ADMISSIONS REQUREMENTS

Full-time students are admitted to the program which starts in the fall semester of each year.  The Program invites applications from individuals who have or will have received by the time of enrollment a baccalaureate degree granted by a college or university of recognized standing.

Prerequisites for Admission

At least 14 of the 17 prerequisite courses outlined above should be completed at the time of application.

For international applicants, the program's Admissions Committee is guided by the evaluation of educational credentials provided by the International Students and Scholars Office of Columbia University to determine the equivalency of an applicant's educational background in fulfilling the program's prerequisites for admission. The office can be reached at 212-854-3587 or E-mail: www.columbia.edu/cu/isso.

Information regarding the GRE can be obtained at http://www.gre.org
Information on the TOEFL examination can be obtained at http://www.toefl.org
Information on Columbia's English Placement Test can be obtained at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/isso

Volunteer or Work Related Experience Minimum of 75 hours Letters of Recommendation 3 required: 2 from academic sources 1 from a physical therapist University composite kept on file with Academic Advisor or Pre-Health Professions Committee is acceptable. Current Certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid Resume Personal Interview

STUDENT SELECTION
The primary requirement for admission into the DPT program is the applicant's ability, as judged by the program's Admissions Committee, to complete the 3-year curriculum. Applicants who are admitted into the program have strong academic records as evidenced by their cumulative and science grade point averages, their breadth and depth of science background and their demonstrated consistency of improvement of undergraduate academic performance. A firm and clear commitment to physical therapy is another criterion for admission as manifested by work or volunteer experience. Qualities such as maturity and effective interpersonal relationships, as ascertained from the letters of recommendation and the personal interview are important admissions criteria.

If an applicant receives a provisional acceptance on the basis of course work still in progress, satisfactory completion of all outstanding courses must be attained prior to matriculation as an entering student. Proof of current certification in CPR and First Aid is also required prior to starting the program.

All students must submit a final transcript that indicates the receipt of the baccalaureate degree.

The Program in Physical Therapy reserves the right to rescind an acceptance offer if the above are not completed by the start of program classes.

INTERVIEWS

All applicants who meet the minimal prerequisites will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants found to be competitive are invited for interview, which lasts the entire day. The interview process serves a dual purpose:

1. It provides a realistic evaluation of eligibility for admission into the program as it assess personality, clarity of thought, strength of academic background, quality of related clinical and work experience, and knowledge of the profession.

2. It gives the applicant an opportunity to learn more about the program's teaching and learning philosophy and to spend time with faculty and enrolled students to appraise the program in terms of meeting personal and professional growth.

The Program in Physical Therapy uses a rolling admissions format and applicants are notified of their acceptance status within 1-week post-interview. Interviews can begin as early as November but for the majority of applicants, interviews are held during January and February, on either a Friday or Saturday. A full class is accepted by early March.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

The program's Admissions Committee is guided by the evaluation of educational credentials provided by the International Students and Scholars Office of Columbia University to determine the equivalency of an applicant's educational background in fulfilling the program's prerequisites listed above. The office can be reached at 212-854-3587 or Email: www.columbia.edu/cu/isso.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS

What GPAs and Test Scores is the Admissions Committee Looking For?
Students are admitted into the program with a range of cumulative grade points from
2.75 - 4.00. The same range has been reflected in the science grade point average. The Admissions Committee looks at a wide variety of factors ascertained from the application and supporting documentation as well as the personal interview.

An average GRE score is 500 for the verbal and quantitative portions of the exam and 4.0 for the Analytical Writing. Applicants may retake the GRE. Scores are not averaged but the Admissions Committee will consider one set of scores, from one testing date, which provides the highest point totals.

The table below shows the average scores for the Classes of 2010 – 2012. 

See Student Profiles for an overview of other characteristics of the classes.

Can I Use Advanced Placement Credit to Fulfill Prerequisite Course Work?
No, advance placement credit cannot be used to fulfill prerequisite course work. The courses do not need to be repeated but supplemental courses in lieu of the advanced placement credits need to be taken. For example; receipt of advanced placement for Biology I and II. These prerequisites can be fulfilled by taking any 2 biology courses such as Microbiology, Genetics, etc.

Do You Take Into Consideration Steady Improvement of the GPA?
The Admissions Committee realizes that some applicants start their undergraduate education with a not too stellar performance but improve their grade point average as they advance into their major area of study. This may not deter acceptance as the Committee takes into account academic maturity with an increasing grade point average as the applicant progresses from freshman through senior year.

Should I Repeat Courses in the Science Prerequisites to Achieve Higher Grades?
Applicants who repeat courses will have the initial grade for the course and the repeat grade averaged to obtain a final course grade. To enhance the science grade point it is recommend that applicants continue to take additional courses, preferably in the biological sciences, which is evaluated favorably by the Admissions Committee.

Is Preference to In-State vs. Out of State Residents?
No preference is given. Columbia University is a private university. Every applicant is considered individually with regard to suitability for graduate study and expectation of scholarly attainment.

I am a Foreign Applicant and Have Earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy.  Can I Apply to the Program?

No, Columbia University’s program is an entry-level program for individuals seeking their first degree in physical therapy. The program cannot accept applicants with a physical therapy degree wishing to enhance their credentials to the DPT. It is recommended that you go to the American Physical Therapy Association web site at www.apta.org and look for those programs that offer the post-professional DPT degree.