Looking for advice as a Dance BFA gratuate looking to start PT career
Hi! This is my first time posting on Reddit, so I’m not totally sure how this works, but I’d really appreciate some advice :)
I recently graduated with a BFA in Dance, and I’ve been seriously considering returning to school for a graduate program and shifting my career path toward something more financially sustainable. I’ve always enjoyed helping people, and at one point in high school, I considered medicine, but I was so passionate about dance that I couldn’t imagine, at the time, pursuing anything else.
After dancing for many years, I’ve dealt with a lot of physical issues, which led me to work with several physical therapists over time. I’ve had both good and bad experiences with PT, but the positive ones really stuck with me. I admired the therapists I worked with, the teamwork in those clinics, and the impact they had on people’s recovery and quality of life.
I’m also a yoga instructor, so I already have a strong interest in movement, body mechanics, and physical wellness. Because of all this, I’m now seriously considering becoming a physical therapist.
I understand that this path will take a lot of time and work, especially because my undergraduate degree didn’t include many of the prerequisite science courses required for DPT programs. I’ve been struggling to figure out the quickest and smartest path forward. Would becoming a PTA first be beneficial? I know PTA programs also require science prerequisites, so I’m trying to understand whether that route would ultimately help or delay becoming a PT.
My current plan is to spend the next year completing prerequisites so I can apply to programs the year after. I’m also looking into work as a physical therapy aide to gain experience in the field.
I truly feel this could be fulfilling work for me, and I would love to hear from anyone who has gone through PT or PTA school, changed careers into PT, or came from a nontraditional background. Any advice on getting started, prerequisites, work experience, school applications, or what to expect would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!