Early Acceptance Program

The College of Staten Island (CSI) of the City University of New York (CUNY) Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) early assurance (EA) program is designed to accept exceptional students during their senior year of high school. The EA program allows accepted students to matriculate into the DPT program at CSI the academic year after completing their four-year baccalaureate degree at CSI.
 

Overview

High school students admitted to CSI under the E A program are guaranteed admission into the CSI DPT program, providing all prerequisite courses and undergraduate degree program requirements (see below) are met. The undergraduate degree serves as a foundation for the DPT program, ensuring students have a strong academic background before they begin their graduate studies.  Students must be accepted by an undergraduate CSI program to receive a place in the 4+3 DPT program and must complete their undergraduate degree requirements at CSI.  Admitted 4+3 DPT students may attend the bachelor’s degree program of their choice. Early completion of the undergraduate degree will be acceptable if granted and approved by the College of Staten Island. 

Admissions Requirements

High school seniors who meet the following criteria will be considered for an interview for the 4+3 DPT program at CSI:

• Must have at least one of the following:
  • Minimum unweighted high school grade point average of 90% or higher, OR
  • Ranked in the top 25% of their high school class (if applicable), OR
  • A composite score of 1200 or higher on the new SAT and/or a score of 25+ on the ACT (CUNY is test optional)
• Must complete four years of science and math in high school. Regents, Honors, AP, or IB courses recommended.
• Must have completed twenty hours (20) of observational experience with a licensed Physical Therapist.
• Must apply and be accepted to a CSI undergraduate baccalaureate program.
• After the initial review, select candidates will be invited for an interview with CSI’s DPT core faculty.

Application Process

1. Must apply to CSI’s undergraduate program (General Freshman or Macaulay Honors College application) and CSI’s DPT program application by March 1 of senior year of high school. That includes an official transcript, SAT or ACT (optional), and all other required documents.
2. Two letters of recommendation directed toward the DPT program. The letter should be sent to this email: physicaltherapy@csi.cuny.edu or mailed to the College of Staten Island, DPT Department, Building 5N, room 207, Staten Island, NY 10314
3. Write a “Personal Statement” for the EA program detailing your reasons for pursuing the program and your interests, experiences, and commitment.
4. Verification of PT Observation Hours (start and end dates of when you observed, what settings, what patient populations, and the name/contact information of the therapist that supervised you).
5. Resume/CV.

The DPT program application and all supporting documents listed above must be submitted by March 1.

Requirements after Acceptance to the EA program

• Must complete the baccalaureate degree at CSI within four years (at the spring semester's end).
• Must pass an interview or observation hours by a DPT core faculty member. Note that this interview/observation hours differ from the EA program's initial interview.
• Must continue shadowing in a physical therapy setting to complete the required 100 hours while enrolled in the CSI undergraduate program.
• Must complete all prerequisite courses (see listing below) with a grade of "C" or higher ("B" or higher preferred) and must maintain a 3.4 cumulative GPA at the end of each academic year (spring semester) and by the end of the undergraduate degree.  In addition, a 3.3 prerequisite GPA is required before acceptance to the professional phase (the DPT program). 

Additional Information

1. Advising in the EA program will be administered by undergraduate (Center for Advising and Academic Success) and DPT core faculty.
2. Incomplete EA program applications will not be considered.
3. Application to the EA program is nonbinding.
4. Acceptance into the EA program is conditional and will be rescinded if all conditions of acceptance are not met.
5. All correspondence about applications will be with the CSI Recruitment and Admissions Office: admissions@csi.cuny.edu