Applying for 2012

[Smorgasbord]

Hello
I'm going into my 4th year and plan on applying for physiotherapy (Or OP is I can't get in). I'm just curious as to what gpa is needed to get into most schools. Last year I had just over a 85 avg. My last 15 credits from my 2nd year averaged out to roughly 81. I'm sure I can keep my average over 85 this year as well (Adding up to the 60 credits needed). Just wondering what the cutoff gpa/average usually is.
Thanks

Most likely applying to Queen's, McGill, UWO, & Dal if that helps any.

[ilovesummer]

An 85 average is probably a safe bet, especially since they rank students (at least partially) according to gpa. You could get in with marks a bit lower than that, depending on the school, but scraping by close to the cutoff is less probable. If I were to do it again, I'd avoid marks in the b range, and try to get as many a+'s as possible. B's really pull your average down on the 4.0 scale. Hope that answers your question! :)

[ilovesummer]

Have you converted ur marks to the 4.0 scale yet? I recommend you do that, so that you see if you have to improve. Cutoff for uwo was like a 3.8? Someone correct me on that if i'm mistaken. And I'd prepare for it to increase a bit... best of luck! You can do it!

[fskatergirl]

I agree with ilovesummer - definitely convert your marks to the 4.0 scale! I had an 86 average in terms of percentages but on the 4.0 scale my marks came out to be much lower and the best I could do was get waitlisted at one school. Focus on maintaining all of your marks above 80 - if you get a 90 and a 79, it comes out to be lower on the GPA scale than someone with two 80s. I don't quite think that's fair, but as someone who fluctuates a bit, I'm obviously biased :p Good luck!

[Smorgasbord]

My gpa for the 15 credits 2nd year was 3.6 (tad low), but had a 3.84 for all of 3rd year. I would hope to expect a simliar gpa during my 4th year, if not a bit higher (work load should decrease some)

[medtech]

FYI: GPA for Ontario PT and OT is based on first semester of 4th year, 3rd year and second semester of 2nd year (ie. last 20 credits completed before application)

[fskatergirl]

FYI: GPA for Ontario PT and OT is based on first semester of 4th year, 3rd year and second semester of 2nd year (ie. last 20 credits completed before application)

U of T's website says: "where grades must be extracted from a year to achieve the equivalent of 10 full courses, the average of that entire year (including both the fall and winter terms) will be used."

[Smorgasbord]

FYI: GPA for Ontario PT and OT is based on first semester of 4th year, 3rd year and second semester of 2nd year (ie. last 20 credits completed before application)

Yes, I'm aware of that. I think its 60 credits (Last 10 full courses). Which is 6 credits per full year course.

[try]

I'm looking to apply to Queen's, U of T, and McMaster for PT in 2012. I'm projecting to have a minimum of a subGPA of 3.66. I have a fairly large base of physio related volunteer experience. Does anyone know which schools if at all I will be likely to be accepted to?

[fskatergirl]

I'm looking to apply to Queen's, U of T, and McMaster for PT in 2012. I'm projecting to have a minimum of a subGPA of 3.66. I have a fairly large base of physio related volunteer experience. Does anyone know which schools if at all I will be likely to be accepted to?

I had a similar GPA this year and did not make the cut off for U of T's CAP test (3.68) and the McMaster interview (3.72). I could be wrong, but I do have a feeling that although Queen's uses a personal statement, they do weigh GPA heavily as well. I have a significant amount of relevant work and volunteer experience (>500 hours at the time of application), and I was waitlisted for Queens in the high 20s. At this point, I'm not hopeful that I'll be getting in this year.

PT admission is predominately (if not solely) based upon having a high GPA - unfortunately (in my opinion), one's educational background and life experiences are not primarily considered by any of the universities. To be competitive, I think you will need to try and get your GPA to 3.7. Good luck!

[bcmountainlove]

My ORPAS GPA was 3.75 and I was invited to the McMasters Interview and U of T CAP test (although I didn't go to them). I was offered a seat at Queen's PT and I had lots of EC's such as involvement in Toastmasters, relevant work experience (e.g., with persons with developmental disabilities), and volunteer experience (e.g., with kids and youth).

