After deciding to become a physician assistant and taking steps toward that goal, the next big decision is to choose which PA programs to apply to. If you have just started working toward your goal, it will be helpful to narrow down your options to a few schools to focus your efforts on meeting or exceeding those requirements. If you are already on the path to becoming a PA and you have completed many of the general requirements, you will need to choose programs that allow you to take advantage of the requirements you have already met.
When I was deciding on programs to apply to, there were just over 230 accredited programs. Today, there are more than 250 (“PAEA Program Directory,” 2020). I created a massive spreadsheet with any characteristics that I deemed important in the decision-making process. If you are adept at using programs like Excel, it’s a great way to sort through the information. If you are not an Excel expert, it’s a great opportunity to learn! I started by inputting the data, and then filtered programs from there.
Whether or not you decide to create a spreadsheet is a personal preference. It was the way I preferred to look at the information, but it truly is up to you. Whatever you use, I highly recommend investing in My PA Box. Almost all of the information on each program that you would want: accreditation status, tuition, PANCE pass rate, start month, class size, duration, seat deposit, location, type of admissions, application information, mission statement, and requirements are listed on the website. It does cost $65 for a year’s subscription, but it is well worth it (MyPAbox, 2020). I spent hundreds of hours over many months researching that information on my own, and I would gladly have spent the money on this service if it had been around before I chose which programs I was applying to.
Once you collect the information on programs, there are certain pieces of it that may be helpful in eliminating some options to eventually find the list of programs you will apply to. I personally applied to 16 programs. In hindsight, it was more than I needed to apply to. Some surveys have shown that the likelihood of admission to PA school reached a maximum at between 8 and 12 schools. That is a good number of programs to apply to as a maximum, but the exact number of schools you apply to is a personal decision.
Accreditation
Consider the accreditation status of the program as designated by the accrediting body ARC-PA. In summary, there are multiple types of accreditation:
Provisional: The school has been granted this temporary status, typically when it is a new program that has yet to prove if it can adequately meet the requirements but has demonstrated plans that meet standards (“Accreditation Types and Review Cycle,” 2020).
Continued: The program has complied with the standards (“Accreditation Types and Review Cycle,” 2020).
Probationary: A temporary status given when a program does not meet the standards and has a set period of time to meet standards (“Accreditation Types and Review Cycle,” 2020).
I was only comfortable applying to programs with a continued status, but you can decide your comfort level.
Certification Exam Pass Rates
The first-time pass rate on the PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam) is one of the most important factors to consider. This exam is the last step to demonstrate that you have the necessary knowledge to become a PA, and the program you attend should adequately prepare you. You can decide on the cutoff of the minimum PANCE pass rates that you are looking for. I selected programs at or above the national average, which can be found on their website.
Year Established
Look at when the program was established. I knew that I didn’t want to apply to new programs, so I looked for programs that had been established for longer.
Cadavers
After taking anatomy during college, I can say that there is no better way to learn about the human body than with a hands-on experience with cadavers. I knew that I would prioritize programs with cadavers because it was the best way for me to learn.
Program Length
While PA school is just 2 or 3 years, the location does matter to an extent. Will you be happy in a large city, or would that add to the stress you will already be experiencing? Do you want to go far from home or stay close? Do you want to be close to an airport to make traveling home during holidays easier? What clinical opportunities are available in the area? These are all important to take into consideration regarding program location.
Program Size
The size of the program, and consequently its student to faculty ratio, can impact the feel of a program. Choose a program with a size that you will thrive in. Some people do well in small classes, others might look for a larger program. I was looking for a program somewhere in the middle, where I wouldn’t get lost in the shuffle but could still find “my people.”
Cost
The cost of each program was one of the top factors I looked at when choosing schools. I found the tuition for each program and made sure to consider the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition. I also included the cost of living by incorporating the average cost of rent for the city each program was located in. PA school is a big investment that will be worth it, but I also knew that I wanted to minimize the debt that I would incur.
Mission Statement
Look at each program’s mission and goals. What is the program about? What do they prioritize? Does that match your own philosophy and the type of PA you want to be? A program’s mission is a good indication of whether you will be a good fit.