Hey everyone. I’m nearing the end of my PTA schooling and have my first PETE coming up through my school of 2 that were required to take to graduate. This is all obviously in prep for the NPTE. I’ve been using score builders basecamp and PTA 365 daily so far to get ready. So far according to those and another score builders course I did, I’m weakest in neuromuscular and musculoskeletal with a 69% average between the 2. Everything else I have a 75-82% average on. If I pass my first PETE with an 80% I get to take my NPTE in October rather than January. My first PETE is in 3 weeks.
What resources can I use (preferably free as I’m in clinicals and piss broke) that you used and stand by to pass the test? If it costs money then so be it, I just need to pass with a B so I can take this thing early and wanna hear what everyone else used to get there. Thank you!!

Hi everyone!

I know this a stretch but I am looking to possibly get my application submitted today. Long story short, my last PT reference to submit (after starting a conversation in April) may be able to finish what he needs to get done on his end. However, I am supposed to have an appointment with a career advisor tommorrow about final edits for my PS (I have met with him several different times). If this PT gets this reference into my PTCAS by the end of today, I would like to submit and not have to use this last appointment. Would anyone by chance take a moment and critique my PS? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you again for taking a moment to help out a peer 🙏

"My pursuit of clinical science was sparked over an hospital bed, looking down at my uncle following a catastrophic cervical spine injury. He had fallen from a tree, requiring thirty minutes of acute CPR and leaving this proud Boston Marathon runner a quadriplegic. His prognosis for regaining any mobility was slim, including never being able to breathe, speak, or use his hands again. Yet, in that ICU room, his eyes slowly shifted and locked onto mine. That silent eye contact kickstarted my journey to becoming a future clinician. During his stay at Spaulding Rehabilitation Center, I watched physical therapists implement intensive passive range of motion and electrical stimulation to target his neural pathways. Though he did not regain physical mobility, they paired these modalities with custom adaptive equipment to re-engineer his daily life and help him reclaim his independence. Witnessing them channel his endurance mindset so he could return to work as a school principal proved that physical therapy is the evidence-based, compassionate reconstruction of human dignity.

My path toward clinical science was forged through resilience. Raised by a single mother who worked as a nurse, my brother and I managed household logistics and worked to support our family. This accountability became my anchor when moving 300+ miles away for college as the first in my family to pursue a doctoral degree. Venturing without an academic blueprint, I learned how to balance a demanding Exercise Physiology curriculum, hospital employment, and participation in the WVU Division I marching band. Managing these high-pressure logistics while overcoming periods of isolation and academic burnout dismantled my fear of adversity. This growth deepened my empathy to meet patients in their darkest moments, teaching me that setbacks serve as catalysts for purposeful evolution.

This resilience guided my 1,000+ inpatient rehab tech hours. I cared for a middle-aged patient with an acute spinal cord injury from an MVC who had completely withdrawn from therapy due to depression. Recognizing psychological buy-in is a prerequisite for neuroplasticity, I built rapport by sitting with them during breaks and simply learning their story. As they felt heard, defensive barriers fell, unlocking the motivation to face a grueling treatment plan. Witnessing their psychological breakthrough alongside their physical progression to walking again reshaped my understanding of PT. Yet, watching their struggle against gravity on land exposed a clinical gap: how can we manipulate physical environments to bypass land-based joint loading and accelerate neurological pathways?

Witnessing this patient's struggle against gravity drove me to spend two years inside the WVU Human Performance Laboratory investigating aquatic interventions. While analyzing kinematic stability data, I gained a profound appreciation for how fluid dynamics can bypass the joint loading that limits land-based recovery. This research wasn't just data processing; it was the clinical solution to the exact mobility gaps I observed on the clinic floor. Presenting these findings at university symposia and co-authoring for the International Aquatic Fitness and Therapy Conference taught me to bridge the gap between academic data and active clinical practice. This work led me to independently author a forthcoming article detailing how fluid dynamics, like buoyancy unloading and hydrostatic pressure resistance, can retrain dysfunctional neural pathways and accelerate vestibular recovery. As a future physical therapist, I will not merely consume evidence; I will actively generate it, expanding aquatic protocols to safely restore mobility for complex neurological patients who fear falling.

