Aaccepted to PA school but having second thoughts

[Corpsman89]

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Hey all,

I was recently accepted to PA school (Duke) and am due to start in August. When I started the application process I didn't even seriously consider med school because of my age (28) and family situation (wife and 2 kids). But now that I am accepted I have begun researching the PA profession on a deeper level and I have become somewhat nervous that I may not enjoy being a PA. I am an active poster on Physician assistant forums and it is very clear that many veteran PAs wish they would have become Physicians. It is said that a PA hits the glass ceiling at 5 years. This is troubling to me. I am starting to think that my personality is geared towards more of that of a physician.

What makes my situation even more unique is that I have been approved by the VA to participate in Voc Rehab which means they are going to pay for PA school in full and provide a housing allowance. I possibly could switch my majors, but they would have to extend the benefits by another 24 months to allow for medical school, not sure if they're willing to do that.

I would also need to go back and complete a year of organic chemistry, a year of physics, and the second semester of biology. I would also have to take the MCAT. I would have to work full time during this time as I have a family to support.

I did have good success with the PA application process. I was invited for interviews to all school that I applied to (13) and was accepted to all of the schools that I interview at. My science GPA is 3.71 however, I graduated from Northern Arizona University which is not a really well known school, if that even matters. What helped me during the PA application was the fact that I was a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy for 5 years, in which I deployed to Afghanistan with a Marine Corps unit and mentored the Afghan National Army.

I know no one can give me a solid answer on what I should do, only I can do that (and my wife). But I just hope someone can give me that piece of advice that can help tip the scales. I start PA school in less than two months so I need to make this decision quick!

Thank you

 

[Medic2MD4me]

I am starting to think that my personality is geared towards more of that of a physician

this is where I stopped reading because the answer to your own question lies here.

-3 years emergency med PA, wife, kid , house, just took Mcats and submitting my app to med school June 20th when I get my scores. Pm me if you'd like to chat more about your decision.

 

[Newtonian21]

Hey all,

I was recently accepted to PA school (Duke) and am due to start in August. When I started the application process I didn't even seriously consider med school because of my age (28) and family situation (wife and 2 kids). But now that I am accepted I have begun researching the PA profession on a deeper level and I have become somewhat nervous that I may not enjoy being a PA. I am an active poster on Physician assistant forums and it is very clear that many veteran PAs wish they would have become Physicians. It is said that a PA hits the glass ceiling at 5 years. This is troubling to me. I am starting to think that my personality is geared towards more of that of a physician.

What makes my situation even more unique is that I have been approved by the VA to participate in Voc Rehab which means they are going to pay for PA school in full and provide a housing allowance. I possibly could switch my majors, but they would have to extend the benefits by another 24 months to allow for medical school, not sure if they're willing to do that.

I would also need to go back and complete a year of organic chemistry, a year of physics, and the second semester of biology. I would also have to take the MCAT. I would have to work full time during this time as I have a family to support.

I did have good success with the PA application process. I was invited for interviews to all school that I applied to (13) and was accepted to all of the schools that I interview at. My science GPA is 3.71 however, I graduated from Northern Arizona University which is not a really well known school, if that even matters. What helped me during the PA application was the fact that I was a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy for 5 years, in which I deployed to Afghanistan with a Marine Corps unit and mentored the Afghan National Army.

I know no one can give me a solid answer on what I should do, only I can do that (and my wife). But I just hope someone can give me that piece of advice that can help tip the scales. I start PA school in less than two months so I need to make this decision quick!

Thank you

I will advise that you embrace patience in your life and whatever you do. The idea of not being patient and want to be a professional asap could have lead you into rushing pa school. But you have to decide now if this is the journey that could prepare you to be a better MD in the future. If MD is your target goal, decline this, and work on MD app instead of wasting years in pa. Goodluck

 

[Corpsman89]

After talking to several people that have been in similar circumstances I have decided to stay on my path for PA school. If stopped pursuing PA school, and started on the path to Med school I would have to take multiple courses, AND study for the MCAT. I would literally be practicing as a PA before even starting medical school. In the end, If I still am set on pursuing medical school once I become a PA then that is what I will do, and I will have no doubt. Thanks for everyone's helps!

 

[aformerstudent]

Getting into PA school is not exactly easy. Since you got in, do that and then decide if being a PA is not for you instead of coming to that conclusion before even being a PA.

I think PA is a good career actually but if you want more out of a career, I think PA is limited and that's where medicine becomes more interesting.