Choosing the right school

[js1989]

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So I'm sure someone has visited this topic before, but I am really torn between two programs that I have been accepted to: University of Delaware, and UMDNJ. I enjoyed both very much, but I'd say that Delaware was more impressive. It's ranked #2 I believe, with UMDNJ being #44. However, I am a NJ resident, so I would save ~$60k by going to UMDNJ (tuition and housing).

So I guess what I'm asking is if attending the better program is going to yield a return on investment that justifies accumulating the extra debt. Would love some feedback on this situation, I have about 2 more weeks before I have to really make this decision and I am completely torn.

Thanks!

 

[RU13]

The rankings mean very little. Where does that info come from? The media outlet that supplies those rankings (can't remember who it is) asks each DPT school's department head to rank the programs. How can a department head of one program be familiar with every program in the nation? It's silly. It's all based on reputation and name. It's largely a popularity contest. I'm not saying the rankings mean nothing, just that they mean very little.

If you have a DPT, you're going to get a job as a PT. America is hungry for PTs. Does it matter where you go to school? Where did Bill Gates go to school? Barack Obama? Once you're out of school, I think very few people care where you went. They care about what you can do. You will achieve skills based on what you put into the schooling. Does it really matter where you go? Your happiness matters. Go where you will be happier.

I think being $60,000 less in debt would make you pretty happy.

 

[NewTestament]

I visited Delaware too and I was impressed with the program. The facilities sucked, but the faculty was excellent. I'm sure the students there get an excellent education. Having said that, it's not worth the extra $30-$40k you'll in in tuition. UMDNJ is a good school from what I hear. Ignore the rankings. Like RU13, they're meaningless, and they don't mean you'll like the program. Even the director at Delaware belittled them when I visited last year.

Barack Obama went to Harvard and ended up becoming President of the United States, so I'm not sure that's a good example of a good school not paying off!

Kevin

 

[josierita]

Does Delaware have better clinical sites, or affiliations that would help you get into the field or job you want right out of graduate school? I would think about why exactly Delaware was more impressive to you; facilities, professors, vision of the program, equipment, location, image etc. and then decide which of those qualities matter most to you.

I feel your pain though! I went to an open house at Northwestern thinking it would just be a fun trip to Chicago because it's such an expensive school but after attending the open house I was completely blown away by the classes I sat in on and how much the students knew after only one semester, the professors' teaching styles, the vision of the program, and its affiliations. I'm seriously considering NU now because I know that by going there I would be able to start a career in exactly the area of physical therapy I want to go into, at the institute I've always dreamed of getting a job with. But is that worth the extra $40K? I'm still trying to decide 🙂

 

[bythebay]

The rankings mean very little. Where does that info come from? The media outlet that supplies those rankings (can't remember who it is) asks each DPT school's department head to rank the programs. How can a department head of one program be familiar with every program in the nation? It's silly. It's all based on reputation and name. It's largely a popularity contest. I'm not saying the rankings mean nothing, just that they mean very little.

If you have a DPT, you're going to get a job as a PT. America is hungry for PTs. Does it matter where you go to school? Where did Bill Gates go to school? Barack Obama? Once you're out of school, I think very few people care where you went. They care about what you can do. You will achieve skills based on what you put into the schooling. Does it really matter where you go? Your happiness matters. Go where you will be happier.

I think being $60,000 less in debt would make you pretty happy.

Um, I don't disagree with you but I do think it's worth noting that both Obama and Gates went to Harvard

 

[mccomasg09]

.

 

[gray0620]

I'm not trying to detour your from going to Northwestern, but after working with a few therapists that graduated from their program, I am not impressed with their clinical skills. Very poor therapeutic exercise selection and mainly all modalities in treating their patients. However, this is only two people out of the entire class, so maybe I am being a little harsh. But I, personally, expect more out of therapists.

 

[RU13]

Um, I don't disagree with you but I do think it's worth noting that both Obama and Gates went to Harvard

But how many people know that?

It was a bad example but you know what I'm saying!

 

[JRS69]

Rankings don't mean much. I would definitely go with the cheaper one. 60k is a huge deal. Just think about how many extra years of debt repayment that you would have vs. going to UMDMJ. You will end up getting the same jobs at the same pay, doing the exact same thing as any other DPT.
My school is only 50k for the whole program and I am already seeing that interest pile up after only one semester. Its depressing!

On a side note, the program head at my school (UNF) use to be the program head at Delaware a couple years ago! He says he runs everything the same way he did when he was there, and I don't even know if UNF is ranked. Schools are constantly changing so you can never really base a schools quality off a ranking.