Taboos

[Azimuthal]

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Hi all,
It's about half way through this cycle. Congrats to those who have received acceptances and good luck to those who are waiting for response(s) or on wait lists. Since many of you have recently experienced how competitive the PT field has gotten, let's list and discuss some things that you believe are "taboos" in the application process. I'll start.

[2012]
APP
None, other than not starting early enough.

OBSERVATION HOURS
No diversity.
Not engaging the PT. The PT must know you. See LoRs.

LoRs
Thinking the LoR on PTCAS is just submitting a "letter". See below.

Not looking at the format. There are numerous traits that are ranked numerically and an "optional" written section in the bottom. Asking for a letter from someone who does not know you that well to "rank" you on these traits can be disastrous. E.g. "The student has demonstrated strong critical thinking skills". Rank (lowest) 1 - 5 (highest), or NOB (not observed). An NOB is pretty bad. It may show that your letter writer doesn't know much about you at all.

ESSAYS
Not brain storming. You're wasting more writer's block time than anything.

Not answering the main essay Q or straying from the main topic. Explaining low grades. They will have your PTCAS reported grades so I don't even see a point in mentioning anything within the essay. There is a section within PTCAS that asks if you think your GPA is representative of your academic strength. You can explain your situations there.

Not having people critique your essay. When your buddy hands back your essay, tells you it's good and made a few spelling corrections - keep that essay circulating. You need cold, honest and beneficial constructive criticism. "It's good" won't cut it. Ask people to read the essay question and see if the essay answered the question and remained on topic. Comparing PT to other health programs is good. It shows that you explored other professions, HOWEVER, don't let it take up too much room or stray you from the main points of the essay. I read a few dozen essays last year and nicolej5's stood out. It was clear, structured, answered the question, sentences varied and flowed nicely.

INTERVIEWS
Cliche answers. Believe it or not, people think rehearsing answers is the way to go. Know why you want PT, the PT profession, the school you chose and most importantly, know how to clearly verbalized what you're thinking.

Not pausing to think through your answer. This is okay. It's a good thing.

Not sending a thank you note. (Can't hurt?)

 

[situational]

I think the diversity in the observation hours is a big one. I applied this cycle with about 150 hours at a general outpatient clinic. From what I've seen from successful applicants, hours would instead be spread out - say, 50 orthopedics / 50 outpatient / 50 sports.

When asking for a letter of reference, I gave the person everything about me, including my own personal statement and transcripts. I think it helps allow them to understand who you are and what your motivations are, instead of just "Hello Professor X, I was a student who did well in your class a semester or two ago, can you write me a letter for Y profession?"

I agree with the advice about interviews. When you honestly know why you're there interviewing for DPT, and know your application inside and out, you answer any question and the words just flow. Regurgitating a rehearsed answer makes you sound robotic and fake. If you speak honestly, the interviewers will get to know the real you.

Some schools and interviewers want to see if you know a little bit more about the profession. Make sure you know why direct access is a current issue in the physical therapy field, and well as the ongoing problems with clinical education.

 

[adh28]

I had time as an aide in outpatient ortho. and some inpatient hours. I would recommend getting more diversity though (SNF, neuro, peds. etc)

LOR should be some one who does indeed know you on a personal level. I could have prepped better by developing deeper relationships with professors at the university (helping in research, office hours, etc.) but lucked out by being a friendly person and engaged student.

Knowing the PT profession, why it is right for you the applicant, and really researching the school you are interviewing at is huge! I felt these were deciding factors that helped push me over the top!

Genuinely being interested in the PT profession and surrounding influences (healthcare, research, etc.) I believe are shown in your application directly or indirectly. If you know PT is for you, then live it!

 

[Azimuthal]

Not all PTs are familiar with PTCAS. I hear that it's the PTs who are more prone to giving out mediocre LoRs due to the ranking criteria. It's hard to have a PT observe your "critical thinking" skills on the floor, especially when they are busy with patients. Professors usually know the rigor of their course and what grade you received, therefor tend to be more liberal. I have been told of a student observer not taking constructive feedback well, failed to improve their attitude, but repeatedly asked for a LoR after being told no. That's a scary mistake because when the PT eventually said yes, the numbers didn't look too good.

