Advice on Choosing a Program

[BuckyBlue]

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I'm a second career student currently in the process of completing prereqs so that I can apply to PT school in the 2014 admissions cycle. I'm looking for some advice on programs to consider.

While I was working on my master's degree and looking for jobs, I realized that I wasn't happy with the field I was working in. I have recently begun to more thoroughly investigate the prereqs I need for a PT program. However, because I took undergrad classes at a university that used the quarter system, I'm having a bit of difficulty. I have completed 2 qtrs of physics and chem and one qtr of math.* I've also completed one semester of stats. I still need to take psychology,* developmental psychology, exercise physiology, and A&P 1 + 2.

I'm currently working full time but I will be taking the psych and exercise physiology courses online. There isn't a community college nearby, so I will have to wait until Fall 2014 to begin the A&P sequence.

I have two problems:
1. Many programs require 8 semester hrs of chem and physics and I only have 2 qtrs (equal to 6.6 semester hrs). I have identified a few schools (OSU, MGH, Armstrong Atlantic, UNLV, Duke, Eastern Washington, Washington) that just specify that 2 courses in each be taken and don't require a certain number of credit hrs. I would like to avoid taking another chem and physics class bc I already have so many prereqs outstanding but I would also like to be able to consider more schools. Does anyone know of any programs that are flexible on the number of credit hrs for these requirements?

2. At the time of application, I will not have completed A&P 1 or 2 (A&P 1 will be in progress). Will this completely hinder my chances?

Any additional advice about applying as a second career student would be appreciated as well! Thanks for the help.

 

[somehowmadeit]

I'm a second career student as well currently in my first year of my DPT. Welcome, and congrats on making the decision to be a PT!!

Most, if not all, schools will want you to have completed the year long sequence of Chemistry and Physics. That means 3 quarters or two semesters of each. Reason being, it takes 8 semester units to cover all the required topics, regardless whether it is split into two semesters or three quarters. You will probably need to take that third quarter, and/or the second semester of the sequence to fulfill that requirement.

Most schools require only two or three classes outstanding at the time of application. I know that during my application process, I was unable to apply to some schools because I had three prereqs outstanding at the time of my application.

Another thing to consider is that Anatomy and Physiology are the two most important classes and are most indicative of your ability to succeed in PT. If your grades are strong in your other classes, it will probably not keep you from getting an interview, but you'll need to do well in those classes to retain any offer of admission you may receive.

The best thing to do is to contact the admissions office for the programs you are interested in and explain your situation. They will be the ones who can best steer you in the right direction.

Good luck!!

 

[jamesmr8138]

As a former undergraduate student at Eastern Washington, I am shocked to see that your research shows that EWU only requires 2 courses for Chem/Physics. EWU is on the quarter system, and they required me to take 15 credits (3 classes) for both Physics and Chemistry while I was pre-pt. Unless you called the school and was told this was the case, I would contact them.

Now to help you out with some programs that you can look into, I know Emory does not require Chem at all (but they do require a full year of Physics). Also the University of St. Augustine (a non ptcas school) will waive a Physics class if you have taken Exercise Physiology.

Hope this helps.

 

[NewTestament]

Also the University of St. Augustine (a non ptcas school) will waive a Physics class if you have taken Exercise Physiology.

Hope this helps.

They will waive physics II if you take either biomechanics or kinesiology, not exercise science.

 

[jamesmr8138]

They will waive physics II if you take either biomechanics or kinesiology, not exercise science.

You're right, I got my classes mixed up.

 

[BuckyBlue]

@somehowmadeit

Thanks for the input. I've taken your suggestion on contacting admissions departments to explain my situation and I've found a few programs that are willing to accept my physics courses. I'm glad to know that other people have successfully made the career switch to PT.

@jamesmr8138

You're right. I used the PTCAS page for EWU to determine that they would take my two quarters of physics. That page said that only 8 quarter hours of physics were required. I contacted the admissions office and they said that they do require three quarters. Thanks for pointing that out! I'll definitely look into Emory and St. Augustine. Thank you for the suggestions.