Awesome, thank you so much! Any critiques would be extremely helpful.
PTCAS Personal Statement Essay Professionalism can be an elusive concept as it is applied to many different occupations, each with their own descriptors of the ideal professional. As a doctor of physical therapy student, it’s required to fit the definition of professionalism in both academia as a student and in healthcare as a physical therapist. The 3 most important attributes an incoming DPT student should have are accountability, communication, and ethics. The greatest students are the ones that hold themselves accountable for their education. Physical therapy school is intense and arduous for even the brightest of people. I’ve talked to a number of PTs and not a single one has ever spoke of how easy PT school was. The difficulty has increased even more recently as there has been a transition from a Masters to a Doctorate degree program. Physical therapists through the APTA have been fighting for increased responsibility in health care, advocating for autonomous practice and laws such as Direct Access, allowing patients to come to therapists first without a physician’s referral. This increased responsibility in the work force must be met with increased responsibility in the classroom. A student who ensures that they are practicing good study habits, speaking to professors, and achieving the optimal grades they are capable of receiving will surely carry that knowledge over into becoming a successful clinician. In undergrad, I have found that the amount of accountability I take in my studies has had a positive, direct relationship with my grades. In the past semester, I have used this knowledge to bring my GPA up to be a more competitive applicant. One of the many reasons I have chosen physical therapy as my career path is the responsibility of each PT to be a life-long learner. Even after PT school, there is so much to learn through research, residencies, specializations, and fellowships. I love the push for evidence-based practice, so I can know as a future clinician what is proven and what exactly is happening with each treatment. Research is constantly changing and improving therapy practices and health outcomes, something that excites me about the field. Being a great communicator is arguably the most important attribute in professionalism. Communication as a DPT student occurs with professors, course instructors, and patients in clinical internships. Each relationship is key to success as a student and future clinician. Having the correct vocabulary for your current audience, speaking and writing clearly, and good body language all play into being successful as a DPT student. Personally, I’ve learned how important communication is through being a personal trainer. Teaching proper movement and exercise is a skill both trainers and therapists must know how to do and it is certainly not easy to master. I have had to teach clients deadlifts, squats, and snatch, exercises that cannot be taught without good communication skills. Listening skills are also part of communication. I have had to listen to clients intently with both eyes and ears, in order to assess their goals with exercise and see how they are responding to the training, whether it is too much or too little. Ethical behavior is needed for students to maintain the integrity of both the university of attendance and physical therapy as a profession. There are many rules and regulations that must be upheld as a therapist in order to keep one’s license. In school, this translates to things such as academic integrity. Cheating and lying can’t be tolerated as a professional. These bad behaviors will turn into inefficient or harmful treatment for the patient. My ethics and integrity mainly stem from growing up as a military child, both parents being officers in the Army. My parents have always taught me to be trustworthy, take responsibility, and hold myself to the highest standard. I hope this along with abiding with all rules will make me a successful DPT student and physical therapist.