Why I Chose a BS/MS Program at RIT

Choosing a college and major is probably one of the most intimidating decisions a young person is faced with. I remember being a Junior in high school, making a spreadsheet of all of the most important things I wanted in a university, and contemplating how crazy it was that at 17, I was supposed to be confident about where I wanted to spend the next 4 years. I wasn’t even confident in where I wanted to spend my Friday night. 

I was comforted by the fact that almost every person my age was faced with this decision, and somehow we all made it through, and you will too. Being 4 years on the other side of it now, I will tell you what I wish someone had told me when I was searching and deciding where to go to college. 

1. It really is impossible to make the “wrong” decision. I kept thinking that there was ONE “right” school for me to go to and that if I didn’t pick that one, I would be miserable elsewhere. This is definitely not the case. People choose schools for all sorts of reasons, and it really just depends on what is most important to you. But you can make the most of any school you go to if you try, and transferring is not the end of the world if that's what it comes down to.
2. Choose 2 to 3 of the most important things to you in a school and prioritize those in your search. Whether it’s distance from home, specific program/major, campus size, or something else, try to keep your list to those that check those couple of non-negotiable boxes. It will also help you figure out areas that you can compromise on (like housing options, class sizes, etc).
3. Tour multiple campuses! Every school has a different vibe and feel, and you need to go on a few tours before you figure out what you really like (or don’t) on a campus or in a school. See where people hang out, what the classrooms/dining halls look like, and try to see if you can picture yourself there. 

My personal experience looking for schools was rather unique. I knew I wanted to become a physician assistant, so I focused my search for schools that had combined programs, direct-entry options, or had very strong pre-med programs with ties to PA schools. So this was my number one priority that all schools on my list had to fulfill.

Secondary to this was financial aid and distance to home. I’m from New Hampshire and knew I wanted to stay in the Northeast, within driving distance to home. I also knew my family’s financial situation and didn’t want to take out hundreds of thousands in loans. RIT was one of 10 schools I applied to, but it ended up being the number one for fast-tracking my PA career with their dual degree BS/MS program, which is allowing me to get a full physician assistant master’s degree in just 5 years, when it would traditionally take 6-7 years and another application cycle to graduate-level programs. Not only does it allow me to get into the field faster, but it also ended up being the most financially sensible out of all the schools I applied to.

RIT offered great financial aid/scholarships, and the dual degree program offers additional financial benefits over a traditional graduate school/program. I have been exposed to so many more opportunities at RIT than I ever even considered, and I think that is a really great thing about medium-sized schools. I have explored outside my program and have found hobbies and friends through so many different clubs and organizations on campus that I might not have considered at another school.

Choosing a college is such an individual decision; take your time and focus on your priorities. Know that you are not alone and that everyone goes through the stress and uncertainty of this decision, and we all come out on the other side!