So I’ve always been pre-med since I started undergrad. I recently graduated & lately I’ve been looking more into PA school. I’m aware of the basic differences between PA & MD professions… PA’s can only practice under the supervision of an MD, the program length differences, etc… I guess I’m asking what would make you choose one over the other?
I’m kind of split between the two… so I am wondering if I should apply to both PA & MD programs this upcoming cycle. My stats (grades, gpa, prerequisites, EC’s, etc.) are pretty solid so far. Since I’m also thinking about PA school, I’m planning to add an anatomy & physiology series to my schedule.
I have planned to take the MCAT in the spring… and I’ll have to add in the GRE as well.
The thing is I want to be focused on either PA or MD. It seems like a lot to squeeze into the next few months on top of making sure I do well in class.
A doctor usually makes more money but will also have more responsibility and accountability. For the most part, a PA would be able to start a family earlier and have a more active family life. It depends what you want for your future- either one can be as fulfilling as you make it.
Do you have a specific field of medical practice in mind? PA’s are able to be quite fluid - my daughter’s friends are able to switch jobs easily so if they become bored with orthopedics, for example, they switch to pulmonary or endocrine practices. It’s is also easy for them to move from state to state.
My kid was a PA undergrad and thought of med school. What kept her as a PA was less schooling and debt, more time for a personal life, and malpractice suit concerns.
As for being under supervision- that has a broad definition. Her first job was in family practice. She had her own patients and by law the doctor WITH whom not FOR whom she worked had to read three of her charts every month.that was the extent of supervisory requirements. He consulted her on his patients as often as she consulted him. It depends on the attitude of the supervising doctor. She now works at a walk in clinic and there is no doctor on staff.
Obviously in other specialties PAs can’t do everything that a doctor can.
In addition to an anatomy class, do you have the patient contact hours required for PA school admission? If not you need to get those in.
One warning - PA admissions folk will want to know why you are choosing PA school over med school given your undergrad. They can get a bit defensive I’m told.
IMHO
I think you should make up your mind to apply only one field, PA or MD as they have slightly different EC requirements. PA school will look more on your clinical involvement, some programs require X number of clinical volunteering while MD school does not. You should check with each target schools. For example, in this school’s requirements, they want 200 hours clinical patient care:
You will not find that requirement in an MD/DO school.
Its hard to answer in a PA interview that you are also applying MD schools as well. It shows that your lack of commitment in the profession. Especially if your stats is high enough for MD but also applying for PA.
“ts hard to answer in a PA interview that you are also applying MD schools as well. It shows that your lack of commitment in the profession. Especially if your stats is high enough for MD but also applying for PA”
It’s pretty darn hard to get into PA school if you don’t have "stats…high enough for MD.
A number of PA programs look for students who have 2 years of work experience in a medical setting. Check the requirements of any school you plan to apply to.
MD is a longer haul in terms of education/training as compared to PA – only you can decide which path is right for you.
As others have mentioned, if you are thinking of going the way of PA, you should get trained and work as an EMT or even a CNA to gain those needed hours for your application