General Admissions & OTCAS Choosing between different OT programs

[S.OT.2017]

Hey all,
So I'm having trouble choosing between programs. I got accepted into NYIT, Hofstra, and LIU (in that order). I put down the deposit for NYIT and really love the program but its about an hour and a half drive from my house so I'd probably have to dorm. Hofstra seemed a bit shaky to me so I was feeling eh about it and dint put down a deposit, forfeiting my seat. LIU sent me an acceptance email a week ago but I still haven't received my official letter in the mail.

NYIT: ~100k tuition, housing $? (and like stranger danger :x how do I find a place to live?), 9k scholarship, their program just seemed so well established. they have many affiliations. I know someone who just graduated from there and i heard that by graduation time, if you don't have a job waiting for you they help you find a job.

LIU: ~150k tuition, 30 min away by train so i'd live at home, not sure about scholarships since i haven't received my official letter yet, and idk much about the program other than the fact that when i asked a first year if they thought the program was worth the cost, they said no.

I'm waiting to hear back from downstate, stony brook, nyu, and touro. I interviewed at the first two and downstate is my top pick but that interview was my only 'bad' interview. Help shed some light, my friends.

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[Pre-OT Student]

In my honest opinion, I would go wherever is cheapest. That is, as long as you like the program, it’s accredited, etc... If they’re all seeming to offer you the same things, I’d pick the cheapest option (with all expenses considered, so tuition, price of living, etc.)

 

[FINGERS_CROSSED]

I agree with the person above. I think student loans begin accruing interest the moment you take them out (correct me if I'm wrong). When you begin to crunch the numbers about what you will actually have to pay back, it's a little scary.

 

[thekau]

The interest depends on whether the loan is subsidized or not. If it's subsidized, interest doesn't start accruing until 6 months after you stop being a student (at least part time). If it's unsubsidized, it begins the moment you take out the loan.

 

[ThatAcquaKid]

i would also look into their graduation rates and NBCOT pass rates, both of which you can find online.

 

[OTwannabe2020]

The interest depends on whether the loan is subsidized or not. If it's subsidized, interest doesn't start accruing until 6 months after you stop being a student (at least part time). If it's unsubsidized, it begins the moment you take out the loan.

Direct Subsidized Loans are available only to undergraduate students who have financial need. They aren't available for graduate students :/ i've been researching this for days

 

[thekau]

Direct Subsidized Loans are available only to undergraduate students who have financial need. They aren't available for graduate students :/ i've been researching this for days

You're right. Welp. That does not bode well for my hopes of attending any of the private schools I applied to. Lol.

What really scares me is thinking about attending a school with 100k tuition. If I wanted to pay that off in a decade, I'd have to pay $10,000 a year. Which is completely unrealistic. And that's not even counting housing or the interest that would build up.

 

[S.OT.2017]

Educators

Thought this might be helpful to some.

 

[hannieOT]

I have to agree with Pre-OT Student about picking the cheapest option! I was just deciding between Nova Southeastern, which would've been about $100k total for tuition and dorming, and D'youville in my hometown which will be about $65k just for tuition. That $35k difference completely made up my mind. Although I would LOVE to attend a school on the beach, it doesn't seem practical for the same degree. Also, having $40k in undergrad loans also pushed me towards staying in my hometown.

 

[carly013]

I am in the same boat. I've been accepted to three schools so far, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, Texas Tech, and Midwestern in Glendale AZ. I currently live in Minnesota, so UW-La Crosse would be the most affordable..at only 40k for the whole program because I get in state tuition. I am dying to get out of the Midwest though and loved Midwestern's campus/program. However, it's double the tuition of La Crosse and comes in at about 80k, not including living expenses. I'm so torn between what to do...I know the cheapest option is probably the smartest, but it's also a great opportunity to move somewhere completely different.

