NOVA or Miami

[dpt5568]

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Hey everyone!

If money was not a factor to consider, which school would you choose? NOVA or Miami?

 

[aroszko]

Depends, what you're looking for in a school/program? As for the money side, they are about the same (Nova ~27k a year, Miami ~33, this was last year not sure if they changed much).

 

[ktachiba]

I would choose Miami... Better passing rates, location, and local prestige ... Both are solid programs though

 

[SwampPT]

Loc

I would choose Miami... Better passing rates, location, and local prestige ... Both are solid programs though

Location is virtually the same. 30 mile difference. I personally prefer Fort Lauderdale to Miami. Miami does have better pass rates although local prestige is solidly in Nova's favor. I saw both facilities and Nova has superior facilities and it's not even close. That being said, you can't go wrong with either program.

 

[ktachiba]

Loc

Location is virtually the same. 30 mile difference. I personally prefer Fort Lauderdale to Miami. Miami does have better pass rates although local prestige is solidly in Nova's favor. I saw both facilities and Nova has superior facilities and it's not even close. That being said, you can't go wrong with either program.

Good point about location, ft lauderdale seems nice as well. I'm not sure I agree with NOVA having better local prestige though. The facilities might be nicer but Miami Dpt has existed longer and seems like a place that the average patient would recognize more

 

[ktachiba]

I would also compare faculty and clinical opportunities when making a decision

 

[dpt5568]

Loc

Location is virtually the same. 30 mile difference. I personally prefer Fort Lauderdale to Miami. Miami does have better pass rates although local prestige is solidly in Nova's favor. I saw both facilities and Nova has superior facilities and it's not even close. That being said, you can't go wrong with either program.

Not arguing or being mean but what makes you believe that NOVA has better local prestige?

 

[SwampPT]

Also if you are between two schools that means you need to do more research. Look deeper and one will stand out more than the other. I think one of the most common areas that people neglect is thoroughly researching prospective programs.

 

[SwampPT]

Not arguing or being mean but what makes you believe that NOVA has better local prestige?

It's okay to argue🙂. I have met a lot of local people in south Florida and everyone I've met has a higher regard for Nova. That's not meant to be a knock on Miami though. Miami has a great program as well. At any rate, I think in the grand scheme of things, both programs are pretty close. You really can't go wrong with either one.

 

[ktachiba]

Also if you are between two schools that means you need to do more research. Look deeper and one will stand out more than the other. I think one of the most common areas that people neglect is thoroughly researching prospective programs.

Agreed...I wish I would have researched more before applying to so many schools lol. I would have placed more importance on clincal opportunities/length, as well as faculty specializations. If I could go back in time, I would have also applied to MGHIH, Duke, Pitt, and NYU. I actually met all the pre-reqs for NYU, but was too lazy to write another supplemental essay

 

[ktachiba]

I'm actually a little worried that my school is ranked pretty low on US News (#99 I believe) cuz I bet the average patient might depend on that to determine whether a physical therapist is of good quality or not

 

[SwampPT]

I'm actually a little worried that my school is ranked pretty low on US News (#99 I believe) cuz I bet the average patient might depend on that to determine whether a physical therapist is of good quality or not

I wouldn't put any stock into the US News ranking. I did at first until I really looked at each schools stats and how schools get ranked. The rankings seem to be more of a popularity contest among academia. I saw some schools ranked far lower that had better stats. That's when I set their rankings aside and did my own according to what was most important to me. I think everyone should do their own rankings. Just as an example: Some schools have traditional lecture and some do not. That can make a huge difference. We all learn differently and you need to pick a program that is set up for your style of learning. That may seem like an obscure thing to look at when making a decision, but I think it's very important. Also, it doesn't matter where you go to school as long as you pass the NPTE. When you're doing the job you'll make your own reputation for better or worse. I've seen two people who graduated from the same school and were at opposite ends of the spectrum as far as the respect they had among their peers and the community.

