PTCAS INFORMATION SESSION
2015-16 Admissions Cycle
Disclaimer
The slide show provides an overview of
PTCAS and is not intended to be a substitute
for the full instructions.
You are responsible for reviewing and following
all PTCAS and program-specific instructions.
What Is PTCAS?
The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service
allows applicants to use 1 application and set of materials
to apply to 196 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
education programs in the United States.
PTCAS is a service of the American Physical Therapy
Association and administered by it service partner, Liaison
International in Watertown, MA.
http://www.ptcas.org/About/
2015-16 Application
The PTCAS application for the 2016
entering class will launch on
July 1, 2015
Professional Behavior
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
physical therapist profession. Applicants are
expected to demonstrate these qualities
beginning with the application process.
http://www.ptcas.org/ApplicantResp/
Follow These Steps First

Review instructions and PT program requirements.

Create a new PTCAS application account.

Complete “Institutions Attended” section first.
PTCAS cannot post transcripts to your application until this section is done.

Print transcript matching form for each institution.

Request official transcripts to be sent to PTCAS.

Enter all of your college courses.
http://www.ptcas.org/Checklist/
Required Materials
You must submit the items to PTCAS before your file will be processed

PTCAS Application

All Official United States Transcripts

Correct PTCAS Fee
Arrange for materials to arrive by the program’s deadline.
Once “complete”, file enters the queue for verification.
Processing may take up to 4-5 weeks once file is complete.
http://www.ptcas.org/WhatHappensNext/
Other Materials Accepted by PTCAS
If document is
required by
the DPT
program,
submit it to
PTCAS.
http://www.ptcas.org/Checklist/
Submit Official GRE Scores
Request Official GRE® Scores from ETS®.
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•
•
•
Visit PTCAS site to find the correct GRE® code for every program.
Most have a “PTCAS GRE code” that differs from the university code.
If scores are sent to the wrong code, program will consider file incomplete.
Not all programs require the GRE.
Enter Your GRE® Scores on the Application.
•
•
Do not mix and match scores from different dates.
Enter both completed and planned GRE® test dates.
Login to the Application to Check Status of Your GRE Scores.
PTCAS Will Not…


Verify your official scores against unofficial scores.
Hold your application for missing GRE® scores.
http://www.ptcas.org/Tests/
Materials Sent Directly to Program

Supplemental Application

Supplemental Fee

Original Foreign Transcripts
More than 50% of programs require
applicants to send supplemental materials
or fees directly to the institution by mail or
online. Supplemental materials are
generally due to the program by its
application deadline.
Supplemental Supplemental Supplemental
Fee
Application
Materials
YES
YES Selected Applicants
NO
http://www.ptcas.org/Supplementals/
School-specific (Custom) Questions
•
Most institutions require school-specific (custom) questions.
•
Questions are imbedded in the PTCAS application.
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Examples include:
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Re-applicant questions
Program-specific essays or personal statements
Additional residency questions
Course prerequisite matching
Special program tracks or applicant types
•
You cannot submit the application until school questions are done.
•
Your designated programs will only see your responses to their
questions, and not for other programs.
•
To view school-specific questions, visit the PTCAS Directory.
http://www.ptcas.org/Directory/
Reapplying to PTCAS?
If your application was "mailed" to programs in the 2014-15 cycle,
then PTCAS can pull selected data and materials forward into the
2015-16 cycle.
PTCAS Will Not Pull Forward…
•
References
•
PT Observation Hours and Verification Forms
•
Essays
•
Payments
•
DPT Program Designations
•
Responses to School-specific (Custom) Questions
PTCAS will not pull reapplicant data forward in the 2016-17 cycle.
http://www.ptcas.org/Reapplicants/
Submit Transcripts to PTCAS

Enter all of your colleges & universities attended.
•

Print a PTCAS transcript matching form.
•
•

Enter all United States and international institutions attended.
After you enter the institutions on the application, print a separate form
for every US and Canadian institution.
Each form is unique to the institution.
Registrar sends only 1official transcript to PTCAS.
•
•
Ask registrar to enclose the PTCAS transcript matching form with official
transcript mailed to PTCAS.
Request official transcripts for institutions in the US and Canada only.

