Widener Accelerated 3+3 vs. Widener 4 years, Top 25 school 3 years

[StarStunning]

Hey, so I'm a senior right now and I'm 100% interested in Physical Therapy. I've been accepted to Widener's Accelerated BA/DPT program(which takes 6 years to complete) and received a 12,000 per year scholarship. I've been accepted to other schools too(Seton Hall, Lynchburg, Seton Hill, St.John's Queens), but Widener is the only school that gave me such a huge scholarship and that gave me admission to their physical therapy program. they also told me that if I manage to do well in my undergrad years, then I could expect a 20,000+ per year scholarship for my DPT years. Also, I don't need to take the GRE exam!

Question is, does it really matter if I go there versus a top 25 school like NYU or BU? I plan on doing an Orthopedic PT Residency as well after I graduate, so will it be harder for me to get into that type of program even if I pull off a high GPA at Widener? That's my main concern. Please help!

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[TheOx777]

I do not know much about Widener(actually nothing), but if it is accredited, has a well-rounded faculty, curriculum, and clinical education then you should SPRINT to a program willing to throw you that much money, and never look back! The program rank means very little to you, but the amount of student loan debt you WON'T have to pay will mean a great deal to you in the short and long term. That deal seems almost to good to be true, and if I were you I would take full advantage of it! Best wishes moving forward!

 

[StarStunning]

Thank you SO MUCH for the response.

I guess you're right. Paying less for it should be my priority.

So it wouldn't hurt my chances for any Orthopedic PT Residency programs? Because they're really low in the rankings, like #140, but theyre accredited, have small classes, and after reading reviews, the DPT program is very hands on and the faculty is really great. It's ranking is the only thing that bothers me.

 

[MinnDasota]

Don't worry about the ranking. But do look into their passing rates. I think it would be tough to pass up that much money just because of rankings.

When it comes to residencies, what matters more is that 1) you pass your program and the boards 2) you have strong orthopedic clinicals 3) have strong recommendations and 4) have a strong passion for orthopedics and/or research.

The one advantage that you may have at a "ranked" school are your resources (faculty, great clinicals, strong orthopedic program, research etc). That said, some of the unranked schools actually have stronger professors that actually know how to teach, they just don't do as much research, which ultimately affects rankings.

I say if you like the school. Go for it and make the most out of it while you're there. That's what makes any program worthwhile. Use what they have to its fullest! Otherwise you're just wasting away opportunities.

Good luck!

 

[szer]

Hey, so I'm a senior right now and I'm 100% interested in Physical Therapy. I've been accepted to Widener's Accelerated BA/DPT program(which takes 6 years to complete) and received a 12,000 per year scholarship. I've been accepted to other schools too(Seton Hall, Lynchburg, Seton Hill, St.John's Queens), but Widener is the only school that gave me such a huge scholarship and that gave me admission to their physical therapy program. they also told me that if I manage to do well in my undergrad years, then I could expect a 20,000+ per year scholarship for my DPT years. Also, I don't need to take the GRE exam!

Question is, does it really matter if I go there versus a top 25 school like NYU or BU? I plan on doing an Orthopedic PT Residency as well after I graduate, so will it be harder for me to get into that type of program even if I pull off a high GPA at Widener? That's my main concern. Please help!

Im actually starting at Widener in the fall for DPT, congrats on your acceptance! I dont know tons about the program either but have spoken with some students and PTs who have worked with the program, and they all absolutely love it. I have not heard any bad things about the school or its program- and in my opinion, rankings mean nothing. Its a great school, and the scholarships will make your life SOOO much easier. Good luck and Congrats!!!

 

[hefe]

If you're quite sure physical therapy is what you want pursue, think about choosing this route unless they're a private institution w/ really high tuition. Then the prospect may be similar to your in-state institution. Do the total math and compare total prices for bachelor's and PT school. It does sound quite promising.

If you change your mind about physical therapy or whatever, keep your GPA up high and it will allow you to transfer to a better school (say you were interested in business after your first year). OR it will allow different routes for grad school in general.

