I'm new here and have some questions about PT as I'm very interested in the field. Although, I'll take any advice I can get I'd prefer experienced PT, PTA, students or anyone with experience in the field. I'm a freshman out of school due to reasons I won't bother to mention, however I plan on returning in the spring and changing my major from an A.S. in biotech to pta from Cuny KBCC after completing the degree I'd like to receive a B.S. in respiratory care from either Stony Brook or Upstate Medical University. The reason for this route is to obtain as thorough as an education about the human anatomy, physiology and kinesiology as possible as an undergrad student while standing out from the crowd and gaining experience, please check out and compare the curriculum for the programs at the schools listed and tell me which program is better and if either would properly preare me for PT school while giving me a leg up on other students applying it'd be greatly appreciated. I'm also curious as to what you think about how these schools DPT programs compare to each other (I chose public schools for financial reasons): Mayo Clinic, UCSF, University of South Carolina, University of Iowa, UConn, University of New Mexico and SBU. The last two schools are kind of last resort/backup if I'm not accepted into my top five as I don't really like their programs but it'll suffice, another dilemma I'm having is choosing whether to attend Mayo Clinic or UCSF (should I be accepted In the years to come) because both are renown world class institutes that provide top notch education and opportunities. However UCSF's curriculum seem to have an ideal focus on the neuromusculoskeletal system as oppose to just musculoskeletal or neuromuscular systems and offer a course is muscle and nerve biology which seems to be unique. Mayo on the other hand has superb didactic training, 3 courses that UCSF doesn't seem to offer: topics in complementary and alternative medicine, management of sports related injuries and management of complex medical conditions while having lower tuition and slightly better recognition. Mind you I've probably no idea what I'm talking about so please don't attack me though, I've read that all PT learn the same thing and take the same test so what institute you attend doesn't matter, though I disagree I'm unsure of my knowledge of the field and education received I do know that I what to be above and beyond the avg PT for the sake of my (future) patients and acquisition of knowledge so going to the best or one of the best schools is an integral part of my route to becoming an excellent PT. That is why I have another question, I plan on doing my residency in orthopedic physical therapy (or perhaps sports PT? Could someone discern a difference between them?) from where I'm unsure as of yet. I'm also unsure whether to get a fellowship in advanced orthopedic manual therapy or opt for certs in spinal manipulation therapy, dry needling and hand/wrist therapy (is there a cert for foot/ankle therapy?). Would it be possible for someone to list all the certs a PT could received from truly accredited organizations and tell me whether it'd be possible for any one PT to learn all manual therapy techniques? That about concludes my questions I'd like to thank everyone that contributes and I do apologize for the long essay and many questions and requests and have no qualms with anyone who refuses to go out of their way to help me as it is time consuming and nerve wracking, I'm looking forward to your responses. 👍
PT Noob
- Thread starter Mel G
- Start date
Wow. Not exactly sure where to start. And I'm probably not going to answer your specific questions, but rather give you general advice on the process...
Also, as a tip: Use the search feature on this forum to see if other people have asked similar questions.
Such as... Whether becoming a PTA gives you an advantage during the DPT application process. This discussion has taken place many many times here. And I think the general consensus is that if your ultimate goal is to become a PT, then you are wasting two years that could be better spent taking pre-reqs. Why not just go for your B.S. in a major that includes the PT pre-reqs?
If you take all the prerequisites, it doesn't matter what your major is and you won't really "stand out from the crowd." Although having a back up career as a respiratory therapist wouldn't be too bad. But majoring in respiratory care won't give you a more thorough education.
I think you are getting a little ahead of yourself. It's great that you are choosing schools that you may be interested in. But you're having a hard time choosing between which of your top two you'll attend? Slow your roll. I appreciate your confidence, but I think you should take a few pre-reqs, do some observing/shadowing, and talk to an advisor about your plan.
Here's the basic formula for being a pre-PT student: Get A's in the pre-reqs + Observe in several different settings + Make relationships with those PTs so you have awesome letters of recommendation + Do well on the GRE + Pick the right schools + Know why you want to be a PT.
You fail to mention that last one... Why have you decided to become a PT?
I think your first step should be getting some clinical observation hours.
Sorry for not looking into the curriculum of all the programs you are interested in.
ETA: It's much easier for others to read posts with breaks between paragraphs.
Also, as a tip: Use the search feature on this forum to see if other people have asked similar questions.
Such as... Whether becoming a PTA gives you an advantage during the DPT application process. This discussion has taken place many many times here. And I think the general consensus is that if your ultimate goal is to become a PT, then you are wasting two years that could be better spent taking pre-reqs. Why not just go for your B.S. in a major that includes the PT pre-reqs?
If you take all the prerequisites, it doesn't matter what your major is and you won't really "stand out from the crowd." Although having a back up career as a respiratory therapist wouldn't be too bad. But majoring in respiratory care won't give you a more thorough education.
I think you are getting a little ahead of yourself. It's great that you are choosing schools that you may be interested in. But you're having a hard time choosing between which of your top two you'll attend? Slow your roll. I appreciate your confidence, but I think you should take a few pre-reqs, do some observing/shadowing, and talk to an advisor about your plan.
Here's the basic formula for being a pre-PT student: Get A's in the pre-reqs + Observe in several different settings + Make relationships with those PTs so you have awesome letters of recommendation + Do well on the GRE + Pick the right schools + Know why you want to be a PT.
You fail to mention that last one... Why have you decided to become a PT?
I think your first step should be getting some clinical observation hours.
Sorry for not looking into the curriculum of all the programs you are interested in.
ETA: It's much easier for others to read posts with breaks between paragraphs.
