Want to become a Physician Assistant, but how?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

<p>First of all i hope i placed this thread in the correct place and i apologize if i didnt!</p>

<p>After finally deciding on becoming a Physician Assistant, i was hoping to get some suggestion on how exactly to go about achieving this goal. I am currently enrolled in a community college and, after having done a lot of thinking about majors and schools, came to the conclusion that the usual science track of choosing a major like biology and chemistry is not for me. I am much more interested in studying about people in a different way, so a sociology major seems more for me while i take the pre-requisites along the way. I was hoping to get into UCLA but ive been told that UCLA's sociology major is far too impacted. Does anyone know if this would be a good course of action? In the event that i am unable to be accepted for that major would anyone know of any other major that is less impacted but still along the same lines as sociology? Also any suggestions for how to go about this during my time stay at the CC, tips for what i should do after i get my degree and anything else would be greatly appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Here is the link to UCLA's website for transfer admissions. Sociology is indeed one of its "highly selective majors," as is psychology, biology, life sciences, biochemistry, and most other courses that you would need to take in order to get into a PA program. </p>

<p>UCLA</a> Undergrad Admissions: Transfer Prep - Letters and Science majors</p>

<p>One thing you need to be doing now (if you aren't already) is getting some specific experience in the health care field. That is an important factor in admissions to a PA program.</p>

3

<p>oh ok would you recommend that as something should have gotten into right in my first year of CC? Im going to be a second year this fall</p>

4

<p>There is no specific number of hours needed, but the more experience the better, of course. You just need to have some experience on your resume before you apply to PA programs, so it all depends on when you plan to apply. Many PA programs require a bachelors degree, but there are also some that require only 2 years of college. </p>

<p>If you plan to go for your PA certification after obtaining a bachelors degree, you still have a couple more years, so don't worry if you haven't gotten any healthcare-related experience yet. But you do need to start looking for such opportunities and line something up as soon as you can.</p>

5

<p>This is a useful forum to read up on:</p>

<p>The</a> PA Forum - Powered by vBulletin</p>

<p>you should also look at what kind of medical experience you should gain prior to applying to a PA program, such as lab tech, EMT, nurse, etc.</p>

6

<p>thank you! anyone else from UCLA that can give some tips or insight?</p>