As predicted, PTCAS opened June 15, 2021. But unexpectedly, it was the hard open — not thesoft open as predicted. This means completed applications can already be submitted, although it’s doubtful anyone can start and finish a great application in a day. Also as expected, the personal statement prompt has remained the same for 2021-2022 […]

To get accepted by many PT programs, you have to log observation hours. According to ACAPT, almost two thirds of PT schools require observation hours, with 38% requiring 26-50 hours. You can find a list of observation hour requirements by program here. Some schools will list a minimum amount of yours you must complete, while

Reapplying to PT school is very common these days given how hard it is to be accepted into PT school. In the most recent cycle for which PTCAS gives stats, just 59% of applicants were accepted into a PT program. Over the years, I’ve worked with several applicants on their second (and even third) time

Since physical therapy school takes up a significant portion of 2-3 years of your life, you may wonder what it will be like socially. Whether you’re entering a program with friends in tow or relocating without knowing anyone, you’re probably going to want to make some new friends in school. As a psychology major, I

Before PT school, I worked as an aide in an outpatient orthopedic clinic and also shadowed a physical therapist in a hospital. Now, as a physical therapist, I let prospective physical therapy students shadow me all the time. Whether you find work as a PT aide or tech or fulfill your observation hour requirements by

In my last post I mentioned trying to get as many physical therapy observation hours as possible. A great way to do this is to get a job as a PT aide or tech — two synonymous terms that are used for people who support physical therapists. These paid positions do not typically require any

I was speaking with a woman who belongs to my gym last week who is deciding if she wants to become a physical therapist. I offered to take her on as a shadow later in the summer, but I also advised her to gain as much PT experience as she can in the meantime. I

What do we know about the PTCAS essay, or personal statement prompt, for the 2021-2022 application cycle? At the moment, I assume the PTCAS prompt will remain the same as it was last year: “Every person has a story that has led them to a career. Since there are a variety of health professions that

When you apply to physical therapy school, you hope you’ll be accepted and fear rejection, but for many each cycle, there’s a third fate: the waitlist. Each year, future physical therapists on waitlists wonder what they can do to get accepted and start PT school. Before I get into advice for getting off the waitlist,

After you’ve finished your PT School interview, there’s still one more task to check off your to-do list: a thank you note! While a thank you letter won’t guarantee your admission, it’s one extra gesture to make a positive impression.  Separate, personalized emails should be sent to anyone who interviewed you, whether that is one