UNFORGIVING Mistakes in the Physical Therapy School Application

Summary

In this video, Dr. Liv For Change Justin Lee, a physical therapist and student coach, highlights the top 12 mistakes to avoid in physical therapy school applications. He emphasizes the importance of planning, focusing on the right requirements, maintaining a well-rounded profile, and not just relying on networking. He also stresses the significance of visiting campuses to make connections and stand out in the application process.

Takeaways

• 📅 Poor planning can lead to being overwhelmed and rushed, which is detrimental to the application process for physical therapy school.
• 🎯 Focusing on the wrong requirements is a mistake; science prerequisites hold the most weight in applications, not observation hours.
• 🧠 Being solely academically focused is a mistake; physical therapy schools seek well-rounded students with extracurricular involvement.
• 📚 Taking the GRE lightly is a mistake; it is a heavily weighted part of the application and demonstrates a student's ability to prepare and perform well.
• ✍️ Grammatical errors in the personal statement can signal a lack of attention to detail, which is crucial for a physical therapist.
• 📖 Leveraging your unique story is vital; it should be highlighted in your personal statement and interview to set you apart.
• 🚫 The minimum work mentality is harmful; applicants should aim to exceed the minimum requirements to stand out.
• 💰 Not considering tuition costs is a mistake; financial planning is essential to avoid long-term debt.
• ⏰ Applying late can reduce your chances of acceptance; early application is advantageous in rolling admission systems.
• 🔢 Applying to less than three programs is risky; spreading applications increases the likelihood of acceptance.
• 🤝 Relying on networking over academics is a mistake; while networking can provide an edge, strong academic credentials are foundational.
• 🏫 Visiting campuses is important; it allows you to experience the environment, connect with faculty, and stand out in the application process.

Q & A

What are the top 12 mistakes that can end a physical therapy school application according to the video?

The video script does not list all 12 mistakes explicitly, but it covers several, including poor planning, focusing on the wrong requirements, neglecting academics, taking the GRE lightly, grammatical errors in the personal statement, not leveraging one's unique story, aiming for minimum requirements, not considering tuition costs, applying late, applying to fewer than three programs, prioritizing networking over academics, and not visiting the campus.

Why is poor planning considered a common mistake in the physical therapy school application process?

Poor planning is a mistake because it can lead to feeling overwhelmed and rushed, especially when trying to meet all the requirements such as prerequisites, letters of recommendation, essays, and GRE scores, which can negatively impact the quality of the application.

What is the significance of focusing on the right requirements in a physical therapy school application?

Focusing on the right requirements is crucial because certain aspects, like prerequisite science classes, hold more weight in the application process. Spending too much time on less significant requirements can detract from the areas that truly matter.

How does the video suggest students approach their academics in the context of a physical therapy school application?

The video advises students not to focus solely on academics but to also demonstrate well-roundedness through involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership roles, as these qualities are valued in a physical therapist.

What role does the GRE play in the physical therapy school application process?

The GRE is a required part of the application that schools use to assess a student's ability to prepare for and perform well in tasks they may not enjoy but are necessary, reflecting resilience and discipline, which are important traits for a physical therapist.

Why are grammatical errors in the personal statement considered a significant mistake?

Grammatical errors can indicate a lack of attention to detail, which is a critical trait for a physical therapist. Consistent mistakes in sentence structure can negatively impact the impression of the applicant's professionalism and competence.

What unique aspect of an applicant's background should be leveraged in the personal statement?

The applicant's unique story, including their upbringing, experiences, struggles, and overcoming adversities, should be highlighted in the personal statement to demonstrate resilience, character, and personal growth.

What is the mistake of aiming for minimum requirements in the application process?

Aiming for minimum requirements can lead to a less competitive application. Schools are looking for students who go above and beyond, so merely meeting the minimum standards is not enough to stand out.

Why is considering tuition an important factor when applying to physical therapy schools?

Considering tuition is important because of the financial implications of attending a school, especially private ones. High tuition costs can lead to significant debt, so it's crucial to weigh the financial burden against the potential benefits of the program.

