So here's the deal folks, I want to be a physical therapist, have wanted to be one since I was 13 years old. And since the momentous time of choosing my profession at a young age I have dedicated myself to doing whatever I needed to do, take whatever classes, intern for no money in order to get into graduate school and earn my degree. I'm in my senior year of college, just barely 4 days until I graduate and am at this moment sweating over whether or not I'll actually be able to attend graduate school. To clear up any confusion I am going to school or rather I've been provisionally accepted to the Department of Physical Therapy at Ohio University. What might you say is making me employ sympathetic induced reactions?
Physics.
General Physics to be exact. Not that I think that physics should ever be called general for that is too broad a topic applied to this vast subject area. The amount of information that is contained in one word is phenomenal and well...scary. So because I have felt trapped by this subject that has invaded my dreams I decided to do a little research as to how much physics will I actually apply once I attain my degree. The only subjects that I could find that related to the profession were linear motion, forces, angular motion and torque, and heat and energy exchange. Basically three topics that virtually coexist and intertwine. My only complaint....why couldn't I have just learned these topics and then be done with it? Why prolong the torture and make me listen to lectures on electromagnetic conduction. It's more a test of endurance rather than an actual time of learning.
I'm all for the attainment of knowledge but at times when I'm taking a class that has nothing to do with my major but rather it is the requirement for graduate school and it is taught in a manner not conducive to learning...I get a little angry. What's more I asked a number of graduate students at each of my interview times how much they've used physics, and not a single one of them ever said "why yes I have used those theories you slaved over for hours on end". If I'm going to be forced to take a subject that is a requirement for my doctorate degree, then at least have it make sense in relation to my future profession as a whole, not in part.
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Amen... you know a subject is hard when jump up and down with excitement when you learned you earned a C+ in the class....
ReplyDeleteDude. I completely feel your frustration. I know that the structure and expectations of the class were lacking leaving you with utter uncertainty, but do not dispair! I bet you $100 you got a B. Mark my words. Hopefully I don't lose since I am broke. Let me know when I'm right though!
ReplyDeletePT schools need to know that you can handle the material before they let you in. They want to know that you possess the skills necessary to do well in PT school and be competent in actual practice.
ReplyDeleteThere is no direct way to measure your ability to learn and practice PT, so schools do the best they can to measure general competence and academic ability. They do this by requiring difficult courses and examining your grades in these courses.
You need to take physics, then, not because you have a use for the material itself, but because the class is a test of your ability to learn difficult concepts.
Aside from organic chemistry, physics is one of the few science courses that measures conceptual thinking ability in addition to mere memorization ability. That is why you need to learn about electricity.
By the way, I don't know whether anyone has told you this before or not, but merely saying how you much you want to be a physical therapist doesn't convince anyone of anything. PT schools hear it everyday. I would be more inclined to believe that you really wanted to be a physical therapist if, instead of complaining about how hard it is to become a PT, you wrote about how well you were doing in physics because you knew how important it was to your school applications.
In other words, your writing could benefit from fewer assertive sentences and more supporting sentences.
Here's the funny thing, a select few people do well in physics...and they are physics majors. I wasn't doing well in this course, neither was 70% of the class. Let me ask you if you think that requiring a course that will not be employed in the least in any further course taken is a good idea. Every single prerequisite besides physics I have taken has been an integral part of my coming education. Forgive me for saying this but sir I don't think you know what you are talking about.
ReplyDelete"Here's the funny thing, a select few people do well in physics...and they are physics majors. I wasn't doing well in this course, neither was 70% of the class."
ReplyDeleteYour performance relative to other PT school applicants is the only relevant standard. Why do you bring up the physics majors? Or your classmates? No one cares about your performance relative to them.
"Let me ask you if you think that requiring a course that will not be employed in the least in any further course taken is a good idea."
Yes. Yes I do. I already told that I did, and I already told you why: "You need to take physics not because you have a use for the material itself, but because the class is a test of your ability to learn difficult concepts. Physics is one of the few science courses that measures conceptual thinking ability in addition to mere memorization ability."
"Every single prerequisite besides physics I have taken has been an integral part of my coming education."
Your other classes are your background, and physics is your test. Is that so difficult to understand or accept? You need to learn things, yes, but PT school admission is competitive and you need to prove your intellectual prowess by taking physics.
"Forgive me for saying this but sir I don't think you know what you are talking about."
Neither do the PT schools that you are applying to, apparently. I'm not the one telling you to take physics -- they are. Did you inform them as to your honest opinion of their knowledge? "Dear PT School, you people don't know what you are talking about. Please let me in so I can teach you. Sincerely, elsie."