PA school is becoming more competitive as students discover this new and upcoming profession. While it is true that becoming a physician assistant (PA) will most likely lead to a prosperous and rewarding career, you need to put in the time and effort first. This starts by ensuring the schools you apply to are right for you; after all, it's the place you will spend the next few years. It's in your best interest to do some thorough research beforehand by either looking on the schools' websites or inquiring about information from alumni.
Choosing the Right PA School for You
Choosing a PA school perfectly suited for you is a very important decision because the school you pick will lay a foundation for your PA career. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a PA school to apply to.
Location
PA school takes about two years which is quite a long time, so you should consider going to a place where you'll feel comfortable. You can choose a school in your hometown where your support system is or if you feel you wouldn't excel in a different area. Or you can decide to take these two years to explore a wholly new city in a completely different environment.
Program Cost
Tuition is another crucial factor to consider; it would help if you chose a school that fits your budget. PA school is expensive, ranging from $50,000 to $120,000, so you don't want to waste money and effort. It would be best to look out for schools that offer public PA programs because they are less expensive than private programs. It's also important to keep in mind that additional costs are associated with attending PA school, including books, supplies, and housing expenses.
Length of the Program
It would help if you also looked into the duration of the PA program to ensure it's conducive to your preferences and lifestyle. Most PA programs range from about 24 to 27 months; the first year is the didactic year, and the second is a clinical year. The first year is designed to teach clinical reasoning skills in a classroom setting, while in the second year, students are sent on clinical rotations. Some schools have longer rotations, so the length of the program differs in different PA schools.
Cadaver Lab
When choosing a PA school, you should consider if the program you're applying for has a cadaver lab. A cadaver lab is a laboratory that uses frozen cadavers for hands-on training, education, and the development of new surgical techniques. Not all PA programs have a cadaver lab; some have an anatomy table that's a 3D visualization system that simulates the human body. There is undoubtedly an advantage of using a cadaver lab over an anatomy table, whereby you get a higher level of exposure.
PA School Requirements
There are over 200 PA programs offered in different PA schools, each with its requirements and expectations. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the general admission requirements of the PA schools you apply to. The requirements will vary depending on the specific program. But generally, most schools require an undergraduate degree coupled with PA prerequisites, a minimum combined GRE score of 300 (taken within the last five years), and a minimum GPA of 3.0. Most PA schools also expect their applicants to have shadowing experience and patient care hours.
Top PA Schools in California
California is home to some of the best physician assistant colleges, with over 10,000 practicing physician assistants specializing in primary care, family medicine, and surgical fields. The state is a popular choice for many students looking to pursue a PA career. Below are some of the best PA colleges in California.
1. University of Southern California
The University of Southern California (USC) is a top-ranked private educational institution known for its strong academic foundation. USC has an elite PA program with an acceptance rate of 11% and a student-faculty ratio of 22:1. As a result of being one of the top universities with a remarkable PA program, the application process is competitive. The school provides PA students with several laboratories and clinical settings for their research studies. In addition, PA students don’t have to spend all their time stuck in the labs; there are several extracurricular activities such as student clubs and organizations. These activities help the students focus on their hobbies and interests and get to know other people on all professional levels.
2. Stanford University
Stanford University has been at the frontline of transforming PA education by utilizing a unique educational model known as the flipped classroom and other innovative concepts. The institution has a state-of-the-art healthcare infrastructure and technology designed to deliver high-quality PA education. At Stanford, the goal is to help PA students develop extensive clinical skills and leadership skills. The students are encouraged to immerse themselves in leadership tracks such as community health, clinical research, healthcare administration, medical education, and policy research. Along with helping the students grow into future healthcare leaders, Stanford has a qualified clinical faculty that educates the PA students and assists them in practicing their hands-on skills.
3. Touro University California
Tuoro University California offers an exceptional physician assistant degree program that takes 33 months and focuses on increasing access to quality healthcare. The PA program allows students to get a master's degree in professions, physician assistant studies, and public health. Combining these two master's degrees creates a wide range of job opportunities for graduates. Furthermore, the coursework includes student training on health issues facing medically underserved populations. The students are taken to clinical sites serving some of these communities like Rural Health Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Clinics, Indian Health Service sites, etc. Due to this highly successful program, getting into TUC isn't easy; only about 6% of applicants are accepted, which is close to just 48 students.
Bottom Line
California offers some of the best PA programs in the US and many opportunities for PA graduates. Therefore, those looking to pursue a physician assistant career should consider applying to schools in this state.