What is the impact of applying late to physical therapy school programs?

Applying late can reduce an applicant's chances of acceptance due to the rolling admission process, where earlier applicants have a better chance of securing a spot before the available positions fill up.

What mistake does the video warn against regarding the number of physical therapy school programs to apply to?

The video warns against applying to fewer than three programs, as this limits the applicant's chances of acceptance. It's important to apply to at least three to maximize the opportunity for acceptance.

How does the video address the misconception about the importance of networking in the application process?

The video clarifies that while networking can provide a competitive edge, it should not replace a strong academic foundation. Academics, prerequisites, grades, and the GRE are more critical and should not be overlooked in favor of connections.

Why is visiting the campus an important step in the physical therapy school application process?

Visiting the campus allows an applicant to experience the environment, connect with faculty and staff, and get their name and face recognized. This can help build relationships that may support the application and provide a more informed decision about the fit of the program.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Avoiding Common Mistakes in PT School Applications

Dr. Liv introduces the video by highlighting the importance of avoiding 12 common mistakes in physical therapy school applications. As a coach for pre-physical therapy students, Dr. Liv emphasizes the need to plan ahead, focusing on the right requirements, and not just focusing on academics. The video promises to guide viewers on how to successfully navigate the application process, ensuring they don't fall into these pitfalls that could jeopardize their chances of acceptance.

05:02

📅 The Importance of Planning in PT School Applications

The first mistake discussed is poor planning. Dr. Liv explains that many students fail to plan for all the requirements of PT school applications, such as prerequisite classes, letters of recommendation, essays, and GRE scores. This lack of planning often leads to feeling overwhelmed and rushed, which can negatively impact the quality of their application. The advice is to organize thoughts, classes, and plan ahead to avoid these issues.

10:04

🎯 Focusing on the Right Requirements for PT School

Dr. Liv continues by discussing the second mistake: focusing on the wrong requirements. He points out that while there are many requirements, science courses and prerequisite classes hold the most weight in applications. Students should not neglect their academics in favor of gaining experience through observation hours. The emphasis is on balancing academic performance with other aspects of the application.

15:04

📚 Balancing Academics and Extracurriculars in PT School Applications

The third mistake is solely focusing on academics. Dr. Liv argues that physical therapy schools look for well-rounded students, not just high GPAs. He uses the example of a 4.0 student versus a 3.5 student with leadership and community service experience, suggesting that the latter would be more successful in the field. The message is clear: applicants should strive to be well-rounded, not just academically smart.

📉 Taking the GRE Seriously in PT School Applications

Dr. Liv addresses the fourth mistake: taking the GRE lightly. He explains that the GRE is a required part of the application and is heavily weighted. It's not just about the content of the GRE, but about demonstrating the ability to prepare for and perform well on something challenging. This trait is seen as indicative of a student's potential to succeed in the demanding environment of physical therapy school.

✍️ Avoiding Grammatical Errors in Personal Statements

The fifth mistake is making grammatical errors in the personal statement. Dr. Liv stresses the importance of proper grammar and sentence structure, as these mistakes can signal a lack of attention to detail. This is crucial for a profession like physical therapy, where precision and accuracy are paramount. A well-written personal statement can significantly enhance an application.

📖 Leveraging Your Unique Story in PT School Applications

Dr. Liv emphasizes the importance of leveraging one's unique story in the personal statement. He encourages applicants to highlight their personal struggles, experiences, and how they overcame them. This personal narrative should be woven into the essay and interviews, showcasing the applicant's resilience and potential as a future physical therapist.

💼 Considering Tuition and Financial Implications in PT School Applications

The seventh mistake is not considering tuition costs when applying to PT schools. Dr. Liv warns that the high cost of education, especially in private programs, can lead to significant debt. Applicants should think about the financial implications and plan accordingly, rather than just applying to any program that will accept them.

⏰ Applying Early to Increase Chances of Acceptance

Dr. Liv discusses the importance of applying early to PT schools, especially in programs with rolling admissions. Early applicants have a better chance of acceptance as spots fill up. He advises not to delay applications and to apply as soon as possible within the application window.