 

[ktachiba]

Oh, yeah I know that US News Rankings don't mean anything, but I'm afraid that the average patient might depend on it and think it is an accurate ranking system. It could potentially affect my business if I open up my own private practice one day. But since there is such a large demand for PTs right now, I am not too worried.

 

[jblil]

I'm afraid that the average patient might depend on it

Don't worry about it, the average patient has absolutely no clue about the rankings of PT schools. Not that it amounts to anything anyway.

 

[SwampPT]

Good point about location, ft lauderdale seems nice as well. I'm not sure I agree with NOVA having better local prestige though. The facilities might be nicer but Miami Dpt has existed longer and seems like a place that the average patient would recognize more

I just really don't put much stock in prestige personally. We all give different weight to each quality a school possesses that's why its important to make your own rankings. Miami may be the best choice for one person and Nova may be the best choice for someone else. I personally had Nova ranked first and Miami a very close second. I prefer how Nova does their clinicals and I really liked their facilities.

 

[ktachiba]

Don't worry about it, the average patient has absolutely no clue about the rankings of PT schools. Not that it amounts to anything anyway

I just really don't put much stock in prestige personally. We all give different weight to each quality a school possesses that's why its important to make your own rankings. Miami may be the best choice for one person and Nova may be the best choice for someone else. I personally had Nova ranked first and Miami a very close second. I prefer how Nova does their clinicals and I really liked their facilities.

Yeah good point, prestige doesn't mean much to me either. Graduation rate, 1st rate npte pass rate, faculty, and clinical opportunities are my most important factors if cost doesn't matter

 

[aroszko]

Have you visited the campuses? Just looking at the specific PT facilities Nova wins hands down with their PT lab. If you like doing actual cadaver dissecting then go to Miami, Nova goes to cadaver labs but doesn't do the actual dissecting (I"m at Nova, and I feel that I learned everything I needed to know during that lab without having to cut my for myself). A for pass rates, I think both schools are 98-100% rates the past three years (2013 list says Nova 100, Miami 99 - couldn't find the 2014 one).

Regardless the program you choose, you will have ups and downs in the program but you'll do great in either!

 

[ktachiba]

Have you visited the campuses? Just looking at the specific PT facilities Nova wins hands down with their PT lab. If you like doing actual cadaver dissecting then go to Miami, Nova goes to cadaver labs but doesn't do the actual dissecting (I"m at Nova, and I feel that I learned everything I needed to know during that lab without having to cut my for myself). A for pass rates, I think both schools are 98-100% rates the past three years (2013 list says Nova 100, Miami 99 - couldn't find the 2014 one).

Regardless the program you choose, you will have ups and downs in the program but you'll do great in either!

I believe you are referring to the ultimate pass rates, not the first time pass rates which are much more important ... I would email the program for their first time pass rates if it isn't listed on their website, and ask for the 3 year average. Ultimate pass rate is pretty useless IMO as all schools should have a high ultimate pass rate.

 

[SwampPT]

I believe you are referring to the ultimate pass rates, not the first time pass rates which are much more important ... I would email the program for their first time pass rates if it isn't listed on their website, and ask for the 3 year average. Ultimate pass rate is pretty useless IMO as all schools should have a high ultimate pass rate.

As long as the first time pass rate is solidly in the 90's then all is well. Both are solidly in the 90's. You can't go wrong with either school.

 

[ktachiba]

Nice! Yeah I think I remember that now cuz I applied to NoVa and was interested in Miami but didn't have exercise physiology . Definitely agree that both programs are solid

 

[dpt5568]

Does anyone know if NOVA or Miami is problem based learning?

 

[SwampPT]

Does anyone know if NOVA or Miami is problem based learning?

They are both traditional style. There may be some elements that are problem based in both programs though. That was one of the first things I looked at because I'm not a fan of problem based learning. A couple PT's I shadowed with went to Wheeling Jesuit University. It's all problem based learning. They told me they practically taught themselves how to be PT's. Everyone learns differently though🙂.