Ricky Said:

is UIC or NIU a better school?

We Answered:

UIC has a very good reputation for its manual therapy fellowship if that's something you wish to pursue. But really, most employers do not care from where is your PT degree...they just want to see your are licensed and if you have any specialties. NIU has not made the transition yet to the DPT, but expect it to be in the near future. NIU (like UIC) has had a program in place for many years and has consistently held accreditation for many years...that should be some of the most important considerations.

Kathleen Said:

pre-physical therapy?

We Answered:

It's doesn't really have that much of an effect where you go for your prerequisite courses...unless you want to apply to a top tier school like Northwestern for graduate school. In that case, you might have a VERY slight advantage going to UIC.

Kenneth Said:

Will I get in to Physical Therapy School?

We Answered:

From Wis Madison

ADMISSION:
In order to be eligible for selection to the UW-Madison Physical Therapy Program, the following requirements must be met: a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative 3.0 grade point average based on the last 60 credits of undergraduate course work, Graduate Record Examination scores (minimum GRE scores are verbal 340, quantitative 450, writing 4.5), completion of prerequisite science courses with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0, 6 credits of psychology, patient care experience (a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer or paid time in each of two different physical therapy settings), and three letters of recommendation. Science prerequisite courses include: 1 semester each of animal biology, human physiology, human anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, and statistics; 2 semesters each of general chemistry and physics). Students who do not possess a bachelor’s degree from an institution where English is the principal language must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. The UW-Madison Physical Therapy Program offers two admission cycles, with applications accepted beginning September 1. Admission Committee meetings are held twice, with all application materials needing to be received by November 13, 2009 or by January 22, 2010, for consideration to begin the Program in the summer of 2010.


UIC: The specific course and other requirements for application for admission can be found at http://www.ahs.uic.edu/pt/programs/dpt_a… Applications to the program are accepted in the fall for admission in the incoming class for fall semester of the following year. The mean grade point average (GPA) of the class admitted in 2008 was 3.55. Students must have earned a baccalaureate degree to be admitted into the program and must satisfy prerequisites including 2 semesters in each: chemistry (w/lab components), physics (w/lab components), one semester of general biology; 1 course in human anatomy (with lab component), 1 course in human physiology (with lab component) and 1 course in each: general psychology, developmental or abnormal psychology, applied statistics, and calculus. Two courses in human anatomy/physiology combined (with lab components) will satisfy the anatomy and physiology requirement. The GRE is required. At the time of application, the following prerequisites must be completed: at least 4 of the 6 semesters of science prerequisites and calculus, or 5 of the 6 semesters of science prerequisites; an overall GPA of 2.5 which includes a minimum 2.5 GPA in science; documented clinical experiences (by three different licensed physical therapists) of at least 15 hours in each of three physical therapy facilities; two letters of recommendation; and one written essay on a topic specified in the application.

You should apply. You never know else applys. You many not want to limit your choices. Here is the list

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?sect…

Here is some other useful info from the national PT website.

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Sect…

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Sect…

Best wishes

Tanya Said:

If you apply to a pre-professional program at the UIC, is it harder to be accepted to the school?

We Answered:

Yes harder, if the school has a limit on the numbers in that program. You will have to pick up the pace scholastically in order to gain admission to a pt program, they are very competitive.

Lorraine Said:

What's a good univeristy to go to for Physical Therapy? UIC, Loyola, NIU, or Marquette?

We Answered:

All are fine for your undergraduate work...I'd say get the cheapest undergraduate education you can because taking on $250,000 in debt isn't worth it to become a PT.

As far as graduate programs, Loyola does not have a PT program. UIC and Marquette are stellar programs...Northern is lesser known but has had a solid program since the 70s.

Joel Said:

I want to do physical therapy but then in UIC application it asks what other major do i do?

We Answered:

Are you applying as a grad student? If so, just put whatever your major was. If you are a freshman, you must choose a major (and complete it) before applying to the graduate program: common choices are kinesiology, healthcare sciences, etc.