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Okay, first I want to start off by explaining I mean no rudeness in this post, I'm simply looking for the truth. I'm not trolling either.
Alright, all my life I've been the straight A student throughout HS, throughout community college (got my AA in HS), and now after my first year of university I'm still pulling A's even in an honors chem II class. Countless nights I've stressed while other kids surfed facebook, etc.
Now back to my point:
Around my university a lot of the pre-PT kids are lazy, overweight, party, apathetic about school and suck at talking/speaking infront/to people. Or they are another breed, athletic girls who are almost MANLY that have tons of energy but bad grades. Also, many of the people in the ECs and GPA thread get like low 3.0's and major in like dance.
These types of people aren't me at all. I'm the opposite, I get straight A's and stress about EACH and EVERY class, I'll be bilingual in Japanese by the time I graduate, I have a somewhat good build as I take bodybuilding seriously, I don't party, drink or smoke, I keep up with current events, politics, business and I read Everyday, and most of all I work in sales, so I am really good at talking to people, interacting and making them feel comfortable.
Anyways, it seems like I won't fit in if PT is such an unprofessional field, I mean I've worked hard all my life and I'm afraid I'll be disappointed. I really want to help people, and I know PT is the career for me (I've shadowed pharmacist and dentist), but I've also worked SO hard that 60k a year seems like a joke.
So is this theme rampant throughout the career of the physical therapist, or do these people leave the career or change their ways during PT school. I'm really thinking this is why physicians laugh at the field and we will get paid 60k even though we have a doctorate that's no more useful than a bachelor's of PT.
CLIFFS:
1)I want to be a PT, (I've researched MD and not for me, shadowed other pre-health fields).
2) All my life I've worked harder than anyone else both academically and in other ways.
3) Kids getting accepted into PT school seem to be miles behind me from my observation.
4) Seems like a joke I'll earn a doctorate and make 60k which a dentist could make working <20 hrs per week.
5) I know this is what I want to do, but is there any place in the industry for motivated people like me? Or should I consider something else?
Sure a dentist will certainly make more than a PT, but you also have to realize dental school is a little longer than PT school. They also hold more responsibilities than PT's. Patient's come to us with referral's from Doctors. People go straight to the dentist if they need a root canal or filling done.
You will find individuals on these boards that suggest it best to go to your local state school if you are considering PT. They do so because it is cheaper, and they believe it is hard to justify the added cost of going to a ranked out of state program...I outright disagree with these individuals, but it is probably because our goals are different. They have a "get in and get out" mentality. Go to school, graduate, and then do the real learning in the clinic. Yea, of course that makes sense, but I am strong believer that the quality of the program you attend will determine the quality of your clinical experiences both in and out of school. From there, it is up to the individual...but an individual with all the new fancy gadgets (an education from the profession's leading minds) as compared to an individual with just a tool belt is much better off IMO.
Thanks for the post.
This board seems to have many intelligent people as well as motivated people which isn't mirrored by the pre-PT people I've came across in real life. Perhaps it is my school or a freaky coincidence, but you gave me more confidence in pursuing the field.
But yeah, my apologies if I came off as a DB , reading it again, my post sounds terribly mean, but I was just trying to point out the bad characteristics of the people I've met thus far on my journey!
Please do some reading on direct access and the APTA's vision 2020.
To inform you, I have read about Direct Access and Vision 2020 way before I made the comment. Do realize that there are many limitations that vary by state for Direct Access. In some states, a patient still has to see a physician before being referred to a PT. In some cases insurance companies will not pay for the patients Physical Therapy if they do not have a referral from a physician. Also Alabama and Indiana has NO direct access. I have also read about Vision 2020 and how everything will be in the direction of DPT instead of MPT by 2020.
Finally re: direct access. It doesn't matter if you have direct access or not. It all depends on if you will get reimbursed and like what was already said, laws vary state to state. Direct access is not the panacea that everyone thinks it is.
