Changing one's mind after committing to a program, and public vs private school

[Borscht]

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Hey everyone,

I would be interested in getting people's take on this. I have already "committed" to one of the public university programs here in my state (paid the deposit, already in the process of communicating with admin staff and other students). I recently got into my "dream" program which just had a much later interview process. It is a private school, and thus more expensive. I know the prevailing opinion out there seems to be that it's not worth it to pay 2-3 times as much money for the same degree when ultimately we will all have the same license. I guess my question is twofold:
1) Have any of you backed out of a program after committing to go to another school? Do you feel like you burned any bridges?
2) Have any of you (past or current students) chosen a more expensive and "prestigious" school over a solid school that isn't as recognized nationally? Does anyone have any insight into whether or not going to a more prestigious school made it easier to get a job, resulted in higher earnings, etc? Are you satisfied or regretful about your decision?

 

[dpt2022222]

Congrats on getting into those schools! I have heard of many people backing out of a program to go to another school. From what I've heard, most programs are used to that! They also benefit from you doing this by gaining the money you put down as a depost. And from the interviews I've attended where I was able to speak with current students, the benefit of going to a prestigious school is having a lot more (and better) clinical internship sites - if you go to a well ranked school then internship sites are seeking you out!

 

[Stacey265]

Hello!

How much money are you looking at? My top choice, my dream school, was around 120K. My state school would have been way cheaper and another school that offered scholarship was also cheaper. Both schools would've been around 80-90K so roughly 30-40K cheaper. I know that a PT is a PT, but I do feel like that does not tell the whole story. Yes, in the end we will all pass our boards, but I do like the fact that my dream school has more connections, opportunities, the top researchers in the country, and are at the forefront of PT. I don't think all PTs are created equal, and that there is an educational difference for the price we pay. Residency is something that I am wanting to pursue after PT school so I do think that this will make a difference.

To your first question, many people put more than one deposit down to a school and then later retract their acceptance. Schools have waitlists to go down so don't worry about burning any bridges! In the end it is up to you in terms of where you want to go.

 

[Borscht]

Congrats on getting into those schools! I have heard of many people backing out of a program to go to another school. From what I've heard, most programs are used to that! They also benefit from you doing this by gaining the money you put down as a depost. And from the interviews I've attended where I was able to speak with current students, the benefit of going to a prestigious school is having a lot more (and better) clinical internship sites - if you go to a well ranked school then internship sites are seeking you out!

Thanks for your insight! I hadn't given too much thought to that, but the prestigious program I'm looking at does indeed have some amazing clinical internship sites - something to consider for sure!

 

[Borscht]

Hello!

How much money are you looking at? My top choice, my dream school, was around 120K. My state school would have been way cheaper and another school that offered scholarship was also cheaper. Both schools would've been around 80-90K so roughly 30-40K cheaper. I know that a PT is a PT, but I do feel like that does not tell the whole story. Yes, in the end we will all pass our boards, but I do like the fact that my dream school has more connections, opportunities, the top researchers in the country, and are at the forefront of PT. I don't think all PTs are created equal, and that there is an educational difference for the price we pay. Residency is something that I am wanting to pursue after PT school so I do think that this will make a difference.

To your first question, many people put more than one deposit down to a school and then later retract their acceptance. Schools have waitlists to go down so don't worry about burning any bridges! In the end it is up to you in terms of where you want to go.

The difference would be $50k vs $120k for the entire program. The connections, research facilities/activity level, and clinical sites are definitely a huge plus, as well as opportunities to get certifications. Had an interesting discussion with a friend who asked me - if you could graduate from the other school, would you pay $10k to change the degree? $20k? Etc. If you discount that from the price difference, then you're looking at a much more reasonable difference. Plus there are all kinds of creative ways to shave that difference down...anyway, I'm trying too hard to convince myself . Thank you both for sharing your thoughts!

 

[Stacey265]

The difference would be $50k vs $120k for the entire program. The connections, research facilities/activity level, and clinical sites are definitely a huge plus, as well as opportunities to get certifications. Had an interesting discussion with a friend who asked me - if you could graduate from the other school, would you pay $10k to change the degree? $20k? Etc. If you discount that from the price difference, then you're looking at a much more reasonable difference. Plus there are all kinds of creative ways to shave that difference down...anyway, I'm trying too hard to convince myself . Thank you both for sharing your thoughts!

Can I ask what schools you're deciding between? That is a pretty big money difference. There are very good state schools out there. If money is a big deal (which it is cause we'll all be in debt), what does the other program offer? I've heard from lots of people that you can't run away from debt but 50k vs 120k is a huge difference!

 

[bc0167]

Had the choice this week. Had gone to 3 days of classes at a private DPT program - $103k - private student loans. Got an acceptance email to a public DPT program - $40k.

If I stayed at private program, I was probably saddled with traveling PT as my only option upon graduation and no vacations for the first few years.

