Need your help guys

[rcogrady]

So I am planning on taking an EMT-B program this fall and I am at a toss up on which program I should attend. I have two options and I was hoping you guys could help my decide.

 

My first option is to attend at my local community college. I like this option because the course is 8 credits and as I am approaching the 100 credit mark my gpa doesn't really move on a class by class basis. Right now it is a 3.568 and if I received an A in this course it would bump me just over a 3.6. What I don't like about this is that it is approximately 500 dollars more than the other program.

 

My second option is to take the course at a well respected local private training coorporation. This option is merely a pass/fail and I won't be recieving college credit for it. It will save me 500 dollars and the real kicker is that they state, "we are so confident in our program graduates, that as of April 2014, we are offering a 100% money back guarantee on your tuition if you cannot pass the National Registry Exam".

 

So what do you guys think?!

[ktcan10]

Is there any difference in the length of the programs or the NREMT support offered for each of the programs? I was an EMT teaching assistant for six years at a community college, and we had one of the best training programs around. Test questions were written in the style of the NREMT, etc. 

 

I found that many graduates were more successful both passing the class and the NREMT with a longer class length (semester length compared to shortened classes). I only mention this because many people, despite being highly intelligent and excellent learners, can find themselves struggling with the bulk of EMT-specific information in the course, especially in a short period of time. For example, sounds like you've taken A&P already, so you won't struggle with body systems / physiology, but there are a lot of procedural things that might be a different story. 

 

Also, I found my semester-long EMT class at a community college to be a GREAT help to my GPA. I got an A in the class, and because its listed on CASPA as a science class (if I remember correctly), it was a great boost to my GPA. 

 

Good luck. :) 

[UGoLong]

I don't think the difference between a 3.5xxx and 3.6 is worth $500. Going through EMT school and getting the resulting HCE is a good idea.

 

Assuming a reputable program in both places, I would think someone preparing for PA school should be able to pass at either place. Talk to someone who went to each of the programs and then decide.

 

Good luck.

[Lemon Bars]

The community college class is more expensive than the private class? Usually it's the other way around.

[rcogrady]

Yes, the community college class is about $1440 wheras the private class is only $970. Full time tuition at the college is just over $2000 a semester and its an 8credit class, so its about right.

 

The classes are about the same length; 12 weeks at the private and 16 weeks at the CC, although the private class meets an extra day every other week. It seems to be pretty balanced.

 

I think I have decided to take the CC class even though it is a little more expensive because I will earn the credits for it, it will be a mild boost to my gpa, and is going to be stretched out over a longer period of time. I spoke to a friend who took it at the CC with the same professor and she said that she had no problem passing the national exam upon completion of the course. This made me feel much better with my decision.

 

Thanks everyone :)