Doctor of Physical Therapy

Meet a Physical Therapy Student - Bryan Schwebke

Bryan and fellow classmates with Bucky during the scavenger hunt of the PT Olympics

Why do you want to become a PT?

Growing up as an athlete, I got used to working out and exercising, so when I started thinking about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, a job that involved sitting behind a desk was never an option. I love that PT allows me the opportunity to be active and interact with people on a regular basis and also gives me the chance to make a difference in my patients' lives. PT will also give me the opportunity to work closely with an athletic population.

Why did you choose UW-Madison?

I always knew that I wanted to go to PT school at a D1 college. Madison is well known for its academics and its PT program is constantly striving to be the best. The city of Madison was also a big draw for me. It's a beautiful city with lots to do, but it's not overwhelming like some big cities can be.

What aspect of PT school surprised you?

I was surprised how much medical background we actually received. When most people think about physical therapy, they think of exercises and manual therapies aimed at rehabilitating patients. However, physical therapists often act as a second line of defense and must be able to recognize health concerns that must be referred to doctors for further tests.

What is the most challenging part of PT school?

For me, the hardest part is just trying to find a healthy balance between school and a social life. The course load can be overwhelming sometimes, but if you plan ahead and get working on projects and tests early, it isn't that bad.

Bryan with his fiancé on a ski trip to Steamboat, CO

What is the best part about PT school?

The best part is probably how close the students are within the class, and how close the students are with the faculty. We spend almost every day with the same 40 people, so we have all learned to live with each other like a family. There's also a real connection between the students and the faculty. The faculty really care about the students, and there "open door" policy make all the students feel welcome to come to them with question and concerns.

What are your plans after you graduate?

My plan from the beginning has been to work with athletes. Because of this, I took the time to plan out my clinical rotations early and have put myself in the position to work with professional and Olympic athletes during one of my rotations. I am hoping that this clinical rotation will open the door for me to work in a high level sports therapy setting after graduation.

What do you like to do in your free time?

During the few breaks we have, I try to go on trips to places like Steamboat, CO for skiing, or Fort Myers Beach in Florida. I try to take total advantage of my time off. When I have breaks from class during the school year, I like to work out and play sports like tennis, football, etc. I also enjoy hanging out with the rest of the class and my other friends as much as possible.

Physical Therapy - University of Wisconsin Department of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation
First published: 01/01/04 Last updated: 11/24/09 webmaster@pt.wisc.edu
Copyright © 2005 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System