🏫 Visiting Campuses to Enhance PT School Applications

The final mistake discussed is not visiting campuses. Dr. Liv explains that visiting allows applicants to experience the environment, meet faculty, and make a personal connection. This can be a significant advantage in the application process, as it shows initiative and genuine interest in the program.

Keywords

💡Physical Therapy School Application

The process of applying to a physical therapy school is the central theme of the video. It refers to the steps and requirements needed to be accepted into a physical therapy program. The video discusses common mistakes made during this application process and provides advice on how to avoid them, such as proper planning and focusing on the right requirements.

💡Planning

Planning is emphasized as a crucial step in the application process. It involves organizing classes, prerequisites, letters of recommendation, essays, and GRE preparation. The video warns against poor planning, which can lead to feeling overwhelmed and rushed, ultimately affecting the quality of the application.

💡Prerequisites

Prerequisites are the specific courses or requirements that must be completed before applying to a physical therapy program. The video highlights the importance of focusing on these, especially science classes, as they carry significant weight in the application process.

💡GRE

The GRE, or Graduate Record Examinations, is a standardized test often required for physical therapy school applications. The video mentions that the GRE is not just about the content knowledge but also about the student's ability to prepare for and perform well on a challenging task, reflecting their potential for success in the program.

💡Well-rounded

Being well-rounded means having a balance of academic achievements and extracurricular activities. The video stresses that physical therapy schools seek students who are not only academically strong but also have involvement in community service, leadership, and other activities that demonstrate a holistic approach to life and learning.

💡Personal Statement

A personal statement is a written essay that is part of the application process, allowing the applicant to express their story, motivations, and suitability for the physical therapy program. The video warns against common grammatical errors and emphasizes the importance of leveraging one's unique story to stand out.

💡Story

In the context of the video, 'story' refers to the applicant's personal narrative, including their background, experiences, and challenges overcome. The video encourages applicants to highlight their story in their personal statement and interviews to demonstrate their character and motivation for pursuing physical therapy.

💡Minimum Requirements

Minimum requirements refer to the lowest standards that an applicant must meet to be considered for admission. The video advises against having a 'minimum work mentality,' suggesting that applicants should aim higher than just meeting these baselines to increase their chances of acceptance.

💡Tuition

Tuition is the cost of attending a school or university. The video points out the financial aspect of choosing a physical therapy program, cautioning applicants to consider the cost and potential long-term debt associated with their education.

💡Rolling Admission

Rolling admission is a process where applications are reviewed as they are received, and decisions are made on an ongoing basis. The video advises applying early in the cycle to maximize the chances of acceptance, as spots may fill up over time.

💡Networking

Networking refers to building professional relationships with individuals in the field, such as program deans or admissions chairs. While the video acknowledges the potential benefits of networking, it warns against relying solely on connections and emphasizes the importance of a strong academic foundation.

💡Campus Visit

Visiting the campus is an opportunity for applicants to experience the environment, meet faculty, and make a personal connection. The video highlights the importance of campus visits in making an applicant memorable to the admissions committee and potentially increasing their chances of acceptance.

Highlights

Dr. Liv For Change Justin Lee, a physical therapist and high-performing physical therapy student coach, discusses the top 12 unforgiving mistakes to avoid in physical therapy school applications.

The importance of proper planning to avoid being overwhelmed by application requirements such as prerequisites, letters of recommendation, essays, and GRE scores.

Focusing on the wrong requirements can lead to neglecting the heaviest weighted aspects of the application, such as science classes and academics.

Being well-rounded is crucial for physical therapy school applications, as schools seek students with a balance of academic excellence and extracurricular involvement.

The GRE is a heavily weighted component of the application, reflecting a student's ability to prepare for and excel in challenging tasks.

Grammatical errors in the personal statement can signal a lack of attention to detail, a critical trait for future physical therapists.

Leveraging one's unique story in the personal statement can help applicants stand out and demonstrate resilience and personal growth.

