USC acceptances

[dptforme]

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Anyone planning on going to USC?

I recently got accepted and it's the first one I've heard back from. I hadn't really considered going because I didn't think I would get in. I've always kind of wanted to be a Trojan but am not sure what to do since it's a lot of money and haven't heard back from other schools. Any thoughts? Pro's and Con's please.

 

[addic]

They were the first I heard back from as well, and I sent in my deposit to secure a spot. This doesn't mean I am going to USC for sure though.

Pro's are they're a great school/program, and you'll know you stuff coming out of there. They are research-based, so you'll be updated with all the new technology. My coworker recently graduated from there, and he's doing well as a practitioner. Con's is it really is a lot of money. This is a huge problem for many people including myself, but my justification is the pro's and that I'll be in debt no matter what coming out of grad school.

Are there any current/past USC PT students out there that have additional outlooks?

 

[Momohime]

I graduated in '04 from USC, the first year of being ranked #1. The pros of going to USC is that even though the class size may be big, there are enough professors, assistants and PTs that are there to give you individual attention. Another pro is that when doing group projects you have many more people to choose from. Since USC is private, they can afford to buy and keep upgrading the technology, equipment, classroom materials, etc. USC is the only school that has more than 20 cadavers for you to work with. The professors are well known and are involved with tons of research and up to date with ethics. You are also encouraged to be apart of the APTA and go to CSM.

Con - the health science campus is not in the greatest area to be in.

 

[Eforma]

Since USC is private, they can afford to buy and keep upgrading the technology, equipment, classroom materials, etc. USC is the only school that has more than 20 cadavers for you to work with. The professors are well known and are involved with tons of research and up to date with ethics. You are also encouraged to be apart of the APTA and go to CSM.

Con - the health science campus is not in the greatest area to be in.

I just want to point out that I hope USC has more than 20 cadavers to work with, considering there are what, 90 students per program? That still puts the cadaver/student ratio at about 4-5 students per cadaver -- no different than most schools I've looked into. Also, every school seems to encourage their students to be a part of APTA (in fact, most schools require that at minimum you have a membership with them do they not?).

 

[PT2014]

Is new technology really worth the tuition, honestly?

I wonder why some students ONLY heard back from USC. How much is that deposit again? You'd think a #1 school would be a little more selective...

I know a dozen who have been accepted, but received a reality check during the financial aide talk, and eventually went to CSU Northridge.

Yes, Eforma, the students I know have told me that they were all heavily encouraged, if not required, to join APTA.

 

[dptforme]

After touring the campus I was very impressed with the program and a few days later decided that it was the place for me. For others out there making a similar decision, here are some of the reasons why I chose USC:
-newest research findings/ technology that may not be in the field for years.
-I liked the structure of the 3rd year
-clinical rotations are not required to be done far away(showing the vast number of clinical sites in the area)
-great connections with world class hospitals(Children's, USC, etc)
-an amazing student to faculty ratio even for so many students
-All the TA's have PhDs or are practicing clinicians(different from other places I applied)
-it's on a much safer campus than the main USC campus
-students were very welcoming, happy to be there, and seemed cool
-huge networking opportunities and Alumni connections
-the faculty were impressive, and the admin has been very prompt in responding to my calls/emails when other schools wouldn't return my calls or emails.

The most important factor in the decision for me was that it felt like the right place for me.

For some, the large tuition can't be ignored so it is totally understandable if you choose to go somewhere else. But if money is not a big factor in your decision then USC it's worth looking into and visiting the program. Meeting the faculty and talking with students helped me with my decision, as did seeing other campuses/programs and realizing what I will value during my three years in any program.

I hope this helps others making a decision regardless of what schools being considered!

 

[Momohime]

I just want to point out that I hope USC has more than 20 cadavers to work with, considering there are what, 90 students per program? That still puts the cadaver/student ratio at about 4-5 students per cadaver -- no different than most schools I've looked into. Also, every school seems to encourage their students to be a part of APTA (in fact, most schools require that at minimum you have a membership with them do they not?).

Eforma,

Ask other schools how many cadavers they have if they have them and you will see that 20+ is more than any other PT schools has. 4 per cadaver is more than reasonable when you are working on it all year and have to dissect all of the body. Most schools may encourage to be a part of APTA but it's not required that the schools force you to have the membership.

 

[Momohime]

Is new technology really worth the tuition, honestly?

I wonder why some students ONLY heard back from USC. How much is that deposit again? You'd think a #1 school would be a little more selective...

I know a dozen who have been accepted, but received a reality check during the financial aide talk, and eventually went to CSU Northridge.

Technology is important as everything is going that way and since USC tends to be ahead of the curve in that since. The are new labs to help understanding and a lot more access than most PT schools.

Tuition is not cheap and you get what you pay for. I can honestly say that after all these years, I can still call up the professors and be treated as a colleague and talk with them, get advise, support or a foot in the door to things. I don't know many of my other colleagues that have graduated from other schools can do that.

