MBKU vs. UoP

[Researcher01]

I have been fortunate enough to be accepted into two programs and need some help making my decision! They are both relatively new CA programs.

 

MBKU is on its fourth class and has 100% first year PANCE pass rate. Their program is very family/collaberative oriented. Great people, and great organization of curriculum. And they are currently remodeling a building for PA students' use. Downside is I do not care for the location (farther from family and the LA can be stressful for me), and they are predominately an optometry school.

 

On the other hand, UoP just started the first year, no PANCE scores. But the staff is very distinguished and the school has proof of many other successful health care programs, you get some cadaver lab access, and the facilities are new and very high tech. Sacramento is also cheaper to live and closer to family. My main concern here is that the program is so new and still working out kinks. The class is also large (45) and I don't yet see that they promote as much of a family bond between students. 

 

Generally I feel that MBK is a slightly better program, but UoP has a better location. Any advice is definitely welcome! If you had to make a decision between schools, how did you do it? 

[ryebread203]

I have been fortunate enough to be accepted into two programs and need some help making my decision! There are both relatively new CA programs.

 

MBKU is on its fourth class and has 100% first year PANCE pass rate. Their program is very family/collaberative oriented. Great people, and great organization of curriculum. And they are currently remodeling a building for PA students' use. Downside is I do not care for the location (farther from family and the LA can be stressful for me), and they are predominately an optometry school.

 

On the other hand, UoP just started the first year, no PANCE scores. But the staff is very distinguished and the school has proof of many other successful health care programs, you get some cadaver lab access, and the facilities are new and very high tech. Sacramento is also cheaper to live and closer to family. My main concern here is that the program is so new and still working out kinks. The class is also large (45) and I don't yet see that they promote as much of a family bond between students. 

 

Generally I feel that MBK is a slightly better program, but UoP has a better location. Any advice is definitely welcome! If you had to make a decision between schools, how did you do it? 

Congrats. Having lived in both Fullerton and the Sacramento area, I prefer Sacramento. I would say don't worry about UoP not having PANCE score. The pass rates will come and the faculty/administration will likely do a great job training PAs. Cost of living and traffic aside, where do you want to live and work? Clinical rotations will set up those opportunities. Also, do you want to train in a specialized concentration? UoP offers four specialized tracks. Not sure about MBKU, though.

[knschaff]

I was recently accepted to UoP as well and I interviewed and was wait-listed at MBK. In my impression of the programs, they are both pretty equal in their merrits. I do agree, that there wasn't as much of a family atmosphere at UoP, but the high tech facilities and the access to a Cadaver lab were both huge advantages that the program at UoP had over MBK. I do also believe that, because the students had only begun learning about a month ago at UoP, they haven't had much time for that family atmosphere to build, but I think that camaraderie will come with time, because the struggles of PA school do seem to really unite people.  I also think that both schools seem to have different teaching philosophies, and I think you should opt for which ever teaching philosophy best fits your learning style. MBK seemed to be more lecture based, while UoP seemed to focus more on a flipped classroom/hands on style of learning. I'm a kinesthetic learner, so I think I will respond to the teaching style at UoP a little better, but that would be a personal decision for you. Location-wise, I think think that you should pick the program that has clinical rotations in locations that you hope to work in the future, as a lot of job offers may come from those rotations. That's my two-cents, anyway. Take it for what it's worth. Best of luck! Maybe we will be future classmates! :)

[924er]

I can't speak for Uop but I was overly impressed with MBKU when I went in for an interview. Like you said, they are very pro student and the 100% pass rate for the first class speaks for itself. The students at MBKU appears very happy and didn't looked stressed at all and the faculty was very caring. I also love the fact that they use the block system so you won't feel overwhelmed with material. You master each section and move on to the next. I was fortunate to get accepted. Hope to see you there

 

Now as for yourself, you may want to consider factors important to you such as location which is huge.

 

 

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[Tiffanyd]

UOP also tries to implement a modular system of learning (as much as possible) from what I remember them saying at my interview. I know this was something I really liked about MBKU and noticed many other schools don't really do. If anyone else has conflicting info please let me know as I was also accepted to UOP this round. 

[Researcher01]

Thank you all for your help with this decision! In the end I have decided UoP. Had to go with what my gut was telling me. It was tough because I really was impressed by MBKU, but UoP just feels like a better fit for me personally.

 

Tiffanyd and knschaff, sounds like we might be future classmates! Can't wait to meet you :)