Doctor of Physical Therapy - 4+3 Early Assurance Program
Feb 1, 2025
For Summer 2029 Admissions, submit all application materials by:
With our 4+3 Early Assurance for Doctor of Physical Therapy program, students can get an advanced start on their path toward becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Who Is This Program For?
Students accepted into the 4+3 DPT Early Assurance program have guaranteed acceptance into SUNY Upstate's DPT program upon completion of their bachelor's degree providing they have met all conditions outlined in their acceptance letter.
How Does It Work?
Admitted 4+3 DPT students may attend:- SUNY Potsdam for the Exercise Science (clinical track) bachelor’s degree or
- SUNY Oneonta for the Exercise Science bachelor's degree (Health Professions Concentration) or
- The accredited college of their choice, for the major of their choice.
Students attending SUNY Potsdam for the Exercise Science (clinical track) bachelor’s degree and SUNY Oneonta for the Exercise Science bachelor's degree will have an advisor on their campus overseeing their degree progress. All 4+3 students will have an advisor at SUNY Upstate tracking their admission requirements.
After completing their bachelor’s degree, 4+3 students attend SUNY Upstate for two and a half additional years. Upon successful completion of two and a half years of graduate work at Upstate, students will be awarded a DPT degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University.
Admitted Early Assurance students must complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or higher ("B" or higher preferred), and will be required to have a 3.3 cumulative and 3.3 prerequisite GPA by the end of the fall and spring semesters of their senior year. Students will also need to continue shadowing in a physical therapy setting while enrolled at their undergraduate college.
If unsure whether to apply for 3+3 Early Assurance or 4+3 Early Assurance, we recommend applicants apply 3+3. Please note that applicants can not submit an application for both 3+3 and 4+3 DPT.
Information About Upstate's DPT Program
Students applying to our Physical Therapy degree program must take the prerequisite courses at another college before enrolling in the Physical Therapy program at SUNY Upstate.
Admissions Requirements
High school seniors who meet the following criteria will be considered for an interview for the 4+3 DPT program at SUNY Upstate Medical University:
- Recommended minimum unweighted High School Grade Point Average of 90% or higher.
- Four years of science and four years of math. Regents, Honors, AP, or IB courses recommended.
- Eight (8) hours of observational experience with a Physical Therapist through participation in a Health Explorers Post, New Visions Program, shadowing or volunteer work is required. Applicants need to be able to articulate what Physical Therapists do and be knowledgeable about the field of Physical Therapy. Applicants can e-mail [email protected] updates of any shadowing completed after submission of the application no later than February 1.
Application Process
Step 1 - Complete the SUNY Upstate College of Health Professions Application
Complete the SUNY Upstate 4+3 DPT application and submit the $65 application fee*.
Applications are open September 1 through February 1.
On the application, under “What program are you applying to?” select “Doctor of Physical Therapy-DPT” and then under “Which application type are you applying for?” select "DPT 4+3 Early Assurance for High School Seniors”
Step 2 - Submit an Application to Undergraduate School of Choice
Submit an application to the undergraduate college(s) you'd like to attend for your bachelor's degree.
To be guaranteed a place in the 4+3 DPT program, students must be accepted by both an undergraduate college and by SUNY Upstate.
Step 3 - Submit Supporting Documentation
All supporting documents must be received by February 7th. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all items are received on time. Applicants may check their application checklist online.
Items that Must Be Submitted to SUNY Upstate to Complete your Application
Official High School Transcript
High school transcripts can be sent to us from the applicant’s high school via:
- E-mail: Sent from your high school Guidance Office to [email protected] (preferred) or
- Mail: SUNY Upstate Medical University, Student Admissions, 766 Irving Ave., 1212 Weiskotten Hall, Syracuse, NY 13210
We cannot accept transcripts via Naviance or SCOIR. The transcript must show your high school graduation date.
SAT and/or ACT Scores
- SAT code is 2547.
- ACT code is 2981.
