A little worried about my decision of going online, if any one can help?

Absolutely correct. And at exclusive schools online might matter. I don't think online equates to never gaining entrance to a PA program though. There are many ways to build a stand out resume for admission. The applicant will need good, even great grades, and extracurricular activities to make them a standout. If trying to go that route, I would also consider some DO programs and even legitimate offshore MD programs....this applicant will have to be creative and determined, but I think it can be done.

 

I agree; all of those things I said about nobody caring if your degree is online go out the window when you are talking about Yale or other exclusive institutions. As you stated, your chances of getting into Yale are not that good even with a degree earned in-person from another top school because the competition is really tough. The likelihood of being beat out by someone with even better qualifications is pretty high.

Unless someone is going into a profession where the pedigree of your diploma is an issue, I wouldn't want to spend that kind of money anyway.

 

Are you sure you want to spend the kind of money it will take to get through Yale anyway? I think you are looking at $40K - $50K per year for total costs, don't know for sure, but this is what I have heard. You better land a job where the pay is well over 6 figures when you get out. I could see this if you were going into something like finance where they might scrutinize your degree and might pay that kind of money, but, other than fields like that, why spend that much?

 

But the problem is bigger than just "Yale or other exclusive institutions". The reality is that PA programs are increasingly competitive everywhere -- even at schools that aren't usually regarded as "exclusive".

Nova Southeastern University, for example, isn't usually regarded as particularly selective or elite. But check out the current admissions stats for their PA program specifically:

So even Nova Southeastern has something like 10-12 applicants for every slot.
Sure, that's not as competitive as Yale -- but it's still very,very competitive.

So the question is not whether an online degree can get you into Yale.
The question is whether it can get you into NSU.
And if not, then where is it going to work ?

 

If you are referring to a Physician Assistant (PA) program you may not even need a degree for entry. In California I was treated by a PA who got his state license after attending Riverside City College in CA.
Riverside Community College District | Physician Assistant
Check your home stare requirements for PA licensing - here are California requirements:
http://www.pac.ca.gov/applicants/applicant_faqs.shtml

 

All the P.A schools I was looking at reqs, are pretty much the same as med school pre reqs, maybe your talking about medical assisting?

 

There are/where a few schools that rolled PPA programs into Bachelors degrees. I don't know if you can stillfind such a beast. Miami-Dade used to have such a program. You did your pre-reqs (which are all LL undergrad btw) and an AA then transition to the BS/PA track.....I dont think it works that way anymore....at least not around here, but you might locate one if you look.

 

I was wrong, the program at Miami Dade is actually classified as an undergrad degree and a quick search turned up this program at the bachelors level Physician Assistant Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.) - Pennsylvania College of Technology some good stuff in there on selection too.

 

This is the paraphrased evaluation criteria for Pennsylvania College of Technology, No mention of rejecting candidates who went to an online school. There are a lot of i's to dot and t's to cross. I think this list is more representative of what you need to find your way into a PA program than where you go to school. PA admissions are without a doubt competative, but I would focus on strengthiening the things you can change, and making great grades, not overthinking your current school. Interestingly this school even gives a nod to AP and CLEP testing as being acceptable. (It's just before the footnote: http://www.pct.edu/catalog/docs/admissionPA.pdf#zoom=75 With all this said you mentioned that you are a sophomore...plenty of time to transfer to a school like this and start positioning yourself for your ultimate goal. Note that they do give first look to applicants from their own school.

1. DEGREES/CREDITS (Approximately 6%) – Mathematical calculations used to determine the point value of
degrees/credits are based on an expected average of 2.5 points. Points are awarded on the following scale:
DEGREE/CREDITS POINTS
Doctorate 5 student points
Master’s degree 4 student points
Bachelor’s degree 3 student points
62 academic credits or more 2 student points
2. MATH AND SCIENCE GPA (Approximately 71%) – Mathematical calculations used to determine the
weight/percentage value of the math and science GPA are based on an expected average GPA of 3.5
BIO 115 – Anatomy and Physiology I CHM 111 – General Chemistry I
BIO 125 – Anatomy and Physiology II CHM 210 – Organic Chemistry I
BIO 201 – Microbiology Two MTH Courses (MTH 160 and higher)
BIO 220 – General Biology I
3. OTHER GPA (Approximately 23%)
ENL 111 – English Composition I CSC 124 – Information, Technology, and Society
ENL 121 – English Composition II PSY 111 – General Psychology
or
ENL 201 – Technical & Professional
Communication
4. Math and Science Reduction (Approximately minus 6%)
5. Other Reduction (Approximately minus 2%)
6. PROGRAM INTERVIEW (Approximately 25%)
 Interview consideration will be based on points calculated in ranking areas 1 through 5 above. Candidates will be
invited for an interview for approximately 34 available seats.
 The interview will be conducted by the Physician Assistant Program staff.
 The interview score will be based on health care exposure hours, and oral and written communication skills.

 

This may be an option as well: Medical school plans announced | Liberty University

 

UTMB Prospective Students

*How many applications are received each year? How many are accepted?
The number of applications received varies annually; however, the average ranges from 500-800 per application cycle. The number of accepted applicants varies annually, from 60-80 students.

*Are on-line classes accepted?
Pre-requisites can be taken from any accredited college or university, which includes on-line or distance courses. However, no distance lab courses will be accepted.

 

I actually was doing some research on Liberty University and stumbled upon this thread.

There are a lot of people that put down liberty as a diploma mill and claim that it is not reputable, but they're wrong. Most people hate the school because it is a Christian school and because of the huge online student base, BUT the school is accredited with the highest accreditation possible.

ALSO, Liberty University has made it on Forbes top 650 schools several years in a row. To me, that says something.

Keep in the mind, 650 may sound like a lot of schools, but it is a mere fraction considering how many schools we have nationwide.

In 2009, Forbes rated Liberty University #564 in the nation.
In 2010, Forbes rated Liberty University #609 in the nation.
In 2011, Forbes rated Liberty University #535 in the nation!

Also keep in mind, in 2013 Liberty University plans on opening a medical school. This will catapult Liberty's ratings among other universities throughout the nation.


Just my 2 cents.

 

There are many who would call Harvard a degree mill if it were an evangelical Christian school.

 

Sounds like a PR person for LU, and being in Forbes top 650..big deal.
Now back to the OP inquiry, I think your biggest challenge is that (as previously mentioned) (1) good online science course with labs are rare to find, (2) Yale is very competitive.
Finally, do not give up on your dream of becoming a PA (or anything else). I always tell my students that there is a school out there for everyone. You just have to find a good match. Yes having a PA from Yale will count more, but in the end a PA is a PA when it comes to workforce.
Best wishes and thanks for your service.

 

At what is the "highest accreditation possible"? Is the business school AACSB or ACBSP? Is the education school NCATE?

 

It's a mixed bag. I don't think the business school has specialized accreditation. The Education school is NCATE accredited. The law school is ABA. The counseling school is not CACREP accredited.

 

The question was not meant as a slam on Liberty, just a stupid question to a stupid statement.

 

I know. I just thought it might be instructive for other readers in the thread.

 

Anyone thinking they can get into a respectable PA school with a non-tier 1 degree in this economy is kidding themselves.