Need advice, have two PT school interviews on the same day

[gsnts725]

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Hello everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle right now and I need some advice. I recently received to two invitations to interview from Dominican College in Orangeburg, New York and West Coast University in Los Angeles, California. The big problem is both interviews are on the same day.

Last week, I received the invite to interview from WCU, so I booked my flight, hotel, and car. Then the following week, Dominican College invited me to interview with them on the same day. I tried to ask to reschedule, but they said that the date they gave me is their last interview session.

My brain is telling me to take the Dominican College interview because I live about 45 minutes away and I could save a little bit of money on tuition and living expenses. Also, they are already accredited unlike WCU. However, I've heard some troubling things about the school after doing some research and it's my last choice in terms of NY schools (I've also applied to LIU, Touro, and SUNY Downstate).

Honestly, I really want to interview with WCU because I always wanted to live in California and even though they're still a new program, it'd be cool to be part of something new. Plus, I'd be out of $300+ dollars if I cancelled now. However, tuition is higher than Dominican's and also I would probably have to take out additional loans to live out there and the cost of living in LA is pretty expensive. Also, there is still a small chance the DPT program may not get accredited.

If you were me, what would y'all do? I could try to reschedule to interview with WCU, but I do not know what to say without making it seem like they're my second choice and losing the interview. I just want to have as many options as possible because it's hard as hell to get into PT school. Please help. Thanks. T_T

 

[Beginnings]

Is Dominican College an accredited school, and also do you care if the school is accredited? I also received an interview invite from WCU and they told me I couldn't reschedule it. The reason why I declined it was because it was unaccredited.

 

[Nevertooold93]

I really enjoyed my interview at West Coast! The faculty and students were very friendly and invested in the program! I loved the aspect that they work interprofessionally with other departments at the facility. They knew the applicants were all concerned with the accreditation status and addressed it immediately at the beginning - they, as students and faculty, seemed to believe that it would pull through. However, they had "back up" schools for the students if they found out they were not accredited.

What I have heard though is that future professionals do not care what school you went to, but if you were able to pass the boards - but take that with a grain of salt!

I believe if that if I hadn't gotten into one of my top schools I would have gone to WCU just because of the great atmosphere! Although LA is crazy....

Best of luck to you! 🙂

 

[IsessaQ]

I interviewed at WCU as well. Everyone was so nice and the facility has all new equipment. I was also concerned because it's not accredited, but just as @Nevertooold93 said, they address it in the beginning and they do have "back up" programs. My biggest concern is since the 1st class hasn't graduated yet, I won't know the passing rate until after I start the program. Also, idk how you feel about cadavers for the anatomy labs but WCU doesn't have any. This was a plus for me because cadavers freak me out a bit.

My advice: Call WCU. I think 3/10 is the last interview date but I would call to ask if you could come in a different day. This is my 2nd year applying so I know how competitive it is getting. You want to have as many options as possible. 🙂

 

[gsnts725]

Is Dominican College an accredited school, and also do you care if the school is accredited? I also received an interview invite from WCU and they told me I couldn't reschedule it. The reason why I declined it was because it was unaccredited.

Yes Dominican is accredited

 

[unkownperson]

Dominican is a weekend schedule and was under probation, research the school. And look at the history of the other school.

 

[gsnts725]

Dominican is a weekend schedule and was under probation, research the school. And look at the history of the other school.

They were under probation? Do you have a link to that? The other school's program is only 3 years old, so there isn't much history there.

 

[unkownperson]

look a CAPTE, and it states it. Did you ask to speak to current students of the current 3 classes?

 

[unkownperson]

I also got accepted to a pre-accredited program that has 25 students per a class, and will graduate in 2019 to become accredited.

 

[gsnts725]

I really enjoyed my interview at West Coast! The faculty and students were very friendly and invested in the program! I loved the aspect that they work interprofessionally with other departments at the facility. They knew the applicants were all concerned with the accreditation status and addressed it immediately at the beginning - they, as students and faculty, seemed to believe that it would pull through. However, they had "back up" schools for the students if they found out they were not accredited.

What I have heard though is that future professionals do not care what school you went to, but if you were able to pass the boards - but take that with a grain of salt!

I believe if that if I hadn't gotten into one of my top schools I would have gone to WCU just because of the great atmosphere! Although LA is crazy....

Best of luck to you! 🙂

I interviewed at WCU as well. Everyone was so nice and the facility has all new equipment. I was also concerned because it's not accredited, but just as @Nevertooold93 said, they address it in the beginning and they do have "back up" programs. My biggest concern is since the 1st class hasn't graduated yet, I won't know the passing rate until after I start the program. Also, idk how you feel about cadavers for the anatomy labs but WCU doesn't have any. This was a plus for me because cadavers freak me out a bit.

My advice: Call WCU. I think 3/10 is the last interview date but I would call to ask if you could come in a different day. This is my 2nd year applying so I know how competitive it is getting. You want to have as many options as possible. 🙂

What do they mean by "back up schools?"

 

[AceStrata]

What do they mean by "back up schools?"

West coast is in the process of accreditation. I have a friend that didn't get into other schools in time, so she took WCU and it's a great program for what it is. They have a growing reputation and solid faculty and students. The pass rates of the NPTE are around 90% for the first cohort graduating. I've looked at some schools that have been at it for a while and I'd personally still choose WCU over them. I also got into the best program in my state and into a top 40 school.

Cons: expensive to live in LA and traffic, but still better than the sounds of that NY school.

 

[gsnts725]

West coast is in the process of accreditation. I have a friend that didn't get into other schools in time, so she took WCU and it's a great program for what it is. They have a growing reputation and solid faculty and students. The pass rates of the NPTE are around 90% for the first cohort graduating. I've looked at some schools that have been at it for a while and I'd personally still choose WCU over them. I also got into the best program in my state and into a top 40 school.

Cons: expensive to live in LA and traffic, but still better than the sounds of that NY school.

Yeah how I'm going to afford living in LA is one of my biggest concerns unless I want to put myself in bigger debt lol.

 

[Nevertooold93]

What do they mean by "back up schools?"

This was from a thread a few years ago, but was the exact same information given at the interview

 

[Nevertooold93]

You should see if WCU will be able to do a Skype interview with you. I've heard of them doing it for people unable to come because they are across the country or can't afford it. Doesn't hurt to call and ask!
Just remember that the faculty DOES NOT look at your application beforehand - so don't get upset or be confused because the answer to their question is right in front of them (it has happened apparently)

 

[gsnts725]

You should see if WCU will be able to do a Skype interview with you. I've heard of them doing it for people unable to come because they are across the country or can't afford it. Doesn't hurt to call and ask!
Just remember that the faculty DOES NOT look at your application beforehand - so don't get upset or be confused because the answer to their question is right in front of them (it has happened apparently)

I will definitely do that. Thank you very much.

 

[AceStrata]

Yeah how I'm going to afford living in LA is one of my biggest concerns unless I want to put myself in bigger debt lol.

Exactly, but it's a solid choice and the one I think you definitely should consider. I wish you well in whichever program you choose and agree you should find out about doing a skype interview.

 

[gsnts725]

Exactly, but it's a solid choice and the one I think you definitely should consider.

I really appreciate the help 🙂

 

[tolentip]

Did u hear back from Dominican?
Im waitlisted there

 

[gsnts725]

I got waitlisted too. :/