Instructions for Authors
Please speak to each of the six headings below if possible. It is not necessary to discuss each of the sub-topics.  These are provided for your consideration and reflection only. 

Please send the letter to the address below:   

PTCAS
PO Box 9112
Watertown, MA 02471
Email: ptcasinfo@ptcas.org
Phone: 617-612-2040

Once you e-submit your completed PTCAS application, login frequently to check on the status of your materials.

For overnight documents only (e.g., FedEx), use the street address below:

PTCAS
c/o Liaison International
311 Arsenal Street, Suite 15
Watertown, MA 02472

From an Employment and/or Volunteer Supervisor Source
It is appropriate for this letter of reference to come from an individual who has had substantive experience supervising the applicant in an employment or volunteer setting, preferably in a health care setting.  It is not necessary for the work or volunteer experience to be a physical therapy setting exclusively. The purpose of the letter of reference from this source is to provide information about the applicant in the following categories:

1. Knowledge of the applicant:  in what capacity you have known the applicant, for what period of time, how well you have known the applicant.
2. Attitude and Character: confidence in the work place, ability to work with others, acceptance of criticism, motivation and enthusiasm, reliability, honesty, willingness, cooperation.
3. Work habits/work load tolerance: ability to work independently, ability to work effectively in groups, self-discipline, initiative, resourcefulness, ability to manage stress, self-control, time management, poise and confidence.
4. Communication skills: verbal, non-verbal, written with superiors, peers, subordinates, customers.
5. Judgment and Decision-making skills:  ability to express opinion, creative thinking, active learning, practicality in every day decisions, leadership abilities.

From an Academic Source
It is appropriate for this letter of reference to come from an individual who has had substantive experience working with the applicant in a classroom or academic advising situation, preferably associated with the applicant's undergraduate degree.  The purpose of the letter of reference from this source is to provide information about the applicant in the following categories:

1. Knowledge of the applicant:  in what capacity you have known the applicant, for what period of time, how well you have known the applicant.
2. Attitude and Character: confidence in the classroom, ability to work with others, acceptance of criticism, motivation and enthusiasm, reliability, honesty, willingness, cooperation.
3. Learning characteristics:  self-directed, group learning skills, intellectual curiosity, preferred learning style, listening skills.
4. Work load tolerance: ability to manage stress, self-control, time management, poise and confidence.
5. Communication skills: verbal, non-verbal, written with faculty, students and others.
6. Independent thinking: creative thinking, active learning, curiosity, problem-solving skills.