Help Preparing to Apply 2013-2014

[xx6xx12]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Can we all share tips on what we should be getting in order?

PTCAS Essay, First Aid and CPR Certification, Resume, Supplemental Applications, GRE Scores, Transcripts, etc.

There's so much to worry about I'm worried about messing something up. Any advice on any these topics would be greatly appreciated.

What are some common issues people run into when turning their materials in to PTCAS?

 

[bnwj89]

Can we all share tips on what we should be getting in order?

PTCAS Essay, First Aid and CPR Certification, Resume, Supplemental Applications, GRE Scores, Transcripts, etc.

There's so much to worry about I'm worried about messing something up. Any advice on any these topics would be greatly appreciated.

What are some common issues people run into when turning their materials in to PTCAS?

My advice: get started as early as possible. You may run into problems (LoRs not getting back to you, trouble with writing your essay, etc) so starting as early as possible gives you that extra breathing room. I believe PTCAS opens around July 5th

EDIT: Also, know your deadlines.

 

[jdaniels360]

July 2nd is when PTCAS opens. I'm also new to all of this so anyone out there doing this second time around, or anyone who already made it in, we'd really appreciate your advice! 😀

 

[NewTestament]

Applicants usually wait too long. If I were you, I would set aside an entire day to get everything ready: LORs, transcripts, editing your personal statement, etc. Yes, an entire day. Don't assemble your application piecemeal. If you do it that way, it'll take forever to submit your application. Do as much as you can by July 2nd.

Have somebody edit and proofread your essays. Ask for constructive criticism. Many posters on this board are willing to help.

Another problem applicants make is not recording their academic transcript accurately. You need to record your transcript exactly as it appears on your physical transcript.

Kevin

 

[jdaniels360]

What do i need to do in order to have transcripts "ready"? Don't they have to be sent from my school to all the schools I'm applying to, as well as me having to manually input all my grades from my unofficial transcript?

Also, will i have to wait till July 2nd to provide the PT's who are verifying my hours, and writing my LOR's instructions on what to do? I'm guessing there will be a link or something i can provide them once PTCAS opens on July 2nd?

 

[okramango]

It seemed last year that a lot of people had issues with their LOR writers not writing the letters in a timely manner, or missing the email from PTCAS, and some applicants were getting close to their deadlines while still waiting for these pieces of their application. Make sure you give your LOR writers plenty of notice. Last year I asked my letter writers in advance when would be a good day/time for them to get the email from PTCAS for the LOR, and then I submitted the info to PTCAS at that time, then I confirmed with my LOR writers that they received the email. I suggest doing this for the PTs who will be confirming your observation hours, too.

 

[PThopeful89]

When I applied last fall I think the best thing I did was make an excel spreadsheet to get things organized for each school. I first used it to help me narrow down which schools to apply to, but it helped me to keep track of what I needed to get done for each school's application in addition to the PTCAS app.

My spreadsheet had:
-School name/status (app submitted, accepted, rejected, etc.)
-PTCAS? (yes/no)
-Deadline for application (including if it was rolling or not)
-Additional Fees? (yes/no, I made this whole column add up and include the additional $35/additional school along with the $130 PTCAS fee)
-Supplemental info (Yes/no, & what it was if yes)
-School start date
-GRE Code/Type (PTCAS or University)
-PT Hours? (yes/no, how many, need to be verified?)
-References Required (# and whether it needed PT, professor, etc.)
-Interview (yes/no, dates)
-Possible open house option? (yes/no, when if yes)
-GRE Min + Avg + Preferred
-GPA Min + Avg
-Inpatient required? (**I only had outpatient experience)
-Class size
-% of students in-state

...and then I picked some criteria (GPA, GRE, % of students in state, inpatient requirement) to see if I was going to be competitive. This spreadsheet really helped me and I highly recommend it. But I know everyone is different in their organization approaches 🙂

 

[xx6xx12]

Thanks, I forgot check out class size and % of students instate/outstate.

 

[HeatherDPT]

Can we all share tips on what we should be getting in order?

PTCAS Essay, First Aid and CPR Certification, Resume, Supplemental Applications, GRE Scores, Transcripts, etc.

There's so much to worry about I'm worried about messing something up. Any advice on any these topics would be greatly appreciated.

What are some common issues people run into when turning their materials in to PTCAS?

Supplemental applications? I haven't heard of this - are you talking about schools that also require an in-house application (in addition to PTCAS)?

 

[jdaniels360]

Yes.

 

[megi1212]

When I applied last fall I think the best thing I did was make an excel spreadsheet to get things organized for each school. I first used it to help me narrow down which schools to apply to, but it helped me to keep track of what I needed to get done for each school's application in addition to the PTCAS app.

My spreadsheet had:
-School name/status (app submitted, accepted, rejected, etc.)
-PTCAS? (yes/no)
-Deadline for application (including if it was rolling or not)
-Additional Fees? (yes/no, I made this whole column add up and include the additional $35/additional school along with the $130 PTCAS fee)
-Supplemental info (Yes/no, & what it was if yes)
-School start date
-GRE Code/Type (PTCAS or University)
-PT Hours? (yes/no, how many, need to be verified?)
-References Required (# and whether it needed PT, professor, etc.)
-Interview (yes/no, dates)
-Possible open house option? (yes/no, when if yes)
-GRE Min + Avg + Preferred
-GPA Min + Avg
-Inpatient required? (**I only had outpatient experience)
-Class size
-% of students in-state

...and then I picked some criteria (GPA, GRE, % of students in state, inpatient requirement) to see if I was going to be competitive. This spreadsheet really helped me and I highly recommend it. But I know everyone is different in their organization approaches 🙂

This is great response. I would also add a column that represents an individual's GPA according to schools requirements, just get an idea where we stand. This is just an advise.