Advice wanted for hubby

[LadyOtheFarm]

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Hubs doesn't want to get an account unless he decides to actually do this, so I told him I was willing to be mocked in his place for asking the question:

He has been working as a personal trainer/exercise equipment salesperson the last several years. He graduated from undergrad in 2006 with a BS in Exercise Science and from TAMU with a MS in kinesiology in 2008. He got his CSCS right after, but it has since lapsed. He has interned with a PT, but again, years ago. He has worked with training clients in collaboration with PTs. We have a daughter with DS and he has been putting off actually making a full on training program for her until she was interested, but it looks like that will be soon (5yo).

His current plan is to regain his CSCS and potentially go for the special populations cert. If he can do that, then he is tempted to retake his prereqs (assuming he would need that since so many years have passed) and then look into what test he has to pass to apply. He was assuming it would be a GRE retake, but is that right or is it MCAT or other?

Would there be a problem with retaking prereqs through a CC or online to work around work schedules?

Recommendations for where to look for more advice on the non-traditional route to PT or which schools to look at would be appreciated.

Thank you for putting up with this ridiculous post and any advice you guys can give!

 

[starrsgirl]

Best of luck to your hubby! I was in a similar position in going back to school. (masters, CSCS, personal trainer, kids)

I recommend putting the effort into retaking the pre reqs FIRST. Yes, you can take them at a CC. It's harder to take the science courses online but it can be done with some schools (check the PT schools you are interested in to make sure they take online courses). You can probably do the non science pre reqs online. (one tip here...call the schools and ask. I had a few schools that were able to waive my English and speech requirement even though the classes were more than 10 years old). Yes, i'm predicting he will need to retake almost everything since it's been 10+ years (I had to). The other important factor here is to sit down an calculate his overall GPA, pre req GPA (yes, that includes old classes), math/science GPA. You need to see where you are to see if this is possible. In general, at a MINIMUM you need all those numbers at a 3.0 or above...some schools will obviously be more competitive. All previous classes count. Unfortunately, the masters doesn't help as much as it should. It may boost your overall GPA but won't have any bearing on the pre req GPA or math/science GPA.

In my opinion, redoing the CSCS and special populations cert probably aren't worth it initially. It's expensive, and will take significant studying time. Those factors are minuscule at best in admission decisions. Plus, since he is already working as a personal trainer, that experience will be adequately captured on his application.

The other big thing he needs to do is start getting as many current shadowing hours as possible (and different setting). I think this is especially important for a non traditional student to show you have thought about the career and know what it entails.

He needs to take the GRE. I would go ahead and take that as soon as possible so you have a good ball park idea of where you are. If he feels like he is an ok test taker, you can take it with very little studying. If not, then a GRE prep course may be the way to go.

 

[LadyOtheFarm]

Best of luck to your hubby! I was in a similar position in going back to school. (masters, CSCS, personal trainer, kids)

I recommend putting the effort into retaking the pre reqs FIRST. Yes, you can take them at a CC. It's harder to take the science courses online but it can be done with some schools (check the PT schools you are interested in to make sure they take online courses). You can probably do the non science pre reqs online. (one tip here...call the schools and ask. I had a few schools that were able to waive my English and speech requirement even though the classes were more than 10 years old). Yes, i'm predicting he will need to retake almost everything since it's been 10+ years (I had to). The other important factor here is to sit down an calculate his overall GPA, pre req GPA (yes, that includes old classes), math/science GPA. You need to see where you are to see if this is possible. In general, at a MINIMUM you need all those numbers at a 3.0 or above...some schools will obviously be more competitive. All previous classes count. Unfortunately, the masters doesn't help as much as it should. It may boost your overall GPA but won't have any bearing on the pre req GPA or math/science GPA.

In my opinion, redoing the CSCS and special populations cert probably aren't worth it initially. It's expensive, and will take significant studying time. Those factors are minuscule at best in admission decisions. Plus, since he is already working as a personal trainer, that experience will be adequately captured on his application.

The other big thing he needs to do is start getting as many current shadowing hours as possible (and different setting). I think this is especially important for a non traditional student to show you have thought about the career and know what it entails.

He needs to take the GRE. I would go ahead and take that as soon as possible so you have a good ball park idea of where you are. If he feels like he is an ok test taker, you can take it with very little studying. If not, then a GRE prep course may be the way to go.

Thank you very much for the reply!

He is arguing for taking the cert just so he can work in a slightly more specialized field and maybe actually get paid, rather than just shadow a PT... but I think we'll be arguing about this for a bit. 🙂

His original GPA was about a 3.5. I think his prereqs might be a bit lower, but shouldn't be under a 3.0. We'll check it out.

Are there schools that are more accepting of non-trads? (I know I saw a thread title similar to that as I was looking around, so if it is actually helpful, feel free to just link me.) We are looking at moving for my job soon and I am applying a few places around the country, so I don't have a set area in mind.

By "different setting," do you mean in multiple settings or just something different from special needs kiddos and elderly clients or just outside of his current work environment? (I was pre vet, so I am more familiar with multi-species or specialties than the PT field options, sorry)

 

[astarblaze]

Thank you very much for the reply!

He is arguing for taking the cert just so he can work in a slightly more specialized field and maybe actually get paid, rather than just shadow a PT... but I think we'll be arguing about this for a bit. 🙂

His original GPA was about a 3.5. I think his prereqs might be a bit lower, but shouldn't be under a 3.0. We'll check it out.

Are there schools that are more accepting of non-trads? (I know I saw a thread title similar to that as I was looking around, so if it is actually helpful, feel free to just link me.) We are looking at moving for my job soon and I am applying a few places around the country, so I don't have a set area in mind.

