Newbie Here - Submitting Applications

[edgroc26]

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Hi guys,

Just want to take this time to say hello as I am new to the board and would also like to ask a question that may guide my future a little better.

I currently need about 6 more classes to be done with all the pre req's for most universities. I still haven't gotten my hours for volunteer work but I have just the place to do that.

My question is, if I plan to finish all my prereqs by either the summer or end of fall 2012, when would be the best time to start applying for universities.

I am completly in need of some mentoring in this process and any advice would be extremely appreciated by me and perhaps others like me. Thanks!

PS
My gpa is a 3.53, how does that range in the scale of other accepted or being interviewed PT's.?
🙂

 

[Litlwarrior08]

Best time to apply would be summer of 2012. I say this because PTCAS opens in July for the 2013-14 entry cycle. Check out PTCAS application website. Not all schools use this program (none in TX) but you can use the site to link to Non-PTCAS programs and to APTA.

It is good that you are starting to poke around the process now. With PTCAS you can set up an account and check out the process......DON"T SUBMITT your app. or send transcripts, or pay anything. Wish I had done this ahead of time just to relieve the stress of waiting to apply.
http://www.ptcas.org/
After you check out the info and do some program exploring, you are welcome to ask more questions. You will have many. Also do a search on this forum for topics and schools, financial aid, etc. THere is a wealth of info in the discussion threads.

Your GPA is great. Progams also look at a core / prereq. GPAs which PTCAS calculates once they get your transcripts and money. You will need to take the GRE.
HAVE FUN!!

 

[goyo1010]

Hi guys,

Just want to take this time to say hello as I am new to the board and would also like to ask a question that may guide my future a little better.

I currently need about 6 more classes to be done with all the pre req's for most universities. I still haven't gotten my hours for volunteer work but I have just the place to do that.

My question is, if I plan to finish all my prereqs by either the summer or end of fall 2012, when would be the best time to start applying for universities.

I am completly in need of some mentoring in this process and any advice would be extremely appreciated by me and perhaps others like me. Thanks!

PS
My gpa is a 3.53, how does that range in the scale of other accepted or being interviewed PT's.?
🙂

Hey,

If you plan to finish all your prerequs by the summer or end of Fall of 2012, it would depend on when you actually finish the prereqs. Many schools allow 2/3 uncompleted prereqs on your submitted application prior to enrollment. But if you were to finish most of your prereqs and observation hours by Summer 2012, then I would recommend you begin filling out your application starting that same summer. The majority of schools have a November deadline for applications, so you have time to submit it before then. After you've received your grades from the completed prereq classes then and have gathered the remainder of your application materials, submit it. This is assuming you still have 2/3 incomplete prereqs. Update the schools after each semester with a new transcript with the remaining prereq grades on there.

Also, if you are planning to do more observation hours, update them periodically with that, too by submitting documentation of hours to each school.

Your GPA seems to be fine. Some schools (more selective ones) have an average incoming student GPA in the 3.65-3.8 range, and according to PTCAS, the average incoming student for all PTCAS participating programs was 3.47. So, you should just be fine especially if you have a good application.

As Litlwarrior08 has suggested, it would be a good idea to check out the PTCAS website and play around with it if you're unfamiliar with it. Just make sure not to click anything that says "Send" or "Submit" until your ready! Make sure you check to see if the schools you're planning on applying to use PTCAS or their own application system.

Take a look at these two articels here on SDN about the basics of PT Admissions:

Part 1
http://studentdoctor.net/2011/10/the-physical-therapy-admissions-process-part-1/
Part 2
http://studentdoctor.net/2011/11/the-physical-therapy-admissions-process-part-2/

It covers most of the general information for all schools; however, each school will have specific requirements, e.g. GPA, GRE, observation hours, LORs, etc.

If you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Best of luck,

Greg