Question 1: How many applications do you receive, interviews do you grant, and applicants do you accept in an average year?
For the class entering Fall 2021, we received just under 1000 applications, granted over 300 interviews, and seated a class of 54 students. On-campus interviews are required and we strongly encourage you to attend an on-campus Preview Day event or Information Session.
Question 2: Do you have an early decision process?
No. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program does not have an early decision process.
Question 3: How many hours of clinical experience are required prior to application?
None. However, a history of ongoing community service/involvement is an essential consideration for admission to our program, and the more hours you have, the more competitive your application will be.
Question 4: Do you give preference to California residents?
No. Although a significant portion of our student body is from California, this is merely a reflection of our overall applicant pool.
Question 5: Do you accept international students?
Yes. International students and any other applicants who are not U.S. citizens should be prepared to provide proof of legal U.S. residency at the time of application. Proof of legal U.S. residency is required prior to any offer of acceptance. Visit the international student website for more information.
Question 6: Can I transfer into your DPT program from another DPT program?
No. We do not accept transfers at this time.
Question 7: Does it matter that I’m older than your average applicant?
No. We encourage applications from qualified candidates regardless of age.
Question 8: How do I submit recommendation letters for my application?
No. Letters of recommendations are a part of the PTCAS application. Three are required: one (1) from a supervising physical therapist, one (1) from a college professor/instructor for a course you have taken, and one (1) from either another supervising physical therapist or a college professor/instructor. Please review the instructions provided on the PTCAS application site.
Question 9: May I turn in more than the required number of recommendation letters?
Yes. However, it is advisable to limit the number to one extra since a total of three well-chosen recommendations will usually paint a clear picture of the candidate, and additional recommendations will only add to the committee members’ reading time. The maximum allotted by PTCAS is five.
Question 10: How does the committee decide which applicants will be offered seats?
After the committee has interviewed all eligible candidates, they will be assigned a status: admit, alternate, or non-accept. Applicants will be notified by e-mail of their status by March of the matriculation year. There is no need to call, as applicants will be notified immediately if there is a change in their status.
Question 11: When are acceptance letters and final notifications mailed?
Most final decision letters are mailed in March.
Question 12: I am a re-applicant. How can I improve my application or my chances of being admitted?
Take a critical review of the information that you submitted and see if there are any obvious voids. For example, maybe you had one or two low grades that lowered your overall and/or prerequisite GPA, or maybe you weren’t involved in community service, or merely forgot to include it on your application. You would be surprised at how much you can learn about the strengths and weaknesses of your application simply by looking at it from an admissions perspective. If you had a low grade, especially in a prerequisite course, you should consider retaking that class, since we will recalculate your GPA with the new higher grade when we receive the new transcript. It is important to realize that sometimes there is not one obvious thing that you can change to be admitted. Every case is different and every year the competition is different. Above all else, it is important to realize that we receive applications from many highly qualified applicants each year and are only able to offer acceptances to 54. If this is the path to which you are committed, then keep trying!
Question 13: Will I be required to complete a background check?
Complete confidence in the honor and integrity of the health professions student and health care professional is essential, and students must exhibit honesty and integrity in all aspects of their life. Any prior criminal record of an applicant will be evaluated by the University as part of its determination that the applicant meets the Standards of Professional Conduct. In addition, a prior criminal record may negatively impact a student’s ability to participate in the University’s curriculum. To meet State regulations and hospital accreditation requirements, clinical facilities are requiring students to complete criminal background checks prior to beginning clinical education experiences. Some clinical facilities require a urine drug test as well. Because of this newer regulation to assure patient safety, students admitted to the Professional DPT program will be required to complete a criminal background check upon acceptance into the program. Certain convictions may prevent students from entering clinical facilities, which may hinder a student’s ability to successfully complete the DPT Professional program. If a criminal conviction or other relevant sanction is shown on the background check, clinical sites may choose not to allow a student to utilize their facilities. If applicable, we encourage you to check with the appropriate State licensing board(s) to determine whether your background may be a barrier to future licensing.
Question 14: Does the DPT program require any additional background checks or drug screening tests?
Yes, you may be required to complete an additional background check. Urine drug screens may also be required if needed for clinical education experiences or any sentinel acts. Procedures and costs for obtaining background investigations and urine drug screenings will be disseminated by the Physical Therapy Clinical Education Staff.