Advice on College Selection, bs/ms pa programs

College Search & Selection
1

Hello! I hope you are all staying safe during this time. I was wondering if anyone could give some advice on this upcoming college decision. I’ve been prioritizing dual degree physician assistant programs and narrowed my choices down to four schools. The financial aid has somewhat leveled out costs (thankfully), so rutgers, hofstra, and seton hall have similar undergrad prices. Drexel would cost a few thousand more.

Rutgers New Brunswick (6 years)- Unsure of how likely it is for me to get into the program, and I apply for the program in sophomore year (at the other three schools, I got to choose the bs/ms program as my major in the initial school admission application)

Hofstra University (5.5 years)- need a 3.3 gpa and 50 hours at the end of my junior year to get into the program, lowest ranked pa school out of the four (i know it might not matter), and just not sure if it’s the right environment for me

Drexel university (5.25 years)- highest ranked pa school out of the four, 3.5 gpa and 500 hours by the end of my sophomore year, only one summer off (the rest would be classes and co-op) so I’m wondering if I would experience burnout. AND if I’m reading what people say about the quarter system billing correctly, the cost of attendance would increase significantly when I have a full-year term, so that would obviously not be preferable. There’s no tuition for two quarters (co-op), but I’m not sure that would justify the overall cost

Seton Hall University (6 years)- would have to take orgo chem and other intimidating classes while maintaining a 3.5 gpa (overall and for prerequisite classes) and 250 hours by the end of my junior year. But, they are affiliated with Hackensack Meridian Hospital and a new Interprofessional Health Science campus (for all MD, PA, RN, PT, OT) which is good for integration purposes, only one with its very own hospital, and I could potentially save on housing in the last three years by commuting from the IHS campus.

Thanks for the input! Best wishes to all!

2

I would go Rutgers for a couple of reasons, one they have a hospital as part of their school , If you have the work ethnic you can do well at RU, Drexel is a interesting option if you could work the co-ops into something that works with what you want to have a career in, you would get three bits of the apple w different co-ops but as you mention the 1/4 system leaves you will less breaks vs semester program

3 
 My daughter is in her sophomore year at Hofstra and absolutely loves it! The PA program is very stressful at times, but she is doing well and able to maintain her gpa well above the 3.3. At Hofstra, you are truly in a direct entry program, just maintain your gpa and get your 50 hours and you are set.   She loves the adventure of NYC when she has free time and there are plenty of clubs at Hofstra to get involved and make friends. 
 I am a Rutgers grad and loved my time there.  A big school has something for everyone. But.......if you are 100% set on PA, then I definitely recommend crossing Rutgers off your list.  You have no idea if you will get in to the program.  While it's not the end of your chances of becoming a PA if you don't get accepted, it will mean you will have to go the graduate route and endure that whole application process and will likely need more than a 1,000 hours of direct patient contact to get into most grad programs. 
 My daughter did not apply to Drexel or Seton Hall.
 Good luck with your decision!
4

I would probably not go to a school where I didn’t know if I was going to get into the program.

5

Direct entry is the way to go.