Need Pre-Req Advice, Already have a bachelor's in a non-science major

[gsnts725]

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I recently decided that I want to pursue physical therapy as a new career and I need some advice how to go about taking the pre requisites. I already have a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Media Studies, so obviously I barely took any science classes during my undergraduate.

When re-applying to school, I should go apply to be a non-matriculated student correct? I just want to make sure before applying because I do not want to risk that PT schools don't take courses taken under nonmarticulated status. Also, does it matter if I take it at community college or at an university? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[ktachiba]

No it doesnt matter if you take pre-reqs at CC...I majored in Economics and the only pre-req I took during that time was Statistics. I took the rest of my pre-reqs at a CC, and managed to get A's in all classes except Chem II. Schools dont care as long as you get good grades. I ended up getting many interview invites, but turned them down cuz I got into a program I really liked.

 

[ktachiba]

I don't know what you mean when you say "re-apply to school". I just filled out the online application for my local CC.

 

[okramango]

Definitely do your prereqs at a community college. It would be a waste of money to try reapplying to a 4-year university. Only a few PT programs require prereqs at a 4-year.

 

[NewTestament]

Apply as a non-degree student. Of course, you will pay more for tuition.

 

[ktachiba]

Also, since you didn't take many bio classes during undergrad, I would highly suggest taking it slow the first semester and only taking 2 pre-req classes. For me personally, it was a shock to see how much work and effort you must do in these classes in order to get good grades, as compared to my economic classes. It's not that its a lot harder, but it just take more effort and memorization....except physics, that class is really hard haha. Also, in my economic classes I never had labs and didn't have 5 hour classes, so that was a bit of an adjustment as well.

 

[ktachiba]

I would suggest something like this...

Year 1 Fall:
1.) Bio I
2.) Chem I

Year 1 Spring:
1.) Bio II
2.) Chem II
3.) General Psychology

Year 1 Summer:
1.) Physics I
2.) GRE?

Year 2 Fall:
1.) Anatomy
2.) Stats
3.) Abnormal Psychology (or whatever psychology class schools want)

Year 2 Spring:
1.) Physiology
2.) Physics II
3.) Any other classes some schools require (usually Exercise physio, communications, med terminology)
4.) GRE?


I would suggest taking anatomy with easier classes like abnormal psychology and stats since its probly the most important pre-req (along with physiology). Or maybe take it as the only class during the summer instead of Physics I so you can put all your effort into gettin' a good grade for that class (although summer school for anatomy would be pretty stressful...but it would help prepare you for DPT school). I'm not sure how fast you are trying to get the pre-reqs done, but if you want to apply during the summer of year 1, then you should take the GRE's sooner cuz schools will want those scores by the application deadline. However, it would much wiser to apply during the summer of year 2 IMO, cuz you also have to factor in shadowing hours. It's also better to not rush the process, and focus on gettin' the best grades possible. You want to have ~3.5 GPA (pre-req and cumulative) to be confident into getting into a program. Also, focus on researching 10-15 schools that interest you, and in which you believe you have a chance of getting into (but I would still apply to a couple "dream schools"😉


I also used to trip out about rushing the process since I'm a non-trad (starting DPT school at age 29...I planned to start at 27, but some life situations forced me to delay the process..and this used to bother me a lot), but I figured I'll just work an extra 3-4 years, and/or work 50-60 hour weeks while I'm still young to make up for lost income. Obviously something tragic could happen to me, but outside of that chance which I cannot control, I keep myself in good shape by goin' to the gym and eating healthy so I believe I will age well and be able to work well into my 60's and 70's.

 

[gsnts725]

Thanks for the advice, ktachiba. Another question did you apply as a non-degree student or did you apply for another degree? Because at the CC by me, you can only take 12 credits as a non-degree student. And if I decide to apply as a second degree, would schools look down upon not completing that degree?

 

[SwampPT]

I recently decided that I want to pursue physical therapy as a new career and I need some advice how to go about taking the pre requisites. I already have a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Media Studies, so obviously I barely took any science classes during my undergraduate.

When re-applying to school, I should go apply to be a non-matriculated student correct? I just want to make sure before applying because I do not want to risk that PT schools don't take courses taken under nonmarticulated status. Also, does it matter if I take it at community college or at an university? Thanks in advance for the help.

There are literally thousands of posts on SDN pertaining to your questions. Search this site and you'll find your answers plus you'll find answers to questions that you never thought to consider as of yet.

 

[DesertPT]

My advice would be to not use your real picture on here...pt is a small world and it can be hard to protect your anonymity as it is.

 

[ktachiba]

Thanks for the advice, ktachiba. Another question did you apply as a non-degree student or did you apply for another degree? Because at the CC by me, you can only take 12 credits as a non-degree student. And if I decide to apply as a second degree, would schools look down upon not completing that degree?

No I just signed up for classes and said I was majoring in biology or something. I don't think my CC or PT schools care about obtaining a 2nd degree at CC...they just care about you gettin' good grades in the pre-reqs

 

[ktachiba]

Also, it's probably gonna be hard to sign up for classes at first when you attend CC as a new student, but a lot of students tend to drop out of the science classes, so I would try and stay on the wait-list if you can

 

[scrawnyguy]

Thanks for the advice, ktachiba. Another question did you apply as a non-degree student or did you apply for another degree? Because at the CC by me, you can only take 12 credits as a non-degree student. And if I decide to apply as a second degree, would schools look down upon not completing that degree?

When I went back to get my prereqs I applied as a degree seeking student. I'm using my GI Bill so I pretty much had to (they only allow one to take courses in formal degree plan). My school had a general science major or something like that which allowed me to take all of my courses as part of a degree plan. As a degree seeking I was also able to get a small scholarship which helped pay for books.