How valuable is a strong alumni network when choosing a program?

[bschneider027]

Hey everyone,

So I'm lucky enough to have a tough choice between attending Mercer or Emory. My only concern is, how important is a program's alumni network? Mercer would be around $20k cheaper in total to attend but they are a new program with a smaller DPT network. Both programs have similar curriculums and boast incredible staff members so I know my education at either school will be great. My advisor in undergrad told me that rankings are insignificant (given the lackluster standards for the rankings) and that alumni networking will be very important after graduation. Thoughts?

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[Watson27]

Having a great alumni network can only be beneficial, but it's not absolutely necessary. The $20k price difference should definitely be weighted more heavily than networking potential when you are making your decision.

Though a broad alumni network can be beneficial for a program's clinical placements. One of the program's I was accepted to talked a lot about how many of their CI's were program alumni, which allowed for continuity between the didactic and clinical portions of the curriculum.

But as far as post-graduation opportunities, PT (and healthcare in general) is not like some business fields where who you know is crucial to getting hired. Save yourself some money! And put dalingil's suggestions to use in order to make connections.

 

[DesertPT]

You're considering paying $20,000 which will have to be borrowed at 8% interest for a "stronger alumni network"??

Assuming that PTs at both schools are capable of getting jobs after they graduate, I don't see how there is $20,000 + thousands in interest worth of benefit in going to the other school.

 

[DesertPT]

My advisor in undergrad told me

For all pre-PTs reading this, here's a good rule of thumb that works in 100% of cases: Listen to SDN over what your undergrad adviser tells you.

Generally the best choice is to not listen to undergrad advisers at all. Everything they tell you has to be thoroughly fact-checked anyway, so you might as well just do your own research to begin with.