Physical Therapist by

Major in Kinesiology

dowdneig — 2024-12-09 19:32:59 UTC

As an undergraduate I'm majoring in Kinesiology. I want to become a pediatric physical therapist and this is one of the recommended majors to prepare for graduate school.

Join BBBS Program

dowdneig — 2024-12-09 19:37:54 UTC

I believe this program will be extremely helpful for the career path I've chosen. The BBBS gives me an opportunity to work with children and understand more how their minds work and how they process information best. It will teach me more empathy and compassion. This program will also look really great on my graduate school applications.

Reach out to Dr.Berg For Mentorship

dowdneig — 2024-12-09 19:38:29 UTC

My small group leader in success strategies is also on the career path leading to pediatric physical therapy. She told me that Dr.Berg is one of the best mentors you can have for the program. She said he is a great professional reference and he has research programs for his students to apply to. I plan to take his KNH 184 class next semester and create a professional relationship with him.

Complete Summer Internship

dowdneig — 2024-12-09 19:39:09 UTC

My uncle gave me the contact information of his personal physical therapist. I contacted him a few weeks ago and he told me I could complete a summer internship as the Mercy Health orthopedic and physical therapy clinic in Eastgate. If it goes well, I can come back next summer as well or even over winter break. This will be an important factor for when I apply to graduate school in a few years.

Join Pre-PT/Pre-OT Student Organization

dowdneig — 2024-12-09 19:41:26 UTC

I have been told by many people to join the Pre-PT and Pre-OT program here at Miami University. They help kinesiology students prepare for the next steps it takes to become a physical therapist. This includes preparing for any exams or tests that need to be passed. They also help with graduate school applications. I can talk to them about getting a research position so I can put that down on my graduate school application.

Obtain my Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology

dowdneig — 2024-12-09 19:42:48 UTC

This will be my final step here at Miami. After I obtain my bachelor's, I will be prepared to apply to graduate school elsewhere. Although if I chose to be an APT instead of a PT, I only need this degree to do so. I could take this exam to become an APT for a couple of years and then go to graduate school if I wanted to.

Apply to Research Program

dowdneig — 2024-12-09 19:43:51 UTC

I'm hoping to get into a research program pretty early on in my time here at Miami. When applying to graduate schools, the more meat to the application, the better. I already have an internship lined up for me this summer. Not only do I need to apply for a program but I also need to complete said program in this "step."

Gap/Growth Year

dowdneig — 2024-12-09 19:45:19 UTC

I was thinking there would be a lot of benefits to taking a gap year. I could save up some of the money that I need for graduate school. I could also gain even more experience in the field before applying to grad school. I'd probably work for the whole year. I'm not THAT big of a fan of traveling. If I were to complete this step, I'd probably try to be an APT for a couple of years actually instead of just one gap year and then go back for my DPT at some point.

Study Abroad in The Gambia

dowdneig — 2024-12-09 19:46:06 UTC

I was actually going to go this summer, but I couldn't cover the cost. There also weren't enough people that were able to pay their deposit in time, so hopefully this changes by this time next year. The kinesiology department sends students to The Gambia to help an under resourced clinic, which is awesome. I think this will be a highly beneficial step towards my career as a physical therapist.

Apply to Graduate School

dowdneig — 2024-12-09 19:52:11 UTC

The best PT programs include University of Southern California, University of Iowa, Northwestern University, OSU, and Emory University. I plan to apply to all of the above. To be accepted into any of these schools though, I'll need the research hours, the internship hours, and my BS in kinesiology. I'd also need more volunteer hours and apparently a lot of money for graduate school applications.

Take the GRE

dowdneig — 2024-12-09 19:52:56 UTC

This is a standardized test that used by graduate schools to assess the readiness of students for graduate level work. Hopefully this exam will go as well as my ACTs went, because if that's the case then graduate school here I come. If I'm going to get my DPT then this is a requirement. I need to take this test and pass it with almost flying colors which will be difficult.

Pass the NPTE exam

dowdneig — 2024-12-09 19:55:23 UTC

Please please please let me pass this exam first or second try. This is the exam that I take to decide whether or not I will be a PT. For me to get my DPT I need to pass this specific exam.

Be My Best Self

dowdneig — 2024-12-09 19:57:34 UTC

After all of these steps, I will finally be a physical therapist when I get an official offer from an employer. Then, I will be a physical therapist for almost the rest of my days and I can live my best life. I can pay off my loans and get a cute apartment. Then I can get a couple of dogs and fancy pots and pans.

Complete My Major Classes

dowdneig — 2025-05-01 19:16:58 UTC

This step might take a while. Even though the major classes themselves won't take a more than a couple of years, I have to complete Miami Plan classes. I'm going to get the five that I have left out of the way next semester and then this step will be my main focus for the rest of my time here at Miami University. Once I complete this step, I will be prepared for graduation and I will obtain my BS in kinesiology.