New PT program

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Tm20

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I was recently accepted to a new program where my cohort would be the inaugural class. I really like the program and it seems like it has a lot to offer. But there is some fear about the unknown. Does anyone have any personal experiences they can share with being apart of a programs first class and how it was for you? Or even experiences being a part of the program when it was still in candidacy for accreditation? Any insight would help! Thanks!
 
Tm20 said:
I was recently accepted to a new program where my cohort would be the inaugural class. I really like the program and it seems like it has a lot to offer. But there is some fear about the unknown. Does anyone have any personal experiences they can share with being apart of a programs first class and how it was for you? Or even experiences being a part of the program when it was still in candidacy for accreditation? Any insight would help! Thanks!
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I was in the second class of a new PT school. There was definitely some stress but more so for the first class. If you think that the faculty/administration is a thoughtful bunch, trust that with guidance of the APTA and the state licensing board that they will jump through the hoops of getting accredited. They are as motivated as you are to get it done. Chances are, it will be fine.
 
I'm in a school where they've had a Master's program for several years but only recently brought in the DPT. I'll be in the third class, but I'm good friends with a guy in the first class. He expressed frustration at times because they kept changing expectations on him. Things like this:

This class is required. Oh, wait. No it isn't. You can drop it. Oh, wait. We change our minds. It is actually required. Oh, you dropped it and it's too late for you to pick it up again and get a passing grade? Oops....

You have to pass this comprehensive exam of the whole program to graduate. You get two tries. Oh, wait. A third of the class didn't pass and now they're freaking out that they just wasted three years of their lives and took on huge student loans for a degree they won't get, and our graduation rate is now going to suck. Ummm.....ok, how about this? You can have as many tries on the exam as you need, but you can't graduate until you pass it. Better? Ok...

Hey, you know what? That comprehensive exam is way more difficult than the board exam anyway. We'll take it down a notch for next year's class. Yeah, that's a good idea...


You get the picture. I should mention that 100% of the inaugural class for this program passed the boards on their first try and felt very prepared for working as PTs, but being in the inaugural class means you are the "guinea pigs." You're the guys they're going to be testing stuff on so they can figure out what works and what doesn't. My friend didn't like it because, as he said, "Everyone calls me the guinea pig, but I didn't pay guinea pig tuition. I paid full tuition like everyone else!" However, he has his degree and is doing very well now.
 
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