Frequently Asked Questions
How does the application process work?
All applications must be made through the PT Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Applicants should review and follow the application instructions on the PTCAS website. After your application is complete, it will be reviewed and verified by PTCAS, who will then forward it to the school(s) you've designated.
Once WVU receives your application, the admissions committee will review your application to make sure you meet all of the admissions requirements. Applications that meet the requirements will be forwarded for review by our DPT Admissions Committee.
Do you interview applicants for admission?
The DPT Admissions Committee will invite well-qualified applicants for an interview. Interview invitations will be sent to the primary email address listed in the applicant’s PTCAS application. Applicants who are not invited for an interview will also be notified by email.
What happens after I submit my application?
Your application must be received by PTCAS and marked “complete” by PTCAS on or before the October 17 deadline. All transcripts, letters of recommendation, volunteer/observation hour verifications, and GRE scores must also be received by PTCAS by this deadline.
After your PTCAS application is complete, PTCAS staff verifies your coursework and other application details. This means WVU does not receive your application for 3-5 weeks after you submit it to PTCAS.
Once we receive your application, our staff reviews it to make sure you meet our minimum admissions criteria. If you do not meet our minimum admissions criteria, you will notified by email. If you meet our minimum admissions criteria, your application will be forwarded to the DPT Admissions Committee, who will determine which qualified applicants to invite for an interview.
What are the costs to apply?
PTCAS charges application fees based on the number of schools to which you apply. Please refer to the PTCAS website (http://www.ptcas.org) for more information on these fees.
What is the tuition deposit, and is it refundable?
After receiving an offer of admission, accepted applicants will receive a tuition deposit invoice from the university. Deposit amounts are $400 for WV residents and $800 for non-residents. Deposits are due within 2 weeks and are non-refundable. The deposit will be applied to the student's Summer 2022 tuition.
What is the minimum required GRE score?
We don't require a specific minimum GRE score. Your scores from each section of the GRE (verbal, quantitative, analytic/writing) will be considered along with your overall GPA, prerequisite science GPA, recommendation letters, interview, and other admissions materials. To be competitive, we recommend at least a score of 300 combined verbal/quantitative and at least 4.0 on the analytic/writing.
When should I take the GRE?
You should plan to take the GRE at least 6 weeks prior to the application deadline date.
How do I report my GRE scores?
When requesting that ETS report your GRE scores to us, you should use Institution Code 7639. Please note that this Institution Code is different from the code used for other programs at WVU. Using this code will result in your official scores being sent to PTCAS, who will verify your scores and send them on to us.
It is very important that you use the correct codes. If you do not use the correct codes, your application may not be considered.
For more information, see the PTCAS instructions for GRE & TOEFL.
If I take the GRE and don't do as well as I'd like, should I retake it?
This is a decision you'll need to make, considering your other qualifications and the costs of the GRE exam. If you do retake the examination, we use the scores from the best overall attempt.
I've heard it's difficult to get into your program. What are my chances of being admitted?
Last year, approximately 1 out of every 6 qualified applicants received an offer of admission. A qualified applicant is someone who has successfully met all the listed admissions requirements and submitted his/her materials to PTCAS before the posted deadline.
I am not a WV resident. How will that impact my chances of being accepted?
As West Virginia’s land-grant institution, our mission is to serve the state and the health care needs of its residents. Therefore, we give preference for admissions to WV residents and to applicants who attended WVU for their undergraduate education.
However, we encourage qualified non-residents to apply. Each year, approximately ¼ of our students are non-residents who become part of our Mountaineer family!
My overall GPA is below a 3.0. Can I still apply?
We require a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, as well as a prerequisite course GPA of 3.0.
I have not yet completed all the prerequisites for admission. Can I still apply?
Yes, as long as you will meet all admissions requirements by May of the year of entry. Your overall and prerequisite GPAs will be calculated based on the coursework completed at the time you submit your application.
Any courses you are taking during the summer/fall of 2022, or plan to take in the winter/spring of 2023, must appear in your PTCAS application. PTCAS Application Instructions provide details on entering coursework and adding grades for coursework completed in Summer or Fall, and for entering coursework planned for Winter or Spring.
How do I submit verification of PT observation hours?
Verification of PT observation hours is an application requirement for our DPT program. All hours verifications are to be submitted via PTCAS. Please review the PTCAS application and application instructions for submitting PT observation hours.