Other OT-Related Information Choosing between two programs

[OTwah]

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Is anyone else struggling to choose between two (or more) programs? I got very lucky in this round of applications and was accepted to my two top programs.

They have a price tag difference of about 15k, with the more expensive one being far away from friends/family but would also allow me to live in a new city and expand my horizons that way. This was also my absolute FAVORITE program I visited. The second, more affordable, school is only a couple hours away. It's a doctorate program instead of a masters which means I wouldn't be able to start paying off my student loans until later than the first program. However, the cost of living would be less too and I have a lot of friends moving to that area and already have someone I could live with so the transition/moving period would be much easier. I've heard good things about the program, but I still don't like how it's set up as much as the other program.

I've successfully talked myself in and out of each program numerous times (lol) so now I'm just trying to get as much input from outside sources as possible. If anyone has any advice (or wants to share their tough choices), please do share!

 

[CaliKnitter]

If the doctoral program takes a year longer, you should factor in a year of lost wages.

Best of luck! Congrats on having to make this kind of decision.


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[slpOT]

Do your best to compare the program structures and the major differences between them and what would truly be problematic, but try to keep in mind that technically, any school that's accredited is going to have the credentials to make you an OT. If you really want to go to the more expensive school that's further away just to explore something new, keep in mind that you could look into doing travel OT for a bit after you graduate 🙂 As for losing one year of work experience, that's assuming that the Master's program is only 2 years - if it's 2.5 like a lot of the ones I know of, it's only a few months. In my opinion, OTs are in such high demand that I don't think it would be that much more difficult (if at all) to land a job over a recent Master's grad & some work experience, and since you already mentioned being open to relocating, that opens up even more options for jobs without having that work experience prior.

 

[MOTNW]

I was in the same position as you last year. I had a choice of staying closer to home, which was cheap and going to school further away that was more expensive. In the end I picked the school further and I can honestly say I regret that decision. I much rather be near my home area and with at someone 1 person I know. Most of my cohort are from the area and do not care to make friends with one another. They go to school and return back to their lives they had previous. Sure, everyone is helpful and we talk to each other, but it is on a superficial level. If I was able to go back in time I would truly take a look at the difference in the curriculum. I was unaware that my current school focus heavily on mental health, theories, and research. That is not something I value as much. I spoke to professions in the field and they told me that some students from other schools have a better clinical program because their university has a medical school there. I personally wanted more of a clinical, anatomy, physical rehab aspect to OT. Anyways, my biggest suggestion is to look at the curriculum and what the school focuses on. Figure out what is most important to you: supportive near by, curriculum, new area, etc. In the end, all accredited will allow you to sit for the national exams. You will be an OT regardless, it just the experience you prefer having in school.

 

[BeAnOTsoon!?]

I am in the exact same place... I just try to remind myself that it's a great predicament to have, and both options will probably make me very happy in different ways. Good luck!