Advice on my DPT path

[Huntrome]

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I'm currently finishing up the second year of my bachelors. So I've narrowed down my prospective paths to DPT down to 3. I just wanted to get your opinions on which path you think would be the best.

I know some of you will say "why would you get a masters in athletic training if your goal is DPT", well it's simple:

• My bachelors degree is pretty useless job wise but it gets my PT pre reqs done,

• It's a stable job if I don't get into DPT program on first try,

• Also because I will eventually get my SCS Certification and ATC is one of the requirements so why not get it out the way

• Also I feel having the skills of an ATC will help me be a better clinician

Any advice will be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance!! 🙂

Path #1:
Bachelors in Exercise Science

• 4 Years ~23~2017
• Georgia Gwinnett College

Masters in Athletic Training

• 2 Years ~25
• Life University
• Tuition: $12,000/Year

Work 2 years to save for DPT

• 4 Years~29
• >$30,000/Year

Doctorate of Physical Therapy

• 3 Years~32
• Georgia State University
• Georgia Regents University
• University of North Georgia
• Tuition: $22,000/Year

=====================

Path #2:
Bachelors in Exercise Science

• 4 Years ~23~2017
• Georgia Gwinnett College

Work 4 years to save for DPT

• 4 Years~27
• >$30,000/Year

Doctorate of Physical Therapy

• 3 Years~30
• Georgia State University
• Georgia Regents University
• University of North Georgia
• Tuition: $22,000/Year

=====================
Path #3:
Bachelors in Exercise Science

• 4 Years ~23~2017
• Georgia Gwinnett College

Take out loans for Doctorate of Physical Therapy

• 3 Years~26
• Georgia State University
• Georgia Regents University
• University of North Georgia
• Tuition: $22,000/Year

 

[davidtheusername]

Financially, you probably come out ahead in the long run going straight to PT school. You would need loans, but that would be offset by not paying for a Masters and making more as a physical therapist than you would in your years saving for your doctorate. I don't see how working for two years is enough to offset the time/money spent on a Masters.

But, working a few years first has benefits too. I'm way more mature and serious about school coming at it as a career changer after working for years than I would have been going straight into it at 21 when I graduated.

Any of those plans work. It depends on what you want your 20's to be like.

 

[Huntrome]

Financially, you probably come out ahead in the long run going straight to PT school. You would need loans, but that would be offset by not paying for a Masters and making more as a physical therapist than you would in your years saving for your doctorate. I don't see how working for two years is enough to offset the time/money spent on a Masters.

But, working a few years first has benefits too. I'm way more mature and serious about school coming at it as a career changer after working for years than I would have been going straight into it at 21 when I graduated.

Any of those plans work. It depends on what you want your 20's to be like.

Taking out loans and going straight for DPT is my top choice, so let's hypothetically say I didn't get in for whatever reason, which would you do between going for the masters or just working until the next application cycle ?

 

[davidtheusername]

For being a PT, working and fixing whatever kept you from getting in makes the most sense to me. I have a masters degree myself, but I don't think it adds anything to you getting accepted. You'd be better off working and retaking your weak prereqs/studying more for the GRE/whatever else kept you from getting in. If you are starting a graduate program you don't have much time to do that. PT schools tend to look at a combination of GRE/undergrad gpa/prereq gpa/observation/interviews. Graduate school doesn't really help with any of that if PT school is your end goal.

 

[89bogues]

Path #3 all day. If you are sure about PT this is the most logical choice any way you cut it. Maybe throw in a gap year if you want.

While saving money for school before you start is a great idea, doing so while forfeiting years of pt experience at a higher salary will cost you more in the long run than if you went straight to PT school using loans.

Any reason you need/want a MS ATC instead of a BS?

 

[Huntrome]

Path #3 all day. If you are sure about PT this is the most logical choice any way you cut it. Maybe throw in a gap year if you want.

While saving money for school before you start is a great idea, doing so while forfeiting years of pt experience at a higher salary will cost you more in the long run than if you went straight to PT school using loans.

Any reason you need/want a MS ATC instead of a BS?

Because there aren't any BS programs where I am except 1 & it's very hard to get into that program and the work it would take to complete pre reqs and get accepted into the program would take longer than just finishing my BS and then getting my MS

 

[Azimuthal]

Path #3 all day. If you are sure about PT this is the most logical choice any way you cut it. Maybe throw in a gap year if you want.

While saving money for school before you start is a great idea, doing so while forfeiting years of pt experience at a higher salary will cost you more in the long run than if you went straight to PT school using loans.

Any reason you need/want a MS ATC instead of a BS?

Also, they are phasing out the BS in ATC.

OP, you don't necessarily need an ATC for the SCS, first responder certified and above will do. You can even find 2-week EMT-B programs. Though, I would recommend the ATC if you want to work with sport teams.

 

[Huntrome]

Also, they are phasing out the BS in ATC.

OP, you don't necessarily need an ATC for the SCS, first responder certified and above will do. You can even find 2-week EMT-B programs. Though, I would recommend the ATC if you want to work with sport teams.

True I know I don't need the ATC , it just interested me more than the emt-b program, which was my reasoning for choosing it, I'll look into the emt - B programs tho

 

[Huntrome]

For being a PT, working and fixing whatever kept you from getting in makes the most sense to me. I have a masters degree myself, but I don't think it adds anything to you getting accepted. You'd be better off working and retaking your weak prereqs/studying more for the GRE/whatever else kept you from getting in. If you are starting a graduate program you don't have much time to do that. PT schools tend to look at a combination of GRE/undergrad gpa/prereq gpa/observation/interviews. Graduate school doesn't really help with any of that if PT school is your end goal.

Thanks for the advice