Deciding between USC or Western

[Brigm12]

Howdy.

 

I was accepted to both programs and it's been tough to make a choice. I understand that USCs program is more reputable, etc. but I have still heard from preceptors at CHLA that some USC students have been less than impressive--but this can happen at any program. I'm concerned about the amount of debt I would accrue. At least 200k plus interest would take forever to pay back and the program is an additional year. Is USC worth it?

 

I am more inclined to attend western due to it being cheaper. It's less than half the price of USC and two years so I can begin working sooner to repay my loans. I am concerned about the rotations at western. Can anyone speak to this?

 

Some USC students have messaged me saying that if I end up at western I may have difficulty finding a job. Any truth in this statement?

 

Thanks for the input.

 

 

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[EMEDPA]

I am a big USC fan. great sites, etc.

have not been impressed with western students in the past, but it has been > 15 years since I had one.

USC certainly has the better rep in the PA world, but going to western won't stop you from getting a job.

[Z PA-C]

get in, get out with the least debt possible. there are plenty of jobs out there
if you want more training you can do a residency

IMHO 2 years at western + 1 year residency/fellowship >>> 3 years at USC
at least residency provides awesome training + a salary vs. having to pay for another year of tuition

[EMEDPA]

I would agree, residency is the great equalizer.

[Brigm12]

I am a big USC fan. great sites, etc.

have not been impressed with western students in the past, but it has been > 15 years since I had one.

USC certainly has the better rep in the PA world, but going to western won't stop you from getting a job.

 

Thanks so much for your input. I have read your reviews about western on various PA forums and it was really alarming. I will definitely be sad not have Keck school of medicine in my resume, but in the long run I think I will be able to sleep better at night without 200k debt giving me nightmares.

 

I'm also bummed that at western I probably won't have too many classmates that I will be able to learn from as most of them have no medical experience :(

 

But! I've got to make the best of it. Do you think I will be able to set up high quality rotations on my own while at Western?

 

Thanks

 

 

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[Deanj59]

As a second year from Western, I'd like to say I've been quite happy with my education there. Many of my classmates were able to set up student generated rotations (SGRs) during second year. I was a bit too lazy and didn't end up doing them myself though. Rotations at USC are a bit longer, so you'll have to decide if spending an entire extra year would be worth it given the extra debt load. Feel free to PM me if you have questions about Western.

[Randito]

I graduated from Loma Linda in 2013. I shared at least 3 rotation sites with students from Western, including both emergency rotations. The only common complaint that I heard from multiple students was that there were few guest lecturers. Instructors would lecture on topics for which they had little if any clinical background. Also much larger class size that where I came from, not sure how it compares with USC though.

 

Nothing bad to say about quality of Western students that I rotated with. 

[Brigm12]

I graduated from Loma Linda in 2013. I shared at least 3 rotation sites with students from Western, including both emergency rotations. The only common complaint that I heard from multiple students was that there were few guest lecturers. Instructors would lecture on topics for which they had little if any clinical background. Also much larger class size that where I came from, not sure how it compares with USC though.

 

Nothing bad to say about quality of Western students that I rotated with.

 

Good to know. A bummer about instructors who lecture on topics they don't have experience in :/

 

 

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[Lauren R]

You'll have no problem getting a job regardless of where you graduate from as long as the school is accredited and you pass your boards. The good news is you cannot make a wrong decision. I'd personally choose Western because of the lifestyle difference. Good luck!

[Brigm12]

I would agree, residency is the great equalizer.

I want to make the most of my time at Western. I want to set up my own rotations at high quality sites to make up for choosing western over USC. Do you know if this process is difficult? Any advice for me? Thanks @EMEDPA :)

 

 

Also, do you think I'm making a big mistake? :/

 

 

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[turtlesrule]

Rotations are rotations, its on you to make them worthwhile, there are no guarantees. However, debt is debt and I guarantee you, you'll want as little as possible. IMHO

[EMEDPA]

I want to make the most of my time at Western. I want to set up my own rotations at high quality sites to make up for choosing western over USC. Do you know if this process is difficult? Any advice for me? Thanks @EMEDPA :)

 

 

Also, do you think I'm making a big mistake? :/

 

 

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I don't know anything about setting up your own rotations. in my opinion, I don't think you should have to...

[turtlesrule]

Actually I think its an accreditation standard that the schools have to provide enough rotations to meet their class size. The program may let you may get to choose from their stable of sites but there is too much involved in paperwork for a school to do a one-off rotation just for one student. Plus what you deem a quality site may not meet the programs requirements. Even if a program would let you do this (and i'm doubting they would), the time it would take away from your studies would kill you. Probably a lot of other things you should be considering in this choice.

[singstar]

I currently shadow a PA that graduated from Western a few years afo  and she is in a very successful practice if I do say so myself, lots of learning, autonomy and profit-sharing. 

BTW Brigm12, 
Would you mind sharing your stats? 

[Brigm12]

I currently shadow a PA that graduated from Western a few years afo and she is in a very successful practice if I do say so myself, lots of learning, autonomy and profit-sharing.

 

BTW Brigm12,

Would you mind sharing your stats?

Hello Singstar!

