What would be considered a competitive PT application look like?

[Maddie422]

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^^ WOW...I just realized I totally messed up my title for this...Tried to edit it...Won't let me ^^

Hello everyone!

I just recently decided to switch from being Pre-Med to Pre-PT. I decided that though I'd be very much capable of going through med school...I really don't want to spend eternity being a student/resident 🙂 When I decided to go Pre-Med, I knew I was interested in orthopedics. I'm really interested the structure of the human body and how it moves and operates. So obviously physical therapy was the first thing I thought of when I was considering other medical professions besides being an MD. I'm transferring to a four year university in the fall and I've decided to be an exercise physiology major (I was a biology major). I'm really into my health, working out, and from the reading I've done it seems to be an extremely popular major for Pre-PT students and is the most applicable major to physical therapy in general.

What would be considered a competitive application for someone who is applying to a doctor of physical therapy program? Ex: GPA, GRE, etc...My current cumulative GPA from the community college I'm attending is a 3.4. But I'm expecting to bring that way up. My current science GPA is a 4.0. Also, how many observation hours is considered competitive? Thanks it advanced to anyone who responds! 😀

 

[pubicsymphysis]

Haha. Welcome to the world of PT. Just as you stated GPA, GRE, observation hours are very important. By the looks of it your GPA, it is solid. It really depends which school you apply to. Each schools will have their own set of GPA and GRE minimum and average acceptance. My advice would be get as much hours, good GPA, and GRE score of 150/150 4.0 +. And apply early 🙂 good luck!

 

[nicolej5]

Also, how many observation hours is considered competitive? Thanks it advanced to anyone who responds! 😀

It varies. Some schools require them, some don't. Just because you get 500 hours doesn't mean you will get accepted. It's really about the whole application. I got 108 total in 3 different settings and have acceptances so that worked for me. Of course, get as many as your schedule allows, but don't stress about it. I would shoot for 100-150. I think that shows a good amount of commitment and interest. Let the rest of your application do the talking for you. Good luck,

 

[PThopeful89]

I would suggest looking into what schools you may consider. To narrow down the list of hundreds, maybe look at all the in-state schools in your state or just some dream schools/locations. After you have a few schools in mind I would make a spreadsheet to compare average/competitive GPA's, GRE's, etc. To get this info I would go to the PTCAS website: http://www.ptcas.org/home.aspx . Then go to the Program Directory and go from there. If PTCAS does not have the info you are looking for check the program's website and/or e-mail/contact the school and they should be able to help.

Every school is different and every applicant is different, so it is hard to say for certain what is considered "competitive". Sorry for the vague response.

 

[gray0620]

It all depends on the school. Certain school score the different components of your application higher than others.

 

[DPTHopeful2012]

^^ WOW...I just realized I totally messed up my title for this...Tried to edit it...Won't let me ^^

Hello everyone!

I just recently decided to switch from being Pre-Med to Pre-PT. I decided that though I'd be very much capable of going through med school...I really don't want to spend eternity being a student/resident 🙂 When I decided to go Pre-Med, I knew I was interested in orthopedics. I'm really interested the structure of the human body and how it moves and operates. So obviously physical therapy was the first thing I thought of when I was considering other medical professions besides being an MD. I'm transferring to a four year university in the fall and I've decided to be an exercise physiology major (I was a biology major). I'm really into my health, working out, and from the reading I've done it seems to be an extremely popular major for Pre-PT students and is the most applicable major to physical therapy in general.

What would be considered a competitive application for someone who is applying to a doctor of physical therapy program? Ex: GPA, GRE, etc...My current cumulative GPA from the community college I'm attending is a 3.4. But I'm expecting to bring that way up. My current science GPA is a 4.0. Also, how many observation hours is considered competitive? Thanks it advanced to anyone who responds! 😀

I would research your in-state schools first and look up their requirements for applying. You can go to www.ptcas.org and you can visit each school's website. Most schools have on their website what a competitive application is. I did this 2 years ago when I decided I wanted to go to PT school, then I spent the next 2 years making sure I looked competitive when I applied. Good luck!

 

[NewTestament]

Regardless of the what PTCAS or the schools' web-sites say, just do you best in all your classes and on your GRE. Learn how to answer typical interview questions, get some quality observation hours, and obtain three or four good LORs. You're not going to be able to please every school. Apply to the schools you'd want to go to, and see what happens. Don't apply to schools you don't want to go to just because you think you'd have a better chance there. You could waste a lot of time trying to make the perfect application, which in fact doesn't exist. If you find that an ideal application is a 3.5 pre-req GPA, are you going to aim for 3.5 when you could really get a 3.7?

Kevin