SAT and/or ACT scores are not required for applicants applying during the 2024-2025 admissions cycle for summer 2029 entry.
Official High School Transcript and 10-week Grade Report
High school transcripts and the 10-week grade report (First marking period grades/report card for senior year) can be sent to us from the applicant’s high school via:
- E-mail: Sent from your high school Guidance Office to [email protected] (preferred) or
- Mail: SUNY Upstate Medical University, Student Admissions, 766 Irving Ave., 1212 Weiskotten Hall, Syracuse, NY 13210
Step 4 - Two Letters Of Recommendation
- We recommend that at least one letter be from a science teacher and the second should be from a teacher, School Counselor, employer, a volunteer supervisor, or the Physical Therapist that you have volunteered or worked for. Personal references will not be considered.
- Applicants will indicate their reference's name, organization and department, position/title, relationship to you, telephone number and e-mail address on the Upstate 4+3 application. Once you enter your reference’s information in the application, they will be sent instructions on how to submit the letter of recommendation. Both you and your references will receive confirmation once it’s submitted.
*FEE WAIVERS:
- Option 1. SUNY Upstate can waive the application fee for applicants with a fee waiver. Please ask your School Counselor to mail the waiver to our office at the address below or send via e-mail to [email protected].
- Option 2. Applicants who are eligible for free or reduced lunch at their high school can have their School Counselor notify our office about your eligibility at: [email protected]. Option 3. Applicants who qualify as one of the following: active-duty service member; National Guard or active Reserve member; veteran; spouse or dependent child of an active duty, National Guard, active Reserve or veteran sponsor can upload the veteran’s DD214 or a copy of their military ID at the time of application.
After You Apply
After all required items are submitted, your application will be screened. Qualified applicants will be contacted in February or March to set up a Zoom interview which are typically held in March. Decisions are sent out via e-mail.
Admitted students for 4+3 have the option to attend SUNY Potsdam for the Exercise Science (pre-professional track) bachelor’s degree, or the accredited college of their choice, for the major of their choice.
Admitted student attending SUNY Potsdam for the 4+3 program with Exercise Science (pre-professional track) will be assigned a faculty advisor who will advise the student during their undergraduate years. The curriculum has been designed to meet all prerequisites for the Physical Therapy program at SUNY Upstate and all the degree requirements for the Exercise Science, BS degree at Potsdam. These students will also work with the DPT Early Assurance Admissions Advisor at SUNY Upstate.
Admitted student attending another accredited college will be advised on the Physical Therapy prerequisites and requirements by the DPT Early Assurance Admissions Advisor at SUNY Upstate. They will be provided with a course equivalency guide, which the student will share with their Academic Advisor at their undergraduate college to ensure all the prerequisites will be completed within the four years.
Early Assurance accepted students will not submit a deposit at their initial acceptance but will respond to the offer by the deadline indicated on their acceptance letter. They will submit a deposit in January of their entry year once their acceptance has been finalized.
Acceptance is conditional and will be rescinded if conditions of acceptance are not met. Acceptance is also conditional upon review of a background check. Information on how to submit the background check will be provided to admitted students in the spring of the year of entry.
Admitted students must complete a CPR course by the time of matriculation.
Additional Information
Additional requirements based on individual situations. It is the responsibility of each student to confirm that a completed application is on file in the Office of Student Admissions
Official Correspondence Should Be Sent To:
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Student Admissions
766 Irving Ave.
1212 Weiskotten Hall
Syracuse, NY 13210
Via e-mail: [email protected]
Other Items
- Applicants can only have one active application at a time.
- Acceptance is non-binding.
Have Questions
Need more specifics about the program? Questions about admissions requirements? Contact the College of Health Professions Admissions Counselor:
Wendy Meyer
Senior Assistant Director of Admissions, Undergraduate Admissions Advisor
Virtual Information Sessions
The Office of Admissions is conducting virtual information sessions for those who are interested in College of Health Professions programs.