Emory vs. GSU

[cheeto5k]

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Accepted to both. Anyone out there have any helpful advice? I'm from Atlanta, so both schools are local for me. No, I will not be living with my parents and they won't be helping with tuition. I don't care about doing research AT ALL, I want to work with people. Here are my top PT career goals:

1. Become an excellent PT
2. Work in an underserved community at some point.
3. Move into admin/management so I can help improve PT care processes.

Will either school help me achieve these goals better than the other one? Here is my pro-con list for both.

Emory
- respected name
- nice facilities
- off the chain expensive - tuition/yr $33,300
- vibe: more serious
- the emory bubble (not a fan of the area being an Atlanta native)
- plenty of volunteer oppties
- well known research school, seems to be an important part of the curriculum
- offers options to take business classes, yoga elective 🙂
- established curriculum
- sort of odd clinical internship set up - don't start clinicals until late 2nd year and then return 3rd year to do research

GSU
- state school, does not have Emory name
- nice facilities
- so affordable: $16,500/yr and opportunities for Graduate Assistantships (paid)
- vibe: diverse, laid back
- I like where it's located, cool part of town that I already live close to
- known for being a clinical school
- doesn't offer many interdisciplinary oppties, but it sounds like you can make it happen if you want to do it, you just have to push for it yourself
- volunteer stuff - they do have some oppties already in place, but if you want to do more you have to make it happen yourself
- recently revised curriculum
- clinicals interspersed throughout the 3 years

I have a hunch that I can go to GSU and work hard to get what I want, I just will have to do more legwork whereas at Emory, it's already set up. Is that worth it the $50,000? Does anyone have any thoughts or advice?

Thank you!

 

[shs31]

Maybe a current student can give more insight but it seemed to me if research, specialties and residencies aren't importsnt to you, the only advantage Emory has for you is having volunteer opportunities already set up. I went to both interviews and also thought their PT facilities were comparable and that the GSU program was much more diverse. Also, I was thinking about the business option at Emory as well, but talking to the Emory student guide I had, the business school is extra $100k, and his opinion was you don't need a MBA necessarily to go into management, it really depends on the company, if they want you to have one or maybe can even help you fund it. Already having one won't hurt though.

Do you mind posting when you got your Emory acceptance? I'm still waiting to hear back...

 

[georgia2009]

I'm from Georgia as well, and while Emory is an AMAZING school, I would choose GSU. First and foremost, GSU is much more affordable and allows Grad Assisistantships. I know DPT students who have graduated from both universities & both are doing extremely well. In my opinion, I don't think it matters which school you graduate from, especially when both are good programs. Also, I like how GSU has clinicals throughout the 3 years, and not just toward the end of the program. Either decision you make will be a good one! Good luck!

 

[jchen707]

if you have any questions, I am a current third year at emory

 

[cheeto5k]

Maybe a current student can give more insight but it seemed to me if research, specialties and residencies aren't importsnt to you, the only advantage Emory has for you is having volunteer opportunities already set up. I went to both interviews and also thought their PT facilities were comparable and that the GSU program was much more diverse. Also, I was thinking about the business option at Emory as well, but talking to the Emory student guide I had, the business school is extra $100k, and his opinion was you don't need a MBA necessarily to go into management, it really depends on the company, if they want you to have one or maybe can even help you fund it. Already having one won't hurt though.

Do you mind posting when you got your Emory acceptance? I'm still waiting to hear back...

Thanks for your response! I found out on 1/27.