Aisha McMahon, DPT26

March 26, 2025

A current Tufts DPT student shares her journey, the challenges she's faced, and the advice she has for future students.

Aisha McMahon, DPT26, a current student in the Tufts DPT-Boston program, combines her background in health science and art to pursue a career in physical therapy, with a focus on prosthetics. In this Q&A, McMahon shares her insights on pursuing a DPT. Read on to learn more about her journey, the challenges she's faced, and the advice she has for future students.

What motivated you to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, and why did you choose the Tufts DPT-Boston hybrid program?

"I have always been fascinated by how the body moves from both a mechanical and design perspective. My experiences in high school and undergrad, pursuing art and health science degrees, allowed me to hone this interest in the human form. For me, my career had to include both disciplines, and physical therapy allows me to do that. I hope to expand into prosthetics practice, which enhances the design element while emphasizing the importance of patients deserving aesthetically pleasing and dignity-affirming functional prostheses and care.

Additionally, as a student-athlete, I was in PT many times for various injuries. I got to see the day-to-day work and fell in love with the science of it and my team, which was incredibly creative. I loved how my doctors and team connected with me as both a patient and a person, building meaningful and lasting relationships. I still talk to my PT now and even sent her pictures when I got into Tufts!

Pursuing my doctorate gave me the opportunity to continue challenging myself, be an example for others, and demonstrate through community and my future practice the very important element of healing through human touch, community, and spirit. It is quite a testament to be able to learn how to heal with the touch of one's hands, the conversations you have, and physically and mentally support the patient.

Tufts DPT-Boston was ideal for me, given the diversity in the class and the energy from the faculty in supporting students as WHOLE people, in addition to the academic rigor needed to keep my curiosity and attention. I felt I would be challenged in subject matter as well as in time management, planning (both hard and soft skills), etc., with the hybrid format. Ultimately, it's a great test run, reflecting the complexities and problem-solving needed to navigate professional life."

How does the hybrid format of the program fit with your learning style and career goals?

"I have always been a student who learns at differing paces and with a combination of various methods, so the hybrid format allowed me to maximize my learning environments and have more control over how I learned. I’ve benefited from this, and it helps to have faculty who also use different methods. They give great pointers, and nobody judges you for the way you need to learn. They only ask how they can help or make it better.

The hybrid nature gives me control over my education and allows me to determine, day by day and hour by hour, what is crucial for me and my success. I've enjoyed being able to learn from different geographical locations, which allows me to spend time with my family and significant others, while still meeting amazing people in the lab.

By having in-person labs, you look forward to strengthening the bonds you’ve formed during off-site learning. This strengthens the community when you come together and creates an intense, focused experience. The bonds you develop are lasting. I haven't felt a loss from not being in a traditional in-person setting. In fact, it just builds the anticipation for when you get to see each other next and have fun! For a profession based in physical touch and community, it’s essential to connect, and we make the most of that during labs.

Lastly, I value global leadership and lifelong learning, and I believe the best way to do that is not to be stuck in one place. The format and the diverse student body have supported my quest for these values and informed my perspective through shared lived experiences."

How do you balance online coursework with in-person clinical components?

"It has definitely been an adjustment. The workload was expected, but the time you need to dedicate to studying for the volume of exams weekly is a lot. Trying to find time for that while also doing all the other things that keep you a whole person took some time and help from my coach, peers, and loved ones. I'm blessed to have parents with multiple higher education degrees, so when I started my first semester at home, their support and advice on how they navigated through were game-changers. Not having so much pressure to do everything on your own, but instead having people help you, is key.

Additionally, a HUGE shoutout to my coach and mentor, Dr. Cleland! He has looked after me from day one and continues to do so. He was instrumental in my transition, improving my study methods, fine-tuning my time management, and helping me adjust to the program academically. No matter what you've done before, this is a new experience, and there is an adjustment period. For me, my struggles weren’t academic but were mostly social and self-care related.

I’ve now gotten the hang of things, while also knowing each semester is different, so you have to remain flexible. That said, I dedicate at least one hour each day to working out, one hour for mindless activities, and I make sure to get naps in at least twice weekly. And per Dr. Cleland’s advice, sleep is an absolute must. I struggled with putting the work down and coming to a natural stopping point, but Dr. Cleland helped me set a consistent sleep schedule (he even messaged me to make sure I was in bed on time) until it became a habit. The hybrid model is excellent in that each person can dictate and discover what methods and scheduling work best for them while staying healthy.

