Hello! I’m currently a senior and I’m in the middle of doing college apps, but I’m still a bit lost on what major to decide on if I want to be a PA (physician assistant).
I was going for psychology, but since it’s impacted at every school I want to apply to, I’m a bit worried esp. since my GPA and SAT score is a bit low (3.35 gpa, 1190 sat – applying to USF, USD, SFSU, CSULB, CPP, SDSU, UOP)
I was also considering a major like public health but I’m not sure if I should. Psychology is my main interest but I’m really afraid that I won’t be accepted because it’s so impacted everywhere.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should major in?
What do you like about Psychology? If Psychology is your choice major, then go for it but adjust your list a bit.
The private schools USD, UOP, USF do not admit by major, so applying for Psychology should not have an impact on your chances. For the Cal states however, they do admit by major and CSULB and SDSU will be tough admits. I would drop SDSU or CSULB (unless you are local) and consider adding Cal state Fullerton instead.
You do not have to major in anything related to science, but you do have take the PA school pre-req courses which is easier if your major is science based. If you look at the course curriculum for some of the schools on your list for Psychology, you will have to fit the following science requirements in somewhere while still taking major classes:
One-year sequential coursework for science majors in:
General Biology (usually 1 semester each of cellular biology and organismal biology or 3 quarters of cellular, organismal, and evolutionary biology)** Required for Psychology majors
General Chemistry with lab (2 semesters or 3 quarters of inorganic chemistry with quantitative analysis) General chemistry with organic and biochemistry combinations are not acceptable.
3 semester units or 4 quarter units of each of the following:
Human Anatomy with lab*
Human Physiology*
General Microbiology with lab
*Human Anatomy and Physiology may be completed by taking a 2 semester sequential course of Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II or a quarter system equivalent sequential course.
Instead of Public Health, consider Microbiology. Instead of Psychology, consider Sociology.
Thank you so much!! Your advice is extremely helpful, I’m definitely going to consider microbiology now.
Do you think my chances at USF or SFSU are low if I try becoming a biology major with my GPA and SAT score?
Is a biology major with a concentration in microbiology better for a pre-PA route than a biology major with a concentration in physiology?
The best major for you is the major that you enjoy and will be successful in regards to getting competitive grades for PA school. As long as you take the PA school pre-req courses, you can do any major and concentration you wish.
I think you will have a better shot at SFSU than USF but definitely apply to both along with a few more Cal states along with UOP and USD. The GPA posted is that weighted or unweighted? Have you calculated your CSU/UC Capped Weighted GPA? https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
What is your local in-service area CSU since you get priority as a local, make sure you use this school as a backup?
The GPA posted is my cumulative GPA (my school doesn’t provide weighted GPAs on my unofficial transcript). My 10-12 GPA is 3.29. Using the website you provided, I received a 3.34.
My backup is SJSU, and they have a plan with my school district that basically states that I’m more than most likely to be able to be admitted to SJSU if I complete my courses in high school but no guarantees that I’ll get in my desired major, so that’s my ultimate backup (http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/admission/rec-7327.10800.14514.html). My goal is USF or SFSU; those are my top two school choices right now.
Look at your transcript and count the grades in core courses only. See what your GPA is then. Some schools will add weight to AP/IB/DE courses and those will be counted into your GPA. Don’t add points for honors courses. Do you have any C’s during last semester? Then look at where your GPA and SAT fall within the profile of admitted students from USF and USD. Best of luck.