Occupational Therapy

[preot89]

I have recently been accepted to NYU for the occupational therapy program, and I am on the waiting list at Colombia. My overall undergrad GPA is above a 3.75, but my GRE score was just barely above the minimum.

I am currently awaiting a response from Temple University. Has anyone heard back yet?

Also, it is my understanding that total tuition alone for NYU = $90k and Temple = $60k. Nyu is a top 10 program, and Temple a top 35. Does anyone have any advice on whether this discrepancy is large enough to warrant attending the less recognized program? I will be paying for everything through student loans...

Thanks in advance!!

[talea123]

No clue about the school situation for OT, but my mom is an OT, my sister is a PT, and I know from both of them that when it comes to the therapy field, where you get your degree won't matter in terms of job placement as much as how well you can do the job. If you're not interested in a PhD, I would say go to the cheapest school. I highly doubt it will impact your job selection when you get out. My sister didn't get into PT school the first time she applied, but a friend of hers got into an expensive big-name-school out of state. My sister just applied the next year to schools in her state and went to the cheapest option while her friend went and racked up a lot of student loans at the expensive out of state school. Fast forward 10 years, and my sister makes, and has consistently made, the same salary as her friend, but she had significantly less debt to deal with when she got out. She now owns her own house in a good neighborhood in Seattle while her friend is still paying off student loans in the same city. NY is an expensive school and a very expensive place to live. Might as well go for the cheaper option if I were you, as long as their employment stats for their students are strong. Good luck!

[jessab7]

I have recently been accepted to NYU for the occupational therapy program, and I am on the waiting list at Colombia. My overall undergrad GPA is above a 3.75, but my GRE score was just barely above the minimum.

I am currently awaiting a response from Temple University. Has anyone heard back yet?

Also, it is my understanding that total tuition alone for NYU = $90k and Temple = $60k. Nyu is a top 10 program, and Temple a top 35. Does anyone have any advice on whether this discrepancy is large enough to warrant attending the less recognized program? I will be paying for everything through student loans...

Thanks in advance!!

I am also waiting to hear back from Temple for their OT program, the waiting is making me so anxious. I had an interview April 4th and was told I would hear back in a few weeks but nothing yet so I am thinking of calling this week. I have sent three emails that have not been replied to yet.

But in response to the cost of the program, everyone I have talked to says go to the most affordable school. Unless one program has a feature that you really love, it isnt worth it to spend all the money.

Let me know if you hear from Temple, and congratulations on NYU!

[tetrandra]

I'm an OT and recent USC graduate. USC is also very expensive, and I'm am specializing in the lowest paid OT sector which has been risky. Ultimately I went to USC (moved from U of FL) because they had more of an emphasis in mental health practice and I expected that being in such a big city opened up many more doors for me (it did). Though I'll be paying on my student loans until I'm 55, I feel that the connections I've made and the opportunities available here have been well worth the cost. If you end up having the choice between schools, I strongly recommend against sole consideration of national program rankings. It's important to learn more about the culture of the school and department (research/teaching emphasis, involvement with AOTA & state organizations, fieldwork and extracurricular opportunities, faculty/student ratio, classroom demands, you get the idea) before deciding. Even though it's a master's program, matching well with what the department offers will make life a lot easier--these programs are often quite demanding for most people, and if you aren't enjoying your time developing within the program overall it just isn't worth it. If it turns out that more than one program seems to mesh well with your aspirations, I would honestly go with the least expensive option. Hope this helps, and good luck!!