# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
In order to become a physical therapist you need to earn a Doctor of Physical therapy degree which is an 3-4 year study beyond a bachelors degree. It is also required that you  pass a licensure exam. The median salary for a physical therapist in Indiana is around $95,000 per year. However, this can range depending on factors such as location and experience. Throughout this career I will gain communication skills, learn to become more empathetic, have physical stamina, and become more patient with myself and others around me.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
I would like to attend Valparaiso University to study Kinesiology and Exercise Science which will further lead me in the direction of becoming a Physical Therapist. I was really interested in what Valparaiso University had to offer when it came down to living on-campus. There is a wide variety of housing options, but I would like to live in a traditional residence hall with just one roommate. I would want to get the experience of meeting new people and making new friends, but also making sure that I have time to focus on myself. All students who attend Valparaiso University are required to live on campus for at minimum 6 semesters. After staying there for that time, I will then decide after if I will stay on campus or live somewhere different. 

# data[].attributes.headline
Where will I live when earning my degree? 

# data[].attributes.subject
Where will I live when earning my degree? 

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
When attending the University of Valparaiso expenses can be high. To start off there is a yearly tuition of $45,136. There is a $755 tuition per semester. For a room and board it is $13, 306 per year. While on top of all of that you still need books which adds another $1,200. This in all costs around $59,642 at least. There is still so much that goes into living at college in order to be a physical therapist. There is a charge per credit hour at Valparaiso University  which varies on the program and the students status. For health professions it is $840. A masters program is  $706 per credit hour. There are also many options for meal plans at Valparaiso University and the one that I think I would choose it the block plan. This includes 225 meals per semester at a cost of $2,498 per semester. I know that this will satisfy my needs and if I need more meals I can repurchase the plan for the next semester. College is not cheap as we all know and so there are lists of ways people can manage to pay for it. This includes state finical aid, scholarships, grants, student loans , work study programs, saving accounts and tuition assistance. I plan on working part time to also help with expenses. I need to make sure to budget so I don’t go broke, but I also need to remember to have fun and save some money for actives around campus with my friends and family. When I am in college is when I will be starting my adult life, it is always a good idea to start saving and planning ahead for my upcoming and near future. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
My number one choice of a career path right now is me becoming a Physical Therapist. I have always thought about being one since I was in elementary school. I was always interested in becoming something within the medical field, but I knew I didn’t want to become a nurse or surgeon or anything major like that. As a kid I have always been involved in sports like soccer, track, volleyball, and in my free time I am always caught being active in some way. I think sports and physical therapy go hand and hand with one another. This year I was having really bad knee pains and so it was determined that I needed to go to physical therapy twice a week. Having the personal experience of being treated by my physical therapist encouraged me to want to go into this path even more. She helped me so much by getting me back to my original self with a stable knee. She worked well, knew what she was doing and was very calm. I’m not saying it is any easy job, because you have to be prepared for anything that comes your way. This career is something I’m still interested in to this day, so I could be able to help others just as my Physical Therapist helped me. After doing this college report, I found  many colleges with high quality programs which will help me succeed in this path. Valparaiso is what I am leaning towards as of right now. Plans can change within these nexts 3 years of high school, but I am proud that I have something that I know interests me. In conclusion, I am looking forward to seeing where this dream of mine takes me and I hope to make smart decisions that will lead me into my end goal of being successful. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
For admission requirements at Valparaiso University, test scores are optional for undergraduate applicants. However, official transcripts and a completed undergraduate application are required. Graduate programs also require letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose. A GPA of 3.67 or above on a 4.0 Scale is generally recommend. There is an application fee of $30. This university offers a B.S. in Exercise Science program which focuses on Fitness and Human Performance. There is also an addition named the “Allied Health program” which prepares students for professional programs like physical therapy. If I Major in Exercise Science, I can become a personal trainer, fitness center manger, health coach, or an athletic trainer. With further education I can become a physical therapist. I would need a Doctor of Physical Therapy from a commission and a 3 year DPT program. I need to pass both the National Physically Therapy exam and a state licensure exam to practice, but a bachelors degree is the solid beginning of it all. By choosing college it offers broader knowledge of my future career and potentially higher long-term earning potential. This university does not pay you for receiving training in exercise science. There are many activities and things to be involved in while I am a student at Valparaiso University. This includes being on the soccer team, track and field team, and possible volleyball team. I could also go and watch sports games like basketball and football. There are clubs like the Pre-Med arts club and Student media organization. Religious life, fraternities and sororities are also an option. People would want to attend Valpo because of it’s strong academic programs, it’s close community, and it Lutheran heritage. There is something for everyone there with it’s diverse extracurricular  activities including sports, clubs and involvement surrounding the community. Valpo has a longstanding reputation as a good choice for higher education and so in all this is a good post secondary option to choose. 