Extracurriculars and observation hours

[dors89]

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Needing insights on a couple of things because I've heard both ways. As far as extracurricular activities go, do you put everything that you have been involved in throughout the years or just those that are relevant to physical therapy and service (Pre-PT club, research, clubs, etc.)? And what would be something you would consider not relevant? What about if you like to run races and are involved often? Also, if you work as a PT Aide, is it better to count those hours under observation or to put it under work experience? I've heard that you shouldn't put it as both. If you can or have done it, please let me know. Thanks!

 

[hopefulapplicant]

Needing insights on a couple of things because I've heard both ways. As far as extracurricular activities go, do you put everything that you have been involved in throughout the years or just those that are relevant to physical therapy and service (Pre-PT club, research, clubs, etc.)? And what would be something you would consider not relevant? What about if you like to run races and are involved often? Also, if you work as a PT Aide, is it better to count those hours under observation or to put it under work experience? I've heard that you shouldn't put it as both. If you can or have done it, please let me know. Thanks!

I think there is a "paid" box you check if you were a pt aide under the observation section. That's where I would put it because in my opinion it looks better to have observation than work experience (because work could be anywhere). I put that I did a peer mentoring program under the EC tab, and I think they would consider anything you have been involved in. I think races would look good because most of the time the money goes to a charity of some sort. My answer is based strictly off my own opinion and from what my advisor and other students have told me, so it might not be 100% correct. Good luck with the process!

 

[dors89]

I think there is a "paid" box you check if you were a pt aide under the observation section. That's where I would put it because in my opinion it looks better to have observation than work experience (because work could be anywhere). I put that I did a peer mentoring program under the EC tab, and I think they would consider anything you have been involved in. I think races would look good because most of the time the money goes to a charity of some sort. My answer is based strictly off my own opinion and from what my advisor and other students have told me, so it might not be 100% correct. Good luck with the process!

Thanks for the feedback. I've had someone tell me that they didn't put certain extracurriculars because they didn't think it was relevant to physical therapy but I think that it shows that you're involved in the community. There's also schools out there that don't do interviews so all they really have to go by is what is on your application. I definitely will count my aide hours now as observation instead of work. If anyone else out there has some thoughts, I'd greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

 

[SPTCSCS]

I'd put everything that you've done. It shows how varied you are in your experiences. Just PT is so bleh. Doesn't show your total body of influence on society. I put my fraternity and the philanthropy we did during my years in undergrad. Things like that.

 

[dors89]

I've participated in a couple of research projects on campus as a study participant (one for psychology class and the other for the department of communication disorders where they needed native speakers for a certain language to test out hearing tests) but they were only for several hours and wasn't for the period of a semester. I just volunteered a lot on campus whenever I could like with New Student Orientation and alumni events for a few semesters. I have been debating whether I should put these since they are just random volunteering for a few hours. Sorry for all the questions on EC's but I just want to make sure I make my app as strong as possible.