Do not send student-issued transcripts to PTCAS.

Do not request electronic transcripts.
http://www.ptcas.org/Transcripts/USTranscripts/
Enter US and Canadian Courses on Application
Use personal copy of transcripts to complete Coursework section.
Do not enter courses from memory.
Do not enter courses from non-regionally accredited institutions
Enter all courses on US and Canadian transcripts, including…
 Credit earned due to AP/CLEP/IB exams
 Audited
 Deferred
 Institutional/Departmental Exam
 Incomplete
 Pass/Fail
 Withdrawn
If significant errors, PTCAS will “undeliver” your application.
http://www.ptcas.org/Coursework/
Coursework Entry Service
If you do not wish to enter all of your coursework, you may
save time and ensure accuracy by arranging for PTCAS
specialists enter your coursework on your behalf for an
additional fee.
• $55 for 1-2 transcripts
• $105 for 3+ transcripts
Fees are for coursework entry only and are in addition to
regular PTCAS fees.
Professional, foreign, planned, and in-progress coursework is
not eligible for coursework entry and must be entered by the
applicant.
http://www.ptcas.org/Coursework/
Canadian Courses

Enter any Canadian courses on your application.

Visit the PTCAS directory to determine program requirements
for submitting Canadian transcripts.

PTCAS will not…

verify Canadian courses

include Canadian courses in GPAs

hold for missing Canadian transcripts
http://www.ptcas.org/Foreign/
Foreign Transcript Evaluations
IF REQUIRED BY DPT PROGRAM…

Arrange for World Education Services to send course-by-course
foreign transcript evaluation report to PTCAS.

Allow 4-6 weeks for WES to complete an evaluation.

If received, PTCAS releases a copy to programs.

Foreign evaluations are not required for “study-abroad” courses.
Some DPT programs require original foreign
transcripts to be sent directly to the institution in
addition or in lieu of a foreign evaluation.
http://www.ptcas.org/Foreign/
Academic Update (AU)
Enter updated summer & fall 2015 grades, as needed.
Send updated 2015 transcripts to PTCAS as soon as available.
Academic Update Dates:

DEC 11, 2015 – AU opens. No edits to coursework until AU opens to you.

JAN 15, 2016 – Priority AU deadline for updated transcripts to PTCAS.

FEB 15, 2016 – AU closes. No edits to courses after this date. Final deadline to submit
updated summer and fall 2015 transcripts to PTCAS.
You can update your coursework only once per cycle.
PTCAS will send updated courses & GPAs to programs.
http://www.ptcas.org/UpdatingFallCourses/
nd
2
Set of Transcripts
If your are accepted to a program,
plan to submit official transcripts
directly to the institution before
you enroll. PTCAS cannot forward
your transcripts to a program for
this purpose.
References

Send up to 4 references to PTCAS.

Only electronic references accepted.

Enter the email address for each evaluator.

Evaluators will login the PTCAS reference portal.

No uploaded reference files are accepted.

No paper references are accepted.

Reference requirements vary by program.

PTCAS will not hold files for missing references.

Programs may not accept late references.

Login to check the status of your references.
http://www.ptcas.org/References/
PT Observation Hours

Enter your PT experiences on the application.

Programs may require verification of hours.

If hours were previously verified on a paper form, upload to PTCAS.

PTCAS will no longer accept mailed paper forms.

PT hour requirements vary by program.


Not all PT programs require PT experience or a signed form.

PTCAS will not determine if you met requirements for a program.
PTCAS will not hold files for…

missing PT signatures

missing PT observation hours
http://www.ptcas.org/PTHours/
Updating Your PT Observation Hours
After you e-submit, you …

Can add new PT experiences.

Can request new PT signatures.

Can make edits to in-progress / planned PT hours.

Cannot make edits to completed PT hours.

