CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN PHYSICAL THERAPY

ENTRY INTERVIEW QUESTIONS – CLASS OF 2020

Advisee’s Name: Lara Nasser

1. ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF?

2. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A PT? WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE PROFESSION?
 I decided I wanted to become a PT when I witness my younger brother go through his own
rehabilitation journey. He was struck by a speeding vehicle and required extensive lengths of
physical therapy to get him ambulating and back to his functional activities. I was and still am
attracted to the journey. I thoroughly appreciated the PTs and saw such a tremendous difference
from when my brother first started PT to when he was discharged. Physical therapy changes lives
and gets individuals back to living their lives.

3. WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS/HOPES FOR YOUR LEARNING EXPERIENCES IN THE

PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM?
 I hope to learn from my professors and classmates in order to become a great clinician down the
road. I expect to gain a lot of knowledge of the profession.

4. HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR PT PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION WILL BE THE SAME AS OR

DIFFERENT FROM PREVIOUS EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCS?
 I think the PT professional education will be different from my previous educational experience
in part due to the course load. I understand that graduate school comes with many classes and a
lot of information to learn/understand. Also, having labs where we apply what we are learning
and work on each other will be very different than my previous experiences.

5. HOW DO YOU FEEL YOU LEARN BEST? WHAT FACILITATES YOUR LEARNING?
 I am a hands-on and visual learner. If I am able to watch a task be completed, then I am better
able to perform and complete it correctly.

6. WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND INHIBITS OR CONSTRAINS YOUR LEARNING?

 Prolonged sitting or extended lectures can inhibit my learning just because I like to move and
perform hands-on tasks.

7. WHAT STRENGTHS OR SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS DO YOU THINK YOU BRING TO THE PT

PROGRAM AND PROFESSION?
 As an individual, I think I can contribute an optimistic viewpoint when necessary and I have had
a lot of outpatient orthopedic experience that I can provide any insight too if needed
professionally.

8. WHAT AREAS WOULD YOU LIKE TO GROW OR IMPROVE IN DURING THE TIME YOU ARE
COMPLETING THE PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM?
 I would love to learn more about different areas of physical therapy. I am very used to working in
a outpatient setting and would love to expand my knowledge and learn more about different
settings along with different patient populations.

9. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR SHORT-TERM (1-2 YEARS) PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
 GOALS?
 Short-term goals would include stepping away from my comfort zone, learning about the
profession with different viewpoints and I would like to grow as a person throughout my time in
this program.

10. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR LONG-TERM (3-6 YEARS) PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
GOALS?
 Long-term goals would be to work in a setting that I thoroughly enjoy and be comfortable where I
am in life. I would like to be happy with my career and enjoy all life experiences.