I have the impression that Queen's likes applicants who have a good GPA, but not neccessarily the highest, and with leadership and relevant work/volunteer experience. However, I do not think that your volunteer/work experience needs to be directly working with a Physio in a clinic (mine was not)- it can be other things such as Therapeutic riding, working with kids with special needs, etc.

Another point of interest was that I did not get a first round offer to UWO PT, but I did come off the waitlist and was offered a spot there even at 3.75.

[Smorgasbord]

So a gpa over 3.8 in the last 60 credits and you're in pretty good position to get in?...or atleast an interview.

[rasta]

I had a similar GPA this year and did not make the cut off for U of T's CAP test (3.68) and the McMaster interview (3.72). I could be wrong, but I do have a feeling that although Queen's uses a personal statement, they do weigh GPA heavily as well. I have a significant amount of relevant work and volunteer experience (>500 hours at the time of application), and I was waitlisted for Queens in the high 20s. At this point, I'm not hopeful that I'll be getting in this year.

PT admission is predominately (if not solely) based upon having a high GPA - unfortunately (in my opinion), one's educational background and life experiences are not primarily considered by any of the universities. To be competitive, I think you will need to try and get your GPA to 3.7. Good luck!So what's your backup? Or are you applying again next year?


My ORPAS GPA was 3.75 and I was invited to the McMasters Interview and U of T CAP test (although I didn't go to them). I was offered a seat at Queen's PT and I had lots of EC's such as involvement in Toastmasters, relevant work experience (e.g., with persons with developmental disabilities), and volunteer experience (e.g., with kids and youth).

I have the impression that Queen's likes applicants who have a good GPA, but not neccessarily the highest, and with leadership and relevant work/volunteer experience. However, I do not think that your volunteer/work experience needs to be directly working with a Physio in a clinic (mine was not)- it can be other things such as Therapeutic riding, working with kids with special needs, etc.

Another point of interest was that I did not get a first round offer to UWO PT, but I did come off the waitlist and was offered a spot there even at 3.75.Where were you initially waitlisted at Western?

[fskatergirl]

So what's your backup? Or are you applying again next year?

I applied to the Physician Assistant program at Mac as an alternate career choice (I'm hesitant to call it a backup as admission is competitive as well). The selection process was a bit more holistic though as selection was based on a personal submission, MMI and computer writing sample. I felt very confident in my MMI and writing sample and was ultimately accepted into the program :)

Although I have wanted to do PT my entire life, I am also very excited to be a part of this new initiative! I don't want to discount the PA program just because I have not had as much knowledge or experience with the profession as I have with PT. I figure that I can always go back and apply to PT if I determine that PA is not for me upon completion of the program. Now that I've graduated, my sub-GPA is a 3.75 which should be enough to get me past the first cut - for me this was my biggest issue, as I do feel very confident and comfortable with MMIs and interviews in general :)

[rasta]

I applied to the Physician Assistant program at Mac as an alternate career choice (I'm hesitant to call it a backup as admission is competitive as well). The selection process was a bit more holistic though as selection was based on a personal submission, MMI and computer writing sample. I felt very confident in my MMI and writing sample and was ultimately accepted into the program :)

Although I have wanted to do PT my entire life, I am also very excited to be a part of this new initiative! I don't want to discount the PA program just because I have not had as much knowledge or experience with the profession as I have with PT. I figure that I can always go back and apply to PT if I determine that PA is not for me upon completion of the program. Now that I've graduated, my sub-GPA is a 3.75 which should be enough to get me past the first cut - for me this was my biggest issue, as I do feel very confident and comfortable with MMIs and interviews in general :)That's awesome, congratulations! If you don't mind me asking, what kind of previous experience did you have related to PAs? I know the PA programs in Canada are relatively new and that there aren't a lot of practicing PAs, so I figure the opportunity to work with them is quite rare.

Congrats again, PA is a great career, although I feel that the title is very misleading to the general population.

[fskatergirl]

That's awesome, congratulations! If you don't mind me asking, what kind of previous experience did you have related to PAs? I know the PA programs in Canada are relatively new and that there aren't a lot of practicing PAs, so I figure the opportunity to work with them is quite rare.

