Are you thinking about becoming a physical therapist but you’re not sure how to break into graduate school? Don’t worry, you are not alone in this. Many career changers and recent grads see physical therapy as a rewarding way to help people regain movement and independence, but the admissions process can feel daunting and overwhelming.
Physical therapy is one of the fastest-growing healthcare careers, with employment projected to grow much faster than average in the next decade.1 This guide breaks down what it really takes to get accepted into a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, from GPA and volunteer hours to GRE scores, applications, and financial aid. Whether you’re mapping out your prerequisites or just wondering how competitive PT school really is, you’ll find step-by-step answers here.
Key Takeaways
- Admission to physical therapy school is highly competitive, with many programs requiring GPAs above a 3.5.
- Observation hours under licensed physical therapists are often required, and some programs even ask for 100+ hours across multiple settings.
- While some schools still require the GRE, more than half of DPT programs no longer use it as an admission factor.
- Costs vary widely; public programs may charge around $15,000–$30,000 per year, while private schools can exceed $50,000.
- Students should apply to multiple schools through the centralized PTCAS system to improve their chances.
- A DPT degree leads to strong career prospects, with high salaries and a growing demand for physical therapists nationwide.
How Difficult Is It to Get Into Physical Therapy School?
There is no doubt that getting into physical therapy school is competitive. Moreover, students need to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to qualify for most of the physical therapy schools in the US. Some programs have rolling admissions, so applying early can improve your chances.
Students often don’t get accepted because they didn’t consider the minimum requirements while applying. As such, let’s take a look at the common physical therapy school requirements so that you can sail through the application process.
Common Physical Therapy School Requirements
Physical therapy school requirements typically include a strong GPA, observation hours, and a bachelor’s degree in a related field. A good grade point average (GPA) is a common prerequisite in most physical therapy schools. While every institution has a different minimum GPA requirement, it is advisable to have a GPA of 3.5 or higher in undergraduate school.
- Letter of recommendation. Most schools usually assess the quality of the application through letters of recommendation. Some schools may ask for one to four recommendation letters from people such as your academic advisor, a science professor, or a previous employer.
- Degree requirements. Students must have an undergraduate degree in order to apply for any graduate school. While there are no mandatory prerequisite courses students need to have, a relevant degree will make your application stand out. Health sciences and other science majors are the best choices. Some schools may also require prerequisite courses such as biology, chemistry, and anatomy.
- Volunteer experience. Students must have prior volunteer or paid experience working with licensed physical therapists. Some schools may even specify a certain amount of hours needed. Aspiring physical therapists can contact clinics, hospitals, and other health care facilities to get hands-on experience working with patients. Competitive programs may require 100 or more hours, sometimes across multiple settings such as inpatient and outpatient care.^
- Good GRE. Taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is mandatory to get into many schools. Some schools may also list a minimum score requirement. However, this isn’t the case with all schools, as it is becoming increasingly common for graduate schools to waive the GRe requirement nowadays.
- Clean background check. Schools may instruct students to declare any criminal background when applying to physical therapy schools. Students may be denied admission if they fail to disclose a previous felony or pending charges. Before admitting a student, the college may also conduct a criminal background check and a drug test.
Physical Therapy School Application Timeline
The physical therapy school application timeline spans about a year, beginning with observation hours and ending with interviews and admissions decisions.
- Spring of Junior Year (Undergrad): Begin shadowing physical therapists and accumulating observation hours.
- Summer Before Senior Year: Take the GRE if required and start preparing application materials.
- Fall of Senior Year: Submit applications through PTCAS. The service opens in late June, and applying early increases your odds.
- Winter/Spring: Attend interviews at selected schools.
- Spring/Summer: Receive admission decisions and finalize financial aid.
Following this timeline ensures you don’t miss critical application deadlines.
How to Get Accepted Into Physical Therapy School: A Step-by-Step Guide
To get accepted into physical therapy school, students must meet academic standards, gain clinical experience, and complete key application steps. Physical therapy is a growing field and presents a wide range of career growth opportunities.
