I'm currently having a dilemma right now where I'm trying to decide if having minimal loans is worth it if it means sacrificing my comfort and happiness. I only applied to one PT school so far, which is in a rural area. I went to my interview a few days ago and did a tour and just didn't feel at home at all. I grew up in the suburbs and go to a college in the city. The only reason I applied to this school was because the tuition was so cheap. But I'm starting to reconsider. There are other schools that I feel I would be more comfortable and happy at, but their tuition is a lot higher than the school I applied to ($45k versus upwards of $130k). Is the high cost in loans worth it? I see many PT's with over 100k in debt and I just want to know if a lot of loans really affects peoples' lives. 3 years is a long time to be in a place where I'm unhappy. I have no loans from undergrad. Any guidance would be appreciated!
Cost or Comfort?
- Thread starter luchthept
- Start date
You have to decide the amount of debt that you’re comfortable with. I work with therapists who are in a lot of debt and they still have enough money to travel and live comfortably. Personally, I wouldn’t attend a school that I didn’t like. It’s like you said, 3 years is a long time be in a place that you’re unhappy with. It might be in the are that you’re looking, but in Texas there are several different programs that have tuition under 50k.
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Burn out is already a problem in PT, and I think you’d prematurely burn out while in a DPT program like you described.
The environment around you is just as important as your progress in the program! I’m most successful when I feel comfortable and at home. Good luck!
The environment around you is just as important as your progress in the program! I’m most successful when I feel comfortable and at home. Good luck!
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I like hearing advice on this, too. I hear a lot of "go with the cheapest program," but quality of experience is about more than the sticker price. It's an important thing, too, sure, but making ourselves miserable for our educational experience isn't ideal, either.
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In making decisions, I think it’s wise to see if the older you will be happy.
Also, life is hardly ever binary choices. Go for option C. Place you like that’s not exorbitantly expensive.
Also, life is hardly ever binary choices. Go for option C. Place you like that’s not exorbitantly expensive.
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deleted797640
Cost is all that matters especially when going to a more comfortable school doesn't increase your paycheck. We also might be facing a 8% cut from CMS in the future so keep this in mind.
