why i want to be a physical therapist assistant essay

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How Do I Write My PTCAS Essay (Personal Statement)?

The PT School application process is challenging, to say the least. But, it’s incredibly rewarding, because at the end of this process you’ll be on your way to starting your career and getting your dream job as a physical therapist.

One of the most important parts of the PT School application process is the personal statement , or the essay . Each year, the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service ( PTCAS ) sets a specific prompt for the personal statement. This personal statement is submitted to every school to which you apply. In short, it’s a chance for you to set yourself apart from the other applicants. So, how do you write your PTCAS essay ? Let’s dive in to learn more about this part of the application process, and learn more about our services to help you with your personal statement here !

What is a Personal Statement?

A Personal Statement is an essay that explains your background and allows you to describe yourself. It’s a common requirement for graduate schools and jobs, so it’s especially important for you to use the personal statement to explain why you want to pursue this opportunity.

A Personal Statement can be a general description of yourself or it can answer a specific prompt . It’s common for graduate schools to ask specific questions for the Personal Statement.¹ In this case, the Personal Statement is a chance for you to show the admissions committee who you are beyond the data in your application . In an essay format, you can expand upon your character, goals, and background, allowing the admissions committee to get to know you.

What Should I Know About a Physical Therapy Personal Statement?

PTCAS Personal Statement prompts can vary in topics, but ultimately they touch on the physical therapy profession. It’s important that you answer the PTCAS question in your essay. But you should also view this as an opportunity to describe yourself to the admissions committees. Keep in mind that these committees are reviewing hundreds, or even thousands, of applications each year. Use this opportunity to set yourself apart .

In your essay, you should explain why you want to become a physical therapist, but try to avoid using a common reason such as “I want to help people.” Show the admissions committee your passion for physical therapy and prove to them why you belong in physical therapy school and why you’re going to become a great physical therapist.

Above all, remember that through the 4,500 characters in your essay, you’re not just telling the admissions committees who you are… you’re showing them.

Contact us today with any questions or for help with your PT school personal statement!

Lab P. The Personal Statement // Purdue Writing Lab. Purdue Writing Lab. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/job_search_writing/preparing_an_application/writing_the_personal_statement/index.html. Published 2020. Accessed July 26, 2020.

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The Career of a Physical Therapist Assistant Essay

My major is physical therapy. Physical therapist assistants perform their duties under the supervision of physical therapists. Core duties of physical therapist assistant include assisting patients to recover from illnesses, injuries, and surgeries. These are procedures, which help patients to manage pain and regain balance during movement.

In addition, therapies are developed to enhance mobility, reduce permanent physical disability, and improve general conditions and fitness of patients (American Dental Education Association 1). Patients could be persons with short-term or long-term physical disabilities, heart conditions, head injuries, back pain, cerebral palsy, or arthritis.

A number of reasons have influenced me to major as a physical therapy assistant. Physical therapists have high–levels of education in the anatomy, locomotion, and operations of the body. Knowledge gained in physical therapy education helps the therapist to lessen aches, assist patients to move, avert permanent disabilities, and re-establish physical functions.

Hence, a physical therapist is an important part of patient care. Foundations of therapist’s work are practical training and therapeutic activities. Patients have different needs based on their conditions. However, physical therapists aim to initiate movement or operations by activating joints or working on muscles. In addition, physical therapists also apply other methods like ultrasound, hot packs, electrotherapy, and ice to treat their patients (Kilgore College 1).

Career as a physical therapist has great rewards. These specialists make a difference in individuals’ lives. Physical therapists work with patients closely and watch their progress through various stages of treatment. A physical therapist remains a rehabilitation specialist who promotes the patient’s maximal recovery and functions. The job also involves restoring mobility through fitness and wellness therapies, which improve the patient’s overall health and active life.

A career as a physical therapist offers a job security. The job is resilient to economic downturns and struggling job markets. Today, the large number of aging Americans has driven the demand for physical therapists. Specifically, American baby boomers have become prone to chronic conditions and common health problems, which require them to seek services of physical therapists.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the demand for physical therapists would rise by 46 percent between the year 2010 and 2020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics 1). This rate of growth is faster than the average rate of growth in the job market because of health care needs of the aging population. This is good news for students of physical therapist assistant.

The job leads to a feeling of self-fulfillment among practitioners. Physical therapists help others to regain or attain their normal movement abilities and conduct their daily life activities. Surveys have shown that physical therapy job has an overall highest job satisfaction level (American Physical Therapy Association 1). More than a three-quarter of physical therapists who take part in surveys report that they are ‘very satisfied’. Certainly, this is the only best performing health care profession in terms of job satisfaction.

Physical therapists can perform their roles in any location with clients of different ages. As a result, they have a wide range of areas and settings for work, which may include outpatient clinics, private offices, hospitals, schools, sport facilities, health and fitness centers, and home health care facilities among others.

Finally, physical therapy education would elevate me to be my own boss. A large number of physical therapists work as private consultants or own their physical therapy facilities.

Education is necessary for physical therapy assistant. Students should get a CAPTE-accredited two-year associate degree program (American Physical Therapy Association 1). This allows graduates to sit for a national examination for the license and allows them to join the profession of physical therapy with the necessary skill, behaviors, and knowledge. Most states need the certificate or license in order to work as physical therapist assistant.

Education would ensure that a physical therapist assistant is competent, adaptable, knowledgeable, and self-assured to provide physical therapy services.

Physical therapy assistant education ensures that the graduate can perform the job, gather patient’s information, ensure safety, and respond to all instructions as provided by the physical therapist in a manner that that meets legal, ethical, effective, and safe practices of the profession.

Moreover, a physical therapist assistant requires education in order to learn how to communicate with other stakeholders, client’s family, and caregivers, as a team and cooperatively with others in the health care sector.

The career of a physical therapist assistant is exciting, flexible, and highly rewarding, but students require necessary qualifications to join the profession.

Works Cited

American Dental Education Association . Physical Therapist Assistant . 2012. Web.

American Physical Therapy Association. P hysical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Education: Overview. 2013. Web.

Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition: Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides. 2012. Web.

Kilgore College. Overview of Physical Therapist Assistant. 2013. Web.

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IvyPanda. (2024, January 4). The Career of a Physical Therapist Assistant. https://ivypanda.com/essays/physical-therapist-assistant-major/

"The Career of a Physical Therapist Assistant." IvyPanda , 4 Jan. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/physical-therapist-assistant-major/.

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IvyPanda . 2024. "The Career of a Physical Therapist Assistant." January 4, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/physical-therapist-assistant-major/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Career of a Physical Therapist Assistant." January 4, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/physical-therapist-assistant-major/.

