Eastern Washington University - Who is attending/thinking about it?

[DDJ]

Hello All,

This is my first time creating an actual thread. I was wondering if anyone else on here was accepted into Eastern Washington University's DPT program and are you planning on attending or at least seriously considering it? Also, were any of you alternates? I talked to some current students when I visited there last weekend to check it out and they said half of their class is made of alternates because half of the people accepted turned down the offer. So if you were placed on the waitlist, there is still hope for you! I'm seriously considering accepting EWU, but I've also been accepted at Columbia and WesternU so I'm having a hard time making up my mind. It would be helpful to know if there are others out there going to EWU so I can know who might be in my class and meet some potential classmates!

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[arlo1217]

Hello All,

This is my first time creating an actual thread. I was wondering if anyone else on here was accepted into Eastern Washington University's DPT program and are you planning on attending or at least seriously considering it?

I'm definitely thinking about EWU! I grew up in Seattle and live in Missoula now, so it would be an easy move and my husband and I would still be near my family and our friends. I haven't visited the campus yet, but I have a couple of acquaintances who've been through the program and loved it. It's also possible for me to do a tuition waiver/in state combo, so it's my cheapest option. I got into GWU and I'm interviewing at NAU in a couple of weeks, plus just got an invite to interview at UNE, which I might decline. If you want to chat more about it, you can PM me if you want! Good luck with making your decision, and congrats on having options!

 

[lordgracie]

I am most likely accepting my offer but waiting to decide until after visiting for preview day 2/28. I have a good feeling from what I've heard about the program. Also, the $50,000 difference between EWU and Samuel Merritt tuition is having some serious sway on my decision.

 

[DDJ]

Thanks for replying both of you. I am so torn right now. I know it's a great problem to have and I do feel very fortunate, but I still don't want to make the wrong decision. I almost wish I only got into just one program and my hand was forced. I was accepted to Columbia, WesternU and Eastern and I already turned down WesternU. But the appeal of going to Columbia is really tempting, the debt is really a crushing amount though. I'd be graduating with over 200k in debt if I went to Columbia (including cost of living etc.) whereas Eastern would be half that. That's a huge chunk of change. I just want to make sure I'm making the right decision if I turn down Columbia. I want to be sure I'll be happy with Eastern. I wish I didn't have to give Columbia an answer before the preview day. It's making this really hard and they want a $1000 deposit which is pretty much all of my money right now.

 

[arlo1217]

Thanks for replying both of you. I am so torn right now. I know it's a great problem to have and I do feel very fortunate, but I still don't want to make the wrong decision. I almost wish I only got into just one program and my hand was forced. I was accepted to Columbia, WesternU and Eastern and I already turned down WesternU. But the appeal of going to Columbia is really tempting, the debt is really a crushing amount though. I'd be graduating with over 200k in debt if I went to Columbia (including cost of living etc.) whereas Eastern would be half that. That's a huge chunk of change. I just want to make sure I'm making the right decision if I turn down Columbia. I want to be sure I'll be happy with Eastern. I wish I didn't have to give Columbia an answer before the preview day. It's making this really hard and they want a $1000 deposit which is pretty much all of my money right now.

I'm having trouble deciding too, but everything I've read suggests that taking on the least amount of debt is wisest, as long as the program graduates people who pass the NPTE and get jobs, which EWU does. What I'm looking at as I decide between different programs is debt and local connections. Since my husband and I want to end up living somewhere in the intermountain West, it makes sense for me to go to a school where I can start making connections in the area. I don't know where you're from or hope to live, but that might be another thing to think about as you're deciding. I totally get the feeling of kind of wishing you only had one choice. Good luck with yours!

 

[CBAforPT]

I'm having trouble deciding too, but everything I've read suggests that taking on the least amount of debt is wisest, as long as the program graduates people who pass the NPTE and get jobs, which EWU does. What I'm looking at as I decide between different programs is debt and local connections. Since my husband and I want to end up living somewhere in the intermountain West , it makes sense for me to go to a school where I can start making connections in the area.

I'm also thinking about EWU and agree with arlo1217. EWU has a few draws for me:

• Cheap out of state tuition (assuming I get a tuition waiver)
• Connections in the intermountain west for potential future jobs
• Cheap cost of living
• Really high pass rate
• Culture/community (EWU's admissions process has felt really student oriented: the deposit is due after the open house, good communication, well-thought-out...I think the admissions process is indicative of the program in general being student oriented and well-thought-out)

I would recommend looking at why Colombia is so attractive to you. I don't see a lot of difference in the outcomes of the students as far as job placement or pass rates. Most of the differences are in prestige, cost, research opportunities, location, on-campus medical school, and a few differences in class structure. I don't know that any of those reasons are worth an extra $100k in debt.

