UIW Cardinal SOAR Program

What is the Cardinal SOAR Program?

This program allows current UIW freshmen and qualified transfer students to have a pathway to our Health Professions Schools. Much like the Direct Admit Program, the Program invites exceptionally qualified UIW freshmen and transfer students to pursue either a 3+4 Direct Admit or 4+4 Direct Admit option which can potentially lead to a Health Profession program.

 

A Pathway to the Rosenberg School of Optometry

The UIW Cardinal Soar Program will allow current UIW freshmen and qualified transfer students to have a pathway to our Doctor of Optometry program at the Rosenberg School of Optometry.

Designed for current UIW freshman and transfer students:

  • Completion of at least two sciences courses with lab (One of these courses MUST be CHEM 1301 and CHEM 1101-Chemical Principles I Lecture and Chemical Principles I lab or equivalent from a community college)
  • Overall GPA of at least 3.7 for college-level work
  • Overall math/science GPA of at least 3.7 for college-level work
  • One letter of recommendation from current university/college faculty
  • Completion of Pre-Calculus at time of application or be ready to begin Pre-Calculus in semester of begin accepted into SOAR
  • Maintain progression requirements that 3+4 and/or 4+4 Direct Admits must follow

Current students who meet the qualification criteria listed below should reach out to the Director of Academic Success at the Rosenberg School of Optometry to discuss the Cardinal Soar program and which Direct Admit option might be best for them through the Cardinal SOAR program. Interested students can contact the Director of Academic Success at dkincaid@uiwtx.edu or at (210) 283-6854.

A Pathway to the School of Physical Therapy

The UIW Cardinal Soar Program will allow current UIW freshmen and qualified transfer students to have a pathway to our Doctor of Physical Therapy or Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.

Designed for current UIW freshmen and transfer students:

  • Completion of at least two sciences courses with lab
  • Overall GPA of at least 3.5 for college-level work
  • Overall math/science GPA of at least 3.5 for college-level work
  • Two letters of recommendation from current university/college faculty
  • Successful interview with DPT/OTD faculty
  • Active membership in a health professions student group

The UIW Cardinal Soar program is designed to provide guidance and enhanced opportunities in preparation for application and acceptance into the Doctor of Physical Therapy or Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.

Upon selection as a UIW Cardinal Soar student, the following expectations shall be adhered to:

  • Completion of a bachelor’s degree from the University of the Incarnate Word
  • Maintenance of a 3.3 or higher prerequisite and overall GPA at the conclusion of each academic year
  • Successful completion of 30 credit hours per undergraduate academic year
  • Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum of a C
  • 50 observation hours in a minimum of two physical therapy settings
  • Completion of the GRE with a minimum 150 verbal score/ 300 total score (DPT only)
  • Active participation as a member in the Society for Therapeutic Rehabilitation Students
  • Minimum of three letters of recommendation to include two from a licensed PT/OT and one from an academic advisor or faculty member
  • No conduct violations as an undergraduate student
  • Successful report on a background check
  • Application to UIW DPT/OTD program through PTCAS/OTCAS. The university will reimburse the cost of the PTCAS/OTCAS application fee equivalent to applying to one PT/OT program via a transfer of funds into the student account as part of the student’s first semester of tuition in the DPT program. Students who do not matriculate into the UIW DPT/OTD program will forfeit this reimbursement.
  • Successful interview with program faculty in the fall semester of the senior year of undergraduate study
  • $500 enrollment deposit to be paid to SoPT by Jan. 15 in the spring semester of senior year

Current students who meet the qualification criteria listed below should reach out to the Office of Academic Success and Student Affairs at the School of Physical Therapy for a UIW Cardinal Soar Program application. Interested students can contact the UIW SoPT Office of Academic Success and Student Affairs at dptadmissions@uiwtx.edu or (210) 283-6477.