Pre-Physical Therapy Studies: Taking the GRE & Application Timeline

Freshman Year

  • Enroll in required pre-requisite science courses
  • Discuss options and goals with freshman advisor and pre-health advisor (if necessary)
  • Join a club (it doesn’t have to be a healthcare related one although many students do join a healthcare-related club)
  • Job shadow physical therapists and other health professionals
  • Work or volunteer in a health care setting, preferably related to physical therapy
  • Consider a summer healthcare education program

Sophomore Year

  • Become more involved in your club(s) and/or community service activities
  • Job shadow physical therapists and other health professionals
  • Work or volunteer in a health care setting, preferably related to physical therapy
  • Consider a summer healthcare education program
  • (Spring/Summer): Research physical therapy schools: check out their curriculum, campus, and how well their graduates do in the professional world.

Junior Year

  • Complete courses necessary for admission to physical therapy school
  • Create an application timeline for applying to physical therapy school
  • Continue researching physical therapy schools you are interested in, talk to admissions, visit, etc.
  • Create a study plan and study for the GRE
  • (Spring): Take the GRE at least six weeks prior to the earliest deadline for the schools you are applying to
    • For a list of physical therapy school deadlines, click here.
  • (Summer/early Fall): submit applications to physical therapy schools

Senior Year

  • Participate in mock interviews
  • Prepare for physical therapy school interviews
  • (Winter/Spring): receive offers of admission and deny or accept
  • Finish all degree requirements & graduate