Thomas Jefferson PA Program (Philadelphia)

[jtn]

I already plan on demanding a refund of my money, and will be calling the accreditation people today. It is completely ridiculous that one of the best medical schools in the country cannot get their PA program act together. They are stealing money from hopeful students and not following through with the outlined application procedures of the program (a supplemental application is required for admission, yet students were clearly offered seats without completing the supplemental application).

 

Applying to PA school is already super stressful and expensive, we don't need programs like Jefferson taking our money and bending the rules for some students!

I got accepted here and did receive a supplemental application. To be honest, there are other schools that I applied to that didn't tell me that their seats were full and they were accredited. I paid $75 for their supplemental fee at an accredited program that was already filled. $25 fee here as well as the entire application process and trips you make to go to interviews is nothing compared to what you make as a PA. And trust me, even though it's filled now, it doesn't mean that it'll be filled later. This is actually my back up school so it is likely that I will be withdrawing my seat.

[tunafish]

I got accepted here and did receive a supplemental application. To be honest, there are other schools that I applied to that didn't tell me that their seats were full and they were accredited. I paid $75 for their supplemental fee at an accredited program that was already filled. $25 fee here as well as the entire application process and trips you make to go to interviews is nothing compared to what you make as a PA. And trust me, even though it's filled now, it doesn't mean that it'll be filled later. This is actually my back up school so it is likely that I will be withdrawing my seat.

According to one of the program directors - there are schools who budget on seat deposit money from people who will drop their acceptance later. There are schools who interview for "waiting list" spots. it doesn't mean that new programs need to use that practice as an example.

I would understand if TJU rank their applicant's interview dates - you interview first your top list and later your least desired. TJU gave a list of dates to pick from from the get go. If you are in town already, swinging by one morning is not a big deal, if you are across the country - it is a different story.

I, personally, emailed adcom about one of the dates and had an automatic out of office reply and no follow up later.

The supplemental was an unfair process in my opinion. It was nothing but a link to pay $25. Only last group had to do it before the interview.

The interview was a very strange experience for me (again maybe it was just my interviewer): my app was pulled 5 minutes before the interview according to the my person. There was a lack of knowledge where and how CASPA puts credits and how it calculates GPA for different schooling circumstances, which for me was jaw dropping.

I am just glad I had a different experience next day at a different school where all 3 people asked me question regarding things that I mentioned in my personal statement and secondary application. It was a major note to self: they know who is coming that day, they read what I wrote. Very professional!

[superstretch]

 

The supplemental was an unfair process in my opinion. It was nothing but a link to pay $25. Only last group had to do it before the interview.

 

 

This is exactly what I am saying! I feel that i completed the supplemental app under false pretenses. The University made no effort to disclose that the interviews had already been conducted and the class was already filled. If I had known that, I would not have completed the application (and sent them my money).

 

It was stated that the had over 1,600 applicants this year. They interviewed 150 of those applications. So that leaves 1450 who had no follow-up information, no idea what was going on with the interviews or the class enrollment. So let's say 1,000 of those students receive the email for the supplemental. They fill it out and pay their $25... Giving Jefferson money when they stood no chance of ever being accepted.

 

I realize that we all pay supplemental app fees to schools are are not accepted to. But if I had completed the supplemental at a time when I still had a chance of being interviewed and offered a spot in the class, I wouldn't be this angry. But the school just made a huge profit ($25,000 if you use my numbers above) by duping applicants into thinking they still had a chance. And that is NOT okay.

[S Brake]

To cement just how dysfunctional the program's application process is. They sent me a rejection email even though I never completed the application.

[superstretch]

To cement just how dysfunctional the program's application process is. They sent me a rejection email even though I never completed the application.

 

Awesome. They did process a refund for me, though! If anyone else is interested in getting their money back :)

[wadaada]

SuperStretch ....did you contact them for your refund??

[wadaada]

Superstretch...did you contact them for your refund?

[PASASM92]

Anyone applying /applied to the 2014/2015 cycle?  My CASPA was verified today.

[AudreyH]

Anyone applying /applied to the 2014/2015 cycle? My CASPA was verified today.

Yes, I applied there.

[PASASM92]

Yes, I applied there.

Any word?

[thomeg300]

I received notification yesterday via email that my application was complete aside from the supplemental application, which they are sending out in the next two weeks. They intend to review complete applications in late July and hold the first interviews in August.

[chris.shannon77]

Before you send in your supplemental application you should contact the program to see how many seats are filled/still open.  They had a lot of complaints last year about creating the supplemental application after the class was already full.  People with little to no shot ended up paying $20 for no reason while most of the people that were accepted never filled out a supplemental application.

