Columbia University

This page is intended for studnets in their senior year of undergraduate study and college graduates ONLY.

PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION (2011-12)

Cynthia Worthington
Admissions Coordinator
Program in Physical Therapy
Columbia University
Neurological Institute, 8th Floor
710 West 168th Street
New York, New York 10032
Phone: 212-305-0470
Phone (alternate number):
Email: cw75@columbia.edu
Website: www.columbiaphysicaltherapy.org

APPLICATION DEADLINE for 2012 ENTERING CLASS

PTCAS Application Deadline	December 1, 2011
Deadline Type	FIRM Deadline
Application Close Date (for soft deadlines only)
Program Has Rolling Admissions Process?	YES
Important Dates (if any): Interviews are required for program admission. Interviews begin in early January 2012 and continue through February. Interviews are held Friday and Saturday and applicants should expect to spend a full day at Columbia. Following a rolling admissions format, acceptance letters are posted within 1 week post-interview. It is encouraged that applicants complete the application process as quickly as possible on or before the December 1 deadline date. Applications on file with PTCAS by December 1, which remain incomplete, must have any missing documentation submitted before January 15, 2012. No application will be reviewed for admissions consideration after January 15, 2012.

EARLY DECISION

Program participates in the PTCAS Early Decision Applicants MUST apply and submit all materials to PTCAS by AUGUST 15.

Yes

If yes, special eligibility requirements and instructions for early decision candidates to program

Candidates applying for Early Decision consideration must meet the following criteria;

completion of 14 of the 17 prerequisites for admission consisting of all course work in the biological sciences including the upper divisional biology requirement,
have completed the minimum of 75 hours of volunteer or work-related experience in physical therapy,
have undergraduate and science prerequisite grade point averages of 3.500 or higher,
have minimum GRE scores of 550 verbal, 600 quantitative, 4.5 analytical writing, and
submit 2 academic references and 1 physical therapy reference.
An interview will be required.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

If supplemental materials are required, send items directly to the PT program.

Supplemental APPLICATION required?	NO
Supplemental MATERIALS required?	YES
If yes, list of items	Resume First Aid Certification CPR Certification
Supplemental FEE required?	NO
If yes, amount
Supplemental deadline(s) DD-MM-YYYY	01-Dec-2011 for the resume. First Aid and CPR certifications must be provided no later than August 2012.
Link to supplemental forms or instructions
Custom (program-specific) questions on the PTCAS application
Will you have completed the upper divisional biology requirement (e.g. 300-400 level course open to college juniors and seniors) by the end of the fall semester of your senior year or post-baccalaureate prerequisite year? If yes, what course on your transcript fulfills this requirement? If no, how do you plan to fulfill this requirement?
What are your short-term and long-term post-DPT goals? How will Columbia's Physical Therapy Program help you achieve these goals?
What would you like the Admissions Committee to know about your undergraduate and/or graduate academic experience?

PROGRAM PREREQUISITES

Course Prerequisites

Must applicants earn a Bachelor's degree prior to enrolling into the PT program? YES
For more information about course prerequisites, visit the program Web site: www.columbiaphysicaltherapy.org

#	COURSE SUBJECT	COURSE LEVEL	4-YR *	LAB **	SEM HRS	ACCEPTABLE COURSES	COURSE DESCRIPTION
1	Biology / Biological Science	Introductory	Varies	REQ	8	Biology: Cell Biology: Embryology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Histology Biology: Immunology Biology: Microbiology	Students enrolled in a quarter system must take a 3-part series or 3 distinct courses to fulfill this requirement.
2	Anatomy & Physiology I	Introductory	Varies	Rec	3-4	A&P: Separate courses A&P: Combined courses A&P: Comparative A&P: Human A&P: Mammalian	.
3	Anatomy & Physiology II	Introductory	Varies	Rec	3-4		.
4	Biology / Biological Science	Upper Division	YES	No	3	Biology: Cell Biology: Embryology Biology: Genetics Biology: Histology Biology: Immunology Biology: Molecular	Considered a 300-400 level course designated for junior or senior standing, unless the academic institution uses a different numbering system to designate upper divisional courses. Kinesiology and Exercise Science majors can use a course offered from their major to fulfill this prerequisite such as Exercise Physiology or Motor Control.
5	Chemistry I	Introductory	Varies	REQ	4	Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry: Organic
6	Chemistry II	Introductory	Varies	REQ	4
7	Physics I	Introductory	Varies	REQ	4	.	Course does not have to be calculus based.
8	Physics II	Introductory	Varies	REQ	4	.	Course does not have to be calculus based.
9	Psychology	Introductory	Varies	N/A	3	Psychology: Abnormal Psychology: Adolescent Psychology: Child Psychology: Death & Dying Psychology: Developmental Psychology: General Psychology: Human Behavior Psychology: Growth & Dev. Psychology: Life Span Dev. Psychology: Rehabilitation Psychology: Social Psychology: Sports
10	Psychology (specialized)	Introductory	Varies	N/A	3
11	Statistics	Introductory	Varies	N/A	3	Math: Statistics Psychology: Statistics	Economic or Business Statistics is not acceptable.
12	Humanities	Introductory	Varies	N/A	15	.	Five (5) courses are required. These courses can be combined with Social Science courses.
13	Social or Behavioral Science	Introductory	Varies	N/A	15	.	Five (5) courses are required. These courses can be combined with Humanities courses.