Avoid the minimal work mentality; striving only for minimum requirements can significantly reduce one's chances of acceptance.

Considering tuition costs is essential to avoid long-term financial burdens post-graduation.

Applying early to physical therapy school programs improves the chances of acceptance due to rolling admissions.

Applying to at least three physical therapy school programs is recommended to maximize the chances of acceptance.

Networking should not overshadow academics; a strong application is the foundation for any competitive edge.

Visiting campuses is crucial for experiencing the environment, meeting faculty, and making a lasting impression.

Dr. Liv offers one-on-one Zoom interview prep for physical therapy school to help applicants effectively share their stories.

An online course by Dr. Liv teaches everything needed to get into physical therapy school, with many students already accepted using its strategies.

Staying connected with Dr. Liv through social media and joining the Levator Nation Facebook group can provide additional support and resources.

Transcripts

if you're making one of these 12

unforgivable mistakes

in the physical therapy school

application you need to stop this

right now over the several years of

coaching pre-physical therapy students

trying to get

into physical therapy school i recognize

12

significant potholes that will end your

physical therapy school application

do not make these mistakes so in this

video we're going to be talking about

the top 12

unforgiving mistakes that you can make

in your physical therapy school

application

and make sure you watch till the end of

this video because number 12

is a game changer i can't wait to share

with you guys let's get into this

lego

hey everyone what's going on my name is

dr liv for change

justin lee physical therapist and i am a

high performing physical therapy student

coach

i help students get accepted into

physical therapy school

and once you get in i help students live

abundantly

and intentionally through the physical

therapy school experience

so if that resonates with you feel free

to check out the other videos on my

channel and learn more about me and if

you want to say hi

please leave a comment okay you guys so

we're going to go ahead and get started

with number one

of the top 12 unforgiving mistakes of

your physical therapy school application

and the first one is poor

planning now poor planning i know this

sounds

very common knowledge but you will be

very surprised at how many students

don't actually plan for their entire

requirement list

now pt school there's a lot of stuff you

got to do so if you're not

planning ahead on those classes on those

prerequisites

on those letters of recommendations your

essay your gre

all those things you're gonna get caught

up near the end and be like

so overwhelmed because you're gonna be

like i have so much stuff to do i don't

have that much time i'm trying to get

accepted and apply this cycle

and you're just gonna feel rushed and i

don't know about you but for me

whenever i feel rushed i don't perform

at my best

when i perform at the highest that i

could possibly be

i'm always planning ahead and i'm sure

you guys heard

the term or the cliche or the sprays if

you

if you fail to plan you plan to fail and

this is so true for the physical therapy

school application

please do not fail to plan

ahead i want you to make sure you're

organizing your thoughts organizing your

classes and plan

ahead now if you want to learn how to

get accepted into pt school in the

fastest way possible

i teach you how to plan ahead with your

classes okay

the next one we're gonna go number two

we have focusing

on the wrong requirement

now focusing on the wrong requirement

now this is something that is

important because there's so much to do

on the list right

you have your prerequisites your letters

of wreck your personal statement

but where should you be focusing your

energy

your attention what holds the most

weight

for those of you who don't know your

prerequisite classes your science

classes

are going to hold the heaviest weight in

your application

so don't be spending thousands of hours

in your observation hours trying to gain

experience and neglect

your academics right if your academics

hold the most significance in your

application

then why are you wasting your time on

other things that are

unimportant

real eye-opener for this one okay so

make sure you're focusing on

what holds the most weight in your

application

next we have oni academics

if you're focusing on your academics

only you're making a huge

mistake physical therapy schools are

looking for students that are

well-rounded not just 4.0 student

imagine this you have a student that's a

4.0 student that's a 3.5

the 4.0 is not involved in anything but

