Hello everyone. So I'm currently in need of some advice. I have searched and read through the various forums of students making a decision between both medical school or PA school. However, I'm still stuck. I have shadowed both extensively and still have doubts. I tend to take a long time making decisions.
I just wanted some perspective of doctors who have been through arduous medical training. Most of the docs I have shadowed have warned me and seem very jaded.
I really liked undergrad (much better than high school, an average student in hs). Graduated with overall GPA 3.98. 3.94 science? Something close to that. BS degree. Went to a state school top 10 in the country. Loved research. Completed my senior thesis with co-author publication and international poster presentation. Leadership positions. Various part time jobs during school. I'm one year out of school and currently work in a level 1 trauma. It's extemely exciting. The patient poplulation is the medicaid/medicare folks. I started as a PCT now am EMT in the ER. Will have the necessary patient care hours for PA. I love working with patients and am excited to be acquiring more training. I can't see myself really in anything but PA or Medicine. I shadowed dentists but was extremely bored. Debt is also concerning. 500 k for NYU dental? Lol what is wrong with this world.Education debt bubble will pop with this kind of crap. My parents are not paying for grad school or any costs. They already did more than enough and I graduated UG debt free. Extremely thankful for that. Regardless, they shouldn't either.
I'm a hardworker but I cherish my personal time. I'm constantly out with friends, going out, spend lots of time with significant other, love to travel. I like medicine but not sure if taking the plunge is what I want to do. I like ER medicine but can definitely see myself in FM IM or Peds. Specialities are nice but I'm not so great with standardized testing. Not horrible but its not my strong suit. Hence, idk if I wanna ride the chance on USMLE to match me. PAs work in every specialty. Lateral mobility is extremely appealing. I can definitely see myself happy as a PA but some of their negatives (respect, scope of practice, less pay) are making me hesistant. I'm not sure if this training will give me the skills needed to treat patients as much as I'd like to. When I tell my friends that I'm shooting for PA I'm met with weird looks and discouraging sentiments. They feel as I'm settling. It used to bother me but then I realized these people have no idea what PAs actually do. The assistant title throws them off.
I had a very skewed viewpoint of the PA profession while in undergrad but after working things have changed dramatically. Undergrad bubble surrounded by premed gunners. I drank the punch lol. On similar note, the opportunity cost of medical school is large though and the debt load is significant...with interest oh boy. Indentured servitude much?
All the PAs I have shadowed are excellent knowledgeable clinicians who have a great work/life balance. The latter is extremely important to me but I guess since I know I can do med school should I strive for that just bc I have the application for it?
So my question, what drove you all to medicine? Is it worth it in the end? Do you have any regrets? How do you view PA? With the future is healthcare unsteady as it is what advice would you give to your own children? Thanks everyone for the help.
I just wanted some perspective of doctors who have been through arduous medical training. Most of the docs I have shadowed have warned me and seem very jaded.
I really liked undergrad (much better than high school, an average student in hs). Graduated with overall GPA 3.98. 3.94 science? Something close to that. BS degree. Went to a state school top 10 in the country. Loved research. Completed my senior thesis with co-author publication and international poster presentation. Leadership positions. Various part time jobs during school. I'm one year out of school and currently work in a level 1 trauma. It's extemely exciting. The patient poplulation is the medicaid/medicare folks. I started as a PCT now am EMT in the ER. Will have the necessary patient care hours for PA. I love working with patients and am excited to be acquiring more training. I can't see myself really in anything but PA or Medicine. I shadowed dentists but was extremely bored. Debt is also concerning. 500 k for NYU dental? Lol what is wrong with this world.Education debt bubble will pop with this kind of crap. My parents are not paying for grad school or any costs. They already did more than enough and I graduated UG debt free. Extremely thankful for that. Regardless, they shouldn't either.
I'm a hardworker but I cherish my personal time. I'm constantly out with friends, going out, spend lots of time with significant other, love to travel. I like medicine but not sure if taking the plunge is what I want to do. I like ER medicine but can definitely see myself in FM IM or Peds. Specialities are nice but I'm not so great with standardized testing. Not horrible but its not my strong suit. Hence, idk if I wanna ride the chance on USMLE to match me. PAs work in every specialty. Lateral mobility is extremely appealing. I can definitely see myself happy as a PA but some of their negatives (respect, scope of practice, less pay) are making me hesistant. I'm not sure if this training will give me the skills needed to treat patients as much as I'd like to. When I tell my friends that I'm shooting for PA I'm met with weird looks and discouraging sentiments. They feel as I'm settling. It used to bother me but then I realized these people have no idea what PAs actually do. The assistant title throws them off.
I had a very skewed viewpoint of the PA profession while in undergrad but after working things have changed dramatically. Undergrad bubble surrounded by premed gunners. I drank the punch lol. On similar note, the opportunity cost of medical school is large though and the debt load is significant...with interest oh boy. Indentured servitude much?
All the PAs I have shadowed are excellent knowledgeable clinicians who have a great work/life balance. The latter is extremely important to me but I guess since I know I can do med school should I strive for that just bc I have the application for it?
So my question, what drove you all to medicine? Is it worth it in the end? Do you have any regrets? How do you view PA? With the future is healthcare unsteady as it is what advice would you give to your own children? Thanks everyone for the help.
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