What are particular things you all looked at when selecting schools to apply to?
Choosing programs
- Thread starter ank20
- Start date
Here are things I'd suggest you consider. Many come down to personal preference (no right answer for everyone) but think about what matters to you. These things are in no particular order, except maybe price.
1) Price: This includes tuition, cost of living, length of the program, other freebies like do you get free access to a school gym or do you have to buy certain equipment/technology.
2) Clinical affiliations: How do clinicals work? Are they interspersed in the program or all at the end? Are there part time and full time? Don't just go by the list of any affiliation, see if you can get a list of where students are right now (just because a school has an affiliation does not mean they frequently get spots there). How are clinicals decided- is it a lottery, do they make sure you get your top pick(s) at some point? Are clinicals local or scattered around the country?
3) Class size/demographics. Some people like big, some small. Pros and cons of both. Are students generally fresh from college or older. If you are older, you might not want to be surrounded by 22 yr olds. Where do the students come from? If you are coming from far away and everyone else is local, this might make it harder to establish yourself in a social group.
4) Location: goes with price/cost of living. If you hate cities, probably don't live in one. If you have a favorite hobby, make sure it is still accessible. How much will it cost you to visit friends/family? Will you have to commute a long ways?
5) Curriculum: How is the curriculum structured? Is it team based/problem based learning or more traditional lectures. How are labs done? Is anatomy prosections or dissections. Is there a heavier focus on ortho or neuro? Do you do all basic and then clinical courses, or is it a mix? Is there required research project? What about breaks between semesters?
6) Faculty: Are faculty involved in APTA? Involved in research? If you have a big interest in peds, for example, see if there are faculty doing peds research. Do you have opportunities to work with the faculty on research? How are clinicians utilized in teaching labs? Are the rest of the faculty more clinical or academic?
7) Access to clinical populations. Do they bring in people with stroke, spinal cord, ortho injuries, etc for hands on practice in classes? Is there a school associated clinic?
8) What are the extra perks? Does the school support you to attend CSM (big meeting)? Some do financial support and scheduled time off. Do they pay your APTA memberships? Career fairs? Help with networking? Provide board prep classes? Is there a residency program associated with your school?
9) Boards pass rate. You want it darn near 100% if not 100%. Or they better have a good reason why!
1) Price: This includes tuition, cost of living, length of the program, other freebies like do you get free access to a school gym or do you have to buy certain equipment/technology.
2) Clinical affiliations: How do clinicals work? Are they interspersed in the program or all at the end? Are there part time and full time? Don't just go by the list of any affiliation, see if you can get a list of where students are right now (just because a school has an affiliation does not mean they frequently get spots there). How are clinicals decided- is it a lottery, do they make sure you get your top pick(s) at some point? Are clinicals local or scattered around the country?
3) Class size/demographics. Some people like big, some small. Pros and cons of both. Are students generally fresh from college or older. If you are older, you might not want to be surrounded by 22 yr olds. Where do the students come from? If you are coming from far away and everyone else is local, this might make it harder to establish yourself in a social group.
4) Location: goes with price/cost of living. If you hate cities, probably don't live in one. If you have a favorite hobby, make sure it is still accessible. How much will it cost you to visit friends/family? Will you have to commute a long ways?
5) Curriculum: How is the curriculum structured? Is it team based/problem based learning or more traditional lectures. How are labs done? Is anatomy prosections or dissections. Is there a heavier focus on ortho or neuro? Do you do all basic and then clinical courses, or is it a mix? Is there required research project? What about breaks between semesters?
6) Faculty: Are faculty involved in APTA? Involved in research? If you have a big interest in peds, for example, see if there are faculty doing peds research. Do you have opportunities to work with the faculty on research? How are clinicians utilized in teaching labs? Are the rest of the faculty more clinical or academic?
7) Access to clinical populations. Do they bring in people with stroke, spinal cord, ortho injuries, etc for hands on practice in classes? Is there a school associated clinic?
8) What are the extra perks? Does the school support you to attend CSM (big meeting)? Some do financial support and scheduled time off. Do they pay your APTA memberships? Career fairs? Help with networking? Provide board prep classes? Is there a residency program associated with your school?
9) Boards pass rate. You want it darn near 100% if not 100%. Or they better have a good reason why!
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2018
- Messages
- 19
- Reaction score
- 8
WiseOldPT hit the nail on the head! Those are definitely things you want to look out for when choosing a PT school. However, all perks of schools are usually highlighted and having a good understanding of student life is just as important. I heard of students hating their program because of the experience. Even tho the school promised >95% board pass rate, etc. I started a series called Student Speaks that you may find interesting. Take a look and see if it helps! If you have any personal questions, feel free to reach out!
@wiseOldPT really did it haha.
Where you can find answers to these questions:
The program website
APTA
Phone call to programs
Webinars by programs
Open House by program
Interviews from programs *MAJOR KEY*
- They are shopping for competitive applicants, as you are shopping for competitive programs 😉
- You will feel a vibe from the faculty and students if it's right for you or not.
Where you can find answers to these questions:
The program website
APTA
Phone call to programs
Webinars by programs
Open House by program
Interviews from programs *MAJOR KEY*
- They are shopping for competitive applicants, as you are shopping for competitive programs 😉
- You will feel a vibe from the faculty and students if it's right for you or not.
Similar threads