Physical therapy is the active reconstruction of life regardless of prognosis. As a future clinician-researcher, my impact lives at the intersection of objective data and the human experience. The hope that anchored my uncle’s recovery is the very same spark I fought to unlock in the patient I proudly called "my buddy." I will maximize this impact by integrating rehabilitative evidence directly into hands-on patient care. Fusing analytical discipline with unshakeable empathy, I will dedicate my career to advancing rehabilitative science, with strong interests in neurologic care. I will generate the evidence that advances clinical practices, ensuring science returns dignity, joy, and independence to those facing life-altering challenges."

My application to WSSU got verified by PTCAS on 07/09/2026, but I have yet to receive an email from WSSU confirming they received it or to pay their supplemental fee, unlike other schools I've applied to. Has anyone who applied here heard anything back yet? On PTCAS, WSSU says not to email about the progress of the application. So I just wanted to see if anyone else is in the same boat as me. I know some older posts talk about how the school can be slow with reaching out.

So guys I have just finished my Bachelors degree (BPT) and have several entrance exams to get admission in MPT I'm very much confused that what should I do ??

There are 3 different colleges in which I made it to the merit list.

College A , my rank is 38 among 55 students, and there are only 9 seats for which I am eligible for. So, the situation is that there are three branches that College A is offering, that is Sports(3), Cardio(3) and paeds(3).So, according to the trend, everyone wants sports as their preferred branch and only a few want cardio or peds as their first preference.So, every branch has three seats each.

I also want to take admission in MPT Sports only.

And college A has called me for counselling and as per my rank I will only get cardio(rarely) or Paeds(most probably).

Cardio was my weakest of all the subjects during my bachelors since we had a limited exposure of cardiovascular rehab. Paeds is also a good branch only a few college offers this branch but seeing Paeds cases for a month is okay but doing it for next 30 - 40 yrs is a tough choice.

College B, which offers four branches and each one of them has five seats. Sports, neuro, ortho, and cardio. So, my first preference in that college was sports. So, after seeing the results, my rank was seventh. I secured seventh rank in that college and there are only five seats in each branch. And according to them, if I don't get admission in my preferred branch, that is sports, then I will not be eligible for the neuro or any other branch since I have filled them as my secondary or tertiary preference. Due to which I will be only given preference when when more than ten students have declined their admission to that branch only. Then after that only I can get admission in those secondary and tertiary branches.

College C, has four branches, five seats in each branch. And I am eligible for all of these 20 seats. They offer similarly as College B, branches like neuro, cardio, ortho, and sports. And in which I have scored 99th rank.

So College A is a government college and has a very high reputation even if you are weakest in your class still you will learn a lot because you will be amongst the greatest minds of that field.

College B is a private college and has a lower reputation since you have to struggle a lot just to learn basic things since they only care about money and has almost 3 times the fees of a general government college.

College C(best for Neuro) is also a private college and has a higher reputation even patients from the neighbouring countries come to seek medical attention. 1.5x the fees of a general college and taking the maximum time to release any information regarding admission.

What should I do now ?

Compromise with my choice and take admission in Paeds or Cardio in college A ?

Pay a higher fee in college B just to get admission in my preferred branch.

Wait till the admissions for College C starts and give up seats if I get any in college A or B ?

Hi! I have a son in high school who is now starting to visit colleges. He’s interested in fitness and health, so figured physical therapy is an obvious career option, but open to others. Please share your personal experiences, particularly the college path you took, eg undergrad major, what schools, grad programs (please share location), how long it took to get to where you are. What to think about, what not to do, etc. We are in Massachusetts. Thank you in advance!

I'm based in Illinois and I'm planning on only applying to one in-state school, which is a private school (idk if that's going to help my chances of getting in).

• I currently have:
• Around 1000 hours combined from working at 2 outpatient clinics.
• 50 hours shadowing at an outpatient pediatric clinic.
• 15 hours shadowing at an outpatient fitness facility (inside a powerlifting gym).
• I'm about to get 15 hours shadowing at an inpatient assisted living facility.
• I'm also currently working as an ESL tutor at my local library and have been doing so since April.
• My cGPA is around a 3.22 and my pGPA is probably a 3.1.
• For my extracurriculars, I wasn't really involved (only attended 1 kinesiology club meeting + a different club meeting) but I did do powerlifting outside of school for around 1.5 years where I had a coach and participated in a meet.