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IvyPanda . "The Career of a Physical Therapist Assistant." January 4, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/physical-therapist-assistant-major/.

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Why I Want to be a Physical Therapist Assistant

Let's talk about job satisfaction. You need to consider several factors if you want to find an enjoyable path, including work environment, schedule, and whether or not you will enjoy your daily responsibilities. What do you enjoy doing? 

Is helping others and being there for your friends on top of your list? If yes, then your natural empathy makes you a prime candidate for a physical therapist assistant (PTA) degree . 

Consider Becoming a PTA

Although life as a physical therapist assistant has its own hurdles, there are several reasons why you should consider it.

Opportunity to make a difference

As a physical therapist assistant, you will be working one-on-one with patients while watching them make progress through treatment. There is no better source of joy than knowing that you’re making a difference in other people’s lives. Whether the originating issue was because of an injury or disease, physical therapist assistants help their patients return to maximum function. You will also work with patients to help prevent loss of mobility.

Work flexibility

The physical therapist assistant position is extremely flexible. There are very few paths that will give you the option to choose whether to work per diem or part-time. Do you have plans to travel the world? As a per diem physical therapist assistant you can work for only a few days a month and and travel the rest of the time. 

Choose your location and work setting

As a PTA, you could work with patients of all ages all over the country. You might choose from several locations and work settings, including schools, nursing homes, hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practices, sports and fitness facilities, and home health agencies.

Promote Health and Wellness

Physical therapist assistants work with other health professionals to provide physical therapy services under the supervision of a physical therapist. As a PTA, you will implement the selected components of patient treatment, acquire data pertaining to the interventions provided, and then make any modifications in the chosen interventions either for the progress of the patient or to ensure the comfort or safety of the patient.

You will also assist the physical therapist in treating patients of different ages, from newborns to senior patients who have medical problems or health-related conditions that hinder them from moving or performing other activities.

Other duties of physical therapist assistants include:

• Assist patients in doing specific exercises that are part of the care plan
• Use devices such as walkers to assist patients
• Use different techniques, such as massage to treat patients
• Educate patients and their families about what they should do after treatment

Importance of Education 

To work as a physical therapist assistant, you will need to have an associate degree. An associate degree program typically lasts less than 2 years, depending if you taken accelerated program or a traditional one, to complete all coursework and clinical education.

This combination enables you to link the learned principles to this practice. Some of the courses you will find in PTA programs include algebra, anatomy, English, physiology, and psychology. You could gain hands-on experience by frequently visiting treatment centers as part of an internship or externship.

Are you interested in being a PTA? Do you know the reasons why you want to work with people to help make their lives better after an illness or injury? If you want to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assisting, ECPI University offers this course of study at an accelerated rate. For more information about this exciting program, connect with a knowledgeable admissions advisor today .

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Why I Want to Be a Physical Therapist, Essay Sample

Essay about why i want to become a physical therapist.

When I think of what a physical therapist does, the first thing that comes to mind is helping people get back on their feet after an injury or an illness. While that is true, there is much more to it than that. A physical therapist has many responsibilities and duties they must abide by in order to keep the public safe. The four main things they must be able to do are: diagnose and treat injuries, teach how to prevent those injuries from happening again, treat diseases related to movement, and serve as expert witnesses for injured workers.

In this essay, which I write with the help of a custom paper writing service , I will share my reasons for pursuing a career in physical therapy, highlighting the key factors that motivate me to take this path. 

Reasons Why I Want to be a Physical Therapist

Physical therapy is an absolutely enormous field – one of the largest in the healthcare industry. But, when I think about what I love most about being a physical therapist, it’s that it’s so versatile. The type of work you do can be tailored to fit whatever you enjoy doing most. Some people really enjoy working with athletes; others like making older adults feel as comfortable and mobile as possible. You can choose to focus your efforts on one age group or another, find a great mentor in someone who works with your preferred area of focus, or even become a specialist in a specific sport.

Inspiration from My Therapist

From early childhood, I enjoyed playing sports and working out. But all of that changed when I suffered a serious knee injury during my senior year of high school. After the initial shock and pain, I was faced with a difficult decision — either let it heal on its own or face months of physical therapy and rehabilitation. 

My physical therapist worked diligently to get me back on my feet, helping me understand how important it is to move our bodies for healing purposes. She showed me exercises designed to strengthen my muscles around the knee joint and increase my range of motion. With each activity, she carefully monitored my progress and pushed me to do more than what was comfortable to help my body heal faster. Her guidance helped me regain strength and mobility in my knee much quicker than if I had just left it alone to heal on its own. 

The experience of going through physical therapy inspired me to pursue a career as a physical therapist myself so that I can help others who are struggling with injuries or chronic pain find relief through movement, as I did. 

Positive Impact of Physical Therapy on Patients

The positive impact that physical therapy can have on patients is one of the most compelling reasons why I want to become a physical therapist. Physical therapy can help alleviate pain, improve range of motion, increase strength and flexibility, and prevent future injuries. It can also enhance the overall quality of life by promoting independence, confidence, and self-esteem.

For example, physical therapy can prove invaluable for those recuperating from surgery, such as a knee replacement. It assists in restoring patients’ strength and mobility and reduces the risk of complications like blood clots and infections. Additionally, physical therapy can be a game-changer for those with persistent conditions, like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease. Physical therapists collaborate with their patients to create tailored treatment plans that manage symptoms and enhance their overall quality of life.

Variety of Specialties

One of the reasons I am drawn to physical therapy is the wide range of specialties within the field that allow PTs to continually broaden their knowledge and expertise. For example, PTs can specialize in areas such as neurorehabilitation, aquatic therapy, and pediatrics.

Pediatric physical therapy, in particular, appeals to me as someone interested in working with children while also gaining a deeper understanding of how adults function. Working with children requires a unique skill set and approach that can be both challenging and rewarding.

Alternatively, geriatric physical therapy may be a good fit for those seeking a more relaxed environment. This area of specialization involves working with older adults to improve their physical function, mobility, and overall quality of life. Regardless of the specialty, the opportunity to continually learn and grow as a physical therapist is an aspect of the profession that excites me.

Building Relationships with Patients

Another aspect of physical therapy that I find rewarding is the opportunity to build relationships with patients. Unlike other medical professions that may only see patients briefly, physical therapists often work with patients over an extended period of time. This allows for a deeper understanding of their needs, concerns, and goals, and the chance to establish a bond built on trust and mutual respect.

