GPA and GRE FAQs

After reviewing this page and the related sections of our website, if you have additional questions please contact the program coordinator at [email protected].  

How do I know if my grades and test scores are competitive?

Please review the applicant data for the last three entering classes. If you fall within the ranges of accepted students, you can request a transcript evaluation to determine your competitiveness. 

My school was very rigorous, so should my grades be worth more?

Students apply from institutions from all over the country. There is no way to quantify the difficulty of one program over another. Each applicant’s GPA is weighed equally against all of the other applicants. No preferential treatment is given based on perceived rigor of one program over another.

What are students who are accepted to the program like academically?

Applicants are very competitive and have excelled in their undergraduate and prerequisite coursework. Our required minimum cumulative and science prerequisite GPA is 3.2.  However, the average GPAs and GRE scores are much higher. You can view the most recent averages here.

What GPA is required to apply for entry into the DPT program?

Our required minimum cumulative and science prerequisite GPA is 3.2. However, the average GPAs and GRE scores are much higher. You can view the most recent averages here.

I didn't do well early in my scholastic career. Will that count against me?

It depends on what coursework was completed in your early career. We consider your cumulative undergraduate GPA. If any of your courses are pulling your cumulative GPA or science GPA below competitive levels, it may be necessary to repeat courses you received low grades in to raise these GPAs. While the minimum required cumulative and science prerequisite GPAs are 3.2, the average GPAs and GRE scores are much higher. You can view the most recent averages here.

Can I retake a course and change my GPA?

University policy allows three courses to be repeated and to fully replace the previous grade on your transcript. After the first three courses are repeated, any additional repeats will be averaged into the GPA with the previous grade. In this sense, retaking courses can certainly help to improve your GPA, especially if you have a C in any of the required prerequisite courses. Be certain to mark any repeated courses (both the first and second attempt) as such on your PTACS application.

Is the GRE required?

Official GRE scores are required. The GRE is factored into the admission decision. There is no minimum verbal and quantitative combined GRE score required. You can view the most recent averages here. We require a minimum 3.0 analytical writing score. Both the verbal and quantitative component and the analytical writing component are considered in the admissions decision.

Is there a specific PTCAS GRE code I should use?

Yes. Official GRE scores are required and must be reported via the UTC PTCAS GRE code: 0464. An application is considered incomplete until official scores are reported to PTCAS via this code. We cannot access scores sent to any other code. 

When should I take the GRE?

We recommend you take the GRE for the first time at the end of the winter break during your junior year. This allows you to study over the break without the worry of juggling GRE study time and coursework. Taking it over the break allows you to take the GRE a second or even third time if needed. It takes approximately two weeks for scores to be reported, so applicants should take the GRE at least once before August 1st of the year they apply for the program. This should allow adequate time for scores to be reported to PTCAS before the September 1st deadline. 

Can I take the GRE again?

Yes.  In fact, we often encourage applicants who are placed on the alternate/ wait list to do so. Because our program looks at the two GPAs and the GRE when making admission decisions, retaking the GRE is the quickest and most economical means in which to improve your ranking on the wait list. The last date we typically recommend applicants repeat the GRE is late March.

I already took the GRE but didn't send it to PTCAS. What should I do?

GRE scores are valid for up to five years. If you previously took the GRE, you should arrange to have your scores reported to us via the UTC PTCAS GRE code: 0464. Scores that were previously sent to the Graduate School using the 1831 code will not be reported to PTCAS and will not be received by the department. You must resend the scores via the UTC PTCAS GRE code: 0464. An application is considered incomplete until official scores are reported to PTCAS via this code.