Non-traditional starting from undergrad need some advise

[CC_NAU_DPT_2026]

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Hello everyone,

Looking for some advise here. I've read through few of the thread similar to my situation, but just want further advise. I will probably go to an advisor also at some point too.

Okay, first some background, I dropped out of college after about a little over year after starting due to some family/personal circumstances plus didn't know what I wanted to do. Afterwards, I worked at a pharmacy as a tech for total of 7 years added up between 2 place (retail), plus other jobs in between. It has been 10 years since I dropped out, and finally decided to go back to school. I am 100% sure I want to go into the career of physical therapy. I am now 28 almost 29, so if everything goes to plan possibly be done by 35-36.

I am wondering since I know I want to go into physical therapy is there a major I should aim for in finishing my undergrad?

What should I do to make myself more competitive among traditional students? I've started volunteer work at a hospital recently and in the process of finding PT to shadow.

Thanks you in advance!!

 

[adpt09]

Hi,
I am in a similar situation, although maybe a few years ahead of you. I've had a 4-5 year gap between dropping out and going back to finish my undergrad. Honestly, any bachelor degree will work as long as you hit those pre requisites. However it would be helpful to choose a major where those pre-reqs will count for something towards your degree as it sounds like you will have to retake everything if it will be 10 years or more since you last took them and are applying to PT school... I've known a couple PT's who started their careers in mid thirties, although they only had to complete and bachelors or a masters back them... you can DM me if you'd like to talk more about how I did this...

 

[rodzilla]

Hello everyone,

Looking for some advise here. I've read through few of the thread similar to my situation, but just want further advise. I will probably go to an advisor also at some point too.

Okay, first some background, I dropped out of college after about a little over year after starting due to some family/personal circumstances plus didn't know what I wanted to do. Afterwards, I worked at a pharmacy as a tech for total of 7 years added up between 2 place (retail), plus other jobs in between. It has been 10 years since I dropped out, and finally decided to go back to school. I am 100% sure I want to go into the career of physical therapy. I am now 28 almost 29, so if everything goes to plan possibly be done by 35-36.

I am wondering since I know I want to go into physical therapy is there a major I should aim for in finishing my undergrad?

What should I do to make myself more competitive among traditional students? I've started volunteer work at a hospital recently and in the process of finding PT to shadow.

Thanks you in advance!!

Non-trad here as well. I didn't drop out of college but I started as a freshman in my early thirties. Feel free to DM me if you need any advice.

As far as having dropped out--I wouldn't worry about how that might look on your transcripts. Just devote yourself wholly to your academics going forward and your performance will speak for itself come application time. I've known a few people who have made it into/through PT school with not-so-good looking undergrad transcripts, but good looking grades after they decided to get their respective ****s together 😉

I don't think that 'traditional' students have any real advantage over us 'non-trads'... if anything, we have the advantage with our life experiences and somewhat elevated level of maturity being things PT schools look for. All I am saying is being older isn't really a disadvantage. But for trad and non-trad students alike; forming great relationships with the people (profs, PT's, supervisors etc...) who will write your letters of recommendation will help immensely on your application. It helped me out, anyways. Start networking now and use your 'adultness' to your advantage.

For bachelor's degrees: If you're 100% committed to PT, take a look at the prereqs for the PT schools that you might want to go to and see if a degree in exercise science (Kinesiology) or a Biology degree will take care of most of those classes while you're at it. 2 birds with one stone.

Just lean into all of your classes and do your best and it will come together for you.

 

[kdubz7w7]

Hello everyone,

Looking for some advise here. I've read through few of the thread similar to my situation, but just want further advise. I will probably go to an advisor also at some point too.

Okay, first some background, I dropped out of college after about a little over year after starting due to some family/personal circumstances plus didn't know what I wanted to do. Afterwards, I worked at a pharmacy as a tech for total of 7 years added up between 2 place (retail), plus other jobs in between. It has been 10 years since I dropped out, and finally decided to go back to school. I am 100% sure I want to go into the career of physical therapy. I am now 28 almost 29, so if everything goes to plan possibly be done by 35-36.

I am wondering since I know I want to go into physical therapy is there a major I should aim for in finishing my undergrad?

What should I do to make myself more competitive among traditional students? I've started volunteer work at a hospital recently and in the process of finding PT to shadow.

Thanks you in advance!!