* YES=course must be completed in a 4-year college/university and NOT in a community college.
** REQ=required lab; Rec=recommended lab; NO=lab not required; N/A=not applicable

Additional information about program’s course requirements: It is highly recommended that a minimum of 14 of the 17 prerequisites for admission including all course work in the biological sciences and the minimum of 75 hours of volunteer or work experience be completed by December 2011.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

For 2011-12 Cycle: Due to changes in the GRE, programs may require or prefer that you take the exam early and before the "GRE® revised General Test" is introduced on August 1. Early Decision candidates in PTCAS must take the GRE and request scores to be sent by no later than July 31.

GRE General Test = Testing on or before July 31, 2011
GRE REVISED General Test = Testing on or after August 1, 2011

Is the GRE required?	Required
Program’s GRE College Code for 2011-12 Cycle	#7745 (new)
GRE Accepted by Program for 2011-12 Cycle	GRE® General Test and GRE® REVISED General Test accepted
Last acceptable GRE test date – DD-MM-YYYY (if applicable)	01-Dec-2011
Oldest GRE score considered – DD-MM-YYYY (if applicable)	31-Dec-2006

GRE table below may contain blank fields if program data is not available or applicable.

GRE Section	Minimum GRE Score	Average GRE Score for Accepted Students
Verbal	500	550
Verbal Percentile
Quantitative	500	640
Quantitative Percentile
Analytical Writing	4	5
Analytical Writing Percentile
Additional information about program’s GRE requirements	If the GRE is taken more than once, test scores are not averaged. Best set of scores from any one testing date are considered. GRE® General Test and GRE® REVISED General Test accepted

References

Total number of references required by program: 3 References

EVALUATOR TYPE	Applicant must send one reference from this SPECIFIC type of evaluator	Applicant must send a reference from one or more evaluators in this category to fulfill program's requirements	Evaluator Type ACCEPTED	Evaluator Type NOT Accepted
Physical Therapist-1	X
Physical Therapist-2			X (see below)
Professor in Major	X
Professor	X
Academic			X (see below)
Supervisor/Employer			X (see below)
Teaching Assistant				X
PTA				X
Pre-PT Advisor				X
Politician/Elected Official				X
Health Care Professional				X
Friend				X
Family Member				X
Co-worker				X
Clergy				X
OTHER				X

Additional information about program’s reference requirements:

Two (2) letters of recommendation MUST be from academic sources; 1 letter from a physical therapist.
An applicant who has worked/volunteered in more than one PT setting can submit an additional recommendation letter from a physical therapist.
An applicant who is seeking a career change can submit an additional recommendation from an employer.
An applicant who has documented experience in undergraduate research can submit an additional letter of recommendation from the research advisor.
If you have an additional reference beyond the four (4) accepted by PTCAS, contact PTCAS for an 'extra' reference form and instruct your evaluator to send the completed form directly to Columbia.
Composite recommendations kept on file at the university and submitted by a pre-health/pre-medical committee or pre-health advisor are acceptable.

PT Observation Hours

Enter your PT observation hours on your PTCAS application. Print the PT Observation Hours form from the PTCAS application or use online PT Hours signature process, if the program requires you to have your hours verified by a physical therapist. Send signed forms to PTCAS.

