Applying to DO and PA schools

[Free2]

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I am applying to DO and PA schools. I prefer DO but I don't want to have to reapply if I don't get into DO schools. I'm old, you know.

Is it bad to apply to a school's DO program AND its PA program? For example, I'm interested in Nova's DO program but I'd also like to apply for the PA program. Do different programs at the same school talk to each other? 😕 I don't know if I'm breaking some cardinal rule here or if they would even care.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I am applying to DO and PA schools. I prefer DO but I don't want to have to reapply if I don't get into DO schools. I'm old, you know.

Is it bad to apply to a school's DO program AND its PA program? For example, I'm interested in Nova's DO program but I'd also like to apply for the PA program. Do different programs at the same school talk to each other? 😕 I don't know if I'm breaking some cardinal rule here or if they would even care.

I'm not really sure about that but the question is do you really want to risk that?? I know this rains true when applying for residencies and I can only assume that its the same when applying to different programs at the same school.

 

[Bacchus]

If you have the stats for a PA program you probably have the stats to get into atleast one DO program. I know our PA students had to keep a 3.0. A 3.0 and a good MCAT will get you in some places.

 

[MSmentor018]

, I'm interested in Nova's DO program but I'd also like to apply for the PA program. Do different programs at the same school talk to each other? 😕 I don't know if I'm breaking some cardinal rule here or if they would even care.

I don't know if the 2 programs talk to each other but if they did.....? you're not breaking any law/rule per se, just a lot of tap dancing at the interview if you get asked. you may not even get that far if they notice the same names on 2 programs at registrar office and pull your file. would they care? oh yeah, no one wants to be the "back up plan" program. if you decide to pull it off, good luck 👍

 

[beckhunter116]

There was someone on here that applied to both this past cycle; however, I don't think he applied to both programs at the same school so there was no way for people to know.

 

[scurred09]

Take everything I say with a grain of sugar. Since both program uses different application service, there's no way they would know that you applied to both schools. Unless, you put your foot in your mouth during the interview. Forrest Gump said it best, "Life is like a box of chocolate", you never know what you're gonna get unless you try. Until today I live by that rule eventhough I'm allergic to chocolate.

There was someone on here that applied to both this past cycle; however, I don't think he applied to both programs at the same school so there was no way for people to know.

 

[Cp22kjer]

Most programs are separately run within a college. I don't think NOVA would even notice.

 

[Semicolon]

Just hope you don't get interviews to both programs on the same day!

 

[WDeagle]

Most programs are separately run within a college. I don't think NOVA would even notice.

Honestly admissions at NOVA are so disorganized they will probably lose at least one of your applications. So apply to both. Might as well apply to dental school there too. Maybe that application will find its way to the DO or PA school. I speak from experience.

 

[Powdermonkey]

Honestly? You're looking at two different fields and two different lifestyles. You need to figure out if you want to be a doctor or a PA. How much responsibility do you ultimately want when you work? How long do you want to be in school? Are you married? Do you have lots of bills and other day to day issues that would be tough to deal with in medical school? At the beginning PA and medical school are pretty much the same thing. Once you're out of the classroom though, its a completely different ball game.

As for applying to the two programs, I know at my school some of the docs we have that interview for the medical school also interview for the PA school. And since they are in the same building I'm pretty sure they talk to each other. Take that for what its worth... just my 2 cents.

 

[primadonna22274]

Some schools actively prohibit applying to more than one program at a time. You should really check with the schools you're considering.
I think it's only fair to disclose your preferences (and, I hope you realize once you do that your PA application will go in the discard pile, so why waste the money?)
IME folks who apply PA as a backup are very rarely satisfied as PAs and spend their careers wondering "what if?"

 

[PremedIowa]

I don't think it is too unreasonable for the OP to believe he/she would be happy with either career. I bet most of us could be happy doing something else.

And I doubt the programs will talk to each other at all. In addition, doesn't the DO/MD application take place way before the PA one?

 

[Art Vandelay2]

Honestly admissions at NOVA are so disorganized they will probably lose at least one of your applications. So apply to both. Might as well apply to dental school there too. Maybe that application will find its way to the DO or PA school. I speak from experience.