the 3.5 student has

leadership is involved in community

service is involved with their

politics and their the the government

around them

they are helping out other people

don't you think that person would be

more successful

as a physical therapist than someone who

has no

prior experience and is just book smart

it doesn't make sense a physical

therapist must be well-rounded

and if you're just academically smart in

that in that intelligent way

that's a huge mistake okay next we got

taking the gre lightly

now the gre for those of you who don't

know is required for the pt school

application

now this is something that is

overwhelming something that

no student wants to do but is required

and it actually shows a lot of

characteristics of a student

depending on the grade that you get they

don't care

about like what information is on the

gre

why you need to know analytic analytics

your quantitative all that stuff they

don't care about like

what you're studying what they care

about is are you putting in the time to

prepare for something that you don't

want to do

but still perform well

you're gonna be in physical therapy

school and they're gonna be classes or

subjects or things that you just don't

like

and it's gonna be really hard for me

that was neuro

and i had to survive three whole

semesters of neuro

and it was unbelievably the hardest

season of my life in pt school

but i remember the times when i was

studying for the gre and i

approached this jerry thinking this is

so hard and overwhelming i can't do this

but i buckled down got to work put in

the work of

learning something that i didn't want to

learn fighting that resistance

and still doing well and same thing

happened when i was in neuro it was so

hard

but i pushed through that resistance and

then i ended up performing

well so the gre is actually one of the

top

most heavily weighed parts of your

application

and schools are looking at the gre more

and more and more now so just hitting

those minimum requirements

ain't gonna cut it for you okay next on

the list

grammatical errors on the personal

statement

now this is something that's pretty

common knowledge right you want to make

sure your commas your periods your

sentence structures all of that is

intact

but if you are showing consistent common

mistakes

common grammatical errors common common

uh sentence structures that are not

organized that tells the pt school

uh uh admissions who's reading your

essay

this person isn't paying attention to

detail and as a physical therapist as a

student

in pt school you need to pay attention

to detail

there are so many things that are going

to be thrown at you and you need to

remember

a lot of them and if you can't even

remember to put a comma or a period

that says a lot about you

next on the list making sure that you

are not leveraging your story is gonna

be a

huge big big big big big big big big

mistake now notice how i underlined

story

now your story is so unique

can you say that who you are and your

upbringing and everything that you've

experienced

is totally different than your best

friend or someone that

you're another applicant you have

something

very unique to share and you need to

highlight that you need to leverage that

right if you have struggles if you've

had a

oppression if you had different things

in your life that

caused you to just not flow freely but

then you

showed that you overcame that you showed

that you overcame

the injustice you showed that you

overcame

the unbelief of everyone not believing

in you

you need to leverage that story and

write that in your personal

statement spin what the topic is that pt

cast gives you

and spin it so that your story can

emerge

and be highlighted and that same story

needs

to be represented just as equally and if

not

more articulated more beautifully

in your interview when they ask you so

why'd you choose physical therapy or

tell me about yourself

this is when you share your story okay

now if you want more training on this i

do one-on-one

zoom interview prep for pt school and i

teach you and i coach you through how to

highlight the areas of your story

we talk about different interview

questions and how to strategically

answer them so you sound

most appealing and delicious

to the pt schools so if that interests

you feel free

to email me live4change.gmail.com and

i'd love

to get in contact with you all right

next on the list

pretty obvious but very important to

understand

minimum work now students are always

always always thinking about how

overwhelming this whole process is

and they are most likely not at the

highest gpa

or the gre that they want to be and most

students will think about okay well the

minimum is 3.0

let me just get a 3.0 oh the minimum gre

is a total of 300

let me just get a 300.

