DPT Admissions Rubric

Application review criteria

Academics (50 points)

 CriteriaScoring
Cumulative GPA Minimum 3.00-10 transformed points; each one-tenth (0.10) point increase in GPA above 3.0 translates to 2 additional points
Math/Science GPAno minimum requirement for admissions, but points awarded for scoring0-10 transformed points; each one-tenth (0.10) point increase in GPA above 3.0 translates to 1 additional point
Prerequisite GPAMinimum 3.00-20 transformed points; each one-tenth (0.10) point increase in GPA above 3.0 translates to 2 additional points

Non-Academic (50 points)

 CriteriaScoring
Academic Attainment
(3 points total)
  • Has a Graduate degree
3 points
Curiosity Evidence
(3 points total)
  • Has taken 2+ Upper Division courses
    outside major
  • Experience as Teaching Assistant or tutor
  • Research Experience
  • TRiO (McNair Scholar, Upward Bound/Talent)
  • Study Abroad experience
  • Honors Thesis
3 points awarded for any of these achievements
BGSU Student or Graduate
(3 points total)		BGSU student or alumni3 points
Work Experience
(4 points total)		Related healthcare experience (PTA, ATC,
Physician, Chiropractor, Exercise Physiologist, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Personal
Trainer, Licensed or Certified healthcare
professional)		4 points (Supplemental
Documentation Required)
Military Experience
(4 points total)		More than 2 years of active or reserve duty with honorable discharge/separation4 points
Language Skills
(3 points total)

Applicant is proficient in language(s) other than English.
If the applicant has proficiency in multiple
languages, the maximum number of points awarded is 3.

  • Advanced proficiency (3 points)
  • Intermediate proficiency (2 points)
  • Beginner proficiency (1 point)
3 points (Applicant self-reported proficiency level)
Community Engagement
(3 points total)
  • More than 500 hours
  • 100-499 hours
  • 10-99 hours
3 points
2 points
1 point
Extra-Curricular Activities
(3 points total)
  • More than 21 hours per week
  • 11 to 20 hours per week 
  • 1 to 10 hours per week
3 points
2 points
1 point

Hybrid Essay
  • (See scoring rubric below)

9 points

Letters of Recommendation
  • (See scoring rubric below)

15 points

Faculty Review (24 points total): Essays and Letters of Recommendation undergo blinded review by two members of the admissions committee. Essays and letters are graded based on the following rubrics.

Hybrid Essay (maximum of 9 points)

 1234
Strength & Clarity
(Can be scored on .5 points)

Poor to no reflection of how learner attributes align with accelerated, hybrid learning model.

Examples

  • applicant does not describe the BGSU's accelerated, hybrid model
  • applicant poor to no understanding of type of learner they are and how it contributes to success in program
  • applicant does not describe how personal qualities and experiences have facilitated past academic success
  • applicant does not describe examples of past success with similar learning environments Clearly AI- generated.

Superficial reflection and difficulty aligning learner attributes with accelerated, hybrid learning model

Examples

  • applicant mentions (without describing) the BGSU's accelerated, hybrid model
  • applicant shows fair understanding of type of learner they are and how it contributes to success in program
  • applicant describes superficial examples of how personal qualities and experiences have facilitated past academic success
  • applicant describes superficial examples of past success with similar learning environments Seems AI-generated or inspired.

Good/compelling reflection and at least 2 examples provided of how learner attributes align with accelerated, hybrid learning model

Examples

  • applicant generally describes the BGSU's accelerated, hybrid model
  • applicant shows some understanding of type of learner they are and how it contributes to success in program
  • applicant describes examples of how personal qualities and experiences have facilitated past academic success
  • applicant describes examples of past success with similar learning environments

Deep reflection and multiple (3+) examples provided of how learner attributes align with accelerated, hybrid learning model

Examples

  • applicant shows thorough knowledge of BGSU's accelerated, hybrid model (discusses immersion experiences, curriculum, etc)
  • applicant shows firm understanding of type of learner they are and how it contributes to success in program
  • applicant describes examples of how personal qualities and experiences have facilitated past academic success
  • applicant describes examples of past success with similar learning environments
Mechanics.511.52
 

Poorly constructed essays that require significant review and/or revisions.

Contains more than 4 errors in mechanics (spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting, capitalization).

Adequate under- graduate student- level essays requiring proofreading and/or revision.


Contains 3 or 4 errors in mechanics (spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting, capitalization). 

Commendable graduate student- level essays.

Contains 1 or 2 minor errors in mechanics (spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting, capitalization).

Professional-quality essays.


Contains no errors in mechanics (spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting, capitalization).

Letters of recommendation (3 letters of recommendation are scored by 2 reviewers. Scores are averaged for a total of 15 points total)

1234
  •  LOR is from appropriate source.
  • <7 attributes are score/observed
  • Provides an poor case for the applicant to be selected for admission.
  • Rating 'Do not Recommend' OR attribute score of <40
  • LOR is from appropriate source.
  • Only 7/14 attributes are scored/observed.
  • Provides an fair case (1+ examples) for the applicant to be selected for admission.
  • Rating 'Recommend with Reservation' OR attribute score of 40-50
  • LOR is from appropriate source.
  • At least 9/14 attributes are scored/observed.
  •  Provides an good case (2+ examples) for the applicant to be selected for admission.
  • Rating 'Recommend' OR attribute score of 50-60.
  • LOR is from appropriate source.
  • At least 11/14 attributes are scored/observed. 
  • Provides an overwhelming case (3+ examples) for the applicant to be selected for admission.
  • Rating 'Highly Recommend' OR attribute score of 60-70

Updated: 08/21/2026 02:37PM