Class of 2013
West Jefferson, NC
UNC at Wilmington Graduate

Finding the perfect PA school can be a daunting process. My experience in searching for a school was nothing short of this, until my Methodist PA program interview. The mission statement of the program, paired with emphasizing the quality of a clinical based medical education told me I had chosen the right place. The supportive faculty and staff, technologically advanced cadaver lab, PANCE pass rates, and clinical opportunities were major deciding factors just to name a few.

The faculty is invested in ensuring they provide the most clinically relevant curriculum, and their passion for teaching really manifests in the didactic year. The teaching styles of each faculty member are unique, which fosters and encourages development of our own style of methodologies in practice. The cornerstone to this program truly is the knowledge, experience and driving force that is the faculty. The curriculum is rigorous and challenging to put it meekly, but their influence and continued encouragement make it achievable.

Updated facilities that continuously integrate technology into the curriculum, make access to learning materials effortless. MUPAP's dedication to incorporating technology into teaching medicine, demonstrated to me a good grasp on where technology is taking the medical field. The cadaver lab is unlike any in the nation, and is an experience I will never forget. The opportunity to dissect a cadaver coupled with the curriculum, cemented human anatomy and physiology as an important foundation to my medical education.

The small class size allows for a more individualized education and promotes student interactions. The benefits of a high faculty to student ratio are echoed on the program's PANCE scores. Though I have not yet begun clinical rotations, the reputation of MUPAP in the community, assures me I will be well prepared for my experiences. I look forward to what the next year has in store, and I could not be more satisfied with my decision to attend Methodist.

PA Class of 2012
Battle Creek, MI

PA Class of 2012
Maracas Valley, Trinidad

Class of 2013
Springfield, OR
W. Christian College Graduate

To move across the country for this program was a no brainer. The MU PAP has a cadaver lab that is unshared by any other program, with access whenever you want, class size is small as to allow personal relationships with professors and faculty, and the program boasts an extremely good PANCE pass rate.

The cadaver lab is large and accommodating. Each individual table is equipped with a computer monitor that can be extended and rotated to show dissection techniques, search for pertinent information, and seen by each member of the group. The computers have the ability to be synced with the instructor's camera that overhangs his cadaver to show technique. The lab is not shared with any other program or students, so I have been able to go in on my own time to do further dissection and visualize how an organ or system sits in relation to an actual human. Working with an actual cadaver allowed me to visualize and conceptualize the orientation of every organ in respect to the rest of the body, something a book with pictures could not do.

It was important for me to find a program that had faculty that cared about my education and was willing to build a relationship with me. Having a small class size has made me more than a face in the crowd to professors. They know me by name, and will stop me outside of class to ask how my grasp with the material is coming or ask how I am doing personally. Having professors that are invested in my learning, wanting to build a relationship with me, teach in a way that allows a large amount of information to be processed quickly, and most importantly believe in and support me.

I did not know how important it was before I got here, how much time a professor puts into preparing for each class. Before coming to MU PAP I had gotten used to generic lectures that had an hour or two of prep time. The lectures in my first semester have been organized and packed with information that is structured so as to get the most out of every day. Each lecture has seen multiple hours of preparation.

Being part of the MU PAP has been challenging, rewarding, and allowed for a sense of camaraderie among my fellow students. I wouldn't change being here for anything.

Class of 2013
Hickory, NC
UNC at Chapel Hill Graduate

As I considered my decision to attend Methodist University there were several distinguishing elements that made this an exceptional program. As I went through the interview process it was evident to me the strong passion and dedication the faculty and staff have for their profession. All instructors actively practice medicine within the community allowing them to incorporate firsthand clinical experience while providing a strong foundation of knowledge. Lectures are dynamic and challenging and are designed to encourage group discussions and innovative thinking. The faculty's enthusiasm, commitment, and rapport provide me with a confident feeling that this is the best education available. It is evident their mission is to cultivate that same sense of passion, integrity, and respect in future health care providers and it is evident to me that their interest is in my success!

The program's unrivaled medical facilities and technology were another distinguishing factor that helped in my decision. State-of-the-art equipment provides learning opportunities that strengthen our knowledge and hands-on experience. Not only do we have full access to resources for studying but we also utilize laboratory time where we expand on concepts presented in lecture. In cadaver lab we collaborate in small groups of four students as we explore, research, and discover the human body. Individual computer monitors allow us to reference medical journals, online texts, and laboratory manuals. Through the use of high definition cameras we can observe the instructor's station and learn valuable techniques. My learning experience in the anatomy lab proved to be far superior than what is offered in similar PA programs and the impact it has made to my understanding of the science of medicine is profound.

As a biology major from UNC-Chapel Hill, I experienced large lecture classes and a distance between educators and their students. While I received an exceptional education and a large campus experience, I desired a more intimate and personal approach to my graduate school studies. Methodist's small class size fosters the development of dynamic relationships and an environment of teamwork. Instead of a competitive environment where students' success is measured by division we have developed a tight-knit community of support and a sense of camaraderie. Our goal as a class is to become competent and compassionate health care providers and our philosophy is "we're going to achieve our goal together!" I am now living the challenge, the success, and the accomplishments of my decision and I look forward to the day that I can say I am a graduate of the program!

Class of 2013
Erwin, NC
Methodist University Graduate

When I first came to Methodist as an undergraduate student I quickly realized this was the perfect place for me. The preparation for PA school seemed overwhelming at times, but my professors in the MU Biology program were always available to quickly answer my questions and help me with anything. The administrative staff in the PA program led me step by step though the application process and promptly answered any of my concerns.

