Jimmie Said:

What's a good school for Physical Therapy and what major should you get as your under graduate degree?

We Answered:

To apply for school you need to check online for a list of PT schools. Check out www.apta.org for a list of schools. Then just look on the school websites and they will tell you how to apply.

The undergrad degree you have is up to you. It helps to have a good background in Anatomy, because if you have a good understanding of that it makes things much easier. But the stuff you learn is going to be new and most undergrad courses will not cover it. Some places have a Pre-Physical Therapy degree or an Exercise Science degree may help. But it my opinion it does not matter, just as long as you know how to study you will be fine.

Check out http://physicaltherapist.com/ they have a message board with some good information just for students.

Norman Said:

Is physical therapy school harder to get into than nursing school?

We Answered:

Mistify is correct. PT school is HARD to get into... I applied and was interviewed at two major PT schools and was denied -- all while having 2 years of history working at a PT clinic while in school PLUS having a science GPA of 3.4. And they aren't basic science courses they're looking at... they're looking at your final grades in courses such as physics, comparative A&P, animal physiology, etc. -- these are upper-division courses -- and those two classes alone were the most intellectually challenging courses I have ever taken. Although I earned B's in both courses (there were maybe 5 A's, 12 B's and the rest C's/D's out of about 50 people), if I had earned A's I might have gotten admitted. Plus, at the time of my interviews, it seemed as though EVERYbody was trying to get in.... very competitive. Great career choice, though... and almost all PT programs are going toward Master's degrees at present. Within the next 4-5 years, this will change to only PhD programs in PT.

Caroline Said:

Can I work during physical therapy school?

We Answered:

It's generally not recommended to work during PT school. I've seen students do it, but they are usually struggeling to survive.

Brad Said:

is it possible to enter physical therapy school with a 4 year nursing degree?

We Answered:

it's different for different areas and schools. the best way for you to find an accurate answer is to call the grad schools that you are considering and simply ask them. it may be easier for you in the long run if you choose to major in biology or something like that, but i imagine that nursing would require a lot of similar classes. also, you don't necessarily need more than four years of education to become a physical therapist's assistant, which could be an option for you unless you're interested in opening your own practice.

Calvin Said:

Would I be able transfer to a different physical therapy school if I have to move?

We Answered:

The problem is that each school teaches things in different orders. Everyone in the program start at one time and continue together until graduation. If you need to take a semester off you need to wait a who year to catch up. Each school also has a certain number of slots in the program so to take another person in an existing cohort is difficult. I would not suggest trying this. Most colleges have housing and you would be better staying were you are.

Chad Said:

Whats a good physical therapy school in the milwaukee area?

We Answered:

Well, the only one in Milwaukee is Marquette...a great school, but incredibly expensive. UW Madison...a little further away, but a great school and not so expensive.

Julie Said:

Can you finish physical therapy school while in the Air Force?

We Answered:

PT is full time including summers. IT would be almost impossible to be in the air force except for the reserves while in school. If you are interested in the army, the army has their own accredited PT school at Balyor University. You are paid to go to school and when finished I believe you serve for 5 years as an officer.

www.apta.org