FAQs
You Have Questions. We Have Answers.
Explore the frequently asked questions below to learn more about topics our prospective students often ask about. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, we encourage you to reach out. We’re here to help. If you need any assistance, please contact us or faculty member, Christina Gomez (cgomez@westernu.edu).
Question 1: How many applications do you receive, interviews do you grant, and applicants do you accept in an average year?
For the class entering Fall 2024, we received 200 applications, conducted approximately 99 interviews, and seated a class of 40 students. Interviews are required and we strongly encourage you to attend an on-campus Preview Day event or Information Session.
Question 2: Do you have an early decision process?
No, the Doctor of Physical Therapy program does not use a traditional early decision model.
Question 3: How many hours of clinical experience are required prior to application?
We do not require clinical experience hours to apply to the DPT-Oregon program. However, a strong understanding of the physical therapy profession will be beneficial for applicants.
Question 4: Do you give preference to Oregon residents?
No, we do not give preference to Oregon residents. We welcome everyone to apply.
Question 5: Do you accept international students?
We cannot accept international students to the Lebanon campus. However, we can accept international students to the Pomona campus.
Question 6: Can I transfer into your DPT program from another DPT program?
No. We do not accept transfers at this time.
Question 7: Does it matter that I’m older than your average applicant?
No. We encourage applications from qualified candidates regardless of age.
Question 8: How do I submit recommendation letters for my application?
Letters of recommendations are part of the PTCAS application process. Three are required: one (1) professional reference (e.g. a physical therapist or employer), one (1) academic reference (e.g. a college instructor), and one (1) professional or academic reference. When completing the PTCAS application, applicants will provide the names and contact information for a minimum of three recommenders. The designated individuals will receive an email with instructions on how to complete and submit the recommendation form. The forms must be received on or before the application deadline. For additional questions, please schedule an appointment with one of our advisors.
Question 9: May I turn in more than the required number of recommendation letters?
Yes. However, it is advisable to limit the number to one extra since a total of three well-chosen recommendations will usually paint a clear picture of the candidate, and additional recommendations will only add to the committee members’ reading time. The maximum allotted is five.
Question 10: How does the committee decide which applicants will be offered seats?
After the committee has interviewed all eligible candidates, they will be assigned a status: admit, alternate, or non-accept. Applicants will be notified by e-mail of their status. There is no need to call, as applicants will be notified immediately if there is a change in their status
Question 11: When are acceptance letters and final notifications mailed?
Most final decision letters will be emailed within one month of your interview date or by the end of March if an interview was not offered.
Question 12: I am a re-applicant. How can I improve my application or my chances of being admitted?
Take time to critically review the information you submitted and identify any potential gaps or areas for improvement. For example, one or two lower grades may have impacted your overall or prerequisite GPA. Viewing your application from an admissions perspective can provide valuable insight into both your strengths and opportunities for growth.
- If you earned a low grade, particularly in a prerequisite course, you may want to consider retaking it. When updated transcripts are submitted, we will recalculate your GPA to reflect the higher grade.
- It is also important to recognize that there is not always a single factor that determines admission. Each applicant’s situation is unique, and the strength of the applicant pool varies from year to year.
- If you are committed to this path, we encourage you to keep pursuing your goal. Persistence and continuous improvement can make a meaningful difference.
- Please reach out to faculty member, Christina Gomez (cgomez@westernu.edu), if you would like to discuss further.
Question 13: Will I be required to complete a background check?
Yes. Complete confidence in the honor and integrity of the health professions student and healthcare professional is essential. Students admitted to the Professional DPT program are required to complete a specific background check that meets Oregon Health Authority (OHA) regulations. Any prior criminal record of an applicant will be evaluated by the University as part of its determination that the applicant meets the Standards of Professional Conduct and can participate in the University’s curriculum. In addition, if a criminal conviction or other relevant sanction is shown on the background check, certain clinical sites may choose not to allow a student to complete a clinical experience at their facility. If applicable, we also encourage you to check with the appropriate state licensing board(s) to determine whether your background may be a barrier to future licensing. Additional background checks may be required for specific clinical education experiences or any sentinel acts.
Question 14: Does the DPT program require any additional background checks or drug screening tests?
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) requires all healthcare students to complete a urine drug screen prior to any clinical experience. Students admitted to the Professional DPT program are required to complete a urine drug screen that meets Oregon Health Authority regulations. Additional urine drug screens may be required for specific clinical education experiences or any sentinel acts.
Question 1: Can I have prerequisite courses in progress at the time of application? How many?
Yes; however, no more than one science and one non-science prerequisite may be in progress during the last term (spring) prior to matriculation. Summer courses prior to matriculation are considered on a case-by-case basis. View requirements for details.
Question 2: Can I substitute any courses for your prerequisites?
No. Other courses may not be substituted for the required prerequisites.
Question 3: How are repeated courses calculated into the GPA?
