Physical Therapist Assistant (Phase II) Merit Interview Application 2017
Midlands Technical College
The purpose of Merit Physical Therapist Assistant Interview is to allow students who are qualified to apply for
special consideration for priority placement on the interview list for Phase II. Points are awarded on pre-set,
published criteria. Students are ranked based on their total number of points (must be a minimum of 8). The top
students by points may then be placed higher on the interview list based on the number of available slots.
Name: (please print)
MTC ID #:__________________
Instructions for completing the Physical Therapist Assistant Merit Interview Application:
Applicants must do all of the following in order to be considered for PTA Merit Interview:

Step 1: Successfully complete the Pre-PTA program (Phase I) or equivalent coursework (as evaluated by MTC
Records office) within the published Health Science guidelines and successfully complete 20 hours of
observation. Submit a packet containing the following documents to Jennifer Langley on or before December
16, 2016:
o Transfer Transcript Summary from your MyMTC account
o Unofficial MTC transcript from your MyMTC account
o Observation and impression paper (include a copy if you have previously submitted one)
o The form titled “Phase II Application” with the appropriate check in the left corner box.

Step 2: Complete the Merit Interview Application (minimum of 8 pts.). Submit a packet containing the
following documents to Molly Shealy, Merit Admissions Coordinator on or before January 13, 2017:
o This page and page 2
o Transfer Transcript Summary from your MyMTC account
o Unofficial MTC transcript from your MyMTC account
o If you are requesting points based on prior health care work experience, please have your
immediate supervisor provide a letter of reference listing your supervisor’s contact
information, your job title, your hire date and the number of hours you work per week (must be
37.5 hours or more without exception). Your reference will be verified by the Merit
Admissions Coordinator.
MTC Transcripts and MTC Transfer Transcript Summary (if applicable) must be attached or the
application will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Important Information Regarding the Physical Therapist Assistant Merit Interview Application:
1.
Merit Admission Coordinator Contact Information: (DO NOT FAX DOCUMENTS)
• In person: Airport Campus Student Center, c/o Molly Shealy, Room 216
• By mail: Midlands Technical College, PO Box 2408, Columbia, SC 29202, Attn: Airport Campus
Admissions.
2.
Deadlines:
December 16, 2016 – Completed documentation for Step 1 above must be submitted to Jennifer
Langley.
January 13, 2017 - Completed documentation for Step2 must be received in Admissions no later than
1:30 pm. Checklists postmarked on or before January 13, 2017 will not be processed if they arrive
after January 13, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.
3.
Letters indicating whether you have been qualified or non-qualified for Merit Interview will be mailed by
February 3, 2017.
Incomplete Phase II Merit Interview Applications will not be processed.
Physical Therapist Assistant Phase II
Merit Interview Application 2017
PLEASE PRINT – this information will be used to contact you.
DATE:___________________________
NAME: ________________________________________________
MTC ID: _________________________________
ADDRESS: _____________________________________________
CITY, STATE, & ZIP______________________
PHONE: ________________________________ MyMTC email:[email protected]
(If your mailing address changes, it is your responsibility to notify the Merit Admissions Coordinator.)
Please note - for Merit Interview, the Physical Therapist Assistant Program is counting the FIRST ATTEMPT at the courses in the criteria - not a
repeated grade. For example, if you received a W or WF the first time you took a class, the W or WF would count even if the second attempt
was a passing grade.
If you earned a grade of D, F, or WF in any PTA course you are not eligible for Merit Admissions. In regards to this rule, please indicate if you
have ever received Academic Fresh Start from MTC below:
Yes _______
No _______
Enter your points in the box on the right. This will be checked by the Merit Admissions Coordinator using your MTC Transcript and MTC Transfer
Transcript Summary. Failure to include a copy of your unofficial MTC transcript and your Transfer Transcript Summary showing all prior
colleges attended will result in your application being marked as incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
CRITERIA
POSSIBLE POINTS
POINTS
SCORED
BIO 210
(or transferable equivalent)
(within published Health Science guidelines)
A=3
B=2
BIO 211
(or transferable equivalent)
(within published Health Science guidelines)
A=3
B=2
MAT 120
(or transferable equivalent)
(within published Health Science guidelines)
A=3
B=2
HOBET, SAT, or ACT
(Within 3 years of qualifying for Phase I)
HOBET
TEAS V or
HOBET V
SAT
ACT
50-59
---no pts.---
910-1029
19-21
1
60-69
60-69
1030-1139
22-24
2
70-79
70-79
1140-1259
25-27
3
80-89
80-89
1260-1379
28-30
4
90-94
90-94
1380-1519
31-33
5
95-100
95-100
1520-1600
34-36
6
Pts.
Prior Health Care Full Time Work Experience
(Between Dec. 1, 2013 and Dec 1, 2016)
(Full time = 37.5 hours per week or more)
Employed as PT Tech full time 6 months
2
Employed as PT Tech full time for 1 year or more
3
Prior Degree or Certificate
(Points awarded for highest
degree/certificate only)
Completion of Pre-Health Care Certificate with 3.0 GPA or higher
1
Associate Degree
1
Bachelors Degree
2
Masters Degree
3
Doctoral Degree
4
2.75 < 3.0
1
3.0 < 3.5
2
> 3.5
3
Pre-PTA Phase I GPA level
Comments (MTC staff or faculty only)
For Merit Admissions Coordinator Use Only:
 On PTA Phase 2 Qualified list
 All official transcripts and test scores submitted
 Submitted Step 1 to Jennifer Langley following directions and on time.