Also, all those pre-PT students you see around you, nothing guarantees that they will be accepted into a PT program. I know people pre-pt all the way until their senior year and some have just realized it's a long shot. There aren't very many people who get accepted to PT school with less than a 3.5, that I know of. You make a lot of stereotypes and I feel like it's based on ignorance of your student body. I could easily say I don't know if med school is right for me, so many of them study all the time, are stressed about every test, lack social skills, but at the end of the day I know many pre-med people that aren't like the stereotypes I've come up with. Go hang out with groups of people and become more social and see if your eyes open a bit wider.
I know if I hurt myself training, I would much rather be able to go see a PT first, and then if it is beyond therapy, then I will go see a surgeon.
I strongly advise against this. A physician is trained to look at the whole picture. Getting injured is more than just, "ouch, that hurts." there are a whole lot of other issue to be ruled out such as genetic and metabolic disorders. Also, you want to talk about lowering costs? a physician can offer alternative therapies that may be cheaper than physical therapy since they are trained in a broad spectrum of therapies (they may not know everything a PT does, but they do know a little but about everything to offer alternatives). and if you injure yourself more in therapy because you missed a crucial diagnosis, you just drove costs up more and possibly could have caused some more serious damage to yourself.
no physician will send you right to surgery. surgery is invasive and always a last resort
I have an idea, look into politics. Many in politicians feel they are superior and smarter than the normal guy/gal. You'll fit right in.
You are way too smart to consider PT, don't waste your time get out now.
Sorry if this comes across as rude or insensitive.
in the end, my friend, you are chosing your life's work. Consider the following:
If there is one comment I get all the time when I tell people i'm going to PT school, "but you are SOO smart, you should like, be a doctor or something!??!"
the truth is, i dont WANT to be a physician. Could I get into medical school based on my undergrad grades?.. absolutely. Could I study hard and do well on the MCAT? most likely. But at the end of the day, I'm chosing a career that I feel a passion for.
A career that is ranked #2 in job satisfaction against ALL other careers (topped only by clergy). A job that sees REAL, significant growth and development in its patients. A job that at the end of the day, I can go home, relax, spend time with my family, have hobbies, have children, and look forward to waking up the next morning.
So when i saw your post, I thought, wow, you must be going through what everyone has tried to convince me... that I'm somehow not living up to my potential by being an MD, a dentist, or some other 100k + earner. And at first it was hard for me to deal with, I won't lie. But as I worked, shadowed, researched and volunteered in PT, I no longer felt the need to explain myself or please others. This is my life. My Career. My choice. I'm confident i'm making the right one.
Excelling in undergrad gave me the freedom to choose where I wanted to go to for PT school. To be able to afford my education. To be able to start the process of becoming the Physical Therapist I can't wait to be.
And despite what you may think, its really true, those lazy students you are talking about WONT be your collegues in the end. This field is NOT unprofessional, those students are. And for that reason, even aside from grades, they will never make it. I won't lecture you on WHY PT is a professional career, but be warned that you won't make many friends here with talk like that. Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate, what-have-you, its the people in the field that make it professional, their ethics and standards and quality of care.
Just stay humble. I applaude your efforts throughout college thus far, and you have put yourself into a great position for whatever profession you choose. But remember, you are NOT overqualified for PT simply because you have good grades. The avg. GPA of my incoming class of students is a 3.8 GPA. So even those with a 4.0 are hardly 'over qualified'.
Alas, I am rambling. So I'll kindly step off my soap box and remind you: Your life. Your call. Choose wisely. Stay humble. Stay focused. and don't lose sight of what you really want out of life. and oh yeah, DON'T overstress (you'll burn out). If your legal, feel free to cut loose now and then
ps. is their room in the industry for those motivated like you? absolutely. They are the clinic managers and owners, the administrators, the researchers, the teachers, and the DARN good PT's that keep their patients healthy, happy, and progressing.
Wow, Very well said. The words you typed could have come from my mouth. I agree with everything you said and the way you said it.
