Are you trying to cope during the stressful application process? It is essential to remember that no one is alone in this process. Learning how to cope when applying to physical therapy school is an art and a skill. Reach out and connect with others that are applying to various Doctor of Physical Therapy programs.
Even friends that are not applying to physical therapy school can be sources of hope and inspiration. Their own individual career paths can also be valuable tools to measure the field of physical therapy against other careers and help ensure physical therapy is the correct path for any one person.
Family and Lifetyle Choices
Many students opt to attend physical therapy schools close to home or family. It is important to ask oneself if one would be willing to live in a vastly different part of the country or world away from family, friends, and familiarity. Keeping a connection to everyday life is important, as the pursuit of a career is as much about the journey as the destination.
Try not to stress about one bad test grade or a tough class, but focus on the breadth and depth of your experience in the field of physical therapy. It helps to try and connect each class to your ultimate goal of practicing physical therapy because it makes it easier and more fun to study.
How to Get Your Questions Answered
Questions about the application process can constantly build up in an applicant’s head about the application. To relieve this burden, calling the faculty of your targeted Doctorate of Physical Therapy programs can be invaluable. Doing so helps to eliminate doubt and worry and gives an applicant a sense of confidence.
Talk to current students in the DPT programs of interest. Ask them about their application process and their path to where they are today. Chances are, some stress will be relieved by learning about the various ways people achieved their goal of attending physical therapy school. Additionally, ask them questions about their lifestyle at the school. This will help to visualize if the location is one that will be enjoyable to live in for three years or more.
The Application
Make connections with physical therapists who can help with the application process. Physical therapists will obviously know what it takes to succeed in the profession so they can provide valuable insight into the essay questions in an application so that each applicant can display their applicable skills.
Relieve stress from the application process like stress from any other source. Use techniques that put one in a good mood like listening to music, talking with a friend, and doing hobbies like art to escape negative thinking. In physical therapy one will encounter patients of differing levels of stress, so managing one’s own stress during the application process is an important initial step on the journey to securing a doctorate of physical therapy.
Written By: Scott Mills
Co-Presidents at University of Washington Pre-PT Club
Megan McArthur