 

Sure. I had a 3.54 Science gpa and a 3.6 overall gpa. My caspa gpa was only 3.4 though because they calculate gpa differently.

 

I had about 2600 volunteer hours including everything from animal rescue and fostering to building a community garden to volunteering an an emergency medical technician at the VA emergency department and children's hospital OC.

 

I had about 1000 hands on patient care hours working as an EMT at care ambulance/outdoor rescue/VA hospital

 

And my background was pretty unique so I think that helped a lot. I was a field biologist trained in outdoor life rescue--which brought me around to wanting to become a PA.

 

 

It was my first time applying and was very happy to be accepted to more than one school--though as you can see has complicated things for me. Decisions decision. I will likely end up at western as I can't believe that an institution that has my best interest in mind would not hesitate to put me 200-250k in debt #usc

 

 

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[singstar]

Hello Singstar!

 

Sure. I had a 3.54 Science gpa and a 3.6 overall gpa. My caspa gpa was only 3.4 though because they calculate gpa differently.

 

I had about 2600 volunteer hours including everything from animal rescue and fostering to building a community garden to volunteering an an emergency medical technician at the VA emergency department and children's hospital OC.

 

I had about 1000 hands on patient care hours working as an EMT at care ambulance/outdoor rescue/VA hospital

 

And my background was pretty unique so I think that helped a lot. I was a field biologist trained in outdoor life rescue--which brought me around to wanting to become a PA.

 

 

It was my first time applying and was very happy to be accepted to more than one school--though as you can see has complicated things for me. Decisions decision. I will likely end up at western as I can't believe that an institution that has my best interest in mind would not hesitate to put me 200-250k in debt #usc

 

 

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That's so awesome and yes you have such a unique background! Thanks for sharing and best of luck in So Cal! =)

And  yikes USC PA School is close to the price tag of med school. 

[Brigm12]

That's so awesome and yes you have such a unique background! Thanks for sharing and best of luck in So Cal! =)

And yikes USC PA School is close to the price tag of med school.

 

Best of luck! Will you be applying this year? Or...?

Don't get discouraged! I met so many people that said I wouldn't get in my first go around and that its so hard and all kinds of nonsense. Just because there are so many applicants does not mean that they are qualified. Keep your head up and stay positive! Getting into PA school just takes a good attitude and a little elbow grease :)

 

I also shadowed 3-4 PAs at the VA hospital I worked at. I was able to develop close relationships with them that were invaluable. I've seen them on their best days and in days when they wished they had chosen another profession (Emergency med can be exhausting some days). But it was great perspective. If you can find some PAs that are down to earth and willing to get to know you and share their experiences and even teach you.... ;)

 

 

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[singstar]

Best of luck! Will you be applying this year? Or...?

Don't get discouraged! I met so many people that said I wouldn't get in my first go around and that its so hard and all kinds of nonsense. Just because there are so many applicants does not mean that they are qualified. Keep your head up and stay positive! Getting into PA school just takes a good attitude and a little elbow grease :)

 

I also shadowed 3-4 PAs at the VA hospital I worked at. I was able to develop close relationships with them that were invaluable. I've seen them on their best days and in days when they wished they had chosen another profession (Emergency med can be exhausting some days). But it was great perspective. If you can find some PAs that are down to earth and willing to get to know you and share their experiences and even teach you.... ;)

 

 

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Yes, currently in the process of applying! About to submit soon and I guess the nerves are already kicking in lol!

Thank You for the encouraging words,  I will definitely try to keep a positive attitude throughout. =)

 

 

And that sounds awesome! The PA I do shadow tries her best to teach me when things aren't so crazy. But even the craziness is a learning process and good to witness. 

[RoxieDarling]

Hi! I'm not sure if the original poster decided on USC or WesternU but as a student finishing their didactic year at WesternU I thought I would add in my two cents. I know nothing about other programs, so I can't comment on how WesternU compares all I can comment on is my experience and some of the concerns noted in this thread!

 

Here's the thing, yes, USC has a bigger name, alumni network, and possibly more connections. However, I have not heard of one person in the couple previous classes not finding a job or getting a job offer during rotations. I've been offered jobs already just by telling people i'm a PA student.We actually have some great hospitals/doctors/pa's in our rotation system that you can choose from. I don't know where the "low quality" rumor comes from. 

 

Not being able to learn from your classmates because they lack a medical background? I'd say more than half of our class has backgrounds as techs, EMT's, MA's, Nurses...etc. 

 

I would say the large class size is actually a pro instead of a con. We all share our notes, charts, recordings..etc. So with so many students and so many ways in which one learns, you can really benefit from the variety of study tools that go around.

 

You have access to the professors, dean, and department chair. If you're struggling, need help or just want to talk you literally can walk into the faculty's office (provided they are available). 

 

Lastly, there are so many opportunities to volunteer and get involved in the community. The learning environment at WesternU has really been great and I wouldn't change it for the world. I've had a great experience and I've never heard of alumni ever regretting their decision.

 

That being said, USC vs WesternU is a personal choice and I know nothing about the program at USC. PA school is hard regardless of where you go and every school has their strong points and weak points. All I can say is that you definitely won't regret your experience at WesternU.