St. Augustine DPT Interview

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fanpt

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Hi everyone! I'm new to this site and I was wondering if people can help me out. I have an interview for St. Augustine's DPT program and was wondering if anyone could shed a little light on the whole process (how the interview went about, how many minutes did you get for the essay, tour and interview itself, what questions were asked, etc.)? It would be much appreciated. I have heard the interview is almost the same as job interviews as far as, why did you pick PT, why did you pick this school, strengths, how do you handle stress, etc. But I have also talked to some PT's and they said to know about PT "politics" such as direct access, health care system, HMO, PPO, medicare, etc. I was wondering if anyone had a questions in regards to those topics as well?

Sorry for all the questions, but I want to prepare as much as I can. I have checked other threads and although some have been very helpful, I still would still like to hear from others who have gone through this process recently.

Thank you!
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I have an interview with St. Augustine as well, San Marcos campus. Also looking for interview info.
 
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San marcos here as well. Are you guys from California?
 
I interviewed at the Florida campus in February and got accepted one week later, so I guess I'll share my "tips"' for success with you all.

Interview days are all the same, wherever you go. Dress appropriately and show up 15-20 minutes ahead of time so you can get your badge, your folder, and find a seat. You'll sit in a large auditorium and wait for the games begin. I think Erika Forrest will introduce herself, and then the program directors will introduce themselves and talk about the program.

From there,you'll go to the adjacent room and write an essay. I think you have 30 minutes. The question will be inside an envelope (don't open it until they tell you to!) inside the folder that you receive at the beginning. Bring a pencil, a small picture of yourself, and your brain. You'll have to craft a coherent essay and edit it in a short amount of time.

From there, you'll either interview with the faculty in the admin. office across the street, or you'll go back to the auditorium for questions and answers with the students. If you interview first, you'll have less time to ask students questions. Fortunately, I interviewed first so I could relax.

You'll take a tour of the campus at the end. The campus is really one large building. USA is unique in that it's not part of a larger university. It's three floors and it's all devoted to orthopedic science. I think you'll be impressed. Most programs are one small floor in a building. USA is large in comparison. The fitness center, the clinic, the lab, and the lecture halls are all in one building. Convenience was definitely one selling point, at least for me.

Afterwards, hook up with some other applicants and have drinks together. They might be your future classmates.

As for interview questions, check out other threads

Kevin
 
The USA San Marcos Campus interview is much like Kevin described. You will be separated into a few color coded groups. Depending on that, you will interview, Q&A with current students, tour the campus, and write an essay in a differing respective order.
I think the longest you can possibly be there is 2 or 2.5 hours. I don't know about drinks afterwards 🙂. Didn't have that chance.
Definitely get there early to familiarize yourself and BE CONFIDENT. I would write out a few statements prior asking yourself:
1. why you would like to be a PT/OT, PT or OT?
2. describe a time you taught something.
3. what does integrity mean to you?
4. refer to treatment/experience in diverse settings with a diverse population

Best of luck 🙂
 
I am interviewing at the San Marcos campus! Pretty excited and nervous!
 
@CristianoParese was the interview laid back? I have read multiple threads where some say it was laid back and others saying they got questions about PT politics that made them feel as if the interview was not as laid back as others. Thanks for some things to think about. I have been thinking about those, I'm just worried about the group interview. I have heard stories where another person may say the answer you were planning on saying, so I'm hoping I do not freeze up and am able to put my own twist on it.
 
@kevin - since you're starting at the florida campus in the fall, can you give any suggestions regarding housing? My daughter has an interview on the 3rd. I'm traveling with her and we plan on staying for the weekend. I was hoping to drive around and check out apartment and/or condo complexes while we are there. That way if she gets accepted we'll already be familiar with housing in the area... kill two birds with one stone.
 
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@fanpt - I feel the faculty and the other panel member tried to promote a comfortable setting. I may have had success there because I asked extra questions. Plan to make it very reciprocal. Its very much ok to make it more of a conversation. You are interviewing them as well.
By the end of the interview I was so sick and tired of the other two prospective students repeating each other. Although you may have a similar response to those who answer before you, building on their response with a little bit of your personal insight is fine. I would try not to seem competitive, what ever you do. Again, confidence is your best friend.
 
USA will usually send a list of available rooms, condos, and apartments about three months before matriculation. If you want to look at something while you're at the interview, check out Villa San Marcos and the Preserves. The Preserves is across the bridge from the school. You'll pay a little extra but it looks like a nice place to live.

Kevin
 
Thanks Kevin. We'll take a look at those.
 
Hey everyone! I have an interview ag the end of the month at the Florida campus. I've read about how there is a possibility to be asked or write abt a question involving the "politics" of PT. Can someone who has interviewed or has heard anything abt the interview process tell me how involved these questions can be? How much detail abt the politics of PT (healthcare, Medicare, ect) should I know?? Thanks!!
 
DPT25 said:
Hey everyone! I have an interview ag the end of the month at the Florida campus. I've read about how there is a possibility to be asked or write abt a question involving the "politics" of PT. Can someone who has interviewed or has heard anything abt the interview process tell me how involved these questions can be? How much detail abt the politics of PT (healthcare, Medicare, ect) should I know?? Thanks!!
Click to expand...

I just interviewed at the San Marcos Campus and actually was not asked any question related to politics. Although, I did hear some individuals had an essay that read "name a disadvantage/advantage of the healthcare system".

If asked in an interview, I'd probably talk about the Direct Access to PT services and how it's an issue and how PT's aren't respected due to their educational/clinical trainings and it doesn't help the patient who will need a referral (more costly and time consuming) and to amend the PT practice act at a state level which will allow them to provide constituents to add entry points to medical system, patients will have less timely/more cost-effective care, and giving patietns the freedom to choose their healthcare professionals
 
If we are asked in the essay portion about the advantages/disadvantages in the US healthcare system, do we talk about pre-Obama care? I know Obamacare is slowly being implemented but wasn't sure if it was wise to speak about the former health care system if asked.
 
Hopefulone13 said:
If we are asked in the essay portion about the advantages/disadvantages in the US healthcare system, do we talk about pre-Obama care? I know Obamacare is slowly being implemented but wasn't sure if it was wise to speak about the former health care system if asked.
Click to expand...

Personally, I did it all about the Healthcare system as we are implementing/when we implement Obamacare. Basically how it's shifting and what pros/cons it will cause to both the population as well as the PT's specifically. Probably the hardest question to get that day, compared to others that got "What 3 qualities are most important to being a PT?" or "Why do you want to be a PT?"

Just take a day and pre-plan an essay just for this topic.
 
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