By "different setting," do you mean in multiple settings or just something different from special needs kiddos and elderly clients or just outside of his current work environment? (I was pre vet, so I am more familiar with multi-species or specialties than the PT field options, sorry)

Awesome that your hubby is considering going back to school for PT! (And your post is not ridiculous at all- this is a great place for these kinds of questions!)

If you poke around this forum, you'll find a lot of resources about applying in general and specifically as a non-trad. One place to check out is the FAQs sticky. If you scroll down in that thread, there's a whole section with past threads specific to non-traditional student topics- other older students sharing their process in applying, things to think about, etc.

As far as I can tell, being a nontrad seems to be more of an advantage than a disadvantage in the PT school admissions process, as long as you're not dealing with trying to bring up a poor GPA from years back. Many programs publish basic demographic info about their students, which, if it's available on the program website, can give you a sense of if the program draws students straight out of undergrad, or whether students skew slightly older.

Another resource to check out is the PTCAS website. The vast majority of PT programs use this centralized application service, so if he does decide to apply, he'll likely apply to programs through this website. PTCAS has a program directory that includes all the application requirements for the programs that use PTCAS, so things like the specific prerequisite requirements, # and types of recommendation letters required, whether the program has GPA or GRE score minimums, etc.

By "different setting," starrsgirl means different physical therapy settings that he shadows/volunteers/works in. Many PT schools require or at least recommend that applicants shadow a Physical Therapist for a minimum number of hours in different PT settings, like acute care in the hospital, an outpatient clinic, a rehabilitation facility, etc. The PT verifies this experience through the PTCAS website. You can see a list and descriptions of the different settings here if you scroll down a little bit. The rule of thumb that I have heard on this site is that you want experience in at least three different PT settings in order to be competitive in the admissions process. (Basically the idea is that by shadowing, you make sure you have a clear understanding of the profession and are making an informed choice to pursue PT.) Typically admissions committees like to see at least one inpatient (like a hospital or nursing facility) and one outpatient setting. Some schools require a certain number of hours of experience in both. All schools are different in their requirements, but regardless, it's well worth his time to spend a little time shadowing different PTs to make sure this career change is a good fit and understand the breadth of the field.

Hope that helps!

 

[LadyOtheFarm]

Awesome that your hubby is considering going back to school for PT! (And your post is not ridiculous at all- this is a great place for these kinds of questions!)

If you poke around this forum, you'll find a lot of resources about applying in general and specifically as a non-trad. One place to check out is the FAQs sticky. If you scroll down in that thread, there's a whole section with past threads specific to non-traditional student topics- other older students sharing their process in applying, things to think about, etc.

As far as I can tell, being a nontrad seems to be more of an advantage than a disadvantage in the PT school admissions process, as long as you're not dealing with trying to bring up a poor GPA from years back. Many programs publish basic demographic info about their students, which, if it's available on the program website, can give you a sense of if the program draws students straight out of undergrad, or whether students skew slightly older.

Another resource to check out is the PTCAS website. The vast majority of PT programs use this centralized application service, so if he does decide to apply, he'll likely apply to programs through this website. PTCAS has a program directory that includes all the application requirements for the programs that use PTCAS, so things like the specific prerequisite requirements, # and types of recommendation letters required, whether the program has GPA or GRE score minimums, etc.

By "different setting," starrsgirl means different physical therapy settings that he shadows/volunteers/works in. Many PT schools require or at least recommend that applicants shadow a Physical Therapist for a minimum number of hours in different PT settings, like acute care in the hospital, an outpatient clinic, a rehabilitation facility, etc. The PT verifies this experience through the PTCAS website. You can see a list and descriptions of the different settings here if you scroll down a little bit. The rule of thumb that I have heard on this site is that you want experience in at least three different PT settings in order to be competitive in the admissions process. (Basically the idea is that by shadowing, you make sure you have a clear understanding of the profession and are making an informed choice to pursue PT.) Typically admissions committees like to see at least one inpatient (like a hospital or nursing facility) and one outpatient setting. Some schools require a certain number of hours of experience in both. All schools are different in their requirements, but regardless, it's well worth his time to spend a little time shadowing different PTs to make sure this career change is a good fit and understand the breadth of the field.

Hope that helps!

Thanks! I'd looked through the sticky a bit... but hadn't gotten far before deciding I'd pull the noob, outsider card and just ask for a bit of guidance.

I started to try to walk him around the site. A lot of your processes seem similar to what I am used to, but some of the vocab, and near all the acronyms are different enough to make me confused just looking at thread titles and wandering posts. With that advice being a bit more specific, I have a better idea of where to head rather than just wandering.

Thanks again!

 

[starrsgirl]

If his GPA is solidly above a 3.0 now, he's going to be sitting very well. Of course he will still have to retake pre reqs, but if he gets an A in all of those (yes, he needs A's) then his GPA is going to be even better. Many non trads come in with lower GPAs and it's a much longer road (I started out at a 2.5 for example).

I agree that they aren't necessarily schools that favor non-trads. He sounds like he will have a solid GPA....if he can also match on a solid GRE, he should have most schools open as options.

Start making your school list now. My best advice is to make a list and narrow it down to about 5 schools. Then get into those school's admission websites and go through line by line of their requirements. Verify the information on PTCAS as well (you can look up admission requirements by schools). The annoying part of PT school (compared to med school) is that the admission requirements vary so much. You really have to specialize a bit to make sure you are meeting the requirements at the schools you will apply to. Each school may have different hours required, a few different pre reqs, different references. So you need to focus your application versus just general application to a ton of schools.