Pre-PA or pre-med? HELP.

WayOutWestMom
Mon, 09 Nov 2015 16:29:46 +0000

Have you shadowed both professions? Do you know what the differences are in the day-to-day practices of physicians and PAs?

That should be your first priority: to decide which profession holds more appeal to you.

Right now your stats are still in range for med school, especially if you’re willing to apply broadly and consider osteopathic medical schools. If you live in a “lucky” state that has a strong in-state preference in med admission–that will help also.

Which science classes gave you problems? OChem? Gen chem? All of them? Why do you think you’re having difficulties? What remedies have tried?

You need to know that PA school covers the same material in the same amount of time as med school during the first year. Your sciences need to be strong or you risk failing out of the program.

Also you need to check the admission requirement for PA programs. PA programs generally require a number of additional upper level science courses, like: microbiology, human anatomy, human physiology, biochemistry, statistics.

PA school admission also requires a substantial amount of hands-ons direct patient contact. I’ve seen anywhere from 500 hours to 2000 hours required. Have you started your clinical volunteering? You’ll need it for whichever profession (medicine or PA) you decide to pursue.

BTW, PAs aren’t “told what to do”–they may work under the general direction of a physician, but their supervising physician isn’t there constantly looking over their shoulder. PAs largely work independently, some with only nominal oversight from their supervising physician.

As for learning---learning is lifelong process. It doesn't stop just because you aren't in school. I learn new things everyday.  It's just that the mode changes. Learning becomes much less passive as an adult. You can't rely on someone  else telling what you need to know; you have to figure out for yourself what things you need to know and then you have to teach yourself or seek out someone who can teach you.

School is a safe place emotionally for many students because you understand the rules. Moving out into the real world is scary. It's new and not something you're familiar with.  But for everyone childhood has to end sometime.