Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers related to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Lynchburg College
- I completed an application a few months ago, but now I see the "DPT Program Application" is available. Do I need to complete it or is the other application all that I need?
To be considered for admission into the DPT program you must complete a DPT Program Application (made available Sept. 21, 2009) and submit all accompanying required information as described in the "Applying to the Program" tab above. The application you completed before Sept. 21 is a generic LC Graduate Studies application designed to allow you to take pre-requisite coursework, NOT THE DPT PROGRAM APPLICATION. Therefore, YES, you need to complete the DPT Program Application to be considered for admission into the program.
- How long does it take to complete the planned DPT program?
The curriculum will be a three-year continuous program (year round), beginning with admittance of the first cohort in the Fall of 2010 and graduating the inaugural class in 2013.
- May I attend the LC DPT program on a part-time basis?
The courses for the LC DPT program are sequenced in a set for continuous full-time student attendance. Presently there is no mechanism that would allow a student to attend part time.
- Do I need to have a bachelor’s degree in any particular discipline to apply?
The requirement for application into the DPT program at LC is that each applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. The applicant may have majored and received a degree in any field of study. The minimum prerequisite courses are also necessary for application. Therefore, each student’s major course of study will dictate what supplements to his/her coursework will be needed to fulfill all requirements for application. The baccalaureate majors most closely related to the prerequisite requirements have historically been programs in biology, health science, and biomedical science.
- Is there a minimum score I must achieve on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) to apply?
There is no minimum that you must attain on the GRE to apply; however, higher scores in the quantitative and verbal portions of the exam will make your application more competitive when compared to others applying for admission.
- Is it advisable that applicants retake the GRE or retake a particular course if they achieve a “low” score or grade?
It is expected that the applicant pool for the LC DPT program will be quite competitive. Any applicant may retake any coursework or GRE at his/her will. The highest scores for one sitting of the GRE will be used for computation for admission consideration. Coursework retaken will be computed as an average of the grades earned.
- I noticed there was a minimum of a 3.0 GPA for application. Does my 3.22 GPA ensure me a position in the LC DPT program?
There is no guarantee of admittance based on any criteria. The entire application will be considered by the DPT Admissions Committee when determining what applicants will be selected for admission. The admission process is expected to be extremely competitive, as is the case for all DPT programs. Applicants with higher scores typically have a stronger overall success rate in achieving an invitation for admittance into DPT programs.
- Do I need to complete all the prerequisite courses listed before I can apply?
An application may be submitted any time, but it is suggested that no more than two or three courses be outstanding for application consideration. All required prerequisite courses and baccalaureate degree requirements MUST be complete before any student may enter the program of study.
- How many students will the LC DPT program accept?
The present plan is to admit forty (40) students into each annual DPT cohort. Most DPT programs report the number of applicants to number of admissions. This historically has been one applicant admit per three to four (3-4) applications. The LC DPT program will report this information for the program once it becomes available.
- How can I get more information?
Please check this website regularly as new developments for the program will be updated frequently. Persons interested in receiving more information about the program should contact the program director, Dr. Kevin Brueilly, at Brueilly.k@lynchburg.edu / 434-544-8880 or the Office of Graduate Studies at gradstudies@lynchburg.edu / 434-544-8383.
