DPT School Pros and Cons

[N8bfbal1560]

Hi I have recently been accepted to USC's Physical Therapy Program and have been awarded an interview with Western University of Health Sciences as well. I am also anxiously waiting to hear back from Chapman University and Azusa Pacific University. Originally Chapman was my top choice but now that I have been accepted to USC I am strongly considering it. My background is in athletic training and I would like to work in sports medicine so that may help to explain some of my pros and cons. I'd like people to add their own pros and cons about these 4 programs that I may have missed as well as likes and dislikes about the programs from current students and alumni. Thank you guys!

Here's my list:

Chapman
Program Length: 3 calendar years 125 units
Class Size: 50 Students
Total Cost: ~$110,000
National Ranking: #121 (Tied)
Transportation: 15-20 minute commute from home by car
Location: Program is located 3 blocks from main campus in the city of Orange
Graduation Rate: Average over the past 3 years 87%
Employment from graduates over the past 5 years: 100%
Percent of students that pass the boards: 2011 100%
Pros:
Decent athletic program
Smaller class size allows for more of a family environment
$30,000 less than USC
Nice facility
44-50 weeks of clinical experiences with some ability to choose specific settings
Cons:
Smaller alumni network
Don’t know much about where graduates end up
Division III Athletic Program

USC
Program Length: 3 calendar years 115 units
Class Size: ~94 Students
Total Cost: ~$140,000
National Ranking: #1
Transportation: 30 minutes-1+hr depending on traffic
Metro link with free shuttle from the train station to the campus (Allows for
study time during travel)
Location: Program is located far from main campus in a more dangerous part of town
(Across the street from USC Medical Center)
Graduation Rate: 2010 98%
Percent of students that pass the boards: 2010 100%
Pros:
Division I Athletic Program
National notoriety
Immediate extension of network through alumni
Top notch facility and equipment
Leader in the research field
Excellent professors who are leaders in the physical therapy community
50 weeks of clerkships with some ability to choose specific settings
Cons:
~$140,000 debt plus current undergraduate debt $42,000 plus interest
Commute by car is with traffic everyday unless I leave early in the morning from home
~6am and stay late before driving back ~9pm
Lack of “family” environment with such a large class
Travel time adds up

Azusa Pacific
Program Length: 31 month 150 units
Class Size: 40 Students
Total Cost: ~$95,000
National Ranking: #154 (Tied)
Transportation: ~40 minutes by car, opposite of traffic
Location: Program is located 2 blocks from main campus in a relatively nice neighborhood
Graduation Rate: 2011 97.43%
Employment within 6 months of passing the boards: 100%
% of students that pass the boards: 2011 TBD 2010 100%
Pros:
Christian affiliated program. Though religion is not an extremely large portion, it is a part of the program.
Family environment
Graduates from this program receive nearly half of the residencies offered in Southern
California each year (I don’t necessarily need to pursue a residency because of my 1500+ hours in athletic training experience to date)
Least expensive program I applied to
Cons:
Division 2 athletic program
Travel time adds up
Small number of faculty


Western University of Health Sciences
Program Length: 3 years
Class Size: 50 Students
Total Cost: ~$105,000
National Ranking: #121 (Tied)
Transportation: ~35 minutes by car, opposite of traffic
Location: Program is located in Downtown Pomona and is an old part of Pomona’s Main St.
Graduation Rate:
% of students that pass the boards: 2011 100%
Pros:
Allows for interprofessional learning with other health professions (Group project with students from the other graduate programs at the school)
Opposite of traffic so travel time is relatively consistent
No undergraduate programs at the school
Homely feel because of the small campus
Cons:
No athletic programs

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[jblil]

1) I think all 4 schools are quite expensive;
2) I wouldn't worry about their rankings, esp. when you consider #121 vs. #154;
3) Have you seem this thread about Western U.?
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=953048