Questions about Essay and Letters of Rec. for 2015-2016 Cycle

[fathobo]

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Hey everyone, I have a few questions about the Essay and my Letters of Rec.

I am applying for the 2015-2016 cycle which begins July 2nd. I am wanting to start asking my letters of rec. to begin writing so that they have ample time to write them come July. However, I was wondering if it would be best that I give them my personal statement?

This leads to my second question. I understand a personal statement is an overarching essay in which encompasses why you want to become a physical therapist. The PTCAS question I am seeing for the essay is:
APTA’s vision for physical therapy is “Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.”

How will you embody this vision as a future physical therapist?

Is this the question that will be asked as well for the 2015-2016 cycle or will it change come July 2nd? Also, I know this is the personal statement you upload for PTCAS which is then sent out to all the schools. However, I also know you write personal statements to the schools you want to apply which are more personalized. So where would I write this part of my essay? Are there separate categories for each school were you look at the school specific questions and then write another essay?

I have read a lot of the FAQs and I just don't undesrstand some of the material you have to do come the application process. I really appreciate the help. If you have any questions or anything that needs clarifying please don't hesitate to ask.

 

[tweaze]

Hey everyone, I have a few questions about the Essay and my Letters of Rec.

I am applying for the 2015-2016 cycle which begins July 2nd. I am wanting to start asking my letters of rec. to begin writing so that they have ample time to write them come July. However, I was wondering if it would be best that I give them my personal statement?

This leads to my second question. I understand a personal statement is an overarching essay in which encompasses why you want to become a physical therapist. The PTCAS question I am seeing for the essay is:
APTA’s vision for physical therapy is “Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.”

How will you embody this vision as a future physical therapist?

Is this the question that will be asked as well for the 2015-2016 cycle or will it change come July 2nd? Also, I know this is the personal statement you upload for PTCAS which is then sent out to all the schools. However, I also know you write personal statements to the schools you want to apply which are more personalized. So where would I write this part of my essay? Are there separate categories for each school were you look at the school specific questions and then write another essay?

I have read a lot of the FAQs and I just don't undesrstand some of the material you have to do come the application process. I really appreciate the help. If you have any questions or anything that needs clarifying please don't hesitate to ask.

When the PTCAS application actually opens, it will make a lot more sense. You write the PTCAS essay as a part of your overall application to any schools that utilize PTCAS, and then some schools may have additional questions/personal statements that you address when you add each school to your application. Some schools don't have additional questions on the PTCAS app, but have supplemental applications on their own websites to complete.

The PTCAS prompt you quoted above is the one being used for the upcoming cycle as well.

As far as your letters of rec go, now would be fine to start talking to your letter writers about it, though they can't actually submit them until the app opens. If your letter writer doesn't know you well, they may want a copy of your resume/personal statement. You can always ask them if they want one, or if they need any additional information about you to write a strong letter of recommendation for you.

 

[fathobo]

Thanks for the response! And that clarifies a lot of the confusion I was having. When you mention supplemental applications, aren't those fees and questions only filled out after you have been considered for the program? I know a lot of the questions they have can be found through the school listings on PTCAS specifying what they want. Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it!!

 

[SwampPT]

Thanks for the response! And that clarifies a lot of the confusion I was having. When you mention supplemental applications, aren't those fees and questions only filled out after you have been considered for the program? I know a lot of the questions they have can be found through the school listings on PTCAS specifying what they want. Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it!!

Most schools want every applicant to fill out the supplemental application so they can charge the supplemental application fee on top of what PTCAS charges. Make sure to research your schools VERY thoroughly before applying. It can get very expensive if you're not careful. Plus you want yo pick programs that are a fit for both you and them so you maximize your chances.

 

[DesertPT]

When you mention supplemental applications, aren't those fees and questions only filled out after you have been considered for the program?

No, generally not. PTCAS schools include their supplemental questions on PTCAS.

Don't stress too much now. As was said, the whole thing is a lot more self-explanatory once you can actually make a PTCAS account and start looking at the actual account.