Advice?

[Strudel19]

Hi everyone,

I got accepted to Detroit Mercy's 5-year PA program with a 23k/year scholarship (It's a 40K/yr school, so it's really the same as state school costs). I'm torn between going PA or MD. There are huge pros and cons to both. I could go for the PA program or switch my major to a science. UDM is a great pre-med school, and an 80% med school placement rate. I could really see myself there too.

I feel like I'd enjoy either career, but I feel like I'll want more knowledge, I'll want to drive and not be in the passengers seat, and I don't think I'd like "assistant" in my job title. I could see that doing most of what a doctor does but not receiving their compensation would get old once I age. Is going into loads of debt, years of schooling, etc worth it in your eyes if I have this opportunity? I want to take the PA program, but I think I'll always regret not getting the MD.

Opinions?

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[Barcu]

Hi everyone,

I got accepted to Detroit Mercy's 5-year PA program with a 23k/year scholarship (It's a 40K/yr school, so it's really the same as state school costs). I'm torn between going PA or MD. There are huge pros and cons to both. I could go for the PA program or switch my major to a science. UDM is a great pre-med school, and an 80% med school placement rate. I could really see myself there too.

I feel like I'd enjoy either career, but I feel like I'll want more knowledge, I'll want to drive and not be in the passengers seat, and I don't think I'd like "assistant" in my job title. I could see that doing most of what a doctor does but not receiving their compensation would get old once I age. Is going into loads of debt, years of schooling, etc worth it in your eyes if I have this opportunity? I want to take the PA program, but I think I'll always regret not getting the MD.

Opinions?

This last part makes me think you should go to college. It's tough to make a decision while still in high school because your interests will inevitably change. I say go to college and have a good time. You may decide MD, you can still do PA after college too, or you may even decide something else entirely.

While you are there, college sometimes seems like a time where you want to make decisions and move on to the next stage of your life as quick as you can. However, you will never have that amount of freedom and fun ever again. I'm not saying become a wild party animal but take the time to try out different things and see what interests you.

Tough decision, and I'm sure it is pretty tough to turn down that sure thing. Good luck with your decision.

 

[aSagacious]

I agree with Barcu, I don't think saving a year is worth closing any doors (assuming you're locked into the PA program if you accept the scholarship).

If money is a concern you could always attend Wayne, MSU, or UM for the same price as DM on scholarship.

 

[Etorphine]

if you feel like you are cutting yourself short, I don't think this feeling will ever go away. If you are perfectly happy with PA, go with that.

 

[chrissyxf]

I'm a PA now...had the same inkling you have now that you'll want to go deeper...short story: got a great deal on school, thought about the many benefits of PA (because there are alot) and went to PA school...6 months into my job, I found myself taking the MCAT and a year later, applying to med school because it continued to irk me...take my word for it: go MD if you really want that. Money, time, all that doesn't matter in the wrong run. Med school and residency, in the large scale of things, are a blip in your life...and if you're doing what you love, it won't really matter anyway how much time, money, and energy it takes. I wish someone had told me that when I was in your shoes...maybe they did and I didn't listen haha...but I will say it again, don't sell yourself short of your dream for short-term gain. you'll regret it and just go back anyways.
Don't get me wrong- I love that I have my unique journey, and actually, given the opportunity, wouldn't change it because of all the personal growth I've experienced and I think being a PA can be rewarding and fulfilling for some people. It just wasn't for me.

 

[raltima07]

I'm a PA now...had the same inkling you have now that you'll want to go deeper...short story: got a great deal on school, thought about the many benefits of PA (because there are alot) and went to PA school...6 months into my job, I found myself taking the MCAT and a year later, applying to med school because it continued to irk me...take my word for it: go MD if you really want that. Money, time, all that doesn't matter in the wrong run. Med school and residency, in the large scale of things, are a blip in your life...and if you're doing what you love, it won't really matter anyway how much time, money, and energy it takes. I wish someone had told me that when I was in your shoes...maybe they did and I didn't listen haha...but I will say it again, don't sell yourself short of your dream for short-term gain. you'll regret it and just go back anyways.
Don't get me wrong- I love that I have my unique journey, and actually, given the opportunity, wouldn't change it because of all the personal growth I've experienced and I think being a PA can be rewarding and fulfilling for some people. It just wasn't for me.

