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How To Apply To Physical Therapy School - Newgradphysicaltherapy.comWelcome!This ebook will be your go-to guide for everything involving applying for physicaltherapy school. The application process for physical therapy school can bedaunting, with everything you have to gather and fill out. But don’t panic! You arenot alone, and hopefully, this guide helps you breathe and know you can do this!Physical Therapy School Prerequisites:Complete your prerequisites. These are the classes that you have to take in orderto apply to physical therapy graduate school. It is best to get above a C (someschools will accept at least one C) in all prerequisites. If you have a C- or lowermost schools will not accept the grade for the class. Let’s say you do have a C orlower in a class or a few classes, the best thing to do is retake the classes. This willstrengthen both your cumulative GPA and your prerequisite GPA. It will alsoshow schools that you are striving to better your grades and strengthen yourapplication.A rule of thumb is always try to have the best grades possible so youdon’t have any red flags on your application.In some cases, schools are okay with you having one C in a class. Also, be carefulwith how many times you retake a class. Some schools only allow a class to beretaken once outside of the first attempt.Take prerequisites as early as possible so that schools are not waitingon you to finish too many classes. It gives schools a clear picture ofyour grades when most of your prerequisites are done.I know that sometimes people question how many prerequisites they can have inprogress/not yet begun before applying. Well, it usually depends on the physicaltherapy school, but most schools only allow one or two classes that are inprogress/not yet begun. It is always a good idea to check the school's websiteor contact the school to find out.Here is a list of common prerequisites that most schools will require you tohave: Anatomy and Physiology (either A&P I and II OR the two classesseparately, most likely with a lab)General Biology I and II w/ labGeneral Chemistry I and II w/ labGeneral Physics I and II w/labGeneral Psychology:
How To Apply To Physical Therapy School - Newgradphysicaltherapy.com Lifespan Development Psychology OR Abnormal PsychologyEnglish class ( some require a composition English class)Math: algebra and trigonometry ( some schools may require Calculus, butdefinitely a small amount)StatisticsMedical Terminology * not all programs list this as a requirement,although it is helpful!Here is a list of recommended classes that schools sometimes list (these arejust some): Exercise PhysiologyKinesiologyNutritionMedical Terminology * not all programs list this as a requirement,although it is helpful!BiomechanicsCommunity College Courses vs. UniversityCoursesMost schools do not mind if some of your coursework has been taken at acommunity college. I know many students worry that if they take a course at acommunity college it is frowned upon. More often than not schools will allow youto take classes at a community college. There may be some physical therapyschools that require all or some classes to be taken at a 4 year University – if youare worried it is always best to ask the school you are interested in.This also goes for retaking courses:It is sometimes cheaper and more convenient to take courses at a communitycollege.ReapplicantsCheck to see how physical therapy schools will incorporate any grades youreceived in a class you retook.Observation Hours:Okay, so I know many of you may be wondering where to start. Good question!When it comes to observation hours it is good to have a variety so look in toclinics and specialties that interest you! Call these clinics or email them and let:
How To Apply To Physical Therapy School - Newgradphysicaltherapy.comthem know that you are interested in shadowing/observing a physical therapist.Once you are in contact with them it is often best to do 20-40 hours at eachlocation. Physical therapy school requirements range anywhere from 20-40hours so definitely make sure you meet each schools number of required hours! Ipersonally always did 30 hours in each setting to ensure I reached eachschool's minimum requirements. A good number of total hours to have is 100 . Why? Well it shows that you have experience in the field and a wide range ofexposure. It also will help you reach every schools minimum numberof total hours .Having observation hours from a variety of physical therapy settings isrecommended. For this, it is always good to have inpatient and outpatient hours.For an inpatient setting, an acute care hospital, skilled nursing facility (SNF), or arehabilitation hospital are all good ideas. For an outpatient setting, any clinic thatis freestanding and not a part of the above is considered outpatient.Some fields you may want to look in to are: geriatrics, pediatrics, orthopedics,women’s health, prosthetics, veterans hospital, neurological physical therapy,therapy in a school, sports rehab, and cardiovascular and pulmonary therapy.There are a wide range of specialties in physical therapy.Variety is key! Try to have experience in at least 3 settings.Make sure to let the places where you are shadowing know what kind ofexperience you are looking for. Be clear about this so that you get the most out ofyour experience! Do you want to help the therapist get supplies together so you know thenames of supplies?Do you want to be educated on what the therapist is working on with apatient?Things like that are some examples. Also let them know that you wantto specifically shadow a physical therapist. Definitely connect with patientsand get comfortable interacting with them. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Allof these tips will help you create a relationship with physical therapists youobserve, instead of just being another body in the room.Make sure to have a log where you track your hours and have the physicaltherapist sign off on the log just in case! Lastly, get reliable contact informationfrom the physical therapist who you are shadowing and if possible have abackup physical therapist that can verify your hours at the same clinic. I suggestthis because it will help you always have someone you can get into contact with,just in case things change or there is a problem. It’ll save you the headache!:
How To Apply To Physical Therapy School - Newgradphysicaltherapy.comUse these strategies to land the letter of recommendation you needand to get the most out of your experience.Letters Of Recommendation:Most physical therapy schools require you to have at least one letter from aphysical therapist and a professor in your major. It is important to check whattypes of letters of recommendation each school you are applying to requires.Make sure to ask for letters early to give those you asked enough timeto write a quality letter. 2-3 months’ notice is best!Even sending them a quick email early on asking them is a good idea so you knowwho is going to write your letters! It helps save you the headache of scramblinglast minute if someone fails to write your letter.POWER-TIP: Send them a resume with your email – this will givethem a better idea of your accomplishments.Consider the following when deciding who to ask for a letter ofrecommendation:1.2.3.4.Who is most likely to support you?Who has seen your accomplishments?Who has watched you problem solve? Who sees your characteristics?Who has seen you demonstrate integrity and compassion?It is so important to develop strong relationships with your professors and thephysical therapists that you observe/work with. You want them to see you shine,and have no question as to why you want to be a physical therapist!For my letters of recommendation I asked: My biology professor for a class that I retook at a community college. Iarrived to class early every day to ask questions. I also stayed after foropen lab to make sure I understood the material and for clarification. Ialways had questions! I also helped my fellow classmates with anythingthey struggled with. Because of all these things I knew he was the rightprofessor for me to ask. He was able to see my characteristics and wroteme an extremely strong letter.I then asked the two physical therapists I work with now- I had been hiredas a rehab aide for about three months and developed a good relationshipwith both. I helped my coworkers with anything I saw they needed. I wasprompt and early to work. I interacted with all the patients I worked with.:
How To Apply To Physical Therapy School - Newgradphysicaltherapy.com I asked tons of questions to learn. I always remained positive and tried toput patients I worked with at ease. The physical therapists at my job sawthis and were able to write strong letters of recommendation for me!The last person I asked to write me a letter was a mentor I had for aboutfour years. She was the Director of the Latino Resource Center on campus.She saw my growth as a student; the good and struggles I had. She alsopushed me to become a better student and to never give up on pursuingmy dreams. She was there every step of the way throughout my collegecareer. This individual was also able to write a strong letter ofrecommendation.These are just some examples from my own experience. I know that somestudents worry about only knowing a therapist or professor for a short amount oftime, but if you really show who you are then there is no doubt that you can makea lasting impression! I only knew my Biology professor for the 5 weeks of thesummer class, and I only knew the physical therapists I asked for 3 months so itcan be done! Be you and you’ll flourish!Taking The GRE:I am definitely not the best at standardized test taking. But I did my research onwhat the best ways to study were and what materials to use. I will share with youwhat worked for me. Study for two months at a minimum, for at least two hours a day.Take multiple practice tests to get better at taking the test.Study in a quiet environment that does not have any distractions for you. Icouldn’t study at home so I would go to the library, park, or café.Study materials:o Manhattan Prep GRE series for the quantitative portion and the analyticalwriting portion.o Magoosh.com for the text completion and reading comprehension.o Magoosh GRE Vocab Flashcard app for my phone and tablet (its free!)o I also used Quizlet.com to create my own flashcards and used their games theycreate from your flashcards to learn the words in different waysThe test can be really intimidating, but don’t stress! You will do well if you havethe right materials for your study habits and are diligent.:
How To Apply To Physical Therapy School - Newgradphysicaltherapy.comTry to score a combined score of 300 and a 4.0 on the analyticalwriting portion. Let’s say you score below this try to retake it to scorea little higher. You can also apply to schools that do not weigh theGRE heavily. BUT always put your best foot forward and do the bestyou can on the test. Some schools weigh the test heavily, or will use itas a positive if your GPAs are low.Extracurricular Activities/ Volunteer Experience/ Research InUndergrad:Make a list of all your extracurricular activities and volunteer experience. Itliterally can be anything you have done! All of these things give schools insightinto who you are. Many schools like to see volunteer experience because theirprogram gives back to the community. It also shows that you are committed togiving back to others so it’s a great thing! I know many people worry that theirextracurriculars are not pre-pt club or things like that – that is okay. Or manypeople may not have much extracurricular or volunteer experience at all do towork – this is also okay. Schools just like to see that you were active in some waythroughout college.Schools want to see that you can handle a tough course load whiledoing an extracurricular activity, volunteering, or working.As an example, my undergraduate profile looked like this:I was active in organizations that did not align with physical therapy: a women’sgroup on campus and an honors society and a few more.I worked many on campus and off campus jobs throughout my college yearsincluding work: As a tour guideAs a ticketing manager for events at schoolIn housing and diningAt the physical therapy clinic at my universityAt a rental agency.I also participated in various leadership conferences on campus.Getting involved in research is a great option for many students. It provides thefollowing: MentorshipCritical thinking skillsWriting skills:
How To Apply To Physical Therapy School - Newgradphysicaltherapy.com Furthering your knowledge of the fieldLearning about what needs need to be filled in your professionHow to conduct researchThese are just some of the skills you can gain!I personally loved the experiences that I had with research. I gained wonderfulmentors in the field of physical therapy who have offered me professional andacademic advice for years now. I also learned about what my passion is. It openedso many doors for me, and taught me many things.I participated in many research opportunities in undergrad, some including: Pediatrics and how parents can be incorporated in to their therapy.Concussion management in little league sportsThe availability of physical therapy in lower income communitiesIf you are wondering how to get involved with research, go ahead and commentbelow or contact us.All of these things were in my application. I learned from each and everyopportunity. So make sure to include your experiences!Essays:For the essay portion of your application, there are 3 types of essays you maycome across: personal statement, supplemental essays, and a reapplicant essay.For the personal statement, you want to focus on you. Often times students getcarried away with what they learned from others, rather than writing about howthe experience shaped them into the type of physical therapist they want to be. Orstudents may write about how they became interested in physical therapythrough an injury. This may be how you became interested in physical therapy,but what else furthered your passion for it? What else helped you learn aboutphysical therapy? Be sure to include these experiences. Admissions committeestend to see a lot of the same kind of essays – so make yours unique. Let them seewho you are in the essay! This is so important because programs want to get toknow the students who are applying. This is especially important if the programdoes not conduct interviews, because your essay will be what gives them a senseof who you are. Also, make sure to answer the question as well, and do somebackground research on the question if there is a quote or statement. This willhelp you organize your thoughts and have a better understanding of what thequestion is asking.:
How To Apply To Physical Therapy School - Newgradphysicaltherapy.comSupplemental essays are other essay prompts that a specific physical therapyprogram will want you to write about. This may give the program more insight towho you are, so these essays are also important. Many of the tips listed above forthe personal statement will apply here too. Make sure to put time and effort in tothese as well.The re-applicant essay is only for students who are reapplying to a program thatthey applied to the previous year. This essay will give the program insight onwhat you have done to improve your application since last applying. Make sure tolet them know the exact things you’ve done! This is your time to show them thatyou took their advice into account and made improvements!*Make sure to have more than one person read your essay. Mentors,professors, friends, and the writing center at school are great sourcesto review your essays!Make A List Of PT Schools That Match The Stats On Your Application:This will be one of the most important pieces of advice that I can giveyou.Many students make this mistake and I want to help you not do the same! Imyself did this and learned from it. Make sure to apply to schools whoseminimum requirements you meet. This will save you time, money, aheadache, and a rejection letter from that school. How can you do this? Look at your GPAs to make sure your prerequisite GPA and cumulativeGPA meet the minimum for the particular program you are interested in.Most schools require a 300 combined score or above on the GRE. So makesure that you meet the score requirement for that school.Make sure to have the required observation hours in each setting that theschool requires.Make sure to have recommendation letters from each person that a PTschool specifies.Make sure to have the required classes that the school has listed asprerequisites.How can you be strategic, especially if you have a low GPA or GREscore? Start at the PTCAS website under their program directory tabhere : http://www.ptcas.org/Directory/They list PT schools by state or alphabetically. There is also a list ofschools who do not use the PTCAS application system.:
How To Apply To Physical Therapy School - Newgradphysicaltherapy.com Look into [ER3] schools that have a lower required GPA that is aroundyours.Look into PT schools that will allow you to replace a low grade with aretake grade if you retook a class (this will make your GPA higher).Look into PT schools that use your last 60 credit hours as one of theirGPAs they look at. This works for students because sometimes this GPAtends to be higher.Look into PT schools that do not require the GRE.Look into PT schools that do not have a minimum score requirement forthe GRE.Earn more observation hours in different settings.Gain super strong letters of recommendation.Write a strong personal statement.APPLY EARLY!Contact the PT schools you are interested and find out what yourstats/application looks like compared to students accepted in the past.This will give you an idea of what the school looks for if you are unsure ofwhether or not you should apply.Attend graduate school fairs at your school. This will allow you to talk todifferent representatives from various schools.What should I look for when applying to a school? Many times students will use a ranking list for PT schools. These rankinglists should not be all you use to determine which school to apply to. Oftentimes the ranking lists are surveys that are conducted –which does notprovide actual information about the physical therapy school ranking. So itis important to do your own research.See if the PT schools you are looking into have scholarships.Check to see what the faculty is like and if they have interests that alignwith yours.Is the location somewhere you can see yourself?What are their graduation rates?What are their passing rates on the NPTE?How long are their clinicals?How supportive of an environment is it?What is the cost of attendance?What other opportunities does the school offer (electives, study abroadetc.)?A Few More Things To Consider: First and foremost, make sure to apply as early as possible! Thismeans you should try to get your application in as early as July –August.This is the best time because it puts you in front of the admissions:
How To Apply To Physical Therapy School - Newgradphysicaltherapy.com committees early on. Especially if a school offers rolling admission. If yourstats are not too competitive this is a good time to apply as well.Sometimes applying this early may not be possible or you have a laterdeadline for a school. My advice is to contact the school and find out if it istoo late to apply. This will help save you money because sometimesschools fill up their classes and your application will not be looked at – thisdoesn’t always happen so like I said it is always best to contact the school!IF a school has a later FIRM deadline (aka, not a rolling admission: theschool will not look at applications until after this deadline) then you maybe able to get away with applying at a later date. But still early is best!Make sure to save money before applying. I say this because theapplication process can be extremely expensive when all is said and done.Since you have to pay for transcripts, the GRE, GRE scores to be sent, andevery school you apply to it is best to have some money saved up!Not every school offers scholarships –but check and see which ones do!This is very helpful when it comes to high tuition prices. I would also ask ifschool offer TA or work-study positions for students because this will giveyou some spending money and sometimes a tuition waiver!Make connections with the schools you are applying to! Email admissionsrepresentatives if you have questions; this will make your name stick out,as well as show your interest in the program. DO NOT BE AFRAID TOASK QUESTIONS!Have a mentor. Mentors are great and can offer you good advice. Theyare a great source especially when it comes to reading over your essays,networking, and helping you navigate your academic career.Tour schools if you can! This helps admission representatives put aface to a name. It allows you to get a feel for the school, ask your questionsin person, and figure out if it is somewhere you would like to attend. It isalso a great time to interact with current students from that program!I really hope all of this has helped you and made you feel more confident aboutapplying to physical therapy school. These are all things that I have learned overthe past few years from applying and finally getting into physical therapy school!I know the road can be tough and overwhelming –but the finish line is so worthit! So hang in there, and make your application shine!Let me know if you have any questions!Chloe:
Physical Therapy School Prerequisites: Complete your prerequisites. These are the classes that you have to take in order to apply to physical therapy graduate school. It is best to get above a C (some schools will accept at least one C) in all prerequisites. If you have a C- or lower most schools will not accept the grade for the class.
