Three Options which is the right choice?

[SAJ2012]

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Option 1: 6 Year Accelerated DPT, ~$66,000 for all six years (11k/yr tuition after scholarship). It is a less known State University than the other two.

Option 2: 3-4 Years pre-PT + 3 Yr. Dpt, ~$200,000. (25k/yr at State School + 35-40k/yr at Private Graduate School)

Option 3: 6 Year Accelerated DPT, ~$240,000 (40k/yr)


Option 2 is a well known State school, 3 is a Private university specializing in the Health Sciences. I think it might be an obvious choice but I wanted to know if the name of the school plays a part in choosing (i.e., job prospects etc).

 

[jblil]

The difference is at least 3X between option 1 and the other two choices. If it were 1.5X may be I'd spring for the better-known school, but at 3X I'll pass. All the PTs I have shadowed told me that where you go to school is not important, as long as you pass the board exam.

 

[mizderi]

If you are 100% sure that you want to do physical therapy, do the accelerated program. It will be well worth your money and if the program is good, you'll have an excellent background and will do well as a practicing DPT. Additionally, in the 6 year program, I'm assuming, you will not have to apply again for entry into the doctorate program.

I had the same choices when I was choosing for my undergrad education and at the time, had some niggling doubts, and ended up going to a state school, and am now applying to PT programs. I do regret not going to the accelerated DPT program, but only because I am now 100% sure that I want to do PT.

Also, have you visited the schools? If you think you're not going to be happy or do not like the environment, that also becomes an important factor in your decision.

 

[SAJ2012]

Thanks for the input, I've visited all of the schools. My main concern was debt (my brother owes over $200,000 and it has effected my family and I don't want to be in the same boat) , but I am sure that I want to do PT.


Option 1 is Richard Stockton.
Option 2 is Rutgers + DPT School
Option 3 is USciences in Philadelphia.

 

[mizderi]

wow. talk about coincidental...

I was accepted to USP when I was a senior in high school but wasn't sure at the time. I visited USP and wasn't really a fan of the environment. I ended up coming to Rutgers and am in a Masters program here still and applying to PT schools right now. It kinda sucks...

Honestly, now that I know that I 100% want to do PT, I regret not going to USP. Friends of mine that went there love the program and have learned to love the city life. I definitely think an accelerated program is the way to go if you're set on PT.

 

[NeophyteParkour]

Option 1 is the only logical one to me.

 

[stopitmarcy]

yeah. totally option 1. why on earth would you want to be in so much debt when you graduate? student debt is one of the reasons why our country is going down the tubes.

 

[1FutureDPT]

OPTION 1!!!!!! Consider your future with all that debt!

 

[Litlwarrior08]

It would be great if your tuition was locked in 🙂

 

[jesspt]

Thanks for the input, I've visited all of the schools. My main concern was debt (my brother owes over $200,000 and it has effected my family and I don't want to be in the same boat) , but I am sure that I want to do PT.


Option 1 is Richard Stockton.
Option 2 is Rutgers + DPT School
Option 3 is USciences in Philadelphia.

You're right to be concerned about debt. Keeping that in mind, does spending $240,000 to get a degree that will, on average, get you a starting salary of $60-70,000 seem like a good idea?