Physical Therapy Personal Statement

Coming into my undergraduate career at the University of Michigan, I was set on what I wanted to do with my life. I was accepted directly into the School of Kinesiology as a Movement Science major, and I had my sights set on Physical Therapy school following these four years. Three full years later, this is still my plan. However, I am an entirely different person than I was when I first stepped foot on this campus. As a freshman in the fall of 2020, our school year was anything but normal, and as quite literally everyone had said, “unprecedented” due to the pandemic. We moved into the dorms with masks on, and were permitted from eating, talking, or even standing in public areas for prolonged periods of time. This allowed minimal social interaction,

First, I decided to rush a professional fraternity. When I went through the rush process, I did not expect to receive an interview, let alone a spot in the pledge class. I was a current junior, and the fraternity was primarily looking to recruit freshmen. I was thrilled to receive a bid and join an organization that has now become a formative part of my undergraduate experience and has also furthered my interest in Physical Therapy. My pledge class quickly became some of my closest friends, which allowed my studying and classwork to feel less of a chore. Being one of only two juniors accepted this term, I was also able to be a leader within my class. The freshmen were still new to this campus, and I deeply enjoyed being able to help shape their experience at this university. My overall involvement in this fraternity has given me access to leadership, community service, and career-building opportunities, as well as a whole new network of people who shared my passion for exercise science. I established friendships with those that were also interested in Physical Therapy, and we bonded over our love for rehabilitation and helping

I had always been a member of the Pre-PT/OT Club, but at the time, I had recently been selected as the Service Chair. This allowed me to connect with PTs and OTs across Ann Arbor and make special connections with each of them. I was on the Executive Board of the club, which allowed my interest in Physical Therapy to quickly become serious. This ultimately led to my election as President for my senior year, which has (so far) been the most rewarding experience! I feel honored to have the ability to educate younger students on the amazing work that Physical Therapists do, along with the steps they can take to pursue that path.

Throughout my undergraduate experience, I have shown resilience, determination, and great flexibility. Halfway through my career here at the University of Michigan, I had to leave all that I had known, everything that I had prided myself on being. I left my old identity, and committed to creating a better version of myself. Beginning in my junior year, I completely reshaped my academic and social life, which now consists of people that I truly enjoy spending time