PT Interview Help

[idstudent]

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I am planning to go to PT school next fall. I have two interviews coming up and I am very nervous and unsure of how to prepare. Any tips?? Also, I know I need to know about current issues in the PT field, what should I be looking for and where can I find this kind of info?

 

[truthseeker]

I am planning to go to PT school next fall. I have two interviews coming up and I am very nervous and unsure of how to prepare. Any tips?? Also, I know I need to know about current issues in the PT field, what should I be looking for and where can I find this kind of info?

I am a PT. Go to the APTA website (APTA.org.) and surf. Also, talk to your local PT or someone who you have shadowed. They will be able to discuss with you more easily the issues.
issues that are hot now:
DPT
autonomous practice
direct access for medicare
depending on your state direct access in the state practice acts
physician-owned PT practices (POPT)
medicare therapy cap moritorium

Good luck!

PS I was reading another post in this forum and was wondering what your GPA is. If you don't mind, the comparison between yours and the potential DC student might be interesting. His/hers is in the "75%" range which to me is a C+ or about a 2.5/4. Just curious.

 

[uhapt]

I'm a PT student MS1. I think the post above was right on with the issues in PT right know (we actually have discussed and were tested on them). I never actually had to go through a formal interview but when I entered my grad. program, my ACCE discussed issues of time managements, what I thought this career was all about, my goals in this program and regular logistical questions. Be confident and focused, you'll do just fine 🙂
This program is alot of work, I attend the university of hartford, a wonderful program, very research and evidence-based driven, and I must say its alot of work, personally it feels like I've learned more in the last 3 semester than I did my entire scholastic career.

I can't spell!

 

[idstudent]

Thank you both for your advice! I have looked some on the APTA website but have been having some trouble because I am not a member and many things require a password? I have read quite a bit about the direct access issue, but I never really got the background on it. Is this something, legislation, that is relatively new or has this been going on for some time? Also, I was wondering if those of you in PT are happy with where you are? I think PT will be a great and rewarding career, one which I am very excited about becoming a part of. However, I can't help but get a negative vibe from some of the other threads about PT. Thoughts??
P.S. My GPA is a 3.6 out of 4. Thanks!!

 

[Skialta]

Take what you read hear with a grain of salt, most of the PTs here are going to medical school or are residents. We are probably a little biased. PT is a great field for the majority of the people who go into it. I would say that those that have gone back for another degree are in the minority. Just curious, are you from Idaho?

 

[idstudent]

Take what you read hear with a grain of salt, most of the PTs here are going to medical school or are residents. We are probably a little biased. PT is a great field for the majority of the people who go into it. I would say that those that have gone back for another degree are in the minority. Just curious, are you from Idaho?

Thanks, that makes me feel better! All the PTs I have worked with seemed very happy in their jobs and I was wondering why all the negativity. And yes, I am from Idaho 🙂 Just curious are you from wyoming

 

[idstudent]

I had another question about my upcoming interviews. I would imagine that they are at one point going to ask me if I have any questions for them. What kind of questions should I be asking?????? I have researched the schools pretty well and I don't want to ask questions that I really should know already. So, any suggestions about questions that are appropriate for me to ask my interviewers??

 

[Skialta]

If it is a DPT program I would ask them what justifies the added time vs a Masters degree in PT. Ask them how their program is going to benefit you in the future vs other schools you have applied to. Another question you could ask is what their pass rate is on the board exam. You could also inquire about student involvement in research. One last question I would ask is "Knowing what you know now, if you were in my position would you still choose PT?" Good Luck.

Skialta

 

[delicatefade]

Direct access is an issue that has been going on for years. It varies from state to state, however, so you may want to be especially up on direct access legislation in the state where your school is located (if it is a public school) or perhaps the state in which you want to practice. For instance, California has had direct access for some time now. Virginia legislature just passed a limited form of direct access recently.