Choosing the Right PA Program

According to the PAEA Program Directory, there are 217 PA programs including provisional and probationary ones [VERIFY]. That is a lot of options! The outcome is the same everywhere, you come out a PA, but the experience of getting there can vary greatly.

That's why it's worth being intentional about where you apply rather than picking names off a list. Below are the specific factors I'd look at and ask questions about. A few of the big ones are cost, location, and program length. Most programs run around 25-27 months (6-7 semesters) [VERIFY], though some are shorter or longer. I wouldn't make length your deciding factor, but cost should be high on the list since tuition, fees, books, testing, and living expenses add up fast and most people take out loans.

GPA is a huge factor, and most programs calculate a separate science GPA too. Some programs set a minimum grade in coursework instead, like a C minimum. If a school lists a specific minimum GPA and you don't have it, it's usually not worth applying, because that number is used to filter applicants out fast. The exception is a dream school where you plan to retake classes and reapply, since that shows improvement.

Health care experience requirements vary just as widely, from no set number to thousands of hours. What counts as direct patient care also differs by program, so call your top schools to ask before investing time and money. Shadowing requirements work the same way, and some programs want you to shadow multiple fields. GRE requirements are shrinking, and where it's required the minimum is usually just a baseline that doesn't carry much weight [VERIFY].

Prerequisites differ from school to school and can even influence your undergrad major. Get clarification directly from programs so you don't waste time on classes you don't need. Watch for subtle differences like statistics versus biostatistics, and whether they require organic chemistry or just general chemistry.

Clinical rotations make up a whole year, so ask how placements work. Do they send you wherever they need a student, or do you have a say? Are international rotations an option? This matters a lot if you have a spouse, children, or family you can't be separated from. Other things to weigh: cadaver lab versus models (I'd push for a cadaver lab if you're at all interested in surgery), small group learning and teacher-to-student ratio, and PANCE pass rates, which should be easy to find on the program's site.

A few smaller factors can tip the scale between two programs you like. Ask whether the program helps with job searching after graduation, since faculty often hear about openings and some keep a job board. My program emailed students whenever an employer reached out.

Look into the amenities you'll be paying for, like a gym, food on campus, a solid library, or even a provided computer. Larger programs may offer more extracurriculars like intramurals, clubs, religious groups, or volunteer work. My program had a student-run health clinic our whole class took part in. Finally, check the program's policy on working during school. Most strongly discourage it, but a few allow a few hours during didactic year. PA school is no joke, so think hard about whether working is realistic for you.

There's no single best PA program, only the one that fits your goals, your stats, and your life. Make a list of the factors that matter most to you and use them to build a smart, realistic application list. If you'd like a second set of eyes on your school list, our pre-PA counseling can help you apply where you actually have a shot.