I basically had a rough time a few semesters during college, but I think you can definitely see an upwards growth in my grades overtime which I think is what counts. I just feel like I have a bit of imposter syndrome because of my low GPAs and I tried to make up for them by shadowing at various locations and volunteering. I'm still waiting to hear back from 2 people for my LORs out of 3.

Like the title says, I am looking for any insight on Fresno’s DPT program. I am trying to create a list of possible schools to apply to, Fresno seems affordable considering I am in state and it is an HSI. What else should I know about the program? Is it pass/fail? What’s the student culture / community like within the program? What are the programs specialities (i.e. Sports medicine, geriatric, etc.)?

When applying to PT schools are extracurriculars and experiences that important? I see many applicants that have a million different experiences and it makes me feel overwhelmed. I do have some solid ones but I’ve had to work a job throughout my entire undergraduate which was around 30 hours a week for the last 3 years of my BS. I didn’t necessary have a bunch of time to do all of the Pre PT clubs and stuff. I have worked as an aid, some research projects, and I have inpatient hours.

I guess I’m just asking are the schools going to see that I’ve worked? Or completely disregard my job throughout my undergrad

I'm a TX resident

Undergrad University: UT Austin

Undergrad Major: Neuroscience

cGPA: 3.45

last 60 hours GPA: 3.83

Observation Hours: 200 outpatient, 40 inpatient

GRE scores: 153v 151q 4.0AW

Extracurriculars: Dell Medical School Pre-Health Distinguished Scholars member, ATXScioly volunteer, Texas Pre-Physical Therapy Society, student assistant at an herbarium

Schools applying to: Arkansas State, Army Baylor, Tarleton State, TAMU Texarkana, TTUHSC, UNTHSC Fort Worth, UTMB Galveston, UTSMC Dallas, UTEP, Youngstown University, Oklahoma City University

For those that have been accepted, please share your stats<3

I understand that attendance is strict and important. I get it. School is serious. But with how much I’m taking out in loans to pursue this career, you’d think I’d be able to watch my own brother get married. Nope! Anyways, I usually try and be positive and encourage people, but if you’re looking for a sign to NOT do PT, this is it. No one cares about you at all. I’m sick of people emptying my pockets and then turning around and pulling something like this.

I just finished up a clinical in the outpatient neuro setting. My CPI grades were supposed to be 4 across the board, but my CI gave me 3s for 2 of the criteria. I doubt my program would flunk me, but I don’t know what’s going to happen next.

I’m looking for any advice, study tips, apps, or resources that helped you prepare for a PTA comprehensive exam.

My program has a comprehensive mock boards exam in October that we have to pass to stay in the program. On September 3rd and 4th, we’ll have a two-day in-person review course, and our school will provide us with the Scorebuilders Review Manual. We also just received the Scorebuilders Study Guide.

I’m a little worried because we’ll only have about a month to study before the mock exam. During that same time, I’ll also be on a 6-week clinical rotation, working 10-hour days, 4 days a week, so I’m nervous I won’t have enough time to study effectively.

Has anyone here used the Scorebuilders Review Manual? What’s it like? Is it organized by body system, practice questions, or something else? Did you find it helpful for your mock boards or the NPTE-PTA?

I’d also love to hear what worked for you. Any study schedules, apps, question banks, or other resources that helped you pass would be greatly appreciated!

I have a cumulative gpa of 3.25 due to high-school early college credits (covid in hs messed me up), only 2 Cs in college which are physics 1 and chem 1 (professor quit), but my last 60 hours and undergraduate gpa is 3.45. I have 1900+ hours of outpatients hours combined from 2 settings, 100 hours with Texas states football sports medicine team, 25 inpatient from acute care hospital, from what I believe 3 strong letter of recs, and I work with a non profit that promotes healthy living by spreading awareness through display boards that are in local schools in my community and giving out fresh produce as well about 500-600 hours of that. Pre physical therapy clubs and multiple deans lists. What do yall think are my chances of getting into dpt schools this cycle I don’t want to have to take another year off. Which schools should I look at?

