PTCAS INFORMATION SESSION
2012-13 Admissions Cycle
Disclaimer
The slide show is intended to provide an
overview of PTCAS and NOT be a substitute
for the full instructions.
You are responsible for reviewing and following
all PTCAS and program-specific instructions.
What Is PTCAS?
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The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service
(PTCAS) allows applicants to use one application and
set of materials to apply to 160 PT programs.
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PTCAS is a service of APTA and is administered by
Liaison International in Watertown, MA.
2012-13 Application
The PTCAS application for the 2013
entering class launched on JULY 2,
2012
Professional Behavior
PT applicants are expected to act
professionally in all of their dealings with
PTCAS and the physical therapist programs,
and to properly follow instructions and meet
deadlines.
Responsibility, respect, good judgment, and
cooperation are qualities valued by the PT
profession. Applicants are expected to
demonstrate these qualities beginning with the
application process.
REQUIRED Materials
You must submit the items to PTCAS before your file will be processed
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PTCAS Application
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All Official U.S. Transcripts
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Correct PTCAS Fee
Arrange for materials to arrive at PTCAS by the program’s deadline.
Once “complete”, file will enter the queue for verification.
Processing may take up to 4-5 weeks once your file is complete.
Other Materials Accepted by PTCAS
IF REQUIRED by
PT program,
submit items to
PTCAS.
Materials Sent Directly to Program
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Supplemental Application
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Supplemental Fee
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Original Foreign Transcripts
Reapplying to PTCAS?
Applicants who reapply through PTCAS can have some of their application materials
carried over. Re-applicants must have "mailed" status in the current cycle to be eligible.
PTCAS will pull the following documents and sections forward:
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All U.S. coursework and transcripts
Contact information
Personal information
Background information
Unofficial test scores
Extracurricular activities
Honors
Work experiences
Professional licenses and certificates
Foreign transcript evaluations
Unofficial TOEFL scores.
Re-applicants will have the ability to edit their application (except previously verified
coursework), enter updated information, and change PT program designations in the new
application.
Changes to the GRE
Due to changes in the GRE in 2011, programs may require or
prefer that you to take "GRE® revised General Test".
GRE® General Test = Testing on or before JULY 31, 2011
GRE® REVISED General Test = Testing on or after AUGUST 1, 2011
Visit PTCAS Web site to determine whether GRE is
required for admission and requirements:
http://www.ptcas.org/Tests/
Submit Official GRE Scores
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Request Official GRE Scores
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Enter GRE Scores on PTCAS Application
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Use correct GRE code for PT Program
Scores MAY also go to PTCAS, depending on GRE code
Do not mix and match scores from different dates
Enter planned GRE test dates
PTCAS Will NOT…
“verify” official scores against unofficial scores
 “hold” files for missing GRE scores
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Submit U.S. Transcripts to PTCAS
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Enter ALL colleges & universities attended
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4-Year Institutions
Community Colleges
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Print PTCAS transcript request form for each
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Registrar sends one official transcript to PTCAS
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Encourage registrar to include PTCAS transcript request form
Do NOT send student-issued transcripts
Enter All U.S. Courses on Application
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Use a personal copy of transcripts to complete section
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Do NOT enter courses from memory
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Enter all courses on US transcripts, including…
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Credit earned due to AP/CLEP/IB exams
Audited
Deferred
Institutional/Departmental Exam
Incomplete
Pass/Fail
Withdrawn (WP or WF)
If significant errors, PTCAS will “undeliver” application
Academic Update (AU)
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Enter updated summer & fall 2012 grades
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Send updated 2012 transcripts to PTCAS as soon as available
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Academic Update Dates:
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Dec 12 – AU OPENS. No edits to coursework until AU is open to you.
Jan 16 – Priority deadline for updated transcripts to PTCAS.
Feb 15, 2013 – AU CLOSES. No edits to courses after this date.
Feb 15, 2013 – Final deadline to submit AU transcripts to PTCAS.
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You can update your coursework only ONCE.
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PTCAS will send updated courses & GPAs to programs.
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Set of Transcripts
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If accepted to a PT program,
submit official transcripts directly
to institution before you enroll.
PTCAS cannot forward your
transcripts to a PT program for
this purpose.
Canadian Courses
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Enter any Canadian courses on application
Determine program requirements for Canadian
transcripts
PTCAS will NOT…
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verify Canadian courses
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include Canadian courses in GPAs
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hold for missing Canadian transcripts
Foreign Transcript Evaluations
IF REQUIRED BY THE PT PROGRAM
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Arrange for course-by-course foreign transcript evaluation to be sent to PTCAS
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BEGIN EARLY! It may take 4-6 weeks for agency to complete evaluation
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PT program may specify a particular agency
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If received, PTCAS mails copy to your designated program(s)
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Foreign evaluations are NOT required for “Study-abroad”
Some PT programs require ORIGINAL foreign
transcripts to be sent directly to the institution.
