FuturePA-S1995 Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Hi everyone, I'm currently trying to decide between two programs. Program A has a well set up didactic year and an environment that I'm very comfortable in and will be confiddent in my success, but only has 1 elective rotation. Program B will be 7-10K cheaper and allows for 3 electives (4 weeks each), and although the environment is fine, I do not like it as much as school A. Should a gut feeling override 3 electives (especially when I'm very interested in so many specialities)? Or should electives override an environment? I have until tonight to place a deposit down on program B and would love some opinions, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swooshie1 Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 PANCE passing rate Cost Electives "comfort" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pancakes Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Ultimately, it's where you can envision yourself being. Edit: if you have the opportunity of going to a program where you feel like you're at home, you can't really go wrong unless the PANCE pass rate is awful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MT2PA Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 PANCE passing rate Cost Electives "comfort" I'd put comfort > electives. You're going to spend a LOT of time in the school, with the students, and with the faculty. There's a lot to be said for being in a welcoming environment when everything else about PA school is stressful. Do I wish my program had more electives? Sure. Is my education lesser for not having them? No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 I had ONE elective and I went to an extremely supportive school. I don't regret my decision in the least. Rotations may help you pick a specialty, but probably more importantly, it will let you see a variety of work environments (big or small practices), hospitals and offices, rural vs urban, etc. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted February 23, 2017 Moderator Share Posted February 23, 2017 comfort with environment>quality/variety of rotations>didactic quality>pance pass rate>cost pance pass rate is more about the individual student than the program. a good student at the worst pa program in the country will still pass pance. you need to feel comfortable at your program and be provided with excellent rotations and didactics. low cost is nice, but not at the cost of the other factors. In general, attend the oldest/best established program you can get into as they will likely have the best faculty and rotation sites. newer programs are a gamble. could be great, or could have terrible faculty and poor rotation sites, especially in a location with lots of older programs, which have secured the best faculty and best rotation sites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuturePA-S1995 Posted March 1, 2017 Author Share Posted March 1, 2017 Thank you for your advice everyone! I chose the school that I had a good feeling at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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