bhkim Posted April 20, 2019 Share Posted April 20, 2019 I am trying to decide between two programs. Program A: I feel is a better fit for me. Better program overall- better PANCE rates, higher ranking, more volunteer/primary care clinic opportunites, felt comfortable with faculty and loved the facility, but not in the state I think i'd want to find a job in Program B: In the state I want to practice and live in, where my family is, decent program with decent PANCE rates, nice faculty, not a huge fan of the facility/technologies/curriculum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SrTaM Posted April 20, 2019 Share Posted April 20, 2019 I think your priorities are a bit skewed (honestly I don't think rankings, technology, facilities matter much). I moved across the country for PA school and will be moving again to a different state after. Knowing what I know now here's where I would put my emphasis: PANCE rates, how long the program has been established, faulty support/student success (this can be VERY difficult to find out, but really try to talk to current or former students one on one and figure out what they liked/disliked about the program). A few things I wish I'd known going in: what qualifies as passing/failing and what systems are in place for remediation (this varies WIDELY by program) and how the curriculum is built (organ system vs traditional). I also wish I had known how many courses are taught by new vs seasoned professors (this has made a huge difference also). I obviously can't speak to job placement after school in a different state, but I spoke with PAs in my former state before I moved, and regularly checked job boards and there are plenty of jobs. Practicing PAs assured me there would be very little trouble getting a job in the area even without doing rotations there. Hope that helps some! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MT2PA Posted April 20, 2019 Share Posted April 20, 2019 You can find jobs in other states. Most of my graduating class left the area. Very few made connections on rotations that led to jobs (I think people overestimate this some). Go to the program you liked better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD2012 Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 If you want to work in your state or have a better chance at it, it would probably be best to do rotations there, build a good relationship with preceptors and perhaps get a job through them. Curious what is wrong with the curriculum of program B? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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