Current PA-C considering med school in the PNW

[68WPA]

Hello,

I won't bore you all with my life story but bottom line up front, I am a currently practicing PA-C in Washington state considering applying to MD and DO programs in state or in Oregon. Not particularly willing to move due to roots here (family, house, etc).

Undergrad cGPA 3.4, sGPA 3.1 (post bacc cGPA and sGPA 3.8). PA school GPA 3.3
MCAT: 501 over 5 years ago
State of residence: WA
Ethnicity and/or race: Not URM
Clinical experience: 4 years Army medic, 1 year PA-C urgent care
Research experience:None
Shadowing experience: None for physicians, shadowed prior to PA school
Non-clinical volunteering: None

Never applied to any med programs, was originally planning on returning to the military as a PA but life changes.

Looking for input on my chances at the 3 realistic options for me: OHSU, Washington State, and Pacific COM. Probably no chance at UW. Aware of the mission statements at OHSU and Pacific, I believe I'd qualify under the significant healthcare experience group but I could be wrong.

TIA

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[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums. Can you organize your information into the WAMC template?

Have you talked with admissions staff at those schools near you?

Being a veteran is a plus, and your medic experience should be an asset. The question will be if your academic preparation is enough. But my opinion is that WSU and PNWU are probably reasonable to check out. I suspect OHSU too.

 

[68WPA]

Welcome to the forums. Can you organize your information into the WAMC template?

Have you talked with admissions staff at those schools near you?

Being a veteran is a plus, and your medic experience should be an asset. The question will be if your academic preparation is enough. But my opinion is that WSU and PNWU are probably reasonable to check out. I suspect OHSU too.

Thank you, cleaned up my post a bit. I have not seriously started the application process yet. Currently planning to study for the MCAT as time allows. Would you suggest reaching out to the programs this early?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you, cleaned up my post a bit. I have not seriously started the application process yet. Currently planning to study for the MCAT as time allows. Would you suggest reaching out to the programs this early?

It won't hurt you to reach out to programs. We admissions folks like to help people when there is enough time to advise before applying.

 

[68WPA]

It won't hurt you to reach out to programs. We admissions folks like to help people when there is enough time to advise before applying.

Will definitely keep that in mind. In regards to your previous comment, what would be the main factor with academic preparedness? My PA program was approx 150 credit hours so I'm expecting my 3.3 GPA there to pull my overall GPA down a bit, maybe below 3.4, but would adcoms take into account the relative rigor compared to other grad programs?