Physical Therapist Assistant Admission/Selection/Point Calculation Information revised 10/15 Points Science support courses for the PTA program include BIOL 2010 (Anatomy and Physiology I), BIOL 2020 (Anatomy and Physiology II), and PHYS 1030 (Concepts of Physics). Three points are awarded for each of these science by the application deadline. If the course is taken a second time, then two points are awarded for that course instead of 3. No more than 2 attempts are awarded points. The student must have achieved a grade of at least a C. Only Science within the last five years are considered. If an applicant completed one of the courses more than five years ago and he/she is involved in a work setting that reinforces the principles learned in the science course (or other reasonable circumstance), they should consider submitting the form to ask for a waiver of the five year limit. Waiver request forms are available on the program website. 2. PTA Program GPA A grade point average consisting of the general education/support courses for the PTA program is calculated as per the Calculation Summary Worksheet. The applicant must have a minimum of 2.5 Program GPA to be eligible. If the applicant is a high school student, then the High School GPA as of the applicant deadline is considered. However, the high school student must demonstrate they are at college level as per college admission testing requirements to be considered in the applicant pool. 3. Science GPA The Science GPA includes only PTA required Science courses (BIOL 2010, 2020 and PHYS 1030). If the applicant is a high school student, then the High School Science GPA is considered for completed HS Science However, the high school student must demonstrate they are at college level as per college admission testing requirements to be considered in the applicant pool. Points are awarded for the Science GPA as follows: GPA 3.5-4 (multiplied) x 3 for possible 10.5 12 (points) 3-3.499 x 2.5 for possible 7.5-8.747 2.5 2.99 x 2 for possible 5 5.998 2 2.499 x 1 for possible 2 2.499 No GPA points are given for third (or any subsequent) attempts. Applicants who are employed as a tech (or comparable position) in a Physical Therapy Clinic are awarded one work point. Documentation of at least six months current employment on company letterhead is required. If the applicant has previous comparable work experience but is not currently employed, a letter of recommendation on company letterhead from the previous employer detailing the circumstances that resulted in an amiable termination of employment (such as relocation, a drop in patient load that resulted in a layoff, etc.) is required. 5. Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Score Applicants must score at least 50% on this test to earn any points in this category. The total percentage score (above 50%) from the TEAS is divided by 10 to determine the points in this category. The TEAS can be taken every 6 weeks starting fall 2015. 6. Other Application Criteria Use the application checklist to assist applicants in assuring all aspects of the application process have been completed successfully including application, two recommendation forms, a clinical observation form, completed Point Calculation Summary Worksheet and transcripts from other colleges. Regardless of application score, if all application materials are not received by the first Monday in February, the application will not be considered. Page 1
Page 2 IMPORTANT NOTE: To assist the student in determining how competitive their application is, use the following and examples. Each applicant should review this process and discuss questions with your Advisor. You will be submitting your Calculation Summary Worksheet with your program application and other materials. Please see Checklist to successful complete the application process. *Applicants with top 40 scores are invited to proceed to the interview phase of the application process. For the past 2 years, there were approximately 90-100 applicants for 24 positions. **Interview score is determined on those applicants who advance to the interview stage of the application process by having one of the top 40 academic scores. The interview is designed to consist of a team of three who interview each applicant. The team consists of an admission/interview committee (consisting of members from Chattanooga State s Division of Nursing and Allied Health, academic and clinical faculty and/or Student Service staff) that assigns point values during a personal interview regarding the following criteria: knowledge of physical therapy, professional presentation, communication skills, interpersonal skills and organization/planning skills, Interview points are combined with previously established database academic points to determine an overall total application score. This point system is used to determine which applicants are offered admission. ***Applicants with top 24 scores are invited to enroll. An additional number, usually 5-10, will be placed on an alternate list and contacted should one or more of the 24 accepted students declines to enroll. For alternates, the part one score will be adjusted after spring grades are reported. This may alter their position in the alternate list. The strongest application would be one with completion of all program science support courses, 4.0 Program GPA, 4.0 science GPA, 1 point for tech employment, 100 percent score on the TEAS, and 24 of 24 possible interview points. Of course, there are those who have a top interview score and lower academic score as well as those who have a high academic score and lower interview score. For the applicant class for the Fall of 2015, the top 24 applicants had the following mean score statistics: Program GPA of 3.57, Science GPA of 3.51, TEAS Test of 81.74 and Science course points of 7.9. Pub. No. 11-70-204107-4-7/15/jc/bap Form 87 PDF Chattanooga State Community College does not discriminate against students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by Chattanooga State. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director and Affirmative Action Officer, 4501 Amnicola Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37406, 423-697-4457.
Page 3 EXAMPLE Three PTA support Science courses taken 3 I Concepts of Physics 3 C=2 x 4 = 8 Physics 1030 C=2 x 4 = 8 Hum B=3 x 3 = 9 Math *Total 11 25 Divide total quality points _25 by total credit hours 11_ and this = _2.27_ points for GPA *(For high school students, high school GPA is used if student is at college level per college admission testing.) C=2 x 4 = 8 Physics 1030 C=2 x 4 = 8 *Total 8 16 Divide total quality points _16_ by total credit hours 8 and this = _2.0 Science GPA *(For high school students, high school Science GPA is used if One point added to score for those who are employed as tech 5. TEAS Score Total percentage score _65 divided by 10 if score is at least 50 percentage, if < 50 = 1 points = 6.5 Points 6 2. Program GPA 2.27 3. Science GPA 2.0 1 6.5 Points = 6 Note: This is an example of how to calculate your application score. 2.27 Multiply Science GPA x formula from page one: 2.0 x 1 2.0 2.0 1 6.5 Academic Score: * = 17.77 Academic Score 17.77
Page 4 HIGH SCHOOL EXAMPLE Three PTA support Science courses taken I Concepts of Physics Hum Math *Total and this = points for GPA *(For high school students, high school GPA_3.5 is used if *Total and this = Science GPA *(For high school students, high school Science GPA _3.0 is used if One point added to score for those who are employed as tech 5. TEAS Score Total percentage score _88 divided by 10 if score is at least 50 percentage, if < 50 = 1 points = 8.8 Points 0 2. Program GPA 3.5 3. Science GPA 7.5 0 8.8 Points = 0 Note: This is an example of how to calculate your application score. 3.5 Multiply Science GPA x formula from page one: 3.0 x 2.5 = 7.5 7.5 0 8.8 Academic Score: * = 19.8 Academic Score 19.8
Page 5 (This is to be turned in with program application and materials) Three PTA support Science courses taken I Concepts of Physics Hum Math Total* and this = points for GPA *(For high school students, high school GPA is used if student is at college level per college admission testing.) Total* and this = Science GPA *(For high school students, high school Science GPA is used if One point added to score for those who are employed as tech 5. TEAS Score Total percentage score divided by 10 if score is at least 50 percentage, if < 50 = 1 points Points 2. Program GPA 3. Science GPA Points = Academic Score: * = Academic Score