BS/MS Physician Assistant Programs......have you applied/attended one?

Ok so I have applied to 7 of these types of programs:
DeSales
D’Youville
Kings
Springfield
Rochester Institute of technology
Gannon
Seton Hall

Do you know of any other BS/MS programs? If so what are they?

It seems a bit harder for transfer students to get into these programs as opposed to first year mainly because the first years move up as a class and in order for me to get a spot.....someone has to be “off track” for graduation. With that said.....I’m on the waitlist for Gannon and I have a phone interview for another and waiting to hear back on the rest. Do you think phone interviews are ok or would it be better to interview in person? I only ask because I wan the best chance possible of getting in. I was told that because I’m in FL and most of these schools are in PA that my interview would be over the phone. My first one with Gannon was interesting because it wasn’t really an interview....the program director called me said she wanted to chat with me a bit and then said that I had excellent potential and that I would be put on the waitlist......I hadn’t even finished applying (I hadn’t submitted my essay).

Have any of you attended any of these programs? What did you like most about them? How much of difference was there between completing pre-requisites, didactic and professional phases? Did they seem to keep everything balanced as far as content and such? Were you paying undergraduate fees the whole time (one school states that’s how they operate)? Were there adequate tutoring opportunities and such?

I apologize for the weird markings....I typed my post in word first so I assume those weird markings are formatting issues between the forum, word and my post

I just started applying for these programs but I have encountered several physician assistants in professional settings and non professional settings (Christmas parties, shopping, pta meedtings, libraries)and some have been well educated and do an outstanding job others have falling down miserably and I would not want to be around them because their judgement seems to be way off. Make me wonder how the heck they go through the program I have been in anesthesia for several years and just recently started applying it looks to me as though the programs are getting more competative but the people they are producing are like zombies! What happend to the human touch?

Other five year programs can be found at Mercy in Detroit, Butler Univ., and Marquette Univ. My son was accepted at Gannon and Butler.

Cindy in Orlando, Florida said: Ok so I have applied to 7 of these types of programs:
DeSales
D’Youville
Kings
Springfield
Rochester Institute of technology
Gannon
Seton Hall

Do you know of any other BS/MS programs? If so what are they?

It seems a bit harder for transfer students to get into these programs as opposed to first year mainly because the first years move up as a class and in order for me to get a spot.....someone has to be “off track” for graduation. With that said.....I’m on the waitlist for Gannon and I have a phone interview for another and waiting to hear back on the rest. Do you think phone interviews are ok or would it be better to interview in person? I only ask because I wan the best chance possible of getting in. I was told that because I’m in FL and most of these schools are in PA that my interview would be over the phone. My first one with Gannon was interesting because it wasn’t really an interview....the program director called me said she wanted to chat with me a bit and then said that I had excellent potential and that I would be put on the waitlist......I hadn’t even finished applying (I hadn’t submitted my essay).

I applied to Gannon for the PA program...but heard they are pretty competitive to even get on the waitlist. Are you still on the waitlist? I have only heard about Gannon from Pennsylvania medical professionals---all state it is a great school and produces great PA's. Just expensive! Do you know at what stage you will start the program?
Good luck!!

I applied to Gannon for the PA program...but heard they are pretty competitive to even get on the waitlist. Are you still on the waitlist? I have only heard about Gannon from Pennsylvania medical professionals---all state it is a great school and produces great PA's. Just expensive! Do you know at what stage you will start the program?
Good luck!!

Im still on the waitlist but I dont think Im going to acceptif Im given a spot....I figured out that it would be way cheaper if I just finish my BS degree at home (state school) and apply to masters programs. If I am accepted I would come in as a sophmore or junior

I can understand that. I want to get in, but paying for it scares me! Did they give you any indication how long they thought you might be on the wait list? I should find out if I can even get on the waitlist next week...ughh...SCARED.

Once youre on the waitlist you will be on there until May....thats when they will know if they will have any seats in your class...when I applied I was a sophmore an dthere were no seats in that class. I was told thati f May rolls around and there is no seats available, you will stay on teh waitlist until one does become available or you choose to go elsewhere.

