So, what things do you (current students or current PTs) think should be questions we (future DPT students) should ask ourselves when faced with numerous acceptances?
My process went something like this:
1. Accreditation
2. Location: I wouldn't/couldn't move, leaving 4 schools locally
3. Acceptance rates for students not attending undergrad there: eliminated 1 school
4. Campus/program visit: eliminated 1 because it felt like a terrible fit
I was left with 2 schools to apply to, and was accepted at both. Considered these factors when deciding, roughly in this order:
5. Pass rates: non issue
6. Cost: compiled a detailed spreadsheet and they came out even in the end
7. Length of program: 7 semesters vs 9 semesters and decided this didn't matter to me as much as I thought it would
8. Curriculum and teaching methods: PBL versus traditional. Decided that PBL was not for me, and this was a huge deciding factor for me in the end.
9. Clinical schedule: were very different and I chose the program which I felt had a stronger clinical schedule. I also chose the school that did not allow traveling outside the area versus the one that required it, for personal reasons.
10. Class size: 35ish versus 55ish. I found pretty even pros and cons on each side.
11. Campus: small, secluded, scenic versus very large, urban campus. Didn't matter to me then but I am very happy now that I chose the more urban campus. Love having everything I could need within very short walking distance.
12. Faculty and ranking: #2 versus unranked, was a supporting but not determining factor. Though I did consider if there was a reason why NOT to accept at a top ranked school if everything else balanced out.
Other things that I wish I had the foresight to look into more:
- areas of specialty of the faculty, more helpful when you get closer to graduation
- research opportunities
- prevalence of the use of guest lecturers
- attrition rate
- classroom setup (hi-low tables or plinths? how many? anatomy models? etc)
- how many students per body in gross anatomy, and are they shared with another program?
... that was long, but hope it helps someone.
(FYI: I chose the #2 ranked, urban campus, 9 semester, traditional teaching method, local clinicals required, 55 student program, and I absolutely know it was the right choice for me. Though I know some that chose the other school and are just as happy as me!)