Any Advice Helpful!

[ThatKidKate]

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Hello prospective dpt students! Thank you so much for reading this...

I was fortunate enough to get into both programs I applied to; however, I am now faced with the decision of which program to attend.

Option 1:

• State school, but out of state so tuition is higher (but still reasonable considering other options out there)
• More prestigious than option 2
• Required an interview
• Seems more structured
• LOVE the faculty
• Have to move pretty far away (although not a deal breaker)
• I would be really proud to tell people I graduated from here

Option 2:

• Significantly cheaper than option 1
• Lower ranking school
• Did not require an interview
• In person classes three times a week, and the rest online
• I'm a coach at Orangetheory and would be able to keep my job (I would obviously cut back on hours, but I do love my job so definitely a pro to keep it)
• Wouldn't have to move

I know a lot of people go to the cheaper option because at the end of the day you end up with the same degree. Honestly I just have this huge fear of choosing incorrectly because I know the cheaper option would probably be better long term, but I also know I would be a lot happier at option 1. Obviously family and friends I've spoken to about this are biased towards staying here so any unbiased thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

 

[dptnaynay]

Honestly, I would go with Option 2. Like you said, at the end of the day you end up with the same degree. If Option 1 is not a huge toll on your finances than by all means go there. But if you know it'll set you back and have you in significant debt after finishing then it might be a smarter option to go with the cheaper school. I feel like regardless of where you are if you like the people in your class and enjoy what you're learning, your experience will be equally as happy.

 

[KS_DPT96]

I'm in the same boat as you. I really want to go to the out-of-state, more prestigious school but I can't get over the fact of putting myself in so much debt, it's a really tough decision!

 

[One Punch Man]

It's going to be three very pivotal years of your life. Whichever school you'd be happier attending, go there.

 

[AthletePrePT]

Hello prospective dpt students! Thank you so much for reading this...

I was fortunate enough to get into both programs I applied to; however, I am now faced with the decision of which program to attend.

Option 1:

• State school, but out of state so tuition is higher (but still reasonable considering other options out there)
• More prestigious than option 2
• Required an interview
• Seems more structured
• LOVE the faculty
• Have to move pretty far away (although not a deal breaker)
• I would be really proud to tell people I graduated from here

Option 2:

• Significantly cheaper than option 1
• Lower ranking school
• Did not require an interview
• In person classes three times a week, and the rest online
• I'm a coach at Orangetheory and would be able to keep my job (I would obviously cut back on hours, but I do love my job so definitely a pro to keep it)
• Wouldn't have to move

I know a lot of people go to the cheaper option because at the end of the day you end up with the same degree. Honestly I just have this huge fear of choosing incorrectly because I know the cheaper option would probably be better long term, but I also know I would be a lot happier at option 1. Obviously family and friends I've spoken to about this are biased towards staying here so any unbiased thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

It depends on you and what you want to do in the Physical Therapy profession.


School rankings (like the U.S News and World Report) are irrelevant. What’s much more important is passing rate on the licensing exam, because our ultimate goal is to become a Physical Therapist. Very few employers care about where you went to school, they just want to know your license number. If you just want to become a Physical Therapist and figure out where you want to practice, save money and go in state. Unfortunately, cost is something everyone should seriously consider.

On the flip side, you should also consider Clinical Placement. The bigger schools tend to have better clinical opportunities because they generally have existing contracts and connections with the local healthcare communities. Students from these larger programs tend to get better placement because of the program’s reputation. Smaller programs don’t have as many of these opportunities. If there’s a competitive clinical site that you want to study in, you might not be as competitive as the other students applying for that same site.

So, if you want to work in a particular environment; consider the school’s reputation and their clinical placement ability. If you just want to become a PT, save money and go in state. Your decision should be based on what you want from a school.

One side note: Don’t plan on working through PT school. You’ll be doing too much work and studying to keep a job. Just because a program is online doesn’t mean there’s less work for you.

Hope this helps!

 

[ligamentumXarteriosum]

As long as it doesn't cost considerably more, I would go with option 1.

A school's rank is irrelevant and more like a popularity contest. You should go where you are most happy. You're spending 3 years of your life there engaged in a challenging and at times stressful program. If you can picture yourself there everyday, then go for it.

 

[deleted797640]

PT school rankings are completely useless. They are based on a survey questionnaire sent out to faculty at other PT schools who then rate other schools. Has nothing to due with quality of the program or residency availability. End of the day for PT school the cheaper is always the better.

 

[ptbusiness]

I am not sure what "prestigious" school means... They all have the same curriculum and all prepare you for the boards. 99% of the time, no one cares what school you graduated from because again, the degree and curriculum are the same. Many employers will not even ask you which school you were at, they just want you to have a PT license.
Online classes are great for people who hate sitting at lectures and for those who can manage self-teaching and staying self-motivated. I would definitely go with choice 2, but as others said, it is the question of personal preference.

 

[KS_DPT96]

I think a lot of people in the PT community, especially on this forum, are going to advise you to take the cheaper option because you "get the same degree" and "take the same curriculum" and at the end of the day this may be true; however, the finance major at Mississippi Delta Valley and Yale also have the same degree and took a very similar curriculum. But, if I had to put my money on someone I'd put it on the Yale guy.

It may be true that the employer doesn't care where you became educated and that they simply want to know you have the license; however, you know which school gives you an opportunity to provide the absolute best patient care, which should be your goal as a PT. Yeah, option 1 costs more for the same courses, but the quality of teaching that allows you to truly understand that course and apply it to your daily practice is going to differ from school to school, faculty to faculty, and student to student.

I would pick the school that you feel will make you the best DPT, and yes, they do cost a little more sometimes but the best investment you can make is an investment in yourself.

 

[ligamentumXarteriosum]

I think a lot of people in the PT community, especially on this forum, are going to advise you to take the cheaper option because you "get the same degree" and "take the same curriculum" and at the end of the day this may be true; however, the finance major at Mississippi Delta Valley and Yale also have the same degree and took a very similar curriculum. But, if I had to put my money on someone I'd put it on the Yale guy.

It may be true that the employer doesn't care where you became educated and that they simply want to know you have the license; however, you know which school gives you an opportunity to provide the absolute best patient care, which should be your goal as a PT. Yeah, option 1 costs more for the same courses, but the quality of teaching that allows you to truly understand that course and apply it to your daily practice is going to differ from school to school, faculty to faculty, and student to student.

I would pick the school that you feel will make you the best DPT, and yes, they do cost a little more sometimes but the best investment you can make is an investment in yourself.

100% agree. At the end of the day, you get the same degree and the same knowledge to pass the NPTE. However, the way you get there and learn that information can vary greatly from school to school. Some schools simply have higher quality resources, more connections, or better faculty. You should choose the school that you feel will prepare you the best way to be a DPT.