Many Questions--sorry!

[rmar1129]

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Hi all. I've posted here once or twice before. I'm currently working on my Bachelor's in Arts with a Public Health concentration and hope to graduate in August of 2014. I have gone back and forth for a long time now, trying to decide if PT school is what I really want to pursue. I love PT, but I worry about loans and it seems like I'll never finish school.

Long story short...right now I have a 2.8 GPA overall (my pre-requisite GPA is probably 3.2 or so) and I'm not sure if I even have a shot at getting into PT school. If I decide this is what I want, I think I will have to push graduation back to December of 2014 to finish my sciences (Physics and Chemistry). If I got my overall GPA up & my pre-requisite GPA up a little bit is it possible to get into PT school? Is so, what cycle do I even think about applying for? I'm so confused with everything, I'm 24 and part of me just wants to be done with school and to get a desk job. The other side of my brain nags at me everyday I am at work (I'm a rehab aide in an outpatient PT clinic) that I need to buck up and pursue it.

Any advice?

 

[TopShelf85]

I'll answer your questions for you -

1) If I was you and you are serious about getting into PT school, your GPA must rise at least a few points. A 2.8GPA isn't competitive when hundreds upon hundreds of applicants are competing for 40-45 spots.

2) Did you already finish physics & chemistry or are they in process? That was unclear.

3) Are you enrolled in Undergrad fulltime now? Or are you taking pre-reqs on the side at a community college?

4) Desk-jobs suck and medical jobs are the future. Yes the tuition is very overpriced and your earnings will take years to justify the expense (that's a separate conversation) but take it from me a guy who's worked on Wall Street corporate America is NO FUN AT ALL.

Honestly if I was you, take the time now to shadow PT in outpatient setting this way you'll see upclose if this is something you really want to do. This way you'll know 100% because you will need to be dedicated to PT if you choose to pursue it and study. If you find you don't like the field, you can always look into other medical fields... strongly recommend this!

 

[Pinesfootball]

have you taken the GRE yet?

 

[NewTestament]

I was 24 when I decided to go back to school and apply for PT school. You're not too old by any means. Don't settle for a desk job. You will be miserable for the next 40 or 50 years and you will regret that you never pursued your dream.

Definitely observe other settings and see if it's what you want to do. Observe in a SNF, a hospital, and maybe an outpatient geriatric clinic.

Keep in mind that the debt/income ratio for PT's is a little high but it shouldn't deter you from pursuing PT if it's what you want to do. It's a practical consideration.

I would explore other health professions if you don't like PT. A nurse practitioner and a physician assistant come to my mind.

Retake any pre-requisite that is not at least a B. Your overall must exceed 3.0 and your pre-req GPA should be >3.5 to be competitive.

If you won't graduate until December 2014, apply in the summer of 2014 so you can start PT school in spring/summer of 2015.

Kevin