<p>I've had my heart set on being a physician assistant since my freshman year of high school, but the schools in my state that offer a PA program are at the very bottom of my list. My options are to either go out of state or attend one of my top choices for my undergrad years and then transfer on to a school that offers a PA program. At this point, I like the latter option better.</p>
<p>Would it be beneficial to spend the extra money to go out of state, or is the transition from one school to another after completing a bachelor's degree not as intimidating as it seems?</p>
<p>If you have a direct admit PA program available in your state, that will probably be your most affordable option.</p>
<p>If your state only offers PA programs that are entered after completing a full undergraduate degree, then you will need to consider the cost of your undergrad education, and the reputation for successful admission into PA graduate programs. Before you commit to the four-years-here-but-grad-school-somewhere-else plan, you need to know that wherever you do those first four years is indeed likely to be able to get you into the grad program you want.</p>
<p>You most likely wouldn’t be transferring, but you would go for grad school or a second bachelors at the other school. I’d research what PA programs are available for people with bachelors degrees, what the price differential would be etc.</p>
<p>Choose an in-state public program with a guaranteed-entrance PA program, OR a reputable private college out of state where you rank in the top 25% (NOT public OOS = no financial aid = unless your parents are very wealthy, you wouldn’t be able to continue to PA).
I know Chatham University in Pittsburgh has a good program for PA so it may meet your “out of state”’ requirement…</p>