PA school is becoming more competitive as students discover this new and upcoming profession.
While it is true that becoming a physician assistant 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 New Jersey
New Jersey is home to some of the best physician assistant colleges, with over 10,000 practicing physical 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 New Jersey.
1. Rutgers University
If you are seeking a great Master of Science program for physician assistants in New Jersey, Rutgers University should be the first place you should consider.
Rutgers is fully accredited and offers a variety of pa programs.
The school features a joint Master of Science and Master of Public Health program that takes four years to complete.
It also provides 3+3 physician assisting collaboration programs with several colleges in the area, such as Kean University, Montclair State University, and other schools.
These are designed for students who wish to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in six years, instead of the normal seven years. After your pa program at Rutgers, you can get employment as a physician assistant across the United States in a multitude of medical specialties.
2. Monmouth University
Another great school that offers a PA program in New Jersey is Monmouth University.
This school features a Master of Science program for physician assistants looking to learn a new skill. The 36-month program basically comprised of classroom and clinical learning.
To enrol in this program, you must have completed prerequisite courses, including psychology and chemistry, and also have at least 200 hours of experience in a clinical environment, such as shadowing a physician.
3. Seton Hall University
One of the best NJ physician assistant programs is that of Seton Hall University. The university provides an accredited master’s degree option for aspiring PAs.
The program consists of 96-credit didactic coursework and trains students on how to work with doctors in all medical disciplines. In addition to classes, students complete 60 weeks of clinical rotations in surgery, critical care, and other fields.
To gain admission to this program, you must have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.2 and above.
Prerequisite courses like biology and chemistry are required. Additionally, you must also have at least 100 hours of clinical experience, such as volunteer programs, healthcare work experience, or physician shadowing experience
New Jersey 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. The above schools will equip you with the relevant knowledge you need to succeed as a PA.