Which undergrad degrees are good for pre-DPT?

[Blueflower1]

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I posted my story here about a month ago with regards to switching from pharmacy to physical therapy. The big problem though is that I don't have an undergrad degree under my belt. If I were to transfer into human kinetics/exercise science, I would need to do 2 or 2 and a half more years to finish and then apply for a physical therapy program. My other option is to finish pharmacy (3 more years) and then apply to physical therapy. The 2 things that worry me about this option though is how I will be viewed by DPT schools having a pharm degree?and whether or not I can work my butt off maintaining a good enough GPA in pharmacy school. I have taken the required anatomy/physiology courses that are prereqs.
One employer I spoke to said that he believed it was a plus to have a pharmacy degree because most PT patients are on some kind of medication or various kinds and that schools would see that as a plus.
On the other hand though, I see that most physical therapist do in fact have an undergrad degree in a human kinetics related field. I am just scared that I will end up transferring, doing 2 and a half years and then not be able to get into a PT program and won't be able to do anything with a bachelor in exercise science. Whereas if I stay in pharm it will be around the same amount of time, but I'm afraid of what the consequences of a pharm degree will be🙁 I am stuck in a limbo and not sure what to do..any advice would be very appreciated!! Thanks in advance

 

[starrsgirl]

I would consider contacting a bunch of schools in your area and quite a few online schools and see which one will transfer the most credits. Then choose a degree that you can complete the fastest. I really like the online option for you bebatse usually you can finish classes quicker too as they run continuously. Just choose any degree that let's you finish the quickest. Business or poli sci.....something with fewest required classes to the degree and somewhat interesting so you do well. Your pre reqs are already done. It doesn't matter at all what you major in so doing the transfer quickly will save money and time.

 

[WarriorPT]

Undergraduate degree fields are largely irrelevant. Your pre-requisite GPA is more important. Having a pharm background will be helpful since medications are always a factor in our treatment plans. Good luck.

 

[DSPDPT]

@Blueflower1 Like WarriorPT said, GPA is more important. You should make sure that you have all the prerequisites before applying to PT school. From what you said, either choosing pharm or exercise science puts you in the same timeline of applying to PT school. My degree was in biology, and I went to medical school but switched to PT. I still got into a program with no issues.

 

[Blueflower1]

Many thanks for all of your replies!! I've completed the pre-reqs for PT and will now need to focus on my pharm courses so I can come out with a good gpa to apply to PT with and hopefully have a shot at it! DSPDPT, what made you switch out of medical school and go into PT? That's really interesting to me

 

[DSPDPT]

@Blueflower1 I was really focused on going to medical school and becoming a doctor my whole life. I did as much volunteering as I could, did all my shadowing, it was great. When I went to school , I loved learning everything about the human body. The work was tough, but manageable. The reason I left was because I didn't see myself becoming a doctor anymore. I didn't want to be in a profession that I wouldn't be enjoying in ten years time. PT was always interest of mine, so I applied last October when I got back from med school (I left mid-semester) and got into a school last month. I enjoy it much more than medicine. A few people see it as a big mistake dropping out from medical school, but I'm happy with my choice and excited to become a PT.

 

[NewTestament]

@Blueflower1A few people see it as a big mistake dropping out from medical school, but I'm happy with my choice and excited to become a PT.

How much tuition did you forfeit? What are you going to do with all that extra debt?

 

[makingthejump]

@Blueflower1 I was really focused on going to medical school and becoming a doctor my whole life. I did as much volunteering as I could, did all my shadowing, it was great. When I went to school , I loved learning everything about the human body. The work was tough, but manageable. The reason I left was because I didn't see myself becoming a doctor anymore. I didn't want to be in a profession that I wouldn't be enjoying in ten years time. PT was always interest of mine, so I applied last October when I got back from med school (I left mid-semester) and got into a school last month. I enjoy it much more than medicine. A few people see it as a big mistake dropping out from medical school, but I'm happy with my choice and excited to become a PT.

Wow, that's a bold move. I'm in the reverse shoes of you and hoping it works out. You sound intelligent and might have trouble dealing with some of the fluff that goes on. Can you elaborate on your motives? and how you plan on paying back massive debt from switching routes?

 

[DSPDPT]

@NewTestament Actually its not that much debt, I left in my first year, halfway through, so my tuition for the first semester was prorated. I figured I would get out as soon as I could without accruing too much debt. I made it out with only about six grand to pay back, so its definitely manageable.

@makingthejump If medicine is for you then go for it! It's a great profession. However, medicine is a longterm commitment, as with many health professions. I didn't want to be spending my late twenties-thirties working long hours, trying to split time between work and family life that I would want to have at that age. I'm only 22 now, and it may seem a little preemptive to have made plans for something 10 years down the road. Many doctors are able to do that, but I just didn't see myself being happy doing that. But I am happy with my decision, and don't regret leaving school. My advice would be to really make sure that medicine is what you want to do, and being a doctor is your calling. You really want to make sure you know why you want to be a doctor, its a long term school commitment with 4 year schooling, intern and residency years. I know a lot of medical students, like myself at one point, do question why they're in school especially when it gets tough. I never had an issue with the workload, its doable, you just need to be able to manage your time efficiently. The best to learn material for medical school in my experience is to teach it to your friends.
Lastly, you want to make sure you have a good support system, be it family, significant others, or friends in your class. You can't tackle medical school alone. So good luck in medical school! You can always message me if you have any questions concerning medical school.