Newer PA program at great med school VS. Established program

[LIBK13]

Deciding between 2 programs and they're neck and neck!

 

Option A:  Newer PA program at a great, established medical university and medical center.  First class received 100% first-time pass rate, but only 1 cohort has taken it so far.  Most of rotations will be local within their top-notch medical network.  Better location and 24-hour library.  Lecturers mix of PAs, MDs and PhDs/pharmacists from medical school.

Cons: I have heard their didactic year could use some work.  Organizational issues and obviously its a new program so kinks may not all be worked out with their curriculum.  FEW standardized patient encounters in didactic year (one per semester).

 

Option B:  PA program with a long history/large alumni network at a decent, small medical school, and a really appealing curriculum (more finessed).  Fall semester students see a standardized patient every single week (a confidence builder in my eyes). Program seems very rigorous/strict.  Nearly all instructors are PAs (only one physician).

Cons: Location slightly less appealing, though its in same city.  $10k more

Some rotations local, some locations long distance (other parts of the country), mix of rural and urban.  Specific sites not given to me, but told they are quality and have established relationships with them (due to longer length), but school does not have their own medical center like Option A.

 

Thoughts?? Thank you! driving myself crazy.

[MT2PA]

I would say that option 2 with rural/urban, local/distance locations is a pro, not a con.  It's good to get a variety of experiences.  Having an associated medical center isn't necessarily a pro/requirement....you could end up competing for experience during rotations with med students and residents the whole time.  

[LIBK13]

I would say that option 2 with rural/urban, local/distance locations is a pro, not a con.  It's good to get a variety of experiences.  Having an associated medical center isn't necessarily a pro/requirement....you could end up competing for experience during rotations with med students and residents the whole time.  

Yeah, that was my initial feeling as well, that's why I put it on a separate line away from the other cons b/c I was mixed on that point haha.