The Division of Biological and Physical Sciences offers all the prerequisite courses needed for admission to physical therapy schools. Listed below are some of the questions students often ask about preparation for physical therapy. The answers to these questions are based primarily on admission requirements for the physical therapy program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson, but most of these questions apply equally well to other schools of physical therapy. For more detailed information on PT at UMMC, visit the School of Health Realated Professions.
This FAQ is currently quite brief, but new questions are added regularly. If your question is not answered here, please contact Dr. Tiftickjian, the physical therapy advisor, by email or in person. New questions will be answered and added to this FAQ.
For more informaiton, see the suggested curriculum for pre-physical therapy.
Admission requirements
When does the PT program begin at UMMC?
May
What is the application due date for UMMC?
November 1st (for 2012 year, but this sometimes changes). Check the website.
When does the PT program begin at UT Memphis?
August
What is the application due date for UT Memphis?
Check the website for current application deadlines.
I am not a Mississippi resident, but I am planning to apply to UMMC. What are my chances of being admitted?
Preference is given to applicants who are legal residents of Mississippi. Out of state applicants will be considered only if there are positions available after all qualified Mississippi applicants are accepted. (Basically, this means that only Mississippi residents will be admitted.)
I am not a Tennessee resident, but I am planning to apply to UT. What are my chances of being admitted?
Priority is given to Tennessee residents; however, your chances for admission might still be very good if your academic credentials are excellent.
What are the admission requirements for PT at UMMC?
Completion of a bachelor's degree (any major) Completion of specified prerequisite courses Submission of a score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) 40 hours of observation time with at least 2 different physical therapists
How competitive is admission to physical therapy schools?
Admission to PT school is very competitive. For example, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the PT program accepts about 50 students each year. There are typically at least twice that many that apply, and most of those that apply are well qualified. To give yourself the best chance of getting accepted, you need to work hard to maintain a high GPA from your first semester and prepare well for the GRE exam by working to get the most possible from your general education courses as well as your science prerequisites.
What are the prerequisite courses needed for admission to PT at UMMC?
General biology, 2 courses
General chemistry, 2 courses
Physics, 2 courses
Statistics, 1 course
Advanced science (300-level or above), 1 course
These are the minimum requirements. Study the other questions in this FAQ, and talk to your advisor for more details on each of these prerequisites. Be sure to download the detailed curriculum list for this program from the DSU sciences website.
What factors are used to decide who is accepted?
Overall GPA; GPA in prerequisite courses; GRE score; interview; related work or volunteer experience; extracurricular activities (especially if they are related to health care or if they demonstrate leadership); membership in honor societies, such as AED.
What is the minimum GPA needed for acceptance to PT school?
For the PT program at UMMC, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. However, keep in mind that the average GPA of those that are accepted is significantly higher, usually around 3.5. So to be competitive, you must have a GPA significantly higher than 3.0.
How do PT schools calculate GPA?
Most professional schools calculate your overall GPA as one factor and your GPA on specific prerequisite courses as a second factor. That is, they use both your overall GPA and your GPA on just the prerequisite courses to determine your academic qualifications. You overall GPA is important, but you should also strive to do the best you can in your prerequisite courses.
How much observation/volunteer experience do I need?
UMMC requires 40 hours of documented observation time in at least two physical therapy clinical departments. Additional observation or volunteer experience is beneficial. For UT, their is no specific observation time requirement. However, it is important that the candidate has visited a variety of settings and observed occupational therapists who work with children and adults representing different age groups.
When should I do my observation time?
You must do your observation time in the year that you apply for PT school (not earlier), and you must have completed all observation hours before the application deadline. The best time to do this is in the spring and summer before the fall in which you plan to apply.
If I get my application in early, will I have a better chance of being admitted?
In general, no, but you should start your application procedure as soon as applications become available for the upcoming year. It is very important that the professional school receives all your application materials by the deadline. Be sure you allow plenty of time for your transcript, preprofessional evaluations, etc. to arrive. Check with the admissions office to be sure all materials been received.
Is an interview required?
Yes. Applicants with strong enough credentials will be selected for interviews. Of those that interview, the most qualified will be accepted for admission.
If I get an interview, does that mean I am accepted?
No. However, it does mean that you are being considered among the top applicants. Be sure to prepare well for the interview because it is often the deciding factor the determines who will be accepted for admission.
Prerequisite courses
Are minimum grades required in prerequisite courses?
Yes. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
Is a bachelor's degree required for admission?