Paying for it is rediculous......between scholarships, grants, loans and estimated work study money I have just enough to pay tuition.....what about fees, supplies, books, room and board?!?!? If you cant work in the program then where is that money suppose to come from?

Hi again! So, just wondering, do you know anyone else on the waitlist at Gannon---and did they give you any indication of if they thought you would get off it before Fall 2008 or not???

So sorry to bother you again!!!???!! How soon after you applied did you hear from the school about your acceptance on the waitlist? I am so NERVOUS!!!

Cindy M in Orlando, Florida said: Once youre on the waitlist you will be on there until May....thats when they will know if they will have any seats in your class...when I applied I was a sophmore an dthere were no seats in that class. I was told thati f May rolls around and there is no seats available, you will stay on teh waitlist until one does become available or you choose to go elsewhere.

Paying for it is rediculous......between scholarships, grants, loans and estimated work study money I have just enough to pay tuition.....what about fees, supplies, books, room and board?!?!? If you cant work in the program then where is that money suppose to come from?

Cindy, my daughter is in the same boat....we absolutely can't swing the tuition for the 5 year progams straight out of high school so she is doing the same as you as far as going to a state school here in Florida first and the applying to a P.A. program. Deciding which pre-requisites to can be tricky as I've read that each school may have different requirements. Would like to contact you about this since you live In Orlando and we live in Winter Park. My daughter is graduating from Bishop Moore this year. We could use all the input and suggestions we can get! E-mail surfergirlxxxx@aol.com

Applicant of many schools! in Salt Lake City, Utah said: So sorry to bother you again!!!???!! How soon after you applied did you hear from the school about your acceptance on the waitlist? I am so NERVOUS!!!

Im not sure if what happen to me was the norm but I was put on the waitlist only a week or so after applying....as a matter of fact I never finished the application process meaning I never sent in my personal statement....I was called by the program director and advised that they wanted to accept me, however the sophmore class was full and i would be placed on the list.....now keep in mind I was going in as a BS/MS program transfer student.

Veronica T. in Winter Park, Florida said: Cindy, my daughter is in the same boat....we absolutely can't swing the tuition for the 5 year progams straight out of high school so she is doing the same as you as far as going to a state school here in Florida first and the applying to a P.A. program. Deciding which pre-requisites to can be tricky as I've read that each school may have different requirements. Would like to contact you about this since you live In Orlando and we live in Winter Park. My daughter is graduating from Bishop Moore this year. We could use all the input and suggestions we can get! E-mail surfergirlxxxx@aol.com

Bishop Moore is a great school! I would definitely love to talk with both of you and have sent you an email!

Cindy,
I have been reading some of your other posts...you seem quite knowledgeable on this subject! I'd like to give you my phone number, but being the UNtech saavy old lady that I am, I don't know how to give it to you without posting it on this forum. Perhaps you could give me your personal e-mail or whatever suggestion you have. It would be great for us to talk to someone like you about this subject.

I have a question for either Veronica or Cindy... Cindy actually what was your science GPA?? Was it hard to get in the program do you think say if you got a D in a pre-req. and retook it? I really want to become a PA but I go to College of Staten Island and these professors just want to fail you.. LITERALLY! I just took Anatomy & Phys. there was 1 A, 1 B, and the rest were D's and F's. My family has a condo in Florida are there any programs out there around Miami area that offers a good program?

W/B
Thanks

The schools that have PA programs in Florida are University of Florida (Gainesville) Miami Dade Comunity College (Miami)**don't know how good it is but you can check it out**Nova University (Ft.Lauderdale) Barry University (Miami) Hope this helps!! You can also Google PA programs for all states and check that out.

JEANNETTE in Staten Island, New York said: I have a question for either Veronica or Cindy... Cindy actually what was your science GPA?? Was it hard to get in the program do you think say if you got a D in a pre-req. and retook it? I really want to become a PA but I go to College of Staten Island and these professors just want to fail you.. LITERALLY! I just took Anatomy & Phys. there was 1 A, 1 B, and the rest were D's and F's. My family has a condo in Florida are there any programs out there around Miami area that offers a good program?