Congrats again, PA is a great career, although I feel that the title is very misleading to the general population.

I actually didn't find out about the program until November of this past year and applied mostly on a whim. My knowledge and experience with the profession is limited to my own research of the initiative in preparation for the MMI that I had in May. As well, there was a brief orientation prior to the interview and computer writing sample where I was able to learn a bit more about the program itself as well as the possibilities of the profession. You're right that there probably aren't many opportunities to experience and observe the profession firsthand, however, I do feel that I have developed an understanding of the scope of practice and am more than willing to dive right in!

I do feel that my preparation for a career in physiotherapy definitely helped me to gain admission into the program. I found that my background in Physical Education and Health/Kinesiology as well as my extracurricular experiences (volunteer/paid PTA & receptionist in two physiotherapy clinics for two years, varsity athlete for four years, figure skating coach for six years, ride to conquer cancer team captain) were invaluable in helping me to be successful in the MMI. Although PT and PA may sound like completely different professions, I do see a few similarities in what they do and I'm excited to be a part of something so new. Although I do think that these same things did help me to get placed on the Queens waitlist, I do think that the only way I could have achieved a higher placement on the list would have been to have a higher GPA.

Having made it into the PA program has been an eye-opener as well. While I do think that GPA is important to consider, I definitely think that many PT schools are missing out on some great candidates by being so selective in only one domain. As someone who either gets a 90 or 79, I pretty much suffered from the whole GPA scale anyways. Maybe I'm just bitter :p

What are your plans rasta?

[rasta]

I actually didn't find out about the program until November of this past year and applied mostly on a whim. My knowledge and experience with the profession is limited to my own research of the initiative in preparation for the MMI that I had in May. As well, there was a brief orientation prior to the interview and computer writing sample where I was able to learn a bit more about the program itself as well as the possibilities of the profession. You're right that there probably aren't many opportunities to experience and observe the profession firsthand, however, I do feel that I have developed an understanding of the scope of practice and am more than willing to dive right in!

I do feel that my preparation for a career in physiotherapy definitely helped me to gain admission into the program. I found that my background in Physical Education and Health/Kinesiology as well as my extracurricular experiences (volunteer/paid PTA & receptionist in two physiotherapy clinics for two years, varsity athlete for four years, figure skating coach for six years, ride to conquer cancer team captain) were invaluable in helping me to be successful in the MMI. Although PT and PA may sound like completely different professions, I do see a few similarities in what they do and I'm excited to be a part of something so new. Although I do think that these same things did help me to get placed on the Queens waitlist, I do think that the only way I could have achieved a higher placement on the list would have been to have a higher GPA.

Having made it into the PA program has been an eye-opener as well. While I do think that GPA is important to consider, I definitely think that many PT schools are missing out on some great candidates by being so selective in only one domain. As someone who either gets a 90 or 79, I pretty much suffered from the whole GPA scale anyways. Maybe I'm just bitter :p

What are your plans rasta?Lol I know how you feel, I'm another victim of the GPA scale.:D

I really want to become a PT so I'm going to reapply again next year. Hopefully things work out the 2nd time around.

[bcmountainlove]

So what's your backup? Or are you applying again next year?


Where were you initially waitlisted at Western?

I was in the mid-range, 30-60ish I think - so I was surprised when they called me! I think that most people wanted either McMaster or U of T and that's why they got that far down on the waitlist.

[miss_q]

Thinking of applying to PT too. I don't have any in clinic experience or anything similar to this. The closest I can think of is volunteering at Canadian Blood Services. I do have a competitive GPA though, around 3.9. Do i have good chances?

[fskatergirl]

Thinking of applying to PT too. I don't have any in clinic experience or anything similar to this. The closest I can think of is volunteering at Canadian Blood Services. I do have a competitive GPA though, around 3.9. Do i have good chances?

You will definitely get into Western with that GPA. You will also be invited to U of T's cap test and the MMI at McMaster - after that admission is dependent on how successful you are at those tasks. Queens is a bit of an oddball, but chances are if you don't have a lot of volunteer experiences or extra-curricular activities, it will show in your personal submission and you will not be considered.

