Physical Therapist Assistant FAQ

Can I apply during the January 15 through March 31 time window and take a course or courses during the summer and still be considered for the following fall entry to Phase II?

No. All ten Phase I courses must be completed by the end of the Spring Semester. Maymester courses are early summer term courses and cannot be considered.

Do all Phase I courses have to be completed before submitting the application to Phase II?

No. All applications must be submitted between January 15 and March 31 each year, even if you are enrolled in spring courses. When the semester is over, final official transcripts from other colleges and universities or grades for courses at Greenville Technical College must be received and evaluated or recorded to be included in the total points.

Do I estimate my final grade for Spring Semester classes on the application to Phase II?

No. Courses taken in the Spring Semester should not show an estimated grade. Leave the grade and quality points blank. Only indicate the college where you are taking the course and the term. The final grade when received and recorded will be calculated into your points by the PTA scoring committee.

Does it matter how long ago I completed Phase I courses?

Yes. All BIO and MAT courses or an equivalent course taken at another college or university must be completed within five years of starting Phase II.

Does PTA have a waiting list?

No. There is no waiting list. However, students must apply to Phase II of the PTA program between January 15 and March 31 for the following Fall Semester using a weighted admissions score sheet/application to Phase II form available on www.gvltec.edu/PTA/. Students with the highest point scores are accepted into Phase II.

How do I calculate if my Technical GPA meets minimum standards?

Input your grades in this GPA Calculator.

How do I get points for improving my chances in the weighted admission process?

Points are earned for grades, volunteer hours, previous heath care work experience, certificates or diplomas in health care from a regionally-accredited college or university and the TEAS test. Find the PTA Program Weighted Admissions Scoresheet on www.gvltec.edu/PTA/. Click PTA Program requirements and then scroll down to Forms and Resources.

Is there a form for volunteer hours?

No. Students will need to get a letter on letterhead from each institution where you volunteered. Each letter must contain dates, hours volunteered, signature/email/phone number of supervisor(s).

Should I submit an application if I only anticipate having the minimum score?

Yes, because we never know how many applicants there will be or what their scores will be.

To be competitive, what percentage of the maximum score should I obtain?

This could be different each year because of changes made in courses or how points are awarded. However, a goal would be to obtain nearly 75% of the maximum score.

What does the volunteer verification letter need to say?

It must be on letterhead and it should state the date range (including year – since we must verify it was within five years), the number of hours at each facility and be signed by a person we can contact with an email address and telephone number.

What if I don’t have enough points to be accepted into Phase II?

You can apply again the following year; you can increase points by repeating courses for a higher grade, completing a health care certificate program or getting volunteer hours or work experience in health care. You can also look at options of other health care programs at Greenville Technical College, research PTA programs at other colleges in the state or pursue courses toward a bachelor's degree.

What if I have taken the Phase I general education courses at another college or university?

Courses taken at other colleges or universities will be evaluated by transcript evaluators when final official transcripts are sent to Greenville Technical College directly from the institutions. Tentatively, students should access www.sctrac.org for in state colleges or universities and www.collegetransfer.net for out-of-state colleges and universities for course equivalencies.

What if I miss the deadline of March 31? Are there extenuating circumstances for turning an application in late?

No, the deadline is March 31. Applications that are post-marked no later than March 31 are accepted for the following fall entry term.

What if I volunteer more than 50 hours?

No additional points are awarded for over 50 hours.

What is a Career Talk? Do I need an appointment? How long is it?

Career Talks are information sharing sessions regarding all aspects of the Physical Therapist Assistant field of study. Some statistics of past graduates may be shared, as well as a detailed explanation of the current weighted admissions’ score sheet/application to Phase II. Specific questions can be addressed at the end of the presentation. An appointment is not needed. You should plan on the presentation to last one to two hours. You can access the Career Talk schedule by going to www.gvltec.edu/PTA/ and click on PTA program requirements.

What is an acceptable humanities elective course?

A humanities course listing is found in the Greenville Technical College Catalog and Student Handbook, in the Resource Guide Book given in the Orientation packet.

What is a 1+1 Program? With what other colleges does the GTC PTA Program have articulation agreements?

Phase I includes all general education and related courses that may be taken at Greenville Technical College or any articulating college.

Phase II courses are taught at Greenville Technical College’s Benson Campus in Greer. 

The PTA program has an articulation agreement with York Technical College to assure transfer of appropriate Phase I courses.  Two seats are guaranteed annually based on the weighted admission score of applicants applying from York Technical College who meet the minimum admission requirements for Phase II.

What is the TEAS test?

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS®) is required prior to applying to Phase II of the PTA program. Details can be obtained at www.gvltec.edu/PTA/ then click on the PTA program requirements and scroll down the TEAS Information sheet and click on it for more details.

What type of places can I volunteer? Is there a list?

There is no list of places. Students must research physical therapy facilities, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools or community service settings in your area and contact them.

What will I learn at Career Talk? If I forget the advising information specifics, where can I go to review this information?

Preview/review the PTA program Career Talk with this summary.

When will I be notified of acceptance or denial into Phase II?

All applicants will receive an e-letter in the month of June. An exact date or whether early or late June cannot always be determined, as receipt of all grades, committee members' schedules and other issues vary and affect this decision.

Will a copy of a resume’ or reference letters increase my chances of being accepted into Phase II?

No, students are accepted into Phase II based only on having earned the highest points.

Will submitting my application early increase my chances for consideration?

No. All applications are scored after all grades are recorded at the end of the Spring Semester.

With the weighted admission process, how will I be scored and ranked for admission into Phase II of the PTA Program?

Phase II admission is competitive, based on weighted admission scores and the relative scores of the applicant pool each year. See the Weighted Admissions Form for specifics.