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Hi everyone, I know this is a sensitive topic but I need sincere input to see whether anyone has actually declined USC admission for other local schools such as Western University or Loma Linda. I have read many posts about choosing the cheapest schools but living in such a competitive job market like Orange County, I feel like USC name can help us finding a better job, is it true? I know USC has the best PA program in Southern CA but its tuition is almost double that of other schools and is 6-9 months longer. Since I am married with one kid and paying mortgage, my future disposable income maybe too limited to cover the additional tuition of USC compared to other schools, although my husband is emotionally supportive of either choice. Your experience and advice are highly appreciated. Thanks!

what pa program are you in and what's your profile like? I am still an undergrad student and I would want to be (extra) well-prepared for PA school. I have looked at multiple uni's programs, but since I'm in california, I'd like to stay local. I was looking at usc's. anybody in usc's program? gpa? GRE score? HRE? curious. thank you.

Hi there! For those who are applying to USC, did you self report your test scores on CASPA? I called their office and the lady told me I just needed to send my official GRE results to CASPA. I was asking her if I needed to self report but I have a feeling she didn't understand my question completely. Will all the schools that I am applying to, including those that do not require the GRE, see my self reported scores? It is a bit on the low end, so I rather not have them see it. Thanks!

Hey all! Thought I would start a thread so we can get to know each other a bit! I just got an email for an interview, Sep 6. Has anyone else heard back yet? Good luck to everyone!

Hi, I am an undergraduate senior at UCLA and plan on applying to PA school in the near future. I would love to shadow a PA in Westwood, Beverly Hills, San Fernando Valley or surrounding areas! Please let me know if you know of any opportunities! Thank you! -Sarah H.

The sound of gunshots was a regular occurrence in my neighborhood growing up and learning to ignore them became common practice. I was never startled until one afternoon when the shots fired came from the house next door. As I rushed to look over the balcony, I saw my neighbor lying in his driveway with a gunshot wound to the head. While the most natural reaction for a child might have been to turn away, I found myself more concerned than shocked or frightened, I wanted to help, I wanted to “fix” him. Naively, I asked my Aunt if there was anything we could do to save him, her reply was simple and set the course for my future, “he needs a doctor!” Growing up in an environment where education was not valued, I was the first in my family to graduate high school. Paying my own way through six years of off and on college study, I continued to be plagued by obstacles that more often than not threatened to deter my college career, yet I stayed true to my ambition of working in the medical field. Upon graduating from California State University Northridge (CSUN) in 2012, I had to make an honest assessment of where I am in my life and how that will ultimately impact my career goals. Later that spring I attended a Health Fair at CSUN with the hopes of finding career advice applicable to my situation. I spent the day speaking with nurses, X-ray Technicians and Physical Therapists but didn’t feel that those fields satisfied my desire to fully practice in medicine. After an in depth, informational conversation with a PA from the USC Keck School of Medicine, I learned that aside from diagnostics, writing prescriptions and recommending treatments, as a PA I would make definitive decisions regarding patients’ health. Unlike other medical positions, as a PA I would function as a direct extension of the attending Physician. I believe the high level of responsibility and expectation that comes along with being a PA fits my skill set perfectly. Further, she let me know that within the time it would take me to finish medical school, I would be practicing as a PA. At this point, I was no longer unsure of what or where I wanted to be in the medical field. I wanted to be a PA. While my interest lies mainly in primary care, I am interested in all aspects of medicine and being a Physician Assistant gives me the flexibility to work in other specialties. As a volunteer at Cedar Sinai, I have worked along PA’s who have shown me that best results often come when patients are treated as actual people and not just medical charts. At the same time, I worked at VCA/TLC Emergency Animal Hospital. It is here where I learned to make prompt, clear minded and accurate decisions in emergency situations where the patient can’t point to where it hurts or how they are feeling. It is a combination of all my experiences, triumphs, hardships, and learning opportunities that have fortified my desire to achieve my personal career goal of being a Physician Assistant. I have experienced both the art and the science of medicine, and see that as a PA I can “fix” a human body but more impressively a human spirit.

Hi All, I just wanted to hear from current/past USC graduates to comment on USC's PA program. Specifically, what made you chose USC over other schools? What's the advantage/benefit of attending this school? And, what were some things you weren't too pleased about? Thank you! :=D:

Im worried about paying for tuition as i will be attending. tuition is roughly 45k i barely make any money now (10k a year maybe before taxes!) and i wont be working when i start school. My parent wont be helping with anything so its just me. Anyone know how much fafsa can give and how much in loans i can expect to be getting? curious what others have received and techniques for paying for PA school. If i did get loans i would obviously like loans where i dont have to pay interest while in school. Thanks in advance!!

I've done some searching on the forum, but I couldn't quite find what I was looking for. I'm interested in hearing from PAs or others who may know how USC PA students do in clinical rotations. I'm from the Midwest and I often hear of physicians or PAs who notice a significant difference in students from different programs, or even how well prepared PA students are in comparison to med students. Thank you.

Has anyone gotten an interview yet?