What is the PTCAS Personal Statement Prompt for 2022-2023?

This cycle ended in June 2023. To read about the 2023-24 statement, click here.

The new PTCAS cycle for 2022-23 has finally opened! The biggest surprise for me is that the personal statement prompt did not change as expected. As I previously wrote, the prompt has changed every two years since PTCAS was created in 2010. For some reason, PTCAS has kept the same prompt an unexpected three years in a row.

I guess they like the prompt?

I’m slightly disappointed as I was looking forward to reading something new, but it also saves me from having to get used to a whole new essay question.

That said, it’s even more important to try to stand out in your essay as the PT program admissions committees reading your personal statements have now been reading the answer to this question from thousands of other pre-PTs for two years already.

The question, once more for the 2022-2023 cycle, as you have probably already discovered, is:

Every person has a story that has led them to a career. Since there are a variety of health professions that “help” others, please go beyond your initial interaction or experience with physical therapy, and share the deeper story that has confirmed your decision to specifically pursue physical therapy as your career.

Here is a previous post I wrote about what I believe the prompt means.

While the question has remained the same, there are several other small changes occurring to the physical therapy program application this year.

If you’d like to work with me to edit your essay once it’s written, reach out, and if you need extra preparation, take a look at my PT school essay course! Good luck!