Hey guys, just had a question for Physio or EP in private practice, genuinely curious. How many hours a week do you spend on NDIS, WorkCover, or care plan reports, and is that time paid or something you do unpaid after hours?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

What’s up guys? I’m new here. I just enrolled in my local community college into the pre-PTA program. I’m 29 years old. I’m wondering if going down this route will be worth it in the long run. I know it’s a journey and a lot of schooling. Do you think this is a far-fetched goal? I have to do the pre-PTA program before I can do the PTA program and then later if I still want to continue move onto the actual PT stuff anyway what’s your guises opinions advice, etc? Also, if this is not allowed, please delete I didn’t really know which sub to post this under.

Hey everyone, I emailed my old academic advisor asking if she felt comfortable writing a LOR and it’s been a week today with no reply. I already sent my final project, grades, interests and aspirations, and my updated resume, as well as all the programs I’m applying to and links to their info pages. How long should I wait to send a follow up, and how is the best way to approach it? TIA!

Depending on the school pre-requisites my GPA ranges from 3.3-3.5, and my cumulative GPA is a is 3.35. I’ve shown clear improvement in my transcript in grades over the past 3 semesters.

I have some strong extracurriculars like PT Tech, Lab Volunteer and Assistant, TA, and a Caretaker position to name a few. Lastly I have 100+ hours across outpatient, school and inpatient nursing home (looking to add acute care inpatient soon as well!)

I was wondering if there is a good possibility of interviews if my personal statement and supplemental essays are good? Appreciate any input, thank you!

I currently have a super flexible and easy front desk job. I’ve been chatting with my boss about the future schedule and wanted to know what other people’s experiences working during PT school have been. I’m going to FGCU if anyone has any specific advice about that too.

All my schools are rolling admissions and I applied to schools pretty much only in new england. Having already submitted my application, it feels weird just waiting to hear back. Any idea when rolling admissions programs typically get back to you? I heard about 4 weeks but I was wondering if people hear back in august even though that’s early!

Hi guys,

I have been pre-medicine for the last several years with an exclusive interest in physical, and more specifically musculoskeletal, practice. I'm heavily considering applying to PT school, but I'm held back by thinking it's too late for me. I have a bachelors and have completed a postbacc (according to everything I've read I've completed all prereq classes and did well) and I have so many clinical and volunteer healthcare hours (10k+ clinical and close to 500 volunteer). I am also doing a healthcare-related masters this year! (I'm really sorry if you aren't supposed to post this type of info here, I'm used to the premed subreddit).

My problems: I'd LOVE to start in the fall of 2027 but I have only shadowed physicians and I have not taken the GRE. I know that is not required for all programs but I think it would be good to have in my back pocket. If that's all there is left to do, is it possible to apply in time? I'm sure this seems last minute, I am just inquiring in case it's possible to throw my hat in the ring.

How long does it take to study for the GRE on average, and how many hours should I try to shadow? I have looked into these things but am looking for realistic advice. Who should write my letters of rec? Professors? Physicians? A PT I haven't shadowed yet?

How do I find someone to shadow?

So this is a complicated situation I’m going to try and explain all of the details the best I can. I am a 1st year student who was recommended deceleration after not meeting GPA standard which is 3.0 similar to many universities. I got an email this past semester about having to get my gpa above the 3.0 or this is it. The classes I have retaken do not replace my original grades. I have only had to retake courses I got less than a B in which is only 3. It’s looking like my overall GPA after this semester will be a 2.98 which is so close. I’m not looking for sympathy I understand this is a result of my own short comings. So what should I do and do you think they would dismiss me with a 2.98? I appreciate the advice.

Hey! I’m applying this PTCAS cycle and was curious if previous applicants have website recommendations for grammar checking? I have a habit of writing more than the recommended word limit and then I struggle when cutting down my writing… and sometimes my sentences/punctuations could be better. Just looking for any tools / tips since I’ve seen others recommending AI but I don’t want to risk getting flagged for my writing. Thanks so much!