Cannot make edits to hours verified by a PT on a uploaded form.
http://www.ptcas.org/PTHours/
2015-16 PTCAS Essay Question
APTA's vision for physical therapy is
“transforming society by
optimizing movement to improve
the human experience.”
How will you embody this vision as a
future physical therapist?
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Essays are limited to 4500 characters with spaces (~1 page single spaced)
You cannot edit your essay after you submit your PTCAS application.
Review your essay for typos and errors before you submit your application.
Tip: Do not enter comments for a specific PT program in your essay.
PTCAS essay question may change in the 2016-17 cycle.
2015-16 PTCAS Application Fees
$140 base fee to apply to one program
$40 incremental fee for each additional program
http://www.ptcas.org/Fees/
PTCAS Fee Waiver

Fee waiver is available for financially disadvantaged.

If approved, the $140 base PTCAS fee is waived.

Pay $40 for each additional designation over first.

Only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible.

Use PTCAS fee waiver request form.

Submit fee waiver request form and most recent tax return to
PTCAS before you submit your PTCAS application.

There are a limited number of waivers available.
http://www.ptcas.org/FeeWaiver/
Deadlines
• APPLY EARLY
• Deadlines expire at 11:59 pm EASTERN time.
• Some programs accept full class before the deadline.
• 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 your application if space is still available in class.
http://www.ptcas.org/Deadlines/
2015-16 Application Deadlines
October 1, 2015
October 15, 2015
November 2, 2015
November 16, 2015
December 1, 2015
December 15, 2015
January 15, 2016
February 1, 2016
February 15, 2016
March 1, 2016
March 15, 2016
April 1, 2016
April 15, 2016
May 2, 2016
May 16, 2016
Deadlines Sorted by Program
Deadlines Sorted by Date
Early Decision
Aug 17 – Early Decision Deadline for Applicants
Sep 25 – Deadline for Programs to Submit Decisions to PTCAS for ED Applicants

Early decision is a binding option for applicants.

Not all programs participate in Early Decision.

If accepted, you cannot apply to other PTCAS programs.

If denied or moved to “general” status, you can apply to other
programs in PTCAS.
http://www.ptcas.org/ptcas/public/earlydecision.aspx?navID=10737426886
Transcript Verification

Courses on application compared to U.S. transcripts.

Transcript grading scheme is verified.

Staff corrects minor errors to course history.

Application will be “undelivered”, if there are numerous errors.
http://www.ptcas.org/GPA/
http://www.ptcas.org/Coursework/
PTCAS GPA Calculation Rules
INCLUDED:
EXCLUDED:
 Repeated Courses
Foreign Coursework
 Failed Courses
AP/CLEP/IB
 Study Abroad
Audit
Deferred
PTCAS will email
you when your
GPAs are posted.
Institutional/ Dept Exam
Incomplete
Pass/Fail
Withdrawn
http://www.ptcas.org/GPA/
PTCAS GPAs

Overall GPA

Undergraduate GPA

Graduate GPA

GPA for Each College / University Attended

Combined Science and Math GPA

Science GPA (no math)

Course Subject GPAs

PTCAS Core PT Prerequisite GPA - The core PT prerequisite field in the
Coursework section represents the most commonly required prerequisites
across programs. Course prerequisites vary by institution. PTCAS will
calculate a GPA based on the set of courses matched by the applicant to the
core PT prerequisites on the application. Programs may calculate additional
GPAs for use in the admissions process.
http://www.ptcas.org/GPA/
PTCAS Customer Support
PTCAS
P.O. Box 9112
Watertown, MA 02471
617-612-2040
ptcasinfo@PTCAS.org
www.facebook.com/PTCAS
@ptcas
Customer Services Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET
http://www.ptcas.org/ContactUs/
Stay in Touch!

Check your email daily for important messages.
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
Login to your PTCAS application frequently to…
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You will receive a confirmation for every document received.
Check for missed messages from PTCAS staff.
Check on the status of your materials.
Respond immediately to any requests.
Important Dates for 2015-16

Jul 1
2015-16 Application Opens

Jul 31
GRE Deadline for Early Decision Applicants

Aug 17
Early Decision Deadline for Applicants

Sep 25
Decisions for ED Applicants Due to PTCAS

Dec 11
Academic Update Opens

Jan 15
Priority Deadline for Academic Update

Feb 15
Academic Update Closes
http://www.ptcas.org/Calendar/
PTCAS Is Your First Step Toward an
Exciting Career in Physical Therapy.