[rcardill]

How could they already have seats filled if they haven't started interviews yet?

[thomeg300]

I don't think they have filled any seats yet this cycle.

 

Chris.shannon77 is referencing his personal experiences from last years' cycle.

[chris.shannon77]

My experience as well as a few others.  If you read back through this thread you will see other talking about the supplemental application coming out after the class was full.

 

Maybe they have gotten things straightened out by now.  I still wouldn't chose them over a school in a more rural area.  Commuting into Philly and finding/paying for parking is not worth it unless it was the only school that offered acceptance.

[tunafish]

If they offer a choice of dates for interview - pick the first available. Greater chance for acceptance if they run the system similar to last year. 

[pbbls723]

Hi everyone,

 

I am a student in Jeff's inaugural class, which started in May. The forums were a great source of information for me when I was applying to schools so I thought I would offer to answer any questions that applicants to Jeff might have, especially since the program is new and there's not a lot to go on in the forums. Please feel free to post any questions and I'll do my best to answer them if I can. Good luck to everyone!

[thomeg300]

@pbbls723- How is the first year going at the program? How are your classes, professors, tests? Do you know how clinical sites are set up yet- are they all local or can you travel/choose sites close to where you want to practice? Lastly (probably not though), if you could improve something, what would it be?

[rcardill]

Has anyone received the supplemental app yet??

[AudreyH]

No not yet...they said it should be sent out within 2 weeks in an email I got 2 weeks ago..

[rcardill]

Same here, I called a couple days ago and the woman said "BE PATIENT"...

[AudreyH]

Lol. It's crazy how long it is taking for the supplemental applications to be sent out.

[pbbls723]

@thomeg300 - So far I am really enjoying being at Jeff! We are just finishing up the last two weeks of the "pre-fall" (summer) semester. The classes we had this semester are Anatomy, Patient Communication, Intro to Professional Practice, Evidence Based Medicine/Epidemiology, and Legal & Ethical Aspects of Healthcare. It sounds like a lot, but the real focus is on Anatomy and the other classes are relatively easy. Anatomy is tough because it's just so much information (WAY more than any undergrad class), and you will learn more than you ever though possible in 8 weeks. The class is taught by a PhD Anatomist who is an amazing instructor, with some classes covered by other docs who are very good as well. We take the class jointly with students from Arcadia (they commute to Jeff three times a week). Our cadaver lab is really nice, with three large theaters that accommodate us easily with room to spare. Our cadavers are our own and we don't have to share them with any other programs. We also have 24 hours access to the cadavers, so you can go in and study at 2:00 a.m on a Sunday if you want to. In my opinion, the lab has really helped to solidify concepts learned in lecture and I think it's much easier to understand relationships when learning from a cadaver you've dissected versus using a simulation or prosected body parts. Anatomy tests are tough, but completely fair. There are no surprises and I feel like the faculty does a good job of making sure we are prepared. 

 

The other classes are taught on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so they serve as a kind of break from Anatomy. Anatomy days run from 9-4/4:30, and Tuesdays and Thursdays are typically much shorter. We are usually done by 3:00 on those days. We also have the entire month of August off, with fall classes starting right after Labor Day. They've told us that our fall classes will be taught by doctors who are specialists in whichever field the lecture will be on, which I think will be a great benefit. 

 

As far as clinicals go, rotations will be either at Jeff, Christiana Care in Newark, Delaware, or at A.I. Dupont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE. The coordinator for clinical rotations is also very flexible and has offered to help set up rotations at student selected facilities as long as we give him enough advance notice to make sure it's a suitable site (to get the experience you need) and to get the paperwork completed. I'm not sure on the number of rotations that you can choose on your own, but I believe it's 2 or 3. I can check if you like. 

 

Overall, I am really pleased with the program so far. The only real negative I can think of is that there have been a few times where things seemed a little disorganized, such as with logistical concerns like paying for books or schedule changes, but I think that's to be expected with a new program. I can only assume that it will get better with subsequent classes. Bottom line: I kind of applied to Jeff as an afterthought. It wasn't my first choice (at first), and it wasn't my only acceptance. I chose to go here for a few reasons: it's attached to a great hospital, the center city location is PERFECT (close the train and everything else!), the facilities are brand new and gorgeous, and the people here are 100% committed to helping us succeed. I don't regret my decision at all, and I believe all of my classmates feel the same. Hope this helps, and feel free to ask any other questions you may come up with!

[Duff]

Just received an email saying they are waiting for "data transfer approval" to send out the supplemental application and that it'll be sent out soon...

[thehikerpa]

Awaiting my supplemental app as well.  Will someone post when they get one? Seems like we are all eager. :)