When calculating your GPA’s, the admissions staff will refer to your PTCAS coursework section. The GPA’s reported on the PTCAS application are re-calculated upon review by the Admissions Office. Repeated courses are to be identified as repeated on the PTCAS application (only if the course was repeated at the original institution). Courses and the grades received will be excluded from calculation of both the overall and prerequisite GPAs. Applicants are encouraged to have five or less science course repeats (includes prerequisites and non-prerequisites) listed on the application. If an applicant has more than five repeated science courses, it is recommended to select the five lowest graded courses to report.
Question 4: Do you accept advanced placement (A/P) credit?
Only one prerequisite course may be taken on an advanced placement. For those prerequisites requiring a sequence (i.e. Chemistry or Physics), only one course in the sequence may be taken on an advanced placement. While it will satisfy the prerequisite, it will not affect your GPA.
Question 5: Do you accept pass/no pass credit?
For courses being taken as pass/no pass during the pandemic (2020, 2021, 2022, and Spring 2023) will be accepted. Pass grades will be counted as a B in the grade point average (GPA) calculations.
Question 6: Do I need to have a bachelor’s degree to apply?
Yes. This is a doctoral degree program and thus requires a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite. The degree must be conferred by the end of the Spring term prior to matriculation.
Question 7: Do you require any standardized tests prior to application?
We do not require any standardized tests.
Question 8: Do you require a minimum GPA to apply?
No. Applicants are only recommended to have an overall and prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher. View requirements for details.
Question 9: May I use a single course to satisfy more than one prerequisite?
No, you may not use a single course to satisfy multiple prerequisites. Each prerequisite must be satisfied by a unique course.
Question 10: Can I talk to a counselor about my coursework?
If you’d like to find out whether the courses you’ve taken or plan to take will satisfy CHS-NW Professional DPT program prerequisites you can:
- Search the prerequisite database by institution.
- If your courses aren’t listed in the database and you have numerous courses in question, or simply wish to lay out your coursework, you may instead print and submit an academic worksheet (available on the requirements page March-August).
By laying out your coursework in relation to our prerequisites, you will be able to determine the courses you may still need to complete. In addition, you will be able to assess your academic performance in the courses (prerequisites) our admissions committee believes are of greatest importance. If the course does not appear in our Prerequisite Database, you must submit a course syllabus for review.
Once you receive our assessment, feel free to contact us with any questions you might have.
Question 1: How do I check my application status online?
You can check your application status by visiting the application status page.
Question 2: What if I want to change information on my application after I have completed it?
PTCAS allows certain aspects of the application to be changed after the application has been verified. Please contact PTCAS with any questions you have regarding editing your application. However, you may also upload additional supplemental materials through your WesternU account. To do so, visit the application status page and use the “Upload Materials” section of the page to submit your supplemental materials.
Question 3: What if I want to apply to more than one program? Do I need to create a new account?
You can apply to multiple programs using a single account. Visit our online application, log in, and click “Start New Application” at the bottom of the page.
Question 4: What address should I use if I need to mail any additional application materials?
For official transcripts please mail to:
Western University of Health Sciences
Attn: Admissions Operations/DPT-OR
309 E Second Street
Pomona, CA 91766
For unofficial documents, please upload to the online application as indicated in the application instructions.
Question 5: How do I withdraw my application?
You may withdraw your application by visiting the application status page. Scroll to the bottom of your application and select withdraw my application.
Question 6: How do I delete an application I accidentally started?
Applicants cannot delete their own application once started. Please contact your admissions counselor to have it deleted.
Question 7: I have applied to more than one program. How do I check my application status for multiple applications?
You can check your application status by visiting the application status page. Select the application you wish to view from the drop down menu located on the right hand side.
Question 1: What is the board passing rate for your physical therapy students?
Please refer to the DPT–Oregon program-specific page for detailed information.
Question 2: Is tuition the same for in-state and out-of-state residents?
Yes. We are a private institution so the tuition rate is the same for all DPT students. Learn more about tuition and how to finance your education please visit the DPT-Oregon Budget page.
Question 3: Is there an opportunity to do research while attending WesternU Oregon?
The Capstone Research Project offers students the opportunity to engage in collaborative, interprofessional research that may be data-driven, clinical, or service–focused. Through this process, students strengthen their academic development in areas aligned with their interests while building specialized research skills. Additionally, the experience fosters meaningful collaboration and collegiality among team members as they work together to complete their project. Many students have the opportunity to share their work through presentations at peer-reviewed state and national conferences. Students may also have opportunities to further deepen their research experience by serving as research assistants on additional faculty-led or collaborative projects.
Question 4: Is it advisable to work while I take classes?
This is an intensive, full-time program, and we do not recommend outside employment so that students can dedicate the time and energy needed to be successful in the classroom and during their clinical experiences.
Question 5: How can I learn more about the financial aid available to me?
For more information regarding tuition, financial aid and scholarships, please visit the DPT-Oregon Budget page.
Question 6: Is the DPT program at CHS-NW accredited?
Information on accreditation for the DPT program at CHS-NW can be found here.
Question 7: Is there health insurance available to me while attending WesternU Oregon?
Yes. All WesternU students are required to have comprehensive health insurance coverage. For more information regarding student health requirements and WesternU’s Plan Coverage information, please see the Student Health Insurance | Registrar (westernu.edu) webpage.