General Admissions & OTCAS Help deciding between 2 great schools! (WashU/OSU)

[FutureDocOfOT]

Hey everyone, I'm just looking for some advice on how to make a decision! I've been torn between two schools, WashU and Ohio State, for a few months now. I put my deposit down for OSU back in December because both schools wanted a decision by the end of Dec, but due to the timing of things, my decision was pretty rushed and I was left with a lot of second thoughts. I was in contact with WashU faculty this past month and they told me I could have more time to make a decision if need be, so I decided to put a deposit down for them as well tonight.

Both schools are great, and they each have pros and cons – the main con for WashU being the cost of tuition compared to OSU, as I'm an Ohio resident so it's about half of the cost of WashU's. If it weren't for cost, I feel like I would have an easier choice; I have a gut feeling telling me to choose WashU because something about it just stood out way more to me than when I visited OSU. Don't get me wrong, OSU seemed great too, it just felt like something was missing if that makes sense. In a nutshell, my brain is telling me to choose OSU (cheaper, closer to home – 2 hours to OSU vs 8 hours to St. Louis) but my heart is telling me to choose WashU.

My parents are able to help partially with tuition costs, so I wouldn't be *completely* drowning in debt if I went to WashU, but I would still have to take out a decent-sized loan. I talked to a few WashU alum, and one mentioned being left with sizeable debt but feeling that she didn't regret her choice whatsoever, even 5 years after graduating.

Basically I'm just wondering if anyone has any insightful input, whether it be on either of these schools specifically, or tips on how you made a similarly tough decision between two or more schools. Any help would be appreciated 🙂

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[cjOTtobe]

I won't be applying until next cycle but; did you apply to both doctorate programs? I am a lover of LISTS so I feel this would be a great opportunity to channel your inner Rory Gilmore and make a good old fashioned pro/con list. It looks like WashU allows you to choose a concentration in your second year (productive aging, social participation and the environment, children and youth, work and industry, neurorehab, and rehab science) which is cool! OSU has a combo OTD/PhD program if you're interested in becoming a researcher or professor. I know cost is a huge factor as well! One program I was interested in applying to was a difference of 17K/46K for in state/out of state! 😱 While money can't be everything, it could certainly be the tipping point if you're stuck on everything else. And 2 hours versus 8 hours is also a huge difference! Do you have any reason to stay close to home? Family members health or anything? Or are you more intrigued by the opportunity to move away? All valid reasons! Best of luck to you!! It will work out how its supposed to 🙂

 

[OThopefully183]

I think if you have parents support, go with your gut feeling.

For me personally, as I have been working for a couple of years and my parents cannot help me out with the tuition, I will be going with what school is the cheapest option.

Since I had the choice between University of St. Augustine and San Jose State, I ultimately chose San Jose State. Though I do like USA, but their program is quite expensive and not high ranking and affordable as SJSU. It also depends on where you want to go towards in your future career as well. Like if you want to do more clinical, then go with the school that does clinical and not just research. I hope I am making sense...

At the end of the day, I feel like as long as I can sit for the national exam and get a job it should be all good.