Seeking a fresh start, Brett C. found clarity and direction in American Career College's rigorous Physical Therapist Assistant program, which offered challenges and rewards in equal measure.
“I came to visit a friend living in SoCal who knew that I was kind of looking to, like, jump-start my life and go in a different direction,” he recalled.
His friend, a graduate of ACC’s OTA program, recommended it as a “really good program … straightforward and quick because it’s an accelerated program.” This combination of efficiency and quality appealed to Brett, who described having “odd bits of education here and there” but credited this as his “favorite education” experience.
A major factor in his positive experience was the dedication of ACC’s faculty. Brett noted that the instructors weren’t merely interested in passing students but were committed to building a strong community of medical professionals. ACC’s impressive track record of high exam scores and career readiness further reinforced his confidence in the program.
The hands-on nature of physical therapy and its philosophy also resonated deeply with Brett. He reflected on his role in helping patients recover.
“It’s really my responsibility that the body functions the way it did before it was injured or the best I can get it to,” he said. “We don’t settle for, like, OK, well, they can kind of walk now. Well, do they walk as well as they did before they had the injury? No, I’m going to keep working at it.”
However, the program’s fast pace demands strong time management skills and a commitment to hard work. Brett stressed the importance of setting weekly goals and creating a structured schedule to manage the intensive coursework.
He also highlighted the value of peer collaboration, recommending tools like Discord or group chats to build support networks and share knowledge. This camaraderie among students helped him navigate challenges and clarify complex topics.
Looking back on his journey, Brett found motivation and encouragement from others who had completed the program.
“When I talked to the last cohort, the first thing they said is, ‘You’re capable.’ And I was like, how do you… you don’t even know me," he said. "How do you know I’ll be able to do it?”
His peers’ response was simple yet powerful: “Because we did it.”
For those considering ACC’s OTA program, Brett’s story underscores both the effort required and the life-changing rewards.
“The truth of medicine is that putting in hard effort is really the only way to understand how things work,” he shared. “And the school makes you do that.”