The second program also offered lower rate loans, and would allow me many more options on graduation. I accepted the public offer.

Loan paybacks - 10 yr payback:

 

[Borscht]

Can I ask what schools you're deciding between? That is a pretty big money difference. There are very good state schools out there. If money is a big deal (which it is cause we'll all be in debt), what does the other program offer? I've heard from lots of people that you can't run away from debt but 50k vs 120k is a huge difference!

Ah I'd rather not say the name of the state school that I already committed to lol - just a bit paranoid about who might read this. Let's just say it has a good reputation in my state, but is unknown outside of it. The other school is Emory, which has more research facilities, is part of a large network of hospitals and clinics in Atlanta and has excellent clinical affiliations. I also kind of like the structure of their curriculum as it provides opportunities to take electives that lead to special certifications. It's well known around the country so I feel like it could make it easier to get a job in different places.

 

[Borscht]

Had the choice this week. Had gone to 3 days of classes at a private DPT program - $103k - private student loans. Got an acceptance email to a public DPT program - $40k.

If I stayed at private program, I was probably saddled with traveling PT as my only option upon graduation and no vacations for the first few years.

The second program also offered lower rate loans, and would allow me many more options on graduation. I accepted the public offer.

Loan paybacks - 10 yr payback:

View attachment 248148

Wow, that really puts it into better perspective! What tool or website did you use to generate those numbers? Are you saying traveling PT would be your only option as it's the only one that pays well enough?

 

[bc0167]

Wow, that really puts it into better perspective! What tool or website did you use to generate those numbers? Are you saying traveling PT would be your only option as it's the only one that pays well enough?

$1100 to $1500 monthly payments are really tough when your take home is @$4700 (based on $80k). Bump your salary to $96k (average traveling PT) and your monthly take home bumps to $5700.

 

[Stacey265]

Ah I'd rather not say the name of the state school that I already committed to lol - just a bit paranoid about who might read this. Let's just say it has a good reputation in my state, but is unknown outside of it. The other school is Emory, which has more research facilities, is part of a large network of hospitals and clinics in Atlanta and has excellent clinical affiliations. I also kind of like the structure of their curriculum as it provides opportunities to take electives that lead to special certifications. It's well known around the country so I feel like it could make it easier to get a job in different places.

That's okay, that totally makes sense! Emory is one of the top PT schools in the country. I would look at both schools and see what they have to offer individually and also see how much you value money/debt. 50K vs 120K is a huge difference, and way more than my difference of 80K vs 120K. I am totally biased but something that I will mention is while you may be spending a little less lavishly the first couple years, I have never met a PT who was literally trying to make ends meet. Money is importantly but in the end it is up to you to decide how important that is for you! Good luck!!!!!

 

[wiseOldPT]

Take clinical placement opportunities with a grain of salt! Just because they are on the list doesn't mean you'll get them. I went to a top PT school and only had one placement that would be what people would call prestigious. And my "no name" placements were also a way better learning opportunity!

 

[Borscht]

That's okay, that totally makes sense! Emory is one of the top PT schools in the country. I would look at both schools and see what they have to offer individually and also see how much you value money/debt. 50K vs 120K is a huge difference, and way more than my difference of 80K vs 120K. I am totally biased but something that I will mention is while you may be spending a little less lavishly the first couple years, I have never met a PT who was literally trying to make ends meet. Money is importantly but in the end it is up to you to decide how important that is for you! Good luck!!!!!

Yes it is definitely a huge difference! And that is definitely true - at least none of us will be living in poverty lol. Anyhow, lots to consider - once the decision it's made there will be no looking back! Thanks so much!!

 

[Borscht]

Take clinical placement opportunities with a grain of salt! Just because they are on the list doesn't mean you'll get them. I went to a top PT school and only had one placement that would be what people would call prestigious. And my "no name" placements were also a way better learning opportunity!

Hmmm good to know! A lot of schools do seem to oversell these aspects of their program, when at the end of the day everyone will more or less get the clinical experience they need!

 

[dpt43]

Go with the cheaper school. There are a million other ways to make connections, you don’t need to go to a well recognized school to do so. And your clinicals are what you make of them. You’ll thank yourself in the end when your loan payments are actually affordable.

 

[pelado]

Go with the cheaper school. There are a million other ways to make connections, you don’t need to go to a well recognized school to do so. And your clinicals are what you make of them. You’ll thank yourself in the end when your loan payments are actually affordable.

Thanks, I'll have to keep this in mind going forward. I've accepted admission at UT-El Paso and forfeited by admission to Georgia State, and am currently tempted by University of Southern California. I think I'd also be tempted if San Diego State and University of Washington accept me. BUT there's just no beating UTEP's $40k price tag, at least I've convinced myself of that.

 

[bc0167]

See this from an experienced PT: Ask a real PT any questions you have!