Most PTCAS participating schools have deadlines in early fall semester. D.P.T. programs may have multiple deadline dates (i.e., preferred, priority, or early decision) or operate on a rolling admissions process. All deadlines should be confirmed with individual D.P.T. programs. PTCAS provides a list of PTCAS participating programs' deadlines, which you can sort by the deadline date or the institution names. 

When applications are due in the fall or spring, you are applying for the next incoming class' cohort. For example, if you apply in Fall 2024 and the D.P.T. program starts in the fall, you are applying for the Fall 2025 entering cohort. You can apply when you are ready to be a competitive applicant, meaning that all your prerequisite coursework, required observation hours, and other requirements are completed. 

Physical Therapy schools view extracurricular activities as positive signs that a student can handle a rigorous curriculum and participate in campus and/or community affairs. Commitment, leadership, service, responsibility, and the ability to interact effectively with others are attributes that admission committees evaluate. The level and quality of participation is more important than the number or diversity of your activities. 

Many D.P.T. programs require physical therapy observation hours that can be verified by a PT. The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) provides a summary PT Observation Hours of programs that participate in PTCAS. Observation hour requirements vary by program and some programs are more specific about the setting of experience (e.g., outpatient and inpatient) than others. PTCAS provides instructions on reporting your PT observation and work experience in PTCAS.  

Letters of Recommendation or Evaluation

Physical therapy programs typically require 3 - 5 letters of recommendation (LOR). Establishing mentoring relationships with professors in the university setting as well as PT workplace settings is important. Most physical therapy programs require at least one letter from a university professor and one from a physical therapist.