DPT Personal Statements Online Advising

 

The PTCAS personal statement can seem like the most daunting and difficult part of your application.

Silver lining, though: a well-written essay can:

1. Wake up a bored admissions committee (most essays they'll read are extremely similar)
2. Convey your real personality and make you come alive to your readers
3. Depict your experiences in movie-like clarity and detail
4. Show your best qualities and values
5. Help the reader see why you and their program are such a great fit

Simply put, the essay is not a to-do; it's a powerful tool to help you get accepted!

 

Lauren Hammond is our PTCAS application essay expert and has been helping people write their physical therapy personal statements for several years. Whether you just want some feedback on a draft, or you're staring at a blank Word doc and don't know where to begin, she is happy to help!

 

Contact Lauren directly at 951-395-4646 (phone or text), or send us an email.

 

She works with people online via Zoom and via email / Google Docs. P.S. We offer GRE prep!

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1. PT personal statement tips

2. PT personal statement examples

3. Learn more about Lauren, our PT personal statement expert.

 

 

3 TIPS FOR COMPELLING PT PERSONAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Show Your Passion for Physical Therapy

• Share a personal or professional story: Discuss a moment that inspired your interest in physical therapy, such as recovering from an injury, observing a loved one’s treatment, or working in a related field.
• Highlight your commitment to helping others: Explain why physical therapy is the ideal way for you to combine your love for movement, science, and improving quality of life.
• Be specific about your motivation: Avoid vague statements like “I want to help people.” Instead, connect your passion to real-life experiences.

Example:
"After witnessing my father regain mobility and independence through physical therapy following a stroke, I became inspired to pursue a career where I could empower others to overcome similar challenges. Shadowing his physical therapist confirmed my desire to blend my interest in anatomy with my commitment to compassionate care."

2. Demonstrate Your Readiness and Experience

• Highlight relevant skills and experiences: Discuss shadowing, internships, work, or volunteer experiences in physical therapy or related fields, emphasizing what you learned and how it prepared you for graduate school.
• Show academic and professional growth: Mention coursework, certifications, or leadership roles that have strengthened your ability to succeed in a rigorous PT program.
• Emphasize qualities critical to physical therapists: Demonstrate empathy, communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience through your examples.

Example:
"Shadowing physical therapists across outpatient, inpatient, and sports rehabilitation settings exposed me to the diversity of patient needs and the adaptability required to meet them. Observing therapists tailor interventions to each patient’s goals strengthened my interpersonal skills and my commitment to individualized care."

 

3. Align Your Goals with the Program’s Strengths

• Research the program: Highlight specific features, such as faculty expertise, unique coursework, clinical opportunities, or community outreach programs, that make the program a perfect fit for your goals.
• Show long-term vision: Explain how the program will help you achieve your career aspirations, whether you aim to work in a specialized field like sports medicine, neurorehabilitation, or pediatric care, or contribute to underserved communities.
• Tailor your statement: Personalize your application to reflect the program’s values and how they align with your own.

Example:
"I am particularly drawn to [Program Name]’s emphasis on integrating evidence-based practices into clinical training and its partnership with local community clinics. These opportunities will equip me to pursue my goal of providing accessible physical therapy services in underserved rural areas."

 

 

PT PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLES

 

The below is an example of a compelling PT personal statement - below, we'll explain what makes it work.

 

When I was in high school, I tore my ACL during a basketball game. At the time, I didn’t know what it meant beyond the excruciating pain and the fear that I might not play again. The weeks that followed were some of the hardest of my life, but they also introduced me to something that would change my future: physical therapy. Working with my physical therapist didn’t just help me regain strength and mobility; it showed me the power of resilience and the incredible impact a compassionate professional can have on someone’s recovery.

That experience stuck with me through college, where I majored in kinesiology and immersed myself in coursework on human anatomy and biomechanics. I’ll admit, there were moments when the material felt overwhelming—memorizing every muscle insertion and origin wasn’t exactly easy—but I loved seeing how it all connected to real-world movement and function. My favorite class was Therapeutic Exercise, where I got to design and implement rehabilitation plans for hypothetical cases. It felt like a small glimpse into the career I hoped to have.

Outside the classroom, I sought every opportunity to deepen my understanding of physical therapy. I worked as a physical therapy aide at a local clinic, assisting therapists with patient exercises and learning how to adapt treatments for people of all ages and abilities. One patient in particular left a lasting impression on me: an older gentleman recovering from a stroke. He struggled with balance and coordination, but his determination to regain independence was inspiring. Watching his progress over months reinforced my belief in the transformative power of physical therapy.

Volunteering at a pediatric therapy center also gave me insight into the unique challenges and rewards of working with children. Whether it was helping a child take their first steps with assistive devices or simply making therapy sessions fun and engaging, I saw how creativity and patience could make a world of difference. These experiences confirmed that I want to work in a field where I can build relationships and tailor care to each individual’s needs.

Pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) feels like the natural next step for me. I’m particularly drawn to [University Name] because of its emphasis on evidence-based practice and hands-on learning. The program’s commitment to community outreach also resonates with my values, as I’ve seen how access to care can be life-changing for underserved populations.

In the future, I hope to specialize in neurological rehabilitation, working with patients who have experienced strokes, traumatic brain injuries, or other neurological conditions. I want to help them regain function and confidence, just as my therapist once did for me. Eventually, I’d like to contribute to the field by mentoring students or participating in research on innovative rehabilitation techniques.

I know the road to becoming a physical therapist will be challenging, but I’m ready to dedicate myself fully to this journey. My experiences as a patient, student, and aide have prepared me to bring empathy, determination, and a strong work ethic to your program. I’m excited about the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally and to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

 

What we like about this statement:

• Personal Story: The ACL injury anecdote is relatable and introduces the applicant’s motivation naturally. It shows a personal connection to the field without being overly dramatic.

• Blend of Academics and Experience: The essay integrates academic coursework with real-world applications, like working as a physical therapy aide and volunteering, demonstrating readiness for graduate-level study.

• Imperfect but Relatable: Phrases like “memorizing every muscle insertion and origin wasn’t exactly easy” make the applicant relatable and show humility, avoiding an overly polished or robotic tone.

• Clear Goals: The applicant outlines a specific interest in neurological rehabilitation, providing focus while leaving room for growth.

• Realistic Enthusiasm: The language conveys genuine excitement for the field without sounding forced or overdone, striking the right tone for a competitive application.