REFERENCES

PT Program Reference Requirements

Enter up to four (4) evaluator names on your PTCAS application. Evaluators can submit electronic letters of reference (eLORs) or paper references to PTCAS. Review the PTCAS Directory to learn the number and types of evaluators required and not accepted by each institution. PTCAS will NOT determine if you have met the reference requirements for a particular PT program.

eLORs Preferred: STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOUR EVALUATORS TO SEND ELECTRONIC LETTERS OF REFERENCE (eLORs) to PTCAS. Alert your evaluator to watch for an automated email from PTCAS with the subject "PTCAS Reference Request". PTCAS will forward you a copy of the automated email once it is sent to your evaluator. Some email filters may interpret PTCAS emails as "spam" and automatically delete or route them to a “junk” or “spam” folder. If your evaluator does not receive an email from PTCAS, ask your evaluator to check all spam and junk email file folders or provide you with an alternate email address.
Paper References: Paper references take longer to duplicate and send to your designated PT programs. If the evaluator does not have Internet access, login to your application and print the PTCAS Reference Form (PDF). Each PTCAS reference form is unique to the applicant and evaluator. The evaluator should complete the paper form and attach it to a signed letter. PT programs may not accept paper references unless a completed form and letter are attached. PTCAS does not verify your references are complete. Paper references must be mailed to PTCAS in a sealed envelope on the evaluator's signed official institutional or business stationery. The letter of reference and PTCAS reference form must arrive together in a single envelope. PTCAS will not accept paper references mailed by applicants. Arrange for only one paper reference to be sent to PTCAS per evaluator. PTCAS will provide a copy of your paper reference to each of your designated PT programs.

Committee and Composite Letters

Each of your designated PT programs will decide whether a committee or composite letters may count as more than one reference. “Composite” letters typically represent a compilation of letters collected from various individuals. “Committee” letters generally represent a single letter with the collective thoughts of a group of designated individuals usually written by the chair or a designee. PTCAS will accept the name of a college pre-health profession advisor in lieu of the evaluator(s).

Letter Services

College and university letter services may mail references directly to PTCAS. Encourage your letter service to complete the PTCAS Reference Form and attach it to your letter packet.

Reference Deadlines

Arrange for PTCAS to RECEIVE all of your references by the application deadline date set by your designated PT programs. PT programs may not consider applicants who submit late materials. PTCAS does NOT enforce reference deadlines and will forward the references to your designated PT programs even if they arrive late.

PTCAS Mailing of References

PTCAS will begin to forward your references to your designated PT programs once your file is complete. PTCAS will NOT hold your application for missing references.

Check Reference Status

Additional References

Do NOT send more than four (4) references to PTCAS. Send any additional references directly to your designated PT programs. PT programs may not consider extra references.

Investigations

PTCAS will not verify an evaluator's identity. If a PT program suspects an evaluation is falsified, the PT program will contact the applicant or evaluator to investigate. PTCAS will share any suspected cases of falsified evaluations reported by a PT program with the applicant and the applicant's other designated PT programs without comment regarding appropriate action. PTCAS will not attempt to verify the accuracy of the PT program’s investigation results.

Editing Your List of References

If one or more of your evaluators is unresponsive or declines your invitation to submit a letter of reference on your behalf, you may edit your evaluator contact information on your PTCAS application before or after you e-submit your application to PTCAS. You cannot make edits to your evaluator’s information once the evaluator’s reference is received.

Waiver

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) gives applicants the right to access letters of reference written unless they choose to waive their right of inspection and review. Prior to requesting a reference from an evaluator, you are required to indicate whether you wish to waive your rights. PTCAS will release your decision to waive or not waive access to this reference to your evaluator and your designated PT programs. PT programs may interpret references as more honest and candid if you waive your right to see the letters. If you retain access, you must contact the evaluator or the admissions office directly to view the reference, and you may be asked to explain your reasons for your choice during the interview(s).

Your waiver decision on the PTCAS web application serves the same purpose as a legal signature, and is binding. If you decide to change your waiver decision, you must login to your PTCAS application to edit your selection online. For paper references, you must reprint the paper form and give the revised copy to your evaluator. Once your reference is received by paper or electronically, you cannot make changes to your waiver decision.

Authorization

In order for PTCAS to process your letters of reference, you must certify the following statements:

I hereby give PTCAS permission to contact the evaluator below via email to request the completion of the PTCAS reference form and letter of reference. If my evaluator does not submit a paper or online evaluation form to PTCAS in response to the email request, it is my sole responsibility to contact the evaluator directly to ensure all references required by my designated PT programs are received by the deadline.

I understand that the PT programs to which I am applying may contact the evaluator either to verify the information provided and/or for further clarification of the information provided, and I hereby give permission for the PT programs to do so.

List of PTCAS Questions for Evaluators

Do NOT print this page. The list of PTCAS reference form questions is provided for informational purposes only. It is intended to help you select the evaluators who can best respond to these reference questions on your behalf. To submit the official PTCAS reference forms, you MUST login to your PTCAS web application and go to the "Reference" section.

Reference's Name
Position
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Email Address
How long have you known the applicant?
How well do you know the applicant?
With what organization or institution were you affiliated when you interacted with the applicant?
Select the role that best describes your primary interaction with the applicant
Approximately how many references do you submit on behalf of physical therapy applicants each year?

If you are a physical therapist, please answer the following questions:

Physical therapist institution from which you graduated
Enter the state(s) in which you are licensed to practice physical therapy: [open text field, since PT may be licensed in more than one state
Enter your PT licensure number

If you are a professor, please answer the following question:

List all courses in which you had the applicant as a student (e.g., Intro to Chemistry, CHEM 101). If you cannot remember courses names or numbers, please list the content area and the course level (undergraduate upper or lower division; or graduate level).

How would you rate the applicant for each of the following characteristics?* Please select the rating that best describes the applicant in the category. Select "Not Observed" if you have not had an opportunity to evaluate the characteristic or have no basis for the assessment. 5=Excellent, 4=Good, 3=Average, 2=Below Average, 1=Poor, 0=Not Observed

Commitment to Learning — the ability to self-assess, self-correct and self direct; identify needs and sources of learning; continually seek new knowledge and understanding
Interpersonal Skills — the ability to interact effectively with patients, families, colleagues, other healthcare professionals and the community; deal effectively with cultural or ethnic diversity issues
Communication Skills — the ability to communicate effectively (speaking, body language, reading writing, listening) for varied audiences and purposes
Effective Use of Time — the ability to obtain the maximum benefit from a minimum investment of time and resources
Use of Constructive Feedback — the ability to identify sources of and seek out feedback; to effectively use and provide feedback for improving personal interaction.
Ethical and Professional Behavior — the ability to exhibit appropriate ethical and professional conduct and to represent the profession effectively
Responsibility — the ability to fulfill commitments, be accountable for actions and outcomes, and to persevere to achieve goals
Critical Thinking — the ability to question logically; identify, generate and evaluate elements of logical argument; recognize and differentiate facts, illusions, assumptions; distinguish the relevant from the irrelevant.
Stress Management — the ability to identify sources of stress, develop effective coping behaviors, and adapt well to change
Problem Solving — The ability to recognize and define problems, use imagination and creativity to solve problems, analyze data, develop and implement solutions, and evaluate outcomes.
Leadership – the ability to take initiative and motivate or guide others; generates ideas and plans or shares a vision for the future

Taking into consideration these characteristics how do you think this person would perform as a health care provider?

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