Divya Sahore, PA/MPH20

At Tufts, we’re dedicated to helping our PA students succeed in their classwork, their rotations, and their careers. Learn more about what to expect during and after the Tufts University School of Medicine Physician Assistant program, hear some insights from a recent PA graduate: Divya Sahore, PA/MPH20. 

Why did you choose the Tufts PA program? 

"I started looking for PA programs when I was still an undergrad at the University of Massachusetts. I knew I wanted to stay local, and find a program where I could earn a dual PA/MPH degree. From the start, Tufts was one of my top choices—the school’s location in the heart of Boston, right next to the Tufts Medical Center, was a huge draw for me."

What was the biggest surprise about your Tufts experience? 

"Even though we were prepped for it during orientation, I was surprised by what it felt like to spend so much time in the classroom during our didactic year. Sitting in class and taking detailed notes from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, is no joke! That said, while I was afraid the time would drag, those days mostly flew by—we were all learning so much, and supporting each other through it, that it never felt boring."

What have you loved most about your time at Tufts? 

"My experience with the faculty in the public health department has been amazing! Because the dual degree program involves an accelerated public health curriculum, I was worried early on that I might get overwhelmed. While it was definitely a challenge, everyone in the department was so accommodating that I always felt up to the task, and knew where to go for help when I needed it. In addition, I loved working with patients in the Chinatown community, having access to Medical School faculty, and practicing in a first-rate Anatomy Lab."

What should prospective students know about the PA program at Tufts? 

"Once you’re in, you’ll be taken care of—no matter what. The faculty here are amazing. If you reach out, they’ll go out of their way to help you out. If you’re struggling on a topic, they’ll spend more hours with you to make sure you get it. The Library is a great resource as well, and the librarians who run it can help you out a ton. Finally, you should know that, rest assured, you’ll find a really good career path right after you graduate. Tufts faculty have a lot of connections in the Greater Boston medical field, and are excited to help you start your career off right."

How did the Tufts PA program help you start your PA career? 

"I always wanted to start my career in primary care, helping patients make the small changes that can significantly improve their health, and putting my public health knowledge to use. Unfortunately, most PA programs don’t focus on primary care and prevention. The Tufts PA program helped prepare me for the primary care environment I wanted to practice in, and offered me the flexibility to choose an elective rotation at a practice site that would set me up for job-hunting success—the primary care program at Tufts Medical Center! By the time I was ready to graduate, I had lots of great contacts at the hospital. This made the application process so much easier, and helped me get the amazing PA job I have today."

How did the Tufts PA program prepare you for life after graduation? 

"Because Tufts is so good about helping people find jobs right after graduation—and sometimes even beforehand—we start our careers off with everything we learned still fresh in our memories. The real world is definitely different from school, but since we had such a varied rotation experience, we were well-prepared to 'go with the flow' wherever we ended up. There’s a steep learning curve when making the transition from school to work, but because of everything we went through in our didactic year, we knew that we could handle it. The Tufts PA program prepares you mentally for all the responsibilities that come with being a new provider fresh out of school."