r/PTschool

Prior to starting my program last year I had a MSK LE injury that required surgery. I disclosed my injury and straight up asked if my rehab will interfere with the DPT program. It would have sucked, but I understood that I’d rather ask the awkward question than blow 20K on a semesters worth of tuition only to get deferred or dropped. They said no worries you will be accommodated and good to go.

Fast forward to last October I was told to get full clearance by said date or I’d get kicked. I managed to convince my surgeon to give me clearance. Since then there have been a bunch of retaliatory and subjective punishments against me, saying my communication regarding my temporary disability was unprofessional, culminating in getting “a warning.” I cannot get put on non-academic probation as that would fuck with my rotations this summer. I consulted with my buddy who is a lawyer and said I might have at least 3 causes of action, particularly for violation of the disability act. I’ve kept records of all emails and interactions with faculty.

Some people in academia have a weird amount of power and I’m unsure if I should go to the dean with this prior to threatening with litigation if they don’t leave me alone. I’ve been so shocked with the lack of empathy and accommodation from an institution that should be championing empathy and sympathy for those in rehab. Has anyone else gone thru something similar?

Let me start this off with I have no knowledge or very very little of PT. However, my friend is going through PT school currently. He’s really smart and is doing really good. But he’s also easy to ragebait.

That being said, I love to mess with him. So I am asking all of you (the almighty knowledge having ones) to comment your best lines I could say that would really upset or baffle him. I’m looking forward to some good stuff

How realistic is starting your own cash pay business 1-2 years after graduation? I’m going into my third year of PT school and really want to make a difference in quality care without being tied to insurance. Anyone that has had success/failure/other, please comment.

We built a 2-year track at our insurance-based clinic specifically designed to help you eventually leave and open your own clinic. Here's the structure.

I own a sports PT clinic in Huntersville, NC. I've watched this community debate the mill problem, the cash-pay dream, and the new grad experience gap for a while now. So I want to share what we built and see if it resonates with anyone here.

Most new grads want cash-pay autonomy but don't have the clinical volume or business knowledge to make it work yet. We're not pretending otherwise. So instead of hiring someone and hoping they figure it out, we built a structured 2-year track.

Year 1 is clinical. You'll learn The PRO Method (our criteria-based framework), build your eval confidence, and get real reps with ortho and sports cases.

Year 2 is business. How to market yourself. How to build a caseload. How to actually run a PT practice when you're ready.

We expect you to leave after 2 years. It's built into the model.

The basics:

• Title: Physical Therapist
• Location: Huntersville, NC (20 min north of Charlotte)
• Compensation: $70,000–$90,000
• Setting: Outpatient ortho/sports

Not for everyone. But if you're 1–3 years out and feel like you're not getting the mentorship or development you were promised — this might be worth a look.

Happy to answer questions in the comments.

Any new grads feel like this? I went to a newly formed hybrid cohort that severely undereducated me compared to other new grads I have talked to. No formal education on how to do an objective exam by joint, no special tests, no cadaver anatomy training. If you had a background as a tech/aide then you had an idea of what was going on but most were clueless. Our NPTE pass rate was <60% at least. Questions went unanswered, we were just thrown into breakout rooms where most people didn’t participate. We spent our in-time class time doing OSCEs most people failed and had to “remediate” with their chosen friends. It was a joke.

I was accepted into a few schools but I've now narrowed it down to two. And I can't really decide what the better option is.
School 1
In state, nationally ranked in the top 50.
Cost 128k,
Pass rate 91% first time 99% overall
Neuro heavy, and students take classes with other programs at the school. Connection to major medical school.
Unclear on how research works within the program.
Older program with more faculty, but possibly less funding than other programs.

School 2
Out of state, nationally ranked top 120.
Cost 138k
Pass rate 93% first time 100% overall
Ortho and generalist focus, classes are only within the cohort.
Research guaranteed and integrated in the program.
Newer program, lots of funding but less connections to other medical programs.

Cost should be your #1 priority, but first-time pass rate should be your #2 when choosing a school. The NPTE is a big, hard exam that costs a lot of money. You can only take it 6 times. You're paying a lot of money for PT school, so they should be preparing you well.

Don't go to just any school that accepts you. Keep an eye on the pass rate, and only go to schools with at least >85% first time pass rate. >90% is better.

Whatever you do, don't choose Concordia in Ann Arbor

Starting to work on my essay and I want to talk about the reason I became interested in the field but I worry if it sounds too “selfish” of a reason. Part of why I want to become a physical therapist is to be able to help myself and my family especially since my family will avoid doctors as much as possible due to costs. We’ve been working in the restaurant industry since early teens and my dad has even shattered his wrist before so we have all sorts of aches and pains that I hope I can help with as we get older. I of course also want to help people in general, always liking non invasive treatment options in healthcare and educating people, but would mentioning this motivation seem too selfish or am I just overthinking things.

