In your opinion, what age should a person opt for PTA intead of PT?

[NATO]

I've been reading many threads on here this past weekend (it was snowing and I had nothing to do). I found some people stating that PTA is the better way to go if you are older and/or want to save money since a PTA program would cost less than a 3 year DPT program.

I'm a non-traditional student, 31 yrs old, and I just started taking PT pre-reqs last semester. If I actually get into a PT program the first go around, then I will be 33 years old when I start. Of course, if I don't get into any program the first time around, then I'll be another year older.

In your opinion, roughly what age should a person consider looking at PTA instead of PT in terms of paying off school debt and finally earning some money to put towards retirement?

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[MuscleHead]

I've been reading many threads on here this past weekend (it was snowing and I had nothing to do). I found some people stating that PTA is the better way to go if you are older and/or want to save money since a PTA program would cost less than a 3 year DPT program.

I'm a non-traditional student, 31 yrs old, and I just started taking PT pre-reqs last semester. If I actually get into a PT program the first go around, then I will be 33 years old when I start. Of course, if I don't get into any program the first time around, then I'll be another year older.

In your opinion, roughly what age should a person consider looking at PTA instead of PT in terms of paying off school debt and finally earning some money to put towards retirement?

when i interviewed at drexel, the admissions director told us that he once taught a student who was 60 some years old. so i think there is much more to factor in than just your age.

 

[Fabregas]

i'm starting a DPT program in june, and i'll be 36 - i went back to do my prereqs a year and half ago. so i'll be 39 when i'm finished. there's a lot of life to be lived after 40, so make sure you don't shortchange yourself now (if you really do want to be a PT.) assuming, of course, that the debt load is something you can carry.

 

[johncronejr]

I am still finishing up my bachelors at 44. By the time I graduate PT school I will be 48 years old. I figure that PT pays roughly twice what PTA pays. I have no problems living on what a PTA makes so I will apply as much as I can to student laons early. Besides, if there is any truth to Obama's new ideas about student loan repayment, paying them back won't be a tremendous burden anyway.

If you want to be a PT, then be a PT.

 

[rtrahal]

Yeah seriously. Definitely go for the DPT. You're really very much on the young side. Columbia university for instance always has somebody in the entering class who is in their forties in the past 3 years.

 

[Kyra4dpt]

I'll be 36 when I start a DPT program later this year. Age shouldn't be your concern. If you want to be a PT then go for it!

 

[PTtoBe]

I started at 33 like you're considering, and I'm currently in my first year, and I'm not the oldest in my class. I don't think 36 is too old to be starting a new career (leaves roughly 30 years to practice).

Just think, a few years from now at 40 years old, you could regret becoming a PTA instead of a PT (I've talked to a couple regretful PTAs), but you almost definitely wouldn't regret being a PT instead of a PTA.

 

[Danae00]

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[ajune]

I am 31 - will be turning 32 upon entering and I looked into the PTA but the thing that killed it for me is that there is little continuum in the education. If you go to school to become a PTA and at a later date you decide to pursue the DPT there are very few programs that accept any of the credits/experiences earned by a PTA. You would have to start over again it seems.

On the other hand my cousin was in his 50's when he decided to switch careers to PT and he got a job as an aide with a local hospital that is financing his PTA degree at a local community college. I think this is a fabulous option for him and one that I would chose if my situation were similar!

 

[Architect2PT]

I'm 39 and planning to start PT school next year at age 40. I had some trepidition, especially since the average age of most programs seems to be in the 20s. But a friend of mine pointed out that I'll be working for at least 20-25 or even 30 years after I graduate.
I don't think age should be a factor discouraging anyone from becoming a PT.

 

[lee9786]

I think physical limitations will have more of an effect as a PTA. I know of one PTA that has worked for twenty years and is now back in school due to back problems. I'll be 33 with a DPT if all goes well. Longevity is a concern. I've considered going for the PTA degree mainly because of the costs and reimbursement trends. My concern though isn't as much physical limitations but professional growth. The DPT degree should provide more opportunity.

 

[Pilarte]

I started at 33 like you're considering, and I'm currently in my first year, and I'm not the oldest in my class. I don't think 36 is too old to be starting a new career (leaves roughly 30 years to practice).

Just think, a few years from now at 40 years old, you could regret becoming a PTA instead of a PT (I've talked to a couple regretful PTAs), but you almost definitely wouldn't regret being a PT instead of a PTA.

After all these years, I'm wondering, are you still a PT? How did that go? Currently 29 considering going the PT route, will need to spend at least a year taking prerequisites first.