Help! Deciding CSULB or Chapman University

[PathforwardtoDPT]

Hoping to hear some input from any current students or alumni to these programs. I got accepted to both CSULB and Chapman University's DPT programs but I'm having a difficult time deciding which one to choose. I feel like each has their strong pros and cons.

Now, I know the issue of Chapman's substantially higher tuition is a major point people will inevitably bring up, but ASIDE from that issue, what are your thoughts on the quality of each program as well as how well they prepare their students beyond simply passing the NPTE?

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[tiggerbackpack]

First off congrats on your acceptance to both programs! I have talked to current students, several alumni, and former professors for both schools and these were their thoughts they shared with me. 🙂
I think the only real turn off to Chapman is tuition really, other than that I have heard nothing but praise for the program. Several PTs I have talked to have said that some of the best therapists they have worked with come from Chapman. They said that the way Chapman approached teaching "made sense" and helped you clinically later on. Plus you do have that new building in Irvine, which is apparently really cool and you aren't forced to share things or fight for space.
While I haven't heard anything bad about LB, I haven't heard any amazing either. Just that it is a much cheaper option and has a good pass rate. Several alumni told me that they had felt that their had been a drop in the standard of teaching at LB, but take that with a grain of salt.

Either way I think you have 2 great options. Good luck!

 

[PathforwardtoDPT]

First off congrats on your acceptance to both programs! I have talked to current students, several alumni, and former professors for both schools and these were their thoughts they shared with me. 🙂
I think the only real turn off to Chapman is tuition really, other than that I have heard nothing but praise for the program. Several PTs I have talked to have said that some of the best therapists they have worked with come from Chapman. They said that the way Chapman approached teaching "made sense" and helped you clinically later on. Plus you do have that new building in Irvine, which is apparently really cool and you aren't forced to share things or fight for space.
While I haven't heard anything bad about LB, I haven't heard any amazing either. Just that it is a much cheaper option and has a good pass rate. Several alumni told me that they had felt that their had been a drop in the standard of teaching at LB, but take that with a grain of salt.

Either way I think you have 2 great options. Good luck!

Thank you for the insight! I'm currently leaning towards Chapman after having visited their facilities. I was very impressed with the orientation and could tell that they put effort into their program simply by seeing how organized everything was. I'm waiting to attend the tour at CSULB before I make a final decision although I have attended an info session there. It almost seems like there's very little info and discussion on CSULB's program. Would you happen to know why that is?

 

[LO4356]

Hoping to hear some input from any current students or alumni to these programs. I got accepted to both CSULB and Chapman University's DPT programs but I'm having a difficult time deciding which one to choose. I feel like each has their strong pros and cons.

Now, I know the issue of Chapman's substantially higher tuition is a major point people will inevitably bring up, but ASIDE from that issue, what are your thoughts on the quality of each program as well as how well they prepare their students beyond simply passing the NPTE?

Congrats on your acceptances!! I'm waitlisted at both programs. Don't know if you already made a decision but thought I would give you my opinion anyways 🙂 I honestly think both programs are great and you can't go wrong either way, but personally I would go with CSULB. Besides lower tuition expenses, I've noticed that CSULB has a really established reputation in the Physical Therapy field, especially in California. Also, I personally love the campus feel of a school which CSULB has, since the PT school is on the main campus. I'm not a huge fan of Chapman's PT Program being at the health science campus which is just two buildings in a business area 🙁

 

[Matt D]

@PathforwardtoDPT I'm currently a 3rd year at CSULB (graduating this May!!!) and I'd be happy to answer any questions you have (or to point you in the right direction if I can't). I'll send you a message with my email address.

 

[dc-dpt]

Hoping to hear some input from any current students or alumni to these programs. I got accepted to both CSULB and Chapman University's DPT programs but I'm having a difficult time deciding which one to choose. I feel like each has their strong pros and cons.

Now, I know the issue of Chapman's substantially higher tuition is a major point people will inevitably bring up, but ASIDE from that issue, what are your thoughts on the quality of each program as well as how well they prepare their students beyond simply passing the NPTE?

Have you made a decision? I am in the same boat with Chapman and Sacramento State.

 

[PathforwardtoDPT]

Have you made a decision? I am in the same boat with Chapman and Sacramento State.

I've decided to attend Chapman's program. 🙂

 

[dc-dpt]

I've decided to attend Chapman's program. 🙂

Congrats on both acceptances. I have decided to save the money and go to Sacramento. Can you share with me why you chose Chapman?

 

[PathforwardtoDPT]

Congrats on both acceptances. I have decided to save the money and go to Sacramento. Can you share with me why you chose Chapman?

Thanks! I didn't want tuition to be the main factor that dictated where I went. (You'll find many people simply pointing to tuition as the reason to go somewhere) Decided to go to Chapman because from most of the PTs I've come across, they seem to hold Chapman to a higher regard and some have stated that the program produces very good clinicians whereas I haven't heard much about CSULB's program. I did the tour of CSULB's program as well and the facilities were scattered, a bit run down, and just overall not very impressive. Chapman's campus was very clean and consolidated and had very new facilities which really enticed me. Lake forest/Irvine areas where Chapman's Rinker campus are very safe as well. Also, Chapman offered me a scholarship as well that would help with the overall cost.