How would you handle this?

[HeatherDPT]

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I have an opportunity to attend a new program this Fall. We'll call this School A. It's a unique opportunity at great school, but tuition is quite high and the program is in an area of the country that I'm not at all familiar with and have no ties to. The catch is that it starts this Fall, which means that over the summer I would be finishing my preqreqs and literally going straight to DPT school.

Would you accept a seat at this program (Hello, I want to be a DPT - it makes sense, right?) Or would you hold off and apply to programs during the next PTCAS cycle (as has always been the plan), and potentially get into one of a handful of school B's (potentially costing 1/3 of School A, all in my region or areas where I've got family or ties of some kind). Downside - what if I turn down School A and don't ever get offered a spot during the PTCAS cycle?

I feel like School A would be a no brainer if not for the location, but the location (lets just say extreme weather, over a thousand miles from anyone I know) combined with the high tuition has me hesitating. But then again, the idea of passing up on what might be my first (or only) option totally freaks me out...

Opinions??

 

[BiffTheFlashRogers]

I mean...how confident are you that you will get into one of the school B's this cycle?

PS: Going on a hunch that you're from somewhere warm and afraid of the Northeast, it isn't that bad 🙂

 

[HeatherDPT]

Haha - Your hunch is right - but think most extreme winter weather in the northern US and you'll probably get it. Land of -40 wind chills. I'm used to the Northwest where we get 6 inches of snow at most before it melts 🙂

Regarding B schools - I'm not incredibly confident - I think I'm more likely to be waitlisted and offered a position later in the cycle. I guess it just depends on my competition(??) My cumulative GPA is not great at all but my last 60 credit GPA is around ~3.8, and I'm only applying to schools that look at the last 60 credits. (Just not sure if cumulative GPAs are ever considered as "tie breakers" so to speak..)

 

[02143]

From someone who moved over 1000 miles away to a part of the country I had never been to (before I interviewed) and had no previous ties to, everything works out. You find new people, you learn that winter is 7-8 months long and means many cold walks to the train, and you acclimate. I wouldn't let that influence your decision! Also, from someone who graduated from undergrad and started PT school less than 2 weeks later, I've had no problems keeping my grades up (obviously that may differ from person to person).

What would you do on your year off? Do you have an opportunity to make a decent amount of money? (ie enough to make a difference in the long run and be able to pay part of your tuition/living expenses for school). What does your GRE score look like? My guess is that schools that are significantly cheaper are going to be much more competitive, but obviously the risk could be worth the reward of cheap tuition and less long term debt.

 

[hopefulptny]

In my opinion, if you don't mind waiting a year to apply and have a 3.8 gpa in the last 60 credits + decent GRE (atleast 150 on both V and Q and 3.5+ AW) then wait to apply next year. Chances are, you will get offered more positions once you get more pre-reqs done (if they are good grades of course lol). Apply to many schools.

 

[Myosin]

1/3 of the cost for B wins over anything that school A offers.

This is just a DPT program. Your education and pay are essentially the same regardless of what school you go to.

Think more long term than just the 3 years that you'll be in PT school. What are you going to be doing when you graduate with ~$150,000-$200,000 in undergrad and/or DPT student loans and are only making ~$65,000 gross when you start working? More debt just makes you a slave to the system.

I wouldn't even apply to school A if I were in your position.

Even if you didn't get into any of the B schools, you're still better off trying again next year over paying that much more money for the degree.

 

[meiyoudaodie]

i agree it,you're still better off trying again next year over paying that much more money for the degree.thanks

 

[NewTestament]

Apply next term. If your last 60 hours are 3.8 then you should be fine but be strategic.

 

[HeatherDPT]

I can't thank you guys enough for your input. I was worried I was going to get nothing but "Suck it up and pay the extra $$" answers. I honestly applied to School A because it's a great school (I did my undergrad online through them) and it didn't cost anything to apply. I have a feeling I'd love the program, but the idea of having so much in loans makes me want to choke.

Thank, you, thank you everyone!!

 

[somehowmadeit]

Just the other side of the coin:

Waiting a year will be one less year you won't be earning ~$70k in income on the other side of your degree, essentially wiping out any money you might save waiting a year.

Plus, you'll need to explain to schools in the future why you went through the hassle of applying, getting accepted, then deciding not to attend. Schools may not want to take the chance you'll do the same to them.

 

[HeatherDPT]

Just the other side of the coin:

Waiting a year will be one less year you won't be earning ~$70k in income on the other side of your degree, essentially wiping out any money you might save waiting a year.

Plus, you'll need to explain to schools in the future why you went through the hassle of applying, getting accepted, then deciding not to attend. Schools may not want to take the chance you'll do the same to them.

I had thought about that, however the extra income would pretty much equal the extra cost in tuition, so financially speaking I wouldn't be any better off starting a year early (plus I'd be responsible for the interest on the extra debt).. This school also doesn't participate in PTCAS, so I would assume other schools wouldn't have any idea of my acceptance (unless there's another way for them to find out..?)

 

[NewTestament]

Why did you apply to this school in the first place, Heather?

 

[HeatherDPT]

Why did you apply to this school in the first place, Heather?

It's a great school, there was no cost to apply, and advisors from the school gave me "You never know.." advice when it comes to possible grants (the tuition has always been a concern). I'm definitely, definitely interested, I hope it doesn't seem like I'm not. I just have concerns.

 

[NewTestament]

It's a great school, there was no cost to apply, and advisors from the school gave me "You never know.." advice when it comes to possible grants (the tuition has always been a concern). I'm definitely, definitely interested, I hope it doesn't seem like I'm not. I just have concerns.

You're going to have concerns wherever you go. There is no perfect school. In three years you will take the boards and earn your DPT regardless of the school you graduate from. Even the best school will only teach you enough to be competent.

 

[okramango]

Lots of schools allow you to defer your acceptance for a year. You might want to ask school A if they could do that, so at least you would still have them as a backup when you apply again next year.