Frequently Asked Questions
What are you looking for in students admitted to your Program?
All of an applicant's admission materials are valued and considered. The following profile of our students describes who is enrolled in our Program.
How many applications are received?
For the class that began in June 2013, 414 qualified applications were reviewed. Applications that do not meet all our eligibility requirements, including our minimum overall GPA, science GPA and GRE scores are not reviewed. Admission was offered to 66 applicants to form a class of 40 students.
Which Admission deadline should I use?
Only exceptionally strong applicants are encouraged to apply using the Early Decision deadline; less than half the class will be admitted from the Early Decision applicant pool. Eleven students in the class starting June 2013 were admitted using the Early Decision deadline. Most applicants will use the November 1, 2013 deadline. By the end of December, these applicants will know if they are offered admission, denied admission, or will be placed on a wait list.
Can I apply before graduating or completing all the prerequisite courses?
Yes. There is no longer a limit on the number of incomplete prerequisite courses you may have to apply. However, a bachelor’s degree and all the required prerequisite courses must be completed before the Program begins. Applicants admitted with outstanding prerequisites are to earn a grade of B or higher in these courses.
Is there a research component of the Program? Are students required to do research?
Research principles are included throughout the curriculum and there are three courses that directly address research. There are numerous opportunities for students to conduct research with faculty and other University of Wisconsin researchers through the Program, however students are not required to produce novel research. Additional independent study research credits can also be taken.
Are UW-Madison students or Wisconsin residents preferred for admission?
No. The rigor of the academic background of each applicant is considered; however there is no inherent preference for UW-Madison or Wisconsin residents.
Can prerequisite courses be taken at technical schools or two-year campuses? Can these courses have been taken over 5 years ago?
Yes. There is no admission preference based on where prerequisites are taken, nor is there a time limitation of when these courses were taken.
Is there a preferred undergraduate major for admission to the Program?
No. The most common majors are Kinesiology and Exercise Science, however most students have other majors. Students with a variety of majors are valued in our Program.
What are the average GPA and GRE scores of accepted students?
The average overall GPA and science GPA are both 3.66 (range 3.18-4.0) The average prior GRE scores are (ranges in parentheses): Verbal = 154 (145-167), Quantitative = 155 (148-162), Writing = 4.5 (3.5-5.0).
Do DPT students interact with medical students?
Our students work with medical students and other health profession students as part of MEDiC (see Student Life > Student Organizations) and through various projects and class activities. A strength of our campus is the numerous health professional programs offered, including MD, PharmD, Physician Assistant, OT, Public Health, and Nursing which our students have opportunities to interact with.
What scholarships and financial aid are available?
There are a number of Program scholarships that students can apply for in the spring of their first and second years of the Program. Please refer to the PT Scholarship information under Student Life, and to the Office of Student Financial Aid, for loan and aid information.
Can I attend the Program part-time?
No. The curriculum is full-time, including summers.
Is it possible to work while being a student?
The curriculum is intense and students are not encouraged to work. Some students do work part-time, typically working limited hours on weekends.
Are there "older" students in the Program?
Yes. Approximately one-quarter of our students graduated from college between 2 and 10 years before starting the Program. Ages of our current students range from 21 to 47.