Does it matter where you go for PT school?

[penguins_]

I wasn't sure which forum more people would respond in but anyways,

If a school is accredited and has a high pass rate, does it matter where you graduate from? For instance, a lot of people are telling me to go to GW because it'll look "better" when applying to jobs and such, but does it really matter???

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[Snovella]

I’ve heard the school doesn’t matter as much as clinicals do. You want a good variaety of exposure to different settings where you can learn and practice. At the end of the day your clinicals would be considered your experience in the field.

 

[ThatKidKate]

I was curious about this as well. I got accepted into a really expensive private school, and originally wanted to go there because it has a prestigious program; however, I'm a PT tech and talked to my boss about it and asked if he looks at where PT's attended school when he hires employees. He said where you go can help build connections if you plan on staying in the area, but he doesn't care where you attended as long as you have a degree and are passionate about continuing education. That's just one employers opinion, but I would imagine most look more at experience than where you went to school.

 

[DPT2021]

I was curious about this as well. I got accepted into a really expensive private school, and originally wanted to go there because it has a prestigious program; however, I'm a PT tech and talked to my boss about it and asked if he looks at where PT's attended school when he hires employees. He said where you go can help build connections if you plan on staying in the area, but he doesn't care where you attended as long as you have a degree and are passionate about continuing education. That's just one employers opinion, but I would imagine most look more at experience than where you went to school.

I think this is generally true. It probably only matters on your 1st hire. After that, your resume and references mean more.

One area that many don't think of is the patient's perception. Going to a school that is nationally recognized does mean something to the patient. Conversations will be started based upon the diploma on your wall. They will remember a nationally recognized school whereas a small, local school is easily forgotten.

 

[ThatKidKate]

I would agree with DPT2021! I think it boils down to location and setting of PT as well. Personally, I'd really like to go into rural healthcare, and in my two years of being an aide at a rural hospital I never heard anyone ask about where their PT went to school. You automatically have credibility because you're working for an outpatient clinic in a hospital. However, while shadowing in a more urban setting that conversation was definitely brought up more.

 

[DPTbound101]

I’d say don’t solely base your decision on the ranking/prestige of a program. And I honestly wouldn’t take the advice of people who don’t know anything about the pt world (like family members) because I’ve experienced the same situation with a few of my family members who have encouraged me to go to certain universities just because of the name that will be on the diploma. Go to the program that offers you the most of what you are looking for in you DPT eduction (whether that’s research, curriculum setup, clinicals etc)...go with your gut at this point, you really can’t go wrong 🙂

 

[amlope03]

The best PT school is the one that can get you the same education for the cheapest price.