I'll be transferring to finish my last 2 years of a B.S., what should I know?

[Aero SSX]

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So I have my associates degree and I'm transferring to a U to finish the last two years of my bachelors. I start in two months...is there anything in particular that I should sort of start preparing for early?

See, I didn't know this was what I wanted to do until recently, and so I realize I have only two years to get my stuff squared away, while some others had four or more years. So I'm trying to set myself up with a disciplined plan to really knock out all sorts of volunteer time in various settings, get excellent grades, work part time, do extra-curr. activities and so on.

However, is there any specific advice you could give? I am in the midst of finding about 10 DPT programs to aim for prior to talking with an adviser about my courses. That way, when I meet up with the adviser, I have a list of all the requirements.

But as far as volunteer time, how do I go about this? Do I simply use the APTA or PTCAS website to find PT's in the area and volunteer when possible? Would this even be remotely realistic while living on campus? Or would I be better off doing that by taking summers off?

Not trying to get too overwhelmed, I just want to have a crystal clear plan so all of this hard work and money doesn't go to waste. Thanks.

 

[IndianaDPT]

Hi Aero:

These are good questions. First, I would do the very basic thing of ensuring that you are really on a 2-year plan. Some institutions do not have "2+2" programs where an associate's degree holder is "guaranteed" a 2-year path to the BA/BS. This is an essential first step.

I am not sure you'll know what group of institutions to consider at this time. Your needs and goals might change.

Here are some general ideas:

1. Ensure you know the basic prerequisites for most PT programs.
2. Earn high grades in all prerequisites and carry a good GPA at your university. Remember your cumulative GPA will be all undergraduate courses taken, most likely. Some programs seem to look at the last 60 credits also, but this is not universal.
3. I'd use your contacts to locate PTs. Shadow PTs in multiple settings and specialties. Get a good feel for the profession from a number of angles. You can shadow during a semester and over the summer. PTs work year-round.
4. Know that there will be some variability/error in your plan, most likely. Make sure you have a back-up plan and some alternatives in terms of schedule, summer plans, etc. Don't get so wrapped up in one plan that any deviation is seen as a failure or a "deal-breaker."

Best of luck to you. You're asking the right questions.

Josh Morrison
Director, Student Enrollment Services
IU School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
[email protected]

 

[schnell8]

I was in the same boat as you. I went to a CC and didn't know anything until I transferred. I think for your first semester, you should focus on your classes and get use to university life because in my experience, it was pretty different going from a CC to a university and I did get overwhelmed (partly because I was working 30+ hours a week my first semester at a U).

Once you get comfortable with how it works, start volunteering. I simply just called up random pt clinics and just asked. Outpatient clinics are super easy to get hours in but hospital settings and nursing homes can be tough to get into. So I would actually start with a hospital/nursing home setting to try and get those hours out of the way. 10-20 hours in each would be good. Then finding an outpatient clinic will be easy to get the rest. Also look for jobs as a PT aide/tech. Those count towards your hours and you get paid for them. I was fortunate enough to get an internship for my local hospital as a rehab tech and it counted for me as hours and as credits for my bachelor's.

Finally, establish a relationship with your professors for a letter of recommendation for when you apply. In my opinion, the best way to go about this would be to volunteer for a research group at your university. Ask professors and advisers in your field about any research groups. When you volunteer, you will be establishing a relationship with notable professors AND you will be getting research experience - something very valuable that will help put sprinkles on your PT application as well as give you a better chance at getting a grad school stipend as a research assistant - something that will help pay for your grad school tuition!

Also, keep the GRE exam in the back of your mind. You will need to take that in the next year or two.

Finally, like IndianaDPT stated, know the prerequisites of every college your planning on applying to and keep updated with it because they DO change. I unfortunately had to take a genetics class for one school. I barely passed the class and it really brought my GPA down. The next year that school no longer required that class... 🙁 lol It stinks but just be prepared that you might waste some money and time on a class that might be required one semester and find it to not be required anymore the next. It happens. Just keep updated...

Hope this helps! Good luck!