confused pre-med

[Confuzzledmed]

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Hey guys, long time lurker here.

So, I was accepted into a PA program this past November. However, I realized that I do want to become a physician. Although I would not mind being a PA now, i feel that after 20 years, I may regret not aiming higher. I always wanted to apply to medical school, but my parents scared me into not going for that route. Long story short, I have been studying for the MCAT and plan to take it this April. I have everything all set in my application including my committee letter. As silly as it sounds I do not want to give up my PA application just yet. I don't want to let it go just in case applying does not work for me. I was wondering how practical it is for me to apply or waiting on response from medical schools while I am in PA school? I do plan on sending my primaries by early June, so I am hoping to possibly receive an II around august/ early September. What do you guys think? thanks !

 

[workaholic181]

You should pick one or the other and give your pa school spot to someone who wants it. Don’t hedge your bets! Good luck on mcat.

 

[deleted610572]

When does PA school start? If it’s not til the fall then wait til your mcat comes out. If it’s good enough, drop PA. If it’s not go to PA school and don’t look back

 

[Confuzzledmed]

When does PA school start? If it’s not til the fall then wait til your mcat comes out. If it’s good enough, drop PA. If it’s not go to PA school and don’t look back

The PA school I was accepted to starts in September. Although I do agree that I should drop PA if my MCAT scores are good, I do have some reservations about doing this. I am an average applicant ( around 3.4 cgpa and sgpa). I also want to be realistic with my application. I know I probably would at most score anywhere between a 505- 509. So, I do not want to drop my PA acceptance to probably not getting accepted to any other school.

 

[deleted610572]

The PA school I was accepted to starts in September. Although I do agree that I should drop PA if my MCAT scores are good, I do have some reservations about doing this. I am an average applicant ( around 3.4 cgpa and sgpa). I also want to be realistic with my application. I know I probably would at most score anywhere between a 505- 509. So, I do not want to drop my PA acceptance to probably not getting accepted to any other school.

If you get a 505 then you will get in somewhere. Might be the most brand new school but you’ll get in. If you have an app competitive for PA school (all the hours and what not) and then you score competitive on the mcat you should be good. But I do understand reservations.

Do what your plan is. You gotta take care of number one. People say give up the seat for someone else. I think if you are okay with eating that semesters PA school tuition then do it. Only if you are okay with doing PA as a back up after only one cycle

 

[de Ribas]

I know I probably would at most score anywhere between a 505- 509.

Why do you think so?

 

[PossibleDOC?]

I think if you're ok with it of course, you apply and eat the first year of PA school tuition because if you're unsuccessful on the app cycle then guess what you're 1/3 of the way to being a PA and if you do well then guess what you're the TA for anatomy your first year hah

 

[Medic741]

Hey guys, long time lurker here.

So, I was accepted into a PA program this past November. However, I realized that I do want to become a physician. Although I would not mind being a PA now, i feel that after 20 years, I may regret not aiming higher. I always wanted to apply to medical school, but my parents scared me into not going for that route. Long story short, I have been studying for the MCAT and plan to take it this April. I have everything all set in my application including my committee letter. As silly as it sounds I do not want to give up my PA application just yet. I don't want to let it go just in case applying does not work for me. I was wondering how practical it is for me to apply or waiting on response from medical schools while I am in PA school? I do plan on sending my primaries by early June, so I am hoping to possibly receive an II around august/ early September. What do you guys think? thanks !

This seems like a terrible idea. If you get an II and the interviewer asks what you're doing with your year... you say "I'm in PA school" have a strong feeling your interview will be done then & there.

Conversely, as a PA you'll be making ~ 100k (maybe a little less), will have 3 years of training obligations, and can get on with your life instead of dedicating 8+ years of your life to medicine while living on a meager income and working All. The. Time.

If I could do it all over again... would have chosen PA had I not let the ego take over.

 

[de Ribas]

had

But people have different reasons for becoming a physician.

 

[Goro]

Hey guys, long time lurker here.

So, I was accepted into a PA program this past November. However, I realized that I do want to become a physician. Although I would not mind being a PA now, i feel that after 20 years, I may regret not aiming higher. I always wanted to apply to medical school, but my parents scared me into not going for that route. Long story short, I have been studying for the MCAT and plan to take it this April. I have everything all set in my application including my committee letter. As silly as it sounds I do not want to give up my PA application just yet. I don't want to let it go just in case applying does not work for me. I was wondering how practical it is for me to apply or waiting on response from medical schools while I am in PA school? I do plan on sending my primaries by early June, so I am hoping to possibly receive an II around august/ early September. What do you guys think? thanks !

Someone who bails while already in a program makes us worry that you'd bail on Medicine.

Show some commitment, or back off and run to Medicine.

 

[Confuzzledmed]

This seems like a terrible idea. If you get an II and the interviewer asks what you're doing with your year... you say "I'm in PA school" have a strong feeling your interview will be done then & there.

Conversely, as a PA you'll be making ~ 100k (maybe a little less), will have 3 years of training obligations, and can get on with your life instead of dedicating 8+ years of your life to medicine while living on a meager income and working All. The. Time.

If I could do it all over again... would have chosen PA had I not let the ego take over.

I am willing to dedicate 8 years of my life to being a doctor

 

[Confuzzledmed]

Someone who bails while already in a program makes us worry that you'd bail on Medicine.

Show some commitment or back of and run to Medicine.

I mean I am not really bailing since I have not exactly started. But I also have to think realistically. I am an average applicant and 60 % of applicants are not admitted to medical school. I just want to at last try to apply since fear of rejection prevented me from applying to medical school in the first place. I do not want to give up my acceptance because if I end up not getting in I will have no plan for my future and whose to say PA school would accept me again.

Also say I happen to have interview in August or even early september... Do I have to mention me possibly attending PA school during my interview?

 

[de Ribas]

I mean I am not really bailing since I have not exactly started. But I also have to think realistically. I am an average applicant and 60 % of applicants are not admitted to medical school. I just want to at last try to apply since fear of rejection prevented me from applying to medical school in the first place. I do not want to give up my acceptance because if I end up not getting in I will have no plan for my future and whose to say PA school would accept me again.

Also say I happen to have interview in August or even early september... Do I have to mention me possibly attending PA school during my interview?

If they ask. why would you say if they don't ask.

 

[Confuzzledmed]

If they ask. why would you say if they don't ask.

I am not really sure. I guess I'd be honest and explain my situation or maybe think of another response to that question that does not necessarily have to involve me being in PA school.

 

[Goro]

I mean I am not really bailing since I have not exactly started. But I also have to think realistically. I am an average applicant and 60 % of applicants are not admitted to medical school. I just want to at last try to apply since fear of rejection prevented me from applying to medical school in the first place. I do not want to give up my acceptance because if I end up not getting in I will have no plan for my future and whose to say PA school would accept me again.

Also say I happen to have interview in August or even early september... Do I have to mention me possibly attending PA school during my interview?

If you bring this up, it would make me think that you' re not fully committed to being a doctor.

I'm all in favor of having a Plan B, but if you matriculate into the PA program, you'll do best to finish it, and then apply to med school. OR, give up that accept (to someone who really wants to be a PA) and simply work while you're applying to med school in the next cycle. Then apply to both programs to hedge your bets.

 

[Medic741]

Could you defer acceptance for a year?

 

[Confuzzledmed]

Could you defer acceptance for a year?

I thought about this , but I've been told its difficult to defer and you need pretty good reason to.