Dismissed....What next?

[turtlot]

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To whom it may concern,

I am writing all of this on behalf of myself and for others who feel they are in the same boat.

I was admitted into PT school for Fall 2016. I started my semester like everyone else did--I had high hopes of achieving, passing, and making it through 3 rigorous years. However, things didn't turn out like the way I wanted. I ended up getting dismissed from the program because I received an F in a class (and I was on the borderline for a D). Up until that point, I had received C's in my remaining classes. I had taken my final exams and failed all of them by 3 questions. I had also taken my OSCE and failed by 5%.

My program's policy is that I had to pass the retakes of the final exams and OSCE in order to move on to the next semester. After learning I had been dismissed, I had the option to either appeal my dismissal or walk away. With the guidance of my professors, dean, and faculty advisor, I came to conclusion of walking away from the program.

My choice to not appeal was done on the grounds that:
1) I was not happy in PT school and had mainly been stressed
2) I came face-to-face with my anxiety condition that semester
3) I also discovered how serious one of my other health conditions was and how it was affecting my school life
4) I discovered I didn't really like doing evaluations
5) I became aware of how little I knew of what types of exercises to prescribe patients

With that in mind, what are my plans now?
1) Apply to PTA school: after speaking to a number of my professors, they had told me that I would make a fantastic PTA and that right now maybe isn't the time for me to become a PT. Applying to PTA school will help fill in those gaps of knowledge that I lacked when I went into PT school. I am applying to multiple joint OTA/PTA programs in Canada because my boyfriend lives there and life is just too short to not explore your options out there.
2) Apply for a job as a PT Tech or Research Assistant: before going into PT school, I did not have work experience as a tech like a number of my classmates did. I also did not pursue any research opportunities when I was in undergrad.

Final thoughts:
1) Yes, I am completely bummed out that I got dismissed from PT school. But do I regret walking away? Not really, I learned A LOT more about myself and about the profession in 4 months than I have my entire life. Despite being dismissed, I left on great terms with the professors and staff at the school. One of my professors had already said they would be more than happy to write me a letter of recommendation for PTA school.
2) It's going to hurt for a LONG time and it's going to take a while for me to feel better about the most difficult 4 months of my life.
3) I'm going to pursue PTA school but that doesn't mean PT school won't be an option again in the future. I'm still young and have time to pursue other ventures.

I hope this helps provide something to everyone out there who has been or was in the same boat as me.

 

[DPTwhynotme]

To whom it may concern,

I am writing all of this on behalf of myself and for others who feel they are in the same boat.

I was admitted into PT school for Fall 2016. I started my semester like everyone else did--I had high hopes of achieving, passing, and making it through 3 rigorous years. However, things didn't turn out like the way I wanted. I ended up getting dismissed from the program because I received an F in a class (and I was on the borderline for a D). Up until that point, I had received C's in my remaining classes. I had taken my final exams and failed all of them by 3 questions. I had also taken my OSCE and failed by 5%.

My program's policy is that I had to pass the retakes of the final exams and OSCE in order to move on to the next semester. After learning I had been dismissed, I had the option to either appeal my dismissal or walk away. With the guidance of my professors, dean, and faculty advisor, I came to conclusion of walking away from the program.

My choice to not appeal was done on the grounds that:
1) I was not happy in PT school and had mainly been stressed
2) I came face-to-face with my anxiety condition that semester
3) I also discovered how serious one of my other health conditions was and how it was affecting my school life
4) I discovered I didn't really like doing evaluations
5) I became aware of how little I knew of what types of exercises to prescribe patients

With that in mind, what are my plans now?
1) Apply to PTA school: after speaking to a number of my professors, they had told me that I would make a fantastic PTA and that right now maybe isn't the time for me to become a PT. Applying to PTA school will help fill in those gaps of knowledge that I lacked when I went into PT school. I am applying to multiple joint OTA/PTA programs in Canada because my boyfriend lives there and life is just too short to not explore your options out there.
2) Apply for a job as a PT Tech or Research Assistant: before going into PT school, I did not have work experience as a tech like a number of my classmates did. I also did not pursue any research opportunities when I was in undergrad.

Final thoughts:
1) Yes, I am completely bummed out that I got dismissed from PT school. But do I regret walking away? Not really, I learned A LOT more about myself and about the profession in 4 months than I have my entire life. Despite being dismissed, I left on great terms with the professors and staff at the school. One of my professors had already said they would be more than happy to write me a letter of recommendation for PTA school.
2) It's going to hurt for a LONG time and it's going to take a while for me to feel better about the most difficult 4 months of my life.
3) I'm going to pursue PTA school but that doesn't mean PT school won't be an option again in the future. I'm still young and have time to pursue other ventures.

I hope this helps provide something to everyone out there who has been or was in the same boat as me.

Although I am not a PT student (hopefully will be admitted this cycle), I worked as a rehab tech at an outpatient orthopedic clinic for over a year after college. I knew I wanted to go into physical therapy and needed hours for experience to improve my application. One thing the PTAs and PTs both expressed to me was that the main difference between the two positions is that PTs are the ones who have to do the initial evaluations and PTAs do not, as they are not qualified. During the initial evaluation the PTs are the ones who come up with the rehab treatment plan and PTAs are usually expected to follow that treatment plan. PTAs can add additional exercises if they see fit for the patient, but most consult with the PT first at it is technically "their patient". The PTAs also told me they love their position and NOT being a PT because they aren't stuck with the paperwork at the end of the night and get to go home to their families. PTAs get to help people through therex and manual therapy and skip over "all the boring stuff" as they would say. As you yourself don't enjoy performing evaluations on patients and don't think you know enough to form your own exercise plans, I think PTA would be a good fit for you. Working as a rehab tech is great and everything, but most clinics/hospitals only offer minimum wage (at least in my state) which is hard to live off of, even working full time. Don't get me wrong, I learned SO much and enjoyed working as a tech as it's setting me towards my path. I just think it's smart to consider all aspects of working vs. putting off going back to school to pursue your career sooner. I think it may be helpful and beneficial for you to work for a short time to gain the experience and decide whether physical therapy is the path you want to take. Hope my thoughts were helpful and good luck to you!