Once in the program, I realized the faculty were the number one strength of the program. Students recognize from the first week how rigorous the course load can be, but each of us was reassured by the faculty they were here to help us succeed. Having professors who push you to your limit, while ensuring your success, is critical to your development and growth in PA school. Furthermore, the main goal of our faculty is to teach relevant, clinical medicine so we can become the best clinician possible. Our program strives to create an enjoyable, non-competitive learning environment that encourages teamwork with your classmates. This teamwork concept translates well in our clinical year, but is most evident in the abilities of our graduates. They have been prepared to enter into their careers and surpass expectations not only in their knowledge of medicine, but in their abilities to work cohesively along side other health care providers.

Many of the faculty were founders and/or graduates of the program. They and the university's administration take great pride in Methodist University and our program. This passion is apparent in the facilities that have been provided. Our new lecture hall and cadaver lab are equipped with state-of- the-art technology that rivals or exceeds most medical schools. My class was the first to experience cadaver dissection in the new anatomy lab and I cannot imagine learning clinical oriented human anatomy without these opportunities.

I feel very honored to be a part of this program and to be taught by such a dynamic group of physicians and PAs. The Methodist University PA program was the perfect choice for me not only because of its high academic standards and expectations, but because the faculty strive to make you the best health care provider. I could not imagine another program I would rather be in than the Methodist University Physician Assistant program. It's a great day to be a Monarch!

Class of 2013
Germantown, Ohio
Wake Forest University Graduate

If you find yourself reading this testimonial, you are probably in one of three categories: 1) researching schools for a relative, 2) researching your program's "competition", or 3) you're a student digging through volumes of information trying to find the one thing about a PA program that makes it the right choice for you. I was in the third, and to be brutally honest, Methodist University's PA program made the first cut because it was south of the Mason-Dixon line, and I was tired of winter weather!

All joking aside, there are hundreds of PA programs in the US to apply to, and several in North Carolina, each with the same end product - graduating as a certified Physician Assistant. So what's so important about the school you choose if you will end up with the same letters after your last name as the next person graduating from PA school? In this case, the importance is not the destination...it's the journey.

Sure, Methodist University boasts small class sizes and PANCE passing rates that rival the top-ranked schools. And since you are reading this testimonial, you probably already know about the state-of-the-art lecture hall and human anatomy lab (with a surgical camera/computer system that interfaces with more than 12 different computers at separate dissection stations). But did you know the facilities are so top-notch that other medical schools and physician assistant schools frequently take tours to learn how to improve their program?

Despite the brand new buildings, and the outstanding PANCE scores (five perfect scores from the class of 2011) - it would make little difference if it were not for the faculty making it all possible. The program ensures each faculty member and class lecturer is still medically practicing so they teach real-world clinical medicine. And each of those instructors is available (phone, email, in person) on a regular basis to answer questions and provide advice - trust me, if you do not ask them questions, they will ask you questions just to check up. This is a group of people who care for the whole student - not just your grade in class or a future PASS/FAIL statistic.

So I have talked you into applying, right? Now, here's what to expect in the future. When you get to the interview, be prepared. They will provide you breakfast and make sure you stay well-caffeinated with plenty of coffee, while they answer all of your anxious questions, talk to you one-on-one, and introduce you to current students (whom you will likely forget). Then you will tour the campus with those students (my favorite part of the interview), discuss a hypothetical situation with your fellow interviewees, and interview with faculty who are interested in what makes you, you.

Once you are accepted, it continues to improve. The same faculty who interviewed you, teach you in class; the same students who answered your questions will see you regularly at school; and you will learn (and retain) more medical information in the first semester than you will have learned in all the time leading up to PA school. And the best part is still the fun we have inside and outside of class, with each other and with instructors, while we are busy becoming the best PA program in North Carolina.

Class of 2013
Chesterfield, SC
University of South Carolina at Columbia Graduate

Choosing a school that offers a program as demanding as the physician assistant one, is not an easy chore. However, I feel that I made the best decision of my life when I chose Methodist University. Coming from a small town, I wanted to attend a huge university in the city. I chose to attend undergrad at the University of South Carolina. The student body at USC was approximately 30,000 students. I never had many opportunities to talk with my professors when most of my classes were 300+ students. When applying to PA schools, I did not want to attend a program with a large class size.

I believe that a program as important as the PA one, you should have multiple opportunities for one-on-one interaction with professors and not feel intimidated by the classes. Coming to Methodist gave me this opportunity. The class sizes are small and the faculty members are very open to helping students. I was amazed at how comfortable I felt talking to all of the professors and faculty at MUPAP. Comparing Methodist to other programs that I applied for, I could not have found a better staff that was willing to help you and return answers to my questions as promptly as they have.

Not only does MUPAP have the best faculty and staff, they also offer state-of-the-art facilities. MUPAP has the most up-to-date technology in the classrooms and anatomy cadaver lab. Some PA programs do not offer the experience of a cadaver lab or they are second-hand to the medical students and other programs at their schools. At Methodist, you do not have to compete with medical students or any other programs over facilities or clinical sites. Additionally, MUPAP has one of the best passing rates on the PANCE in the nation. The MUPAP prepares you with a clinical based approach to medicine and this is significantly helpful on the PANCE and in real world medicine.

I have friends that are in PA programs at larger schools and they are amazed when I tell them about the great perks of the program here. I am confident that my decision to attend MUPAP will give me the best opportunity to be one of the most caring and knowledgeable PAs in the medical profession. With the staff, facilities, and clinical approach to learning, this program produces elite PAs that could practice anywhere in the nation. If you are looking for a program that cares about you, our education, and transforming you into an influential PA, look no further, MUPAP is the place for you!