Army Baylor DPT- Experience Hours

[attacktheback]

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Hey guys,

I am an Exercise Science Major and will be graduating in Spring 2012. I have been reading up on the Army-Baylor DPT program and it looks absolutely amazing. Currently my GPA is roughly a 3.9, and I will be taking the GREs in October.

My major concern is how much experience most of the applicants have going into the application process. As of right now I only have 30 hours of clinical experience (none of which is in a military setting). Because of my lack of experience, I do not know if it's even worth applying this year. What are your thoughts?

Here is where I need some advice...

I am thinking about taking a year off after I graduate in the spring. In that year I hope to get as many clinical hours as possible. Additionally, I am looking into volunteering abroad, either in Bolivia or Nepal, for a couple of months.

Do you think the experience abroad would be enough to set me apart from the other applicants if I were to apply next year? At that point I hope to have close to 600 hours of experience(including a 36 hr/week internship through my school that I will take this spring semester).

Any input would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[Nailey13]

I just wanted to bump this thread as I too am interested in applying to Army-Baylor's program and am wondering just how significant the location of volunteer hours is to the review board. I was told by the recruiter that observation of military PTs/PT in a military setting could make a difference, but I was wondering if someone who has been admitted to the program and did not have a military background prior to enlisting could weigh in on the importance of military-specific PT observation. (The website states that most students get the majority of their observation hours within an orthopedic setting, but no mention is made of military-specific observation).

 

[XfitPT]

Here's my background regarding Army-Baylor: I am I second-round applicant to their DPT program and received quite a bit of feedback from my recruiter wen I was informed that I was not accepted last year. Here's what she suggested...it looks REALLY good if you have observation with a military PT. That's just the cold hard truth..

Army-Baylor is separate from other schools in that the board will look for how interested you are in being a MILITARY PT, as I'm sure you have noticed from the essay.

I moved to San Antonio to try to network and observe at Fort Sam Houston. After having to go through the arduous process of becoming an associate with the Red Cross, I was finally able to observe at the Soldiers in Training rehab center. To be honest, I, personally, did not care for the style of PT there. Granted, this is my PERSONAL preference, but you truly have to observe in a military PT setting to know what you are getting yourself into with Army-Baylor. I've been accepted into another program, so I will most likely go there instead of Army-Baylor.

Regardless, it is a phenomenal program, but just make sure you are okay with EVERYTHING they require from you as a student/officer in the Army or Air Force. For instance, it is my understanding that WHEN you are deployed, it does not matter if you are trained as a PT, the Army has the full right to place you in a combat unit. So it is up to you to decide if you want to EQUALLY be a soldier AND a PT.

 

[Traveler94]

Here's my background regarding Army-Baylor: I am I second-round applicant to their DPT program and received quite a bit of feedback from my recruiter wen I was informed that I was not accepted last year. Here's what she suggested...it looks REALLY good if you have observation with a military PT. That's just the cold hard truth..

Army-Baylor is separate from other schools in that the board will look for how interested you are in being a MILITARY PT, as I'm sure you have noticed from the essay.

I moved to San Antonio to try to network and observe at Fort Sam Houston. After having to go through the arduous process of becoming an associate with the Red Cross, I was finally able to observe at the Soldiers in Training rehab center. To be honest, I, personally, did not care for the style of PT there. Granted, this is my PERSONAL preference, but you truly have to observe in a military PT setting to know what you are getting yourself into with Army-Baylor. I've been accepted into another program, so I will most likely go there instead of Army-Baylor.

Regardless, it is a phenomenal program, but just make sure you are okay with EVERYTHING they require from you as a student/officer in the Army or Air Force. For instance, it is my understanding that WHEN you are deployed, it does not matter if you are trained as a PT, the Army has the full right to place you in a combat unit. So it is up to you to decide if you want to EQUALLY be a soldier AND a PT.

Where did you go to get observation hours and experience in San Antonio? I currently live in San Antonio and I am just starting on my Bachelors Degree this fall. I'm trying to plan ahead and I know I need great experience and recommendation letters. Did you work at Ft. Sam, Wilford Hall, or anywhere else? Also how did you get accepted to work there? I know you said you had to get in with Red Cross. What did you actually need to do? Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

[starrsgirl]

Hoping I can help a little here....I did all of my obs hours at a military facility. (I'm not attending the Baylor program but I hope to return to active duty myself after graduating). You need to look up the Red Cross chapter for the base or post closest to you. Usually that chapter is separate from the towns. Then you will go through some sort of orientation with them. Lots of paperwork lots of background checks, lots of power point training. Sometimes this can take a while (few weeks to a month).

I would also look up the closest VA facilities and call over there to ask about volunteering. If you have time, you could get hours at both places.

 

[scrawnyguy]

Where did you go to get observation hours and experience in San Antonio? I currently live in San Antonio and I am just starting on my Bachelors Degree this fall. I'm trying to plan ahead and I know I need great experience and recommendation letters. Did you work at Ft. Sam, Wilford Hall, or anywhere else? Also how did you get accepted to work there? I know you said you had to get in with Red Cross. What did you actually need to do? Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks

BOOM!!!

http://www.redcross.org/tx/san-antonio/volunteer/application

The link is about halfway down the page. They are pretty quick about getting back to you in my experience. The application process can be lengthy so get started ASAP.