Pre-Reqs - Considering PT as 2nd career.

[ecsekki]

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I have graduated from college in 2008 and worked in my current career for about 3 years. Long story short, I dislike my career a lot, and stumbled upon PT while getting treatment for myself. I have been considering switching to a PT career, but I will need a few pre-req's completed before I apply to a DPT.

My questions are:
1) Is taking community college courses for bio, chem, A&P a disadvantage than taking it at a regular university?
2) Will having a bachelors in business greatly decrease my chances in applying for DPT?

I wanted to know what my chances are getting into a DPT before enrolling and trying to switch career paths for sure. I have 3.5 GPA from undergrad, and I'm not too nervous about the GRE's as I usually do well academically (not to be cocky).

 

[CherokeeWahine]

Hi! 🙂

Answer #1: Community college courses are not frowned upon by most PT schools. Check with each school you're applying to and find out if they accept CC courses (most do). If you check out PTCAS's website under PT requirements by school, you'll get a list of the prerequisites required for each program and whether or not they accept CC courses, or if courses must be completed from a 4-year university.

Answer #2: Most DPT programs do not have any preference for a particular major. It should not matter what you majored in, as long as you have completed the prerequisites. So having a degree in business should not affect you at all.

Just make sure you check with each program you're applying to and find out the specific prereq's required for that program. Most schools require the same types of classes (chem, bio, anat/physio, physics, stats, psych).

Also, the new GRE is much more test-taker friendly than the former GRE, and if you're good at standardized exams, you shouldn't have a problem with it.

 

[SingingPT]

I have already applied to schools for DPT after graduating in Music Theatre. I took a few of the pre-reqs in my free time at school, but, overall I had very few when I graduated. I was extremely unhappy as an actor, and after hearing my loved ones speak on how great physical therapy was for them, I looked into PT for myself, and loved medicine and the body in high school. So, I applied to work as a PT Aide in a local office, and started taking classes online. And, yes, they were online from community colleges. I couldn't afford to take them anywhere else, in fact I tried and broke my budget completely. The online option allowed for me to work full-time in the office to get hands-on experience.
What I found when applying was that most of the schools just wanted the classes to be accredited. Check with the community college on their website to see if they are accredited. It's pretty simple, or just give them a call and ask. They will be a member of some regional accreditation service, like Midwestern, etc...The schools will take them, and of course they may weigh them differently, and dock a few points for not getting the pre-reqs at a "competitive" school, but if the grades are good, you should be fine. Really. Just trust me on that. I've had a few nights where I thought I was wasting my time at a CC, but other PT students who I have talked to did the same thing I did.
As far as the degree goes, I can honestly say I found NOTHING on the application processes that even mentions favoring a major with science related study. Will that degree make your study in the DPT program easier? Of course! But, will it determine whether you get in? Not really. Have good grades, observe to see if you like the field (observe not just from the patient's point of view, but from the work side. You will definitely find out if it's as romantic as it seems from the patient's perspective. Hint: it's not very glamorous at all, in a good way though. I freaking love it), and be well-rounded and involved. Don't apologize for your background, just come to the field with energy, hunger, and good spirit. You can't change your past, and just say that your business background will come in handy if you want to open or operate your own clinic someday. Why not use your background to your advantage?

Good luck dude. Even though I haven't even started school, changing my career to the PT path was one of the best decisions I have ever made. You're still young, so be happy with your career path.

 

[matzomg]

i noticed, in looking at requirements for many many PT schools, some schools only accept core science classes from a 4 year university and make it known that CC classes such as anatomy, physiology, higher bio courses, physics, etc. won't be accepted. Other schools, however, don't care. i spend a lot of time reading prereqs and requirements from school websites so take a look.

and for your major, i don't feel it will greatly negatively affect you. but i would imagine that having a science related major will help.

 

[ecsekki]

Thanks for all the responses. I actually called one of the local universities offering the DPT and they told me that CC classes doesnt matter and that my major brings diversity to the program which they like. I actually enrolled into my bio courses, so next step I need to shadow a few people. But I'm loving the fact that I'm taking steps after 3 years of being miserable haha.

 

[GAJID]

I'm in almost the exact same boat as you. Took me 5 years to figure out instead of 3 though. Just gave my two weeks notice at work a few days back and classes start for my pre-reqs on the 23rd. I am so excited to be ditching the cubicle and going back to school, such an amazing feeling!

 

[markelmarcel]

I, too, was miserable with my "career" and after 3 years of being out, I went back to school for my pre-reqs and now I'm in my first semester.

Good luck and cheers to a new, happier life!