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Consult the to view a list of accredited Physical Therapy Program and the requirements and admission statistics for the 175+ Physical Therapy programs.

For many Physical Therapy programs, all prerequisite courses must be completed by the time of application. For example, if an applicant applied in the summer following their junior year, all pre-requisite requirements would need to be completed by the end of the junior year. Many programs also require that no pre-requisite course have a grade lower than a C, a minimum GPA requirement and a certain amount of observation/shadowing hours.

Four-year plan includes pre-requisite courses required to apply to the Minnesota PT programs.

Physical Therapy: Four Year Plan

Four Year Plans for common majors of PT students at Â鶹ÊÓƵ

ANY undergraduate major is acceptable, as long as you fulfill the PT programs pre-requisite requirements

Consult the to view a list of accredited Physical Therapy Program and the requirements and admission statistics for the 175+ Physical Therapy programs.

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test that is part of the admissions process for many graduate schools. 

Sections on the :

• Verbal Reasoning — Measures your ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it, analyze relationships among component parts of sentences and recognize relationships among words and concepts.
• Quantitative Reasoning — Measures problem-solving ability, focusing on basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis.
• Analytical Writing — Measures critical thinking and analytical writing skills, specifically your ability to articulate and support complex ideas clearly and effectively.
• .

(Free and for purchase GRE Test Prep Materials)

The physical therapist centralized application service (PTCAS) provided by APTA, allows you to apply to multiple physical therapist education programs with one application and set of resources.

First week in July PTCAS application opens

Mid- July PTCAS applicant data available to programs

First week in August PTCAS application data to PT schools

Personal Statements are an important part of a graduate and professional school application. A personal statement is your opportunity to bring your individual voice and personality to your application, and its purpose is to convince the reader that you are an ideal candidate to enter the program.
You need to show evidence that you have the research skills, mindset, and scholarly interest to succeed.

You need to review the particular health profession programs that you plan to apply and letter requirements for each particular program. The number of letters accepted may vary and whom the letters need to be written by may also vary by program.

Allopathic Medicine MD — AMCAS centralized application (10 total allowed)
Recommend three or four total: one or two science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Physician (MD), work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Osteopathic Medicine DO — AACOM centralized application (Unlimited allowed; not yet in centralized application)
Recommended three or four total: one or two science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Doctor of Osteopathic medicine preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Physician Assistant — CASPA centralized application (3 total allowed)
Recommended: one science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Physician assistant preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Dental — AADSAS centralized application (4 total allowed)
Recommended: one or two science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Dentist preferred/or or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Pharmacy — PharmCAS centralized application (4 total allowed)
Recommended: one or two science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Pharmacist preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Veterinary — VMCAS centralized application (3 VMCAS evaluations allowed)
Recommended: one science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Veterinarian preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Physical Therapy — PTCAS centralized application (4 total allowed)
Recommended: one or two science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Physical Therapist preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Occupational Therapy — OTCAS centralized application (3 total allowed)
Recommended: one science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Occupational Therapist preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc.

Develop a relationship and connect with your faculty and supervisors EARLY in your college career. It is important that you start building relationships early in your college career (freshman year). Waiting until your junior or senior year to start making connections will result in a forced and shallow relationship. Making a strong connection early on will allow potential letter-writers to get to know you on a personal level, witness your growth over a period of time and ultimately develop the basis for writing a more compelling letter.

Selecting who will write your letters is an important decision. While it is important who the letter writer is, it is equally important what the writer has to say. The writer needs to offer additional information to complete and complement what you have already shared through your application materials. Do not select a writer simply because they hold an important position, "like you" or you "like them." Rather, select a writer that has a basis (evidence) for being able to write a letter that can make a strong case for the strengths you exhibit. Have a balanced approach to selecting your writers; select writers that know you from different areas to give the selection committee a well rounded look at you as an applicant.

When asking for a letter, make an appointment to meet in person (if at all possible).

Before designating your writers, schedule an appointment with each potential writers to let them know why you want to go into this particular health field and explain to them why you think their perspective of you as an individual will best support yours application. Be sure to share when the letter is needed, and ask if they would be able and willing to write a strong letter of recommendation.

