To start off, say a little about yourself, your interests, undergraduate degree and what you are doing now. “I am in currently entering into my first year of a Master of Health Sciences in Physiotherapy at the University of Ottawa. Prior to beginning my masters, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Psychology with Honours at the University of New Brunswick. For my honours thesis I studied sports psychology and more specifically, does facial expression affect performance. I have always had a passion for sport and more specifically basketball. I now continue to contribute to the sport by coaching young women and by becoming one of the few female certified basketball officials in the province of New Brunswick. Aside from my pursuits in the world of basketball I am an avid runner and also enjoy volunteering in the community with organizations such as the Community Kitchen, the Stan Cassidy Centre, and the Fredericton Multicultural Centre. When not running or volunteering I could be found seeking out a sushi restaurant or walking one of my three dogs!”
What organizations were you involved in on campus? “My involvement on UNB campus began in Mackenzie House as a house orientation leader and social representative in my second year. These positive experiences encouraged me to get involved further and eventually lead me to take part in orientation week in my third and fourth year as a Redshirt Orientation Leader. My passion for mental health lead me to join Jack.Org as a public relations representative and the Unlock Your Mind: Mental Health Conference planning committee as delegates director. Another positive experience on campus was my time spent volunteering for Let’s Talk Science first as a normal volunteer and then during my second year with LTS as a mentor volunteer. Finally, I was the marketing and communications director for the first ever UNB Women’s in Sport Conference (which regretfully did not happen due to COVID-19).”
- Mackenzie House Social Representative
- Mackenzie House Orientation Leader
- Redshirt Orientation Leader
- Jack.Org Public Relations Representative
- Unlock Your Mind: Mental Health Conference Delegates Director
- Let’s Talk Science Mentor
- UNB Women’s in Sports Conference Marketing and Communications Director
What was the thing that surprised you the most during the application process? “Certainly, the amount of organization needed to keep track of dates, payments, tests, pre-requisites, deadlines etc., surprised me! It was not as simple as simply filling out an application. Many of the graduate programs also had supplementary forms or tests such as the CASPer to also register for and do as well as pay deposits and keep track of different deadlines. When applying to more than one school or program these deadlines, and to-dos may become confusing. I definitely advise those going through the process to create a document in order to keep track of which schools require which documents and when they’re due, as well as any other information pertaining to your application.”
How did you gain experience in the field during undergrad in order to better your chances of being a successful applicant? “As an undergraduate I think it is very important to reach out to professionals in the field you wish to someday pursue. Reaching out can result in chatting about the field, shadowing the professional, or a volunteer/work experience. Over the course of my undergrad I was able to shadow multiple physiotherapists in many different disciplines of rehabilitation including neurological, pediatric, community, and private physiotherapy. In my second year I was able to work as a physiotherapy assistant in my hometown where I truly found my passion for rehab. I was eventually able to volunteer as a student at the Stan Cassidy Centre, a long-term rehabilitation Centre where I saw many patients with various background including stroke victims, post-MVI patients, and individuals with neuro-degenerative disorders. I also was able to volunteer at the Max Health Institute as a student which specializes in sport injury and concussion rehabilitation. “
Do you feel like your “real world experiences” will help you succeed in this program? “I feel that without my volunteer experience on campus and in the community, I would not be prepared to enter into a professional program. By becoming involved in campus and community I have had the opportunity to work with many different populations including those experiencing homelessness, children, those with special needs, Canadian newcomers and more. All those I have met and worked with have shaped my perspectives on the world and has allowed me to open my mind to new things and experiences. It has allowed me to grow my confidence, become versed in different thoughts and ideas, and become well-established in myself.”
What made you decide to go to professional school? “I felt that I wanted to continue my education because I knew that I can make a difference in individuals lives by becoming a physiotherapist. I think my background in psychology is a non-traditional yet valuable in my field and I will be able to integrate it into my practice. I know that rehabilitation is not purely based on physical but also on psychological and I knew that with a psychology background I will be able to help individuals through their rehab journey. I am excited to encourage active living and help to treat individuals so that they can live freely without an injury holding them back.”
Morgan can be reached at mgall016@uottawa.ca or mgallan8@unb.ca for further questions.