University of the Pacific - Students and Alumni

[PTX2]

I work at an outpatient physical therapy clinic and my supervisor does not believe University of the Pacific is worth attending. His reasoning is that for the price in tuition I could go to a more reputable program. Also, while the brevity of the program may be appealing he does not think this is in the student's best interest. More specifically, the fewer number of clinical weeks and less time to truly grasp and retain the information is harmful.

I would like to reach out to current students and any alumni since I don't personally know anyone affiliated with the program.

1. What made you choose the program? Were you accepted to other schools and if so, where?

2. Did you feel the shortness of the program and less clinical experience significantly impacted your abilities (knowledge and confidence) upon graduation?

3. Did the program's location seriously hinder your success in the program? I firmly believe that an individual's environment plays a role in success. I definitely do not want to live day to day worrying if my car is going to get broken into to or be afraid to walk around at night..

Any feedback would be appreciated! I cannot WAIT for this process to be over and to just get started in a program.

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[GoSparta]

I'm in my second semester right now there. Yes, the cost is daunting, but most programs, besides public institutions, are near the same tuition and are 3 years. I did not get into any public institutions so I chose UOP over another university (not naming out of respect). Here's my thoughts:

1. I chose the program due to the small class size (37), and dedicated full-time professors that every student loved talking about. I had a great experience during the interview, and they made me feel relaxed. The class interaction (2nd year and 1st year students) is also, amazing. We have a 2nd year buddy that helps us out with tutoring if needed, and just general help during our time there before they leave for clinicals. They also have great clinical sites, and the clinical advisor will go out of her way to establish a new site if you really wanted it. PT students are intramural champs every year...gotta love a school fun competitive people!

2. I'm only in my second semester, but I learned A LOT in the first semester since this is accelerated. I already went through 1 short clinical and felt very prepared even though I was only half way through the first semester. My CI said I did good as well. Our professors are AMAZING just like most at other colleges. They are all specialist in different fields, and we have 2 FAAOMPT on staff. Our Anatomy professor is a Ph.D and is passionate about what he teaches, while giving a every in-depth picture to it while we strengthen his foundations in our Kinesiology and Musculo courses. Every professor always drills clinical application. School is what you make it; at any program you attend, you have to get after it or work extra if you want to get ahead.

3. Stockton is a horrible city, no surprise there. I live in the gated community area which is still cheap so I have not had any issues with crime. A few blocks out it gets sketchy, and never go downtown unless needed. It hasn't bothered me at all. Even on the very few weekends we make it out to the bars I felt safe. UOP is pretty much the highlight of the city and the only reason most people are there, so besides the bad areas, you'll be around UOP students. PT school is so crazy you'll be inside labs or studying anyways. Same goes for schools near a beach...you don't get to experience it since you'll be busy. I jog around my neighborhood at night, and nothings happened so far (although people think I'm crazy). Snowboarding, rafting, wine tasting, and other fun things are only 1-2 hours away for the short breaks we have.

Overall I'm really happy with my decision. Tuition is a big deal, and yes you earn the same thing in all universities. If there's a cheaper route, you should choose it. If the other places are private as well, then UOP is a great option. Relax and have fun on interviews, and enjoy the process. Once you get in, the stress of interviews and acceptances will be nothing compared to semester 1 . You'll be happy at any school, good luck!

 

[PTX2]

@GoSparta Thank you for the detailed response! Your experience so far is very reassuring.

All the programs I'm interviewing for are around the same tuition. Each has their pros and cons and right now they're about even.

At this point I'm probably getting ahead of myself since I haven't been accepted yet. Ha ha ha

 

[GoSparta]

No problem. You'll be great. Stay positive, and enjoy the process! Cheers.

 

[Azimuthal]

The only complaint I have heard from UOP's PT alumni is that their clinical experience was too short, making them feel somewhat unprepared when compared to their non-UOP peers. Have I observed evidence of this? Nope.