Through my experiences as a volunteer in physical therapy clinics, I have seen firsthand the difference that a physical therapist can make in someone’s life. For example, I worked with a patient who had suffered a severe stroke and was unable to walk or talk. Through months of physical therapy, she regained her ability to walk and communicate, and her quality of life improved dramatically. Seeing her progress and the positive impact on her life was incredibly rewarding, and it strengthened my desire to pursue a career in physical therapy.

As a physical therapist, you’ll be able to continue helping people in need of your expertise. You will be able to specialize in areas such as orthopedics and sports medicine or work with elderly patients who have arthritis or balance problems. In addition to working with patients in hospitals and clinics, physical therapists may also work in schools where children learn about fitness and nutrition.

Physical therapy is more than just working out and rehabbing injuries. It can involve helping with various issues, including managing pain, improving movement and range of motion, increasing strength, alimentation, and even preventing injury. I believe that physical therapy is a field that will allow me to continue helping others who are in need and make a difference in their lives.

Tips On Writing an Essay About the Reasons Why I Want to Be a Physical Therapist 

Writing a personal statement essay about why you want to become a physical therapist can be challenging, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to showcase your passion and dedication to this field. Here are some tips to help you write an effective essay:

When writing an essay on why you want to become a physical therapist, use clear and simple language so that the reader can understand what you’re saying. Don’t use long sentences or complex words.

Highlight your skills

Physical therapy requires a unique set of skills, including strong communication, empathy, and problem-solving abilities. Highlight how your own skills and experiences have prepared you for this profession.

Show, don’t tell

Don’t just tell the reader that you’re passionate about physical therapy; show them. Use vivid language and specific examples to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to this field.

Connect your personal story to your career goals

In your personal statement essay, it’s important to illustrate how your life experiences and professional aspirations align with your passion for becoming a physical therapist. Use your essay as a platform to articulate how you envision making a positive impact in this field.

Why Someone Might Want to Become a Physical Therapist

Physical therapy is a rewarding career that involves helping patients recover from injuries and illnesses. Physical therapists work closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans and help them achieve their goals. In this table, we will list the reasons why someone might want to become a physical therapist, along with a description of those reasons.

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Physical Therapy Personal Statement Examples

Your physiotherapy personal statement is the most important element of your university application. It is usually the factor that universities consider when deciding whether or not they should admit you to their school. We’ll show you some physical therapy personal statement examples in this article!

Your physical therapy personal statement should demonstrate your enthusiasm for the subject and why you would have been such a valuable member of their university community.

We propose that you browse over some previous Physiotherapy personal statement examples for inspiration when you begin writing your own.

physical therapy essay examples

Below are some physical therapy personal statement examples . These examples will allow you to see what shape and tone you require, as well as what colleges are searching for in general.

It’s Good To Know: Candidate Statement Sample

When I was a kid, I first heard the term “ physical therapy .”

My older cousin suffered from a brain aneurysm and then had to walk properly again through therapy. I had no idea what the science or profession was that was underlying the work. My only knowledge was that my relative was gradually recovering. Years later, I’m ready to turn that magic into a job. Helping people makes me think I’m getting the most out of life, thus I want to become a physical therapist. I’d like to leave a legacy of inspiration behind.

I remember working as a health coach and have had the pleasure of inspiring people to make positive changes in their lives. I also picked physical therapy as a career option since I am motivated by the desire to help people. As a volunteer at Camp Camp, I help physically challenged youngsters to access outdoor activities that were previously unavailable to them. I assist these children in making what appears to them to be unattainable a reality. Physical therapy strikes me as particularly related to the patient population.

I would like to be a guide again for the future and a healer for the past, as well as a solution to a single problem. I can’t imagine another career that will give me the foundation to make such a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Since my enthusiasm for the field, I believe I should be accepted into a physical therapy program.

Physical therapy is more than just a simple professional choice for me. It has forced me to overcome numerous challenges. My Bachelor of Science from the University of Denver was a huge milestone for me to be the first of three children to receive a college diploma. During my academic years, I majored in Electrical Engineering. It was a major that I believed would lead to a prominent job and one that my family would be proud of. However, I quickly discovered that Electrical Engineering was not my passion.

It required a lot of courage for me to abandon a career path that might have led to success. Volunteering allowed me to do some soul-searching. At this point, I decided to change my major to Kinesiology and start a new profession. I’ve given it a lot of thought before making this decision. Other employment possibilities have not only occurred to me, but I have also pursued them. Still, I return to my original plan of pursuing a career in physical therapy. I am certain that I will succeed in this program. I would bring my determination, motivation, and personality to every element of the program if accepted.

Food Habit Paragraph

I’ll continue to do well in my subjects academically. My volunteer work will be integrated into my whole experience so that I may bring that motivation to the curriculum. I’ll draw inspiration from my life experiences and family to push myself even harder. I intend to communicate with peers to obtain a better understanding of other facets of this profession while also sharing my own story. Finally, I will accomplish all of these goals in collaboration with a group of academics and students.

I am committed to achieving success in a career that I like every day. I didn’t understand it could be a future career when my cousin used physical therapy to learn to walk again when I was a kid. It seemed more mystical to me; an incomprehensible occurrence that altered someone’s life. Even though I now have a much more mature perspective on the events of my childhood and am aware of the science underlying the phenomenon. I still get a sense of magic when I think about how far I’ve come and where I’m going. I’m fortunate to have discovered a career that motivates me to get out of bed every day and do something positive.

You can use this sample as a physical therapy assistant personal statement. But never copy-paste it. 

My parents have had a vision of the career they need me to get when I grow up since I was a toddler. They encouraged me to forge my path to a better future and placed great expectations on me. They are proud of me because I am the first in my family to graduate from college. I was born in a Palestinian refugee camp with little access to medical care, technology, or further education. There is no way to compare that situation to the one in the United States. My parents instilled in me the belief that even a person’s personality is defined by their work. They informed me that it aids in the understanding and expression of one’s individuality, improves stability, offers satisfaction, and allows people to achieve their goals.

My goal is to overcome the challenges that my family has faced, rather than allowing them to rule me. I try to set an example for my brothers and the rest of my family’s children. On the road to success, you’ll need to plan your career, work hard, use the right tools, and dedicate yourself to it. My ambition is to become a person who can help the poor and make a difference in the world. I want to set an example for people to follow by leading by example.

When I first grasped the importance of physical therapy, I comprehended what it meant to be disabled across all levels: physical, mental, and emotional. I was in a car accident a few years ago, and then as part of my recovery, I needed to see a therapist to help me regain function in my injured back and shoulder. Then and there, I discovered firsthand how important a physical therapist is in the healthcare field.