 

[nicolej5]

nicolej5's stood out. It was clear, structured, answered the question, sentences varied and flowed nicely.

Well thank you!! I would add to the taboo list even though it's not strictly dealing with applications: taking your interviewer's expressions and reactions to your questions and assuming you got in/didn't get accepted based on that. For two of my interviews, I had an interviewer that looked at me like I had just skinned a newborn baby and I though "oh **** I'm screwed" but I guess that was just their "look" and I got accepted to both programs. Relax, I think we tend to over analyze everything in the process.

 

[NewTestament]

I read a few dozen essays last year and nicolej5's stood out. It was clear, structured, answered the question, sentences varied and flowed nicely.

INTERVIEWS
Cliche answers. Believe it or not, people think rehearsing answers is the way to go. Know why you want PT, the PT profession, the school you chose and most importantly, know how to clearly verbalized what you're thinking.

Not pausing to think through your answer. This is okay. It's a good thing.

Not sending a thank you note. (Can't hurt?)

Students who major in science are atrocious writers. That's my conclusion. That's why they're majoring in science. The thing is, you still have to know how to write, express your thoughts, and use proper grammar. I've read essays (on this forum and elsewhere) where the writer clearly didn't know how to organize his/her thoughts. Many essays lack coherence, don't have a clear objective, and go on and on. The tone is wrong. Grammar is incorrect. There is no introduction or conclusion. They're just a complete mess. As poor as my application was, I think one thing that made me stand out was the ability to communicate. If you do well in science classes, and have good writing skills too, you're ahead of the game!

Please do not say, "I want to help people" at your interview. That's the most cliche, boring answer. Be a social worker if you want to "help" people, or offer your time to tutor at the library. I bet schools rarely hear the applicant who says, "I want a job that makes me think all the time." That's a good answer.

Kevin

 

[irene411]

Students who major in science are atrocious writers. That's my conclusion. That's why they're majoring in science. The thing is, you still have to know how to write, express your thoughts, and use proper grammar. I've read essays (on this forum and elsewhere) where the writer clearly didn't know how to organize his/her thoughts. Many essays lack coherence, don't have a clear objective, and go on and on. The tone is wrong. Grammar is incorrect. There is no introduction or conclusion. They're just a complete mess. As poor as my application was, I think one thing that made me stand out was the ability to communicate. If you do well in science classes, and have good writing skills too, you're ahead of the game!

Please do not say, "I want to help people" at your interview. That's the most cliche, boring answer. Be a social worker if you want to "help" people, or offer your time to tutor at the library. I bet schools rarely hear the applicant who says, "I want a job that makes me think all the time." That's a good answer.

Kevin

"Students who major in science are atrocious writers"
Wow, have you met EVERY science major or read their essays to make that conclusion? Just because you read a few things here and there does not mean you have to generalize science majors as "atrocious" writers.

 

[Azimuthal]

"Students who major in science are atrocious writers"
Wow, have you met EVERY science major or read their essays to make that conclusion? Just because you read a few things here and there does not mean you have to generalize science majors as "atrocious" writers.

It was actually a pick up line. Looks like you two should PM now. 👍

 

[NewTestament]

"Students who major in science are atrocious writers"
Wow, have you met EVERY science major or read their essays to make that conclusion? Just because you read a few things here and there does not mean you have to generalize science majors as "atrocious" writers.

It seems to be the general trend, but not always true of course. I remember proofreading my classmates' work while an undergraduate (I was with science majors) and couldn't believe it. Doesn't it make sense that if your writing skills are poor that you'll gravitate towards majors that don't require as much writing?

But like you said, passing your essay to a buddy who doesn't want to give you constructive criticism, and then assuming it's okay, is not a good idea. Find someone who's going to be honest.

Kevin