 

[GoSparta]

I haven't looked into other programs, but first semester we have "Fall Fridays" where we have a clinical every friday for 5 weeks that begins halfway through semester 1. Just this year, we will be doing 1 4-week clinical (used to be 2 2-week clinicals; maybe that's what they meant as short) in summer, and we have 3 consecutive 8-week clinicals in our last year.

A lot of alumni and 2nd year students said they fully support the faculty's decision to change the 1st year summer clinical to a 4-weeker because the 2-weekers were too short. Others could possibly mean that 29 weeks of total clinical time is too short as you mentioned. I haven't talked to them, nor have I done the research to compare programs.

 

[PTX2]

I haven't looked into other programs, but first semester we have "Fall Fridays" where we have a clinical every friday for 5 weeks that begins halfway through semester 1. Just this year, we will be doing 1 4-week clinical (used to be 2 2-week clinicals; maybe that's what they meant as short) in summer, and we have 3 consecutive 8-week clinicals in our last year.

A lot of alumni and 2nd year students said they fully support the faculty's decision to change the 1st year summer clinical to a 4-weeker because the 2-weekers were too short. Others could possibly mean that 29 weeks of total clinical time is too short as you mentioned. I haven't talked to them, nor have I done the research to compare programs.

The new CAPTE requirements starting this year state "The clinical education component of the curriculum includes a minimum of 30 weeks of full-time clinical education experiences."

UOP is now two weeks short of the new standard.

 

[PTX2]

The new CAPTE requirements starting this year state "The clinical education component of the curriculum includes a minimum of 30 weeks of full-time clinical education experiences."

UOP is now two weeks short of the new standard.

FYI It appears the last clinical is now 10 weeks bringing the total to 30 weeks.

 

[GoSparta]

The chair is having a meeting with us about this later this week. It appears so! Thanks for the update.

 

[RenoWolfPack]

I'm in my second semester right now there. Yes, the cost is daunting, but most programs, besides public institutions, are near the same tuition and are 3 years. I did not get into any public institutions so I chose UOP over another university (not naming out of respect). Here's my thoughts:

1. I chose the program due to the small class size (37), and dedicated full-time professors that every student loved talking about. I had a great experience during the interview, and they made me feel relaxed. The class interaction (2nd year and 1st year students) is also, amazing. We have a 2nd year buddy that helps us out with tutoring if needed, and just general help during our time there before they leave for clinicals. They also have great clinical sites, and the clinical advisor will go out of her way to establish a new site if you really wanted it. PT students are intramural champs every year...gotta love a school fun competitive people!

2. I'm only in my second semester, but I learned A LOT in the first semester since this is accelerated. I already went through 1 short clinical and felt very prepared even though I was only half way through the first semester. My CI said I did good as well. Our professors are AMAZING just like most at other colleges. They are all specialist in different fields, and we have 2 FAAOMPT on staff. Our Anatomy professor is a Ph.D and is passionate about what he teaches, while giving a every in-depth picture to it while we strengthen his foundations in our Kinesiology and Musculo courses. Every professor always drills clinical application. School is what you make it; at any program you attend, you have to get after it or work extra if you want to get ahead.

3. Stockton is a horrible city, no surprise there. I live in the gated community area which is still cheap so I have not had any issues with crime. A few blocks out it gets sketchy, and never go downtown unless needed. It hasn't bothered me at all. Even on the very few weekends we make it out to the bars I felt safe. UOP is pretty much the highlight of the city and the only reason most people are there, so besides the bad areas, you'll be around UOP students. PT school is so crazy you'll be inside labs or studying anyways. Same goes for schools near a beach...you don't get to experience it since you'll be busy. I jog around my neighborhood at night, and nothings happened so far (although people think I'm crazy). Snowboarding, rafting, wine tasting, and other fun things are only 1-2 hours away for the short breaks we have.

Overall I'm really happy with my decision. Tuition is a big deal, and yes you earn the same thing in all universities. If there's a cheaper route, you should choose it. If the other places are private as well, then UOP is a great option. Relax and have fun on interviews, and enjoy the process. Once you get in, the stress of interviews and acceptances will be nothing compared to semester 1 . You'll be happy at any school, good luck!

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