Also, some scholarships stipulate that you must finish the entire program or pay back out of pocket your scholarships. So, at 18 or whatever, it's somewhat hard to know what you want to do with your life unless you do a good bit of research and shadowing now. I wasn't that mature at that age to see a grand scheme of things unfortunately.

Overall if PT's the plan, on the surface it sounds like a good deal!! Saving that extra year will be a real plus. I wish I would have considered seeking out these sort of combined programs when I was in high school (wasn't mature enough then). Ah well.

 

[Sweetwater10]

I didn't know that PT's do residency programs. Is that after you finish the dpt program and pass your exam, then you apply for residency? Does every PT do residency? Is it always a hospital setting? Is it formal like medical school residency? And Generally how long are these?

 

[ptootles]

I didn't know that PT's do residency programs. Is that after you finish the dpt program and pass your exam, then you apply for residency? Does every PT do residency? Is it always a hospital setting? Is it formal like medical school residency? And Generally how long are these?

I could be wrong here but I believe the term "residency" that's being used is really the clinicals which make up the bulk of every DPT program's final year. Obviously I've never participated in those (since I'm starting DPT school in a few months) but they are roughtly analogous to med school residencies. Perhaps others on this board can give more details about the clinicals. Also, if you search this board for clinical(s), you will find more info.

 

[hefe]

I didn't know that PT's do residency programs. Is that after you finish the dpt program and pass your exam, then you apply for residency? Does every PT do residency? Is it always a hospital setting? Is it formal like medical school residency? And Generally how long are these?

ptootles clinicals are clinicals, not residencies previously mentioned. PT clinicals are most likely less demanding than medical school residency, just look at the hours alone and you'll see. Let alone usually greater pressure.

These "residencies" are usually one year and it's a formal program. These exist to give some more formalized training to be able to be prepared to sit for a PT sub-specialty exam. However, this isn't the only way to sit for these exams, but they are a structured way to be able to sit them. These specialty exams do not affect reimbursement, or practice scope however.

I would only do it if the specialty is one that deeply interests you or is possibly is a market with less jobs (maybe peds or neuro??). They're not really necessary, and you'll probably take a ~40% cut on salary during the year while you're in one. PT education is long enough as is and I would only consider if at the end of your DPT program and were deeply interested in the area.

 

[ptootles]

ptootles clinicals are clinicals, not residencies.

As they say, you learn something every day. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[StarStunning]

ptootles clinicals are clinicals, not residencies previously mentioned. PT clinicals are most likely less demanding than medical school residency, just look at the hours alone and you'll see. Let alone usually greater pressure.

These "residencies" are usually one year and it's a formal program. These exist to give some more formalized training to be able to be prepared to sit for a PT sub-specialty exam. However, this isn't the only way to sit for these exams, but they are a structured way to be able to sit them. These specialty exams do not affect reimbursement, or practice scope however.

I would only do it if the specialty is one that deeply interests you or is possibly is a market with less jobs (maybe peds or neuro??). They're not really necessary, and you'll probably take a ~40% cut on salary during the year while you're in one. PT education is long enough as is and I would only consider if at the end of your DPT program and were deeply interested in the area.

So you don't need to go through a residency to take a sub specialty exam? I didn't know that. And yes I am deeply interested in an Orthopedic residency. It's hard to explain why.

If I don't need to go through that type of residency program. then should I take a "Speciality Focus Track" which Widener has that consists of 5 courses that involve research, experience and studying in a specific sub field of PT? Would that prepare me for the exam with self studying?

Here is the link to that: http://www.widener.edu/academics/co...ddegrees/entrylevelprogram/dpt_curriculum.asp

 

[hefe]

Well not really, but it'll take some years of practice and self-study from what I've been told to take the written and clinical portions of the exam. You also need to be employed in a position that deals with the particular specialty/patient population for necessary exposure. Again the residency is a formalized option and many faculty in your PT program will likely encourage it since it's more concrete path. It's not the only way, otherwise there wouldn't be those really knowledgeable BPT, OCS's or the like out there.

