Good Afternoon,
I interviewed with Jefferson's DPT program last Thursday (10/4). I chose the earliest interview date because I did not want to wait. I do not know whether they choose more applicants from the first few interview days or spread it evenly throughout all their interview dates. My gut feeling is that you'll generally have a better chance of getting an acceptance in the early interviews as opposed to the later interview sessions this year. Jefferson does an excellent job of being transparent with their admissions process. They informed us at the end of Interview day on when they will be making their admission decisions and when to expect the decisions to be released. They know that we're all eagerly awaiting their response, so they do a good job of being quick with them.
There were about 16-17 candidates interviewing on that particular day, whom were from various educational backgrounds and lived all across the country. Jefferson is HUGE on inter-professional collaboration and utilize group interviews. Depending on your group assignment, you'll either be interviewed by 3 faculty members (1 PT school, 2 admissions office faculty) or Don Sharples and Susan Wainwright (PT director and Admissions director). Expect the typical questions (why PT, why Jefferson, what separates you as a candidate). They also ask questions specifically about leadership and teamwork. You are interviewing with two other students simultaneously, but don't let that deter you.
I would recommend interviewing as early as possible. Jefferson is one of the larger programs with 65 seats, but I can imagine that those seats fill up fast. As for interview day, I think it's best to be relaxed. The group interview can seem daunting, and at times it does feel like you're on stage. Don't be afraid to take a moment to collect your thoughts, don't rush to be the first to answer. Be calm, courteous, and show your passion for Physical Therapy.
