jasonbarnes16 Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 Hello fellow Pre-PAs and PAs, I was recently accepted into a very well known and expensive PA school after applying to 14 schools and only landing one interview and thus one acceptance. I am currently a sonographer and have been scanning for two years making $44,000 a year. The school that accepted is a 3 year PA program school and would cost me about ~$200k in student loans (non-resident here). I currently have ~$80k in student loans (from previous private school for another degree before I switched majors) already with a $1000 a month payment. The point of this post is that I was recently offered a job making $64,000 a year. I love ultrasound and have my BSRS (Radiologic Sciences) with a minor in healthcare leadership. I graduated with a 3.2 GPA, mediocre GRE scores, but a patient bed-side manner that speaks volumes and a personality with intellect that "wows"; not to mention my knowledge in the radiology field. Not tooting my own horn here but that's clearly the only reason I got accepted (see below). I applied to PA schools in hopes to specialize in Radiology or Cardiovascular (which is what I scan in the ultrasound world); not thinking I would actually get accepted either. I'm 26 years old and know the opportunity will not likely come around again to get into PA school with my average GPA, GRE score, etc. Granted I can always restudy and take the GRE later in life and reapply, but I feel that once I am ~30 years old, will this be something I desire then or want to take 2-3 years doing? Is going ~$300k in debt (my existing loans + PA school tuition + books/living expenses/etc.) for a 3 year PA program to make ~$100k - $120k worth it? Or should I just stick with ultrasound and explore the avenues of eventually gaining experience to be an Applications specialist or lab manager? I LOVE ultrasound and truly enjoy doing it, but I have this craving to learn more, do more, and become much more involved with patients. However, I am unsure if being that far in debt is worth it? Had this phone call of acceptance into PA school happened prior to my new career offer, I would've jumped on it immediately. I am hesitant now because I wonder if working to pay off my current debt for ~5 years and then reapplying is smarter....though I do not believe I'll get an opportunity like this again. Any advice is helpful! I'm unsure which route to take because I am so torn and 50/50 with both! Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpackelly Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 go for pa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpackelly Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 scan part time during pa school, being a great scanner will only add to your salary as a pa, ultrasound is the future of medical diagnostics at the point of care and you have a big head start. . the sky is the limit depending on your specialty, equivalent to many doc salaries. i would definitely go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MT2PA Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 How old are you? Do you love the program you were accepted to? Can you defer for a year (and work and pay down more undergrad loans/save a little more)? A lot of programs don't allow you to work during PA school so that's something to look into before that becomes plan A. Also depends on how well you can handle school and work. Depending on age...I might consider taking the $64k job, working it for a few years and re-evaluating (assuming your pre-reqs don't get too close to expiration). Pay down some debt, save some money, and maybe aim for 2 year programs (or cheaper programs) and find the weak links in your app that resulted in 1/14 interviews. It's just an option. I realize that giving up a PA school acceptance is generally never recommended. But if you're considering it anyway, why not consider it a temporary delay? $300k in debt looks like $3k/month loan payments (or higher!) and even making $120k that's pretty rough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonbarnes16 Posted April 8, 2016 Author Share Posted April 8, 2016 Turning 26 years old in a month. I enjoyed the school; the 3 year program seemed a bit drawn out, but lots of networking with clinic sites. They won't allow me to work during the program. I am leaning towards gaining more experience and re=applying, but the raw fact that I got into such a highly-ranked and competitive school makes me not want to pass this up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monte Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 Turning 26 years old in a month. I enjoyed the school; the 3 year program seemed a bit drawn out, but lots of networking with clinic sites. They won't allow me to work during the program. I am leaning towards gaining more experience and re=applying, but the raw fact that I got into such a highly-ranked and competitive school makes me not want to pass this up. The school rank doesn't matter.. a 3 year program for 200k is really bad.. thats practically medical school. My school cost me 100k for 2 years.. and will give me the same PA-C as you would so really think it over! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MT2PA Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 Turning 26 years old in a month. I enjoyed the school; the 3 year program seemed a bit drawn out, but lots of networking with clinic sites. They won't allow me to work during the program. I am leaning towards gaining more experience and re=applying, but the raw fact that I got into such a highly-ranked and competitive school makes me not want to pass this up. Yea rank is the wrong reason to attend. I interviewed and was accepted at highly ranked programs while also being denied interviews at 'lesser' programs. There's really no rhyme or reason to it. If you were accepted once, in theory you could get accepted again. If you turn them down, make sure they know it is for financial reasons and you look forward to applying again in the future....I can't imagine that would burn the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Believe Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 school "rank" does not necessarily hold any more weight than lower ranked schools, however, loans are very real. Figure out if you want to become a PA first, then apply again to cheaper schools, also, most programs allow you to have resident tuition fees after a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick87 Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 It depends on how badly you want it. 200k debt is med school territory. I wouldn't do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 A dilemma but, if it was me, I don't think I'd sign up for something that is going to leave me in such debt. Why not work a year or two while you reapply elsewhere, make some money, enjoy your sonography, pay down your current debt a little, and then roll the dice? (If you work a year and get into a cheaper 27 month program, you wouldn't have lost a day of practice.) 26 is too young to think that not taking a PA slot now is a career-ending decision. You are about 25 years younger than I was when I even started thinking about becoming a PA. I later browbeat our echo tech to the point that she went back to school, got her prereqs, and went to PA school herself. She just graduated in January and is off practicing. Starting as a PA with the equivalent of a big mortgage (and no nice house to go with it!) sounds like a tough way to go. Pay things off, get into your comfort zone, and then apply. Life will go on and it will turn out fine, whatever happens. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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