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5 key tips to keep in mind when choosing the PA program

How to choose your PA program

So you got your hours – volunteered, shadowed, worked. You took many prerequisites, learned and tested on repeat. You saw which programs you met requirements on MyPAbox, completed CASPA, and applied. And you may have even interviewed and conquered! Especially after reading 5 tips to get accepted to PA school Everything you’ve been working towards: the acceptance.  

But…

What do you do if you are fortunate enough to receive the opportunity to choose between programs? 

Here are the 5 key tips to keep in mind when choosing the PA program that is best for you.

1. PANCE pass rate

Yes, this matters! This is literally what you are working towards all throughout PA school. Check the passing rate, and be concerned if it drops below 90%. Also check out the trends of how the PANCE rate is over time, is it low just once? Or fairly consistent? Is it trending slightly upwards or downwards?

Also check the attrition rate…the PANCE pass rate may be high because they eliminated several people from the class (also a bad sign). High pass rate + high attrition = gold.

2. Didactic curriculum

Didactic is colloquially known as “drinking from a fire hose”. If you haven’t heard this yet, glad I could introduce it to you because…you will. Regardless of didactic structure, it will prove challenging and a unique time of your life as a student thus far.

With that being said, there are different modes so to speak of how didactic years are structured, and some lend themselves better to certain learning styles than others. There are systems or module-based learning, problem-based learning…and many other styles.

Each school has their own flavor of how they go about the didactic year to the class. Find out what that style is at your programs, and see which works best for you.

3. How is clinic year structured

Clinicals often are overlooked by the interviewee as it seems so far away; however, this makes up just as much time as your didactic year! Therefore it is just as important, or arguably, more important. Rotations are where you will attain the beginning of your practical clinical knowledge that you will use as a practicing provider in the real world.

Find out if they are 4 week vs. 6 week rotations. Do they make you do all of the rotations in the same area as the school, or will you be going to other cities/states? Do they offer international rotations? Do they test during their clinical year and how is that structured? What are their required core rotations, and do they offer any elective rotations? Decide which of these factors are most important to you.

4. In the words of real estate…location, location, location

Although some may say “you’re in PA school, you’ll be busy, you won’t see the area anyway” and that does have a sliver of truth, it’s not always the case. Many people do find time while in PA school to see the area and enjoy themselves, so try to be in one you like! Not to mention that it is the most likely location to receive job offers – near your program and rotation sites –  so it is good to go to a place you wouldn’t absolutely hate working in after you graduate.

5. The “feeling”

Perhaps the most important factor. How did you feel at the interview? Were the faculty welcoming? Did you get to meet any current students, and how were their interactions? Did you feel at home, and most importantly: could you see yourself there? Only you can answer these questions, just see how you feel!

“ At the end of the day, an acceptance is an acceptance, and as long as the program is accredited, you will get a quality education that enables you to be a successful PA⁣”

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