[miss_q]

You will definitely get into Western with that GPA. You will also be invited to U of T's cap test and the MMI at McMaster - after that admission is dependent on how successful you are at those tasks. Queens is a bit of an oddball, but chances are if you don't have a lot of volunteer experiences or extra-curricular activities, it will show in your personal submission and you will not be considered.

Thank you! So western doesn't have any interviews right?Just purely GPA based?

[fskatergirl]

Thank you! So western doesn't have any interviews right?Just purely GPA based?

That is correct!

[whatittakes]

hey rasta, what will your gpa be for this year?

Lol I know how you feel, I'm another victim of the GPA scale.:D

I really want to become a PT so I'm going to reapply again next year. Hopefully things work out the 2nd time around.

[Physioprospect]

I think that basing entrance soley on GPA is a joke. Sure you can get 99% in a easy phys ed degree but does that mean you have people skills, the ability to learn a large volume of information or make a good therapist? Absolutely not. An interview is a necessity, Id love to see the success rate of physios from western (ONLY GPA bases) Vs other schools that include input from reference letters and interviews.

[smilyduk]

Hi guys!

I ran into a bit of a problem (I think...) while working on my application to McGill's Masters in PT program.

I will be completing a BSc Biology degree next April and just saw that I have chosen the "MScA - Physical Therapy - N" option for Program of Choice. I thought this meant that if I am accepted, I will be automatically given a spot for the QY, and can go straight into the physical therapy program without having to apply again (provided I get the marks).

I don't remember if there was an option to apply for the QY itself, which is why I'm very confused. I have completed most of my application, so I don't want to reset it either. :confused:

If anyone can shed some light on this, it would be much appreciated!

[smilyduk]

Forgot to add that I selected Fall 2012. I read on one of those PDFs that it indicates the QY. Can someone confirm please? :)

[future_doc]

A simple phone call or email will set you straight. Going back in time (and I never actually applied) if my memory serves me correctly, I thought you applied for the QY (which requires 50hrs of working/volunteering with a physio) and can start summer or fall.

[fskatergirl]

I think that basing entrance soley on GPA is a joke. Sure you can get 99% in a easy phys ed degree but does that mean you have people skills, the ability to learn a large volume of information or make a good therapist? Absolutely not. An interview is a necessity, Id love to see the success rate of physios from western (ONLY GPA bases) Vs other schools that include input from reference letters and interviews.

While I do agree that the admission process needs to be more holistic and incorporate an interview component, I wouldn't generalize to say that achieving a high GPA is easily to accomplish by completing a phys ed degree. I essentially completed a kinesiology degree at U of T and am stuck with the BPHE degree which carries with it all sorts of negative connotations. I was one of the top students in the program and my marks still were not enough for me to get into any of the physio programs in Ontario. However, I will agree with your point - I do think that there is a giant discrepancy between universities and university programs in terms of difficulty obtaining a 4.0 - many of my classmates transferred to other programs and universities and their GPAs shot up exponentially. I was waitlisted at Queens (the only school to consider to a degree, relevant experiences), and am now studying in the PA program at Mac's medical school thanks to my supplemental application, computer test, and MMI performance. Interviews should be mandatory for admission in professions with patient contact. Period.

[wings101]

Western also heavily relies their decision based on ur references. Having good letters that discuss your personality, experience, and knowledge are important. As well, the quality of the person evaluating you is what they also rely on. Not just a GPA only method.

[kin_kid]

Western also heavily relies their decision based on ur references. Having good letters that discuss your personality, experience, and knowledge are important. As well, the quality of the person evaluating you is what they also rely on. Not just a GPA only method.

From what I have heard, reference letters are only used to screen out (not in) applicants. For example someone with a 4.0 but bad references could be rejected, but someone with a 3.7 and above average references will be chosen over someone with a 3.6 and amazing references.

[try]

I had a similar GPA this year and did not make the cut off for U of T's CAP test (3.68) and the McMaster interview (3.72). I could be wrong, but I do have a feeling that although Queen's uses a personal statement, they do weigh GPA heavily as well. I have a significant amount of relevant work and volunteer experience (>500 hours at the time of application), and I was waitlisted for Queens in the high 20s. At this point, I'm not hopeful that I'll be getting in this year.

