Applying to PA schools and med school at the same time

[ponybreeder4]

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do you guys think this would be problematic? my stats are pretty sucky so i dont know howl likely i will be to get into med school nd i dont feel like wasting time and sitting around a year. so if i also apply to pa school, which is much easier to get into, will med schools ever find out? for example usc has both a med school and pa program...if i apply there would they somehow know?

 

[Longshanks]

I think it would be easy for an admissions office to see that once you're in their system. However, the bigger question is how will you effectively answer secondary and interview questions, and write a strong PS, if applying to two separate different professions with varying degrees of responsibility, regardless them being similar in a broader scope of health care? Such as if you're asked the supposedly common interview questions 'why medicine' or 'if you weren't accepted/couldn't practice medicine what would you do'?

I understand the reasoning behind doing it, but that's just something to think of, and be aware of any documented clinical volunteering hour requirements for PA. I know someone who applied PA and I was shocked with the extremely large amount of pre-req documented hours some schools wanted, which is different from how our applications work.

 

[Thomas Hearns]

just some advice... if you end up doing one and wanting to do another... you're going to be wasting a lot more than that year you'd be "sitting around" (hopefully improving your application.)

Anyways, good luck, and there's a possibility they would know, but they could also have separate admissions offices. I would guess they wouldn't check, though. But what do I know.

 

[bellakk]

Um, who told you PA school was easier to get into? For the PA schools in my state, their average GPA for accepted students is around 3.8, while for the med schools its 3.6. THey are very different careers.

If you are dead set against having to apply a second time to medical school, then perhaps you dont really want to be a physician badly enough to begin with.

 

[mechtel]

Um, who told you PA school was easier to get into? For the PA schools in my state, their average GPA for accepted students is around 3.8, while for the med schools its 3.6. THey are very different careers.

If you are dead set against having to apply a second time to medical school, then perhaps you dont really want to be a physician badly enough to begin with.

sorry, pa=personal assistant? 🙄

EDIT: Nevermind.

 

[brooklynblunder]

do you guys think this would be problematic? my stats are pretty sucky so i dont know howl likely i will be to get into med school nd i dont feel like wasting time and sitting around a year. so if i also apply to pa school, which is much easier to get into, will med schools ever find out? for example usc has both a med school and pa program...if i apply there would they somehow know?

why not just stay in school an extra year or two, enjoy yourself and figure out what you would really like to do, md/pa/jd/msw/whatever. if you are worried about wasting time and stats, then 1-2 years in school will improve your numbers as well as help you avoid wasting 40 years doing something you weren't sure you wanted to do

 

[mechtel]

I obviously don't know anything about a PA, but I agree with others to follow your dreams. 🙂

 

[CCLCMer]

do you guys think this would be problematic? my stats are pretty sucky so i dont know howl likely i will be to get into med school nd i dont feel like wasting time and sitting around a year. so if i also apply to pa school, which is much easier to get into, will med schools ever find out? for example usc has both a med school and pa program...if i apply there would they somehow know?

This is going to be a totally crazy idea, but why don't you take more classes for an extra year or two so that your stats aren't pretty sucky, and then apply? Of course, you have to make As in those classes, or this idea wouldn't work. Seriously, what's the rush? There are people who start med school in their 40s. It's not like you'll be ancient if you start at 23 or 24 instead of 22. Plus, med school is intense and the classes move through the material way faster than college classes do. If you're having trouble getting good grades in college, you really should think about taking some classes so that you can get your study skills up to speed.

 

[aggie08]

Um, who told you PA school was easier to get into? For the PA schools in my state, their average GPA for accepted students is around 3.8, while for the med schools its 3.6. THey are very different careers.

If you are dead set against having to apply a second time to medical school, then perhaps you dont really want to be a physician badly enough to begin with.

Can you give us some sources and school names, that doesn't seem right.

PA schools are definitely easier to get into for the most part.

For one they use the GRE and not the MCAT, which is easier.

UT Southwestern in Dallas is one of the top PA programs in the nation and their class average is 3.6....a whole tenth of a point lower than the least competitive medical schools in Texas. I have a good friend who got in there as an early acceptance with a 3.5.

I don't know what would make you think PA school is more competitive than Med School. YES, it is competitive in terms of amount of people who apply and amount that get in and yes, it really is a great career (in my eyes), but it is easier to get into and quicker to get out of than med school.

 

[Birdsbeak]

I plan on applying to PA schools and Med Schools at the same time. There is nothing wrong with having a backup plan.

 

[Slowpoke]

Um, who told you PA school was easier to get into? For the PA schools in my state, their average GPA for accepted students is around 3.8, while for the med schools its 3.6. THey are very different careers.
.

Proof please

 

[Beta Cell]

Um, who told you PA school was easier to get into? For the PA schools in my state, their average GPA for accepted students is around 3.8, while for the med schools its 3.6. THey are very different careers.

If you are dead set against having to apply a second time to medical school, then perhaps you dont really want to be a physician badly enough to begin with.

Are you dreaming?

 

[Bacchus]

Are you dreaming?

I think he is. My undergrad had a program articulation with a local medical school for PA studies. Those in the program I believe had to maintain a 3.0 to get a guaranteed interview.

 

[TexasPrincess]

When I decided to pursue a career in medicine a year and half ago, I was uncertain about PA vs MD, so I decided to apply to both. PA schools definitely have more prereqs. Look at UTMB or Baylor for reference. The main one is Anatomy and Physiology. I am SOOO glad I took 1 and 2. It helped me a lot for the MCAT. Plus, since I APed out of Bio, I needed 8 hours of Biololgy with lab (I didn't know that till recently). I took the MCAT July 30, and the GRE August 12. Of course, I received my GRE scores right after the test (Verbal: 650 and Quantitative: 790) , and I had to wait till a week ago for my MCAT scores (32R). Since my MCAT scores are competitive, I am now just applying to Baylor PA and no longer Galveston, which is an hour and 15 minutes from my home. I am more hopeful of getting into a medical school.

My advice is pursue both, even apply to both. Keep your options open.

It would be helpful if you take your MCAT and GRE well before you apply so you know what your chances are before you fill out all the applications.

Good luck!

ps. my undergrad gpa: 3.5 (BS: Physics, BA Astronomy, minor in Math)
Age: 28
Mother of a 2 year old.