holycow Posted February 28, 2013 Hi there... I have been lucky enough to get accepted to three programs. I am currently trying to decide between two schools. One is in my hometown (about 45 minutes away). I will be in the second class and it's provisionally accredited. The other school is George Washington University. I know GW is probably a better program, but in order to go there, I will have to move my family (husband and young child) and make the move within the next month and a half as the program starts in May and the baby will be 7 months. My husband will also have to find another job in DC. If I stayed here, the program starts in fall and I get to spend my summer with my baby and start school when she is almost 1. The pro for this school here is that we wont' have to rent out our house and move cross country. However, since it is 40 minutes away, with traffic and snow, the commute might be an hour or more each way which seems like a lot. We even thought about renting out a small room for those days that weather is bad and/or I just need to study. Also, my husband already has his job here. The con is that since it's a new program, I don't know it's PANCE scores. However, it's a very well known program for nursing and other programs so it's reputable enough to know that the program will last. The pro for GW is that my parents will be close by (within 45 minutes). Though I'm not sure how much that will be helpful as they both work full-time. Also the program is only 24 months and since it starts in May (and the other starts in sept), I will be done 9 months earlier at GW than I would here. Cost wise, tuition is the same at both schools. However, cost of living is higher in DC. But being done 9 months earlier, I would probably make up the difference. I'm having a really hard time trying to decide which program is better for me. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks for reading!
Moderator EMEDPA Posted February 28, 2013 Moderator GW. no brainer. a brand new program likely will have problems with faculty, rotation sites, etc and you would basically be a guinea pig to see how they need to fix the program....
Moderator True Anomaly Posted February 28, 2013 Moderator Agreed- GW. The rotation sites will be outstanding, and aren't likely to change or be up in the air. The rotation year is the greatest variability between programs.
jkr03 Posted March 5, 2013 It should be the program that you felt the most comfortable at during the interview process. You have to remember, that everyone is at different times of their lives and sometimes we have to make decisions that are beneficial to our family. I was in a very similar situation and ultimately passed on the prestige factor on choosing the PA school.
UGoLong Posted March 21, 2013 I agree with jkr03. There is more to your decision than prestige, considering your family situation. I'd try to find out more about the faculty and program director at the new school. If they have experience in running successful programs elsewhere, it might work out well. I was in the 3rd class at my school and thought it worked out fine. The faculty made adjustments along the way when the inevitable hiccups occurred and everyone got through the PANCE. If you were young, single, and had no other responsibilities, it might be a different answer. Good luck!
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