Becoming a physical therapist is not easy. Physical therapists need to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree through a program recognized by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, also known as CAPTE. In addition, they have to get a license by passing the National Physical Therapy Exam to officially enter the physical therapy profession.
However, before all of that, it is important to understand the process of getting accepted into a physical therapy school. Below, we have listed the standard procedure that many schools follow. Though, it is important to note that some requirements may vary depending on the school.
Step 1: Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree
All students need a bachelor’s degree to apply to any physical therapy school. Although students can study any subject, it would be best to take health care or science courses. Some of the common undergraduate courses that students can explore cover behavioral science, kinesiology, psychology, exercise physiology, exercise science, biology, and biochemistry.
Though there may not be specific prerequisite courses, studying the subjects above during your undergraduate career will ensure that you are well prepared for the academic rigor of an advanced degree in the health sciences field.
Step 2: Maintain a High GPA
Simply completing a degree isn’t good enough to get accepted into a graduate program. Currently, many schools require a GPA of 3.5 or higher to even be eligible for the program.
Step 3: Get a Good GRE Score
Many Doctor of Physical Therapy programs require students to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as part of the application process. Just like Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), GRE is also an aptitude test that assesses candidates through reading, writing, and math tests. It may seem easy, but it can be very challenging. Students should start preparing for GRE six months in advance.
A great way to prepare for GRE is to book the test and use official GRE materials. If you aren’t satisfied with your GRE score, you can retake the GRE every 21 days for up to five times a year. However, some schools do not require GRE for their physical therapy program. As of 2025, many programs have eliminated the GRE requirement. So it is best to check with the schools you want to apply to, individually.
Step 4: Volunteer Under Licensed Physical Therapists
Some schools will only admit students who have prior experience with patients. Volunteer experience under a licensed physical therapist can be a deciding factor in admissions. You can contact hospitals, home health care centers, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, or orthopedic clinics to get experience in clinical practice.
While most programs don’t specify the number of observation hours required, some competitive programs may require more than 100 observation hours. These schools may also specify the setting of the experience, such as inpatient and outpatient care.
Step 5: Gather Letters of Recommendation and Other Documentation
Before starting your application, make sure you have gathered at least one letter of recommendation. Talk to your science professor, physical therapist, mentor, or college dean and ask them to write you an excellent recommendation. Also, prepare a checklist of all the other documents you need to complete your application, such as official transcripts, a personal essay, and your GRE score.
Step 6: Explore Scholarship and Financial Aid Opportunities
While submitting your application, explore the financial aid opportunities that different schools offer. You can also talk to education counselors and financial advisors at the school to help you with grants and loans. Some schools may ask you to apply for a scholarship program with the application. In contrast, some programs open scholarship options to applicants only after sending an acceptance letter. Federal programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness may also be available if you work in qualifying settings.
Step 7: Apply for a Physical Therapy School
It is now time to explore which school is best suited to you. Prepare a list of all schools you like and begin the application process. You can use the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) that is offered by the American Physical Therapy Association.
The service allows prospective students to apply to multiple programs through a single application. Students have to pay an application fee of $150 to submit the first application and then an additional $50 every time they apply to another program. Please also take note of application deadlines, as your chance for acceptance will be higher if you apply early.
How to Choose the Right Physical Therapy School
Choosing the right physical therapy school involves weighing factors like tuition, exam pass rates, and program accreditation. When selecting the right school for you, it is important to consider various factors such as placement opportunities, as well as the acceptance rate, location, and financial aid opportunities of the school. You should also check the modern facilities that schools offer to their students.
You can also check the school’s average pass rate for the National Physical Therapy Exam. If a school has a high pass rate, it indicates that the school properly prepares students to be physical therapists in the future. In addition, a good way to choose a school is to visit the campus and take a tour of the department. However, it is best to use a combination of all of these factors.
Cost of Physical Therapy School
The cost of physical therapy school depends on whether you attend a public or private program and your cost of living.
- Public Universities: $15,000–$30,000 per year for in-state students.