I discovered that the therapist’s commitment to restoring the patients’ health, assisting them in moving again, and returning them to their normal lives is critical. My personal experience taught me that a skilled therapist must have a thorough understanding of the body’s movement, endurance, and strength, particularly in the areas of my back muscles, arms, and joints. That medical practitioner assisted me in managing my discomfort and improving my mobility.

Eventually, I decided to reconsider my goals, modify my career path, and make every effort possible to obtain one of the most gratifying professions. I’ve decided to apply for physical therapy because it will allow me to make a difference in someone else’s life, just like it did in mine a few years ago. Because it has become a true passion for me, I hope to uphold a set of core beliefs and principles as just a physical therapist and achieve perfection as a specialist.

How To Write a Personal Statement For Transfer Money?

I want to treat my patients as if they were members of my family. I’ll never turn them away due to financial constraints. I want to be a source of inspiration and strength for them. I want to be the one that makes the patients have a good time, feel relieved, and not worried or sad about their situation. After being injured, I know how difficult it is to restart a normal life. I understand how difficult it is to go through difficult moments. I value my family’s support because they are the driving force behind all I do or strive to be. They gave us the ability to be the first in my family to graduate high school and obtain the Seinfeld Scholarship Award as well as a Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a Psychology focus.

This is one of the finest physiotherapy masters personal statement examples.

My best friend’s brother had been in the military in Afghanistan during high school. His family was devastated to learn that he’d been involved in an insurgent explosive attack following months of combat. He had been in critical condition for more than a week. While surgeons were able to save his life, they were unable to salvage his limb. He was shocked but alive when he returned from Afghanistan, and he began physical treatment at Walter Reed Medical Center. During his two years of recuperation, I paid him numerous visits and observed how he gradually acclimated to being capable of moving, and then walking with such a prosthetic.

It was because of this experience that I decided to pursue a career in physics. Most people envision therapists directing a patient through simple motions repeatedly to “retrain” limbs to work in a specific way when they think of physical therapy. Although this is an important part of their employment, being a physical therapist also requires the capacity to provide emotional counseling and treatment. My friend’s brother had an extraordinarily gifted therapist who indicated that, while losing a leg would undoubtedly impact his life, it was still possible to live a regular life with it provided he had the determination to stick with it. Interacting alongside his physical therapist and seeing him acquire confidence in his new life inspired me to pursue a career in physical therapy. I wish to gain understanding and skills in a variety of industries as a Master’s student studying physical therapy.

I’ll learn the most up-to-date techniques and approaches in the sector, as well as the medical foundations for their application. But, I would be presented with current research that points to new directions for physical therapy, and I may do my study to simulate human damage and healing. All of these experiences from my Master’s in Physical Therapy program, I believe, will improve my capacity to interact with physicians and patients in the future as just a physical therapist.

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1) Select An Expertise

• Begin by identifying a memorable experience. One apparent option is to select a physical therapy experience that inspired you to pursue the profession. However, the question does not state that this must be clinical or physical therapy-related, so don’t limit yourself to these scenarios.

(See  PTCAS personal statement examples where people have described their experiences).

Consider the following experiences as possible topics for your writing:

• Overcoming difficulties/adversity
• Living with a physical or mental impairment
• Taking care of a family member who has a handicap or suffers from a chronic disease
• Experience as a volunteer
• Missions to provide medical assistance
• Working on a specific patient case
• Working with others/leading a team
• Teaching/mentoring

2) Describe How Your Life Has Changed As a Result Of The Experience

As given in the above physiotherapy job personal statement examples, tell about how the experience changed your career. Once you’ve narrowed down a few such events, you’ll need to figure out how each one “affected your personal growth, such as attitudes and perspectives.” This event should be ruled out if you are unable to recognize a shift in your growth.

Perhaps you worked with someone with whom you disagreed, but you learned to understand and respect their point of view. Maybe your time as a caregiver taught you how tough everyday duties can be for someone who has a chronic disease or handicap. 

Perhaps your work with marginalized populations has given you a better understanding of healthcare inequities and inspired you to provide care in these areas.

3) How Will This Experience Influence Your Future Career as a Physical Therapist?

It’s important to keep in mind that you’re writing this essay to apply to physical therapy programs. As a result, you’ll want to wrap up this response by discussing how this shift in viewpoint has prepared or motivated you to become a great physical therapist.

Consider the following questions when you respond to the final section of the prompt:

• Did your professional ambitions change as a result of this experience?
• What impact has your shift in viewpoint had on the way you’ll approach patient care?
• Is there anything in your answer that relates to the APTA Core Values?

Before selecting the real experience for this prompt, think about each event from steps 1-3. Before you define your statement, you might want to doodle some short sketches to assist you to get started.

Take advantage of the prompt’s versatility. Don’t stress about finding that one-of-a-kind experience; instead, focus on a single incident that defines your tale.

Hire our personal statement writers. You can see our occupational therapy personal statement examples. 

If you are looking for athletic training personal statement examples , the above examples may help you. But if you are confused you can ask us for more help.

https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1524&context=honorsprojects

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-011-4886-3_195

https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/asahp/jah/2022/00000051/00000002/art00009

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Our review panel has been working in academic and non-academic writing for more than 1 decade.

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The Ultimate Guide to Writing PT School Application Essays

Here are some pointers for writing essays when you apply to physical therapy school. Please know that there isn’t a single best way to write your essays and everyone will answer each prompt differently, so do what works for you!

Essays are challenging to write, especially without any guidance. I had about 10 revisions of each of the 7 essays I wrote, had several people read them each time, and still had trouble writing some of them.

How to Start Writing Your Essay

1. Organize Your Thoughts

Write down the essay prompt, either on a computer or by hand. Read it a couple times, even out loud, until you have a good idea of what it is asking.

Then write down any thoughts that came to mind. They can be related to the prompt, or you can just write down what you like about the physical therapy profession or any specific experiences that stand out to you.

It doesn’t matter if you’ll actually end up writing about them. Don’t worry about your grammar or if it is written well. Just write down all of your thoughts into bullet points, or just a few words or a sentence for each idea.

If you are having trouble coming up with ideas, there is a section at the end of this post just for you. There are a lot of questions that may help you come up with ideas for your essay, so go check them out!

2. Turn your ideas into paragraphs

Write more about each point that you wrote down. Try to form a paragraph and relate it back to the prompt. If you’re struggling on writing more than a sentence or two about the bullet point, then maybe one of your other ideas will be better to include in your essay.