 

[OT2018YUP]

I am in the same boat. I've been accepted to three schools so far, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, Texas Tech, and Midwestern in Glendale AZ. I currently live in Minnesota, so UW-La Crosse would be the most affordable..at only 40k for the whole program because I get in state tuition. I am dying to get out of the Midwest though and loved Midwestern's campus/program. However, it's double the tuition of La Crosse and comes in at about 80k, not including living expenses. I'm so torn between what to do...I know the cheapest option is probably the smartest, but it's also a great opportunity to move somewhere completely different.

DO the cheaper even if its less fun. YOu will be glad in two years you did. Then just move to AZ or wherever after. Get a job somewhere else.

 

[TXmadeOT]

I have to agree with Pre-OT Student about picking the cheapest option! I was just deciding between Nova Southeastern, which would've been about $100k total for tuition and dorming, and D'youville in my hometown which will be about $65k just for tuition. That $35k difference completely made up my mind. Although I would LOVE to attend a school on the beach, it doesn't seem practical for the same degree. Also, having $40k in undergrad loans also pushed me towards staying in my hometown.

Congratulations! I decided to decline the spot at Nova as well. For the same reason!

 

[TXmadeOT]

I am in the same boat. I've been accepted to three schools so far, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, Texas Tech, and Midwestern in Glendale AZ. I currently live in Minnesota, so UW-La Crosse would be the most affordable..at only 40k for the whole program because I get in state tuition. I am dying to get out of the Midwest though and loved Midwestern's campus/program. However, it's double the tuition of La Crosse and comes in at about 80k, not including living expenses. I'm so torn between what to do...I know the cheapest option is probably the smartest, but it's also a great opportunity to move somewhere completely different.

What about Tech? Are you still thinking about that program or no?

 

[carly013]

What about Tech? Are you still thinking about that program or no?

Yeah definitely..I’m going to write out a pros and cons lists today for all the schools and try to make the decision. I really liked Tech too and it’s on the more affordable side, I’m just a little bummed it starts in May. I live in Minneapolis Minnesota and have a full-time job and lease that goes through July so I would need to make a lot of decisions before May..I’ll figure it out though!

 

[HME4OT]

I agree with everyone else who said to go for the cheaper (but still accredited) option. Take into consideration all of the factors involved and go the route that will cost less. There are people with grandfathered Bachelors degrees earning higher wages than entry-level doctorates, so don't let the degree level (or institution reputation) fool you. Your pay will depend solely on your setting, geographical region, and experience level. And all employers truly care about is: Are you an OTL/R? Meaning, did you pass the NBCOT? Do you have any experience? (Which you will get in your FW placements.) And does your therapeutic style match the need of the setting? You do not want to start out your career in debt, so I ALWAYS advise my friends and future colleagues to save the money wherever they can (loans are expensive and maintaining a job during OT school is extremely difficult). This will require a lot of calculations on your part, but be thorough. There are many "hidden" expenses to OT school that pop up (like background checks/medical exams/certifications etc for fieldwork, conferences, symposiums, supplies, study abroad... it really adds up!). Based on what you've said here solely, I'd probably opt for the $150K program and live and eat at home. Housing and home management expenses really mount (why not let mom pay for wifi if you can?) and if you're looking at 2.5-3 years, there is a good probability that you will spend more than 50K on food, housing, and associated costs of living. Plus, you can use your commute time to read. Best of luck finding an option that suits you! Seeing the costs of some of these programs make me ever so grateful that my program is only $30K and I am able to pay as I go... The stress of being in 6-figure debt starting out seems really difficult.

 

[TXmadeOT]

Yeah definitely..I’m going to write out a pros and cons lists today for all the schools and try to make the decision. I really liked Tech too and it’s on the more affordable side, I’m just a little bummed it starts in May. I live in Minneapolis Minnesota and have a full-time job and lease that goes through July so I would need to make a lot of decisions before May..I’ll figure it out though!

Making a pros and cons list is a great idea! Would you have to pay out of state tuition for Tech? I recently was accepted into UTEP! I am really happy because now I get to pay in state tuition and I've also heard great things about the program.