Is bad that I don’t know what UCI’s dorm look right? We drove around there (for an actual college tour trip in 2019!) and I think I ran by it running the OC Marathon years ago. Now I must go see where the dorm is. It’s not the prettiest campus if your preference is the classic building but the modern-style peeps really like the UCI buildings.
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You guys are killing it!!!
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Zot! Zot!
UC Irvine!
First CA acceptance tonight for my son. Applied Undeclared, but leaning business, so this is a very good option indeed. 
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Agree with much said here, but as a PT myself I must add that it is still a rewarding career. I graduated in the masters level era- basically the profession realized the curriculum was more commiserate with other clinical doctorate degrees. Still same license attained and little change in curriculum although it was true it fostered many states to more toward more direct access ( although that doesn’t mean insurance companies will pay). I think the biggest difference in PT in the 25 years I have been practicing ( I am an orthopedic clinical specialist in an outpatient setting) is that it is much harder for PT’s to own their own business and be successful. This is because smaller companies can’t negotiate as easily for better contracted rates with insurance companies. That probably made the ceiling a bit lower on what you can earn in the end, but you can still make a comfortable living. From a job satisfaction standpoint, it is mostly a positive environment to work. We spend more time with patients that most medical professionals and in most cases their life is improving. It is also quite flexible as there are many settings in which to work to accommodate family life ( part to full time, weekends if needed, school, clinic , hospital or homecare settings). All that being said I totally agree that work is hard to find with an undergrad in Exercise Science/ kinesiology and you dont get in to a grad program which is competitive because it is a desirable field!
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My bestie is a speech pathologist and she observed PT and OT to be somewhat burnout careers (she mostly has worked in rehab hospitals). Do you think perhaps this is true of OT more than PT? You sound happy with your career. I realize it might be very different in different settings.
What does that leave you to pay? I’m guessing close to zero! 
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It is different in different settings, and thankfully you can change it ( at least early on- one does become more specialized with time and it may be slightly harder to move). Rehab hospitals and inpatient units seem to be staffed with younger therapists and there is definitely more movement. It is more physically demanding. I dont want to offend any OT’s here but I do thing there are more options for different settings in PT so perhaps more burnout although all I have known are quite devoted to their field. They tend to be a more creative type than us PT’s. There are outpatient OT’s but less than PT. I have seen many women leave the field to stay home to raise kids, but some later return but I am not sure I know anybody but one who has left for a different or unrelated field ( and she went to a medical sales position). I may be in a bubble though? One should not choose it for any major progressive increases in salary… but the base is certainly a manageable start.
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It’s so interesting to hear perspectives on different careers. One that has surprised me is veterinary medicine. I live near a vet school and know a LOT of vets, and evidently it is a very stressful career with one of the highest suicide rates of any profession. I have gained a lot of empathy for veterinarians!
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It is indeed interesting- especially when we have kiddos trying to figure out how to spend at least 8 hrs a day for many years to come! That is interesting about veterinary med…I know folks who go that route are always very passionate about it.
Less than ZERO!
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My neighbor is a vet, has a her own practice. She tries to steer kids away from the career. She post every suicide from her profession. Very sad.
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that’s sad actually
I definitely get the impression that it is a crisis in their profession. Some of the elements are long hours, stressful situations, and the ongoing necessity of turning away clients who can’t afford the treatment their pets need (and the anguish/anger of those families toward the vet). Tough situations.
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and coming in with tons of debt
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Ok wise parents-
I need someone to explain this to me and don’t hold back. I know there are lots of what if’s this year however the FA piece does seem more cut and dry. IF my D is NOT accepted, are her chances of being put on a WL as someone needing FA next to none? Could she be WL with very little aid or will they just not offer her a spot? The schools she is waiting on do not offer merit.
WOW, I am SO happy for you and your daughter!
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Situations are different.
However, last year my S20 was waitlisted at several places. As March became April became May became June, he was accepted from several schools’ waitlists. All provided some measure of FinAid. A couple provided significant FinAid. It was always a combination of need and merit for us.
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I would think it depends on the schools and how much money they have left in their FA budget. I know of local kids that have gotten into schools with significant FA from the waitlist.
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My wife is an OT and has worked for the last 20 years in an integrated pre-school that is attached to a traditional K-5. She loves it, loves the kids, and works school hours with summers off.
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Need blind schools become need-aware with waitlists. So you would still qualify for their aid, but may be less likely to be chosen for a spot if not full pay (depending on the school). If the school has a lot of available funding, this might not play as big of a role.
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