Beyond the GPA: Embracing a Holistic Approach to Graduate Admissions and Healthcare Innovation

We recently welcomed Dr. Sarah Salvatore, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy at Russell Sage College in Troy, New York, to the Future Insight podcast. Dr. Salvatore shared her fascinating journey from nearly a decade of clinical practice to her current role in higher education—and her dedication to transforming both graduate admissions and community health.

A Massachusetts native, Dr. Salvatore earned both her undergraduate and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees from Northeastern University. After years of practicing in orthopedics and community health centers across upstate New York, she became intrigued by the diversity of her patients and inspired to pursue a Doctor of Education degree to create broader systemic impact.

The Shift Toward Holistic Admissions

A central theme of Dr. Salvatore’s research is graduate admissions reform, particularly within Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs. Her work explores the use of holistic review—an approach that evaluates the whole person, considering not just academic metrics but also non-cognitive traits such as:

• Resilience

• Empathy

• Leadership qualities

• Personality

Her motivation? Observing many exceptional physical therapists who felt that traditional academic measures—like GPA or standardized test scores—didn’t reflect their clinical competence.

Dr. Salvatore drew upon a framework developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the creator of the GRE, which organizes non-cognitive factors into five categories:

1. Performance factors – teamwork, leadership

2. Effective competencies – creativity, emotional intelligence

3. Personality traits – extraversion, openness

4. Learning skills – organization, time management

5. Attitudinal constructs – values, social attitudes

   
   

Navigating the “Wild West” of Evaluation

Despite growing interest in holistic review, there’s currently no standardized approach to evaluating these non-cognitive qualities. Dr. Salvatore interviewed nine DPT program directors and found that each used different tools and methods—describing the current landscape as “the wild west.”

Research supports her findings: no single academic or non-academic factor reliably predicts success in graduate physical therapy programs. Compounding this challenge, many existing psychological tools lack the precision to measure traits like empathy or resilience effectively. Evaluations often depend heavily on the perceptions of interviewers or admissions committee members, introducing bias and inconsistency.

Dr. Salvatore also emphasizes that reliance on traditional academic metrics perpetuates inequity. Applicants from higher socioeconomic backgrounds often have more resources to bolster their applications. A 2019 systematic review by Walden et al. found no single academic predictor of DPT program success. The focus, Dr. Salvatore argues, should instead be on assessing whether students possess the foundational knowledge and life skills to thrive—and how programs can support those with greater needs.

Advancing Community Wellness Through Partnerships

Beyond admissions reform, Dr. Salvatore’s work extends to community health promotion across the diverse urban and rural regions of upstate New York. Her initiatives focus on preventive wellness—emphasizing exercise, nutrition, and sleep—and on designing interventions that meet communities where they are.

One notable project involved partnering with a Troy-area school district with limited resources to host a health fair. The event provided educational sessions, nutrition consultations with a registered dietitian, and activities tailored to different living environments.

These efforts depend on strong partnerships between higher education institutions, K–12 schools, and healthcare organizations. Colleges provide faculty expertise and motivated students, while community partners contribute venues and local insight. Dr. Salvatore’s program is also developing a pro bono clinic and exploring collaborations with a local non-profit health insurer to expand access to care and education.

Integrating Technology: Virtual Reality in Rehabilitation

Dr. Salvatore’s commitment to innovation also extends into technology. She recently consulted with a UC Santa Cruz research group developing a Virtual Reality (VR) system for stroke rehabilitation. Using the Oculus headset, the system gamifies upper-extremity therapy through a Harry Potter–inspired experience where patients “cast spells” to perform prescribed movements.

This approach keeps patients motivated while increasing accessibility for those unable to attend in-person sessions. As research supports the use of VR to enhance engagement and learning, Dr. Salvatore sees tremendous potential for such tools to bridge gaps in care delivery and education.

Looking Ahead: Toward Equity in Graduate Admissions

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of technology across education and healthcare—but challenges persist in admissions. Dr. Salvatore and her colleagues continue searching for a standardized, equitable way to assess non-cognitive skills. Current paid assessment tools often replicate the same disparities found in traditional standardized tests. As she notes, “If you can practice for the GRE, you can practice for a non-cognitive test”—leaving less privileged applicants at a disadvantage.

Ultimately, Dr. Salvatore envisions an admissions process that opens doors rather than reinforces barriers—one that recognizes both academic potential and the human qualities essential for compassionate, effective healthcare.