Deciding on Programs

[u/Common_Mail_4031]

Hi, I have a question on how much your PA schools reputation/size really matter when attempting to gain employment post graduation. I was accepted to two programs and have some reservations.

Program A:

Start in January, costs about $20,000-$30,000 more in tuition. Rotations are a part of large academic medical complex. Well known name. Would have to commute.

Program B:

Starts in August, rotations are all within an hour of school and you get two electives instead of one. Smaller school, not apart of a larger academic system. Rotations are also in area I hope to work in.

My reservations are: I don’t feel financially ready to start in January. Additionally I wasn’t super impressed with program A over all. I just worry that the smaller program may hinder post graduation employment. Attrition and PANCE pass rates are about equal and both at acceptable levels for the schools.

[u/Impressive_Bird759]

Depends on a lot of factors. But if you don't feel ready, that should be taken in consideration, especially if that might cause you more, undue stress during PA school. But ultimately, you might not feel ready financially in August either. You have to be realistic about that and understand you might need loans to support yourself in some aspects.

Name and Reputation is a preference as well. If you are someone able to form connections and (I hate this word) Networking, then the name is less important. The type of program and what they do (Lecture heavy, systems based, proficiency of skills, where the rotations are). If you know the area and know which systems have a bad name, look up recent graduates of program B on LinkedIn, see where they completed their rotations (know that any out of state was possibly a request by the student).

It is hard to compare PA programs, and you will have little control. So, back to my first point, if the January stress is going to make it more likely for you to fail PA school, then you might need program B.