Research Assistant and PT School

[Mayomi]

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So I am in my senior year and for my last semester we must complete an internship to graduate. I have a choice between 2 sites, both of which are affiliated with the DPT school at my school. I'm having a hard time choosing which one to do. One is at a PT clinic where I would be working with PT's who teach at the DPT school. The other is a research position, working in a PT lab with a PT who also teaches at the school. Which do you think would look better on an application? Having working as a research assistant in physical therapy or working at at a clinic (as an aid/personal trainer for those that graduate from PT)

My thought process is that all applications will have experience in a clinic through observation and mine wouldn't be any different but the added research experience might be good to have. What do you guys think?

 

[ptisfun2]

So I am in my senior year and for my last semester we must complete an internship to graduate. I have a choice between 2 sites, both of which are affiliated with the DPT school at my school. I'm having a hard time choosing which one to do. One is at a PT clinic where I would be working with PT's who teach at the DPT school. The other is a research position, working in a PT lab with a PT who also teaches at the school. Which do you think would look better on an application? Having working as a research assistant in physical therapy or working at at a clinic (as an aid/personal trainer for those that graduate from PT)

My thought process is that all applications will have experience in a clinic through observation and mine wouldn't be any different but the added research experience might be good to have. What do you guys think?

I know when I interview applicants I like to see research experience and spend a lot of time in the interview talking about their work with the applicant. But I am not only interviewing for PT students, but also for students to work as RA with me while they are in PT school (for tuition). I think it does set you apart, and you are contributing at a higher level then a tech in my opinion. All PT applicants have hours in a clinic, and those experiences are all pretty much identical during the interview...not something I focus on at all during interviews. I want to make sure you know HOW to THINK, and that you are prepared for GRADUATE level work. The fact you can teach someone exercises and apply an e-stim machine? Well not terribly important to me; I can teach just about anyone that. But can you understand WHY you are doing these things? That is graduate level and what we should be focusing on with a DPT.
But I am one faculty member at one PT school, so probably really is a crap shoot (we ask people for interviews based only on overall GPA and GRE).

 

[Phyline]

but also for students to work as RA with me while they are in PT school (for tuition)

This is amazing and you're doing an amazing thing. So many DPT programs say "we do not provide any work opportunities for students during the course of study", especially assistantships.

 

[ptisfun2]

This is amazing and you're doing an amazing thing. So many DPT programs say "we do not provide any work opportunities for students during the course of study", especially assistantships.

Oh well we only have about 15 or so total a year, so sadly not enough. But any little bit helps I suppose. But I work them hard 🙂, but so far all of my students have come out with a first author publication. So that is cool for them.

 

[tcpt]

So I am in my senior year and for my last semester we must complete an internship to graduate. I have a choice between 2 sites, both of which are affiliated with the DPT school at my school. I'm having a hard time choosing which one to do. One is at a PT clinic where I would be working with PT's who teach at the DPT school. The other is a research position, working in a PT lab with a PT who also teaches at the school. Which do you think would look better on an application? Having working as a research assistant in physical therapy or working at at a clinic (as an aid/personal trainer for those that graduate from PT)

My thought process is that all applications will have experience in a clinic through observation and mine wouldn't be any different but the added research experience might be good to have. What do you guys think?

I would encourage you to take the research position. Research experience amongst applicants is relatively rare and can boost your application--make you stand out. The clinical experience is a prerequisite so you'll need that additionally, however, the research experience opportunity with a faculty member is a gem. Take it. Good luck!

 

[Mayomi]

I would encourage you to take the research position. Research experience amongst applicants is relatively rare and can boost your application--make you stand out. The clinical experience is a prerequisite so you'll need that additionally, however, the research experience opportunity with a faculty member is a gem. Take it. Good luck!

My thoughts exactly. Thank you all for your input!

 

[ldrp]

Go with research! Whichever you choose (pt aide or research assistant), strive to be an integral member of that team. I've worked in two research labs (exercise physiology and neuroscience) as an undergraduate and published three times (one of which I'm a first author). My point is, many students participate in research and are content with collecting data. Be as involved as much as possible, show you care, and you might land a publication! It shows you are dedicated and are able to think critically. Being able to tell an interviewer (regardless of PT, MD, dental.. etc) what you've learned, accomplished, and the significance of your research is much more powerful than telling them you collected data through so and so techniques. Good luck!