<p>I am a Sophomore majoring in Exercise Science (Scientific Foundations) at University of South Carolina. Currently I have a 4.0 and if everything in Organic goes right I should keep my 4.0 by the end of this semester.</p>
<p>Well, I've always been interested in Athletic Training. I tore my ACL in high school and so I have some background information on what it entails. Out of curiosity I emailed the head of Athletic Training here at USC and went and met with him today. He told me that they don't offer a Minor but that they have had several people go to Med School majoring in Athletic Training. The thing is I am a year behind because I am a Sophomore.</p>
<p>My question is would it be worth it to go to school an extra year? I only need to take Organic II and Physics II to have all my Pre Reqs for Med School (I think). I'm just not sure if it would be worth it or it would prepare me as much as Exercise Science would. What does everyone else think?</p>
<p>Consider a grad program (DPT) in Physical Therapy. One of the clinical specialties in PT is sports medicine. You will gain many clinical skills as a PT which you can put to use in sports medicine. Some individuals are actually PTs and athletic trainers, a wonderful combination.
If you have the pre-recs for med school, you may have most of them for PT. Exercise science is a relevant background for PT as well. Google the American Physical Therapy Association for more info.</p>
<p>My DD is a lifelong athlete with an interest in sports medicine; when she researched majors for pre-med, there seemed to be a great deal of prejudice against kinesiology/exercise science/sports med. That may not be an accurate representation of reality, but it was a consistent feedback she received. Somehow sports med was viewed as light weight, a “PE major”, etc. Check with your state medical schools and your school advising department to find out if your major gets respect within the state.</p>
<p>You mention the director says people go to medical school majoring in Athletic training, does that mean your current major does not work, but a switch to athletic training should be a good major for pre-med?</p>
<p>Sports Med and Athletic Training are two very different degrees. In order to major in Athletic Training you have to have many many hours of practical experience with various sports teams, local HS’s and clinics doing hands on treatments and diagnosis. The AT certification test, BOC, is one of the toughest medical certification tests out there w/ an average pass rate of about 38%.</p>
<p>If you major in AT, you need to be sure that your school is certified by NATA and your degree, if issued after 2014 is BS in AT.</p>
<p>Having a degree in AT opens up many doors. DPT, Nurse practitioner, med school, etc. Because you already have many of the basics.</p>