Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions about Physical Therapy

1. How can I learn more about physical therapy?
Read information on the American Physical Therapy Association website (www.apta.org), arrange to speak with a physical therapist in your area and spend time volunteering (or working as a physical therapy aide) in a physical therapy setting.

2. My GPA is low but I really want to be a physical therapist. What do you recommend?
Several things: Try to get A's in your prerequisite courses. Call different PT schools and, in addition to getting information about the GPA cut-offs, ask if exceptions are ever made to allow a student with a GPA lower than the cut-off to be admitted to the program. Be sure to call PT programs which offer masters degrees as well as those programs which offer doctoral degrees.

3. What scholarships are available to support physical therapy education?
Information is available on the APTA website (www.apta.org).

General Questions about the University of the Pacific's DPT Program

1. How can I learn more about the program?
Access www.pacific.edu/pharmacy/dpt to learn about the program.

2. What degree is offered after completion of the program?
A doctorate in physical therapy (DPT).

3. How long is the program?
The program is 25 months long.

4. How much does it cost to attend Pacific's DPT program?
Request an updated cost sheet by emailing PTAdmissions@pacific.edu.

5. How many students apply and how many do you accept?
During the 2008/09 academic year (Graduating Class of 2010), about 200 individuals applied to the DPT program at the University of the Pacific. Our class size is 36 students.

6. Is it possible for me to come and see the campus and talk with an advisor?
You may make an appointment to attend an informational meeting and tour the PT Department by emailing PTAdmissions@pacific.edu.

University of the Pacific Admission Questions

1. How do I apply to the DPT program?
You must apply through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS; www.ptcas.org). In addition, you must submit a University of the Pacific Supplemental Application (http://web.pacific.edu/x19259.xml) directly to the Office of Admissions at the University of the Pacific. Please visit PTCAS for application deadlines.

2. What are the admissions criteria?
Admissions criteria and cut-offs may change from year to year. During 2008/09 the following cut-offs were used to help determine which applicants were invited to an interview: overall GPA 3.0, GRE-analytic writing 3.5. and no C- or lower grades in prerequisite courses.

3. Do my science courses meet the prerequisite requirements?
The following prerequisites are required for our program:

If you have any questions regarding the prerequisites courses you have taken please contact the admissions office: PTAdmissions@pacific.edu.

4. Can an on-line medical terminology course satisfy the prerequisite requirement?
Yes. If you are unsure of the medical terminology course you have or will take, please mail a request for approval to: PTAdmissions@pacific.edu Generally, on-line medical terminology courses which are taken for credit at accredited colleges or universities are acceptable as long as the applicant has received a grade of C or better. Once the course is completed, applicants will need to obtain official transcripts verifying that this course has been taken. Courses offered by companies providing continuing education are usually not acceptable.

5. Where can I take exercise physiology?
We recommend that you search course catalogues from colleges and universities close to your location. It is preferable to take an exercise physiology course which includes laboratory experiences. Please note that online exercise physiology courses are not acceptable.

6. Can you explain what PT volunteer experience is required?
We require applicants to have a total of at least 50 hours experience in a PT setting.  At least 25 hours must be spent working with inpatients in an acute care, hospital setting.

7. When should I take the GRE exam?
We recommend that the GRE be taken by August 1 by applicants wishing to apply for the following year. The GRE is required for the PT CAS application so you need to take the GRE with enough time to get the results to PT CAS so it can be included in your application file.

8. My GRE exam score is low so I am going to take it again. How do you assess multiple GRE exam scores?
We use the highest GRE scores.

9. I have taken courses on a semester system and on a quarter system. How do I convert from semester credits to quarter credits so that I might calculate my science GPA?
A 3 semester unit course is the equivalent of a 4.5 quarter unit course. To convert from quarter to semester units, multiply quarter units by 0.67. To convert from semester to quarter units, multiply semester units by 1.5.

10. I am having trouble getting volunteer experience in an acute care setting. Do you know who I might contact?
Call your local hospital and ask to speak with someone in the Department of Rehabilitation or Department of Physical Therapy.

11. Who should write my letters of recommendation?
One letter must be from a college instructor, one letter must be from a physical therapist, and the third letter is from an individual of your choosing.

12. I have submitted my application and am hoping to be invited for an interview. When are the interviews and when will I hear if I am invited? What happens during the interview?
Screening of applications will begin in late Fall. Interviews will usually be scheduled on Fridays in January and February. Occasionally a few interviews are scheduled in March. Interview invitations will be made by telephone, usually beginning in December. The interview lasts two hours. Applicants will have an opportunity to speak with current students as well as the program chair. Each applicant will have an individual interview by an interview committee. Tours of the University of the Pacific campus will be provided as well.

13. Should I send the letters which verify my experience in a PT setting with my supplemental application?
No. They should be sent to PTCAS as part of the primary application.

14. Do I have to complete all prerequisite courses before submitting my application?
No. All prerequisite courses must be completed before the first day of orientation in August.

15. How do I apply?
Two applications must be completed. The primary application is completed through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) by accessing www.ptcas.org. The University of the Pacific Supplemental Application is completed by accessing http://web.pacific.edu/x19259.xml.

(Rev 04.10.09)