*IMPORTANT NOTE: According to the Universities all students are eligible to receive at least $ 18,500.00 in U.S. government backed student loans for each academic year. The University of Ulster financial aid code # 02588000, and Curtin University of Technology code # 02591800. In addition, there is another annual loan of $10,000.00 per year available to PT students. Therefore, the amount of loans you may receive per academic year is $ 28,500.00 up to $ 37,750.00

Question:	I am currently taking courses to meet my prerequisites and will finish these courses before the start date for the program. Can I still apply for this academic year?
Answer:	Yes, but you must send an official letter or transcript from your school verifying your registration/enrollment.

Question:

Will the University be accredited by the APTA, and if not, will I be able to obtain a license to practice in the United States?

Answer:

The normal process for gaining APTA accreditation is two years. We anticipate accomplishing this in a similar time frame. However, if APTA accreditation is delayed, graduates of all four of these universities can still obtain licensure in the United States by having their course work reviewed by any one of the individual state licensing boards, or by credential review agencies that submit reports to the individual states. APTA accreditation reduces the paperwork, but is not in any way necessary for a graduate of these universities to obtain a license as a physical therapist in the U.S.A. Please Note: The Robert Gordon University and The University of Ulster both have two Physical Therapy programs in the same PT department, which are now all fully accredited and recognized by the Chartered Society for Physiotherapy in London and the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine. The Chartered Society for Physiotherapy is the accrediting body for the United Kingdom, and the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine is the licensing body for all medical fields in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, & Wales), and is the same type of organization as our American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The American students who attend The Robert Gordon University and The University of Ulster PT programs will be able to return to the United States and apply to any state licensing board as British educated American physical therapists. You will also be able to join the APTA and become a member just like any U.S. educated PT student.

Question:	My grade point average is not great, but my experience in the health professions is extensive, may I still apply?
Answer:	Yes...a candidate will be evaluated as a person, not just by their grade point average. It is important to note however that this course is intense, and we seek candidates who have the ability to complete the course.

Question:

Is financial aid available?

Answer:

Yes. The Universities are all certified by the U.S. Department of Education, so students may apply for the federally guaranteed student loans. These are the same loans that you get when you enroll at U.S. schools. We would suggest that candidates begin their application process immediately by submitting to the U.S. Department of Education the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. To request an application, call 1 800- 433-3243. The FAFSA application is the same form used throughout the U.S. and should be available at every U.S. college financial aid office. Call us to find out more about the financial aid process before you mail the FAFSA application. According to the Universities applicants can expect to receive a minimum of $ 18,500.00 in U.S. Stafford loans per academic year. In addition, there is another annual loan of $10,000.00 per year available to all PT students. Therefore, the amount of loans you may receive per academic year is $ 28,500.00 up to $ 37,750.00

Question:	What details should I be aware of in the application process?
Answer:	Be sure that we receive all of your documents. The best approach is to build your file at home by having all transcripts and letters of recommendation sent to you, and without opening the envelopes of the transcripts and recommendations, place them in your application file. When your file is complete send it to us in one envelope. You should call us to verify that your file is complete.

Question:

How many students do you accept to your Physical Therapy Program at The Robert Gordon University, The University of Ulster, Trinity College and Curtin University of Technology? How often during the year do you admit students to the Physical Therapy program, and how competitive is it to get accepted?

Answer:

At present, The Robert Gordon University had accepted 20 students in January, 1995, and in January, 1996. Thirty-six (36) students will be accepted for the class entering January, 1997, and 36 students per year thereafter. The University of Ulster accepts 24 students every June, beginning in 1996. Curtin University of Technology will accept ten (10) students per year, and Trinity accepts six (6) students in September each year. Admission to all the Physical Therapy programs occur once a year at present. Applications are available, and will be evaluated as they are received during the year. It may be possible to interview at various times during the year. Please call Shifrin Healthcare, Inc. at (973) 540-8999 for more details.

Important Note: Our programs are not as rigid as US schools for acceptance. We work with you and guide you along throughout the application process. The personal interview is the most important factor in acceptance to our programs. You will be interviewed by persons from the University that you apply to (usually by the PT program Director/Head of School of Health Sciences and some of the faculty) and representatives from Shifrin Healthcare, Inc.