Pre-Physical Therapy

Preparing for professional school starts year one at Carthage and we are here to help you each step of the way! We recommend that you reach out to your advising team as soon as possible regarding your plans so they can help you start preparing.

Applying to Healthcare Professional School
While Carthage students usually apply to somewhere between five and nine schools, you can apply to as many schools as you would like. However, you should be aware that there is a financial commitment associated with application fees and the cost of submitting materials for review. As such you should only apply to schools you would genuinely consider attending.

Applications will be submitted through the PTCAS platform. This opens in July and if you are planning on attending right after your undergraduate degree you should apply in the summer of your senior year. It is recommended that you have all materials ready when the platform opens and submit during late summer. Your application will be the most competitive if you submit before September 1st. Below is the list of application materials:

• Shadowing hours
• GRE scores
• Personal statement
• Three or more letters of recommendation
• GRE scores
• Transcripts (official copy)

Shadowing and Volunteering Amount/Location
The amount of shadowing depends on the schools you are applying to. Usually, the minimum number is around 50 hours, although to be a competitive applicant, you should aim for 100 hours. You should also have an ample amount of volunteering hours to strengthen your application. You should be shadowing at multiple PT locations (2-3) to demonstrate your understanding and commitment.

Entrance Exam: Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Although most PT schools require a GRE, not all schools require one. Make sure you check the list of schools you plan to apply to before registering. The GRE will require less or more time studying based on how extensive your knowledge is on tested material, and you should pace out those hours around your own current and anticipated schedules. ETS.org has free resources and practice tests available to assist you. We recommend that you take the GRE at least one full year before you submit your application. This would align with the summer going into junior year or the fall of your junior year, allowing adequate time to prepare if you need to retake it and ensures you have your results before your application deadline.

Personal Statement
You will need to submit a personal statement with your application. To help craft your personal statement, attend our Personal Statement Workshop, typically held in the fall semester.

Letters of Recommendation
You will need several letters of recommendations for your application. While schools may have different expectations of how many letters you should submit and from whom, you should expect to send around three letters of recommendation.

Ideally, you should ask for a letter of recommendations at least 2-3 months in advance of your application deadline, although give as much time as possible. This way they have adequate time to reflect upon their experience and write the best possible letter they can. If you are participating in an experiential role, it is suggested that you ask for a letter a month or two prior to the close of that experience. You should ask within 6 months of working with a PT if you are asking for a letter.

Please note that different professions require different degrees and levels of education.

Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapist
Cardiopulmonary PTs specialize in helping patients recover from heart and lung conditions like heart attacks, surgery, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by improving cardiovascular and respiratory function.

Inpatient Physical Therapist
Inpatient PTs provide rehabilitation to patients in hospitals, helping those recovering from surgeries, serious injuries, or illnesses regain their strength, mobility, and independence.

Neurological Physical Therapist
Neurological PTs work with patients who have conditions affecting the nervous system, such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or spinal cord injuries, to improve motor function and quality of life.

Orthopedic Physical Therapist
Orthopedic PTs treat musculoskeletal injuries such as fractures, joint problems, and soft tissue injuries, using targeted exercises, manual therapy, and modalities like heat or cold therapy.

Pediatric Physical Therapist
Pediatric PTs work with children to treat developmental, neurological, or musculoskeletal conditions, helping them achieve motor milestones and improve movement and coordination.

Physical Therapist
PTs assess, diagnose, and treat patients with physical injuries or disabilities to help them improve mobility, strength, and overall function through exercises and therapeutic techniques.

Sports Physical Therapist
Sports PTs specialize in treating athletes and active individuals, helping them recover from sports-related injuries and preventing future harm through rehabilitation programs.