U of T physical therapy graduate shares his experiences and gives advice for prospective applicants
Physical therapist, Daniel Sedran, took some time out of his busy work schedule to discuss his experience as a physical therapy student, give prospective applicants some advice, and to talk about what it’s like to be a physical therapist.
Daniel graduated from the University of Toronto (U of T), Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Master of Science in Physical Therapy program in 2019. He currently runs a private practice clinic in Toronto and sits on the Admissions Committee for the program.
Like many applicants to physical therapy, Daniel wanted to practice sports physical therapy and work with elite athletes. He applied to the major Ontario physical therapy programs but, “The first time that I applied, I actually didn’t get into any of the schools,” he says.
The application process for physical therapy programs is very competitive. The number of applications to these programs in Ontario has been increasing over the last few years. In 2022, for example, the program at U of T had over 1300 applicants for 110 seats.
Not to be dissuaded, Daniel used the following year to gain additional experience and learn more about the profession. Equipped with new insights, he applied again. This time he received multiple offers of admission from across Ontario.
Daniel explains, “Before I got into physio school, I always thought it was going to be sports… I grew up playing sports, I grew up being active, I was going to treat athletes, eventually professional… I was set on those goals.” After his initial application was unsuccessful, he worked as a physical therapy assistant in a nursing home to gain experience. This opportunity broadened his view of physical therapy. “I saw physio from a whole different perspective,” he says, “it really changed my view of what the profession could be.”
Daniel’s advice for anyone applying to physical therapy programs is to be familiar with the variety of settings and roles that physical therapists play in the community. This helps to strengthen an application, he says.
I’ve become quite passionate about helping the everyday person get back to living their life. Doing things that, when they’re taken away, it has a significant impact on the quality of their life and when they are able to do them again, the meaning that comes with that, is amazing.
Although having multiple offers of admission is exciting, it brings a new dilemma – deciding where to study. When asked why he chose to attend the University of Toronto, Daniel remembers talking to U of T students at an information session. He also recalls a talk from the Admissions Committee Chair and Program Director, Dr. Sharon Switzer-McIntyre, who spoke with applicants during the admissions process. “It felt the most personable and I felt very much welcomed,” says Daniel of the U of T program.
Daniel was also aware of the world-class hospitals and clinical opportunities that studying at U of T affords, another factor that drew him towards U of T over other schools. Students at U of T have, “access to some of the best hospitals and facilities in the world,” he says.
If he could go back in time and re-do physical therapy school, would he still choose U of T? “For sure,” he says, “I would choose it for sure.” Daniel went on to explain that he appreciated the combination of learning approaches, like lectures, lab-based learning, and small group work because, “It helped things to sink in for me…we were seeing similar things in different formats and it really helps.”
When it comes to non-academic opportunities at U of T, Daniel has this to say:
I’ve always been someone to really get involved with the schools and organizations that I am a part of and there were a lot of opportunities to do that at U of T. With different committees and intramurals and other elements [apart] from studying, that made it enjoyable.
How prepared did Daniel feel coming out of the program? From Daniel’s perspective, the hardest part of transitioning from school to the workplace was being ready for the diversity in settings and patient populations. Physical therapists work in a variety of areas, from private clinics to public hospitals. Patients range from neonatal to geriatric. Physical therapists treat everything from minor injuries, to cancer, to stroke, to COVID-19, and more.
“After graduating, I would have felt comfortable starting in any [setting] knowing that I at least had the groundwork,” says Daniel. He cites his varied clinical internship experiences and exposure to multiple settings and patient populations during the program, as major contributing factors to his level of preparedness.
Although he started out wanting to work with professional athletes, Daniel now works primarily in general musculoskeletal physical therapy and about half of his case load is older adults. In his words he treats, “everyday aches and pains that come with life and come with age.” What changed his mind?
Although his time working in the nursing home contributed to his decision, the bigger factor, according to Daniel, was a clinical internship he completed during the program. Daniel was placed in the intensive care unit at Toronto Western Hospital. He explains:
That was the placement that really shifted my perspective… I’ve become quite passionate about helping the everyday person get back to living their life. Doing things that, when they’re taken away, it has a significant impact on the quality of their life and when they are able to do them again, the meaning that comes with that, is amazing.
What does Daniel see for himself in the future? He knows that he will be busy as his clinic continues to grow and develop. He also plans to stay connected to the program and will continue to sit on the Admissions Committee. As for possibly hosting physical therapy students in his clinic someday, he says, “I’m definitely going to do it.”