Timing and Applying - a Year's Difference

[YoginiL]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am what you would call a non-traditional student.

I am a 27 year old yoga instructor completing pre-reqs for DPT.

Following the overwhelming majority of voices on this forum (and my brother), tuition seems to be the most important thing to me. That being said, my mother lives literally across the street from the state university, saving me living expenses (but living with my mom...). The thing is this:

my local university requires a year of exercise science courses on top of the normal prerequisites. So, while attending the DPT program is significantly cheaper, even allowing for that extra year's tuition of exercise science courses, I could begin and complete my DPT studies a year earlier if I attended anywhere else.

One year sooner = one year more earning power, but the additional debt of tuition and living expenses seems to outweigh this financial benefit.

I would love to go away for school since I did my undergrad at this same local university and didn't really have the college experience since I lived at home for that, too.

Here I already have a job that is super flexible (teaching yoga) and very much willing to adapt to my changing schedule.

I understand money isn't everything but loans do add up. I really don't want to be 30+ living at home (I don't want to live there now), that kind of eats at my confidence.

Would you get out of town and get on with your life/ new career ASAP, or play the safe route?

The other thing is what if I choose to stay and then somehow don't get accepted? I'll have put myself behind another whole year.

Any advice or thoughts are appreciated 🙂

 

[Eforma]

Well, is this school THAT much more affordable than other programs? Spend some time, do the research, and crunch numbers -- you may find that there are other affordable programs out there for you. For example, the only state DPT program for me is UCSF, but it's actually no cheaper to go there than go to some out-of-state private schools (just considering tuition). It seems you would be happier not moving back home -- so do some research and find out all the possible roads you can take before making the decision.

 

[dizzy88]

Seems silly, but I think you should make a pros and cons list! Look at cost for schools you're interested in, ease of achieving residency, etc. Also, make sure you visit the program near home and possibly others if you can. The feel and atmosphere is important.

Finally, keep in mind that 1 year means a possible (probable) increase in tuition. I helped out with the interview process at my school this year, and in the *welcome packets* there is always an outline of estimated tuition over the 3 years. Drastic difference from what I saw just a year ago.

 

[YoginiL]

I've been driving myself crazy with all the researching I've been doing, actually.

My local university is ridiculously cheap - $16,000 a year. Cannot beat that.

Even if I did have my own place, the cost of living hear is mad cheap, too.

It's really a time versus money issue. Lots of people on these forums, mostly people who have been through the process already, seem to think cheaper is better, it doesn't matter where your degree comes from.

Many prospective students are delaying matriculation by a year to attend a cheaper school.

My concern is my age and other life priorities - having a family, etc. The longer I put off completing my education, the more of a disadvantage I feel I am for these things.

 

[lizzo76]

Just popping in from the OT board. You might want to think about "opportunity costs," which is sounds like you're doing ("one year more earning power.") Think about what that one year of PT salary would be. Would it be more than the extra money you'd pay over the course of the program if you attended the more expensive schools? Then the additional debt would be worth it. If not, it's not worth it from a financial point of view.

I'm 34, have one masters degree, and am switching careers to OT. At 27 (when I was in my other masters program) I THOUGHT I was old and couldn't imagine being in school in my 30s. But you're actually NOT a "non-traditional" student. You're pretty much the norm for these kinds of programs now. So, in my opinion, putting off school for one more year is really not a big deal at all. One year really isn't going to make much of a difference for your other life decisions, unless it means that you're not going to be in a certain place at a certain time to meet just the right person you might have met otherwise. (I'm assuming you are not already in a serious relationship, but I don't know.)

 

[YoginiL]

Well, I ended up spending 6 months in Hawaii, hahahaha. This put me back on the timeline but it was soooooo needed.

I'm bumping this thread because the question still exists. I can say that from my time away from home I am MUCH happier living apart from mom, but I am also in such a better place after that time that I could potentially be fine here. Plus, while I am in school, how much time will I have to be miserable about being home, anyway?

Open to thoughts.