Virtual vs. In-Person PT School Interviews
The interview landscape for DPT programs is no longer one-size-fits-all. Some programs are fully virtual, some require in-person attendance, some offer a choice…
How to Prepare for PT School Interviews
Getting a PT school interview invitation is a significant milestone. At most programs, fewer than half of applicants are invited, and at some, the number is muc…
Building a Competitive Applicant Profile
Meeting the minimum requirements for DPT programs is not enough to get accepted. In the 2021-2022 PTCAS cycle, 284 programs received a total of 94,977 applicati…
Early Decision vs. Regular Decision for PT School
Timing matters in the PTCAS application process, but "early decision" in PT school admissions does not work the way most applicants assume. The landscape includ…
The Real Cost of Applying to PT School
One of the things that catches applicants off guard is how quickly the costs of applying to PT school add up. Between PTCAS fees, transcripts, the GRE, suppleme…
How to Find Physical Therapy Observation Sites
Finding observation sites is one of the most stressful parts of the pre-PT process. Clinics do not advertise openings for observers, hospitals have bureaucratic…
PTCAS Application Timeline: Month-by-Month Checklist
The PTCAS application process spans months, and poor timing is one of the most preventable reasons applications run into trouble. Verification takes weeks, tran…
Show, Don't Tell: How to Write a Personal Statement That Actually Connects
"Show, don't tell" is the most repeated advice for personal statements, but most applicants do not understand what it actually means or why it works. The differ…
The GRE for PT School: Do You Still Need It?
The GRE was once a standard requirement for nearly every DPT program. That landscape has shifted significantly in recent years, with a growing number of program…
How to Retake Prerequisite Courses Strategically
Retaking a prerequisite course is one of the most common strategies for strengthening a PT school application, but it is not always straightforward. PTCAS has s…
10 Tips for a Strong PTCAS Application
After years of advising applicants and talking with admissions committee members, here are ten strategies that consistently make a difference. These go beyond g…
What Admissions Committees Actually Look For
Understanding how admissions committees actually evaluate applications helps you invest your time where it matters most. The process is more nuanced than most a…
Writing a Personal Statement That Stands Out
Your personal statement is one of the few parts of your PTCAS application where you speak directly to the admissions committee. It cannot fix a low GPA or repla…
How to Ask for a Strong Letter of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation carry real weight in PT school admissions, accounting for roughly 10-15% of the overall application evaluation at many programs. For b…
A Beginner's Guide to Observation Hours
Observation hours are one of the most important parts of your PT school application, and one of the most confusing. How many do you need? Where do you find site…
Understanding PT School Prerequisites
Every DPT program sets its own prerequisite requirements, and the variation between programs is one of the most confusing parts of the application process. Some…
How to Choose the Right DPT Program
With 297 CAPTE-accredited and candidacy DPT programs in the United States (277 fully accredited plus 20 in candidacy), narrowing down your list can feel overwhe…