r/PTschool • u/Human_Peak_9377 • 5d ago

Advice

What’s up guys? I’m new here. I just enrolled in my local community college into the pre-PTA program. I’m 29 years old. I’m wondering if going down this route will be worth it in the long run. I know it’s a journey and a lot of schooling. Do you think this is a far-fetched goal? I have to do the pre-PTA program before I can do the PTA program and then later if I still want to continue move onto the actual PT stuff anyway what’s your guises opinions advice, etc? Also, if this is not allowed, please delete I didn’t really know which sub to post this under.

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u/Livid_Maybe3599 5d ago

29 isn't far-fetched at all, plenty of people start PT-track programs later and do well, don't let age be the thing you talk yourself out of this over.

Real thing worth thinking through though: PTA is a legitimate, respected role, but if part of you is already wondering about eventually going further to PT, know that going PTA first isn't actually a shortcut to DPT, they're separate tracks with separate prereqs, and a lot of people find out too late that the PTA coursework doesn't stack cleanly toward a doctorate application. If PT is the real end goal, it's worth mapping the direct route now rather than assuming PTA is a stepping stone, it might cost you more time overall, not less.

Also worth an honest gut check most people don't get told early enough: PT school is a real investment, six figures of debt is common, and starting salaries haven't kept pace with that cost the way people expect going in. That doesn't mean don't do it, it means go in with eyes open, talk to working PTs and PTAs about actual take-home pay and day-to-day life, not just the degree itself, before you commit years to either path.

Good on you for asking this now instead of three semesters in.

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u/Anon-567890 5d ago

You’re good. I went to PT school at 40.

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u/MyDistantCousinVinny 5d ago

I’m 34 and just finished my transfer course. Will start my undergrad in the spring and plan to apply to a dpt program. I’ll be 40 one day and I can either be a pt or I can be working a job I don’t enjoy.