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Please help me decide where to go to PA school


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I am fortunate enough to have been accepted to two PA programs. That being said, I have been doing considerable reflecting but am still torn regarding which program to attend.


Option A:


  • Far from home (3,200 miles)
  • Older facilities and classrooms
  • Has a cadaver lab
  • 5 yr average of 96% PANCE pass rates
  • cost of attendance approximately $65,000
  • smaller, private university
  • 20 year old program
  • don't know anybody in the area

Option B:


  • Closer to home (750 miles)
  • Brand new facilities and classrooms
  • No cadaver lab
  • 5 yr average of 95% PANCE pass rates
  • cost of attendance approximately $110,000
  • large, prestigious university
  • newer program, only a few years old
  • know a handful of people in the area

The class sizes and cost of living are comparable for both programs. One thing I have seen is to "choose a program in an area where you would want to work after school". At this point I think I would rather work in Option B's area, although this is more speculation at this point as I don't know much about either region. I would appreciate any insight any of you may be able to offer. Thanks all.


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sometimes getting away from friends and family for school is a good thing. I moved 3000 miles to a city I had never visited in which I knew no one. it was the right choice. too easy to hang out with friends instead of burning the midnight oil before a big test when you think your studying has been good enough to pass.

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Guest kennypowers

Option A:

  • cost of attendance approximately $65,000

Option B:

  • cost of attendance approximately $110,000

 

 

Let me stop you right there. Option A.

 

:)

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Option B is closer to home, but are you really going to have time to drive 10 hours home? (the answer is no). You honestly won't have time to hang out with friends your first semester anyway, by the 2nd semester you will have made great friends in PA school and can hang out with them. I would do option A all day because of the lower cost.

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Option A:

  • cost of attendance approximately $65,000

Option B:

  • cost of attendance approximately $110,000

 

 

Let me stop you right there. Option A.

 

:)

 

 

^ This.  When costs are close I say consider other parameters but when the cost of A is nearly HALF the cost of B with a perfectly good reputation and PANCE pass rates, go A.

 

When you'll be saving that much money, it's easier to afford moving to new areas, doing a residency, or waiting until you find a job in the area you want to be in (vs feeling the pressure to take any job just to start paying back loans) if those are things you'll need to consider when the time comes.

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What you didn't mention is cost of living (COL) between option A and B.

Unless the COL of Option A is significantly higher than Option B, then the easy (and I mean ABSOLUTELY easy) answer is Option A.

 

Student loans (really, all debt) KILLS your quality of life when you graduate.  Your goal should be to go to the cheapest PA program you can find, live as frugally as you can, and then continue to live like that until you are OUT OF DEBT.  This may, realistically, take you 3-5 years, but then....you're debt free and making great money.

Debt sucks.  You don't realize how MUCH it sucks until you've graduated, making $120K a year, and you look around and still feel broke.  

That extra $45K in cost for Option B will likely mean another YEAR of living like a pauper.  It ain't worth it.

 

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