Need advice on choosing a school

[BCPHOCKEY1]

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I have recently received acceptance into a couple of D.P.T. programs. I have been accepted into both NYU and Columbia and right now I am trying to decide which program will prepare me best for the future. I was just curious if any current therapists have had any experiences with students from either program. And if so, would you be able to share your evaluation of their abilities and try to help me decide which program to choose. Any information will help because right now it is pretty much a dead tie. Thanks

 

[jesspt]

I'd go to whichever one had the least expensive tuition. Both schools appear to have an acceptable pass rate for their students on the National Physial Therapy Examination.

 

[DOctorJay]

agreed, cheapest school wins - no one cares where you went to school, just that you passed your licensure exam

 

[PT2MD]

agreed, cheapest school wins - no one cares where you went to school, just that you passed your licensure exam

Amen to this.

 

[Elbrus]

I completely disagree--all PT educational programs are not the same.

We regularly get students from a public school in the upper midwest that are nice people, but aweful students. (I actually can't emphazise this enough! To avoid slander, I won't mention any names. Just do your homework.)
On the other hand, students from competitive schools with good reputations seem light years ahead not only in knowledge, but even in terms of maturity, professionalism with greater consistency. If you just pick any old school, you may not end up with the best tools required to meet the needs of the profession, and you risk degree changing later on out of frustration.

By no means is this a unique thing to physical therapy schools. The same thing seems to occur with any terminal degree. Friends who graduated from elite schools are not the same as those who attended less competitive schools. At days end, they do have the same license, but the skills and thought process may be vastly different.

Bottom line: Ask successful as PTs who enjoy their career where they would go.. that's my advice.

 

[PT2MD]

Elbrus - I completely disagree with your complete disagreement. 🙂 I've been a CI for students around the country for the last 4 years. I have seen absolutely no correlation between the quality of therapist and the school they attended. I have seen a significant correlation between the quality of therapist and their commitment to learning, interpersonal skills, and common sense. To me it makes very little sense to pay double the tuition for the same license in any field. Statistically there are likely to be more outstanding practitioners who didn't graduate from a private medical school.

We have one private school in Texas and they are no different than the other very quality public programs we have at UTMB, TWU, UTSW, TTU etc... Of course this may be different in other parts of the country, but I have a hard time believing that.

 

[_FNG_]

We regularly get students from a public school in the upper midwest that are nice people, but aweful students. .

I go to school in the upper midwest. I really hope you're not talking about my school🙁 You should pm the school's name.

 

[PT2MD]

I go to school in the upper midwest. I really hope you're not talking about my school🙁 You should pm the school's name.

I wouldn't worry either way...focus on your studies and skills and you will be fine.

 

[Elbrus]

I go to school in the upper midwest. I really hope you're not talking about my school🙁 You should pm the school's name.

FNG,
The fact you are online, and post intelligent things would lead me to believe with great certaintly you are not from this school. 😳

 

[Tobin25]

I, too, have been accepted at NYU and Columbia and I have no idea what to do. The biggest difference I can find between the two is that Columbia has a research project and NYU doesn't...any thoughts?

 

[jesspt]

Future success as a clinician depends far more on the student than the school.
Go to a school that puts out students who pass the NPTE at a high rate, has the lowest tuition you can find, and once you pass the NPTE, commit yourself to evidence-based practice and avoid all of the guru-driven garbage like myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, etc, and you will be fine.

 

[Bad0 Fish0]

I, too, have been accepted at NYU and Columbia and I have no idea what to do. The biggest difference I can find between the two is that Columbia has a research project and NYU doesn't...any thoughts?

erm... NYU has a DPT program and no research project? 😕

 

[Cyres]

I agree with both points of view, but primarily I’m with Elbrus. You can be a driven student, yet it’s a moot point if the quality of the education you immerse yourself in is relative dreck. Like everything in life you get what you pay for. I went to a private university for my undergraduate studies. The education was rigorous and demanding, but the experience paid tremendous dividends in PT school. My PT was also private (though more, it didn’t break the bank), and throughout my clinicals there was universal feedback regarding how my education and readiness at each level well exceeded the norm. All nice and fluffy, but unless the NPTE is successfully completed… who cares… well 100% of my class passed the boards. But really even that is just another layer of fluffiness, albeit an important one. Ultimately, I feel that I’m a far stronger clinician than I would have been had I chosen another educational route. Out of school I hit the ground running and performed/am performing better than my co-workers steeped with “clinical experience” except in specialty areas (ala lymphedema, incontenance, and several other nitches I attempt to avoid like the plague). While my bank account might not have thanked me at the time, my patients are now.

My advice…
Take a look at the price… if its close (within ~$6,000) and the more expensive school 1) has faculty that are practicing clinicians (rather than research/educational oriented ones); 2) the number, length, and frequency of the clinicals are better; 3) your allowed to tailor your rotations/affiliations to some degree; and 4) you’ve a smaller class size-- head for that school over the other.

 

[PT2MD]

I would also look at some of the most reputable PT's around and perhaps email them to see how they feel your school impacts your education. Most are happy to share their insights.

I feel that experience coupled with rigorous and regular literature review makes a much bigger difference than schooling, BUT I also had good schooling as well. (albeit at a public school 😉)

I've also earned an additional master's degree in exercise science, certified in strength and conditioning, board certified in orthopedics. I think these things have built upon the basic education one get's in PT school. I still stand by my earlier statement. The best and least expensive school you can find. Also, I would talk to the faculty at the schools you are interested in and see if they can convince you. Make them work for your love! Good luck and visit my blog.

 

[ADUB]

By no means is this a unique thing to physical therapy schools. The same thing occurrs seems to occur with any terminal degree. Friends who graduated from elite schools are not the same as those who attended less competitive schools. At days end, they do have the same license, but the skills and thought process may be vastly different.



FYI - Just so you know, a DPT (or MPT) is not a terminal degree, it is a first professional degree, just as MD's, DMD's, DPM's, etc. are all first professional degrees. Terminal degrees are PhD's and EdD's (well, some consider the EdD a terminal degree but some dont).

 

[BCPHOCKEY1]

Thanks everyone for all your input. It has helped a lot and I am going to contact many local PTs to see what their experience might be with each specific school. Basically, I am looking for a school with an intimate small class setting that will offer me many opportunities when I graduate. It seems that both offer that type of environment so now its just time for me to decide on which school I will be successful in. I am leaning towards NYU because of the smaller class size and the location of the school in between two large hospitals in New York.
But everyday I change my mind so it might be different tomorrow. But I have to make a decision soon😱. Thank you again.