1. PTCAS INFORMATION SESSION
Admissions Cycle 1

2. Disclaimer
The slide show is intended to provide an overview of PTCAS and NOT be a substitute for the full instructions.
You are responsible for reviewing and following all PTCAS and program-specific instructions. 2

3. What Is PTCAS?
The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) allows applicants to use 1 application and set of materials to apply to 176 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs.
PTCAS is a service of APTA and is administered by Liaison International in Watertown, MA.

4. The PTCAS application for the 2015 entering class will launch on
JULY 1, 2014 4

5. Professional Behavior
PT applicants are expected to act professionally in all of their dealings with PTCAS and the physical therapist programs, and to properly follow instructions and meet deadlines.
Responsibility, respect, good judgment, and cooperation are qualities valued by the PT profession. Applicants are expected to demonstrate these qualities beginning with the application process.

6. REQUIRED Materials PTCAS Application All Official U.S. Transcripts
You must submit the items to PTCAS before your file will be processed
PTCAS Application
All Official U.S. Transcripts
Correct PTCAS Fee
Arrange for materials to arrive at PTCAS by the program’s deadline Once “complete”, file will enter the queue for verification.
Processing may take up to 4-5 weeks once your file is complete. 6

7. Other Materials Accepted by PTCAS
IF REQUIRED by PT program,
submit items to PTCAS. 7

8. Submit Official GRE® Scores
Request Official GRE® Scores from ETS®
Use the correct GRE® code for each PT program, if required
Many PT programs have a separate code from the university
Login to check status of scores sent to PTCAS GRE codes
Enter Your GRE® Scores on the PTCAS Application
Do not mix and match scores from different dates
Enter any planned GRE® test dates
PTCAS Will NOT…
Verify official scores against unofficial scores
Hold files for missing GRE® scores

9. Materials Sent Directly to Program
Supplemental Application
Supplemental Fee
Original Foreign Transcripts 9

10. Reapplying to PTCAS? PTCAS Will NOT Pull Forward… References
If an application was "mailed" to one+ PT programs in the last cycle, PTCAS can pull selected application data and materials forward into the next admissions cycle.
PTCAS Will NOT Pull Forward…
References
PT Observation Hours and Verification Forms
Essays
Payments
PT Program Designations
Responses to School-specific (Custom) Questions for PT Programs
For more information, go to 10

11. Submit U.S. Transcripts to PTCAS
Enter all of your colleges & universities attended
4-Year Institutions
Community Colleges
Print PTCAS transcript matching form for each one
Registrar sends 1official transcript to PTCAS
Ask registrar to include PTCAS transcript matching form
Do not send student-issued transcripts to PTCAS
Do not request electronic transcripts. 11

12. Enter All US Courses on Application
Use a personal copy of transcripts to complete section.
Do not enter courses from memory.
Enter all courses on US transcripts, including…
Credit earned due to AP/CLEP/IB exams
Audited
Deferred
Institutional/Departmental Exam
Incomplete
Pass/Fail
Withdrawn (WP or WF)
If significant errors, PTCAS will “undeliver” your application. 12

13. Academic Update (AU) Enter updated summer & fall 2014 grades
Send updated 2014 transcripts to PTCAS as soon as available
Academic Update Dates:
Dec 12, 2014 – AU OPENS - No edits to coursework until AU opens to you.    
Jan 15, 2015 – Priority deadline for updated transcripts to PTCAS.
Feb 16, 2015 – AU CLOSES - No edits to courses after this date.
Feb 16, 2015 – Final deadline to submit AU transcripts to PTCAS.
You can update your coursework only ONCE.
PTCAS will send updated courses & GPAs to programs. 13

14. 2nd Set of Transcripts
If accepted to a PT program, submit official transcripts directly to institution before you enroll.
PTCAS cannot forward your transcripts to a PT program for this purpose. 14

15. Canadian Courses Enter any Canadian courses on your application
Determine program requirements for Canadian transcripts
PTCAS will NOT…
verify Canadian courses
include Canadian courses in GPAs
hold for missing Canadian transcripts 15

16. WES - Foreign Transcript Evaluations
IF REQUIRED BY THE PT PROGRAM
Arrange for the World Education Services (WES) to send a course-by-course foreign transcript evaluation to PTCAS.
BEGIN EARLY! It may take 4-6 weeks for WES to complete an evaluation.
If received, PTCAS releases a copy to your designated PT programs.
Foreign evaluations are not required for “study-abroad” courses.
Some PT programs require original foreign transcripts to be sent directly to the institution. 16

17. References Send up to 4 references to PTCAS.
Only electronic references accepted.
Enter the address for each evaluator.
Evaluators will login the PTCAS reference portal.
No uploaded reference files are accepted.
No paper references are accepted.
Reference requirements vary by program.
PTCAS will not hold files for missing references.
PT program may not accept late references.
Login to check the status of your references. 17

