Going back to school for PT - Pre-reqs

[hawks811]

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Hi All-

I'm new to the board, and had a quick question for everyone. Any insight would be appreciated.

I'm currently 2 years out of school, and have been working in the Finance/Accounting field since then. I have recently decided that I am going to go back to school to become a physical therapist. It is something that has always interested me (having gone through it myself), but I never made the final push to really go for it. (I figured it would be alright to make a little bit of money out of undergrad rather than dish it out if I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do)

I have shadowed physical therapists since then, and am very close to making the decision to go back. I am thinking about leaving my job and taking classes this summer (maybe 1 or 2 in the fall) to complete my pre-reqs, continue getting volunteer hours, and take the GRE.

Here is the coursework I have taken in undergrad that I think may apply toward my pre-reqs:

Biology and Lab (1 semester)
Chem and Lab (1 semester)
Intro to Psych (1 semester)
Human Physiology (1 semester)
Calc (1 semester)
Business Statistics (1 semester
Developmental Psych ( 1 semester)

My question is: What should I take so I can ensure that I take the necessary pre-reqs this summer and fall so I can apply for next years (2010) entry. I know Physics, semester of Chem, and Anatomy for sure...but I was just trying to get some insight from some people on here as many of you may have already been through the process and may be able to help me cover all my bases.

Thanks a lot for all the help!

 

[kdpt3]

Hey - welcome to the PT field... or at least mindset. I'm just finishing my pre-reqs now and begin a DPT program in the fall. I began taking them a few years after graduating, too, so I know what you're going through. Actually, I had very little coursework completed, so it's taken almost 2 years to complete them... part-time.

Anyway-- here's what I would suggest for a plan of attack: figure out what schools you might be interested in (even if it's a lot)... then compare what their pre-reqs are, maybe even on a chart -- you've got the accounting background to do that.... then prioritize taking the classes that would satisfy most of the schools or your top schools (you decide how to decipher)...

For me, I ended up eliminating schools that I was interested in just for more options. Example: UW-Madison had 2 pre-reqs that weren't available at the school where I was taking pre-reqs. Also, some schools began in June and if I had to take classes this spring quarter, the time overlapped -- so that elimated those. Turns out prioritizing the major classes was a good approach because I saved the classes that I "might" need if I was accepted into certain schools (microbiology, advanced statistics, etc.) until the end and now I'm going to a school where I don't need those--- so I've satisfied everything as of next week... as opposed to having taken those first and having to take the more general pre-reqs next quarter (physics, chem, etc.)

Anyway-- good luck -- hope this helps.

 

[hawks811]

Kdpt3-

Thanks a lot for the response...that is helpful and it's nice to hear from someone that has been through the process.

I have started to do some of what you suggested already, so it is good to know that I am on the right path.

Just curious, how was your time preparing? Did you enjoy going back to take the pre-reqs, etc?

It's funny, I make pretty good money right now doing what I do, but I do not enjoy it, and the thought of going back to class with this end goal in mind is exciting and relieving at the same time and I'm really looking forward to it, even if it means I have to watch my money a little bit more!

Thanks again.

 

[hawks811]

Hey - welcome to the PT field... or at least mindset. I'm just finishing my pre-reqs now and begin a DPT program in the fall. I began taking them a few years after graduating, too, so I know what you're going through. Actually, I had very little coursework completed, so it's taken almost 2 years to complete them... part-time.

Anyway-- here's what I would suggest for a plan of attack: figure out what schools you might be interested in (even if it's a lot)... then compare what their pre-reqs are, maybe even on a chart -- you've got the accounting background to do that.... then prioritize taking the classes that would satisfy most of the schools or your top schools (you decide how to decipher)...

For me, I ended up eliminating schools that I was interested in just for more options. Example: UW-Madison had 2 pre-reqs that weren't available at the school where I was taking pre-reqs. Also, some schools began in June and if I had to take classes this spring quarter, the time overlapped -- so that elimated those. Turns out prioritizing the major classes was a good approach because I saved the classes that I "might" need if I was accepted into certain schools (microbiology, advanced statistics, etc.) until the end and now I'm going to a school where I don't need those--- so I've satisfied everything as of next week... as opposed to having taken those first and having to take the more general pre-reqs next quarter (physics, chem, etc.)

Anyway-- good luck -- hope this helps.

Also, did you take all of your pre-reqs at the University Level? I know it is probably preferred that pre-reqs be at the University Level, and I am planning to take the majority at that level, but I was also thinking about taking a few at a Community College because of the cost factor.

 

[thorn22]

Also, did you take all of your pre-reqs at the University Level? I know it is probably preferred that pre-reqs be at the University Level, and I am planning to take the majority at that level, but I was also thinking about taking a few at a Community College because of the cost factor.

Don't fret too much about University v Community College. The only things you dont want to take at Comm. are the classes that are essential to PT. For example, dont take Anatomy and Physiology at the community college level. However, for things like Psych, and even Chemistry, I would not worry about it much.

Heck, I took both semesters of Physics at a community college during one summer. No one at my PT interviews asked me about it.

 

[hawks811]

Don't fret too much about University v Community College. The only things you dont want to take at Comm. are the classes that are essential to PT. For example, dont take Anatomy and Physiology at the community college level. However, for things like Psych, and even Chemistry, I would not worry about it much.

Heck, I took both semesters of Physics at a community college during one summer. No one at my PT interviews asked me about it.

Thanks a lot thorn.

That was kind of my thinking as well. I am planning on taking Anatomy at the University Level this summer as well as a couple other courses at the community college level.

 

[callmecrazy]

Also, did you take all of your pre-reqs at the University Level? I know it is probably preferred that pre-reqs be at the University Level, and I am planning to take the majority at that level, but I was also thinking about taking a few at a Community College because of the cost factor.

I am also two years out of undergrad, and I spent the last year or so finishing up a few pre-reqs. I am currently taking anatomy at a community college and am even taking it online (yes, anatomy online). From what I have seen, most schools don't seem to care where you take the classes. I've seen a number that even state specifically that community college classes are fine. It wouldn't hurt to check first with the schools you are interested in, but even with the online CC anatomy course, I was still accepted and will be starting school this year.

 

[hawks811]

I am also two years out of undergrad, and I spent the last year or so finishing up a few pre-reqs. I am currently taking anatomy at a community college and am even taking it online (yes, anatomy online). From what I have seen, most schools don't seem to care where you take the classes. I've seen a number that even state specifically that community college classes are fine. It wouldn't hurt to check first with the schools you are interested in, but even with the online CC anatomy course, I was still accepted and will be starting school this year.

Thanks a lot for the response.

Just curious...what did you do for money while taking your pre-reqs? Work part-time, have some saved up? I'm just trying to figure out what my best plan of attack is as I don't think it's possible to work my full time Financial/Internal Audit Consulting position (45+ hours per week) while taking pre-reqs like Physics and Chemistry...

 

[kdpt3]

Also, did you take all of your pre-reqs at the University Level? I know it is probably preferred that pre-reqs be at the University Level, and I am planning to take the majority at that level, but I was also thinking about taking a few at a Community College because of the cost factor.

Hey Hawks... Glad I could help a little. I think you're on the right track. As for community college vs. university, I took some both places. I started at the local university, but I switched to community college. I had great chem and physics at the university, but the biology department was terrible so I actually decided to take A and P at the community college where I had heard about a great teacher and figured I'd finish up the rest there too (stats, human devel.) so I didn't have to go to two schools at once.

I have really enjoyed going back to school!! And I'm very glad that I'm at the community college now - smaller classes - more attention - and, in my experience, better quality teachers that the local university. It's not better than where I went for undergrad, though, so you'll just have to figure out what's available to you and what makes the most sense. I was worried about negative stereotypes, but I talked to some of the schools I was thinking about and most don't seem to care about CC vs. university. Some do, though (i.e. Duquesne)... but whatever - just easier to figure out where I could/would go. Just talk to the schools or figure out what they require. Pacific University, for example, requires that 30 semester hours (I think 30) of prereqs are at a 4-year school... but that still left a lot that could be at a CC.

 

[hawks811]

Hey Hawks... Glad I could help a little. I think you're on the right track. As for community college vs. university, I took some both places. I started at the local university, but I switched to community college. I had great chem and physics at the university, but the biology department was terrible so I actually decided to take A and P at the community college where I had heard about a great teacher and figured I'd finish up the rest there too (stats, human devel.) so I didn't have to go to two schools at once.

I have really enjoyed going back to school!! And I'm very glad that I'm at the community college now - smaller classes - more attention - and, in my experience, better quality teachers that the local university. It's not better than where I went for undergrad, though, so you'll just have to figure out what's available to you and what makes the most sense. I was worried about negative stereotypes, but I talked to some of the schools I was thinking about and most don't seem to care about CC vs. university. Some do, though (i.e. Duquesne)... but whatever - just easier to figure out where I could/would go. Just talk to the schools or figure out what they require. Pacific University, for example, requires that 30 semester hours (I think 30) of prereqs are at a 4-year school... but that still left a lot that could be at a CC.

Thanks again....I'm eyeing taking Anatomy at the university level this summer (Cleveland State), and taking Chem II and Physics I and the Community College Level....so we'll see how that goes...

Also, I asked this of another poster....how did you handle the money issues? See my post above to "callmecrazy" for what I was referring to.

Thanks

 

[callmecrazy]

Thanks a lot for the response.

Just curious...what did you do for money while taking your pre-reqs? Work part-time, have some saved up? I'm just trying to figure out what my best plan of attack is as I don't think it's possible to work my full time Financial/Internal Audit Consulting position (45+ hours per week) while taking pre-reqs like Physics and Chemistry...

I continued working full-time in medical research while finishing my prereqs, and I'm married, which makes a big difference when it comes to income. However, I also only needed to take one class at a time, and they were all either online or only met on Saturday mornings. If you want/need to keep working, online courses are definitely the way to go since you can choose your study schedule instead of being committed to sitting in a classroom for set hours every week. When you can't do online (chem, physics, etc), there are some universities that have programs designed specifically for working adults, meetings nights and/or weekends. Good Luck.