<p>I just found out today that I got into USC's Physical Therapy program. Although I know that it is ranked #1 in US New Rankings for 2008 it is also the MOST EXPENSIVE program by far.</p>
<p>I have also been accepted to WUSTL and Columbia's DPT programs. I was just wondering what some people thought about each of these colleges and any interesting tid-bits that might sway my decision one way or another about the programs.</p>
<p>The Physical Therapy program has been ranked No. 1 for years. It is a great program. However, how much difference is there in the cost to your family? Have you received a financial aid package?
Have you visited these campuses? Where do you feel is the best “fit” as far as campus life, activities, peers, location and alternate majors if you change your mind?</p>
<p>I really think you should weigh all the factors equally. USC may have an amazing program but if you come out of school with 100+K in debt then it may not be worth it in the long run. Your options are both amazing so really I think you should take the better package.</p>
<p>I haven’t received any financial aid from any of these schools yet. When I was accepted to Columbia, I received a $16500 scholarship which I thought was great.</p>
<p>USC’s tuition alone is at least $40,000 more than either WUSTL or Columbia (with the scholarship).</p>
<p>I will not be getting any money from my parents as they don’t have any to give and I have pretty much paid my own way through school since undergrad. So I will pretty much be taking out loans to pay for school no matter where I go.</p>
<p>What makes it hard is that if I do go to USC I would be able to live at home cutting down much on the cost-of-living expenses.</p>
<p>So although tuition and fees for WUSTL and Columbia are lower, when I factor in cost-of-living the cost for Columbia equals just under $150,000 for three years comparable to USC (living at home) and WUSTL would be just $10,000 below that for three years. When dealing with $150 grand $10 is pretty much a drop in the bucket so they all are about financially equal.</p>
<p>I have visited Columbia, seemed cool. a small program but the faculty and students seemed nice overall. I’m going to be visiting WUSTL this Wednesday so I’ll have to wait and see.</p>
<p>I have already deposited $500 to Columbia (before I thought I was getting any where else) and I have to deposit $300 to WUSTL by May 1st to accepts and USC needs a $1000 deposit by May 8th!</p>
<p>I don’t have much time and definitely not enough money to deposit and think about it later.</p>
<p>Definitely not. So what if it is #1? It is not worth an extra $40,000 per year. Go with COlumbia.</p>
<p>The extra $40,000 per year is only based on Tuition and fees. The cost is relatively equal when cost of living is factored in Columbia = $142,000, USC = $144,000, WUSTL = $133,000.</p>
<p>I hope that clarified things. Thanks for all your help everyone and please, KEEP GIVING THE FEEDBACK AND INPUT! </p>
<p>Every little bit helps as this is a BIG commitment for me. I want a great education but also a great experience as it will be 3 years of schooling.</p>
<p>USC is supposed to give financial aid to those who truly need it. If your parents cannot help you and you don’t have savings to pay for USC, why don’t you apply for financial aid at USC? Also, I wonder if you live at home while going to USC, perhaps you can find out after doing a year full time, if you can go part time and work in the physical therapy dept. at USC hospital as a PT assistant to get some extra money that way? NY is extremely expensive living expenses wise. I suggest that you try to get USC to work with you to make it more affordable.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice I have applied for financial aid but I haven’t received anything about it yet but I hope that I do because that would be a GRRRRRRREAT help. I do have some savings but no where near even the first years tuition.</p>
<p>I don’t think that you are able to work at all while attending the DPT program as to be a PT Assistant requires a licensed certification. Also, the DPT program is three years full time anyway.</p>
<p>Dragon,
Commit Day is almost here. You should have received some sort of notification by now. Since you are local this is the financial aid office number: 213 740 1111. If you are unable to be connected (they are swamped), here is another number: 323 442 2900. This is for the therapy department. You have been admitted to a very selective program. They want you. Perhaps someone in that department can assist and discover what has happened to your financial aid packet. At this point perhaps financial information could be e-mailed to your parents.</p>
<pre><code>You have nothing to lose by calling. The name of the admissions officer for PT is Ms. Orcasitas.
</code></pre>
<p>Thank You, I plan to call Virginia tomorrow. She is a very nice lady. One of the better/nicer admissions coordinators out there.</p>
<p>wow, this makes me think of the classic line by Wu-Tang “Cash Rules Everything Around Me, cream get the money, dolla, dolla bills yall” so true.</p>
<p>I hope that got a laugh out of the few that would understand hah!</p>