Switching to exercise major instead of biology to be a physical therapist?

[mattspyro]

I am a atypical student as I dual-enrolled in high school and had 30 credits before graduating. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I went from a chem major to bio major and now am strongly considering DPT school. (technically I will be a senior by credits in the fall) I still have to finish organic chem prereqs and bio 3 then I will just have 29 upper level credits until I would graduate with a Biology degree. Currently my GPA is a 3.70.

I know I still have the hardest courses to go such as genetics and molecular biology. I am concerned they will bring down my GPA, as it sounds it is VERY important when applying to PT school.

I have talked to some people who think that biology has nothing to do with PT and I should do something like exercise science. I am really interested in that as well, but my original thought was that bio gave me an advantage over all of the exercise science majors. I am second guessing my decision and feel like I am doing the wrong thing.

I'm hoping I will be able to volunteer at some PT offices soon to really see if I enjoy the field.

Lastly, I am also working on a finance minor as I feel it is beneficial in anything that I will do, especially in a private PT practice. At least that's what I hope...

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[Azimuthal]

It doesn't matter what your undergrad degree is in. Personally I think your bio degree is more beneficial should you decide that you want to pursue another career route. The finance minor is a smart move. Stick with that you got. And should you find yourself applying to PT school in the future, the program that picks you up will teach you everything you need to know.

 

[mattspyro]

I appreciate the response.

That is why I chose the bio degree because I think it opens more doors for me in the future. I have just been really second guessing myself as I have had a few people tell me "a bio degree is stupid if you want to go into PT." Biology has peaked my interests and the finance classes have been just as intriguing. I just NEED to keep my GPA up.

 

[portlandpt]

Biology is a great undergraduate degree for getting into PT school!!! You have a good GPA so continue to study hard this year.
Also, like the other person said, bio sets you up nicely for all medical careers (MD to RN to DPT to PA). Since you haven't even volunteered at a PT clinic, it would be silly to decide the DPT route already. Keep those doors open 🙂

PS: genetics was my favorite course. Mind blowing

 

[NewTestament]

Bio is a versatile major. You can do anything with it and it will give you the most options when you start to apply for grad school. Bio itself is not worth much unless you specialize in biochemistry or genetics. Once you complete your bio degree, you will have all your prerequisites satisfied.

 

[okramango]

I agree that a bio degree is a great idea for a PT applicant, and will be flexible if you change your mind, too. In fact biology is the second most popular degree among accepted PT school applicants through PTCAS. Check out this PTCAS report of the 2012-13 application cycle. It shows the most popular majors on pg. 31:
http://www.ptcas.org/uploadedFiles/PTCASorg/About_PTCAS/PTCASApplicantDataRpt.pdf

 

[southernswimmer]

Major in biology if that's what you enjoy. Don't let anyone convince you differently. My school doesn't have an exercise science program, but I know people from the biology, bioengineering, food science, and psychology programs who are currently in PT school. I personally am an animal science major who will be applying to PT school this round. I get plenty of confused looks from people when I tell them I want a DPT and not a DVM. 🙂 However, I feel like the "difficult" science classes I've taken such as organic, biochem, genetics, etc. have given me a better understanding of how the human body functions beyond the gross anatomy and physiology standpoint.

Keep up the hard work and definitely get some shadowing hours! Those are what finally convinced me to go the DPT route.

 

[tkuczek2]

Hey, my name is Tom. I am currently a Kinesiology/Pre-PT major at UIC in downtown Chicago, Illinois. The PT that I observe was a Bio major and I've heard nothing but GREAT reviews from his choice and he has not regret his choice at all ever. The thing is.. he even saw it as an advantage as it helped him fully understand more and on a deeper level in classes that are anatomy-based. I think you chose a great route personally as it's a very common choice (and this was told by my PT, as well). Have no regrets, man! Stick with it. I truly feel Biology is a very diverse field and it'll help you in the long run, especially due to all the different classes that arguably are needed to know, or are good to know in relation to the body, its movements, etc.

My actual question, however, is about something I read in your post and I was really, really interested in. I, too, am looking for a minor. I am currently debating between along the lines of Psychology or Human Disability and Human Development, orrrrrrrrrrrrrr... I gear towards the business route and go into Managerial Skills or Finance like you said. Why am I asking you this? Well, why exactly did you choose Finance? What benefits do you see? I am interested in it, but just looking for another opinion from someone who has had the same thought as me, but you on the other hand, had made the decision official.

 

[tb1065]

Hey, my name is Tom. I am currently a Kinesiology/Pre-PT major at UIC in downtown Chicago, Illinois. The PT that I observe was a Bio major and I've heard nothing but GREAT reviews from his choice and he has not regret his choice at all ever. The thing is.. he even saw it as an advantage as it helped him fully understand more and on a deeper level in classes that are anatomy-based. I think you chose a great route personally as it's a very common choice (and this was told by my PT, as well). Have no regrets, man! Stick with it. I truly feel Biology is a very diverse field and it'll help you in the long run, especially due to all the different classes that arguably are needed to know, or are good to know in relation to the body, its movements, etc.

My actual question, however, is about something I read in your post and I was really, really interested in. I, too, am looking for a minor. I am currently debating between along the lines of Psychology or Human Disability and Human Development, orrrrrrrrrrrrrr... I gear towards the business route and go into Managerial Skills or Finance like you said. Why am I asking you this? Well, why exactly did you choose Finance? What benefits do you see? I am interested in it, but just looking for another opinion from someone who has had the same thought as me, but you on the other hand, had made the decision official.

I was a finance major at Uconn School of Business. If you are looking into a business minor/ certificate, you might also want to consider taking classes in entrepreneurship as they are geared toward staring and maintaining your own business which could be incredibly beneficial if/when you start you own practice. I felt that most of the other business departments focus on skills that primarily prepare you to work in a corporate setting (working for someone rather than running your own business) however, they are still great skills to take with you regardless of where you end up.

 

[tkuczek2]

I was a finance major at Uconn School of Business. If you are looking into a business minor/ certificate, you might also want to consider taking classes in entrepreneurship as they are geared toward staring and maintaining your own business which could be incredibly beneficial if/when you start you own practice. I felt that most of the other business departments focus on skills that primarily prepare you to work in a corporate setting (working for someone rather than running your own business) however, they are still great skills to take with you regardless of where you end up.

Thank you for the honest opinion and words of advice. I'll keep that in mind because I like your thinking and agree with it 100% on the dot.

 

[moonflowerdust]

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