on your behalf. Make sure you know what your schools require as asking someone for a letter last minute might not always yield great results. 

7. How many observation hours are required?

Observation hours give Pre-PTs the opportunity to immerse themselves in the field of physical therapy and give them an inside look into the profession. Without observing, it would be difficult to truly know if you want to pursue PT as a career. Schools need to be sure you have had enough hands-on experience and might require a minimum number of hours. A few schools do not require observation hours while the majority have a minimum requirement of 20-200 hours. Be sure you know how many your schools require. 

8. How much will it cost to attend?

There are a lot of barriers to obtaining higher education and the cost of attendance is definitely one of them. Unlike undergrad, paying for post-professional graduate degrees must also take into account your ability to pay for 2-4 years of school…again. It is very important to know and consider the cost of attendance for each school you are interested in. It would be incredibly unfortunate to get accepted into a great PT school, only to not be able to afford it. 

9. What are your school’s Mission and Values?

This is something important to consider when trying to determine if a school will be a good fit. Do you have dreams of becoming a global citizen by volunteering and going on mission trips? Interested in becoming an environmentalist? These are things to think about. Additionally, researching each PT school’s history and accomplishments makes it clear that you are familiar with the school. This is an important aspect of the application, especially if you are asked why you chose that particular school.

10. How does your school stand out from the others?

Another reason to research your schools, their history, and their academics is to understand how they are different and what one might offer over the other. This is something that could come up in essays asking you to explain why you chose a specific school. For example, the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, stood out to me because they were one of few programs that had Medical Spanish built into their curriculum. This was important as there is a large Spanish-speaking population near the school. Texas State University’s program was unique because they ran a Community Access clinic that was run by the DPT students. This offered them the chance to get additional hands-on experience. Texas Woman’s University caught my eye because it has a wonderful reputation for being a school that produces excellent therapists and is focused on giving back to the community.
Find out why your PT schools are unique and how they can meet your needs through research and reading reviews of the programs. 

Let me know your thoughts about this list and good luck to everyone applying!