So true!

 

[235750]

IME folks who apply PA as a backup are very rarely satisfied as PAs and spend their careers wondering "what if?"

I'm sure this does happen...for us older applicants though who might finish residency at, say, 40-50, I'll bet there's an equal number who think they've waisted a good portion of their lives just to work themselves into old age.

Just a thought. As an older applicant I can empathize with the OP.

If I may come clean: I applied PA this last application round. The schools I applied to had DO and MD schools attached to them, and in two places I was accepted to both the MD/DO program as well as the PA programs. Both sides seemed completely oblivious to my other application. The admissions department spends so little time on each application, I highly doubt they have time to cross reference each app. with their other schools, eg the school of public health, PA, nursing, etc.

I did not apply PA as a backup to my med school application as some people would suggest, just as I didn't pick DO as a fallback either. Rather, I applied to all the schools to give myself as much time as I could to make a rather big decision.

Yes, being a PA is different than being a physician, however as PremedIowa said, I agree that many of us would be happy with either path (I know I would), although I believe I will be happier as a physician.

Some schools actively prohibit applying to more than one program at a time.

I've never heard of this, and I knew several people applying for PhD/MS/DO/MD programs simultaneously, but it is worth reading through the application instructions for each school thoroughly.

Good luck Free2 with the application process!

 

[wongb18c]

I heard that PA programs have progressively gotten more and more competitive during the past years... I also heard from this PA that I used to work with that his friend was rejected from a PA program but accepted into a DO program.

Can anyone confirm this?

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I heard that PA programs have progressively gotten more and more competitive during the past years... I also heard from this PA that I used to work with that his friend was rejected from a PA program but accepted into a DO program.

Can anyone confirm this?

Yes those could both be true, much like some people *assume* one type of degree is more "prestigious" than another, yet the "lesser" one *actually* has better admissions stat averages.

You can look up averages--I think many of the fringe/supporting/non-medicine healthcare programs have higher GPA averages than DO programs. Look up Vet school, Dentistry, Nurse Practitioner, PA, etc., etc.

 

[slick27]

I actually think that some PA programs are just as competitive as MD addmissions. I would only apply to DO programs this year. If you don't get in this cycle then the following cycle apply to both or just the for the PA degree. Why would you want to risk both applications by applying to both? I don't think DMU allows cross applying the first cycle, but I'm not sure. Whats a year?

 

[sylvanthus]

I applied to both DO and PA and never was asked about it in any interview. At one school, I applied to both PA and DO school, got into PA school and had an interview set up for the DO program that I later canceled. So, I do not know if the two programs at the same school talk to each other, but it didn't seem to matter regardless.

I see nothing wrong with applying to both as an older applicant. It gives you more options and if you can see yourself happy as either a PA or a DO, then ignore the comments on here telling you not to do it.

In summation, I think it is a smart idea to keep your options open if you do not mind doing the extra work involved.

 

[MossPoh]

Nova also has branch campuses for the PA school. You wouldn't have to be in Ft. Lauderdale if you didn't want to be.

That being said, there is a drastic difference. Sure many of us may be "happy" with another career but there is a slight misstep in logic with this whole thing. One program is 4 years long plus 3-7 years of low paying residency. The other is 2-3 years (some do other things) with no residency but the slight training type. You still make more money usually....until after residency of course.

Huge difference in training time. It'd seem more along the lines to apply to just DO/MD this year and if the cycle is cruel try PA the next year. You'd still be getting done before you would've if accepted to a DO/MD school.

If it honestly doesn't matter to you that much and you don't want to take too long due to your age then just try PA. They are competitive programs too, but you'll be done and out earlier. It obviously isn't an issue not being the boss to you. It'd work out fine.

 

[Cangri One]

at NOVA's DO and PA programs...how do they view retaken courses...do they take the most recent grade?

 

[BavarianMWE46]

I know a guy who applied to a school's MD, PharmD, and MPH programs and was accepted to all three! They don't have the time to cross reference thousands of applications. Go for it, and good luck on your decision.