Program-Specific Info / Q's USC vs. year off

[mcourtney07]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I was recently accepted to USC and I am super excited about this opportunity, but like many others the cost is terrifying. I was unable to apply to CSUDH and CSUSJ this application cycle due to prerequisites. Although I would love to jump in right away and attend a masters program, would it be better to wait to attend a state school? While CSUDH and CSUSJ are MUCH cheaper, I would also be taking the risk of waiting and not even getting in and loose a year of salary because of waiting..
If anyone has any advice, I would love for you to share. Thanks!

 

[OtGuy2015]

Yes USC is expensive , but I would say go for it, time is money in itself. Plus, there's a risk you don't get in next year. If you don't get in next year that's a 2 year deterrent from becoming an OT. Then what? Again, this is just advice, but I would take advantage of the opportunity because you're blessed to have it. Remember, there are many people that aren't even getting in this year.

 

[giraffiecathie]

I was recently accepted to USC and I am super excited about this opportunity, but like many others the cost is terrifying. I was unable to apply to CSUDH and CSUSJ this application cycle due to prerequisites. Although I would love to jump in right away and attend a masters program, would it be better to wait to attend a state school? While CSUDH and CSUSJ are MUCH cheaper, I would also be taking the risk of waiting and not even getting in and loose a year of salary because of waiting..
If anyone has any advice, I would love for you to share. Thanks!

I'm also going through the exact same feeling, mcourtney07! I'm still waiting on SJSU and couldn't apply to CSUDH this cycle even though I was planning to and wanted to for financial reasons. USC is really expensive and a big part of me was leaning toward deferring or declining because of how much loans I'd have to take out, but I also realized that it is quite difficult to even get into OT programs these days and I might be missing out on a good opportunity. I'm about 85% sure I'll be going, even though I have been plagued with thinking about how much debt I'll be in... I hope this helps with your decision! If you end up going, just know someone else will be feeling the same way and I'm sure the experience will be great no matter what!

 

[prodigiousflame]

if you have a very strong application meaning hours in diverse settings, great GPA/GRE and letters of rec and perhaps a unique streak like interest in community service/leadership etc. then I don't see why you couldn't wait another year and apply to affordable programs. A strong app is a strong app--just apply to a few schools instead of one or two to be on the safe side

 

[DaisyMama]

From someone who's applied to CSUDH twice and have been rejected twice-I urge you to strike while the iron is hot. I totally understand about the money, which is why last year (2013), I only applied to CSUDH, but now that I haven't been admitted this year, I am applying to USC and LLU. LIke OTGUY2015 said, each year you wait is another year's salary you aren't earning as an OT, so if you wait a year, you are in the "hole" so to speak, $60-80 k because you are not earning what you could be as an OTR. The sooner you finish your program, the sooner you will begin to earn money.

Check out the CSUDH discussion thread (by spiralgalaxy) and read up on recent stats of those who were admitted and compare your situation to theirs to try to gauge it.

(I was rejected because CSUDH doesn't look at your graduate GPA, only your undergrad GPA. I had a 3.2 undergrad, but a 3.8 graduate. Bummer!)

 

[prodigiousflame]

right but if you have a great GPA like a 3.7 or 3.8 then you can afford to wait around and apply to cheaper programs. And if you don't get in you can apply to private schools who allow students in during spring trimester. We don't know OP's stats so it's hard to judge

 

[DaisyMama]

right but if you have a great GPA like a 3.7 or 3.8 then you can afford to wait around and apply to cheaper programs. And if you don't get in you can apply to private schools who allow students in during spring trimester. We don't know OP's stats so it's hard to judge

True. Only OP can make the decision. My situation may be totally different.

 

[DaisyMama]

@mcourtney07 So, what did you decide to do?