Admissions Straight Talk

Send Harold your questions!What should applicants know about WashU Medicine’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program?In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, Dr. Valerie Wherley speaks with Dr. Steven Ambler – professor of physical therapy and orthopaedic surgery, division director of education, and DPT program director at WashU Medicine – about the program’s curriculum, culture, student support, research opportunities, and admissions process.Dr. Ambler explains how WashU integrates early clinical experience into the curriculum, why the program emphasizes collaboration over competition, and how faculty coaching helps support students throughout their training. He also shares how the admissions committee evaluates applicants holistically and what qualities make an application stand out.If you’re considering physical therapy school and want an inside look at one of the country’s most respected DPT programs, this episode offers practical guidance and useful perspective.00:00 WashU Medicine DPT Program Overview01:22 Why the WashU DPT Program is Top-Ranked04:08 Early Integrated Clinical Experience07:05 Alumni Preceptors and Clinical Placements07:53 Student Support, Collaboration, and Coaching13:20 Research Opportunities for DPT Students17:42 Holistic Admissions Review at WashU 21:53 What Makes a Competitive WashU DPT ApplicantFollow UsYouTubeFacebookLinkedInContact [email protected]+1 (310) 815-9553

Send Harold your questions!This episode of Admissions Straight Talk covers the essential strategies for overcoming rejection and successfully reapplying to physician assistant (PA) programs. In this episode, host Dr. Valerie Wherley speaks with Cassandra Zoetjes, a first-generation college student and current PA student at Sacred Heart University who successfully navigated three application cycles. Cassandra shares how she transformed her candidacy by pursuing a master’s in nutrition at Columbia University and diversifying her clinical experiences as a scribe and a medical assistant.This conversation is especially valuable for reapplicants facing an unsuccessful cycle or those considering a graduate degree to bolster their academic profile. Cassandra provides a transparent look at the emotional toll of the “drinking from a fire hose” aspect of PA school and the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Her story serves as a road map for applicants who need to add depth to their writing and medical knowledge.Listeners will gain concrete insights into these topics:How a specialized master’s degree can demonstrate academic rigorThe benefit of diversifying patient care experience across specialtiesStrategies for crafting a resilient mindset and an honest personal statementWhat to expect in a PA curriculum0:00 Introducing the Journey to PA School1:06 Meet Cassandra: First-Gen Student Success2:11 Choosing the PA Profession3:39 Navigating Three PA Application Cycles4:52 Strengthening Your GPA With a Master’s Degree7:28 Diversifying Clinical and Volunteer Experience9:58 Surviving the PA School Curriculum11:47 Leadership and Student Government Opportunities in PA School13:04 Advice for Reapplicants and Future PAsFollow UsYouTubeFacebookLinkedInContact [email protected]+1 (310) 815-9553

Send Harold your questions!What does it take to maximize your premed shadowing opportunity, and why does this experience matter so much in your application?In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, Dr. Valerie Wherley speaks with Dr. Rachel L. Schreiber, a board-certified allergist/immunologist and former president of the Greater Washington Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Society. Recognized as a “Top Doctor” by Washingtonian magazine, Bethesda Magazine, and Washington Consumers’ Checkbook, Dr. Schreiber shares practical advice on finding shadowing opportunities, keeping a journal, and asking the right questions.Additionally, Dr. Wherley and Dr. Schreiber address the nonnegotiable topic of patient confidentiality. From HIPAA requirements, to what you can safely write about in your application essays, to the risks of discussing patients on social media, the bottom line is this: you must conduct yourself with professionalism from the moment you walk in the clinic, including after you walk out. If you are preparing to apply to medical school, this episode will change how you think about every hour you spend shadowing.0:00  Meet Dr. Rachel L. Schreiber0:30  Finding and Securing Premed Shadowing Opportunities3:14  The Real Purpose of Shadowing Before Med School4:23  Why You Should Keep a Shadowing Journal7:08  Asking Questions and Choosing Specialties13:25  Patient Privacy and HIPAAFollow UsYouTubeFacebookLinkedInContact [email protected]+1 (310) 815-9553