Admissions

The College of Health Sciences Physical Therapy Program considers for admission those students who possess the academic and professional promise necessary for development as competent, caring members of the healthcare community. To select these candidates, a competitive admissions framework has been established. Within this competitive admissions framework, multiple criteria are used to select the most qualified candidates from an applicant pool that exceeds the number of seats available. 

The Midwestern University Physical Therapy Program uses the Centralized Application Service for Physical Therapy Schools (PTCAS) for students applying to the Program. All applicants to the Physical Therapy Program are required to submit their applications to PTCAS at https://ptcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login with all required materials by April 15, 2024. Please refer to the PTCAS website for instructions on submission of PTCAS application materials.

The Physical Therapy program operates on a rolling admissions basis in which completed applications are reviewed throughout the admissions cycle to determine applicant eligibility for interviews. Interviews are typically conducted during the winter and spring. Admission decisions are generally made within one month of the interview.  

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the Physical Therapy Program must submit the following documented evidence: 

1. Completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
2. Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 and a minimum science GPA of 2.90 on a 4.00 scale
3. Completion of prerequisite courses totaling 40 semester/58 quarter credits as listed from regionally accredited colleges or universities
   • Grades of "C" or better (grades of "C -" are NOT acceptable) are required in each course
4. Minimum requirement of 30 hours of observation, volunteerism, or work in a physical therapy setting
5. Demonstration of a people or service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities
6. Motivation for and commitment to healthcare as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences
7. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues
8. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy
9. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check

Prerequisite Courses 

Science Courses
Biology with lab	4 Semester/6 Quarter hours
Human/Vertebrate Anatomy with lab	3 Semester/4 Quarter hours
Human/Vertebrate Physiology	3 Semester/4 Quarter hours
General Chemistry with lab	4 Semester/6 Quarter hours
General Physics with lab	8 Semester/12 Quarter hours
General Courses
Math (college algebra or above)	3 Semester/4 Quarter hours
Statistics (should include inferential statistics)	3 Semester/4 Quarter hours
English––must include at least one composition course (oral communication/public speaking is recommended)	6 Semester/9 Quarter hours
Social & Behavioral Sciences (at least one course in psychology)	6 Semester/ 9 Quarter hours

Application Process and Deadlines 

1. PTCAS Application
   Applicants are required to submit their applications to PTCAS at https://ptcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login by April 15, 2024. Please refer to the PTCAS application instructions for specific details about completing the application, required documents, and processing time. The PTCAS application should be available for applicants beginning during the summer months. Due to the large number of applications and the limited number of seats available, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their PTCAS application early in the cycle. Midwestern University operates on a rolling admissions basis where applications are reviewed throughout the admissions cycle.
2. Letters of Recommendation
   Applicants are required to submit a minimum of two letters of recommendation from professionals to PTCAS https://ptcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login. The Office of Admissions will only accept letters of recommendation received directly from PTCAS. It is preferred that one letter is written by a science professor who has actually taught the student or a pre-health advisory committee. The second letter can be written by any one of the following: pre-health advisory committee, pre-health advisor, college professor, or healthcare professional (preferably a physical therapist) who knows the applicant well. The applicant should refer to the PTCAS application instructions for specific guidelines and requirements for submitting letters of recommendation. 
3. Completed Applications
   The Office of Admissions will send letters verifying receipt of PTCAS applications with all required materials to all applicants who meet the minimum cumulative science GPA of 2.90 and overall GPA of 3.00. The letters will also include instructions on checking the status of the required application materials online. Applicants are responsible for tracking the receipt of their application materials and ensuring the submission of all required documents. Only applicants who submit completed applications with all required application materials will be considered for potential entrance into the Program.

Please Note: Applicants are responsible for notifying the Office of Admissions of any changes in their mailing address or email address. All application withdrawal requests must be made in writing via e-mail, fax, or letter to:

Midwestern University 
Office of Admissions 
555 31st Street 
Downers Grove, IL 60515 
Phone: 630/515-7200 or 800/458-6253 
Fax: 630/971-6086 
e-mail: admissil@midwestern.edu

Interview and Selection Process

When applicants are considered eligible for interviews after review of their completed admissions files, they are notified of available interview dates and invited by the Office of Admissions to schedule an on-campus interview.

A typical interview day involves participation in the following activities, which are coordinated by the Office of Admissions: an interview with at least one interviewer, lunch with current Midwestern University students, a campus tour, and an opportunity to meet with an admissions counselor and a representative from the financial aid office.

During interview sessions, the interviewer questions applicants about their academic, personal, and professional aspirations and preparedness for admission to the Program. The interviewer rates prospective students on a standardized evaluation form. These evaluations are included in the applicant files provided to the Physical Therapy Admissions Committee. The Physical Therapy Admissions Committee meets periodically to review the files of applicants who have been interviewed. The Admissions Committee, which includes the Program Director, makes decisions for action with oversight from the Dean of the College of Health Sciences. The Dean, via the Office of Admissions, notifies each applicant in writing of the admission action/decision.

The Dean of the College of Health Sciences may recommend for an interview, applicants who meet the Program’s minimum requirements for which they are applying (e.g. children of alumni, faculty, or staff). These applicants are not guaranteed admission into a Program and will have their application reviewed similarly to other applicants being considered for acceptance. All admissions decisions are made by the program Admissions Committee.

Transfer Policy

The Physical Therapy Program does not allow transfer students.

Dual Acceptance Program-University of Saint Francis

The Physical Therapy Program has a dual acceptance agreement with the University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, IN. Students may inquire about the agreement through the Office of Admissions at the University of Saint Francis or Midwestern University.

Reapplication Process

Students who receive either a denial or an end-of-cycle letter may reapply for the following year's admissions cycle. Individuals contemplating reapplication should seek the advice of an admissions counselor, prior to reapplying.

To initiate the reapplication process, prospective students must complete and submit new applications and proceed through the standard application process.