How hard is physical therapy or occupational therapy school?

[Anonymous]

My kid has a lot of characteristics that would make a good therapist, but he has some LD's that make math hard. With the help of a tutor, he's getting B's in the regular track at a good but not Big 3 private, and A's in all of his other classes, although he hasn't taken chemistry or physics yet.

Is PT or OT a realistic career aspiration for a kid like that?

[Anonymous]

It might be hard just to get INTO grad school if the grades aren't there. You won't know that until college. That being said, OT has less science needs than PT and is probably easier to get into. Once in the job I would say math isn't really needed - main skills are people skills, critical thinking, time management, and common sense, lol.

[Anonymous]

PP from above--I went to PT school 20 years ago and it was the hardest two years of my life. College was nothing in comparison.

[Anonymous]

Op, way too early to tell. Those that I know in either profession, and pharmacy, were taking AP Chem, AP Physics, AP Calc BC in high school. Many were aiming for medical school and made a pivot sometime during college.

Both OT and PT Assistant positions require less credentials.

Just thought of ~ look at Roger Williams University in RI. Look at their info re: their health career advising. A school like that, eventually, might be a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Do a direct entry PT program. Look into Duquesne!

[Anonymous]

OT school is way easier and not too mathy. Both are rewarding fun careers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, way too early to tell. Those that I know in either profession, and pharmacy, were taking AP Chem, AP Physics, AP Calc BC in high school. Many were aiming for medical school and made a pivot sometime during college.

Both OT and PT Assistant positions require less credentials.

Just thought of ~ look at Roger Williams University in RI. Look at their info re: their health career advising. A school like that, eventually, might be a good fit.

OP, my kid sounds like yours. I've suggested they take a look at PT assistant training, but they want the full 4-year experience.

I wonder if the assistant roles will grow now that these professions are requiring people to get their doctorate. I can absolutely see my kid practicing OT or PT, but I don't see them pursuing a doctorate!

[Anonymous]

PP here. Closer to home, look at Shenandoah U. It has direct entry also.

[Anonymous]

It's a fine career. There are non competitive schools to get a degree from.

Like every other degree, the eliteness of the school doesn't really matter unless you are on PhD track

[Anonymous]

PT requires a doctorate now to sit for the exam. So it’s not 4 years and done. It’s extremely competitive to get into.

It’s also a profession that generally is capped for income as PT clinics are limited by insurance reimbursements

[Anonymous]

I would never do PT school now that it is doctorate level…too many years of school and money and not a hige return on investment

[Anonymous]

Can’t speak for OT, but PT is intense. Sibling was college valedictorian and easily could have gotten into med school but chose PT instead. Still found it a challenging program. (You have to truly love it to choose it over medicine; they are laughably underpaid relative to the amount of education)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never do PT school now that it is doctorate level…too many years of school and money and not a hige return on investment

This is really true. Plus it is a bit physical and some people age out younger than they’d imagine. A cousin developed a rash and she could no longer massage. Which, yuck, and who would think, but that was the end for her.

[Anonymous]

Great question OP!

Has anyone researched pediatric OT programs? My DD with dyslexia/ dyscalculia has loved her volunteer work with young kids. One of the teachers noted that she has the same energy/ strategies as the OT who visits the kindergarten class. It inspired DD to think about being an OT as she’s seen huge benefits of that work with her sibling/ friends.

But she’s worried about the coursework since she works hard for her B+ in algebra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It might be hard just to get INTO grad school if the grades aren't there. You won't know that until college. That being said, OT has less science needs than PT and is probably easier to get into. Once in the job I would say math isn't really needed - main skills are people skills, critical thinking, time management, and common sense, lol.

OT having less science was not my experience when I was in school.

The science was tough. We also had to take a math based (as opposed to the humanities option) statistics class way back when and I remember that being one of my lowest grades ever and I was always a straight A student.

In addition to the difficulty, it’s a lot of years of school to become a PT.