My Pre-PT Story: Dr. Casey Coleman, PT, DPT

My PT story begins with the difficult choice between pharmacy and physical therapy. Like most people, I looked for career choices that would provide what everyone looks for in an ideal profession: money, free time, and fulfillment. After high school, I had the opportunity to be a part of the Walgreens–Chicago College of Pharmacy Career Explorers Program summer internship hosted by Midwestern University, which influenced me to enter my college years as a pre-pharmacy major. Although the classes weren’t terribly challenging, I felt anxious about my major for most of my freshman year. Later that year, I began to research and look into physical therapy again and realized that I made a mistake and was simply blinded by the dollar signs in the pharmacy career path. Physical therapy is the field that would not only bring food to the table, but also enable me to make a more meaningful impact in people’s lives.

Crossing My Fingers

My university has a 3+3 program in which students have the option to complete 3 years of undergrad followed by 3 years of PT school. As a junior, I began the application process into the physical therapy program along with all the other PT hopefuls in my year. I applied with a 3.4 GPA, started the PTCAS application in September, and included a total of 3 references. Immediately after the deadline, I overheard classmates receive acceptance phone calls and saw excited posts on social media, I was devastated, not only from the feelings of rejection, but I knew that if i didn’t in, I was wasting a year of my life and $75k-100k worth of less debt and more salary as a physical therapist. Week after week, I crossed my fingers hoping for a call and with each passing week, I lost more and more hope. When I had no doubt of being denied acceptance, I met with my advisor and set a game plan that would improve my chances of getting accepted the next year.

In the heat of the summer during  my months of hustling to improve my application, I was called by Joses Ngugi - Co founder of Pre-PT Grind. He told me about a school project he was working on for his leadership class this coming school year called the Pre-PT Success Program. He wanted me to be a mentor in the program and share my story and give advice to freshman and sophomores looking to apply to PT school. This fit in perfectly with my game plan to make myself a more valuable asset to PT schools and jumped on the chance to join.

The Game Plan

The game plan was put into action that summer. I enrolled in a local community college and spent the last of my savings on a $1200 Anatomy 1 course (plus I had to take Anatomy 2 as well so there goes $2,400).. For the duration of the class, I spent my mornings caddying at a country club and the evenings in lectures and labs, all while saving money to afford Anatomy 2. From then on, I gave my all to every test and assignment in all my classes to get the best grades possible. When the next PTCAS cycle came around, I applied with a 3.7 GPA, started the application the day it opened, included 5 letters of recommendation, and was on track to graduate with a Bachelor in Health Science. After putting in the work and doing that I could do, I was offered an interview an interview at my #1 school (but to no surprise I was offered many other interviews as well). This time I put in the work, followed my game plan and made myself more valuable, I had no doubt that I would get accepted into the program. A few weeks later I was blessed with the phone call from the admissions board congratulating me on my acceptance in to the class of 2018. It was then when I realized,

Success is just the ability to withstand pressure.

The Next Chapter

Now that I was in PT school, there are a new set of hurdles in my way. Heavy class loads, clinical rotations, and the NPTE board exam is now the new reality. New graduates are faced with low reimbursements, low salaries, and high student debts. Although this is the unfortunate reality, I refused to accept and settle for that standard. Although PT school is hard work, and there was more work to be done in school and after graduation.

With knowing what was to come after PT school, I found Greg Todd and joined Smart Success PT to essentially do the same thing I did to get into PT school, Make myself more valuable. With my new found knowledge through smart success PT, I brought up the idea to Joses to take the Pre-PT Success Program online which lead to the advent or Pre PT Grind, LLC (and that’s why you’re reading this blog right now). I also went on to become a staff writer, social media director, and now Publications director for newgradphysicaltherapy.com  all while in PT school.

I say all that not to brag or boast, because it was very hard work managing PT school, family, friends, sleep, clinical rotations, NPTE studying, Pre-PT Grind and NGPT all at the same time. At many points in my PT school career I received THE LOWEST exam grade on multiple exams. I’m talking about I was number 36 out of 36… no one got a lower grade than me on Pediatrics exam 3 in my 2nd year of PT school (I’m guessing, I don’t remember which exams they were). However, on the other hand… I got THE HIGHEST exam grade on multiple exam grades.

I'm telling you this not for you to feel sorry for me or not for you to feel bad about not being apart of big companies in PT school, but to give you hope. The same guy who was rejected from PT school is now a Licensed Physical Therapist, with his own business and the publications director for a major website in the PT world. No matter what happens, my biggest advice to all the readers is to not give up on your dreams because of a minor set back.

If I gave up on my dreams, There would be no Pre-PT Grind, you would not be reading this, and thousands of Pre-PTs would not have gotten into PT school.

At that time of rejection I had NO IDEA where I would be today and I had no idea that any of you existed. All this means is that if I had given up on PT, I would’ve been extremely selfish. Selfish to our thousands of followers and the thousands of potential patients I will impact in my physical therapy career.

So whatever you’re going through right now in your PT school journey...Know that it’s way bigger than just you.

My First Day of PT School

Everyone, from those unsure if physical therapy is the right career choice for them to those who love and enjoy the profession but are fazed by the inevitable challenges ahead, can learn from my experiences.

Here are 5 ways you can learn from my mistakes:

1. Do your research. Commit to a career path after learning as much as you can about the profession. Talk to professionals about their experiences. Get a real sense for the actual work vibe and get internships. Don’t waste your tuition money, time, and effort by putting in the work for something you are passionate about and see yourself doing long term.
2. Speed wins. Be efficient with your time and resources so your plans for the future have as little side tracks and obstacles as possible. If I did everything right the first time I would be in less debt with a years more worth of salary in my bank account
3. Save for a rainy day. Life happens; you never know what will happen. It is better to have a safe financial cushion to be prepared for whatever life throws your way. Instead of blowing your earnings on temporary pleasures, you can use that saved money to invest in yourself to become a better applicant. Saving money to invest in yourself now could save you $75,000-$100,000 in the future…..trust me, you just read my story, I know what I’m talking about.
4. Keep your eye on the prize. It is easy to get lost in the everyday things in life and lose focus on your goals. In order to avoid burnout and enjoy the journey, it is paramount that you always remember what you are working towards.
5. Find a mentor. Experience is the best teacher, unless you can learn from someone who already has that experience. Save yourself time and trouble by learning from the mistakes and victories of other people.

#Save100K and check out the Kickstarter Mini Course! Don’t be like me and waste your precious time or hard earned dollars on not getting into PT school this cycle.

- Dr. Casey Coleman, PT, DPT 

Thank You For Your Attention!

As always, please feel free to Contact Us at contactpreptgrind.com and ask us any questions! We are here to serve YOU!

How We Serve You!

Our Pre-PT success course helps passionate Pre-PTs gain clarity, direction, and confidence when applying to PT school without wasting time or money.

We have the #1 online course for all Pre-PTs. What would it be like to have everything mapped out for you on your PT Journey? Our all in one exclusive lifetime program covers everything from PTCAS to Finances to low GPA's and more! This course includes over 60 lessons with a private facebook group of winning Pre-PTs, SPTs & DPT mentors taking you through our program every step of the way.. We have everything you need to know in order to SET YOURSELF APART as a winning Pre-PT student.

The Mini Course to Get You Into PT School!

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15 video lessons to kickstart your application process! Cover the basic essentials to set yourself apart and make yourself stand out! Kickstart your application & Get Accepted!

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