UDPT Frequently asked questions

Yes, the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE are required for UDPT admission and the Admission Committee cannot review an application without GRE scores. UDPT recommends taking the GRE during junior year. There is no limit to the number of times an applicant can take the GREs, and UDPT will utilize an applicant’s highest scores for each section, even if the scores were earned on different testing dates.

Eight prerequisite courses count towards the science GPA calculation: Biology I & II, Chemistry I & II, Physics I & II, Anatomy, and Physiology.

UDPT will only accept passing grades on a pass/fail system for prerequisite courses that were taken when COVID-19 restrictions were in place in 2020 or 2021.

UDPT will only accept online lab credit for prerequisite science courses that were taken when COVID-19 restrictions were in place in 2020 or 2021. Online lecture credit for prerequisite science courses is acceptable.

Yes, UDPT will utilize the highest grade earned when prerequisite courses are retaken. The initial and repeated grades will be averaged in the undergraduate cumulative GPA, however, the highest grade earned will be used when calculating the science prerequisite GPA. No prerequisite courses with an earned grade below a C (2.0 minimum) will be accepted.

No, UDPT does not set a time limit on prerequisite coursework. It is recommended to refresh anatomy content prior to enrolling in the program.

Yes, UDPT accepts credits from community colleges, however, please note that the Admissions Committee does keep track of the number of prerequisites taken at community college. It is highly preferred that a majority of prerequisite courses be taken at a 4-year institution.

Applicants should have three quarters of each science prerequisite with lab to satisfy the two-semester requirement. Two quarters of statistics and two quarters of psychology will satisfy UDPT’s one-semester requirement for each.

UDPT accepts AP credit for prerequisite courses as long as the applicant has received credit for those courses at their undergraduate institution of study.

Calculus, English Composition, upper-level Psychology, Medical Terminology, Healthcare Ethics, Public Speaking, Sociology, and Interpersonal Relationships/Communications.

UDPT welcomes applicants from diverse majors in all bachelor's degree programs, as we believe our classroom, and ultimately the profession of physical therapy, is enriched by including students of varied personal and academic backgrounds.

No, observation hours do not expire for UDPT admissions, however, we recommend that applicants have a majority of their observation hours completed within the past 1-2 years.

Yes, UDPT will accept observation hours completed during telehealth visits when completed with a U.S. licensed and/or educated physical therapist.

It is recommended not to wait to apply until the final deadline in December. UDPT follows a rolling admissions process wherein offers are made with each deadline beginning in August. It is advisable to apply early in the cycle (Round 1 or 2) when seats are available and the pool of applicants is small.

Yes, UDPT has a supplemental application, with a small fee ($35), in addition to the PTCAS application. However, applicants should not complete this step until prompted to do so by the UD Graduate College. 

It is acceptable to have outstanding courses or courses in progress at time of application, especially for students who will be completing courses in their senior year. Should an applicant be admitted, their offer will be conditional pending successful completion of the courses. It is recommended to keep the number of pending courses to a minimum of two or three, particularly if they are science prerequisites.

UDPT has a holistic admissions process, meaning we look for a balance of strengths. UDPT requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum science prerequisite GPA of 3.0. The cumulative GPA and science prerequisite GPA are the two most important academic metrics that the Admissions Committee evaluates. While UDPT does not publish a minimum GRE score, we are looking for an applicant’s best performance on the verbal and quantitative sections. As part of the holistic admission process, additional information about the candidate gleaned from the application also facilitates interview invitation decisions.

Students with both high GPAs & GRE scores stand out during the initial application review. When reviewing the full application, students with strong letters of recommendation, where the recommender speaks to an applicant’s specific strengths, and students with well-written application essays stand out to the Admissions Committee. Then, during the interview, students who ask engaging questions without monopolizing the session, demonstrate active listening, and interact with faculty and students are standouts.

Yes! UDPT offers pre-application advisement meetings wherein more individualized guidance and advice can be given. To arrange a meeting, please email pt-admissions@udel.edu.

There are several qualities one must possess to be successful in UDPT: resilience, flexibility/ adaptability, drive for excellence, passion to optimize patient outcomes, high moral integrity and moral courage, excellent self-reflective skills, willingness to advocate for self and others, and a love for the profession. Admission into our program is highly competitive and our Admissions Committee expends significant effort ensuring admitted students are a match for the program.

The hallmarks of our program are the opportunities and experiences that exist on STAR Campus. Expert classroom instruction is delivered by board certified and PhD prepared educators, researchers, and clinicians. Professional attributes are further developed through interprofessional collaborations, high-fidelity simulations, and service learning. The human anatomy lab solidifies knowledge necessary for future application through the generosity of anatomical donors. Under the direction of expert clinician faculty, students receive hands-on training in our two full-service physical therapy clinics where classroom theory and research findings are immediately applied to patient care. Our clinical education program holds contracts with outstanding facilities throughout the U.S. wherein students refine their ability to deliver high quality, evidence-supported care.

UDPT is committed to advancing diversity in the profession by creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The ADaPT (Advancing Diversity in Physical Therapy) program is dedicated to preparing minority students for successful entry into the physical therapy profession. With significant evidence that increasing diversity in health care having the potential to maximize health outcomes for all people, the goal of ADaPT is to draw a larger number of minorities to the profession, help them succeed, and become leaders in the profession, which will then parlay into improving the current health disparities that exist among minorities overall. UDPT is also involved with HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), which provides high school students with opportunities to explore and learn about health professions and is a great way for students from underrepresented groups to gain experience and exposure to the health professions. In addition, the department has implemented diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) initiatives to address gaps within the curriculum and inequities within student cohorts and faculty, through committees and working groups made up of both students and faculty. 

Students within UDPT’s program are connected to the professional association (APTA) upon their first semester in the ‘PT as a Profession’ course wherein students attend their first continuing education course and business meeting, opening up their networking opportunities. From there, students are encouraged to become active within the APTA, as it fits with their learning and academic needs. Many students attend, as well as present, at the national and regional conferences sponsored by the APTA and other professional associations. Additionally, some students pursue student leadership roles with the Delaware Chapter of the APTA.

There are a limited number of hourly employment opportunities in the UDPT office, clinic, and research labs, as well as in the College of Health Sciences. Given the demands and fluidity of the DPT schedule, it is recommended that students limit part-time employment to no more than 10 hours per week.

UDPT does not have an early assurance or connected degree pathway for UD undergraduate students. With that being said, UD undergraduate students receive a number of competitive advantages in the UDPT admission process. This includes mentoring from UDPT faculty, the opportunity to complete observation hours in the on-campus PT clinic, the option to take pre-professional PT seminar courses, and more. 

The UDPT admission cycle works in rounds, where applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible for best consideration of available seats. In recent years, of qualified UD undergraduate applicants who applied by Round 1, 85% or more were invited to interview and 85% or more interviewees received offers of admission.

PT-interest students are encouraged to contact the College of Health Sciences at chs-advise@udel.edu for more information about suitable undergraduate programs.