Take Awesome Job or Wait for the Waitlists?

[Seatown87]

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I am currently on 3 different waitlists but have been offered a job teaching English in Thailand. I am torn between waiting around to possibly get into school or taking the job and reapplying next year. The greatest weakness in my application is a few science grades which I would be able to retake while in Thailand, making my application more competitive and possibly allowing me a choice of schools next year.

My main question for other applicants and current PTs is would this choice reflect poorly on my desire to be a PT? And how willing are schools to have interviews over the phone or Skype?

Thanks.

 

[Prsvranc10acity]

Where are you on the waitlists? Do students with similar stats get accepted into the programs you applied to? If you don't have a great shot, I would go to Thailand. I think traveling abroad can improve your application (aside from retaking science courses). PT programs look for well-rounded applicants and traveling abroad gives you a more worldly perspective. Personally, I was rejected from the programs I applied to the first time around, but I took the opportunity to backpack across Europe. I can tell you that it was a life-changing experience and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to do so. Some of the programs I applied to even asked, "what experience(s) do you have interacting with different cultures" and I was able to use my experiences abroad to answer those types of questions.

YOLO

 

[DancerFutureDPT]

Be careful about retaking science courses in Thailand...they may not transfer. I'd check with the schools you're looking at.

Back to your question - I know people who have taught English in Japan and China and they loved it. It'd be a cool experience. But I would contact the schools where you're waitlisted to see where you are on the waitlist. I don't know if I would tell them the situation, because they may factor that into their decision, but at least find out if you're in a feasible place to get accepted.

When do you have to accept the Thailand job? Can you wait it out a bit longer?

 

[Seatown87]

As far as classes go I would be taking them online from a college in the US.

I have asked 2 of the schools about where I am on the waitlist but they don't rank and can't say where I am. The simply re evaluate all the applicants when a spot opens up. As for the other school I am "near the top" but they have had 28 applicants submit deposits for 24 spots. So even for #1 to be accepted 5 people have to drop.

Unfortunately I have to notify the school in Thailand rather soon (within 2 weeks) as their school starts in May.... It would be unfortunate to go when I might have been accepted but worse to not go and not get accepted. I feel like having an experience like that under my belt as well as improving my GPA would really strengthen my app for the next cycle. Its a tough decision either way...

 

[stopitmarcy]

i would TOTALLY go to Thailand. It sounds like a once in a lifetime opportunity and school will always be there. Who knows. This experience may make you rethink about A LOT of things... even PT. Or like what someone else has mentioned, it will strengthen your application for next cycle. Thailand is super cheap and there is so much to do!! It would be so fun!

 

[Julie S]

Take this amazing opportunity! There won't really be a lot of time after you graduate PT school to do this traveling stuff. I think I might have taken it even if you did get in. That sounds awesome.

 

[meredithpd]

I'd be careful with this one... teaching in places like Japan or Taiwan is reputable, but Thailand has a reputation of being where partiers go. I have a friend who did that, and he's been having trouble getting jobs/getting in to grad school since he came back. I think if you put a professional tone to it on all your apps and only spend one year there, it will make you look well-rounded.