3. Choose 2-3 things to talk about

Now that you’ve written as much as you can about each bullet point, you should start to see a general direction to keep writing your essay. What are your favorite topics? What ideas can relate to each other to make a cohesive essay? What ideas answer the prompt the best?

4. Form a Complete Essay

Now that you’ve chosen your favorite paragraphs, format them into one essay. Now you can add an introduction paragraph that briefly mentions these paragraphs and your overall topic. Then you can add a conclusion.

5. Edit Your Essay

Now that you have a complete essay, you can read it from beginning to end. If it doesn’t flow well between each paragraph, add some transition sentences. If you don’t answer the prompt very well, rewrite some sentences. Keep editing and rewording until the essay is finished.

How Do You Format Your Essay?

You can format your essay however you like! I recommend that you have an introduction, some body paragraphs, and a conclusion. However, you don’t need your typical “5 paragraph” essay. Some supplemental essays may also have a shorter length, so you might only write two paragraphs.

You can indent each new paragraph, or just put a space between paragraphs instead of indenting, unless the school states that there is a specific way they want you to format your essay.

General Tips for PT School Essays

I know that writing your essays is not as simple as those 5 steps. It can take weeks and be mentally exhausting. However, I’ve included a bunch of tips to help guide you to writing a great essay.

• Be careful what you write about patients. If you choose to write about a patient, don’t include any specific personal information like their name, ethnicity, or occupation, or you will be violating HIPAA. Describing their general age, condition, gender, what setting you observed in, general occupation if it relates to your story, and what interventions were used is perfectly fine.
• Don’t use contractions.  I just did, but that’s besides the point! Contractions are too casual, so avoid them if possible.
• First-person speech.  It’s ok to say “I” and talk in first person. You’re writing about yourself, after all! Just make sure that you vary your sentence structure so that you don’t begin every sentence with “I”. There is never any reason to say “I think” in any sentence. It sounds unprofessional, so just delete it.
• Focus on the positives.  If you had any negative experiences, setbacks, or mistakes, don’t spend too much time writing about them. Explain yourself in a couple sentences, but focus on what you learned and how you’ve bettered yourself. Don’t dwell on the past, but try to focus on the positive results.
• Try to avoid clichés.  Almost everyone can write about how they want to be a physical therapist because they love to help people, or because they got injured and need physical therapy. You can briefly write these things, but you need to have other, more personal experiences that you can write about. Be sure to set yourself apart from others.
• Why have you chosen each school?  For supplemental essays for a specific school, make sure to mention why you want to go to their school, if it fits into the prompt. It’s good to show that you’ve done your research and are excited to attend their program for specific reasons.
• Answer the question.  It’s self-explanatory, but it’s so easy to get caught up in what you’re writing and go in a direction that doesn’t answer the original prompt. Make sure everything that appears in the essay helps to answer the prompt in some way.
• Have others read and edit your essay. Family members, friends, classmates, college writing center, or people on the Student Doctor Network Forums can all help your essay. It’s so beneficial to have an outside perspective on essays, especially because the admissions committee reading your essay won’t read it in the same way that you do. Try to have as many people critique your essay as possible.
• If you ask for help online, don’t post your entire essay for everyone on the internet to read. Make a new thread or comment on a current essay thread, and send an email directly to the person willing to read your essay. There are people that might steal your essay and use it as their own, so be careful who you send it to.
• Take a break from writing. Constantly thinking about your essay, rewriting, and editing is exhausting. It’s helpful to take a few days from working on your essay, and then come back to it with a fresh start.
• Try writing in different environments. I wrote mostly at home, but found that I got stuck with my writing. I started to write at coffee shops, which helped me be more productive. Try working at a library, outside, at a friend’s house, or in a different room in your own house.
• Essays can take weeks to write.  Make sure you start early enough so you aren’t stressed out from trying to meet an upcoming deadline. Start working on your essays as soon as possible.
• Be careful when writing multiple essays.  The PTCAS essay is sent to every school, so don’t copy and paste the same paragraphs into any supplemental essays. However, if two different schools have an essay prompt that is similar, then feel free to similar paragraphs.
• Essays are weighed differently by each school.  Some might not even read the PTCAS essay, others care more about their supplemental essays, or some schools do not care much about a well-written essay.
• Maximum character length.  You don’t have to write 4498 out of 4450 characters for your essay to be great.  Shorter is fine if you can get your point across. Aim for the character maximum, but it’s fine to have several hundred less than that.
• What if you wrote too much?  Worry about the essay length after you have written your thoughts down. When you are finalizing your essay, remove the repetitive information and anything that does not support the prompt, for starters. Then you can try rewording your sentences so they get straight to your point.

Tips for Specific Essays

If you’re stuck with writing your essays, see if you can answer these questions. You don’t need to answer all of them or any of them to write a great essay. A lot of these questions will overlap and be useful on other prompts, so make sure to read through everything if you need help.

Hopefully these questions will get you out of any writers block you may have.

PTCAS Essay

You can find the essay prompt on the PTCAS Essay page , or on their Facebook page once it is released. When I applied in 2014, the essay prompt was released in early June, and the PTCAS application opened in early July. This gave me an entire month to write my essay before I could even start my PTCAS application.

The essay prompt changes every year or every several years, so I can’t give great advice for this. These are some tips from past essays, so hopefully they help.

• How have your life experiences shaped who you are?
• What observation experiences can you talk about?
• Are there any patients that have influenced you?
• How has an experience impacted how you want to want to practice physical therapy?
• Who are the most influential people in your life?
• When did you know that you wanted to be a physical therapist?
• When have you been on a team or worked in a group? How was the team approach better than working by yourself?
• Where do you see the field of physical therapy going, and how do you fit into that picture?
• What sort of physical therapist to you see yourself being?
• How would you treat your future patients?
• What dream goals do you have?
• What character traits are important to have as a physical therapist
• What experiences have strengthened those traits for you, or what traits are you currently working on?
• How has your time spent as a patient affected how you will be a physical therapist?
• Are there any specific therapists that you wish to be like, or any therapists that you don’t want to become?
• Why will you be valuable to this profession?
• Are you interested in teaching, research, owning your own business, traveling, working for a nonprofit, or volunteering in another country?

Autobiography Essay

• What challenges have you overcome in your life?
• What are some of your major accomplishments?
• Why do you want to be a physical therapist?
• What things have you done that helped you grow as an individual
• What activities have you participated in?
• Who are some influential people on your life?
• How have your family, friends, or peers shaped who you are today?
• How would other people describe you?
• What 5 words describe you the best?
• What character traits are important for a physical therapist to have? Do you have these traits, or how are you improving them?
• What is important to you?
• How will your experiences make you a successful physical therapy student/physical therapist?
• How did your upbringing shape your personality, and how will that make you a better physical therapist?
• How have your experiences led you to the physical therapy career instead of other health care careers?
• Is there a central theme about your life experiences?
• How can you contribute to the field of physical therapy and your future patients?

