Application Process (tips and advice)
PTCAS is a relatively new centralized application system that has is pro's and con's (refer to underlying tab). Being able to fill out one online application to send to all your schools is a big time saver. Now prospective students can basically go on a shopping spree for schools to apply to, simply checking a boxes from a long list of schools around the country. For this reason applications to most programs has greatly increased.
PTCAS usually allows new applicants to start filling out their online application in July. Applicants can go in and enter any and all information whenever they please, saving the application and returning to continue. Remember, some programs have rolling admissions (they accept applicants as soon as they start getting applications) so it is important to apply as early as possible. Refer to the underlying tab /sections-of-ptcas.html for specific instructions/tips on each section.
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR PTCAS fill out the application fee waiver- /app-fee-waiver.html. This will take $120 off your PTCAS fees and some programs will waive their supplemental application fee. Note that it says you must have this waiver submitted and returned saying you are accepted (which takes about a week) BEFORE you submit your PTCAS.
When you have submitted your PTCAS, some programs will send and invitation to fill out a secondary application. This is extremely annoying since, as you will notice, most of the these applications ask the exact same things found on PTCAS and they also charge a supplemental application fee. It is also important to know which programs require you to apply to the University's Graduate School so do your research carefully and be sure to submit those applications well before their given deadlines.
TIP: Remember to keep in mind the deadlines of all your programs. It may be helpful to create a spreadsheet with each program and their specific deadlines (for PTCAS, supplement applications, and additional fees) to keep track of them. This can be a hassle when you are applying to 5, 10, even 20 programs and they all have different supplement applications and fees. Try to be as organized as possible in this process and it will save you time and stress in the future. After submitting supplemental applications it is a good idea to call within a few days to ensure that they have received it and all required materials are entered.
PTCAS usually allows new applicants to start filling out their online application in July. Applicants can go in and enter any and all information whenever they please, saving the application and returning to continue. Remember, some programs have rolling admissions (they accept applicants as soon as they start getting applications) so it is important to apply as early as possible. Refer to the underlying tab /sections-of-ptcas.html for specific instructions/tips on each section.
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR PTCAS fill out the application fee waiver- /app-fee-waiver.html. This will take $120 off your PTCAS fees and some programs will waive their supplemental application fee. Note that it says you must have this waiver submitted and returned saying you are accepted (which takes about a week) BEFORE you submit your PTCAS.
When you have submitted your PTCAS, some programs will send and invitation to fill out a secondary application. This is extremely annoying since, as you will notice, most of the these applications ask the exact same things found on PTCAS and they also charge a supplemental application fee. It is also important to know which programs require you to apply to the University's Graduate School so do your research carefully and be sure to submit those applications well before their given deadlines.
TIP: Remember to keep in mind the deadlines of all your programs. It may be helpful to create a spreadsheet with each program and their specific deadlines (for PTCAS, supplement applications, and additional fees) to keep track of them. This can be a hassle when you are applying to 5, 10, even 20 programs and they all have different supplement applications and fees. Try to be as organized as possible in this process and it will save you time and stress in the future. After submitting supplemental applications it is a good idea to call within a few days to ensure that they have received it and all required materials are entered.
Undergraduategre |
Order of applyingsecondary application |
sections of ptcasapp fee waiver!!! |
early decisionPros/cons of ptcas |