Should I trust the "ranking" of each DPT program?

[gotaspirations]

Hey everyone,

How can we truly access whether a DPT program is the right one for us? I have been on a website which ranks DPT programs on a scale from 1-5 where 5 is the best. (http://grad-schools.usnews.rankings.../top-health-schools/physical-therapy-rankings ).

In your opinion, how reliable is this? What is the basis of the scoring and can it be trusted? I'm applying to some schools that are lower in ranking, but what does that even mean? Do they have bad professors, not enough resources, or are the students doing bad? Can someone help me understand?

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[astarblaze]

Some past threads on this topic:

https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/does-school-ranking-matter.954541
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/rankings-of-pt-programs.932590/
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/whats-the-point-of-ranking-programs-lol.887395/

US News rankings are based on responses to surveys sent to faculty and staff at different programs- http://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/health-schools-methodology

Rankings only take into account the opinions of the people who returned their surveys, who may not have firsthand knowledge of the schools they're ranking. These rankings don't take into account meaningful data like licensure exam pass rates or graduation rates, information about curriculum, information about faculty experience/expertise/teaching ability or anything else at all. As such, they are of limited (or no) value, in my personal opinion. I believe that things like licensure exam pass rates (especially first time pass rates, if you can find them), tuition costs, and the information you can gather by visiting the school are much more useful in determining if a school is a good fit for you.

 

[UpDownPT]

Hey everyone,

How can we truly access whether a DPT program is the right one for us? I have been on a website which ranks DPT programs on a scale from 1-5 where 5 is the best. (http://grad-schools.usnews.rankings.../top-health-schools/physical-therapy-rankings ).

In your opinion, how reliable is this? What is the basis of the scoring and can it be trusted? I'm applying to some schools that are lower in ranking, but what does that even mean? Do they have bad professors, not enough resources, or are the students doing bad? Can someone help me understand?

Considering that employer's do not care about a schools rank neither should you. Find the cheapest accrediated school closest to where you plan to live, Unless they have a horrendous NPTE rate everything else is really personal preference.

 

[scrawnyguy]

Some past threads on this topic:

https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/does-school-ranking-matter.954541
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/rankings-of-pt-programs.932590/
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/whats-the-point-of-ranking-programs-lol.887395/

US News rankings are based on responses to surveys sent to faculty and staff at different programs- http://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/health-schools-methodology

Rankings only take into account the opinions of the people who returned their surveys, who may not have firsthand knowledge of the schools they're ranking. These rankings don't take into account meaningful data like licensure exam pass rates or graduation rates, information about curriculum, information about faculty experience/expertise/teaching ability or anything else at all. As such, they are of limited (or no) value, in my personal opinion. I believe that things like licensure exam pass rates (especially first time pass rates, if you can find them), tuition costs, and the information you can gather by visiting the school are much more useful in determining if a school is a good fit for you.

I also think less than 40% of those who were sent a survey even bothered to respond. I imagine it's one of those instances where those who do respond vote for their own school. Definitely not reliable.

 

[gotaspirations]

I also think less than 40% of those who were sent a survey even bothered to respond. I imagine it's one of those instances where those who do respond vote for their own school. Definitely not reliable.

40%? Why 40%?

 

[gotaspirations]

Some past threads on this topic:

https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/does-school-ranking-matter.954541
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/rankings-of-pt-programs.932590/
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/whats-the-point-of-ranking-programs-lol.887395/

US News rankings are based on responses to surveys sent to faculty and staff at different programs- http://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/health-schools-methodology

Rankings only take into account the opinions of the people who returned their surveys, who may not have firsthand knowledge of the schools they're ranking. These rankings don't take into account meaningful data like licensure exam pass rates or graduation rates, information about curriculum, information about faculty experience/expertise/teaching ability or anything else at all. As such, they are of limited (or no) value, in my personal opinion. I believe that things like licensure exam pass rates (especially first time pass rates, if you can find them), tuition costs, and the information you can gather by visiting the school are much more useful in determining if a school is a good fit for you.

Thanks for this input.
I really question a school based on their ranking, but I guess one should visit and learn more about their program rather than judge it based on the ranking? Idk, the ranking really makes a school appear "weaker" .. for lack of better words.

 

[scrawnyguy]

40%? Why 40%?

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/health-schools-methodology

Scroll down to physical therapy and it says only 39% responded.

 

[nd_dpt]

Thanks for this input.
I really question a school based on their ranking, but I guess one should visit and learn more about their program rather than judge it based on the ranking? Idk, the ranking really makes a school appear "weaker" .. for lack of better words.

You shouldn't pay attention to rankings. You're going to get a good education anywhere you go. The things that you absolutely need to pay attention to are the licensure exam pass rate and the employment rate. You could go to a school ranked in the top 20, but if only 85% of their students are passing the licensure exam, there's obviously some kind of issue with their teaching methods.

 

[astarblaze]

Thanks for this input.
I really question a school based on their ranking, but I guess one should visit and learn more about their program rather than judge it based on the ranking? Idk, the ranking really makes a school appear "weaker" .. for lack of better words.

You can see NPTE pass rates for programs by state here: https://www.fsbpt.org/FreeResources/NPTEPassRateReports/NPTEPassRatesByState.aspx?exam=PT

A program I'm considering has been graduating PT students for 35+ years, and in all those years, has NEVER had a student not pass the NPTE. That same school got a middle of the pack ranking in U.S. News.

Meanwhile, two of the three schools currently tied for first in U.S. News have had students just the last two years who have thus far been unable to pass the licensure exam.

Programs aren't "weaker" because they receive lower U.S. News rankings. These rankings have little to do with program strength, and everything to do with popularity among an unrepresentative sample audience. Don't worry about U.S. News rankings