PA School Spotlight: Ohio Dominican University

Ohio Dominican University is in Columbus, OH, and this spotlight comes from a student finishing her first rotation of clinical year. The program runs 27 months and has a class size of about 50 seats.

It was the first university in Central Ohio to offer the M.S. PAS degree. As a smaller liberal arts college, the program leans into drawing from many disciplines to graduate well-rounded providers. For applicants who want a more intimate campus feel rather than a massive university, that smaller scale is a big part of the appeal.

She was drawn in by how the program describes itself, with a holistic approach to instruction and clinical experience. Coming from an undergrad with 20,000+ students, the idea of a small, walkable campus sounded heavenly to her.

What sealed it was the feel of the program itself. She pointed to the authenticity of the program director and the genuine vibe of the program as a whole as the things that ultimately influenced her decision to attend. It's a good reminder that fit and culture, not just stats and rankings, often drive the final choice.

Her favorite study resources are UpToDate and WikiEM for brushing up on specifics, plus PANCE Prep Pearls for condensed topic review. Her one regret is not buying it until the end of didactic year, and she says if you're a chart or table learner, you need it.

The most difficult part of PA school, she says, is realizing that every time you think the hardest part is over, a new one begins. The most surprising part is how much you'll actually know by the end. Her advice to other students: keep what matters most in your life first, don't take yourself too seriously or stress too hard over grade points, and remember why you chose this career in the first place. You can find her at @theholistic_pa for questions about the program or PA student life.

[QA: spare template section - delete]

[QA: spare template section - delete]

[QA: spare template section - delete]

Ohio Dominican stands out for its holistic philosophy and tight-knit campus feel, which clearly resonated with this student. If a smaller, mission-driven program sounds like your kind of fit, it's worth a closer look. Explore more program spotlights to compare the cultures behind the stats as you build your school list.