Application Review Timeline
Our program's admissions committee evaluates applications in multiple phases as part of our comprehensive application review process. Both the PTCAS Application and the UCSF Supplemental Application must be submitted in order to be considered by the committee. Both applications require fees, and fee waiver requests may be available for eligible applicants.
- June 15, 2026: PTCAS Application opens for Summer 2027
- October 1, 2026: PTCAS Application deadline (11:59pm Eastern Time)
- October 2, 2026: UCSF Supplemental Application deadline (11:59pm Pacific Time)
- Early November: Interview invitations emailed
- Early December: Online interviews
- Early January: Final decisions
PTCAS Application (by clicking this link, you will be exiting the UCSF site)
Apply early!
Applications are reviewed only after PTCAS verification is complete, and this may take several weeks. Additionally, you will not receive access to the UCSF Supplemental Application until you've submitted the PTCAS application.
Application Requirements
- Degree: Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution. Any undergraduate major is acceptable. Degrees must be completed by the start of the DPT program.
- GPA: Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is highly recommended. We consider multiple GPAs in the application review: 1) overall, 2) last 60 semester units (90 quarter units), and 3) prerequisite coursework.
- Prerequisite Coursework: All prerequisites must be completed and passed with a C- or better prior to the start of the DPT program. You may have up to three prerequisites planned or in progress during the application cycle. Please see our Prerequisite Coursework page for more details.
- Three Letters of Recommendation: At least one letter must be from a licensed physical therapist. The other two letters should be from instructors of basic science coursework, health professionals, or employers. Letters must be submitted in PTCAS by the application deadline.
- Official Transcripts: Must be sent directly to PTCAS from all colleges and universities attended. Late transcripts may delay the PTCAS verification process, so submit your requests early.
- 50 Hours of Clinical Observation: Must be completed under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist; must be completed and verified in PTCAS by the application deadline. Please see the Clinical Experiences section of our FAQ page for more information.
- Other Criteria: In our comprehensive application review process, we also consider an applicant’s experiences outside of the classroom. Examples may include intercollegiate athletics, work experience, research experience, volunteer work, or leadership roles. While these life experiences are not required, they can strengthen an application beyond academics and observation hours.
International Applicants
In addition to meeting the same admission requirements as domestic students, international applicants must also demonstrate proficiency in English. Please visit the International Admission Requirements website external site (opens in a new window)to learn more.
Additional Information
- Applicants may apply a maximum of three times to our program. If you decide to apply again, we encourage you to update your materials and strengthen your qualifications before re-applying.
- You may receive communications from a variety of email addresses. Please be sure to check your junk/spam folders regularly.
- Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page for additional information.
- Email us with any questions at [email protected].
