Bioinformatics?

ahuynh
Mon, 16 May 2016 15:35:39 +0000

“Am I making the right choice to major in bioinformatics.”
Unfortunately, no one can answer that for you, but I can give you some additional information to help you make your decision.

Keep in mind that medical schools will not care what you majored in as long as you completed the prerequisites.

They will look primarily at your GPA and MCAT score.
Therefore, if you believe you’ll enjoy bioinformatics and will do well in it, then by all means, major in it.

“I also know that PA’s require a lot of paid hours and experience so how would that work if I pursued this major?”
The requirements vary from school to school. You will have to look at each individual school you’d be interested in applying to (I understand that this may be too early for you) to see what kind of experience they would accept and how much of it they’re looking for.

For example, some schools will accept hours that are volunteer hours, while some require paid, direct patient care experience.

Like I said, it will vary from school to school, but for example, let’s say 2,000 hours of paid, direct patient care is a requirement for one of the schools.

The certificates you could gain in the shortest amount of time would most likely be a CNA or EMT certificate. Depending on whether they are part time or full time, you can complete either programs in roughly 4-6 weeks.

If you work 2,000 hours over the course of four years, you’d have to work at least 10 hours a week.

Some people do work throughout their undergraduate degree, and some people will work in order to complete this requirement after they’re received their undergraduate degree.

There are many articles and information on websites on the patient care requirements for applying to PA school and the different ways to fulfill them (of course, you’d have to make sure your schools accept them as well).