A few questions about applying to DPT

[TAPenrod]

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Hi, I'm Travis and I'm new to the site. It seems to be full of great information so I'm excited. I have a few questions I hope somebody can answer...

I've been attending Baker College to become a physical therapist assistant. If you look at my grades for that program my GPA is a 3.74. All science courses are As and Bs, with a B- in Anatomy of Physiology II. I slacked off during that class and shouldn't have.

I work as a physical therapy technician in both outpatient and inpatient care and am a volunteer for restorative therapies.

I've decided that I want to become a physical therapist. I found that you can apply to PT schools if you have a bachelors degree. Since I work full time and live by myself I figured the best way to earn my bachelors degree is going to be to get it online.

My questions are...is getting a bachelors degree online going to hurt my chances of getting into PT school?

Also, before I found physical therapy I made many mistakes which makes my overall GPA for my associates so far a 2.89. Should I retake classes to raise my overall GPA? How about my science GPA? Does retaking classes hurt a person's chances of getting into PT school? I figure by the time I complete my bachelors that overall GPA will be much higher. Especially considering that before I found physical therapy my GPA was a 1.9. So I've definitely got an upward trend going on.

I'm sorry for the many questions. This is a definite goal and dream of mine and I love the field and I know I'd be good for it and I just want to try and make some right steps.

Thanks for answering!

 

[DancerFutureDPT]

I don't think you'll need to retake classes, because in theory you have 2 more years of school (to finish your bachelors) to raise up your GPA some more. Make sure you take all the PT prereqs too, because they're different than the science courses you need for PTA (the PTA programs by me only require A&P and intro to bio, not the chemistry, physics, and 2 bio classes PT does, plus you'll need some psych, calc, and stats most likely).

You can look into some universities that might have night classes available to help you complete your BS degree...I know in Chicago both Loyola and Northwestern have a night school program, so I'm sure there are some near you.

If online is your only option, I don't think that'll necessarily prevent you from getting into PT school...but make sure it's a reputable college, and not one of those that advertise on TV as "college in your pajamas" (there's an infomercial here for some school online that isn't accredited but "offers a bachelor's degree"...beware of programs like that).

You may also consider a transition program...I know Findlay in Ohio has one (I know a girl doing that program). If you're a PTA who has been working for 1 year and has a bachelor's degree, you can get your DPT by completing a weekend program in 2 years (I think...maybe it's 3), while still working full time. There are a few programs like that I think. It's probably your best bet as far as money, time, and convenience.

 

[TAPenrod]

I don't think you'll need to retake classes, because in theory you have 2 more years of school (to finish your bachelors) to raise up your GPA some more. Make sure you take all the PT prereqs too, because they're different than the science courses you need for PTA (the PTA programs by me only require A&P and intro to bio, not the chemistry, physics, and 2 bio classes PT does, plus you'll need some psych, calc, and stats most likely).

You can look into some universities that might have night classes available to help you complete your BS degree...I know in Chicago both Loyola and Northwestern have a night school program, so I'm sure there are some near you.

If online is your only option, I don't think that'll necessarily prevent you from getting into PT school...but make sure it's a reputable college, and not one of those that advertise on TV as "college in your pajamas" (there's an infomercial here for some school online that isn't accredited but "offers a bachelor's degree"...beware of programs like that).

Couldn't I just complete my bachelor's online (I think thats about my best way) and then probably spend the first year taking my pre reqs at the university? You have to have a bachelors before you can apply to the program and getting my bachelors through the University just isn't something that can happen for a few reasons. And of course many of the DPT prereqs you can't do online.

 

[WSUPT]

Baker College in Michigan? If so, Wayne State University in Detroit does not require a Bachelor degree for acceptance to the PT program.

 

[TAPenrod]

Baker College in Michigan? If so, Wayne State University in Detroit does not require a Bachelor degree for acceptance to the PT program.

Yeah, in Michigan. I'm thinking that having the bachelors degree will allow me to apply to more if I don't get in where I want. Wayne State would be kind of a drive for me but I can handle it. Kind of thought of Wayne State being like a Plan B. I'm leaning more toward Central Michigan as of right now.