AEMT -> P.A. or tough out M.D.?

[SoNV-EMT]

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Hello all, as my name implies, I'm currently a college student in Southern NV and also an (advanced) EMT with a private ambulance co. I'm doing Athletic Training as a major to get diverse experience for PA school, realizing fully that I'll still need microbiology and chemistry post-grad. to meet pre-req's. Recently, an old professor of mine got me thinking about applying for med school instead. I'm a long time lurker, so believe me, I know most of you are probably going "oh God, another one".

However, consider that I'm now 22 and would effectively have to "restart" my degree track to meet pre-med requirements. That's the biggest kicker for me, because the 2 semesters of A&P, and even the general biology class wouldn't count toward our university's biology program requirements. I love biology, and am interested in chemistry, but am generally pretty bad at math or physics, while liking more healthcare application type classes (hence the softer major, AT)

If you were in my shoes, would you continue the AT program, then just apply for PA once I've got the few remaining pre reqs met post grad? Or, would you choose to switch into the Biology program, and subsequently sacrifice a few more semesters to catch up? Keep in mind, I'm now 22 and am getting somewhat burnt out as I see nearly all of my classmates from high school will be graduating this Summer. Working through college has been humbling and my job gives me pride like nothing else I've ever done, but I also think the love of working makes it hard to stay focused on school, thus burning me out quicker.

In my mind: I'm thinking PA is my best bet because I'll be able to support a family on their salary, learn more and get to be more involved with long term patient care (and again support a family better) than if I just settled and got my Paramedic, and I could get out into the field sooner. I guess I'm just worried one day I may wish I'd have sucked it up and gone to Med school instead. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Blanky]

Start the chemistry sequence as electives while finishing your degree. If you get past orgo/biochem then physics 1/2 and Bio 1/2 can be done after graduation relatively easily.

 

[efle]

Hows the GPA? Why would you have to start over with your degree, why can't you just hit whatever prereqs are missing in like 2 semesters of postbacc?

 

[SoNV-EMT]

Hows the GPA? Why would you have to start over with your degree, why can't you just hit whatever prereqs are missing in like 2 semesters of postbacc?

GPA is gonna be low-mid 3's, the issue is that our A&P courses (despite being famed for their rigor, and actually including a lab unlike the 400 level anatomy course) are only 200 level courses and therefore don't meet the "upper division" bio reqs. Also, the intro biology course for health science (not pre-professional) majors is slightly different, and therefore doesn't meet the pre req for the upper division classes. This means I'd need to do 2 semesters of bio/chem/physics + precalc/then calc while working 20+ hours a week. Then I'd have to do the upper division biology courses. So starting over

 

[gyngyn]

What is AT?

 

[efle]

GPA is gonna be low-mid 3's, the issue is that our A&P courses (despite being famed for their rigor, and actually including a lab unlike the 400 level anatomy course) are only 200 level courses and therefore don't meet the "upper division" bio reqs. Also, the intro biology course for health science (not pre-professional) majors is slightly different, and therefore doesn't meet the pre req for the upper division classes. This means I'd need to do 2 semesters of bio/chem/physics + precalc/then calc while working 20+ hours a week. Then I'd have to do the upper division biology courses. So starting over

When you say upper division bio reqs, are you talking about med school requirements? Most med schools only require 1 year of intro-level bio.

 

[Welshman]

GPA is gonna be low-mid 3's, the issue is that our A&P courses (despite being famed for their rigor, and actually including a lab unlike the 400 level anatomy course) are only 200 level courses and therefore don't meet the "upper division" bio reqs. Also, the intro biology course for health science (not pre-professional) majors is slightly different, and therefore doesn't meet the pre req for the upper division classes. This means I'd need to do 2 semesters of bio/chem/physics + precalc/then calc while working 20+ hours a week. Then I'd have to do the upper division biology courses. So starting over

General bio wouldn't count towards your program requirements but if it has a lab I'm sure it would count towards medical school requirements. You don't necessarily need upper level bio for medical school that's how humanities majors are able to do it

 

[SoNV-EMT]

What is AT?

Athletic Training, not to be confused with "personal training". They deal with initial treatment of sports injuries and rehabbing them.

 

[SoNV-EMT]

When you say upper division bio reqs, are you talking about med school requirements? Most med schools only require 1 year of intro-level bio.

I was saying if I were to switch and do a biology degree, they wouldn't count towards upper division credits. I now realize that's totally unnecessary, because as you and others have stated, you don't need a "hard science" degree like bio or chem to apply to med school.

 

[efle]

I was saying if I were to switch and do a biology degree, they wouldn't count towards upper division credits. I now realize that's totally unnecessary, because as you and others have stated, you don't need a "hard science" degree like bio or chem to apply to med school.

As long as what you are getting is a bachelors, you're good to go with just a couple extra classes to do.

 

[@Hazel-rah]

Shadow both. Go out to lunch with both. Ask lots of questions. Think about it purposefully for a long time. I bet you could approach PA's and DO/MD's at the E.R.'s you take patients to. Good luck!

 

[Blanky]

Again, finish your degree while adding in a chemistry each semester. By graduation you will be only a few courses short of Your MCAT

 

[gyngyn]

Athletic Training, not to be confused with "personal training". They deal with initial treatment of sports injuries and rehabbing them.

I've never seen an applicant with this degree.
This will be perceived a vocational major.

 

[SoNV-EMT]

Again, finish your degree while adding in a chemistry each semester. By graduation you will be only a few courses short of Your MCAT

This is sound advice for sure. Eventually, the program will have me going to school part time because I've done all the general education courses that the degree track has you finishing within their "Athletic Training curriculum". I'd assumed I'd just work full time at that point, but knocking out chemistry would be more beneficial long term.

 

[SoNV-EMT]

Shadow both. Go out to lunch with both. Ask lots of questions. Think about it purposefully for a long time. I bet you could approach PA's and DO/MD's at the E.R.'s you take patients to. Good luck!

I had wanted to ask my family practice M.D.'s PA to lunch, but feared she'd think I didn't mean strictly business haha. I hadn't even thought about it at work! Great idea!