Please advise! UNMC, NAU, UW

[lovePT]

Hi

I need advice of possibly the best pt program to consider. I have went to university of nebraska medical center (UNMC), northern Arizona University (NAU), and University of Washington (UW) to check it out. I like different things about these three schools.

University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) omaha, ne
pros
-have patient simulation program where students get to use it in their second semester of their first year and it will be used through out the three years.
-Sharing clinic= a clinic in unmc where students in the program get to work with underserved ppl in nebraska.
-new facilities
-get to work with other health professions as well since it is right next to nebraska medical center
-cheaper cost of living (about 500-600 dollars for 1 bedroom)
-receive non-resident tuition scholarship (pay almost as NE resident in my first year)
cons
-the weather in the midwest
-being far from family and friends
-haven't heard much about their reputation from where i live. The only thing i know is the information that i received when i went for interview and the US news ranking.
-can't establish residency unless i married someone from nebraska (according to the school)

Northern Arizona University (NAU), Flagstaff, AZ
Pros
-Great Reputation of preparing their graduates for the profession
-might have patient simulation program that use with the nursing program (their students didn't know much about it, so i'm guessing it is a new thing in their program)
-Seems like a great place to live in Flagstaff, AZ.
-Tons of outdoor activities
-easy to get residency
-cheaper tuition
Cons
-the building seems really old
-don't have that many cadavers (their students said they have 6)
-didn't feel very comfortable at the place compared to other one (maybe due to how the interview process went with one of the professors
-expensive cost of living (about 700-900 dollars for 1 bedroom)

University of Washington (UW), Seattle, WA
Pros
-Great reputation
-have seen how their graduates work in the profession. (they truly know their stuff)
-will have a newer classroom for this fall
-right next to the University of washington Medical Center (rank 3rd as best rehab hospital)
-will pay as instate resident (same cost as NAU)
-get to work with other health professions like OT, prothetics and orthotics program)
-used to live in seattle and attended 1 year at UW.. so know the area really well
Cons
-expensive cost of living
-don't have the patient simulation (at least not that i know of )
-quarter system (i know how intense that will get especially changing from semester to quarter)
-the tuition might increase for the next few years because of the budget cut in WA state.

Sorry for such a long message.

any advices for which one i choose would truly be appreciated.

Thank you

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[spoonracer]

Hi, I'm planning to attend NAU in the fall, and I've been living in Flagstaff for the past several years. I don't know much about the other programs you listed, but overall I would say NAU is a great choice. From what I hear, you can gain residency after one year here, and as a resident the program tuition is only about $8,000 a year(depending on the tuition changes). That is a ton cheaper than most programs. The program is highly regarded by many PT's I know who have gone there as well. Yes, 1 bedroom apartments are pretty expensive, but if you look around you can rent a room in a house for around $500 with utilities. I currently pay that amount for a room in a nice neighborhood with other students. The outdoor life here is great I think. Many places to hike, bike, just relax in the outdoors. Although the facilities aren't the most up-to-date, I don't consider that a huge deal in my education.

Overall I chose the program because I work with a lot of the PT school's alumni, and they are great therapists. If I chose to go to A.T. Still University here in Arizona, I would be paying about $50,000 more overall. To me, that would just be throwing money down the drain.

Hope that helps, let me know if you have anymore questions!