I want to become a physical therapist. Right now, I’m trying to choose between UC Irvine and SDSU. At SDSU I would be majoring in athletic training, and at Irvine I would be doing biology and then switching into their exercise science major later. Irvine is a really good school but I’m really scared of how competitive it will be, especially in the bio major. However it does have the prestige of being a UC. Should I risk a higher chance of a low gpa for going to a really good school? Or should I take an easier route and do a major more fun for me at SDSU with my friends?
Prestige will not help your chances of getting into PT school. GPA is probably the most important, access to PT related EC’s/Internships where you get experience and competitive GRE scores are going to be the most important factors.
Go the school where you can be competitive academically. Finances and social considerations are also important but if you are happy at the school you attend, then you will be successful.
SDSU will not necessarily be an easier path, since you will still be competing with Pre-Med/Pre-Dental/Pre-Professional students in many of the same Pre-req courses whom are all wanting to get a competitive GPA.