PT admission is predominately (if not solely) based upon having a high GPA - unfortunately (in my opinion), one's educational background and life experiences are not primarily considered by any of the universities. To be competitive, I think you will need to try and get your GPA to 3.7. Good luck!

Hey fskatergirl, Did you end up getting accepted at Queens afterall?

[sunshinegrl]

One of my referee assessment forms are still currently outstanding on ORPAS, hopefully they're still piled under a ton of paperwork and mail and that it's not lost...

Anyone else still have outstanding items?

:confused:

[Soup Boy]

One of my referee assessment forms are still currently outstanding on ORPAS, hopefully they're still piled under a ton of paperwork and mail and that it's not lost...

Anyone else still have outstanding items?

:confused:

Everything of mine (refs, pre req forms, fees, ranscripts etc) are showing as received. Give ORPAS a call just in case.

[person14]

One of my referee assessment forms are still currently outstanding on ORPAS, hopefully they're still piled under a ton of paperwork and mail and that it's not lost...

Anyone else still have outstanding items?

:confused:

when did you send it? my friend had to ask her prof to re-mail the reference letter per ORPAS's suggestion.

[sunshinegrl]

my Professor said he had sent it before Christmas break... I'll call ORPAS when it opens today.. @person14, did your friend call and ask?

[sunshinegrl]

ORPAS needs my referee to re-send the information. ahh!

[kin_kid]

ORPAS needs my referee to re-send the information. ahh!
It sucks to have to bother your referee again. Hopefully they saved the letter from last time. Did ORPAS mention whether you will be penalized for the late reference? Hopefully not since it isn't your fault.

[sunshinegrl]

It is very unfortunate to say the least, but when I called they didn't mention anything about a penality. Maybe I should have asked? This is also my 2nd time applying so let's hope there aren't any more hiccups....

It sucks to have to bother your referee again. Hopefully they saved the letter from last time. Did ORPAS mention whether you will be penalized for the late reference? Hopefully not since it isn't your fault.

[Claudie]

Hi! I would like to apply in Physiotherapy at McGill and UdeM, but do I have chances if my <<cote R globale>> is 31.4 and my <<cote r par programme>> is 32.373?

And I would like to know how the students in this program find it :)

[Leon]

When do you guys typically find out about interviews? I'm asking for a friend.
Cheers

[rasta]

When do you guys typically find out about interviews? I'm asking for a friend.
CheersYour friend should expect to hear back in late March/early April. There's no official day AFAIK.

[Leon]

Your friend should expect to hear back in late March/early April. There's no official day AFAIK.

Awesome, thanks

[nlukman]

When do you guys typically find out about interviews? I'm asking for a friend.
Cheers

I think it depends on different universities. I got my UBC interview offer yesterday night and the interview dates are set for March 8th and 9th. I believe McMaster interviews are taking place in early April so I don't expect to hear anything from them until at least mid-March.

Hope this helps your friend!

[Physioprospect]

I wonder why you got ur invite a week later? I wonder how many their giving out this year

[wings101]

Offers for interviews go out March 30th-April 1... the dates for interviews for Mac and UofT are April 28,29,30...

[sunshinegrl]

I wonder why you got ur invite a week later? I wonder how many their giving out this year

Maybe PT and OT invites are separate? I got my OT invite yesterday as well. Unless it is separate for OOP students. Who knows!

[SheepE]

Offers for interviews go out March 30th-April 1... the dates for interviews for Mac and UofT are April 28,29,30...

Is that for all the ontario PT schools? And will that be by mail or email or both?

[gsilv]

Is that for all the ontario PT schools? And will that be by mail or email or both?

U of T and Mac are the only Ontario schools with interviews. UWO and Queens just send an offer on May 18th if you are accepted.

[SheepE]

U of T and Mac are the only Ontario schools with interviews. UWO and Queens just send an offer on May 18th if you are accepted.

Oh, what i meant was are those the dates that ALL interview invites are sent out?