Current Students
Current DPT students come from a wide range of personal, professional and academic backgrounds, as our DPT student profiles show. While the most common undergraduate major is kinesiology/exercise science, plenty of students have majored in foreign languages, natural and physical sciences, social sciences or the humanities.
Some begin the program right after graduating from college. Others return for their Doctor of Physical Therapy degree five, ten or fifteen years after completing their bachelor’s degrees. Differences in gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation and gender identity create a strong, vibrant class of future therapists.
We value different life and cultural experiences, leadership, volunteer commitments, work history, interests, bilingual proficiency, re-applicants, and studying/living abroad. Many students have done service with various community organizations and have other extracurricular experiences, not necessarily related to health care.
Academic Performance
- Average cumulative GPA is 3.74 (range: 3.18-4.0) and average science GPA is 3.59 (range: 3.0-4.0)
- Average Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are:
- Quantitative: 154 (range: 145-169)
- Verbal: 154 (range 145-168)
- Analytical writing: 4.0 (range: 3.5-6)
PT Observation Hours
The average number of PT observation hours for students ranges from 50-350, and most students had experience in two settings.
Acceptance Rate
We generally accept around 25-40% of qualified applications each year, and maintain a waiting pool from which roughly 5-10 applicants are offered admission each year. Our wait pool is not ranked; when positions in the class become available, candidates’ unique strengths, along with the composition of the class, are considered when admission offers are made.
Student Profiles
Camille Berman
Hometown: Grove Heights, MN
I chose DPT because I wanted to show other people of color that we belong in this field. Entering my second year, I hope to make a difference specifically with people with disabilities, when I graduate. As I continue in the program, I will be willing to keep my options open!
Advice for new students: It is hard! But you are smart and it is so worth it.
Highlights of the program: You make so many lifelong friends incredibly fast! It is an amazing environment. The community pushes you to be a better person, whether personally or professionally.
Mel Castillo
Hometown: Palmdale, CA
I chose physical therapy because of my personal experience as a young dancer dealing with injuries. It was life changing to have an amazing PT understand my physical demands and assist me in returning to ballet. I hope to work with collegiate athletes and dancers and eventually start a pro bono clinic that goes out to underserved communities to provide care and education to youth dancers and athletes.
Advice for new students: Make time for friends, exercise and self-care. This is a rigorous program and it can be exhausting if you don’t allow yourself the time and space to have fun and relax.
Highlights of the program: So many! The faculty support is academic as well as personal. The progression of the program prepares us to be knowledgeable practitioners but also develops professionalism through a variety of experiences and opportunities. The opportunities for involvement are diverse and seemingly endless.
Katie Hands
Hometown: Stillwater, MN
I have always had a passion for motivating others to maintain a healthy lifestyle. When I began to learn more about the PT profession, I found out how fulfilling this career can be as you are able to help people of all ages reach their goals. I hope to work either in a geriatric, neuro, women’s health, or ortho location, and to help people realize that they play a major role in their healing process.
Advice for new students: Have an open mind about your cohort, classes, and outside activities as you start grad school. You will eventually find your rhythm and figure out how to prioritize the things that matter to you.
Highlight of the program: My classmates who I get to spend every day with. They are amazing people who inspire me to not only be a better PT for my future patients, but also inspire me to be a better person.
Stella Gillman
Hometown: Anacortes, WA
As a college athlete who went through many injuries, I wanted to be a part of the profession that helped people restore mobility. I now choose PT for many other reasons like restoring quality of life, the teaching aspect and the ability to work with such a wide range of individuals from different backgrounds and with different conditions. Currently I am split between wanting to work in a neurologic trauma setting and an outpatient private practice setting. At Wisconsin, I have been inspired by all the exposure we have had to various settings and have not been able to choose yet!
Advice for new students: School will be challenging and it will ask a lot of you. Take advantage of meeting with professors, working with classmates and outside learning and volunteer opportunities.
Highlight of the program: You will be supported as a person and as a student. Our professors are not just there to give a grade, they truly care about each of our stories and our success in and out of school. I feel incredibly lucky to be a current UW DPT student.
Nathan Ng
Hometown: Monona, WI
I chose physical therapy because it blends two of my biggest passions in life: movement and helping others. PT not only enables me to engage with people in a fashion that will positively impact their lives, but also allows me to promote physical activity as an intervention. Movement is medicine!
I hope to work in a high-level sports setting, and to expedite the rehab to performance transition by facilitating safe and efficient return to sport.
Advice for new students: Take things one day at a time. This program is rigorous and at times can feel very overwhelming. Try not to project too far into the future and focus on the task at hand. I promise you will make it out on the other side.
Highlights of the program: To me, the faculty are the stars of this program. Each faculty member brings a unique perspective that truly sets this program apart from others.
Tori Salaba
Hometown: Webster, MN
I knew physical therapy was going to be my life’s work after a few days shadowing in an outpatient pediatric physical therapy clinic. Here, I witnessed a two-year old lift his head for the first time after two weeks of intensive PT. Although I don’t specifically know where or in what capacity, I know I want to work with athletes as a sports physical therapist.
Advice for new students: Take advantage of the many opportunities to dive in and learn more about your specific interests. Our professors are great resources, have many years of clinical experience, and are willing to share their expertise with us.
Highlights of the program: The best thing about this program is the family-like relationships of not only the cohort, but the staff and faculty. Another highlight would be the opportunities for students to be involved in patient care very early on in the program. From the Dewane Neurorehabilitative Pro Bono Clinic to MEDiC, there are plenty of opportunities to learn and gain hands-on experience.