<p>I have been considering taking the pre-physical therapy track in college, but have been somewhat uneasy about it because I also feel like I could passionately pursue other areas of study into graduate school, such as microbiology or marine science, as well (future salary is of no object to me as long as I am studying something I am passionate about). How would you say pre-PT compares to the other pre-health-somethings in terms of undergraduate courseload difficulty? Many in my family have been pre-med and made it out alive, so I would feel confident in using that as a point of reference. However, I would also appreciate it if you could say how much extra it might add to a simple biology major's workload/daily study time. </p>
<p>Pre-PT: Grad schools require GRE’s, science and kinesiology GPA each of at least 3.0, and the only major sciences required are two semesters of biology (general or for bio majors), chemistry, physics (algebra based or calculus based), and anatomy & physiology - all including lab. </p>
<p>Pre-Med: Grad schools require GRE’s and MCAT, science GPA of 3.7+, and two semesters of biology (for bio majors), chemistry, physics (calculus based), calculus up to level II or III, and organic chemistry - all with lab. </p>
<p>Requirements vary from school to school, but for most you will need at least those classes. </p>
<p>Med school is MUCH more competitive to get in to than PT school, lasts at least 3 years, and graduates come out typically making $150,000+. PT school is still competitive, lasts 3 years; however, on average students only earn $70,000 upon graduating.</p>
<p>Med school requirements are 2 semesters of Biology w/ Lab, General Chemistry w/ Lab, Organic Chemistry w/ Lab, General Physics w/Lab (With or without Calculus), Usually 1 semester of Statistics or Calculus (Some have 2 semesters). Also, a significant amount of extracurricular activities (ex. clinical experience, shadowing, research, other). GRE’s are not required, only MCAT. Med school is 4 years long and then a minimum of 3 year residency before you become a practicing doctor.</p>
<p>I would think Pre-PT and Pre-med are very similar considering you take the same classes, there may be other Pre-PT requirements that I am unaware about.</p>
<p>4orce: I was only talking specifically about the courses required for med school and physical therapy, and not extracurricular activities. From what I have heard from my friends and tutors the med schools they have looked at require calculus and calculus based physics. I can only speak about the med schools I’ve heard about about. Taking into mind that I have not looked at med school school myself nor will I be considering it, I was not far off if the only thing I got wrong was the med schools only require MCAT and not GRE’s. And I am sure there is a career option for med school students after three years, exactly what it is I do not recall but I can find out. </p>
<p>And I am majoring in what is generally regarded as the Pre-PT track in my school(Kinesiology Pre-Health Professions) and I once wanted to become a physical therapist, so I have looked into dozens of grad schools and know the requirements. The only grad school I found that required calculus was University of Illinois. The rest did not include upper level mathematics and listed the courses I mentioned in my previous post and physiology of activity and 2 semesters of psychology, as far as courses are concerned. The minimum GPA to be admitted into graduate school for DPT is 3.0 (cumulative, kinesiology, and science), while the minimum GPA for med school is much higher at 3.7. I am not speaking of every med school but what probably applies for most med schools which are harder to get into (e.g.: in the north east).</p>
<p>Medical school is 4 years long. The USMLE Step 1 is usually taken after your 2nd year. Step 2 is taken during your 4th year. Finally, Step 3 is taken during Residency. Step 3 is usually a prerequisite for the State board exams.</p>
<p>Without these licensing exams, you tell me who is gonna let you practice medicine? Without residency, you tell me who is gonna hire you?</p>
<p>Clarification about GPA for graduate program in PT. D1 has just finished first year of graduate PT program. 3.0 gpa is a minimum to be considered for admittance. At D1’s school the average gpa of the incoming class is 3.75. I was told by a student applying to a different DPT program in our state that the average gpa for accepted students is 3.8and 3 of 4 applicants are rejected. SingDanceRunLife’s advice is on the money- the 6 year combined programs with direct admits for qualified freshmen are a very nice way to obtain a DPT.</p>
<p>Perhaps I didn’t remember exactly what my friend said. But I don’t care, I’m not going to med school and I was just trying to give the main idea of what is required for med school.</p>