- Private Universities: $40,000–$55,000 or more per year.
- Cost of Living: Housing, transportation, and supplies can add $15,000 or more annually depending on location.
Students should also research financial aid options. Federal aid, grants, and scholarships are available, and physical therapy graduates who work in underserved areas may qualify for loan forgiveness programs.
Best Physical Therapy Schools in the US
Some of the best physical therapy schools in the US are consistently ranked among the top by CAPTE and educational review organizations. While there are many excellent programs across the country, the following schools are frequently ranked among the top DPT programs:
- University of Southern California (USC)
- University of Delaware
- Washington University in St. Louis
- University of Pittsburgh
- Duke University
- Emory University
You can explore the full directory of accredited programs through CAPTE.
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Top Tips for Getting Into Physical Therapy School
APTA membership, strong academics, clinical experience, and professional networking are key to improving your physical therapy school application. Do well in your undergraduate studies. Showing academic success in your undergraduate career by maintaining a high GPA is a great way to ensure that you are a good candidate for graduate school.
Get experience. Additional experience working with patients in physical therapy clinics will help boost your application. You can also work at a skilled nursing facility to get additional experience.
Build relationships with physical therapists. When gaining clinical experiences, develop solid relationships with your mentors. This can help you during the admissions process because they can write you a recommendation letter or give you interview tips.
Ask your professor to review your application. Professors or physical therapists can review your application and provide suggestions to help you become a competitive applicant.
Prepare for the Interview. You might need to appear for an interview to get into a graduate program. It is helpful to conduct a mock interview with friends and prepare for possible interview questions in advance.
Consider joining APTA as a student member to access mentorship and networking opportunities that can strengthen your application. Research experience can also help distinguish you from other candidates.
Scholarships and Financial Aid Resources for PT Students
Scholarships and student loans for physical therapy students can significantly reduce the cost of earning a DPT degree. Prospective students should look beyond standard loans to reduce the cost of PT school.
- APTA Scholarships: The American Physical Therapy Association offers several scholarships for DPT students.
- Federal Aid: Students can apply for federal loans and grants via FAFSA.
- State-Specific Grants: Some states provide aid for healthcare students.
- Loan Forgiveness: PTs working in nonprofit or public health facilities may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Will I Get Accepted Into Physical Therapy School?
Acceptance into physical therapy school depends on GPA, observation hours, and applying to multiple programs to increase your chances. Yes, you can get accepted into a physical therapy school if you have a relevant degree, a high GPA, and experience working with patients. When applying to physical therapy programs, make sure you apply to multiple schools to increase your odds. You can also explore online resources and mentorship programs to boost your chances.
Is Getting Into Physical Therapy School Worth It?
Physical therapy jobs offer strong job growth, competitive salaries, and meaningful work in healthcare. There’s an increasing demand for skilled physical therapists in the US. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), physical therapy jobs are projected to grow 11 percent in the next decade, which is much faster than average, with about 13,200 openings each year.1
Further, physical therapists earn a high salary. The median annual wage for physical therapists was $101,020 in 2025.1
How to Get Into Physical Therapy School FAQ
Common questions about physical therapy school cover program length, salaries, licensing, and whether PTs are considered doctors.
It takes around seven years to become a licensed physical therapist. First, you have to complete a four-year undergraduate degree program. After that, you need to complete a three-year doctoral physical therapist program, followed by a clinical residency. Some graduates may also choose to pursue a clinical fellowship.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for physical therapists was $101,020 in 2025.1
No, you don’t have to attend medical school to become a physical therapist. However, you do have to attend a specialized doctorate program. Aspiring physical therapists can get an undergraduate degree in any healthcare-related field. Later, they can enroll in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
Yes, physical therapists are doctors who specialize in managing pain and helping reduce symptoms of many chronic diseases. Like other doctors, they also get hands-on experience in physical therapy school. All physical therapists must earn a doctorate and pass the national board exam to get a license.
No, many DPT programs have eliminated the GRE requirement, though some still list it as an admission factor.
Sources
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