College Search for Athletic Training/Pre-physcial therapy major?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi! I'm a rising senior, so far my list includes:
WVU
VCU
Penn State
Towson
George Mason
Syracuse</p>

<p>I definitely prefer a more urban setting, with a large student population. I would also prefer to stay on the East coast, but i'm willing to look else where. </p>

<p>Intended Major: Athletic Training, exercise science is my "backup" major. Pre-Physical Therapy is a bonus, but not necessary
Applying for Financial Aid?: Yes, however cost will not be a deciding factor because I have 2 years of the GI Bill (so basically, it will pay for everything for 2 years)
State: Maryland
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female</p>

<p>Here are my stats:</p>

<p>SAT I: 1550 (510 CR, 580 M, 460 W, ), first try, will retake
Unweighted GPA: 3.31
Weighted GPA: 3.61
Rank: 91/544, top 20%</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>You might want to check out Nova Southeastern. Their program looks amazing.</p>

3

<p>You have Syracuse there but I would definitely add Ithaca College.</p>

4

<p>thune: what is your eventual career goal? Many trainers/exercise people are capped out at not very lucrative jobs at the local health club arena. People with degrees are no more valuable to those employers than those without them.</p>

<p>Have you spoken to actual professionals and gotten their input? It might be eye opening for you. (My wife is the mgr of a gym: she gets fresh college grad applicants for positions wanting $30K/year when the actual annual rate is closer to $20K/year)</p>

5

<p>I know Boston Univ and Northeastern have good programs.
[Athletic</a> Training » Career Development at Northeastern University](<a href=“http://www.northeastern.edu/careers/guides/athletic-training/]Athletic”>http://www.northeastern.edu/careers/guides/athletic-training/)
[Department</a> of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training » College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College | Boston University](<a href=“http://www.bu.edu/sargent/academics/departments/programs-in-physical-therapy-athletic-training/]Department”>Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training | Sargent College | Boston University | College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College)</p>

<p>You could also look here and narrow it down by state:
[College</a> & University Athletic Training Programs |](<a href=“http://www.nata.org/college-university-athletic-training-programs]College”>http://www.nata.org/college-university-athletic-training-programs)</p>

6

<p>T26E4 - I don’t think the OP is looking into being a trainer/exercise person, he’s aiming much higher. There is great potential for degreed exercise physiologists, athletic trainers, and physical therapists and often need advanced degrees, not just a BS. Many of these careers are in research or as an Athletic Trainer for a team and, of course, physical therapists are in very high demand. </p>

<p>As an aside, I don’t know where you or the OP lives but as a private personal trainer you can earn $80-100 an hour (and if you’re good you can work about 20 hours/week). Those “trainers” without degrees but just certifications are often in more of a dead end situation. (Although I know one incredibly talented trainer without a college degree who opened his own club in midtown Manhattan and is doing incredibly well.)</p>