References
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Send up to 4 references to PTCAS
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Electronic references preferred
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Reference requirements vary by program
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PTCAS will NOT hold files for missing references
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PT program may not accept late references
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Login to check reference status
PT Observation Hours
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Enter your PT experiences on the application
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Programs may require that a PT verify your hours
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PT hour requirements vary by program
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Not all PT programs require PT experience or a signed form
PTCAS will not determine if you met requirements for PT program
PTCAS will not hold for…
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missing PT signatures
missing PT observation hours
Updating Your PT Observation Hours
After you e-submit, you can…
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add new PT experiences
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request new PT signatures
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make edits to in-progress / planned PT hours
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NOT make edits to completed PT hours
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NOT make edits to hours verified by a PT on a paper form
PTCAS Essay
“Describe your decision making
process in choosing physical
therapy as a career choice versus
other health care careers.”
Custom Questions
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If required, PTCAS will prompt to you to respond.
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You cannot submit PTCAS application until complete.
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Programs can only view responses to their own items.
2012-13 PTCAS Application Fees
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$130 base fee to apply to one program
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$35 incremental fee for each additional program
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FEE WAIVER will continue to be available ($50K)
PTCAS Fee Waiver
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Available for financially disadvantaged applicants
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If approved, $130 base fee is waived
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Pay $35 for each additional designation over one
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U.S. citizens & permanent residents only
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PTCAS fee waiver request form
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Submit form and most recent tax return BEFORE you esubmit your PTCAS application
Limited number of waivers available
Deadlines
• APPLY EARLY!
• Deadlines expire at 11:59 pm EASTERN time
• Many programs have a rolling admissions process
• Program may not consider late applications or materials
• FIRM Deadline - You can NOT apply after the deadline
• SOFT Deadline - You can apply after the deadline, but
program will only consider you if space is still available in class
2012-13 Deadlines
• October 1, 2012
• October 15, 2012
• November 1, 2012
• November 15, 2012
• December 3, 2012
• December 17, 2012
• January 15, 2013
• February 1, 2013
• February 15, 2013
• March 1, 2013
• March 15, 2013
• April 1, 2013
• April 15, 2013
• May 1, 2013
• May 15, 2013
Early Decision
Aug 15 – Early Decision Deadline for Applicants
Sep 25 – Deadline for Programs to Submit Decisions to PTCAS for ED Applicants
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Binding option for applicants
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Not all programs participate in Early Decision
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If accepted, applicant cannot apply to other PTCAS programs
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If denied or moved to “general” status, applicant can apply to
other programs via PTCAS
Transcript Verification
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Courses on application compared to U.S. transcripts
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Transcript grading scheme verified
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Staff corrects minor errors to course history
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Application will be undelivered, if numerous errors
PTCAS GPA Calculation Rules
EXCLUDED:
INCLUDED:
 Repeated Courses
Foreign Coursework
AP/CLEP/IB
Audit
 Failed Courses
Deferred
 Study Abroad
Inst/Dept Exam
Incomplete
Pass/Fail
Withdrawn
PTCAS will email you when your GPAs are posted online
PTCAS GPAs
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Overall Cumulative GPA
Undergraduate Cumulative GPA
Graduate GPA
GPA for Each College / University Attended
GPA by Academic Status
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freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, graduate, & post-BS
Combined Science and Math GPA
Science GPA (no math)
Upper-Division GPA
Course Subject GPAs
Core PT Prerequisite GPA
PTCAS Customer Support
Customer Service Hours: Monday - Friday (9:00 am – 5:00 pm EASTERN Time)
PTCAS
P.O. Box 9112
Watertown, MA 02471
617-612-2040
ptcasinfo@PTCAS.org
Login to your PTCAS application frequently to check the real-time status
of your application and materials
Stay in Touch!
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Check your email daily for important messages
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You will receive a confirmation for every document received.
Login to your PTCAS application frequently to
Check for missed messages from PTCAS staff
 Check on the status of your materials
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Respond immediately to any requests
Important Dates for 2012-13
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Jul 2
2012-13 APPLICATION Opens
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Jul 15
Admissions Portal Opens
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Aug 2
1st Mailing
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Aug 15
Early Decision Deadline for Applicants
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Sep 27
Decisions for ED Applicants Due to PTCAS
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Dec 12
Academic Update Opens
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Feb 15
Academic Update Closes
Follow These Steps FIRST
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Review instructions and program requirements.
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Create a new PTCAS application account.
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Complete “Colleges and Universities” section.
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Print transcript request form for each institution.
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Request official transcripts to be sent to PTCAS.
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Enter college courses.
PTCAS is your first step toward an
exciting career in physical therapy