W/B
Thanks

As stated above, both Nova and Barry have programs in south FL that are masters programs.....Miami Dade is an associates....both lead to certification (provided you pass the PANCE and liscensing). My science GPA is a 3.5 so far and in all honesty if you want to get in you will have to retake those D and F courses especially if they are in pre-req classes because they will bring down sciemce and overall GPAs. So I would retake those BEFORE applying

Hello~ I'm planning on applying to a good PA program but I don't know any. I'm currently a junior in high school and I prefer to attend a college in California (with PA program) - but I don't mind going out of state. My GPA is good and I'm in the top 5% of my class. Is it better to go straight to a PA program after high school? Or just complete 4 years in some Bio or Biochem major and head off to med school?

Thank you for your help!

I firmly beleive that going straight into the PA program is the best course of action, if you can get in. You can google PA schools in California. Off hand, I know Stanford has a program, Loma Linda, Western University and one or two other schools, but I'm not sure if they're programs you can go into straight out of high school. I asked a PA about her experience (she went to Desale) and she said if she had to do it over she would've rather gone in straight out of high school.

How is going straight into a PA program after high school the best action?

And thank you for your comment!

Not many PAs including those that precept feel that direct entry programs are the best way because students have a harder time during clinicals. many feel that have some sort of experience....even if its not a lot, helps during teh clinical phase. I personally feel that way and I was accepted to several direct entry programs....I turned down my acceptances to get my BS and gain some experience

I'm a graduate of D'Youville. When I applied and was accepted 13 yrs ago, there were 450 applications, they interviewed 120 and accepted 40. The competition for placement is still brutal and in talking to students, being put on a waiting list seems to be the norm. I agree with Cindy that going from high school into the PA program. Traditional students do have a difficult time with clinicals due to lack of experience. Also, if your grades are that good why not go to med school?

Does anyone know how much difference does it make having BA or MS in Physician Studies when it comes to getting a job and what you make? I already have BA in general science and I am applying to PA schools this april (shooting for the ones not requiring GRE).
Also, what do you sugest how many schools should I apply to. My GPA is at least 3.5 and I have few years medica experience.

Thank you very much!

WOW that's amazing that you got straight into a PA program! i heard you can do that, but most of the Med advisors at school had no idea you could even do that. I want to ask how you guys can graduate and get straight acceptance into a PA program?

Not sure if this question is directed at me per se, but I know of someone PERSONALLY who did this (it's not a trick!) A classmate and good friend of my daughter's who is an incredible student (and I have no doubt that if she choose to be a physician, she could make it happen,) was accepted at Seton Hall into their 5 year accelerated P.A. program straight out of highschool. Hope that answers your question.

That was MOST DEFINITLY helpful. Do you know what courses she took to get accepted? How did she finish off all her pre-requisites, while still in High school?

Thanks again Veronica, none of my family truly know much about the meedical field (they do know alot about engineering), and your post really cleared out some of my confusion.

No one knows the answers to my questions in Sugar Land, Texas said: That was MOST DEFINITLY helpful. Do you know what courses she took to get accepted? How did she finish off all her pre-requisites, while still in High school?

Thanks again Veronica, none of my family truly know much about the meedical field (they do know alot about engineering), and your post really cleared out some of my confusion.

When you go into a 5-6 year BS/MS program you have one of two routes...either you come in staright from high school or you transfer in (for those with college credit). If you go in straight from high school you do not complete pre-req. You follow thier application guidelines and apply to the school and program. If accepted you start the program....it takes 5-6 years to complete in all and in the end you come out with a BS in Health Science or Biology and a Masters and can sit to take the certification exam.

If you transfer in chances are you wont have to do pre-reqs either (except for one school in PA) but if you dont have any completed it will take you quite some time. Most of the schools are up north, the majority are in PA, many of the ones in PA are religion based.

To come in from high school you need to be an outstanding student with great SAT and/or ACT scores, GPA etc.

