DPT FAQs - Application & Interview - Prospective Students - Western University of Health Sciences

Entry Level DPT

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DPT FAQs - Application & Interview

For questions pertaining to students with advanced standing, see Transitional DPT FAQs-Application. For students seeking their first degree in Physical Therapy, see below.

How many applications do you receive, interviews do you grant, and applicants do you accept in an average year?
How will you calculate and evaluate my grade point average (GPA) during the application process?
May I turn in more than the required number of recommendation letters?
Do the recommendation letters have to be turned in with the application packet?
How does the committee decide which applicants will be offered seats?
When are acceptance letters and final notifications mailed?
Do you have an early decision process?
I am a re-applicant. How can I improve my application or my chances to get in?

How many applications do you receive, interviews do you grant, and applicants do you accept in an average year?

We typically receive approximately 160 applications and seat a class of 40-44 students. On-campus interviews are not required. However, prospective applicants are encouraged to attend one of our DPT Information Sessions. You are also invited to make an appointment with the Physical Therapy department at any time to meet with faculty, speak with students and tour our facilities.

How will you calculate and evaluate my grade point average (GPA) during the application process?

Your GPA will be calculated in two ways:

Cumulative GPA - includes all previous coursework, including post-baccalaureate, listed on all transcripts
Prerequisite GPA - includes all prerequisite courses listed on all transcripts
We may also consider a GPA based on the last 60 semester/90 quarter units

May I turn in more than the required number of recommendation letters?

Yes. However, it is advisable to limit the number to one-two extra since a total of three-four well-chosen recommendations will usually paint a clear picture of the candidate, and additional recommendations will only add to the committee members' reading time.

Do the recommendation letters have to be turned in with the application packet?

We prefer that the letters of recommendation be included in the application packet. However, recommendation letters can be sent (in a sealed envelope) directly from those who write them, and they can be sent before or after the application is submitted, as long as they are received prior to the deadline.

How does the committee decide which applicants will be offered seats?

After the committee has reviewed all materials, applicants will be assigned a status: admit, alternate, hold, or non-accept. Applicants will be notified by mail of their status within two weeks of the committee's decision. There is no need to call, as applicants will be notified immediately if there is a change in their status.

When are acceptance letters and final notifications mailed?

Acceptance letters and final status letters are usually mailed within two weeks after the final decision has been made.

Do you have an early decision process?

Priority consideration will be given to those applicants who have an overall and prerequisite GPA of 3.5 or greater and meet the December 1 deadline. The committee does, however, review completed applications and make decisions throughout the admissions cycle. In many cases, the sooner you submit your completed application, the sooner you'll receive a decision.

I am a re-applicant. How can I improve my application or my chances to get in?

Take a critical review of the information that you mailed the admissions office and see if there are any obvious voids. For example, maybe you had one or two low grades that lowered your overall and/or prerequisite GPA, or maybe you weren't involved in community service, or merely forgot to include it on your application. You would be surprised at how much you can learn about the strengths and weaknesses of your application simply by looking at it from an admissions perspective.

If you had a low grade, especially in a prerequisite course, you should consider retaking that class, since we will recalculate your GPA with the new higher grade when we receive the new transcript. It's important to realize that sometimes there isn't one obvious thing that you can change to be admitted. Every case is different and every year the competition is different. Above all else, it is important to realize that we receive applications from many highly qualified applicants each year and are only able to offer acceptances to 40. If this is the path you are committed to, then keep trying!

Last Updated:08/05/2007

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