I am planning on visiting the campus for the open house before I make a more final decision.

@DDJ What were your thoughts on the program after visiting it?

 

[topher031888]

Thanks for replying both of you. I am so torn right now. I know it's a great problem to have and I do feel very fortunate, but I still don't want to make the wrong decision. I almost wish I only got into just one program and my hand was forced. I was accepted to Columbia, WesternU and Eastern and I already turned down WesternU. But the appeal of going to Columbia is really tempting, the debt is really a crushing amount though. I'd be graduating with over 200k in debt if I went to Columbia (including cost of living etc.) whereas Eastern would be half that. That's a huge chunk of change. I just want to make sure I'm making the right decision if I turn down Columbia. I want to be sure I'll be happy with Eastern. I wish I didn't have to give Columbia an answer before the preview day. It's making this really hard and they want a $1000 deposit which is pretty much all of my money right now.

Both are good programs but one will cost twice as much. I know there are multiple factors to consider but if it were me and I was going to pay for my own schooling, I would not even hesitate to pick eastern. I know cost isn't the only thing people look at but when you are looking at a 100k difference it becomes the only factor that matters too me. I don't think being able to say you went to Columbia is worth an extra 100k of crushing/controlling/life limiting debt is worth it. After you graduate from eastern and you begin to pay back your student loans you will think about how you considered paying that much more for school and wonder why you even considered it.

 

[pnwDPT2018]

I visited the EWU DPT program last year and was impressed by the newer facilities (They are opening a brand new cadaver lab), friendly professors/students and the very professional and responsive admissions staff. From speaking with the owner of the PT clinic I work in, EWU has a great reputation in the PNW. The DPT program is also in downtown Spokane (or just east of it) so it seems like it is in a better location than the main campus. Overall, the program looks really great to me and I'm seriously considering attending in the fall. Hope that helps you out a little!

 

[DDJ]

I agree with everything you all said. 🙂 It really does make the most sense. Thanks for weighing in. I'm going to go to the open house this weekend as well and check it out. Hope to see you all there! I thought the location in Spokane was great. There seemed to be a lot to do there around town for fun and the campus was beautiful. I got a tour of the facility and classrooms from a few current students and they have really nice equipment, big classrooms and it's really nice there. I was impressed by the facility and campus. The students didn't seem to have a very heavy/difficult course load though and in looking at the class schedule it seems like they have less classes and less in-class time than other programs, but considering the high pass rate, I suppose something they are doing is working and hey, if that means more down time then great! Anyway, hope to see you all this weekend. I'm looking forward to returning to Spokane and meeting more people. I will make my mind up after that visit. I went ahead and gave Columbia the deposit just to hold my spot, but if I like Eastern, I will likely go with that.

 

[pnwDPT2018]

How did everyone find the open house day? Do you think you'll attend?

 

[DDJ]

I thought the facility and location was really nice, but it didn't seem like the students invited there made very many connections. I think part of the problem was the whole "bring your spouse/partner/parent" with you thing. People didn't seem to talk to each other as much as I would have liked. I was hoping to get to know some of the prospective students and I don't feel like I made many great connections with people. I really am torn. I just got accepted to University of Vermont and Pacific University in Oregon recently so now I'm really having a hard time deciding. And I have to decide by tomorrow on Eastern. Yikes!

 

[foodislife]

I thought the facility and location was really nice, but it didn't seem like the students invited there made very many connections. I think part of the problem was the whole "bring your spouse/partner/parent" with you thing. People didn't seem to talk to each other as much as I would have liked. I was hoping to get to know some of the prospective students and I don't feel like I made many great connections with people. I really am torn. I just got accepted to University of Vermont and Pacific University in Oregon recently so now I'm really having a hard time deciding. And I have to decide by tomorrow on Eastern. Yikes!

So did you choose EWU?

 

[DDJ]

I chose Pacific and declined EWU. I was sad to do it, EWU is a great program, but Pacific made a lot more sense for me for many reasons. I hope someone on the waitlist that really wanted to go to EWU got in in my place. 🙂 How about you?

 

[GoDux1016]

Has anyone gotten off the waiting list? Or is anyone holding an acceptance who is on the fence about attending? I'm currently on the EWU waiting list and while I don't anticipate getting off I'm just curious if anyone knows anything

 

[PTapplicant8]

I visited the EWU DPT program last year and was impressed by the newer facilities (They are opening a brand new cadaver lab), friendly professors/students and the very professional and responsive admissions staff. From speaking with the owner of the PT clinic I work in, EWU has a great reputation in the PNW. The DPT program is also in downtown Spokane (or just east of it) so it seems like it is in a better location than the main campus. Overall, the program looks really great to me and I'm seriously considering attending in the fall. Hope that helps you out a little!

Where did you end up? And how do you like it? I'm considering EWU as well!