Physical therapy question?

Question

Recently, i've decided that i want to major in physical therapy and i'm a senior in high school. I really was undecided up until yesterday until i did some research on physical therapy and how it's like and it's something that i'd want to do. Apparently, you need to be good in physics, calculus, chemistry, english, and a few other subjects and i have not done well in any of those fields in high school mostly because of laziness and teachers who doesn't really deserve to be teachers. Currently, i have a 3.02 gpa(on a scale of 4) and i was just wondering, how tough is it to get accepted into a physical therapy program? For my first year in college, i'm going to take the pre-requisite courses and work real hard to get a high gpa.

Update:

Also, after getting your bachelor's degree, can you immediately start looking for a job, or do you have to go to school for a few more years or take a test or something?

mistify · Accepted Answer

Your past high school performance shouldn't negatively affect your ability to go to PT school if you can make the grades in college...it's your college grades during the first four years of college that will be evaluated in order to get into PT school (unless you enter a guaranteed admit program, but that's another discussion in of itself).  

You do need to do well in general biology, chemistry, physics, and calc and statistics in college.  You'll also need psychology and various other general education credits.  You'll want to aim for a GPA of at least 3.5 in order to be a competitive applicant.  As you near completion of a bachelor's degree and the prerequisite courses, complete any required observation hours and take the GRE, you'll be eligible to apply to the graduate PT program.  The graduate phase is typically another 2.5-3 years.

Since the PT degree itself, is a graduate degree, you will not be able to be employed as a PT until after you complete this...it's a 6 or 7 year process including your undergraduate education. You'll also need to sit for a licensing exam.

creed · Answer

haha!! I HATED science in GS & HS;; you have to have the determination, good study habits, & confidence to get into the field;; anatomy & phys is what you should be concerned with, also, yeah, physics helps..you should learn how to take vitals (I've seen quite a few kids kicked out cuz they just couldn't do it);; you need volunteer work in the medical field, hopefully as a PT aide or in the PT dept of a facility;; it's highly competitive, so your grades do make a difference;; you need to have some money saved up as it's very difficult to do clinicals & work full time @ the same time...hope this helps, but it's definitely a field to consider...I LOVE IT!!!  good choice...hope to see ya out there someday...

rudette · Answer

there is important overlap in the two professions. As a generalization with many exceptions, actual scientific care in infants is directed at recuperating the function of vast muscular tissues in rehabilitation from strokes, fractures and injuries. additionally in infants with particular congenital neuromuscular abnormalities. Occupational scientific care is often directed to small muscular tissues in contact in the overall performance of particular initiatives. retaining a pencil, choosing up small gadgets with the palms, taking off a can, and so on. are yet some examples. i can't talk to salaries. PT now demands a PhD.

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Physical therapy question?

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