Admissions
Rehabilitation Science class focused on adaptive sports basketball held in Alumni Arena.
Students may enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy professional graduate program in one of three ways.
On this page:
COVID-19 Admissions Updates
COVID-19-related admissions changes for 2020-2021 admissions cycle
Our staff and admissions committee understand the issues that you are facing and will continue to adjust our assessment of applications as needed. Our primary concern is the safety of all of our applicants.
Pass/Fail coursework
We recognize that COVID-19 has disrupted academic plans across the country and that applicants are facing unprecedented challenges related to the pandemic. Many colleges and universities have elected to offer pass/fail grading as an option during the 2020 spring semester, including the University at Buffalo. Our program will accept pass/fail grades for the spring 2020 semester only, with no disadvantage to the applicant.
To give us the best sense of your academic preparation, prerequisite coursework you have taken before spring 2020 should be on a graded basis (as opposed to pass/fail).
Observation hours
Due to self-quarantine, social distancing and other virus mitigation policies, it may be more difficult for applicants to accumulate significant preparatory experiences such as observation hours with a licensed physical therapist.
As a result, we are encouraging applicants to be creative and obtain observation hours where possible, including telehealth or any other interaction with a licensed physical therapist where the applicant can learn more about physical therapy. Applicants may also apply without these hours if they are unable to find any way to obtain them.
If you have a question regarding whether your specific observation experience will be accepted, reach out to Jaclyn Levesque at jl388@buffalo.edu.
GRE tests
To meet the needs of students unable to take the GRE General Test at a test center due to public health concerns, ETS is temporarily offering a GRE General Test at-home option.
- Scores must be linked to your PTCAS application no later than 11/13/20.
- Please take note of the UB School Codes that you must provide to ETS to have your scores linked to your application: Program PTCAS GRE Code: 4718, University Code: 2925, Department Code: 0619
Letters of recommendation
We still have the same requirements for the number and types recommendations. We recognize that COVID-19 may have an impact on the depth of your interactions with referees, and that comments provided may be more generalized due to the potential of having a lower number of in-person contact hours.
A letter of recommendation from a physical therapist is preferred, but is not required for this application cycle. References should speak to your potential for working in health care.
Transcripts
You must provide official transcripts in your PTCAS application. We will not accept unofficial transcripts at this time.
Applications and Deadlines
Applications to the graduate DPT program are for fall semester admission only; there are no spring semester admissions.
Apply by Nov. 1 through the PTCAS application, and pay the $50 UB application fee in addition to the PTCAS fee.
Applications and all required documents, including your GRE scores, must be submitted, linked and verified by PTCAS by Oct. 1. Please be aware that verification of applications can take up to four weeks.
You will be provided with an admissions decision in mid to late February.
Requirements
Students are evaluated based on all materials submitted and will be considered in the context of all their accomplishments.
- A GPA of 3.0 or above in prerequisite courses.
- GRE scores of 295 (inclusive of verbal and quantitative). The analytical writing portion is not included in the total score but is required.
- Volunteer Observation Hours--40 hours of volunteer experience under a licensed physical therapist. Documentation of volunteer experience is part of the PTCAS application.
- Personal Statement.
- Contact information for two references
- One reference must be from a physical therapist.
- An additional reference can be from any one of the following: another physical therapist, a professor in your major, professor, a PTA, pre-PT advisor, health care professional or clergy.
- The following references are NOT accepted: References from a teaching assistant, friend, family member, co-worker or anyone not on the approved list provided above.
The following additional information can be found at PTCAS.org:
Questions about the PTCAS application and applying to the DPT program?
Please email Jaclyn Levesque, admissions and enrollment coordinator, at jl388@buffalo.edu.
Admissions questions?
Contact Mary Ann Venezia, program coordinator, at venezia3@buffalo.edu.
The University at Buffalo is committed to ensuring equal access to its programs and activities. The entire notice of non-discrimination can be viewed here: www.buffalo.edu/equity.html