In all honesty even though most of the schools accepted me as a transfer student, Im not going to accept.....it is actually more expensive to go that route

BTW I was accepted to all but 3 of the above schools and that was because I never attended the interviews

Cindy M in Orlando, Florida said: BTW I was accepted to all but 3 of the above schools and that was because I never attended the interviews

so where are you going? I was accepted to Nova Ft. Lauderdale, and just recently to Barry. I'm not sure which would be the best of the two. Any thoughts?
-Keith

Interesting reading all the PA information. My daughter just decided against going into a 5 yr Master PA program at St. Francis Univ. and is going to Penn State then hopefully, if she is still interested in PA will apply to PA schools. It was a very difficult decision for her and it had to be made by yesterday (May 1st deadline for colleges)she will be a freshman in the fall.
She was afraid she would not have the full college experience by doing the accelerated masters program (not able to do a study abroad)which she is very interested in, and other options that are not available at a small school. I thinks she made the right decision and will not be as "stressed out" right away. Their are many good PA master programs in the state of Pennsylvania. Duquesne University and and Chatham in Western PA are a few more.
USNWR has a list of the top ranked PA school if you google it.
Good luck to everyone!

sugarland....when my daughter was looking into colleges, she chose 2 that had a 5 yr PA program and applied to that program. She was accepted at both schools. The second was a 3/2 Masters which means she would attend a college for 3yr and go into a 2yr PA program at a different school. As I said, she chose Penn State over these schools.

Applicant of many schools! in Salt Lake City, Utah said: I applied to Gannon for the PA program...but heard they are pretty competitive to even get on the waitlist. Are you still on the waitlist? I have only heard about Gannon from Pennsylvania medical professionals---all state it is a great school and produces great PA's. Just expensive! Do you know at what stage you will start the program?
Good luck!!

ARE YOU A PHYSCICANS ASSISTANT? WE ARE OPENING A DIET CENTER/GYM IN NORTH SALT LAKE AND ARE SEEKING A PA TO JOIN OUR STAFF. IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION OR TO APPLY PLEASE RESPOND TO MY E-MAIL ACCOUNT AT JOANNGWYNN@HOTMAIL.COM, IN THE SUBJECT LINE PLEASE PUT PA OPENING.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

Hi!
I was wondering if it's a good idea to apply to a Physician assistant program that offers a B.S. degree. If I decided to do this, is there such a program that allows you to go from a B.S. in physician assistant studies to a M.S.? Thanks in advance.

HI!
I was wondering if it's a good idea to get a B.S. in physician assistant. If I do this, are there any schools out there that have a "bridge" program that allows you to go from a B.S. in physician assistant to M.S.? Thanks in advance!

oops..I obviously have 2 screen names! haha =P

Hi,

One of the questions not answered was "how many PA schools should a person apply for" any thoughts?

Also does anyone have any suggestions on jobs that I should take to get my 2,000 hours of paid hands on. I have no medical experience nor CNA or any other certificates.

Thanks

ayn downey in Carbondale, Illinois said: I just started applying for these programs but I have encountered several physician assistants in professional settings and non professional settings (Christmas parties, shopping, pta meedtings, libraries)and some have been well educated and do an outstanding job others have falling down miserably and I would not want to be around them because their judgement seems to be way off. Make me wonder how the heck they go through the program I have been in anesthesia for several years and just recently started applying it looks to me as though the programs are getting more competative but the people they are producing are like zombies! What happend to the human touch?

Have you applied to SIUC? I see you are from Carbondale. I'm interested in their program.

Is it best to go directly to a pa program out of high school or to a 4 year college and then to a pa program?

Sabrina,
I see you are in Greensburg. My daughter will be a sophomore st St. Francis University (Loretto PA) they have a 5 yr. masters PA program. She considered the 4 yr. plus the 2 yr PA school after, but with the competitiveness of the programs decided the 5 yr PA was the way to go when she finished high school last year. She is very happy with their program. I know Seton Hill(Greensburg) has a PA program also but I don't think it has the reputation of SFU, which they have had since the '70's. Hope this helps! Good luck!