It really doesn't matter what your BS is in, but it would help if the degree contains the pre-reqs so that you don't have to take extra classes. Initially, in my class it seemed like the students with ex sci/kines backgrounds were grasping biomechanics/physiology better, and those of us with sports/fitness backgrounds grasp therex better. I don't think any particular BS helps you stand out more, but I do think some kind of movement science degree (ex sci/kines) will help you understand the material better.
It otherwise sounds like you are doing all the right things - volunteer work, getting your shadow hours in...I would also try to shadow in a variety of different facilities...get involved in leadership opportunities at your school...
I am also older non-trad, I get it. Good luck!

 

[ya1]

I am wondering since I know I want to go into physical therapy is there a major I should aim for in finishing my undergrad?

What should I do to make myself more competitive among traditional students? I've started volunteer work at a hospital recently and in the process of finding PT to shadow.

[/QUOTE]

Your major does not matter. You may want to see which major will cover most of pre-reqs for PT school to save yourself some time/money.
Does not matter if you are " traditional" student or not. To be competitive, you need good GPA (do above 3.5 if you can; if you cannot, keep as close to 3.5 as possible), try not to get Cs in pre-reqs.
Don/t waste too much time on volunteering work and extra curriculum. Schools mainly look at your GPA, GRE, minimum (or slightly above) requirement of observation hours, preferably at least 2 different settings - that's it. It's too early for you do observation hours since some schools may want you have observation hours completed within a few years from starting PT school, not 5 years ago.

 

[SATXDPT]

Choose a degree where you feel you will get the best grades and you won't have to take too many extra classes to meet the prerequisites. I would actually discourage you from majoring in Biology unless you are very sure you can handle the advanced biology courses and still get A's. Look into Kinesiology/Sports Exercise degrees or whatever subject you really love/do well at. It doesn't matter as long as you get the vast majority of your prerequisites completed by the time you apply.

 

[CC_NAU_DPT_2026]

Thanks for all the replies! I think I am leaning on Kinesiology, since it looks like it meets most school's prerequisites.

Oh dang, I didn't realize school want courses with 10 years period. Whelp, that's good to know. At least I don't have to retake math and eng I guess haha, no biggie I should still finish in 3ish year for undergrad... I think 🤔

Another question, regard of observation hours in the future... do schools look at volunteering as observation if you're volunteering at PT office? Or I would have to shadow outside of volunteering for it to count at observation?

 

[adpt09]

Thanks for all the replies! I think I am leaning on Kinesiology, since it looks like it meets most school's prerequisites.

Oh dang, I didn't realize school want courses with 10 years period. Whelp, that's good to know. At least I don't have to retake math and eng I guess haha, no biggie I should still finish in 3ish year for undergrad... I think 🤔

Another question, regard of observation hours in the future... do schools look at volunteering as observation if you're volunteering at PT office? Or I would have to shadow outside of volunteering for it to count at observation?

Typically volunteering counts towards your observational hours, but I would try to get some observations in, most times places you volunteer at as a student will give you observing and helping out on a 50/50 basis. Working as a PT aide will get you the needed hours as well.

 

[kdubz7w7]

Thanks for all the replies! I think I am leaning on Kinesiology, since it looks like it meets most school's prerequisites.

Oh dang, I didn't realize school want courses with 10 years period. Whelp, that's good to know. At least I don't have to retake math and eng I guess haha, no biggie I should still finish in 3ish year for undergrad... I think 🤔

Another question, regard of observation hours in the future... do schools look at volunteering as observation if you're volunteering at PT office? Or I would have to shadow outside of volunteering for it to count at observation?

Not sure, but some schools require the shadow hours to be a mix of IP/OP, or at least in more than 1-2 facilities. Even if you only grab 8-16 hours in a given place, at least they know you've seen different settings/types of patients/practices and that you're really exploring ALL of PT and not just the typical OP ortho setting. Also, depending on questions it might give you something more to talk about during interviews. Check requirements of the schools you are applying to so you don't suddenly find out you need to jam 80 hours of something in!

 

[ya1]

[Another question, regard of observation hours in the future... do schools look at volunteering as observation if you're volunteering at PT office? Or I would have to shadow outside of volunteering for it to count at observation?
[/QUOTE]

Observation, and shadowing, and volunteering are the same thing. You are observing as you are volunteering/shadowing. Some clinics will let you do some stuff for patients, others will not let you touch anything - it will still count as observation hours. As long as there is a PT who can verify your hours being there, you will be fine.