Early Assurance for High School Students

Rehabilitation Science class focused on adaptive sports basketball held in Alumni Arena.

Rehabilitation Science class focused on adaptive sports basketball held in Alumni Arena.

Our Early Assurance (EA) program allows select high school students the advantage of securing a seat in the graduate DPT program after completing three years of prescribed undergraduate course work within the Exercise Science major at UB. 

Students within the EA program will earn both a BS in exercise science and a DPT degree (3 + 3 Combined ES BS/DPT degree).

How to apply when you're in high school

  • When you apply to UB, select "Exercise Science" as your intended major.
  • If you meet the DPT EA criteria, you will be contacted by UB's School of Public Health and Health Professions Office of Student Services (OASA) with an EA offer. 
  • Apply as early as possible for fullest consideration. EA is offered on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.

DPT early assurance criteria

  • Strong cumulative high school GPA (usually above a 93)
  • Evidence of strong science high school grades (usually above 90)

You will receive more information directly if you are eligible. You are required to respond to your offer within two weeks of its receipt to ensure your place. 

Early assurance is not the sole route into our DPT program, and ineligibility for early assurance does not imply that you are not qualified for admission to the DPT program.

Be prepared

High school coursework

To best prepare for the pre-physical therapy curriculum, high school students should take math courses and science courses including pre-calculus or calculus, biology, chemistry and physics.

Communication skills

You should have the ability to communicate effectively using both the oral and written English language. Written communication skills will be assessed in a standardized manner. 

After you're admitted to the DPT early assurance program

GPA and prerequisite courses

You must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in all prerequisite courses to maintain your status in the EA program. GPA review will be conducted at the end of the third semester and at the time of application to the DPT program. Students who no longer meet the criteria will be notified. Students who are not eligible for early assurance acceptance are still eligible to apply to the program and will be reviewed with all other applicants.  

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 in all prerequisite courses is required before you enter the graduate DPT program, including

  • All science and math prerequisites are included in the EA GPA, including college courses completed outside UB. 
  • Students also cannot remain in the program if they retake a prerequisite course.
  • Complete all prerequisite courses with a grade equal to or greater than C- on the first attempt.  Repeated courses' grades will not be used in computing the EA GPA.
  • You must submit any grade changes within 10 business days after the university’s first official day of grades posted for the semester.
  • Appeals may be considered.
Full list of DPT prerequisite courses at UB

PTCAS application

During your junior year in UB's Exercise Science program, you must complete a PTCAS application, which includes:
  • Volunteer observation hours
  • Personal Statement
  • Two references - one MUST be from a Physical Therapist
  • The separate UB application fee is waived for EA students
  • Interview

For questions, please contact sphhp-oasa@buffalo.edu or call (716) 829-5000.

All admissions requirements are subject to revision and review by the DPT Admissions Committee and may be revised without extensive notice. As a competitive program, admission can be based on the availability of space.

Non-discrimination Policy-UB DPT is committed to a nondiscriminatory admission policy and philosophy.

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