<p>Anyways, I'm a senior who is applying to Harvard EA and a bunch of other schools RD. </p>
<p>In HS, I became very interested in pursuing medicine as a career. I did a lot of science ECs such as research and cancer internships. I absolutely loved these, but I really wanted to get a chance to do something more RELATED to actual medicine and not science. I can't really find anything for me to do, but I would welcome any suggestions. I'm not doing this for college admissions, I just want to find a new interest.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>Hmm, how about being a physician assistant or shadowing a doctor. Your local hospital might have these programs (mine does).</p>
<p>How much time is involved in each of those? I thought that shadowing a doctor was more of a one-day thing.</p>
<p>Well at the LAC/USC medical center here in california, the physicians assistant program requires 100 hrs of commitment, 4 hrs everytime you volunteer. And the shadowing the doctor is a year long program, except you would have to be a college sophomore. Maybe the hospitals in your area has these programs. Try looking at big hospitals or public hospitals. They might have these programs.</p>
<p>I'm around USC, I around Pasadena. I do some work with Children's Hospital LA which is closely affiliated with USC. The programs sound awesome, I'll look into them. Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>Yea, it sounds really cool. So you're around Pasadena huh? I go to pcc :) I didn't realize they had a program until i joined a club for health professions at pcc. Its called the physician assistant helper volunteer program (PAH) at the LAC/USC medical center. From what i have heard, the doctor will accept anyone and you do not need to have any experience. Just as long as you show interest and commitment. You have a 4hr shift everytime you volunteer. They also have a shadowing a doctor program but you have to be a college sophomore. So right now i'm trying to apply for the PAH program. maybe i'll see you there haha.</p>
<p>Physician assistant HELPER... Please specify that, thanks. You can't just <em>be</em> a physician assistant without going through school for it. Ok, I'm done being btchy.</p>
<p>Yea sorry if i confused anyone. Should have specified it more. What i meant was following a doctor and helping him/her around. The name of the program and physician assistant sound interchangeable. Yes sookunfyooz3d is right, you do need to go to school in order to be a physician assistant. That's another profession.</p>
<p>Thanks sakura :)
I just jumped on that because that is what I'm planning to do after undergrad... Hopefully.</p>
<p>What exactly is a "physician assistant"? Like what is really the difference between a physician assistant and a physician?</p>
<p>ya being a PA requires alot of school, also, why do you need to go to school to "help doctors".</p>
<p>Im 17 and have been doing that for 2 years with many doctors from many specialties. Never went to school for it, they just knew me and trusted me.</p>
<p>Well uh, you weren't a real physician assistant. Physician assistants can prescribe medicine and treat patients... you may be thinking of a medical assistant, which is totally different.</p>
<p>a PA required an undergraduate degree. </p>
<p>I also thought medical assistants did too...idk bout that one.</p>
<p>But if you arent in college, shadow, like ive done.</p>
<p>medical assistants are sometimes trained on the job, but most times take a course through a technical/vocational high school or community college. no AB/BS is required.</p>
<p>well, how old r u OP?</p>
<p>17 (ten characters)</p>
<p>as a 17 yr old, theres not much out there. But u spoke to me about EMS, u can look into that, its just alot of continuous training.</p>