Diversity Essay

• Describe your life experience as it is related to your culture.
• Is it hard to understand others who are from a different culture?
• Do you have a culturally different perspective than your peers?
• Does your culture have a different set of health care beliefs, or have you encountered another culture with different beliefs?
• Have you had an experience in life where you felt like your culture created a barrier for you?
• Have you volunteered for an economically disadvantaged population?
• Do you have trouble relating to higher socioeconomic classes?
• Have your experiences helped you relate better to certain people?
• Have you witnessed any social, cultural, or economic barriers when observing in a health care setting?
• How have you learned from any of these experiences?
• How does recognizing, understanding, or appreciating diversity make you a better physical therapist?
• Have you worked with individuals with disabilities?
• How do these experiences support that you will be able to work with diverse patients when you are a physical therapist?

Reapplicant Essay

• Have you retaken any classes?
• Did you retake the GRE?
• Do you have additional observation experiences?
• Did you observe in any new settings or see a different patient population?
• Did you have any additional work experience?
• Where you involved in any groups or team sports?
• Did you volunteer?
• How are you more prepared to be a successful student?
• Have you improved any personal skills?
• Have you worked with individuals that are different or gave you a unique perspective?
• What have you learned and how have you improved?
• How did these new experiences change your perspective, improve your application, change your personality, taught you something new, made you grow, or support your desire to become a physical therapist?

Does Your Academic Record Accurately Reflect Your Capabilities?

Most people say that you should only answer this section if something major happened in your life that was out of your control, like an illness, personal injury, family emergency, death of a loved one, etc.

Don’t use this area to write a list of excuses for why your grades weren’t as good as you wished. Examples of excuses: Explaining that you weren’t mature enough, didn’t study hard enough, partied too much, took too many difficult classes, or went to a challenging university. Those are excuses because you were responsible and they could have been avoided or handled better. If you are eager to explain yourself, you can try to add a sentence or two into your PTCAS essay.

A lot of people had lower grades at the beginning of their college career, so if your grades improved over time and your transcript shows that, you don’t need to write an essay to explain yourself.  It takes a while to learn how to succeed in college, and admissions committees understand that.

Additional Resources

Unfortunately there isn’t much information about physical therapy school essays. I found these resources for general essay writing, grad school essays, and med school essays, but they’re mostly applicable to physical therapy school too!

PTCAS Essay Prompt Essay Workshop 101 Writing the Personal Statement Personal Statement Before You Write Your Personal Statement, Read This Writing Your Medical School Personal Statement: Tips and Myths Writing the Personal Statement for Medical School

Student Doctor Network Forums:

Supplemental Essays character limit   PTCAS Essay question for 2015-2016 application cycle! Essay   This year’s personal statement prompt? Should I or should I not write about this in my essay? Re-applicant essay Does your personal statement have to be 4500 characters? 

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Pingback: PTCAS: Personal Statement/Essays

The link you set for the reapplicant essay doesn’t lead to that blog post. I wanted to ask if you know if reapplicants should submit the same essays if the essay question is the same this year?

Sorry for taking so long to reply! I just saw your comment this morning.

Thank you for letting me know about the link. Occasionally blogs are taken down, so I’ll have to go through and make sure to remove all the links to that site.

That’s a tough question, and I don’t think there is really a correct answer. If you read the Student Doctor Network forums , you can find others who have run into the same situation. Do you know why you were not accepted the first time around? If you didn’t meet the GPA or GRE requirements, your application may have been automatically disqualified and your essays might have never been read. You can choose to use the same exact essay, but hopefully they haven’t been read by the same program already. You can also choose to edit your essays a little bit, and maybe add any new experiences that you’ve had since you last applied.

Best of luck this application cycle! 🙂

Hi Katie! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and I really appreciate it!!! I’m just wandering if you know any PT personal essay editing service?

Hey Lauren! Sorry for the delay in my response, and I hope it isn’t too late.

When I was applying to schools, I sent my essays to 3-4 of my friends (including an English major), so I got tons of feedback from them. There’s also the Student Doctor Network forums, and there are DPT students and PTs that offer up their spare time to edit essays! Just be cautious when sending your essay to strangers on the forum – make sure that they have a decent number of posts on that site.

I’m not sure if there is an essay editing service online, specific towards PT admissions essays.

If you need any last minute help, feel free to email me your essay and I can give some comments! Best of luck with getting into schools! 🙂

I’m almost finished with my PTCAS application process and I found this. Super helpful, I’m making some edits to my essay now. Thank you!

You’re welcome! I’m glad I could help! Good luck with applying and everything.

Thank you, that was so helpful!

You’re welcome! Thanks for the nice comment 🙂 glad I was able to help!

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The Curly Clinician - Physical Therapy + Lifestyle

PTCAS Essay 2020-2021/2021-2022/2022-2023: Initial Thoughts + 5 Tips

June 25, 2020 Physical Therapy , Pre-PT , PTCAS & Planning

Hi friends! Long time no personal statement post! PTCAS updated their essay for the 2020-2021 cycle, so I figured I’d give you guys my initial thoughts on the essay prompt and share a few tips to help you get started on crafting a winning essay!

PTCAS Essay Prompt : Every person has a story that has led them to a career. Since there are a variety of health professions that “help” others, please go beyond your initial interaction or experiences with physical therapy, and share the deeper story that has confirmed your decision to specifically pursue physical therapy as your career.

In my opinion, I think this is a great essay prompt! It is way better than the one I had to answer when I applied in my opinion: “What is professionalism in the context of being a student in a doctor of physical therapy program?”…yea bleh. This prompt isn’t too vague; it’s just specific enough so that you know exactly what admissions committees are looking for, but you still have free range to make it personal and add your own flare.

1. Answer the prompt, period.

I know this may seem obvious, but I have edited many essays for pre-PT students, and have come across essays that didn’t even answer the prompt. This is a sure-fire way to stop someone from reading your essay, so follow directions, and try not to deviate too far from the prompt.

2. Wanting to “help others” is not enough.

Almost everyone wants to be a physical therapist because they want to help people, or because they had an awesome physical therapist when they were injured. While this is great, admissions committees want to hear why you want to become a physical therapist (which is why they explicitly included this in the prompt) as opposed to an MD/DO, a PA, an OT. Really think about WHY you want to help people. What are your passions? Pull from your life experiences (healthcare and/or non-healthcare related) to make your essay more personal.

