Frequently Asked Questions

The Elon DPT program participates in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). All applicants will apply online using the PTCAS application. To apply, visit ptcas.org.

Note: Elon does not have a supplemental application.

Your application must be verified by PTCAS. Note: The PTCAS verification process can take up to four weeks.

Once verified, the Office of Graduate Admissions will receive and process your application file. All applicants will receive an email from the Office of Graduate Admissions, including confirmation of receipt and login instructions to their Elon Application Status Page. It is the applicant’s responsibility to review the progress of their application by monitoring their status page.

Please allow up to two weeks from verification for your application file to be processed. If you do not receive an email within this timeline, please first check your spam/promotions tab for the sender ‘Elon University Office of Graduate Admissions.’ If you have still not received an email, please contact our team at gradadm@elon.edu for assistance.

All applicants who submit a verified PTCAS application to Elon will receive a personalized Elon Application Status Page outlining the status of required materials. It is the applicant’s responsibility to review the progress of their application via their Elon Application Status Page. All applicable next steps and admissions decisions will be shared in the Elon Application Status Page as well.

*If you have any questions about the verification process or missing documents, please contact PTCAS first. After speaking with PTCAS, if you still have questions, please contact the Graduate Admissions Team at 336-278-7600 or gradadm@elon.edu.

Elon DPT is committed to a holistic evaluation of each application file. Our program seeks to build a class of students who represent a variety of backgrounds and experiences in order to develop dedicated and empathetic healthcare professionals.

We are a competitive program and evaluate each application on its own merits. Admission decisions are based on all academic work (including undergraduate GPA and prerequisite GPA), letters of recommendation, demonstrated service and leadership ability. Motivation, maturity, interpersonal skills, knowledge of the physical therapy profession and the healthcare system, and the mission of the Elon DPT program are also considered.

Coursework (including prerequisites) receiving a pass/fail grade in the academic years of 2020 and 2021 will be accepted. No documentation is required from applicants.

An interview is required for admission. Following the review of the application file, qualified applicants will receive an invitation to interview via email.

Candidates invited to interview will participate in a virtual interview experience. This will include interviews with Elon DPT faculty and a variety of opportunities for candidates to learn about the program through informal interactions with faculty, staff, and students.

Interviewed candidates will generally receive their admissions decision within two weeks of interviewing. Candidates will have approximately one month to consider their admissions decision.

Candidates who are offered admission and are choosing to enroll in the program must confirm their seat in the class by submitting the reply form and a $1,000 non-refundable enrollment deposit by the date listed in their acceptance letter. This deposit is fully credited to the student’s tuition upon matriculation to the program.

Early Assurance is an admissions process designed for candidates to signal to the admissions committee that Elon DPT is their top choice program. While not binding, it is intended for candidates who will enroll, if admitted.

Qualified Early Assurance candidates are invited to interview in early fall (ahead of all other interviews) and will have until mid-January to respond to their admissions decision.

Yes! Application files are reviewed by the admissions committee in the order in which they are completed. To be considered for our earliest interview opportunities, please submit, ensure verification, and complete your application file as soon as possible. Within Elon’s supplemental PTCAS questions, simply answer “no” to Early Assurance and we will consider your application under the next appropriate deadline.

No, Elon DPT’s Early Assurance option is not binding. Candidates may still apply to other programs. However, under Early Assurance, applicants sign a statement reading, “I acknowledge that I am applying to Elon University under the Early Assurance deadline. I understand that if I am admitted, I plan to enroll in Elon’s program.”

Qualified Early Assurance applicants will participate in the interview process ahead of all other interviews. Interviewed candidates will receive their admissions decision within two weeks of the interview.

On average, approximately 75% of our Early Assurance interviewees receive an offer of admission.

Yes, all candidates who interview are considered for merit-based scholarships. Scholarship eligibility is determined based on the application file and interview feedback.

Applicants may have two outstanding prerequisites at the time of application. All prerequisites must be satisfied by the time of enrollment.

If you have more than two outstanding prerequisites, please contact the Graduate Admissions team at gradadm@elon.edu to discuss a timeline for completion.

A lab is required for the following prerequisite courses: Anatomy, Physiology, Physics*, Biology*

*Prerequisite may be satisfied with alternative course of Biomechanics or Exercise Physiology, respectively. Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology do not require a lab.

No, AP courses are not accepted to fulfill prerequisites.

Prerequisite courses must be taken at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. This includes courses taken at community colleges or online institutions.

No, as of the 2025-26 admissions cycle, Elon DPT does not require the GRE (or any other standardized test). Any scores sent to Elon will not be considered.

Three letters of recommendation are required, including one from a licensed physical therapist, one from a professor/instructor. The admissions committee has no preference for the “other” recommendation letter and will accept two from the same category (such as two professors). Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Licensed physical therapist (required)

• Professor/instructor who can speak to your academic abilities (required)

• Other: physical therapist, health care provider, supervisor during observation hours, professional supervisor, professor, coach, research advisor

Applicants are encouraged to select references who will provide a meaningful perspective based on their observations and interactions with you. References should not be a personal friend or family member.

Letters of recommendation should be submitted from the reference’s professional email address (not personal), be written on letterhead, and include the reference’s signature.

Applicants are encouraged to keep their PTCAS application as up to date as possible. For any courses completed after submission, please submit updated official transcripts to PTCAS. PTCAS will recalculate your GPAs through the Academic Update process.