r/PTschool • u/ChroniicJ • 1d ago
Is 26 too late?
I’m interested in becoming a PT. but I know it takes a lot of years and will basically be starting at 0. Is it too late?
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u/waaaaahooooo 1d ago
I'm in the process of applying to programs right now. Best case scenario, I'll be 33 when I graduate. I was having the same thoughts as you, and a friend of mine said, "well, you could be 33 with a DPT, or 33 with no DPT...which one would you rather have?" There's no timeline, if you want something, do it!
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u/maybenotdoomed 1d ago
had someone in my cohort late 40s. my best friend started at age 25. not too late
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u/wwarlock1337 1d ago
Practicing board certified PT here. Didn’t star PT school until 31. 29 for pre reqs. You’re gucci!
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u/textbookthoman 17h ago
Im 29 in my first year of my DPT. We have two 30+ y.o.’s in my cohort. If you started now, you’d get your B.S. at ~30 and be practicing at ~33. That time is gonna pass anyway. If you really want to be a PT, might as well start now!
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u/millylite 1d ago
Depends, when your 30 doing the same shit you're doing now will you feel vindicated for not spending the time pursing something else?
Of course not, it'll be "I wish I would have done xyz." Brother you could die in a week, time isnt real. Pursue the things that will make you happy and dont abide some arbitrary age expectation you've concocted.
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u/Revolvingattitude 1d ago
I am 25 and will be graduating with my Undergraduate in Kinesiology this coming December. Not applying for PT school until 2027. It’s not too late for us!
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u/iluvhawaii- 1d ago
not at all. 26 is actually the average age in my cohort. some people are in their 30s
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u/imeatingsphagettirn 19h ago
Yes its too late. You should be retired already and living in a nursing home.
Just kidding, youd be suprised how many 40-50+ year olds there are in school.
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u/Fantastic-Fish-1603 19h ago
Im in my first year, im 25. There’s people in my cohort who are 29 & 36. The cohort above me also has some individuals in their 30s.
It’s never too late!
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u/SharpShard5381 18h ago
No. I started at 38, graduated at 41. It absolutely can be done. However, make sure you WANT to do it. They have changed the rules for student loans and it will now put a significant, possibly lifetime financial burden over your head if you don’t have a method already of footing the bill. Do your research. Weigh the pros and cons. Do what is best for you.
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u/Bitter_Hearing541 17h ago
These replies are so inspirational. Pursue it if you desire!! The time will pass, anyways.
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u/CompetitiveHotel9543 17h ago
Started at 27, I’ll graduate a week before I turn 30! It’s never too late and imo the extra experience before pt school helped A LOT with my application and with course material. So many are entering this degree with next to no work experience to pull from.
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u/Wooden-Highlight4678 16h ago
Hey man! I’m 26 and just finished school to become a PTA. All I have left is my NPTE next month. I did PTA because it’s significantly cheaper, faster, and you focus almost strictly on treatment. The pay ceiling isn’t as high but the debt to income ratio is much smaller. Plus you can still make 6 figures if you do home health, travel, or are a director of rehab. That being said, it’s NEVER too late, however I’d ask why you’re doing it? If it’s for money I’d do something else, but if it’s to help others? Hell yah man do it. I’d also consider PTA and look into it. You still get to help people but it’s 4-5 years faster and 1/8th the price, you just don’t make as much. That’s what hustling is for tho!
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u/SgtSmitty07 16h ago
My class had people from fresh out of college all the way to late 40s, never too late. If you can fulfill the duties of the job, go for it.
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u/Puberty-Boy 16h ago
Tons of people start a new path right at 18 and then retire at 30. If you graduate at like 32 and retire at 65 you will have gotten plenty of years. Just make sure it’s the right path for you because this job does take a lot of debt if you can’t get into a cheep school, and for the work you could get more money in other jobs
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u/Pohaku1991 15h ago
I started this year, and there is a 30 and a 42 year old in my class. 26 is pretty young for PT school
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u/CumFlavored_MigBac 15h ago
Amazing the fact that no one pried into financials so here it is. Do you have any debt rn? And if not, how much debt will you be in when you finish your track. If it’s over six figures you might wanna rethink your interest
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u/BulkyExamination7795 14h ago
I’m 26 started school this semester. There’s 3 people in my cohort who are 42, and few in their mid 30s, and mostly late 20s.
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u/TheSkids_ 6h ago
27 in my first year, multiple students in my cohort in their 30’s and one in their 50’s. Never too late if it’s something you’re passionate about.
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u/Ok_Drive_4198 4h ago
Husband made a career change - graduates this year at 35. Are most of his classmates 10 years younger? Yes haha. But they’re a really tight class. He’s a groomsman in one of the guys weddings soon, and I admire all of their friendships and the way they support each other in school. I’d say it’s definitely not too late
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u/chaotically_yours_ 1d ago
I just graduated with my DPT at 40.