<ol>
<li>I know that when you're going to apply to med school, you don't have to major in something related to the field as along as you take the required courses, but would premed do it? </li>
<li>Do you have to have medical experience to be accepted as a premed major? </li>
<li>Are the 5 yr PA programs extremely hard to get into? </li>
<li>Would it be better to go through the reg 4 years, then go to PA school (instead of the program)? </li>
<li>Is PA school harder to get into than med school? </li>
<li>Are there many PA schools? </li>
<li>Can I go anywhere as an undergrad as long as I take the required courses? </li>
</ol>
<p>answering any of those questions would be a big help. thanks.</p>
<p>1) There is no such thing as a “premed major” at college. Premed is a series of required courses that fulfill med school admission requirements. There may be a pre-health professions track (usually a biology or biochem major) that fulfills all the med admissions requirements, but it won’t be called “premed”.</p>
<p>2) No, but PA (post-grad) programs usually require the individual to have substantial hands-on medical experience. Some even specify how much and what kinds. However, this requirement varies a great deal by program. You need to look at the programs you think you might be interested and see what requirements they have.</p>
<p>3) Yes, admission is quite competitive.</p>
<p>4) It depends. A five year programs requires a substantial commitment on your part and is more narrowly focused than the traditional route. (Which is 4 years undergrad + 2 years PA program) You will have less opportunity to take classes outside your major since all the required coursework is concentrated into 3 years instead of 4. If you’re sure you won’t change your mind, then perhaps a 5 year program will work for you.</p>
<p>5) No, both in terms of GPA + standardized scores and also in terms of # of applicants per available seat.</p>
<p>6) Here is a list of the accredited PA programs in the US:</p>
<p>7) If you are looking at traditional PA programs–yes, you can do your undergrad anywhere so long as it is at an accredited US or Canadian college or university.</p>
<p>If your serious about becoming a P.A., I recommend one of the 5 year programs. Most will guarantee you admission to their graduate program if you maintain a 3.0 GPA. When I searched for this accelerated program, I found most were offered by schools in PA (that’s Pennsylvania).</p>
<p>I also never heard of “pre-med” major. People who take Med. School required classes can declare any major or any combo of major(s)/minor(s). You personally can call it pre-med, if you wish, but actual major might be Music (as an example).<br>
So, as there is no pre-med major at most UG’s (with exception to ones that OP is pecifically mentionning), you can be accepted to any major you wish wish and your stats (HS GPA/test score) allow you.<br>
I do not know how hard to get to PA Grad. program. As a parent of current Med. Student, I can assure that getting into Med. School is very competitive. However, people do get accepted, so why not you?</p>