I’m a senior from CT and I’m really unsure about where to go next year. I applied to 8 different schools and my major situation is kind of tricky. I want to go to a school that has either a bachelors degree or a 3+2 program in athletic training (most schools don’t offer it so if I didn’t go to a school that offers it, I would have to get a 2 year long masters degree in it after I get my bachelors degree in exercise science). I also really want to go to a school that has at least a minor in neuroscience but preferably a major in it because I want to work with people with brain injuries. Eventually I’ll go into PA/PT school bc I want to be in the sports medicine field. I crossed a couple off the list so I’ll list my main options. I’m not into partying and I’m a Christian and would really like to find at least one Christian/ministry organization at the school. I prefer to go somewhere academically challenging for sure!
Marist- they have the 4 yr. AT program and I really liked when I visited but the area around it didn’t seem like it had much to offer in terms of things to do. I also don’t love the cold so I’m hoping to be somewhere a bit warmer but I’ll be close to family. They didn’t give me enough money though.
Quinnipiac- have 4 yr. AT program and a neuroscience major. It’s less than an hour from where I live, in the cold, I didn’t love when I visited, and seems kinda like a party school. (I don’t party.)
Elon- don’t have AT but have exercise science and a neuroscience minor. It’s in the south which I love, but is far from family. I haven’t visited yet. They didn’t give me any money thought.
Messiah- have 5 year AT program but no neuroscience program. It’s Christian which I like but not as well know and a bit small for me. I still need to visit. Great scholarship!
Endicott- 5 year AT but no neuroscience. Seems kinda dull though and I need to visit. They gave me a great scholarship but it’s in a colder climate than I’d like.
Thanks everyone! I’m this was super long and I hope it made sense!
Don’t know how far afield you’d like to go, but Linfield in Oregon (about an hour south of Portland) has a great program.
Another really terrific program is at Rowan U in New Jersey,
as well as Towson in suburban Baltimore, MD.
Others meeting your criteria would include:
Chatham in PA
Otterbein in OH
U Colorado-Boulder with an 4+1 Integrative Physiology
DePaul in Chicago with an Exercise Science
Univerity of Utah
U Oregon Physiology Major
Endicott College in MA
University of Southern Maine
I’m a PT who worked in brain injury rehab for many years, and I have to say that I think you’re overestimating the importance of a specific neuroscience program as preparation to work in that field.
It sounds as if Messiah College has what you’re looking for in terms of Christian orientation and an AT program as well as grad programs in PT and OT. One of the tracks in the psychology major is specifically for pre-OT students, so I’m sure the psych department would have the coursework you’d need to have a solid background for working with people with TBI and other neurobehavioral issues. With the milder weather you prefer and a good scholarship that makes it affordable, this looks like the winner to me, although of course you’ll want to visit and experience the campus for yourself.
@aquapt i think you’re right and I really find myself thinking about messiah. It’s not just that I feel like I need to study neuroscience but I actually really love it want want to study in it. I’m not too keen on PT and I’ll probably go into PA school for sports med/athletic training. I’m just worried that it isn’t super well known and might be too small as most the schools I’ve liked the best have more than 5k students. Thank you for your reply!!
I live less than 15 minutes from Messiah. Around here (south central PA), it’s very well respected. It’s a wonderful school for Christians, not in a dogmatic sense but in an “exploring your faith and what it means to be a Christian” sense. As long as you’re okay with the weekly chapel requirement, I would highly recommend it. Neuroscience is really a combination of biology and psychology, both of which are majors and minors at Messiah…
Messiah is in Mechanicsburg, a suburb of the state capital, Harrisburg. There is plenty to do in this area, most within 15-25 minutes of campus: cultural events (symphony orchestra, jazz and art festivals, ethnic celebrations, in addition to the multiple events on campus); sporting events: Messiah has championship soccer teams; Harrisburg Senators (AA baseball), City Islanders (soccer), Hershey Bears (hockey); various malls and shopping “strips”; a variety of restaurants; HersheyPark. Also lots of opportunities for community service, which is a significant part of Messiah’s mission.