B.A in Exercise Science will help for PT??

[Salkha]

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I am currently a junior in high school and am broadening my choice. I know I have made threads on how interested I am in PT field. At my local university they offer Exercise Science which is the closest major to PT other than a Bio major. I tell my parents that the ES degree will fill up most requirements for PT schools but that I will need to probably take classes at a CC to fill the pre-reqs of PT School. My parents say that the ES degree will not be much since they said I could atleast get a job with the degree after graduating in order to pay for Grad school. And what if I decide that PT is not what I want to do? What do I do with the ES degree?

Some insight from fellow ES degree hopefuls would be appreciated! Thanks

 

[jamesmr8138]

I started school as a Bio major, but changed to Exercise Science during my junior year and it was the best decision that I made. Instead of taking Genetics and other upper division Bio courses, I ended up taking multiple Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology courses, which I feel better helped me prepare for PT school (but this is just my opinion).

The University where I completed my undergrad has a PT program, and the director told me in person that Exercise Science majors performed better in their PT program than Bio majors. I think the best advice for you is to choose a major that sounds the most interesting to you. PT programs don't care what degree you have as long as you fulfill their pre reqs.

 

[DesertPT]

...the director told me in person that Exercise Science majors performed better in their PT program than Bio majors.

I would definitely need to see some real data on that one...for your school and others...I've heard similar anecdotal evidence in favor of being a biology major...

 

[jblil]

I would definitely need to see some real data on that one

Excellent answer. Always ask for the hard data behind a general all-encompassing statement.

OP - All else being equal (which is never the case), I think that ES majors are a little bit more prepared for PT schools than others, simply because they have been exposed to more PT-like stuff. However, I would approach choosing a major with a more long-term view: what if you change your mind and no longer want to be a PT, or what if you cannot get into PT school? An ES major boxes you in and jobs are neither numerous nor well-paying. Personally, I would pick a major that opens up to more potential careers.

 

[atstudent]

Excellent answer. Always ask for the hard data behind a general all-encompassing statement.

OP - All else being equal (which is never the case), I think that ES majors are a little bit more prepared for PT schools than others, simply because they have been exposed to more PT-like stuff. However, I would approach choosing a major with a more long-term view: what if you change your mind and no longer want to be a PT, or what if you cannot get into PT school? An ES major boxes you in and jobs are neither numerous nor well-paying. Personally, I would pick a major that opens up to more potential careers.

Like a biology degree? Have heard of tons of people with bio degrees who go nowhere. Biology is just like many others in that you're basically required to have a masters degree or higher to do anything with it..

 

[pubicsymphysis]

Do something you enjoy and everything else will fall into place. YOURE ONLY IN HS! 😛

 

[Azimuthal]

I wish that I pursued a BA in the Art of Shinobi. Alas, OP, you should just concentrate on completing HS and enjoying your life. When in college, explore the arts and sciences and decide on a major you enjoy and will excel at in situ with completing your prerequisites for grad school. In my class, ES majors do well, but bio majors make up the top 10% of the class.

 

[jamesmr8138]

I would definitely need to see some real data on that one...for your school and others...I've heard similar anecdotal evidence in favor of being a biology major...

I didn't intent for my comment to be directed for ALL physical therapy programs, just that program where I talked directly to the head of the program. I actually did ask why ES performed better than Bio at that University and it was due to how their curriculum is set up. Students are required to take Kinesiology courses during the first two terms, so Bio students are a little behind the ES/Kines majors who already took similar classes during undergrad.

I have seen that other PT programs put an emphasis on Bio in their curriculum, so I'm sure that Bio majors would be a step ahead at those schools.

 

[NewTestament]

However, I would approach choosing a major with a more long-term view: what if you change your mind and no longer want to be a PT, or what if you cannot get into PT school? An ES major boxes you in and jobs are neither numerous nor well-paying. Personally, I would pick a major that opens up to more potential careers.

👍

I second this opinion. An ES degree is worthless unless you're going to PT school. There are some trainers who are doing well, but they're rare, and they usually own the business. A Biology major will prepare you just as much, because Biology classes require you to learn difficult concepts, apply lab skills, and learn large amounts of information. Biology also has many specializations, so if you change your mind about PT, then you can get a masters degree.

