So I can’t stand math, I hate it, I’m not good at it. However, I have a passion for science and English (language arts). I dream of becoming a Physicians assistent because I can still practice medicine but under the supervision of an actuall physician. Since in college your suppose to pick your strengths and what your good at, I don’t know what to major in. If I I find intense math difficult, but sciences and English interesting, what can I major in to not only obtain my bachelors but cover the prerequisites for PA school. Which undergrad program/degree has less intense or little to know math but covers the prereq’s? I know there is a wide range of options but there is just so much to choose from! By the way, I’m a junior in high school. ???
Google suggests that PA programs generally require a semester of statistics and MD/DO programs generally require a year of some combination of statistics and/or calculus. So you’re not going to be missing much math by going the PA route. I’d worry more about the physics requirement, which appears to be the same.
You can major in anything you want. PA programs have higher expectations for clinical experience hours, so something that gives you that experience would be helpful.
Which CSU’s care about extra curriculars such as clubs and sports? Why do most not care for but UC’s do?
SLO is the only Cal state that considers EC’s and it is minimal. Private colleges would put more emphasis on your EC’s and UC’s but you still need the grades and test scores regardless of where you apply along with meeting the Math requirements since that seems to be your concern.
By math requirements u mean passing the classes ? Or?
Depending upon which schools you are targeting, you would want to reach Pre-Calculus by end of Senior year of HS if possible. Although only 3 years of Math up to Algebra 2 is required, 4 years should be considered if you want to be competitive.
I get the impression you have a strong set of ECs but, perhaps not the best GPA/SAT…
what are your stats? it will help us better tailor our responses.
I do have a high gpa and lots of extracurriculars. My GPA right now is 3.6. I have more questions now. Okay so, what are college essays? Do I need them to apply or ? Also, do I need a certain amount of letters of recommendation? Also I haven’t taken the SAT/ACT yet but I’m preparing for the PSAT. Any tips on how to prep for the PSAT? Also I decided I want to be a nurse practioner, not a pa. They basically do the exact same things. Except nursing sounds like it’s more for me. What’s the road to become a Nurse Practioner look like ? What courses do they typically take in their undergrad years? What do I do after my undergrad studies if I want to become a Nurse PRACTIONER? Thank you all for the help I really really appreciate it. My counsler at school isn’t of much help.
Also if I pass algebra 2 with a D and retake either semester senior year, what will colleges think? What if I pass the class senior year, does it still validate my freshmen year grade of a D in algebra 1? What options do I have?
OP, there’s a difference in how a PA and NP approach medicine. Check this out for more info
https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/np-vs-physician-assistants/
Biology might be a good undergraduate major for you in preparation for PA school. If you decide to go for NP, you should do a BSN (BS Nursing) degree which is pretty popular major at most state schools.
There is a pretty big difference in the amount of clinical hours you need. PA requires more than NP.
NPs practice independent of an MD whereas PAs don’t. I know NPs and PAs who have done both undergrad and grad degrees in 6 years.
Some colleges like the UC’s require you submit 4 personal insight essays. There a 8 different prompts and you can select any 4. Here are the prompts on the link below. They are trying to find out more about you beyond your academics listed on the application.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/personal-questions/freshman/
Each college will have different essay requirements.
Cal states do not have essays, so they admit just based on your CSU/UC GPA and test scores. Here is the UC/CSU GPA calculator and when the time comes, you need to calculate your UW UC GPA, capped weighted UC GPA and Fully weighted UC GPA. The capped weighted UC GPA= CSU GPA.
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
Any SAT study book can prepare you for the PSAT, so I assuming you are a Junior??
LOR’s may be needed depending upon the colleges you apply.
As stated above you need to get your BSN first and then your NP. California is notoriously competitive for Nursing programs either direct admit (admitted as a Freshman) or in a 2+2 (pre-nursing to applying to nursing school). You have a solid GPA but is that weighted or unweighted? Your goal is to try for a 4.0+ Weighted GPA and high test scores along with getting at least B’s in your Math and Science classes.
A D in any Math class is not passing. If you are getting D’s and these courses have not been validated or repeated with actual grades prior to applying, you probably should consider going to community college for your Nursing pre-req’s and then applying to Nursing school. D’s in Math will not qualify you for any Nursing programs at least in California. Also not passing the a-g courses with a C- or higher, will not qualify you to apply to the UC’s and CSU’s.
Right now focus on doing well in all your a-g HS courses especially Math. Prep for the PSAT, continue doing your EC’s and by end of Junior year, update with your stats and then posters can give you more guidance.