Frequently Asked Questions

Our admissions committee understands that prospective students have been affected by COVID-19. Therefore, we have made the following adjustments:

• For all coursework completed in 2020 and 2021, we will accept Pass/Fail courses as well as online courses (including prerequisites). No documentation is required from applicants.
• We will accept official scores via the GRE at Home testing option
• We will review your responses to the PTCAS optional COVID-19 impact section

The Elon DPT program participates in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). All applicants applying for the class entering January 2025 will apply online using the PTCAS application. To apply, visit ptcas.org. Elon does not have a supplemental application.

In general, PTCAS can take up to 4 weeks to process your application before it is made available to Elon. PTCAS downloads are received weekly. The Office of Graduate Admissions emails each applicant their login information shortly after we receive your application from PTCAS. It is the applicant’s responsibility to review the progress of his/her application by monitoring his/her status page.

IMPORTANT: A status page is only available after our office downloads your application from PTCAS.

The Office of Graduate Admissions emails each applicant their login information shortly after we receive your application from PTCAS. It is the applicant’s responsibility to review the progress of his/her application by monitoring his/her status page. IMPORTANT: A status page is only available after our office downloads your application from PTCAS.

For evaluation, all documents must be received.

**Important: please add gradadm@elon.edu to your safe senders list. If you have questions about your application status, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at gradadm@elon.edu or (336) 278-7600.

The final application deadline is January 16, 2024. Applications meet this deadline if they are submitted to PTCAS by 11:59pm EST on the deadline. Additional materials such as GRE scores and letters of recommendation may be submitted after this date; but for evaluation, all documents must be received.

The Elon DPT program accepts applications on a rolling basis so applicants are encouraged to apply early. The interviews fill quickly.

The admissions committee reviews applications from September through early spring, when final interviews are conducted. Most interview offers are extended via email by mid-December.

Interviews are a requirement for admission. About 170 of the most qualified applicants will be invited for an interview.

We anticipate interviewing about 170 of the most qualified applicants to fill a class of 46. Last cycle, the program received about 600 applications and interviewed 170 candidates.

The interview day format (virtual/in-person) for the 2022-2023 application cycle is to be determined. The day consists of two, 15-minute individual interviews, informational sessions about the program & admissions process, a (video or in-person) tour of the Gerald L. Francis Center, and sessions with current students & faculty.

Generally, candidates receive a final admission decision through their Elon Application Status Page within about 2 weeks of their interview date.

If admitted, a $1,000 nonrefundable deposit is required to secure his/her space in the program. The deposit is usually required within about 3 weeks of decision release. (For those interviewing in December, a deposit is not required until January 16).

Early Assurance is intended for candidates whose #1 choice is Elon DPT and who would plan to enroll, if admitted. Qualified Early Assurance candidates are invited to a dedicated interview date (Fall 2023) in advance of the remainder of interviews (December – March). Last year, over 75% of our Early Assurance interviewees received an offer of admission. Candidates are notified of their admission decision within two weeks of their interview and will have until January 16, 2024 to accept or decline their admission.

Yes! Application files are reviewed by the admissions committee in the order in which they are completed. To be considered ffor our earliest interview days (December – March), please submit, ensure verification, and complete your application file as soon as possible. Within Elon’s supplemental PTCAS questions, simply answer “no” to Early Assurance and we will consider your application under the next appropriate deadline.

No, Elon DPT’s Early Assurance option is not binding. Candidates may still apply to other programs. However, under Early Assurance, applicants sign a statement reading, “I acknowledge that I am applying to Elon University under the Early Assurance deadline. I understand that if I am admitted, I plan to enroll in Elon’s program.”

We set aside a dedicated interview day each fall for qualified Early Assurance applicants which occurs in advance of our other interviews (December-March). You’ll receive your admissions decision within two weeks of the interview. Last year, over 75% of our Early Assurance interviewees received an offer of admission.

Yes, all candidates who interview are considered for merit-based scholarships. Last year, 40% of our admitted Early Assurance candidates received a scholarship offer. (For context, this aligns with the 40% of our overall class each year that is offered a scholarship).

Admissions priority is given to applicants who exceed the recommended overall GPA of 3.2 cumulative undergraduate and 3.0 overall science academic courses; a combined GRE score higher than 297 on verbal and quantitative sections; present three solid recommendations; an engaging personal statement; and successful completion of work experience. View the class profile to see the average GPA, GRE and more.

Admission to Elon’s DPT program is highly selective. Preference is given to candidates whose GPA, science GPA, and GRE meet or exceed the recommended minimums. Because each application is reviewed fully, the committee may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

Candidates must have completed five of the six science prerequisite courses at the time of application. All six science prerequisites must be successfully completed by the time of enrollment.

Yes – for example, if you take Biology I and Biology II, that suffices as two prerequisites. The combination of prerequisite courses can vary from applicant to applicant. (Note: most applicants have more than six science courses).

One sample list of prerequisites is: Biology I, Biology II, Physics, Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology.

Another possibility is: A&P I, A&P II, Biology I, Exercise Physiology, General Chemistry, and Physics.

Yes, a lab is required for the science prerequisites. The program recognizes that some exercise science courses may not offer a lab, therefore some courses such as physiology or kinesiology may be accepted without a lab.

No, AP courses are not accepted to fulfill prerequisites.

Yes.

All applicants must have taken the GRE within five years of applying to the DPT program. A minimum score of 297 is recommended for a composite Verbal and Quantitative score. A minimum of 3.0 is recommended for the Analytical Writing score. Elon’s PTCAS GRE code is 7617.

The DPT program uses the highest score earned in each section of the GRE, regardless of when, within the previous five years, that score was received.