How do you handle asking for one day off during clinical rotation? I have had perfect attendance during class except for the super rare one time I was sick, so I was 5 mins late to class while I decided to wear a mask and come anyways.

Our school has a “do not ask for a day off policy.”

I made plans to go out of town on a Friday a year ago, everything has been paid for and booked already.

In the real world, this would be no biggie.

How do I express I just need one day off? I am happy to make it up!

Or! Do I just text in that morning that I am sick and cannot make it in? I hate the idea of dishonesty, but I really do not want to forfeit this trip.

I’m nearly a straight A student by the way and I put in a ton of work and I know it has to show that I care a lot.

Thank you!

Unfortunately PT aide’s weren’t really an open spot around me this year. Do you guys know if it’s worthwhile on a application resume to work somewhere else in the health field? Should I be getting an LNA certification or something? Jr going into sr year of undergrad.

Thanks.

PT students and Future PT students. I was wondering if we could have a discussion of the things you are looking for in programs or what lead you to the program you were in.

For me it was inter-professional collaboration and having simulation labs to do every year to get practice in. Any other things that led you to the program or that you are looking for in a program?

Hello! I'll be entering the first year of a DPT program this fall, and found out I'm pregnant. The due date will be right after first semester finals finish, with about three and a half weeks before the next semester. I have very supportive family and friends and my husband will take off a few months when I start my second semester.

Do people have thoughts on whether I can make it work? Has anyone gone through a similar experience and can share thoughts?

If anyone has any words or advice please let me know. I got my dog about 6 months ago impulsively which is very silly ik. But I start PT school in August and my schedule is M-F 8am-5pm and I’m just wondering if anyone is in PT school and has something similar.

He’s a younger dog he’s about 1.5-2 years old and 75lbs lol. A little mischievous but overall a good dog. I’m curious how people handle their dogs or what they do. I have a traditional program so I’m going to be gone and I’m having a hard time deciding if I’ll be okay getting through it with him or if I’m better off finding a different home for him. Mind you me and him are very bonded so that is why this is so difficult so if anyone has any words please let me know

Hey everyone, I’m applying during the upcoming PT cycle (2026-2027). Most of the schools I’m applying to are rolling admissions, and I understand that it is important to apply early because of this. At the same time, I still have a biology course to take this summer as well as physics 1 & 2 in the fall and spring.

My question is, should I be more concerned about applying as early as possible even without finishing the bio class? And does “early” just mean before the priority deadline? Any help is appreciated!

I know I am only a high school student but my goal is to get my undergrad in kinesiology and then later get a DPT. I’ve been doing some research about the DPT/PhD programs. If anyone did that, let me know what your experience was compared to if you were just to go to DPT school. If you were a PT major, what job did you have? What job would be beneficial for me in high school going into this career field? What should I be focusing on in high school to go down this path as easy as possible?

Hello PT people, I am a nurse who knows nothing about PT school, and I am seeking your advice.

My boyfriend is about to finish his undergrad this month and started applying to PT schools, probably around November. It is now May, and he has STILL NOT GOTTEN INTO ANYWHERE? From what little I know, PT school is competitive (his GPA isn't stellar either, but not horrid), so that is fair. However, he has told me he is on the waitlist for other programs, and there is still a chance he could get into the school near where I live. When I research this, I am getting mixed results. Is he lying to me? I know he applied to several schools but has heard nothing yet.... If anyone could educate or give me some answers, you would help out with my anxiety a lot. Thank you!

I found out today I passed the NPTE… this was my 5th attempt. It was an excruciatingly long process of studying and taking practice tests to continue seeing “failed” and “did not pass” those previous attempts.

To those of you who did not get the results you hoped (or planned) for today, I say this… Keep grinding. Do NOT give up. It will all be worth it. I promise. I’ve been there. The joy you will feel and the knowledge you will gain from an additional 3 months (or 15 months in my case) studying is unlimited.

If you need to talk or need advice from a repeat test taker, message me. I’m always open to share my experience and help as I can.

Hello! Acute care PTA here! I came across a post from Johns Hopkins PMR about their “Certification in Acute Rehabilitation Excellence- ICU”. I have a strong passion for ICU rehab and would love to dive deeper into it while also continuing my professional development. Has anyone taken this course? There is a virtual option as well as virtual + in person competency version which is twice as much cost. Wondering if it would be worth it to do the in person for a cool hands on experience or if it would be a “waste” and to just do the virtual option!

Any insight would be helpful! If you have done this certification/course what was your thoughts and would you recommend? TYIA!