Total Score: _________
(Must be minimum of 8 points)
FAQ’s –
Physical Therapist Assistant (Phase II) Merit Interview 2017
Q1. What is Merit Interview?
A1. Merit Interview is a process by which students who are qualified may apply for special consideration for
priority placement on the interview list for Phase II. Points are awarded on pre-set, published criteria.
Students are ranked based on their total number of points (must be a minimum of 8). The top students by
point total may then be placed higher on the interview list based on the number of available slots.
Q2. Is Merit Interview replacing the regular Physical Therapist Assistant admissions interview process?
A2. No, in fact, in order to be eligible for Merit Interview, the applicant must already be accepted through the
regular admissions process to the Pre-PTA Certificate Program (Phase I) and plan to complete that
certificate program in time to submit the completed certificate transcript with their merit Interview
checklist.
Q3. Who can apply for Merit Interview?
A3. Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to be considered for Merit Physical Therapist Assistant
(Phase II) Interview:
1) Completion of the Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant Program (Phase I);
2) Completion of the required 20 hours of observation, evaluation forms and an impression paper;
3) The applicant must also have a minimum of eight points on the Merit PTA Interview (Phase II)
checklist.
Q4. Am I automatically considered for Merit Interview?
A4. No. To be considered for Merit Interview, you should follow these two steps:
•
Step 1: Submit the following to Jennifer Langley’s office on or before December 16, 2016: Completed
observation forms, Transfer Transcript Summary (available on MyMTC), unofficial MTC transcript
(available on MyMTC), impression paper (include a fresh copy if you have already submitted one), and
the Phase II Application.
•
Step 2: Submit the following to Molly Shealy, Merit Admissions Coordinator on or before January 13,
2017: Completed Phase II Merit Interview Application, Transfer Transcript Summary (available on
MyMTC) and unofficial MTC Transcript (available on MyMTC). If you are requesting points based on
prior health care work experience, please have your immediate supervisor provide a letter of reference
listing your supervisor’s contact information, your job title, your hire date and number of hours worked
per week (must equal 37.5 hours or more per week without exception). Your reference will be verified
by the Merit Admissions Coordinator.
Q5. I have not yet applied to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. How do I apply for Merit
Interview?
A5. You must first apply for admission to Phase I of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program; i.e., the PrePhysical Therapist Assistant Certificate Program, in the usual manner. (See Q2 and Q3 above.)
Q6. I’m waiting for my start date and don’t think I’ll qualify for Merit Interview. Does this mean I can
lose my place or get bumped down the waiting list?
A6. No, you will not lose your place on the waiting list for the traditional interview process, but highly
qualified applicants will be placed at the top of the interview list.
Q7. When/How will I know if I’ve been qualified for Merit Interview?
A7. Letters indicating whether you have been qualified or non-qualified for Merit Interview will be mailed by
February 3, 2017.
Q8. If I am qualified for Merit placement on the interview list, when would I expect to be interviewed?
A8. Sometime during the Spring semester or in May 2017.
Q9. If Admission to Phase II of the PTA Program was denied based on a past interview, can I be
interviewed again by merit placement?
A9. No, if you were not accepted for Phase II during the traditional interview process, you cannot be accepted
via the Merit process.
Q10. What if I still have questions?
A10. After reviewing all available information on Physical Therapist Assistant Merit Interview opportunity,
you may contact the following people with additional questions:
Jennifer Langley [email protected]
Physical Therapy Assistant
Administrative Specialist
Midlands Technical College
or
Molly Shealy (803) 822-3378 [email protected]
Merit Admissions Manager
Midlands Technical College
Check here if applying for Merit Interview.
If you are applying for Merit Interview, this form and the documents listed below
are due on or before December 16, 2016.
(If you are NOT applying for Merit Interview, your documents are due by March 3, 2017.)
PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PHASE II APPLICATION
Student: Complete this form and submit the form and requested documents by
December 16, 2016 to be considered for a Merit Interview for Phase II Admission in Fall 2017.
If you are not applying for Merit Interview, you must submit the required paperwork by March
3, 2017.
Student Name:
Student ID #: _____________
Daytime Phone #: ______________________________
Current Address: ______________________________
______________________________
Anticipated completion date for all Phase I courses: ____________________________
Attach a copy of:
MTC online transcript
Transfer transcript summary from MTC online
Completed Observation forms and Impression Paper (a copy is
acceptable if these have been submitted previously)
Incomplete information is returned to students without processing.
Students are selected for interview according to the following dates: (unless selected for a merit
interview)
a.
Phase I entry date
b.
Phase I completion date
c.
Completion of Observation requirements
Students with the earliest dates will be considered for interviews first. Bring your information to
Mrs. Langley in Lexington Hall Room 121.
This form and all information and documents requested must be submitted to be
considered for an interview or for merit interview.