PA vs MD

<p>I have wanted to be a doctor my entire life. However, after this dream being knocked down by a male science teacher last year (I am a white female) and receivng semi-mediocre SATs (1850), I resorted to becoming a PA. I figured I would be in less debt, get into the field sooner, and be able to have a family. After volunteering in the hospital this past few weeks, I am feeling as if I'd like to become an MD again. Any opinions on this? I realize I technically have four years to decide. However, if I go the PA route, I'd like to apply to an accelerated program. </p>

<p>An 1850 SAT score means nothing for med school admissions. You need excellent grades in college and a high score on the MEDCAT. If you feel that you can do well in math and science courses in college then go for your dream.</p>

<p>Stop whining about your science teacher from last year. If his opinion was valid, then accept it and learn from it. If it was not valid then put it behind you. </p>

<p>What are your high school math and science grades? Was you SAT a shock or is it representative of your aptitudes in math and critical reading? Are you willing to study a heck of a lot in college to learn the things that you need to learn? THAT is the best basis for evaluating your chances of success in college and getting into grad programs.</p>

<p>And do not look at the PA route as being an EASIER route. It is a faster route, and a less expensive route to a medical career but it is just as challenging academically. In addition, PA’s must take licensing exams every two years which cover EVERY aspect of medicine while MD’s only need to stay current in their specialty. That can be a huge problem for some PA’s.</p>

<p>PA’s have to take their PANCE exams every 6 years not 2.</p>

<p>

There’s a reason PAs work under the supervision of an MD. No way their licensing exams are more extensive than an MD’s. May be broader in scope but obviously with far less depth required.</p>

Are you a high school student? If so, why are you worried about the graduate school programs? You need to concentrate on applying to the best Undergraduate studies and get the best gpa in your UG schools.

Because OP said

Ok, I missed that one.

There is no short cut to become a doctor, PA is no way close to a doctor and won’t be paid off accordingly, otherwise everyone who wants to be a doctor will go PA way.
I think OP may want to consider DO route and there are BS/DO programs out there. However, I am not sure 1850 will cut the admission.

Here is one that require lower gpa. FDU is not a higher ranked school and does not have the academic rigor and LECOM is cheap, if you can live with their strict dress code.

http://view2.fdu.edu/academics/becton-college/biological-and-allied-health-sciences/biology-majors/bs-do/

Here is the Dr. Rubin’s list of combined medical programs.
http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/bs_do_programs.html

" PA is no way close to a doctor and won’t be paid off accordingly, "

Depends on what your income requirements are and what kind of debt you want to incur.

My daughter works in family med and does everything the doc does. Sure, she’s paid less, but at over 80K a year and less than 15K educational debt left, she’s perfectly happy. Some of her friends in medical specialties have started out at 100K or more.

Also your daughter started earning that salary immediately after finishing her 2 year PA program, and works <50 hours/week right? An MD is an extra 2 years of tuition/no income, then 3-7 years of earning <60k while working 60-80 hours/week before that 100k+ salary.

Yes, I think in terms of salary, the difference may not be as obvious at the beginning, however, the difference will be a lot bigger after 10-15 years and when the Dr. went on to his/her own practice.

Except the PA has had 10-15 year head start on investing that money and is probably in a lower tax bracket than the MDs bigger salary so ultimately it’s probably still not that big. If treating simple, bread and butter primary care cases is your thing, PA is definitely a smarter financial move than MD. They thing is, as a PA, you will NEVER work on anything more than simple, bread and butter primary care cases - if a career in medicine means anything beyond that then a PA is not worth it.

Wannabe,
You are mistaken. PA’s aren’t performing the surgeries, but they are doing far more than simple bread and butter cases.