Give letter writers plenty of advance notice, recommended (a month or even two).

Make sure that your writer knows your timeline for applying and when you are hoping to have their letter submitted.

Allow the person the option of saying NO. You need a strong letter and if the person is hesitant or uncomfortable or does not have enough time, you will NOT get a strong letter. Most likely it will be generic, short and weak. LISTEN to what the person is telling you. It is much better to have them be honest and to avoid a weak letter, so that you can identify someone different to write you a strong letter.

• Complete the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Letter of Recommendation Online Form
• During the Centralized Application process print off or email the Letter Request Form to your letter writers with directions and information about how to upload and submit the letter.
  • For Medical School Applicants: AAMC Guidelines for Writing a Letter of Evaluation
• Friendly reminders about your letter are helpful, but do not pester/annoy them. Interpersonal interactions and effective communication skills are things that your writer will most likely be referencing.

Waiving your right to access the letter

Highly recommended you waive your right to access the reference letter. If you mark, "I do NOT waive my right to access this reference letter," the person writing the reference will know that you will be able to view the letter. Waiving your right indicates to programs that your reference will be more honest and candid in their remarks. If you choose to NOT waive your right, you may be asked to explain your decision during interview(s).

Follow-through expectations

Write a thank you note to each letter writer.

Email, call or stop by and let your writers know when you get accepted and where you have decided to attend school and thank them again for their assistance, support, encouragement and overall effort.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ does not have a pre-health committee or pre-health advisor that writes a committee letter. Three different types of letters can be sent to AMCAS; at Â鶹ÊÓƵ the method used is an individual letter written by one author. Below is a description of the types of letters that can be forwarded to AMCAS on your behalf.

Individual Letter: An individual letter refers to a letter authored by, and representing, a single letter writer. (Method at Â鶹ÊÓƵ- Individual Letter. Typically one science faculty, one non-science faculty, and one "other").

Committee Letter: A committee letter is a letter authored by a pre-health committee or pre-health advisor and intended to represent your institution's evaluation of you. A committee letter may or may not include additional letters written in support of your application.

Letter Packet: A packet or set of letters assembled and distributed by your institution, often by the institutions career center. A Letter Packet may include a cover sheet from your pre-health committee or advisor; however, in contrast to a Committee Letter, a Letter Packet does not include an evaluative letter from your pre-health committee or advisor.

A physical therapist (PT) provides services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disability of patients with injuries or disease. They work directly with their patients, but also closely along with other health care professions, to restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and wellness for healthier and more active lifestyles. There is no "typical" patient; PTs may work with accident victims, fractures, head injuries, arthritis, heart disease, and cerebral palsy. Physical therapy is a very autonomous career. PTs determine a diagnosis, prognosis, and implement a specific and individualized plan of care in order to restore the patient's ability to be independent and reintegrate into the community or workplace after an injury or illness.

Occupational therapists (OT) help individuals achieve independence and improve one's ability to perform activities of daily life (ADLs) and self-care. For example, OT's may help patients learn to dress themselves, brush their teeth, or comb their hair after a stroke or illness that has severely weakened their arms. Physical therapists (PT), on the other hand, focus on the large motor groups that contribute to walking, reaching, standing, and physical activities. They work on strength, balance, range of motion, and swelling as well as pain to encourage independence. It is important to note that many times the two will collaborate very closely with one another in order to provide the best care for the patient.

Many physical therapists practice in hospitals. However, more than 80% work in other settings, such as: acute care, rehab/sub-rehab clinics, private practice, schools, nursing homes, and many more.

The vast majority of schools in the United States have transitioned to a Doctorate level degree in physical therapy (PT). The length of professional DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) programs is typically 3 years. Primary content areas in the curriculum may include, but are not limited to, biology/anatomy, cellular histology, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, behavioral sciences, communication, and ethics/values. 80% of the DPT curriculum comprises of classroom (didactic) and lab study, and the remaining 20% is dedicated to clinical education. PT students spend on average 27.5 weeks in their final clinical experience. 

Your salary as a physical therapist largely depends on the area in which you practice, however, the average median salary is estimated at $76,310 with an excellent job outlook.