Since you need to go to the PT program anyway, you'll have to get exposure in your usual settings anyway. If the program offers that ortho focus, just sign up for it when you're in grad school and it should help with your interests. Keep an open mind in school and if by the time during end of 2nd or beginning 3rd year you'll know if you want to pursue it and apply. Nothing wrong with a long-term goal though.

 

[MinnDasota]

Many schools have specialties. My school had a peds, ortho, and neuro track. It allowed us to "specialize" in a PT specialty for the last year of PT school. However, this is not enough to sit for a specialist exam.

Star, not sure which exam you are referring to, but to take the OCS (orthopedic clinical specialist board exam), you have to have practiced as a licensed PT with at least 2000 hours of experience in that specialty before you are even eligible to sit. Doing a residency is a focused extra year of study after PT school that allows you to sit for the board specialist exam also. It is true that a resident makes about 40% of a typical salary in that area so many practicing PTs won't go back to a residency due to the pay cut.

As stated before, residencies are different than clinicals. Clinicals are done as part of the curriculum for student PTs. Residencies are for those who have graduated from PT school and wants additional training and possibly sit for the board specialist exam.

 

[StarStunning]

So taking an orthopedic clinical track during my DPT years would be irrelevant? Because my school offers a Health Care Management Track and I'm highly interested in that as well. Could I do that and an orthopedic residency?

And do Orthopedic residencies require any hours of experience as a practicing PT? Sorry for all the questions, but I would just really like to get some clarification.

 

[MinnDasota]

So taking an orthopedic clinical track during my DPT years would be irrelevant? Because my school offers a Health Care Management Track and I'm highly interested in that as well. Could I do that and an orthopedic residency?

And do Orthopedic residencies require any hours of experience as a practicing PT? Sorry for all the questions, but I would just really like to get some clarification.

No, it wouldn't be irrelevant. However, it is what it is, part of your school curriculum. You can pick whatever track you want in PT school as it will help you become more skilled in that specialty once you begin to practice.

Anyone can apply to an orthopedic residency program as long as he/he has graduated from an accredited PT school and have a PT license. That said, you can apply to the residency during the last clinical before you graduate, but you have to keep in mind that some residencies start that summer after you graduate (meaning that you may be in a time crunch to study for the PT boards as you have to pass this before you would be allowed to matriculate into the residency program).

To be eligible to sit for a board specialist exam (sports, ortho, peds, neuro, womens health, geriatrics, etc) you have to have been licensed as a PT with the minimum amount of experience hours within that specific specialty or have finished a residency program in that specialty.

 

[StarStunning]

No, it wouldn't be irrelevant. However, it is what it is, part of your school curriculum. You can pick whatever track you want in PT school as it will help you become more skilled in that specialty once you begin to practice.

Anyone can apply to an orthopedic residency program as long as he/he has graduated from an accredited PT school and have a PT license. That said, you can apply to the residency during the last clinical before you graduate, but you have to keep in mind that some residencies start that summer after you graduate (meaning that you may be in a time crunch to study for the PT boards as you have to pass this before you would be allowed to matriculate into the residency program).

To be eligible to sit for a board specialist exam (sports, ortho, peds, neuro, womens health, geriatrics, etc) you have to have been licensed as a PT with the minimum amount of experience hours within that specific specialty or have finished a residency program in that specialty.

thank you so much for the clarification. I really appreciate your help!

 

[jesspt]

So taking an orthopedic clinical track during my DPT years would be irrelevant? Because my school offers a Health Care Management Track and I'm highly interested in that as well. Could I do that and an orthopedic residency?

And do Orthopedic residencies require any hours of experience as a practicing PT? Sorry for all the questions, but I would just really like to get some clarification.

Star -

Here are a few web sites that will probably answer a lot of your questions. However, my current advice to you would be to make sure you're going to a school that is a financially wise choice for you, then slow down and enjoy college. You have a long time to make a lot of these deicsions regarding residencies, specialty tracks, etc.

Regarding residency - http://www.apta.org/ResidencyFellowship/

Regarding Specialist Board Certification - http://www.abpts.org/home.aspx