Hello Everyone,
I am new to the site. I would like to get your thoughts on how difficult it would be to get into medical school after being a PA for several years. I understand that I have to take the MCAT and go through the process like everyone else, but I wanted to see what your views are coming from a non-traditional view. My graduate GPA is 3.4 from over 90 credits of PA school. My undergrad was less than stellar with a 2.97. I worked nights full-time as a paramedic several years while taking daytime undergrad courses. It kinda killed my GPA.
I worked as a paramedic over 10 years and have 5 years as a PA. Any thoughts on my chances?
Well I would definitely apply to medical school. I can tell you EVERY YEAR around late July I used to get a little depressed and wondered-"Could I make it through medical school". I also used to worry about what would happen when I hit 55yo and I had a 30yo Attending, would I be comfortable in that situation.
I would personally apply to MD and D.O. both. I got into a MD program(wasn't the right fit I went to some summer programs there when I was younger and just rubbed me the wrong way) and several D.O. programs as well(although I didn't get into my top choice D.O. which I thought was odd )
Most of my interviews were surrounding my time as a PA, asked me how I felt about the progession of the profession, asked me about ethics, and tested my medical knowledge in some way. So I would say that being a PA definitely does help you.
Also I have heard of some P.A.'s getting into programs with Mcats there were less than 20(although I don't personally know any) as well and I am assuming that this was due to the committees knowing a PA could handle the rigors of med. school?
I have also heard of PAs moonlighting on breaks(I do this) and working during second year of medical school PT(I couldn't due to the way my program is structured) and making enough to pay bills and live on while taking out loans.
Also as Prima said I would apply to the LECOM bridge. I almost delayed entry into starting school when I heard that it had opened but I realized I was not a definite shoe in for that program when so many of us are applying into it.
So to sum my rambling up if I were you I would:
1.)Take a diagnostic MCAT to see where you stand
2.)Think about schools you could be comfortable with(some schools will be more lenient with that 2.9ish if your URM I would assume).
3.)Apply as soon as you can.
4.)Consider the family implications if your married with a family at this point( I have seen plenty of divorces and relationships fail in my class)
5.)Inbox people on here such as myself that are both PA-med. students that would probably be happy to help you.
Final note/question-Why are you going back? Is it for money? Or is it due to hitting the "ceiling" that we all talk about hitting as PAs?
If it was/is for money I would think LONG and HARD about going back due to there being so many ways for us to make $ and have a normal life without going back to medical school and gaining a nice mortage payment in debt.
Take care, good luck.(again sorry if it appears like rambling but its almost 1am and doing this on a quick break prior to starting back for 3 more hours of board study before bed.)
e.