3. What is your s tory?

Everyone has a story. Like the prompt requires, you must go beyond your initial experiences with physical therapy. Did you have a really impactful patient? A family tie? A childhood experience? Whatever it is, tell it! Your story will always be enough. This may require a bit of brainstorming (and deep thought), and that’s fine. Remember that admissions committees aren’t looking for this extravagant story though, they just want to know you and why physical therapy is the right fit. This is your personal statement…make it PERSONAL!

For example, my “PT story” includes the lack of representation for Black women in academia in general, but especially in the physical therapy profession. I began my essay discussing my first real experience with representation: receiving a Holiday Barbie doll that was Black every year for Christmas as a child. This was a piece of my story, and I used it to explain why physical therapy was the career choice for me, and how it made me a great applicant.

4. Make sure your essay has structure.

You need to have an introduction (with a captivating opener to engage the reader), and a conclusion to bring your essay full circle. I began my essay with a childhood memory (as mentioned earlier), but you could begin with a quote (kinda cliché, but you could make it work), a question, a general idea, or something else. You want to grab the reader’s attention immediately !

5. Show, don’t tell!

Use lots of examples. Show your story, don’t just tell it. The reader must be able to visualize your words, so that your story can come to life. You can achieve this by having a “theme” that you incorporate into your essay.

Alright guys, I hope this was helpful, and is a good start to helping you craft an awesome essay. Remember that I am available for editing (this essay, supplemental essays, and resumes), so click here if that is something you are interested in! Also feel free to check out this post for more tips on writing your essay(s)!

Special thanks to my sweet friend Yusra . She wrote a post like this on a past PTCAS prompt, and it inspired me to write one with my thoughts for this year’s prompt!

Reader Interactions

July 2, 2020 at 1:10 pm

Hi, thank you so much for these helpful tips! Do you think it best to discuss one personal experience when writing the personal statement or is it okay to talk about more than one?

July 5, 2020 at 3:53 pm

You’re so welcome! And I think it is okay to discuss more than one, just not too many!

July 22, 2020 at 10:20 pm

Hello, I was wondering if you could just glance over my essay and let me know if the structure is fine?

July 25, 2020 at 12:36 pm

Hi, I offer editing services under my “shop/services” page!

July 25, 2020 at 11:38 am

Wonderful insight! These tips gave me some great ideas for my essay after weeks of being lost with this prompt. Thank you so much!

July 25, 2020 at 12:38 pm

You’re so welcome, good luck with everything!

August 18, 2020 at 10:33 pm

Awesome thank you!

September 13, 2020 at 11:56 pm

What do you think is an appropriate length for the essay. The maximum word limit is 4500 but I’m afraid of writing too much that it might loose the interest of the reader and too little that the reader may not see my personality/experience detail.

September 15, 2020 at 7:42 pm

You should definitely try your hardest to hit the 4500 CHARACTER limit!

September 24, 2020 at 11:24 am

Hello, I am having the hardest time starting on my personal essay. I know exactly what I want to say, I just do not have right words at the moment. When I first read your tips, I had the perfect flow going but now I am stuck.

September 24, 2020 at 3:40 pm

Hi Alicia! My biggest piece of advice for when you are stuck is to take a break. Coming back to your essay later with a fresh pair of eyes can be a game changer. I hope this helps!

January 5, 2021 at 4:20 pm

Hey girly! Thank you so much for all the info! It’s been really helpful exploring your blog! I’m a little confused on the how often the prompts change for the personal statements. Is it every two years that a new prompt gets put out?

January 5, 2021 at 5:41 pm

You’re so welcome! And yes typically they change every 2 years!

July 28, 2022 at 10:40 am

Thank you so much for all this info! It’s been super helpful as my college also did not have a Pre-PT club. When writing the PTCAS essay, is it okay to use “PT” instead of physical therapy or things like “PT school”? I am right over the 4500 character limit and am trying to cut some things out! Thank you for all of your help!

August 18, 2022 at 10:36 pm

You’re so welcome Sarah! Yes, that is totally fine!

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Why I Want to be Physical Therapy Assistant - Essay Example

• Subject: Health Sciences & Medicine
• Type: Essay
• Level: College
• Pages: 3 (750 words)
• Downloads: 2
• Author: feliciahaag

Extract of sample "Why I Want to be Physical Therapy Assistant"

The PTA also has a role in preventing the onset, symptoms and progression of impairments and disabilities which may have resulted from injuries, diseases and disorders. Additionally, the PTA plays a professional role in restoring, maintaining and promoting the optimal physical functioning of the patient’s body. This goes hand in hand with the promotion of a patient’s optimal wellness and quality of life, in relation to movement as well as health. In the Physical Therapist Assistant career, the practitioners provide physical therapy services under the supervision and direction of Physical Therapists.

PTAs help people who have health-related conditions or problems that may limit their abilities to move, or even to perform their functional abilities (APTA, 2011). They work in diversified environmental settings, including such places as clinics, nursing homes, schools and sports facilities. Physical Therapy Assistants are mostly regulated by some States through licensures (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009). These States require that the PTAs graduate from an accredited education program and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam for example in North Carolina the licensure is conducted by North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (NCPTA, 2011). . I believe that I am well placed to work with Veterans because I too am a Vet.

I do understand the circumstances and backgrounds of these people and that is why I would really feel fulfilled in serving them. Some of the attributes I will bring to the PTA field, as mentioned above, include my own experiences as a Veteran. Like, I have already stated I do understand what Veterans have undergone and can therefore offer the empathy needed while undertaking the duties of a PTA. Moreover, I have a “one-of-the-guys” character type that is easy to get along with or work with.

My colleagues, superiors and juniors, alike can readily attest to this. In addition to that, I have always admired the medical profession in general. However, after the research I have conducted on the different specialties I am more drawn towards alleviating the pain of the physically disabled and helping them regain in whichever fraction their ability to walk, jump, run or even simple enjoy motion. However, I do admit that my academic skills have not been as great as they should be. To improve and become a competent Physical Therapy Assistant, I know that increased focus on school work would be mandatory and as such I am have mentally prepared myself to do so.

Question Three: There are three major characteristics that I associate with being a professional. First of all, a professional needs to be ethical. This implies that a professional should be able to maintain high standards of ethics and integrity, while upholding the prescribed values and codes of conduct advocated by his or her profession when performing their relevant duties. Secondly, a professional has to

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Career Change: 8 Reasons Why Being a Physical Therapist Assistant Is Worth the Switch

By Ashley Brooks on 04/13/2020

You groan as your Monday-morning alarm blares in your ear. “I wish I didn’t have to go to work today.” It’s the first thought you have every weekday, and you can’t help but wonder if your job is at least part of the problem.