👍

 

[Morsetlis]

If it's 5 years for the PA, I would take that route and then go to med school afterward.

You would likely satisfy all pre-med requirements anyway. Plus, you'd also have great clinical experience and a great degree to apply to medical school with (and be able to make extra money moonlighting whenever you wish).

 

[medstudent1113]

I vote med school. I would choose med school 10/10 times if given the opportunity again.

 

[zma21]

Some people would prefer PA, most would prefer MD/DO. I know a few PA's, and they seem to be bitter towards MD/DO's, what seems to be jealousy. I know of much more students that are "premed" than "pre-pa". Something tells me that if you are standing out enough to be chosen for a PA program when you're 18, you probably have the academic abilities to gain acceptance into a medical school somewhere. Who knows though, it's a big gamble on an 18 year old. Do yourself a favor and don't settle, though. This will probably only waste a chunk of time.

I don't feel bad for my PA friends though, because although they all tried and failed in gaining admission into medical school, they certainly didn't exhaust their options. One friend had the numbers to go somewhere (3.6/28) but didn't want to have to apply twice, and "couldn't" get into any DO schools because he didn't have a DO LOR. LOLz at him.

Aim for the stars, Kiddo. You've got a long road ahead of you.

 

[Propylene]

Hi everyone,

I got accepted to Detroit Mercy's 5-year PA program with a 23k/year scholarship (It's a 40K/yr school, so it's really the same as state school costs). I'm torn between going PA or MD. There are huge pros and cons to both. I could go for the PA program or switch my major to a science. UDM is a great pre-med school, and an 80% med school placement rate. I could really see myself there too.

I feel like I'd enjoy either career, but I feel like I'll want more knowledge, I'll want to drive and not be in the passengers seat, and I don't think I'd like "assistant" in my job title. I could see that doing most of what a doctor does but not receiving their compensation would get old once I age. Is going into loads of debt, years of schooling, etc worth it in your eyes if I have this opportunity? I want to take the PA program, but I think I'll always regret not getting the MD.

Opinions?

I don't think there's an easy answer to this one; there's no telling how you'll feel when you're older. I'm sure that you'll find a rewarding career if you go down either road, but you have some time so think over where you want your life to go. If you go MD, you will have a broader range of fields you could end up in, and a deeper understanding of the physiology behind what you're doing. PA will have less responsibilities, and consequently less BS to deal with, but your knowledge base will not be as large, and you will have less autonomy. Figure out what's important to you and go for it! It sounds like you're leaning towards medical school to me.

 

[GetSexyRightNow]

Don't lock yourself in so early. Go the "regular" route and figure out what you really want to do. Your interests will probably change (whether that is towards MD or PA or something else will have to be seen). But from your post, it sounds like you aren't sure anyways. Don't buy into the whole 80% placement thing. All schools advertise similar stats and they aren't honest numbers for several reasons. Personally, I wouldn't choose UDM. Very expensive and there are better schools in Michigan and I don't just mean academically.

 

[katiemaude]

I would hesitate to commit to any career at a young age. Do you have an affordable option to go to a 4-year university and take the premed requirements plus microbio and A&P? If so, I would go that route. You can also have a major that interests you and broadens your horizons (art history? english comp?). Shadow both PAs and MDs, volunteer and get some real clinical experience. By the time you're a junior, you'll have a better idea if you want to take the MCAT and go MD/DO or take the GRE and do a two-year master's program for PAs.

It's not worth saving a year IMHO to lock yourself in this early.

 

[Morsetlis]

You guys are saying that it's not worth it to spend *1* extra year to get a PA? Really?

Think of how much better you'd be at medicine, rotations, and your med school classes with the knowledge of a PA.

 

[Barcu]

You guys are saying that it's not worth it to spend *1* extra year to get a PA? Really?

Think of how much better you'd be at medicine, rotations, and your med school classes with the knowledge of a PA.

There is also the benefit of having the regular college experience, which I think people on this forum tend to overlook in a mad rush to get into med school.

 

[Morsetlis]

There is also the benefit of having the regular college experience, which I think people on this forum tend to overlook in a mad rush to get into med school.

Overrated. 🙄

 

[Barcu]

Overrated. 🙄

By disagreeing with my response, you have also validated it.

 

[Morsetlis]

By disagreeing with my response, you have also validated it.

Glad I can multitask.