TIMELINE:
• Connect with a Health Professions
Advisor or Faculty Member
• Start taking basic sciences (See chart
above)
• Think about possible majors (Study what
you love)
• Begin getting involved with volunteer
opportunities (campus and community)
• Start PT experience (PTA, CNA,
Shadowing)
• Look into getting involved in
undergraduate research and talk to
professors
• Go to your professor’s office hours.
• Join some student organizations (Pre-PT
Society)
• Continue with next sequence of courses
• Stay involved in extracurricular activities
(PT, volunteer, etc)
• Begin to think about becoming an officer
in your organizations
• Begin research on professional schools,
their requirements, and assess your
competitiveness
• Investigate GRE preparation options
• BOTTOM LINE: Keep working on the
things you established your first year!!
• Talk to Health Professions advisor or
faculty member to narrow program
options and assess competitiveness (Fall
semester)
• Register for the GRE (Fall Semester)
• Study for GRE and take it
(Spring/Summer)
• Identify 3-5 individuals to write letters of
recommendation (Spring Semester)
• Complete Application (PTCAS) (Spring
Semester-Summer)
• Schedule a mock interview with Career
Services
• Keep working on the things you have
established thus far
• Submit Application(s) if you haven’t
already (Fall semester)
• Wait to be contacted for interview from
medical schools
• Continue with activities and professional
experiences/shadowing
• Talk with an advisor about Plan B if
necessary
• Finish degree requirements and
GRADUATE!
RESOURCES:
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): www.apta.org
APTA Program Perquisites: http://www.ptcas.org/ProgramPrereqs/
GRE Information/Dates: www.ets.org
UA Health Professions Website: www.prehealth.ua.edu
Baffi-Dugan, C., Cannon, R. E., Bingham, R., & Corder, B. W. (2011). Health professions admissions guide: Strategy for
success. Champaign, IL: National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions.