I don't know about PT anymore

[SamG97]

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Hello,
From the time I was a little girl all I wanted was to do physical therapy and help veterans. I had a really rough undergrad career and struggled in science classes. I applied to 11 PT schools and got denied from all except 1, which I got wait listed until this week. I had decided to go with my plan B and obtain an MBA. I got a full ride scholarship and I am living with my fiance. If I were to accept my PT school offer, I would have to move away from him and do long distance and give up my scholarship. I want to know if PT is worth it. I loved being an aide, but i did notice a lot of repetition. I also have a back injury. I am so conflicted. The program is not accredited yet, and would not be until the year before I graduate. Part of me feels like I should try for a year, because it is so hard to get into a program, but the other part is worried about it being to much for me. Please help!

 

[CareerSwitcheroo]

Only you can determine whether it's worth it using the information available to you. I understand the pressure you're feeling to accept the only offer you've gotten, however, PT school will always be there. It sounds like the MBA scholarship is an awesome opportunity, one more suitable for your current situation. Your personal life matters too. It's free money and it'll look great either way (PT or no PT). Later on if you still have that desire to reapply, you'll have this new experience under your belt and maybe be able to retake prereqs you didn't do so well in. With that, you will present yourself as a better applicant and ultimately get more acceptances and options to choose from.

 

[The Pre-PT Coach]

Only you can determine whether it's worth it using the information available to you. I understand the pressure you're feeling to accept the only offer you've gotten, however, PT school will always be there. It sounds like the MBA scholarship is an awesome opportunity, one more suitable for your current situation. Your personal life matters too. It's free money and it'll look great either way (PT or no PT). Later on if you still have that desire to reapply, you'll have this new experience under your belt and maybe be able to retake prereqs you didn't do so well in. With that, you will present yourself as a better applicant and ultimately get more acceptances and options to choose from.

Couldn't have said it any better. Only thing I'd add is that getting an MBA and getting your DPT after is a fantastic financial move as well. It will make your application stronger, thus opening you up to more competitive (and thus cheaper) programs. That and having your MBA would make opening your own practice much easier (assuming you're interested in that) which is typically quite lucrative if you do it right.

 

[GraceFutureDPT]

One of the PTs I shadowed had an MBA as well. I don't see why you can't do the MBA first and see if you want to come back to PT afterward.

 

[ya1]

I would not take a risk to go to non-accredited program. There is zero guarantee that it will get accredited and you are risking to waste your time and money.
PT may or may not be repetitive. It depends on your approach to patients, patient population you work with, clinical settings. You will have an opportunity to choose how much repetitiveness you want. Besides, being an aide and PT is different. I felt repetitiveness even during my internships, but now when I am an independent PT, I no longer feel that way.
As for your back injury, depending on a clinical setting, you may or may not need do much physical activities that have impact on your back. Again, you will have an opportunity to pick the most suitable working setting for yourself.

 

[BYoo]

I would not bank on that one program. The offer from the MBA program seems better imo. If you want to become a PT, you can always strengthen your application for the next cycle whenever you finish MBA. Don't feel like you're behind either. Being in the MBA program already strengthens your application. Also, you are ahead of the game with the MBA. The knowledge and experience you'll gain is far more worth than starting a program earlier.