this minimal work mentality is gonna

screw you

in the end and it will end your physical

therapy school application

i guarantee you students who are

applying to pt school

are going above and beyond just the

minimum requirements

so if you're striving for just that you

already lost my friend

sorry okay next on the list

not thinking about tuition pt school

is a lot of money especially if you're

going to a private program which most pt

schools are

and if you're trying to get into a

public school program it's super

competitive

so if you're not thinking about tuition

and just like well i'm just going to

apply to everywhere wherever they accept

me

that's going to set you up for failure

my friend because when tuition is a lot

you take out a lot of loans

interest accrues down the road you'll be

paying off loans for 20 plus years

do you want to be paying off your

student loan debt

for 20 plus years think about that

hundred thousand dollars tuition fifty

thousand dollar tuition

right there's a big difference so you

wanna make sure you're always thinking

about tuition when you are applying

to physical therapy school next on the

list we have applying

late now a lot of programs are rolling

admission so that means the faster you

apply the better chance that you have

for example that let's say there's 50

spots available in pt school

if you're one of the first people to

apply it's you

with 50 spots available but then if you

apply late and then let's say there's

two more spots

it's you versus two more spots competing

with

thousands of applicants so your chances

are much less so if pt schools

are rolling admissions you want to make

sure you apply as

early as possible doesn't mean you have

to force yourself to apply

on day one as soon as pt cash opens but

you want to try to apply

as quickly as you can okay

this is also important if you are not

applying

to more than three pt school programs so

a mistake is to apply

less than three programs

that's that's hard because you still

want to give yourself the best chance to

get accepted

if you put all your eggs in one basket

that is a huge huge huge risk

personally for me that's what i did and

i took a big risk in doing that

but i knew that azusa pacific university

was

the program that i wanted to get into

and i didn't want to go anywhere

else however i don't think that was the

wisest decision

so i hope you can learn from my mistake

and apply to at least

three programs make sure you look at the

requirements i know they're all

different

but it is worth it to give yourself the

best

chance to set yourself up for success to

get accepted

into pt school

networking over academics

okay yo this one now those of you who

think oh it's all about networking it's

all about who you know like i know the

dean of the program i know the

admissions chair like i'll be fine

don't worry even though i have a 2.5 gpa

i'll be good no you will not you will

absolutely not

even though your network might be your

net worth

right and you can try to sway

and win over all these significant

people that you might know

can they really have the power to get

you in like that

no they cannot there are so many rules

and regulations nowadays that there are

prac standard practices that that uh app

that the uh missions of pt schools are

are working through and you can't just

like get someone from the bottom of the

pile

to put them to the top that's just

that's wrong that's unethical

right you have to as an applicant you

can't rely on your

networking to get you in however

if you have a strong application and you

want to give yourself that competitive

edge

then your networking can definitely

boost you up to the top

right you have a apple application

that's

pretty good but if you want to stand out

a little bit more

maybe just a name drop from that dean or

that person that you know

saying to the application the the

admissions chair saying hey you know

what

justin lee like i know him personally

and he's a pretty cool guy

or you can ask that person to write you

a letter of recommendation

that holds a lot of weight too because

it shows you who you are

not just from your personal opinion but

someone else as well

right so focusing on your network over

your academics is a huge mistake you

always want to make sure academically

all the requirements prerequisites your

grades

and your gre are at the highest they can

possibly

be all right

last but not least y'all we have the

number 12

and i told you that this is this was

going to be a game changer

and this is something that a lot of

students don't even realize

that holds so much importance

and that's gonna be unable to visit

campus now

when you are visiting campus there is

this

power right because number one you get

to feel what it's like you get to feel

what the environment is like

and then number two you have a chance to

visit and talk to the different

professors

and the faculty and staff to get your

name and face

recognized this is so important and once

you make a connection you get their

email and you follow up

with them

visit campuses y'all so i hope this

video helped inspire you to learn

from these mistakes and not make them

because they can be definitely

unforgiving and will end your physical

therapy school application

if you like this video please feel free

to give this video a like

please feel free to share this with any

of your classmates or someone who is

applying to pt school

and feel free to comment below if you

have any questions or if you loved one

of these

common mistakes guys i'm so stoked to

share

this video with you and i'm so thankful

that you watch this video all the way to

the end

if you want to connect more with me feel

free to add me on instagram or join the

levator nation facebook group

and guys i do have an online course that

teaches you everything you need to know

to get into pt school

a lot of students have gotten accepted

because they've taken this course

and learned how to plan ahead

and make sure that the application was

the strongest it can be

if you have any questions about that

course i do have it in the description

below

thank you everyone for watching stay

lifting stay aloha god bless

have a great one you guys