Thank you so much for your advice! So you think that the 5 yr PA thing is the way to go then? And also do you know anything about the PA program at Gannon university or Arcadia University

I definitely think the 5 year is the way to go. When I had asked any PA's during my daughters process they all said to go the 5 yr. program. I know several people who graduated from 4 yr. programs and have had to wait another yr.or two before being accepted into a 2yr. PA school. The field is getting very competitive.

I know Gannon has had their PA program for a long time also. And, one of my daughters friends is in it now. I do not know about Arcadia but had looked at their web site when my daughter was looking. Also, Duquesne Univ. has a 5 yr. program. My daughter is shadowing this summer at Magee Hospital and working in patient care at an assisted living home near us. It count for 60 hours toward her required hours so it's worked out well. Hope this helps!

Thanks you've definately helped a lot. I think I will try for the 5 year program because thats the response i've been receiving. I just wanted to know because I need to visit colleges this summer and will now concentrate on seeing ones that have the 5 year program.
Magee is a very nice hospital! My aunt had her baby there about a year and a half ago! she was premature so I spent time in the nicu there. It made me want to be able to work there... but medical school plus college is a big expense, though I think the PA program will be too. Do you know if PAs are able to work there? Thanks again for all your help!

Yes, they they have many PA's there. My sis-in-laws best friend from SFU. is a PA in surgery there. She has worked there for 22 years as a PA. That is who my daughter is shadowing with this summer. Once you are in school, you can call there and they will set you up with a PA to shadow.(call well in advance!) She also shadowed at the Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside during spring break. They are all UPMC, so once you call and talk to the coordinator you can shadow at any of the UPMC hospitals.
In your visits don't overlook SFU! My daughter first thought it was to small, rural, nothing to do ect... but, once she started, she absolutely loved it. My daughter also received a nice merit scholarship from them as well. My son will be a senior in the fall too so were starting all this college stuff again!! Isn't it fun! lol

Sabrina, FYI...if you look back at past posts on this page originally, my daughter accepted at PSU main campus. Then, she started second guessing herself bec. they didn't have a PA program and she would have had to apply to PA school after graduation. So, second week of May we called SFU to see if she could still get her spot in the PA program and if her merit money was still available. They said yes, but she had only 2 days to decide. We went up again the next day and met with the PA director who was so nice and understanding! She decided at that point to go there. A little stressful! but it all worked out in the end!

Oh wow that's really cool then! I'll keep that all in mind then. Yeah that's exactly what I thought too(about SFU), but im giving most of the colleges in PA with a PA program consideration. I'm glad that whole thing about your daughter worked out then! That's really lucky, and she must be very talented!Do you think volunteering at a hospital would help in any way with college and the whole PA program?

sabrina in Greensburg, Pennsylvania said: Oh wow that's really cool then! I'll keep that all in mind then. Yeah that's exactly what I thought too(about SFU), but im giving most of the colleges in PA with a PA program consideration. I'm glad that whole thing about your daughter worked out then! That's really lucky, and she must be very talented!Do you think volunteering at a hospital would help in any way with college and the whole PA program?

Any hospital experience is great. And no matter where you go you will prob. need hours other than shadowing before you can graduate. Either paid or volunteer. As I said, my daughter is doing patient care at an assisted living facility. Its hard work and not always pleasant but its 60 hours she will need before graduation! and only a summer job. On another note..their are plenty of things to do at SFU. They always have entertainment on weekends, trips to NYC, dances, clubs to join. All the fun stuff. We are skiers, so she joined the ski club as well and really enjoyed it! Its a nice balance with studies and social events and was a good fit for her.

Okay then that's good to know. I will look into volunteering then. Also, you have convinceed me to look into Saint Francis now. I will try to see if I can visit it this summer. I still have yet to visit any college so it is definantely an option now. Thanks!

3kids, is it too rude of me to ask what your daughter's GPA and ACT score were in high school? I have been accepted into the Detroit Mercy 5 year program, but I am also very interested in St. Francis and would like to know my chances of being accepted. Thank you!

Not at all....she got 1200 SAT's(critical reading & math) and did not take the ACT.
She was a very well rounded student in HS and in the National Honor Society as well.