You can’t help but envy the friends of yours who have stories about their great achievements at work. Even if they’re not working in their childhood dream jobs, they seem to have a general sense of accomplishment and pride in their work—and that matters when you’re considering the long haul of a career. While your current role may be decent enough to slog through, it doesn’t feel like the right fit for you anymore.

You’re not alone in experiencing the nagging feeling that it’s time for a career change. Plenty of people like you have made the tough decision to go back to school to pursue a career that doesn’t make them dread Mondays.

The role of a physical therapist assistant is one of the top careers on your list to explore—but you don’t want to make the same mistake twice. So what makes this position potentially appealing to career changers? We take a closer look at the factors that could make becoming a PTA a perfect next move.

8 Reasons to consider being a physical therapist assistant

Whether your current job feels off because of a bad work environment, boredom or not using your natural skillset, there’s a good chance that being a physical therapist assistant could be the job that sets your career in motion again. Picture yourself enjoying the benefits of this career to see if it’s the right move for you!

1. It's active, hands-on work

Working in an office setting is okay for some people, but you’re sick of staring at a screen for hours on end. In today’s era of technology, a solid career that gets you up and moving can be hard to find. Luckily for you, physical therapist assistant is one job title that fits the bill!

As a physical therapist assistant you’d be frequently on the move and physically active—you’ll help move and set up equipment, guide patients through rehabilitation exercises and physically assist them as they move through rehabilitation facilities.

2. There’s strong projected job growth

No one wants to transition to a career with a poor job outlook, but aspiring physical therapist assistants can feel good about the overall market for these roles. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment in this healthcare career to grow by 27 percent from 2018 to 2028—a rate much faster than the national average of 5 percent projected employment growth for all occupations. 1

The BLS explains that this strong employment growth projection is due in part to the aging Baby Boomer generation, a population that needs increasing amounts of care as they age. Physical therapist assistants are also in demand as a way to reduce the cost of physical therapy services for patients. As medical technology continues to expand in its ability to save patients through surgery and other treatments, physical therapy rehabilitation will be a growing need to serve those patients and help them return to their daily lives.

3. No two patients are the same

If you’re tired of doing the same, old tasks, day in and day out, every week, becoming a physical therapist assistant could be a nice change of pace. Not only will you get to learn about your patients’ unique stories, but you’ll assist with different tasks and treatments based on their specific needs. And, if you’re open to traveling, you can work in home healthcare services for a real change of scenery!

4. Your work will help others

A lot of jobs can make you feel disconnected from the world—pushing paper and selling widgets can make you wonder if what you’re doing actually has a purpose. That’s not the case as a physical therapist assistant. There’s no question that every day you spend as a physical therapist assistant is a day spent helping others improve their quality of life.

PTAs work directly with patients to help them recover a full range of motion after surgery, injury or illness. They help patients through stretching, assigning exercises and providing education to patients and their families about their treatment plan. You’ll be able to see the difference you’re making with each patient you serve—and that can be energizing.

5. Seeing client progress is rewarding

Working directly with patients gives physical therapist assistants a front-row seat to the daily challenges and progress they experience as they work through their exercises. Many patients will need a PTAs help in overcoming obstacles, and you’ll be there from day one to give them the support and encouragement they need.

When patients make progress, reach new milestones or even “graduate” from their physical therapy program, you’ll be right there to cheer them on in their hard-won accomplishments. Helping someone regain their mobility and independence can be a profoundly satisfying feeling that makes the hard work you put in every day feel worth it.

6. You get to try your hand at coaching

Many people had youthful dreams of coaching a sports team. Maybe you’ve even helped out as a parent volunteer on your kids’ teams! Becoming a physical therapist assistant is another arena where you can put your coaching skills to use helping others push their limits and achieve their goals.

Many of the skills physical therapist assistants use on the job are similar to those used by coaches. For example, PTAs need to exercise strong judgment and decision making abilities, instruct others how to do something using the learning strategies that work best for them, and use social perceptiveness to understand their patients’ reactions. You learn what makes patients tick and how to push them in a constructive way—a potentially appealing part of the job, even if you don’t get to try your hand at a rousing halftime speech.

7. You can potentially build on past experience

Coaching isn’t the only career that shares some overlap with the work of physical therapist assistant. Many other career experiences lend themselves well to launching a PTA career. These are just a few experiences that could come in handy as you transition to a PTA role:

• Personal training, either yourself or others, gives you useful knowledge of how the body works and serves as a foundation in supporting and encouraging others in working through challenges and physical pain.
• Roles that allow you to inspire and lead others, such as teaching, coaching or tutoring, make a great stepping-stone into the PTA world, where you’ll use similar skills to help patients reach their goals.
• Strong decision-makers, like people who work in the business world or who are in a supervisory position, are well prepared to use their wise judgment in service of their patients.

8. PTA programs can be completed relatively quickly—and transfer credits can help.

Taking the time to embark on a new career can feel scary. The good news is, making the switch to a PTA career doesn’t have to take years of your life.

PTAs are required to have an associate’s degree, according to the BLS , which typically takes around two years to complete. However, the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Rasmussen University can be completed in as few as 18 months. 2

Set your new career in motion as a physical therapist assistant

Now that you have more information about being a physical therapist assistant, you’re probably wondering how to make this career change into a reality. Find out with our comprehensive guide, “ Physical Therapist Assistant Education: What to Expect in Your PTA Training .”

Related Articles:

• Physical Therapy Assistant Programs: 6 Key Factors to Consider

1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [accessed March, 2020] www.bls.gov/ooh/ . BLS salary data represents national, averaged earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary. 2 Completion time is dependent upon the number of transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term.

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About the author

Ashley Brooks

Ashley is a freelance writer for Collegis education who writes student-focused articles on behalf of Rasmussen University. She believes in the power of words and knowledge and enjoys using both to encourage others on their learning journeys

Posted in Physical Therapist Assistant

• physical therapy
• healthcare careers

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This piece of ad content was created by Rasmussen University to support its educational programs. Rasmussen University may not prepare students for all positions featured within this content. Please visit www.rasmussen.edu/degrees for a list of programs offered. External links provided on rasmussen.edu are for reference only. Rasmussen University does not guarantee, approve, control, or specifically endorse the information or products available on websites linked to, and is not endorsed by website owners, authors and/or organizations referenced. Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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Why I Want to Be a Therapist

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