18. PT Observation Hours Enter your PT experiences on the application.
Programs may require that a PT verify your hours.
PT hour requirements vary by program.
Not all PT programs require PT experience or a signed form.
PTCAS will not determine if you met requirements for PT program.
PTCAS will not hold files for…
missing PT signatures
missing PT observation hours 18

19. Updating Your PT Observation Hours
After you e-submit, you …
Can add new PT experiences.
Can request new PT signatures.
Can make edits to in-progress / planned PT hours.
Cannot make edits to completed PT hours.
Cannot make edits to hours verified by a PT on a paper form. 19

20. PTCAS Essay Question
APTA's vision for physical therapy is “transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.”
How will you embody this vision as a future physical therapist?
Essays are limited to 4500 characters with spaces (~1 page single spaced)
You cannot edit your essay after you submit your PTCAS application.
Review your essay for typos and errors before you submit your application.
Tip: Do not enter comments for a specific PT program in your essay. 20

21. School-specific “Custom” Questions
If required, PTCAS will prompt you to respond.
You cannot submit PTCAS application until complete.
Programs can only view responses to their own items.

22. 2014-15 PTCAS Application Fees
$140 base fee to apply to one program
$40 incremental fee for each additional program
FEE WAIVER is available for financially disadvantaged applicants 22

23. PTCAS Fee Waiver
Fee waiver is available for financially disadvantaged.
If approved, $140 base fee is waived.
Pay $40 for each additional designation over first.
Only US citizens & permanent residents are eligible.
Use PTCAS fee waiver request form.
Submit form and most recent tax return BEFORE you submit your PTCAS application.
There are a limited number of waivers available. 23

24. Deadlines APPLY EARLY Deadlines expire at 11:59 pm EASTERN time.
Many programs have a rolling admissions process.
Program may not consider late applications or materials.
FIRM Deadline - You can NOT apply after the deadline.
SOFT Deadline - You can apply after the deadline, but program will only consider you if space is still available in class. 24

25. 2014-15 Application Deadlines
02/16/2015
03/02/2015
03/16/2015
04/01/2015
04/15/2015
05/01/2015
05/15/2015
Visit the PTCAS Directory for program-specific deadlines.
10/01/2014
10/15/2014
11/03/2014
11/17/2014
12/01/2014
12/15/2014
01/15/2015
02/02/2015 25

26. Early Decision Early decision is a binding option for applicants.
Aug 15 – Early Decision Deadline for Applicants
Sep 25 – Deadline for Programs to Submit Decisions to PTCAS for ED Applicants
Early decision is a binding option for applicants.
Not all programs participate in Early Decision.
If accepted, you cannot apply to other PTCAS programs.
If denied or moved to “general” status, you can apply to other programs in PTCAS.

27. Transcript Verification
Courses on application compared to U.S. transcripts
Transcript grading scheme verified
Staff corrects minor errors to course history
Application will be undelivered, if numerous errors 27

28. PTCAS will email you when your GPAs are posted online
PTCAS GPA Calculation Rules
EXCLUDED:
Foreign Coursework
AP/CLEP/IB
Audit
Deferred
Inst/Dept Exam
Incomplete
Pass/Fail
Withdrawn
INCLUDED:
Repeated Courses
Failed Courses
Study Abroad
PTCAS will you when your GPAs are posted online 28

29. PTCAS GPAs Overall Cumulative GPA Undergraduate Cumulative GPA
Graduate GPA
GPA for Each College / University Attended
GPA by Academic Status
freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, graduate, & post-BS
Combined Science and Math GPA
Science GPA (no math)
Upper-Division GPA
Course Subject GPAs
Core PT Prerequisite GPA 29

30. https://portal.ptcas.org/mobile/
PTCAS Customer Support
Monday through Friday
9:00 am – 5:00 pm EASTERN Time
PTCAS
P.O. Box 9112
Watertown, MA 02471
Login to your PTCAS application frequently to check the real-time status of your application and materials
PTCAS Mobile App 30

31. Stay in Touch! Check your email daily for important messages
You will receive a confirmation for every document received.
Login to your PTCAS application frequently to
Check for missed messages from PTCAS staff
Check on the status of your materials
Respond immediately to any requests 31

32. Important Dates for 2014-15 Jul 1 2014-15 Application Opens
Jul 31 GRE Deadline for Early Decision Applicants
Aug 15 Early Decision Deadline for Applicants
Sep 25 Decisions for ED Applicants Due to PTCAS
Dec 12 Academic Update Opens
Jan 15 Priority Deadline for Academic Update
Feb 15 Academic Update Closes 32

33. Follow These Steps FIRST
Review instructions and PT program requirements.
Create a new PTCAS application account.
Complete “Institutions Attended” section first.
PTCAS cannot post transcripts to your application until this section is done.
Print transcript matching form for each institution.
Request official transcripts to be sent to PTCAS.
Enter all of your college courses.

34. PTCAS is your first step toward an exciting career in physical therapy34