2 Acceptances: Rutgers v. PCOM

[PAStobe]

Hey Everyone! Long time lurker, first time poster. For the longest time, I was dead set on going to Rutgers/UMDNJ (since I did undergrad here), but applied to 9 other programs, just in case. As it turns out, I was accepted to Rutgers very early before hearing from any other schools. Since PCOM was my #2 school, I decided to go to the interview and loved it! Now that I have been accepted, I cannot decide which program to do. Both programs are relatively the same price with PCOM being a year shorter.

I’ve seen posts like this before and I understand that it is an individual decision that I have to make myself, but I am hoping for any insight from any current students or practicing PAs about how much this all matters! 

 

Rutgers

Pros:

1. Good Reputation-Program since 1976
2. Good PA faculty that teach clinical classes
3. High PANCE Pass (High 90's-always above average)
4. 11 Rotations
   1. 9 required/2 elective
      1. ICU/Critical Care is a required rotation-what I am interested in
5. Paid Deposit already 
6. 3 years-allows you to learn more material

 

Cons: 

1. First semester is only a review of science prereqs-biochem, genetics, cell bio etc.

   1. Do not start anything clinically related until 2nd/3rd semesters. 

2. Facilities are older

3. Completed Undergrad here-time for something new?

4. No white coat ceremony-seems trivial, but it is something that I have always dreamed of...

5. Prosected cadavers

6. Approximately 1-2 people decelerate per semester due to variety of reasons (some academic)

PCOM

Pros:

1. High PANCE pass rate (usually 95% or above)
2. Brand new simulation lab
3. See standardized patients weekly from the sart of the fall semester
4. Faculty appeared responsive/welcoming during interview day 
5. Connected with Osteopathic med school
   1. Allows for use of DaVinci simulator
6. Campus had a "welcoming" vibe
7. 26 month program-done quicker
8. Dissected cadavers-first summer is spent only doing anatomy/phys

 

Cons: 

1. Less rotations
   1. ​8 rotations
      1. 7 required/1 elective
      2. No mandatory ICU rotation
2. Not as strong reputation as Rutgers/UMDNJ
   1. PCOM-1998
   2. Rutgers-1976

 

If anyone could give me any insight at all, I'd greatly appreciate it. I have about 2 weeks to decide whether to accept PCOM's offer or not. 

[jpshoe]

As you said, it's entirely your decision to make. If it were me, I'd choose the shorter length program. I don't see the necessity for a program longer than two-years. Get in, get out into the workforce. Use your elective rotation to do ICU. That's just me though, good luck!

[d-wade]

I was put on the alternate list for Rutgers, but I was accepted to Hofstra. I was really set on trying to get into Rutgers, but the extra year (or half year less at hofstra), is really an opportunity cost of 50-100k of lost wages. So you gotta consider that. Luckily Hofstra only loses 1 (and sometimes 0) students per year with almost perfect PANCE. So for me the decision became easier.

[tenjjetnis]

Cost of living and tuition would be a big deciding factor for me, also consider where you want to work in the future as there is a good chance that you might receive a job offer during one of your rotations.  

 

The less debt you come out with the better off you will be! 

[PAStobe]

Thanks guys, I"m leaning more towards the shorter program, PCOM, but who knows! I still have a lot of thinking to do! 

[rad PA gal]

"First semester is only a review of science prereqs-biochem, genetics, cell bio etc."

"No white coat ceremony-seems trivial, but it is something that I have always dreamed of..."

 

For me, based on the above two statements, I would not go to Rutgers.  I cannot afford to go to a lengthier program especially if the first semester (which contributes to the length and cost of the program) is simply a review of pre-requisites.  That would be a lot of time and money simply for a review of prerequisites that I cannot afford.  Plus, for me, if I'm not going to be getting something I've always dreamed of (white coat ceremony), why go?  

 

I would also encourage you to speak to graduates of both programs and ask them how they felt the education they received was.  Also review the biographies of the instructors of both programs and find out where THEY went to school.