If you need a job, PM me.
MotionDoc, your entire post was right, but I especially liked the above quote. I completely agree with it and it bothers me how much I read about this "get in, get out" mentality that you mentioned in this forum. Just like any other profession, there are those who just go through the motions, get the job done (well, most of the time), and at the end of the month collect their paycheck. Sure, each student's will and dedication throughout PT school is different. I read around here people being like "I will just go to the cheapest MPT program I can find, but I will put the extra effort and at the end I will learn just as much as a DPT". Well, even with your extra effort you are not going far if you are not provided the right tools. Just keep that in mind. Quick disclaimer: I am not saying go spend 120k just in tuition or graduate with a 150k in debt, but try to find a balance instead.
I'm a believer that you can have your cake and eat it too.
It's not the school you go to that makes you a better person and a better physical therapist. It's you. I was accepted to both schools I applied to and accepted the state school because it's cheaper by 30 grand or so. After a year as a student I recognize the strengths and limitations of the program, but in the end it does not really matter because it is my passion, my will and my work ethic that will determine how much I will contribute to this world, one person at a time. And so I will take what this school has to offer and strengthen and fashion it in my own manner, and add to it through experience each year.
It's not the school that makes the difference at the end of the day. It's who you are, what you care about, and your ability to recognize and take advantage of your own capabilities.
Soccer31, I recognize that you aren't in disagreement with this; I just wanted to embellish your perspective.
As someone who is having a difficult time with figuring out what I want to do, I understand the topic creator.
I was pre-med at first, but decided against it after learning more about the profession and lifestyle of students and doctors.
At one point I did consider PT but it rubbed me the wrong way. I too have excellent grades and study hard and PT does seem...idk what the right word is but its definitely not as intellectually challenging as medicine. I am not saying PTs arent smart, but as a pre-med student I worked waaaaay harder than anyone who was pre-PT.
Plus, I am also concerned about the earning of PTs which don't look great unless you had money to begin with to open a nice practice like the one I shadowed.
Dentistry seems like a good deal of earnings and lifestyle but the actual work isn't too interesting (doing surgery everyday hunched over in a small cavity) and the cost of schooling is astronomical.
idk, im in the same boat as the OP
I agree that this career choice may not be right for you, that much is evident. I would strongly advise that you pursue the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services within the Presidential Cabinet. It may be the only reasonable option given your strong academic and personal background.
After practicing PT for awhile I sometimes feel that I was using my brain more in undergrad than I am in my job. Getting orders from doctors that state out of bed to chair or walk in hallway with patient makes me feel like I am not using my brain much. Nurses also get patient into chairs and walk with them in the hallways.
Furthermore, unless you open your own practice there isn't much advantage to being a smarter PT. Everyone with a license is basically treated the same.
Yes, I know that there are more settings, but besides outpatient the settings don't seem too challenging to me. Most therapists I have encountered will complain about nursing home therapists and practicing in a nursing home setting.
I understand that more respect might be given to better PTs, but as was mentioned before innate intelligence does not autimatically make a better PT. From what I have seen other factors have been used to pick a director. At the setting I am at now there aren't enough PTs to make one the director because we are needed full time so the SLP is the director. In one of my clinical settings a COTA was the director because there were no full time PTs on staff and at another the only full time PT was the director. I think if the poster is looking to be rewarded for his intelligence and hard work PT might not be what he is looking for. He can strive for excellence in patient care in whatever field he is going into.
Thanks for the post.
This board seems to have many intelligent people as well as motivated people which isn't mirrored by the pre-PT people I've came across in real life. Perhaps it is my school or a freaky coincidence, but you gave me more confidence in pursuing the field.
But yeah, my apologies if I came off as a DB , reading it again, my post sounds terribly mean, but I was just trying to point out the bad characteristics of the people I've met thus far on my journey!
With a thread posting like this, sounds like you should be an orthopedic surgeon, I think you'd fit the personality well.
Stay away from PT w/ a post like that.