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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply? Applications for the
class to be seated in May 2009 will be accepted from August 1 through
December 15, 2008. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the Medical
College of Georgia uses a rolling admissions process. Well qualified
applicants will be invited to Augusta for interviews soon after their
applications are complete, including all official transcripts, reference
forms, and official GRE score reports. Admissions decisions will generally
be made within four weeks of the interview date. The best qualified
candidates will be offered either a full or contingent admission until the
class is fully enrolled. A waiting list of otherwise qualified applicants
will be maintained. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is limited to an
enrollment of 36 students/class year. It is in the applicant’s interest to
apply at the earliest possible date and we strongly encourage you to do so.
(top of page)
Must I complete all prerequisites before I can be
accepted?
No. We can consider your application before you have completed all
prerequisites. If you have not
completed them, indicate where and when you plan to take each course. Be
sure to confirm that the courses you need will be offered the semester you
plan to take them. You must have documentation of completing all
prerequisite courses before registration, so allow time for final official
transcripts to reach the Office of Academic Admissions. (top of page)
What information is considered during the
admission process?
We review the overall grade point average, prerequisite grade point average,
grade point average over the last 40 semester hours of course work attempted
and GRE
scores to determine who is qualified for a personal interview. At that
point, criteria include the interview, writing ability, overall attributes
of the candidate and
references. Three references are required that focus on your ability to be
successful in a clinical setting. At least one must be from a physical
therapist, although a physical therapist reference form from each of the
clinical settings you have observed is recommended. (top of page)
Will any particular undergraduate major enhance
my chance of acceptance? No. As long as you have completed the
prerequisite courses, your undergraduate major doesn't matter. We recommend
that you major in an area that you enjoy without regard to whether it will
help you enter our program.
(top
of page)
When will I know if I have been accepted?
Soon after your interview, we will send you a letter with our decision. If
you are accepted, you will have a deadline by which to inform the Office of
Academic Admissions of your intention to enroll. (top of page)
When does the program start and how long does it
last?
The program begins in May and continues for nine consecutive semesters
(36 months). Graduation occurs in May of the third year. (top of page)
Is the program full time?
Yes. Courses are taken sequentially on a full-time basis; part-time study is
not available. We strongly discourage off-campus employment while enrolled
in our program. Classes generally meet from 9:00 to 4:00 Monday through
Friday. Most students find that class preparation, attendance and study
require 40-60 hours per week. The
Office of Financial Aid is very helpful in finding
alternative financial resources, and some work-study programs are available
on campus. (top of
page)
What type of experience is needed?
To ensure that you have adequately explored physical therapy and are
confident in your career choice, we require at least 100 hours of experience
in a wide variety of
physical therapy settings (rehabilitation, acute care, sports medicine,
pediatrics, etc.). We recommend that at least 20 of these hours occur in an
inpatient hospital
setting. We prefer direct patient contact or observation. Experience in a
different health field, such as nursing, does not fulfill this requirement.
More than the minimum number of required hours of experience may strengthen
your references but are not ranked as part of the admission process. (top of page)
Are out-of-state students accepted?
We give preference to in-state residents but do accept a limited number of
out-of-state students. To determine if you qualify as an in-state resident,
contact the MCG
Office of Academic Admissions at (706) 721-2725 or (800) 519-3388. (top of page)
How can I learn more about your program?
The Office of Academic Admissions regularly schedules
Closer Look Tours for all departments, including physical
therapy. The programs provide campus-wide
information and faculty interaction in specific departments. To register for
a visit,
complete this online form or call (706) 721-2725 or (800)
519-3388. (top of
page)
You may apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program by completing an online application form or by contacting:
Office of Academic Admissions
170 Kelly Building-Administration
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, Georgia 30912
Telephone: (706) 721-2725
Toll free: 1-800-519-3388
Fax: (706) 721-7279
email:
gradadm@mcg.edu
For more information about
the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at MCG
e-mail us at:
ptadmissions@mcg.edu, or contact the department at
(706) 721-2141.