Yes. PT programs require that a 4-year college degree is obtained before beginning the PT program.
Are some majors better than others for the purpose of having a strong PT application?
Not necessarily. As long as a degree is completed and all the prerequisite course have been taken, no major is better than another. But you should consider you choice of major carefully. The first question to ask is: what career interests me as a fall-back plan if I am not accepted to PT school. The major that prepares you best for that option is probably the best major to choose.
What is the most common major chosen by pre-PT students?
The most common major is biology.
Why do most pre-PT students choose biology as a major?
The main reason is that nearly all the courses required or recommended as prerequisites for PT are built into the general biology major. (Physics is an exception.) PT and the biology major both require: general biology, general chemistry, anatomy and physiology, advanced biology courses, trigonometry, and statistics. This amounts to approximately 32 credit hours, most of which are not required for non-science majors. So you if you major in a non-science discipline, you will need to take many additional courses that would not be required for the major. Majoring in biology also means that you automatically take additional advanced biology courses and this strengthens your PT application.
But isn't biology a difficult major?
Yes, but not as difficult at the physical therapy program will be. The strong background in science provides good preparation for the many science-related courses you will take in PT school. If you struggle with the rigor of the biology major, you are probably not the best candidate for physical therapy school.
Which courses satisfy the "advanced science" prerequisite?
Any BIO or CHE courses numbered 300 or above that are designed for science majors and have a laboratory component. If you are a biology or chemistry major, you will automatically satisfy this requirement with your upper level BIO or CHE courses. For non-science majors, suggested courses are cell biology (BIO 300), genetics (BIO 328), comparative anatomy (BIO 343), histology (BIO 423), and many more. Although medical terminology (BIO 329) is a 300-level course, it cannot count as one of your advances sciences (no lab). Medical terminology is a good course to take has an elective, but UMMC does not allow it to count as one of your prerequisite courses. Remember that you will need certain lower level prerequisites before taking upper-level courses.
Is anatomy and physiology "advanced science?"
No. Both semesters of anatomy and physiology are 200-level courses. The advanced science courses must be at the 300/400-level. However, taking A & P is recommended as it helps prepare you for the human anatomy course you take in PT school. You should try to take it if possible in addition to your other science prerequisites. Anyone preparing for the health professions will benefit from knowing something about human anatomy. If you are a biology major, A & P can count as BIO electives under the major requirements. Although not specifically required at UMMC, many other PT programs do require two semesters of anatomy and physiology. If you are considering applying for occupational therapy as well as physical therapy, you should take it. A & P is required for OT.
Does microbiology satisfy the advanced science requirement?
No. At DSU, introduction to microbiology is a 200-level courses. The advanced science course must be at the 300/400-level. However, it is logical to take microbiology as part of your coursework, especially for biology majors. Most pre-health students benefit from a course in microbiology, and it is required for several other heath-related professional schools. For biology majors, microbiology can count as a 200/300-level elective under the major requirements.
Would it be to my advantage to take more science courses than the minimum required?
Yes, especially elective courses in anatomy, physiology, or other courses related to human biology. Even if you have As and Bs in your required science courses, you can benefit from additional science coursework. If you have any Cs in your science courses, you will definitely benefit from additional science coursework. These additional science courses are built-in to the biology major, which is one of the reasons for choosing that major.
Does it matter whether my science courses have a laboratory?
Yes, all science course that are PT prerequisites must have a laboratory component.
Must I complete all the prerequisite courses before the application deadline?
No. However, you must plan to have all courses completed by the start date of the PT program your are applying for.
Which statistics course should I take?
The statistics course can be a math, psychology, or education statistics course. Business statistics is not acceptable. At DSU the courses that meet this requirement are MAT 300 or PSY 331. By the way, either of these courses also satisfies the advanced math requirement under the Special Degree Requirements for the BS degree for biology majors.
Which courses should I take to satisfy the physics requirement?
For nearly all PT students, the correct course sequence is Physics for Life Sciences, PHY 221/222 (lecture) and PHY 233/234 (lab). The other physics sequence, PHY 231/232 require calculus as a prerequisite. Calculus is not required for physical therapy.
Do I have to take trigonometry?
Yes, you must take either plane trigonometry (MAT 105) or precalculus (MAT 106). If you are majoring in chemistry or biology, one of these courses is required as part of your major. If you are not a science major, you still must take trig (or precalculus) as a prerequisite for physics.
Can non-majors courses count toward science prerequisites?