I'm with Watson27, you're kind of jumping the gun on extra certifications and residencies. I would just add that a lot of the specific trainings you are talking about are things you can do after you pass the NPTE. Things like ASTYM, dry needling, Chinese cupping, spinal manipulation therapy, and massage can be further added to your credentials as "Continuing Education" which most employers have you do each year. I would focus more on getting your DPT, finish the residency, if that's what you're sure about, THEN add the others as you move along.
I first thought I would to prosthetic rehab/ortho, but now that I'm gearing up to start a program and have worked/observed in many different settings I'm leaning towards pediatrics. Like Watson27 said, you really should get out there and observe, do internships, or get a PT Aide position to get a realistic expectation on what each setting is like. It's really the only way to figure out what is going to interest you long term. It'll also give you extra motivation and focus to do well in the pre-req's.
I first thought I would to prosthetic rehab/ortho, but now that I'm gearing up to start a program and have worked/observed in many different settings I'm leaning towards pediatrics. Like Watson27 said, you really should get out there and observe, do internships, or get a PT Aide position to get a realistic expectation on what each setting is like. It's really the only way to figure out what is going to interest you long term. It'll also give you extra motivation and focus to do well in the pre-req's.
👍 👍👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍
OP, while we all appreciate your enthusiasm, I would suggest spending some time researching the realities of how becoming a PT works. You have a couple more years of undergrad before you have to apply. Start with the milk before the meat. You don't (and can't) decide as a freshman/sophomore in college that you are going to do a hand therapy fellowship, for example. Becoming a CHT is a major career-long commitment that requires a lot of education post-PT school, and you will not be in a position to make that decision until you are at least in PT school, if not already graduated. Same goes for all the other way-down-the-road specifics you've mentioned.
You're main purpose right now is to do the same thing everyone else has to do to get into PT school. Don't think you can outsmart the system. All those non-PT degrees/certifications are unnecessary, and you shouldn't necessarily count on ending up in a position to choose which of all those schools you want to go to. Becoming a PTA is largely a waste of time if you ultimately want to be a PT. Being a respiratory therapist won't really make you stand out much more than being an ASE certified mechanic or an experienced woodcarver would, and would probably just make it harder/longer to get all your PT pre-reqs done. Great GPA, GRE scores, PT volunteer/observation hours and LORs, along with a killer essay and a couple of long-term extracurric. activities thrown in are what will get you into PT school. That's what gets everyone else in, and it's what will get you in.
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You could also get some CE credits in craniosacral therapy, reflexology and magnet therapy while you're at it.
Alternatively, you could get some continuing education in something evidence-based that is actually know to improve patient outcomes. But that is a discussion for another thread on another day. 😎
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Yeah you guys are right, I'm kind in over my head just a bit excited thanks for the suggestions it's good to have a reality check, however Watson27 the pta program at kbcc would give me most of the prereqs (ha&p, psych, stats, and kine, + medical ethics and pathology which are highly recommended and clinical practicums are required for the major so I'd have the experience) bio, chem, and physics can be taken during the summer. PTpro you hit the mark on rt being a backup plan and I totally forgot about the NPTE the GRE I'm not too worried about but will definitely prepare myself for it. As for why I'd like to become as PT it's because I have a desire to learn about the human body on a systematic level, It's a more down to earth approach of providing medical care (and more effective in some cases) as opposed to just prescribing pharmaceuticals, much more practical in the real world compared to other majors, allow for autonomy, work-life balance and I could open my own clinic which is a definite highlight as I don't intend on being an employee for the rest of my career. Once again good looking out guys, anyone else?
Btw what extracurriculars would you recommend and what are LOR's? And knj27 that was definitely something I should've mentioned evidence-based certs aside from that my initial plan was to complete my major in biotech and transfer to sbu or umu clinical/med lab science program but that was before my interest in pt when I was still thinking mph in epidemiology I'd def have all pre reqs w/o wasting time, but I've no idea how I'd get an internship or be able to volunteer as a pt aide w/o any knowledge or experience in the field 
how'd you guys do it?
how'd you guys do it?I've gotten 2 jobs over the last few years as a PT Aide in both outpatient and acute care. Might as well get paid for the experience. The rest I just contacted a local hospital and SNF and told them I wanted to observe the PT's for school. It was pretty easy. None of them required me to have any experience. All on the job training.
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LORs = Letters of Recommendation
What extracurriculars? Whatever interests you. Leadership positions are a plus.
Contact PT clinics and ask them if you can volunteer or observe. Getting a job as an aide/tech not does require previous experience. Call sports/ortho clinics, hospitals, SNFs, etc.
Until you've had some experience and spoken with multiple PTs, I think you should hold off on making major career decisions. Just because the internet makes it seem really fun and easy to be a PT, doesn't mean it is.
What extracurriculars? Whatever interests you. Leadership positions are a plus.
Contact PT clinics and ask them if you can volunteer or observe. Getting a job as an aide/tech not does require previous experience. Call sports/ortho clinics, hospitals, SNFs, etc.
Until you've had some experience and spoken with multiple PTs, I think you should hold off on making major career decisions. Just because the internet makes it seem really fun and easy to be a PT, doesn't mean it is.
Once again OP, there is a ton of information out there to assist you in learning how go get in to PT school. For example, how to go about getting observation hours has been answered dozens of times on this forum alone. I can almost guarantee you that any question you have has been answered somewhere.
Also, if you could get Pat Sajak to sell you a few more periods to go along with your vowels, that would be very helpful. I'm not able to totally comprehend your posts if I'm honest.
Also, if you could get Pat Sajak to sell you a few more periods to go along with your vowels, that would be very helpful. I'm not able to totally comprehend your posts if I'm honest.
