Mayo vs Iowa DPT

[irish402]

Was recently accepted to both of these programs, and I am having a really hard time deciding which one will be the best choice. I know both of them are amazing programs with outstanding reputations, but I was just wondering if I could get an outside opinion on this decision that I am going to have to make soon. I know that Iowa is ranked higher than Mayo, but Mayo has access to Mayo clinical sites so I'm really having a difficult time deciding which one has the most "pros".
Thanks for any input!

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[Ala5ka]

Attending Mayo would open up doors because of the stellar reputation and prestige associated with the hospital/clinical sites. You'd get exceptional training at either school but I think you'd find more employment opportunities and higher salaries coming from Mayo's DPT.

 

[truthseeker]

I don't think it matters. When I am interviewing a prospective employee, I don't give one rat fart where they went to school. If they have a valid license and interview well I will hire them and the salary is for the job, not for how well their resume looks. Go to the less expensive school unless you have an overwhelming sense of well being when you visit one of the two campuses.

 

[callmecrazy]

Attending Mayo would open up doors because of the stellar reputation and prestige associated with the hospital/clinical sites. You'd get exceptional training at either school but I think you'd find more employment opportunities and higher salaries coming from Mayo's DPT.

That last statement is way off-base. More job opportunities is unlikely and higher salary based on school is almost laughable. The reality is that no employer cares if you perceive your program as having "stellar reputation and prestige", as that's merely an opinion of your own anyway.

As an aside, if you put any weight in the US News rankings, Mayo falls well below Iowa, as the OP noted.

 

[jblil]

Attending Mayo would open up doors because of the stellar reputation and prestige associated with the hospital/clinical sites. You'd get exceptional training at either school but I think you'd find more employment opportunities and higher salaries coming from Mayo's DPT.

Prove it - where is the evidence?

 

[irish402]

I feel like alaska was referring to the clinical opportunities that are available for mayo students. They get to do the majority of their clinicals throughout the mayo clinic setting, which has some of the best medical resources in the world.
Mayo would be cheaper for me since I am out of state for Iowa, so in those regards Mayo is more affordable. Is the PT school that a person attends really not considered in the job seeking process? If this were the case, I shouldn't have applied to any high ranking programs at all, and just gone based off price in my school search 🙁

 

[callmecrazy]

I feel like alaska was referring to the clinical opportunities that are available for mayo students. They get to do the majority of their clinicals throughout the mayo clinic setting, which has some of the best medical resources in the world.
Mayo would be cheaper for me since I am out of state for Iowa, so in those regards Mayo is more affordable. Is the PT school that a person attends really not considered in the job seeking process? If this were the case, I shouldn't have applied to any high ranking programs at all, and just gone based off price in my school search 🙁

Bingo. I know for certain that starting salary at my employer is based on a formula weighted on years experience, and with no consideration for where you went to school. I happened to attend a "top ranked" program, but the reality is that no one cares, nor should they.
I'd even venture to say that doing a clinical at a hospital with "the best medical resources in the world" matters very little. Realistically, what tangible benefit are you receiving from that? I'd argue a strong CI and good attitude on your part are infinitely more important than the facility name. The only thing it may help with is if you later applied for a job at that same facility where you were a clinical student.

 

[jblil]

OP - If you search past discussions on this board, you'll see that no employer cares about the school you got your degree from. Go to the least expensive school that accepts you, your wallet will thank you for it after you graduate.

 

[illineyedpt]

I echo the advice to go to the least expensive school.

I would also like to politely point out that although Mayo Clinic has a reputation for high quality patient care, that does not necessarily mean that you are guaranteed great clinical rotations. It also doesn't necessarily mean you're going to get all of your rotations at Mayo Clinic (if you attend Mayo). So although patient population and setting obviously play a role in clinical rotation quality, the strongest variable is your clinical instructor -- and that can tend to be a shot in the dark.

 

[Phyline]

Mayo would be cheaper for me since I am out of state for Iowa, so in those regards Mayo is more affordable.

Was lurking and made an account just to address this. If you have a part-time job on campus (teaching assistant and the like), Iowa automatically considers you in-state.

 

[irish402]

Was lurking and made an account just to address this. If you have a part-time job on campus (teaching assistant and the like), Iowa automatically considers you in-state.

Does this refer to only graduate assistantships? Because the Iowa faculty said that there are no GA positions available in the DPT department.

 

[Phyline]

Does this refer to only graduate assistantships? Because the Iowa faculty said that there are no GA positions available in the DPT department.

Oh bummer! Do you know this first-hand? That sucks. The website says: In general, people who have fellowships or assistantships quarter-time or more are classified as Iowa residents for tuition purposes. Students holding a 25% or greater teaching or research assistantship appointment (covered by the COGS bargaining unit) are assured a minimum tuition scholarship of $3,807 per semester ($7,614 per academic year).

 

[FutureDPT10x]

From my experience DPT programs, like Iowa's 2.5 year program, are full time, no GA/TA options. After reading through these posts I believe Mayo would be the best fit for you. Also since it's cheaper