Looking for New England LAC with Health Science/Kinesiology Major

Hi:

Planning ski trip to New England and want to loop in a college visit. D has decided that she wants an undergraduate program to set her up to be a physical therapist. Looking for a hands on experience at a small college in cold weather. Any suggestions? Already looked at Ithaca and Skidmore and she liked them both. Also planning to take a trip to Gettysburg. Having trouble finding LACs with a major that will have the facilities for a hands on experience. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Springfield College
Simmons College
Tufts

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I would check out these schools to see if they would work for your D:

  • Castleton (VT)
  • Emmanuel (MA)
  • Gordon (MA) - I have heard that there is a definite religious worldview at this institution, so your family would want to ensure that it is an environment where your D would feel was a good fit.
  • Keene State (NH)
  • New England (NH)
  • Norwich (VT)
  • Simmons (MA) - Seconding this rec
  • SUNY Potsdam (NY)
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Quinnipiac isn’t quite a(n) LAC, but with 6800 undergrads, it’s not large, and it has an excellent direct-entry PT pathway:
https://www.qu.edu/schools/health-sciences/programs/dual-degree/bs-in-health-science-studies-doctor-of-physical-therapy/

In addition to your other upstate NY schools, Clarkson could be worth a look: Pre-Physical Therapy | Clarkson University

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See this link for prerequisites to the Tufts University Doctor of Physical Therapy program:

These requirements can be fulfilled at any LAC. Because one of the prime user groups of PT services is athletes, there are always going to be physical therapy practices at or near any college where a student can do the PT observations that Tufts would like to see. Otherwise there really is no specific undergraduate program of preparation for graduate study in PT required.

If a student would like the availability of PT practices with a broader range of patient types than would be near many of the typically isolated New England LAC campuses, then looking at LACs in or near cities with hospitals would offer that. True LACs with those locations would include Trinity College in Hartford and Union College in Schenectady, NY. To a lesser extent, Wesleyan, Connecticut College, and Smith College in smaller cities will also have access to these kinds of PT practices.

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Sacred Heart if Catholic is okay.

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A couple of other lesser known small colleges with PT programs are Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire with a 4+2.5 program and University of New England in Maine.

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In addition to those already mentioned you may want to look at Plymouth State University (NH). They have a pre-professional program including coursework needed for PT programs. They also have a 3+2 Athletic Training program if that migjt be of interest.

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What are her stats? There are so many LAC’s in NE, some are very selective, some very accessible. Also, what does she consider “small”?

Maybe Colby-Sawyer?

St. Lawrence University, a liberal arts college in Canton, NY may be worth looking at. They have a minor in Sports Studies and Exercise Science.

If Catholic is ok, Saint Michael’s in VT has a Health Sciences major. They have one of the oldest student-run fire and rescue services in the country as well, and premed/health sciences students who work on the rescue squad are able to use those hours as patient hours when applying to med, nursing, pt, etc post-grad.

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Her unweighted GPA is around a 3.8 but, is an all honors track through Sophomore year. 2 APs this year and 4 next year. Her PSAT would place her around a 1370 on the SAT. She plays lacrosse and is an athletic trainer during the winter season. Leadership position in one club (FCA).

As for size I think she is looking under 5-6K. She was fine with Ithaca which I think is a larger LAC.

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Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

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If she is willing to look at a Jesuit School, Holy Cross in Worcester. While in Worcester, also check out Clark. I know a number of kids/ graduates from both schools and they all have nothing but glowing reviews.

She might like Endicott. Beautiful location and they have great internship opportunities. From what I’m hearing, more kids go home on weekends than Clark or HC, so she might want to look into that.

Stonehill College fits size and location and seems to have very good outcomes (not as familiar with this school as I am with the others). Although I believe it is considered a LAC, it seems to be more “preprofessional”. I’d also place Edicott in this category.

We know lots of happy kids at Plymouth State.

The good thing about all of the schools I’ve thrown out there is that they are not pressure cookers and she’d probably get decent merit.

I know she wants small LAC’s but UMaine and/UVM/ UNH might be worth a look just to have a bigger school with lots of majors to compare to. (Also likely to get merit) Lots of kids are surprised by how much they like them once they visit. As S23 says “you can make a big school feel smaller, but you can’t make a small school feel bigger”. The size your daughter is looking for is really a “sweet spot”/Goldilocks school of not too small/ not too big . Surprisingly, it seems like the hardest size to find once you move away from instate non-flagship schools.

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If Gettysburg is on the list what about Scranton? Close to Poconos.

Lafayette is also close to Poconos.

You might need to dig and ask some questions at schools that don’t specifically offer Kinesiology. Lots of times they can get you where you want to go. It just might be called something else or a minor or certificate.

Not LACs but mid-size colleges – maybe look at Marist and UScranton (Scranton looks like it has a PT program).

University of New England has a great pre-PT program and is the size you are looking for. They tend to be generous with merit aid.

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We toured UVM on the same trip as Skidmore. Not sure what happened as it was high on her list going in but, was a hard no after visiting. We will look some of the other ones up. Thanks again!

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Sorry some additional information–she started out as not wanting to be in an urban environ, though she seems to be softening on that position.

Additionally, she would prefer not a religious school.