Kevin

 

[jamesmr8138]

👍

I second this opinion. An ES degree is worthless unless you're going to PT school. There are some trainers who are doing well, but they're rare, and they usually own the business. A Biology major will prepare you just as much, because Biology classes require you to learn difficult concepts, apply lab skills, and learn large amounts of information. Biology also has many specializations, so if you change your mind about PT, then you can get a masters degree.

Kevin

I half agree with this statement. If you decide not to go into the field of PT, then yes a BS in Bio has way more opportunities than a BS in ES. However, ES is not a worthless degree. My University offered a MS in Exercise Science which opens you up to possible careers in exercise research and biomechanics.

 

[DesertPT]

I didn't intent for my comment to be directed for ALL physical therapy programs, just that program where I talked directly to the head of the program. I actually did ask why ES performed better than Bio at that University and it was due to how their curriculum is set up. Students are required to take Kinesiology courses during the first two terms, so Bio students are a little behind the ES/Kines majors who already took similar classes during undergrad.

I have seen that other PT programs put an emphasis on Bio in their curriculum, so I'm sure that Bio majors would be a step ahead at those schools.

I have heard from someone at a PT school near me that he was glad he did a biology degree because he was better prepared/used to the deluge of scientific/biological information during the first year of PT school. In the end I don't think it's going to really matter, exercise science will prepare you better for some classes, biology better than others. A degree in finance, accountancy or business administration would make you more useful in the real world, both as a PT or if grad school didn't work out. If I was graduating high school today knowing all I know now, I would be doing an accountancy degree and using all of my electives for PT pre-reqs. May not sound as interesting as biology, but if you are good at science than you will be good at number-crunching too, and I would have graduated college with the most employable bachelor's degree there is and being all set for PT school. And be more in a position to take on managerial roles in a PT clinic later on.

 

[nazmar]

I have heard from someone at a PT school near me that he was glad he did a biology degree because he was better prepared/used to the deluge of scientific/biological information during the first year of PT school. In the end I don't think it's going to really matter, exercise science will prepare you better for some classes, biology better than others. A degree in finance, accountancy or business administration would make you more useful in the real world, both as a PT or if grad school didn't work out. If I was graduating high school today knowing all I know now, I would be doing an accountancy degree and using all of my electives for PT pre-reqs. May not sound as interesting as biology, but if you are good at science than you will be good at number-crunching too, and I would have graduated college with the most employable bachelor's degree there is and being all set for PT school. And be more in a position to take on managerial roles in a PT clinic later on.

That's the path I'm considering (Accounting => PT). My only concern is not knowing how that major may effect my GPA, and how to fit the classes in together (I'm not sure how that works at University, as I'm currently at a CCC). But the Accounting major has its own weed-out type classes that tend to bog down GPAs.. which could effect being admitted into PT school all together.

But that's definitely a good idea, IMO.

 

[Azimuthal]

That's the path I'm considering (Accounting => PT). My only concern is not knowing how that major may effect my GPA, and how to fit the classes in together (I'm not sure how that works at University, as I'm currently at a CCC). But the Accounting major has its own weed-out type classes that tend to bog down GPAs.. which could effect being admitted into PT school all together.

But that's definitely a good idea, IMO.

All business degrees have their weed out series, that's why most people stick with general admin degrees. I agree with you guys. Many people do not know the benefits of a specialized business degree, especially from a good school who do not cater to underperforming students *ahem Cal States...

Each specialization has it's more advance track and each as difficult as the other. Although I'd say they all range in the 3/5 in difficulty (1 being intro to psych and 5 being quantum physics)

SCM/Management --> Data Simulation and Optimization.

Accounting --> Corporate/International Taxation (even the pros still mess this up)

Economics/Finance --> Advance Economic Analysis/ Financial Modeling/ Investments

Sales/ Marketing --> (Eh...never a big fan) Statistics

Good luck in your studies.

 

[DesertPT]

That's the path I'm considering (Accounting => PT). My only concern is not knowing how that major may effect my GPA, and how to fit the classes in together (I'm not sure how that works at University, as I'm currently at a CCC). But the Accounting major has its own weed-out type classes that tend to bog down GPAs.. which could effect being admitted into PT school all together.

But that's definitely a good idea, IMO.

Honestly I think if you are good at math and analytical thinking you'll be fine. If math has never been your thing than ya it's probably gonna suck a bit.

My only concern with the finance => PT path is that by the time I got done with the finance degree I'd just say why not just go out and get a job instead of spending 3 more years in school...