[UGoLong]

Do not underestimate the wisdom of your gut. It's often really your mind weighing all kinds of things in the background and then presenting you with the result.

 

If you have thought about this enough to know all the factors to consider and your gut says PCOM, then don't be overturning that without some pretty strong evidence to the contrary.

 

There is also a lot to be said  for "a welcoming atmosphere."

[SamiH]

I definitely agree with UGoLong! You've got two great schools here, but based on your description of PCOM, it seems that your heart is leaning that way. Just a couple weeks ago I had to decide between two programs and I ended up going with the school where I felt the most at home (I really enjoyed the faculty I met and liked the curriculum structure there), instead of going with the other program that would have been in a more familiar area, close to people I went to undergrad with. I know your situation is different, but I'm hoping that my experience can shed some light on why you should highly consider a program with a "welcoming atmosphere," over a program that might be more familiar to you. Plus, I am super excited to be able to participate in a white coat ceremony, so I don't blame you for being disappointed about that aspect of Rutgers :). Hope that helps even a tiny bit!

[just_nelle]

I'd vote for PCOM...but I'm an alum :)

[rocknroux]

Hey, I just had my interview with Rutgers today, was just curious they do not have a white coat ceremony? They never mentioned it but wondered if it changed since previous post. 

[Lauren R]

Here's what I would do... If the programs were both 2 years I would find it more difficult to decide. I love school, but two full years of PA school is plenty. Two years of PA school loans is also still dreadful, so I wouldn't want three. Therefore, I would go for PCOM. That said, both schools will get you to become a PA, so there is no wrong choice. Go with your gut and make the most of it. Good luck!

[MT2PA]

Don't know anything about either program but I'll throw out there that reputation shouldn't matter.  Both have great PANCE pass rates and ultimately that means they are both doing their jobs so get that out of your head.  Once you're a PA-C, almost no one will care where you got it from.

 

Also, personally, I'd put the whole entire semester spent on anatomy as more of a con than an initial semester of science background.  My program spends the first semester on things like biochem, anatomy, etc to make sure we have the basics and are all on the same level before we get to clinical applications - I find that to be sound reasoning.  Easily glad we did that instead of spend all summer dissecting.  Granted, we do start learning clinical things like H&P as well so we get some clinical education in that first semester.

 

Keep in mind that just because the program is 3 years doesn't mean you'll necessarily learn MORE, just not as fast.  Every program meets ARC standards of what must be taught.

[sto27]

Just figured I'd chime in seeing as I attend Rutgers (2nd year) and stumbled across this thread.

 

First of all, I absolutely love it here. Faculty are phenomenal and our program's reputation is certainly well-earned. It's a 3 year program which I feel gives us more opportunity to learn additional things that there might not be time for in 2 year programs, but that may or may not be the case. And obviously, the extra time for rotations is a big plus.

 

 

And just to correct some of the information that was mentioned:

 

1) There is a white coat ceremony, but it's not at the start of PA school. We actually have ours in the middle of 2nd year right before we start rotations. It's the same thing as other ceremonies; not really sure why they decide to do it at that time.

 

2) Attrition rate is definitely not that high. Thus far in my class of (originally) about 50 students, we've had 2 not continue. I know that one person just changed their mind about becoming a PA, and I'm pretty sure the other had a ton of personal stuff going on. The faculty does a really good job of helping students who are struggling through the program.

 

3) We actually do have a clinical aspect from the first semester, although it's not particularly regular. You get to see patients at a free clinic in a medically underserved area during the first year, and we're just starting a new initiative to conduct patient home visits as part of an interprofessional student team (ie. PA, medical, nursing, pharmacy, and social work students).

 

4) I definitely wouldn't call the first semester a review: the level of detail is much greater than anything you would've seen in undergrad, believe me. I did pretty well in college and still learned a ton that first semester.

 

 

Anyways, I think I'm pretty much done bragging on my school lol. If anyone has any specific questions, let me know!