 

[Eforma]

Eforma,

Ask other schools how many cadavers they have if they have them and you will see that 20+ is more than any other PT schools has. 4 per cadaver is more than reasonable when you are working on it all year and have to dissect all of the body. Most schools may encourage to be a part of APTA but it's not required that the schools force you to have the membership.

I wasn't saying this was negative, just pointing out that USC is merely keeping the cadaver/student ratio at the same ratio as schools with smaller programs. Therefore, in my mind, this is a "null" point. I guess one could say that having 20+ cadavers means you have more variety to observe, so I can see that being a bonus....but then that means you have 20+cadavers to memorize for an exam 😉

 

[Svfina]

I wonder why some students ONLY heard back from USC. How much is that deposit again? You'd think a #1 school would be a little more selective...

PT2014,

The admissions rate is 13.6%. That's on par with the most competitive undergraduate universities. Congrats dptforme! Seems like your hard work has paid off 🙂

Their curriculum is great! I love the focused concentrations for each semester. Year 1 spring semester is Musculoskeletal, Year 2 fall semester is a cardiopulmonary/general medicine concentration, and Year 2 spring semester has a neuro concenration. Each concentration consists of fundamentals, pathology and dysfunction and a clinical class on the concentration. You also get 44 weeks of clinical experience!

 

[PT2014]

13% must not be including waitlisted folks, but only the initially accepted?

 

[Momohime]

This also makes you really know your anatomy!

 

[saucecake]

Hi, does anyone have advice on how to reply for their alternates list? Their letter to me says, "It will assist the Division in planning if you will inform us as soon as possible, in writing, whether you wish to accept your position on our Alternate List."

Does that mean they want something hand-written? Is there a standard format I should stick with? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

 

[hipnotic88]

I would like to know too because I got waitlisted too. What is the chance of getting into USC when you are on the waitlist?

 

[saucecake]

I would like to know too because I got waitlisted too. What is the chance of getting into USC when you are on the waitlist?

I actually made a phone call earlier last week and Virginia Orcasitas told me that I could just send her an email saying that you would like to stay on the alternates list. So that's what I did.

Yeah I don't know what the chances are, but I hear it's good to have gotten a position on the waitlist. Also, for a school with such a high tuition, there will be many applicants who wait until after they figure out what their financial aid packages are. They may decline their acceptance if they do not have enough financial support/other reasons/etc.

That's all I've heard so far. Hope that helps.

 

[oschrndz]

USC is not the only school that has 20+ cadavers. Loma Linda University also has 20+ cadavers in their gross anatomy labs. This year they will have 26 cadavers.

 

[PT2014]

doesn't LLU also accept around 80 applicants? crazy

 

[sdbabe2884]

Hi all,
I was recently notified that I am on the alternate list for USC and wonder if anyone else is in the same boat? I'm going to accept the alternate list status, but will not know my position for another 3 weeks. Does anyone have advice on the USC waitlist and the % of people who they place on the list? Thanks!

 

[oschrndz]

No. Last year LLU accepted about 64 students. This year I believe it will be around the same.

 

[sdbabe2884]

Hi all! I have just been notified that I am in Group 1 (top 30) on the USC waitlist. If you are in an earlier group is it GUARANTEED you'll be accepted before anyone in a later group?

 

[connect0123]

What do you mean by USC. What is this exactly stand for.

 

[saucecake]

What do you mean by USC. What is this exactly stand for.

USC = University of Southern California

I guess you're not from around the West coast. USC is ranked the #1 PT school in California =)

 

[Cyndee]

USC = University of Southern California

I guess you're not from around the West coast. USC is ranked the #1 PT school in California =)

Actually, I think it's ranked #1 in the nation...

 

[saucecake]

Actually, I think it's ranked #1 in the nation...

lol! woops..you're right! i guess i remembered my search incorrectly (did it a long time ago) =)

 

[Skipper1820]

So just out of curiosity... I just applied to USC for the 2012 PT program. I'm from Mississippi so this one is a shot in the dark! I desperately want to go to USC!! But I'm also curious as to what my chances are of getting in.

If I have:
3.28 GPA (3.36 on PTCAS)
1070 on the GRE
over 50 volunteer hours
about 80 observation hours
I'm the President of our Exercise Science Honor Society

Then what do you think my chances are?

 

[pbd27]

Anyone planning on going to USC?

I recently got accepted and it's the first one I've heard back from. I hadn't really considered going because I didn't think I would get in. I've always kind of wanted to be a Trojan but am not sure what to do since it's a lot of money and haven't heard back from other schools. Any thoughts? Pro's and Con's please.

I understand this was 2 years ago, but if you don't mind me asking, how were your grades and how many hours of clinical exposure did you have when you applied to USC? It's my top choice right now, and I'm a sophomore in high school, so I'm trying to do as much research as possible.