PT HOURS	PROGRAM REQUIREMENT
Description of Program’s PT Hours Requirement	PT hours are required - no verification by a physical therapist (see below)
Total Number of PT Hours REQUIRED	75
Total Number of PT Hours RECOMMENDED	100 or above
DEADLINE for Completion of All PT Hours DD-MM-YYYY	31-Dec-2011
PAID Experience	Accepted
VOLUNTEER Experience	Accepted
INPATIENT Experience	Accepted
OUTPATIENT Experience	Accepted
Additional information about program’s PT hours requirement:	Letter of recommendation from a physical therapist should attest to hours completed and description of facility

GPA Requirement

GPAs will be blank if program data is not available or applicable.

GPA	Minimum GPA	Average GPA for Accepted Students
Overall Undergraduate Cumulative	2.75	3.59
Program-specific Prerequisite	2.75	3.50
Additional information about program’s GPA requirements (if any):	Initial grade and repeated course grade are averaged in calculating the program-specific grade point average. Students wishing to enhance their undergraduate grade point are encouraged to take additional courses in the biological sciences.

FOREIGN APPLICANTS AND TRANSCRIPTS

The program’s foreign (international) transcript policies do NOT apply to study abroad coursework that is itemized on a U.S. college or university transcript. Study abroad is processed in the same way as U.S. coursework.

Program’s citizenship requirements (individuals listed may be eligible for admission):	U.S. citizens U.S. permanent residents Canadian citizens Foreign (non-U.S.) citizens with a visa
Program requires non-native speakers to submit TOEFL scores?	Yes, unless 4-year undergraduate degree is from an American University.
Program policy for submission of non-U.S. (foreign/international) coursework:	Send a foreign transcript evaluation directly to the program.
Program policy for CANADIAN coursework:	Send an official copy of the Canadian transcript directly to the program.
Additional information about program’s policy on foreign coursework:	English translation is required for all foreign transcripts. It is recommended that foreign applicants use World Education Services for translational purposes.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

PT Degree Offered:	Program culminates in a doctoral (DPT) degree.
PT Program Start Date(s) For Entering Class – DD-MM-YYYY	04-Sep-2012
Dual-degree programs offered in conjunction with the PT degree (if any)	.
Institution's religious affiliation (if any)	.

Profile of Most Recent Entering Class

Items will be blank if program data is not available or applicable.

Size of Most Recent Entering Class	61
Anticipated Size of Next Entering Class	60
Percent of IN-STATE applicants accepted	20%
Percent of WICHE applicants accepted (if applicable)
Percent of OUT-OF-STATE (non-resident) applicants accepted	75%
Percent of CANADIAN applicants accepted	5%
Percent of INTERNATIONAL (non-U.S/non-Canadian) applicants accepted
Additional information about the class profile	Class of 2013 range in age from 21-47; come from 18 different states; graduated from 51 academic institutions and represent 39 different undergraduate and graduate majors.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Columbia University's DPT program prepares graduates with clinical problem solving skills. Students graduate with a comprehensive foundation of basic principles in the art and science of physical therapy. With 12 full-time faculty and a roster of distinguished adjunct faculty and laboratory instructors from Columbia Medical Center, the New York City area and nation-wide, students are ensured a comprehensive and cutting-edge curriculum. In recognition of the varied abilities and interests of students, the curriculum is designed to be flexible and innovative, incorporating a wide variety of adult learning methodologies, including clinical decision-making, evidence-based practice and self-directed learning. As an extensive Research-1 University, Columbia requires graduate students to show evidence of research acumen. All students are required to complete an evidence-based review paper. The opportunity for more intensive research experience is available through a research practicum. Specialized skill development is acquired through advanced course work, depending on student interest, in adult neurorehabilitation, orthopedics or pediatrics and various elective options during the second and third year of study. Enhancement of teaching skills via a teaching practicum is also offered during Year III.

Students participate in a White Coat Ceremony to welcome the beginning of their transition in becoming empathetic practitioners, a Mentorship Program, which pairs students with physical therapists from the Medical Center and other affiliation sites in New York City, 2 full-time clinical rotations of 8 and 10 week duration and an 18-week internship as the culminating experience of the curriculum. Clinical education sites are located throughout the US, Australia and other countries and mirror today's practice environments.

The Columbia physical therapy educational experience goes beyond the classroom through a pursuit of interests outside the profession. Columbia students are members of an extensive and dynamic university community in a city that has a multitude of cultural and recreational activities.

Interested applicants should explore the program’s web site at http://www.columbiaphysicaltherapy.org/

(Page last updated 5/17/2011)