When labs come, everyone knows it’s going to be a different kind of grind. That said, I try to get as much rest as possible beforehand and meal prep, etc. On lab days, I often go to bed ridiculously early (7-8pm) since we're going all day, and it can get exhausting. My cohort does a great job of finding activities to do outside of the lab as well, so mixing some social time with rest during labs is essential. Make sure you're sleeping, laughing with friends, eating, taking your vitamins (so you don’t get sick from exhaustion), and having fun. Labs are a lot, but they are awesome because of how much we learn and the opportunity to be in person with everyone."

Have you faced any challenges with the hybrid format, and how have you overcome them?

"I've faced challenges with the hybrid format, mainly technical issues due to my geographic location at times (I lived in the fire zone in California) and with health issues that arose unexpectedly. That said, the faculty do their best to work with you, and again, Dr. Cleland was my go-to person for encouragement, brainstorming, and prepping for any adjustments I needed to make. I eventually moved to Boston for the program, which eased those difficulties, especially since I was now in the same time zone. This also allowed me to connect with my peers in the Boston area between lab immersions for added community.

For students who don’t relocate, giving yourself adequate time to wake up and get ready for class (even if you’re still in your pajamas) is helpful. Everyone will be different. I liked to get up, do class in my pajamas, and have breakfast in between the morning and afternoon courses.

My best advice is that if you struggle, that’s okay. Just make sure you're talking to your coach or trusted faculty so someone knows and can help advocate for you. It’s not a character or personal flaw; it’s simply part of the adjustment process, and sometimes it takes a minute. Give yourself some grace."

How is the curriculum preparing you for a career in physical therapy, and are there any specific courses or experiences that have stood out to you?

"I feel that I have been receiving a great amount of detail and exposure to what the field looks like, in addition to the foundational knowledge it’s built upon. Each professor has a unique teaching style, which has made it extra fun and engaging for me so far. I’ve enjoyed all of my courses and have had moments where something we learn in one class helps us in another or ties together. So, you're immediately experiencing the synthesis of information and practicing clinical reasoning. None of the faculty are stingy with knowledge—they'll give you as much as you want to learn, and you can ask all the questions.

My favorite courses so far have been Anatomy and Physiology, Neuromuscular Practice 1, Therapeutic Interventions, Clinical Neuroscience, Diagnostic Imaging, Movement Science, and MSK Upper and Lower."

What advice would you give to someone considering the Tufts DPT-Boston hybrid program, especially if they're unsure about the hybrid learning format?

"The hybrid format is amazing. In traditional programs, you're still going to spend time self-teaching, studying on the computer, etc., so why not do it from wherever you want? I've been able to travel, spend time with family, volunteer, and continue to live an invigorating life because of the hybrid format. You can’t do that with traditional programs to the same degree. If you're someone who is a non-traditional learner or even just wants a new challenge—try it!

Within the cohort, people are always helping one another (sharing study tips, notes, resources, talking with mentors, working in small groups, etc.). Be open to that and learn to balance studying in both individual and collaborative environments. Look forward to developing the communication and interpersonal skills necessary to contribute to a collaborative learning environment.

There are going to be days and weeks that feel impossible. Break it down into little bits, day by day, hour by hour, and you’ll get through it. During that time, and the good times, make sure you're eating, sleeping, and doing something other than school. You’re going to be a PT, but you are you first, and that cannot take a backseat.

Talk to people in your cohort, even if you don’t know them. Everyone, for the most part, is feeling the same way, and it's better to be awkward at first and break that barrier—you might make a friend for life. The community and people are what have kept me invigorated. I often go to tutoring in the evenings and have study sessions with friends. Sometimes I just call or text friends to chat, not about school (shoutout to Team 19 and the girls!).

You’d be surprised that you’ll have downtime—use it however you need. Don’t try to be perfect—just give your best (that may change day by day or week by week, and that's okay). You’re being set up for success, so enjoy the journey to getting there—celebrate the little successes along the way."

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