University of Saint Augustine Vs. Florida A&M University- please help me decide!

[fejin757]

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I'm having a difficult time deciding between the two programs. I've attached a chart comparing the two.

The most important thing to me is:
1) Cost, followed by
2) Education, followed by
3) Difficulty/Stress followed by
4) Location

I am interested in PT but I probably would like to attend PA school or something else much further down the line, say 15 years. I like FAMU, despite it's questionable standards, because it gives me financial flexibility.

Please chime in.

 

[abasimike]

Based on the data, I think St Augustine is your best bet

 

[jesspt]

I'm having a difficult time deciding between the two programs. I've attached a chart comparing the two.

The most important thing to me is:
1) Cost, followed by
2) Education, followed by
3) Difficulty/Stress followed by
4) Location

I am interested in PT but I probably would like to attend PA school or something else much further down the line, say 15 years. I like FAMU, despite it's questionable standards, because it gives me financial flexibility.

Please chime in.

Why PT school now if you want to do PA down the road. Makes no sense. If you want to be a PA, go to PA school. Incurring large amounts of debt to obtain a degree that you don't ultimately want seems counter productive to me.

 

[fejin757]

What's wrong with having a desire to be both? I've weighed the pros/cons of each and I admire and respect both fields; I'd be happy being a part of either. I'm not sure what my "calling" is, but I can guess that eventually I'll get tired/burnt out of whatever career I've chosen as a 20 something. I realize there are a variety of settings in PT and I'll probably have a much better feel for PT once I start clinicals. You've honestly never considered another profession?

Life is short and I'd like to be able to explore both rehabilitation and medicine if I have the opportunity.

 

[NoleGirl4DPT]

I think your last category is the most important. FAMU: "Accreditation may be lost" Why risk it, even if it is financially more flexible now? I've known graduates from FAMU and while they have passed their boards, they were not satisfied with the quality of education and the organization of the program. Just my two cents. Hope it helps!

 

[janetb]

FAMU, every school has it's problems on the teaching level. However you really need to decide what you want & go for it. By the way, Nolegirl... What's up! FSU, love your school's 24 hour library!! Enjoy Tallahassee, that is truely one in a million! I did not know the school (FAMU) stands to lose accreditation- who wants that headache! Determine what is best (pray, analyze, be honest). Committ, then go for it!

 

[fejin757]

I think your last category is the most important. FAMU: "Accreditation may be lost" Why risk it, even if it is financially more flexible now? I've known graduates from FAMU and while they have passed their boards, they were not satisfied with the quality of education and the organization of the program. Just my two cents. Hope it helps!

Thanks! I can always trust advice from fellow FSU grads 🙂 What program are you going to attend?

 

[fejin757]

FAMU, every school has it's problems on the teaching level. However you really need to decide what you want & go for it. By the way, Nolegirl... What's up! FSU, love your school's 24 hour library!! Enjoy Tallahassee, that is truely one in a million! I did not know the school (FAMU) stands to lose accreditation- who wants that headache! Determine what is best (pray, analyze, be honest). Committ, then go for it!

I'm assuming FAMU will be put on probation when APTA comes to review their accreditation this fall since they have lowest passing rate in the US...maybe the world? Humor aside, I found out the FAMU has lost funding for there scholarship program(approx. 2k a semester for the duration of the program). Overall, FAMU is still cheaper but it boiled down to this for me:

A 29k difference for a good education vs. a lackluster one. Over the course of a career, 29k shouldn't be a dealbreaker.

If I'm going to invest that kind of money into any education I, at the very least, want to feel confident that I will be prepared to practice as a PT. That's why I'm sticking with St. Aug. I went to undergrad at FSU so, while it was fun, I'm sick of the 'drinking town with a football problem' mentality.

 

[NoleGirl4DPT]

I'm assuming FAMU will be put on probation when APTA comes to review their accreditation this fall since they have lowest passing rate in the US...maybe the world? Humor aside, I found out the FAMU has lost funding for there scholarship program(approx. 2k a semester for the duration of the program). Overall, FAMU is still cheaper but it boiled down to this for me:

A 29k difference for a good education vs. a lackluster one. Over the course of a career, 29k shouldn't be a dealbreaker.

If I'm going to invest that kind of money into any education I, at the very least, want to feel confident that I will be prepared to practice as a PT. That's why I'm sticking with St. Aug. I went to undergrad at FSU so, while it was fun, I'm sick of the 'drinking town with a football problem' mentality.

I'm happy you made a decision you feel confident with. USA has a strong program that is fairly well known for it's quality of education so you should be excited! I have a few friends from undergrad that ended up there and love it. I got accepted to Columbia last year and am in my spring semester now. Definitely NOT a 'drinking town with a football problem' area, which in some ways is sad, but much needed. Good luck, and congrats!

 

[seminolefish]

Just had to pipe in and say I am an FSU grad as well but decided on UF. Gville is very similar to Tally but I like that! I never considered FAMU because of what was discussed above. I have a few friends who go to USA as well. I didn't want to go there because of the cost compared to UF. Congrats though!

PS
I am still a Seminole and always will be!

 

[fejin757]

Thanks for the input! Although, I'm not a huge fan of UF...I can admit that I'd choose UF over USA based on cost as well.

Sometimes I miss Tallahassee, until I realize that I'm really just thinking about Momo's and Gordo's.