No. Courses such as BIO 110, BIO 121, CHE 110, PHY 110, and PHY 205 will not count toward the PT prerequisites. These courses are designed for non-science majors and are not acceptable for PT requirements.
Can I take courses at a community or junior college?
Yes, any required courses that are 100- or 200-level can be taken at 2-year colleges. However, the advanced science course and the statistic course must be taken at a senior college. Once you start your science coursework at DSU, you should take all required sciences at DSU. This is because courses are structured as part of an overall curriculum. Taking a "mix and match" approach can present problems, and PT schools may question why you did not take all prerequisites at the same institution. It is a mistake to take some courses are a community college just because you think they may be "easier."
I had to retake a prerequisite course because I made a D the first time. Will this hurt my chances?
It will be a disadvantage, although it won't eliminate you from consideration if the majority of your science grades, especially the most recent ones, are excellent. All grades are used to compute your GPA. Repeated course grades are averaged, not dropped, so retaking a course does not improve your overall GPA as much as you might think. Of course, if you have a grade below a C in a required prerequisite course, that course must be repeated.
The GRE
What is the GRE?
The GRE is the Graduate Record Examination. It is required for most post-baccalaureate programs, for example Master's and Doctorate degrees. It is a general exam, somewhat similar to the ACT, but for college students applying for graduate programs. Because physical therapy is a doctoral program, the GRE is required for admission.
What scoring scale is used for the GRE?
The GRE has three parts: verbal reasoning (score scale = 130-170), quantitative (score scale = 130-170), and analytical writing (score scale = 0-6).
What is the minimum GRE score needed?
There is no minimum GRE score required, but your GRE score weighs just as heavily on whether you are accepted as does your GPA. In past years, the average GRE score for students recently accepted at UMMC is in the 1000-1100 range, BUT the GRE has been revised as of August 2011, and a new scoring scale is in affect. The maximum score (verbal + quantitative) is now 340 instead of 1600 as in the past. At this point, it is too early to tell how the new scoring scale will be interpreted by PT schools, so check back on this point after the new test has been in place for a while. If it is fair to look at the past and current scoring proportionally, a score of about 212 on the new test would be equivalent to 1000 on the old test. Remember that what PT schools look for is a combination of GPA and GRE. If your GRE score is not so hot, but your GPA is outstanding, you will still have a good chance. On the other hand, a high GRE score can counteract a less-than-great GPA.
When should I take the GRE?
It takes at least 4 weeks for your GRE score to be reported after you have taken the exam. Your score MUST be on file with the PT school by their application deadline. So you should take the GRE at least 2 months in advance of the deadline (at the very latest) to be sure your score gets there in time. The recommended time to take the GRE is in the spring of your Junior year. If your score needs improvement, this gives you time to retake it early in the fall of the next year when you will be applying for PT school.
How much does it cost to take the exam?
As of 8/1/2011, the test fee is $160. I you are seeing this soon after that date, you should know that GRE is offering a 50% discount for exam scheduled between August 1st and September 30th, 2011.
Where can I find out more about the GRE?
The best place is the GRE website. You can get all the information you need about the exam, how to register to take it, and even download a complete practice test booklet which also has information on scoring and how to prepare for the exam.
The physical therapy program
Can I attend PT school part-time?
No (at least for most schools). PT programs are generally full-time only.
Will I be able to work while attending PT school?
The best answer is: No. PT is a very demanding program. Most students find it difficult if not impossible to work while pursuing this program. Experience points to a high correlation between working and difficulty in progressing through the program.
How long does it take to find employment after completing the PT program?
This varies, but most students in recent years have found employment within a very short time (weeks) after completion.
Would it be to my advantage to complete an Physical Therapy Assistant (OTA) program before applying to PT school?
No. The only exceptions would be if you wish to work for a time as an assistant or if you want to use this as a fall-back plan. The best reason for completing an PTA program is that you have chosen that as your career. Certain individuals who are PTAs do decide to return to school to become PTs, but that is the exception rather that the rule. Like volunteer experience, work experience as a PTA may give you a slight edge in admission, but this should not be the only reason you elect to go this route.
Are there any 2-year physical therapy assistant programs nearby?
There are four physical therapy assistant programs in Mississippi. These are two-year programs resulting in an associate degree after which you take a national licensing exam in order to be licensed to practice in Mississippi. The programs are at Pearl River Community College, Hinds Community College, Meridian Community College, and Itawamba Community College.
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