Juggling between many options.

[Jezzielin]

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Is anyone out there juggling between medical school and PA school?

While I am not in the running for to be able to start PA school this year, I am still waitlisted at LECOM-Erie and have an interview coming up for the Carribean on the 20th of March. Also, I might be in the running for an interview at my undergraduate school as well. So there are so many options for me to think about, and I am getting exhausted... 🙁

Just curious if anyone out there is also debating applying to PA school (for me it would be May of 2007), be it because of location, relationships, wanting to be around more for a future family, etc.

I am always on AIM and my screenname is the same as on here! So if you wanna chat please message me. I find myself thinking about this alot. I know there are people out there that may say "If you have doubts then medical school isn't for you." so if that is what you are going to say, please don't bother, no offense.

Thanks! 🙂

 

[mletter]

Is anyone out there juggling between medical school and PA school?

While I am not in the running for to be able to start PA school this year, I am still waitlisted at LECOM-Erie and have an interview coming up for the Carribean on the 20th of March. Also, I might be in the running for an interview at my undergraduate school as well. So there are so many options for me to think about, and I am getting exhausted... 🙁

Just curious if anyone out there is also debating applying to PA school (for me it would be May of 2007), be it because of location, relationships, wanting to be around more for a future family, etc.

I am always on AIM and my screenname is the same as on here! So if you wanna chat please message me. I find myself thinking about this alot. I know there are people out there that may say "If you have doubts then medical school isn't for you." so if that is what you are going to say, please don't bother, no offense.

Thanks! 🙂

I am applying to pharmacy and medical school. I am applying to pharmacy school because pharmacists are making comparable incomes to doctors (family practice) at this point in time anyway, and are able to work right when they get out of school with no residency.

 

[christinejane19]

Is anyone out there juggling between medical school and PA school?

While I am not in the running for to be able to start PA school this year, I am still waitlisted at LECOM-Erie and have an interview coming up for the Carribean on the 20th of March. Also, I might be in the running for an interview at my undergraduate school as well. So there are so many options for me to think about, and I am getting exhausted... 🙁

Just curious if anyone out there is also debating applying to PA school (for me it would be May of 2007), be it because of location, relationships, wanting to be around more for a future family, etc.

I am always on AIM and my screenname is the same as on here! So if you wanna chat please message me. I find myself thinking about this alot. I know there are people out there that may say "If you have doubts then medical school isn't for you." so if that is what you are going to say, please don't bother, no offense.

Thanks! 🙂

Jezz, I have been reading your posts in the osteopathic forum for months now, and rooting for you throughout this LECOM ordeal.. you want to be a physician more than many, many med students i know... don't go to PA school b/c its "just like" being an MD/DO.. there are people out there who genuinely WANT to become PA's... but you are not one of them...

I'd hate to see someone who is genuinely interested in medicine and aspires to provide great patient care, not accomplish their true final goal.

Retake the MCAT for a few more points... its the only thing holding you back...it sucks to have to wait a year...but don't let one test stand in your way or make you rethink the life's path that you were once so set on... you'll regret it for the rest of your life.

harsh? maybe... but someone's gotta to set you straight! I wish you all the best of lucK!

 

[MikeyLu2010]

I agree with christinejane...dont settle for less..you said LECOM was your dream school..so if you dont get off the waitlist this year...come back next year and show them you mean it...and i would also suggest retaking the mcats as well..good luck Jezz..we are all hoping the best for you

 

[Dr Trek 1]

Everyone has brought about very good points.

However, I think it's important to understand that in many cases PAs are able to have much more patient contact, do a lot more "patient-related" things, etc. etc. That can be the main reason many people go into medicine.

Check the state you want to practice in and read all their regulations on PAs. In most states, PAs can do most everything a MD/DO can do as long as they are supervised by a MD/DO. With it comes much less debt, less time in school, no residency, much less liability insurance, much better hours, and an easier time having a family.

I am not saying to definately become a PA, Jezz. I am just saying to find out the definition of a PA in the state you would like to practice in, compare it with a MD/DO, and decide which one fits your picture of providing quality health care.

If you decide on a DO, I agree that you should just bring up your MCAT score 3 or 4 points and you'll have a great shot at LECOM.

Good luck!

 

[Spankete87]

I too struggled with deciding whether or not to apply to PA school, osteopathic med school or allopathic med school because truthfully what I want to do is to help improve the lives of patients. I thought either of these three paths would let me accomplish this. In the end, however, I decided that osteopathic med school was what would allow me to accomplish all of the things I wanted to do in the medical profession. It all comes down to what is important to you and what will fufill you the most and make you feel like you are doing everything you want to be doing with your life. Personally I don't have a family yet, so being in school longer is ok for me......but I'm not planning on doing surgery or anything else that requires demanding hours because I do hope to one day have a family and that would be more important to me than my job. I also am too independent to be reporting back to an MD/DO every time I see a patient. So, although I think I could accomplish the same thing through all three paths, osteopathic medicine is the best route for me at this point in my life. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Jamers]

Is anyone out there juggling between medical school and PA school?

While I am not in the running for to be able to start PA school this year, I am still waitlisted at LECOM-Erie and have an interview coming up for the Carribean on the 20th of March. Also, I might be in the running for an interview at my undergraduate school as well. So there are so many options for me to think about, and I am getting exhausted... 🙁

Just curious if anyone out there is also debating applying to PA school (for me it would be May of 2007), be it because of location, relationships, wanting to be around more for a future family, etc.

I am always on AIM and my screenname is the same as on here! So if you wanna chat please message me. I find myself thinking about this alot. I know there are people out there that may say "If you have doubts then medical school isn't for you." so if that is what you are going to say, please don't bother, no offense.

Thanks! 🙂

Some of the most intelligent people I know are PAs. I myself was a PA major my first semester in College. However, I wanted more control over my life and, I'll admit it, more education ( I am geek ). That being said, it all comes down to what you want. This may sound rather odd but, do not think with your mind, but, rather, with your heart. That is, what do you want; what do you really want with the rest of your life? Whatever matches this, go for it full force and never look back. You cannot be unhappy with your decision if it is what you truely want to do. Best of luck in what ever you decide...

 

[OSUdoc08]

Is anyone out there juggling between medical school and PA school?

While I am not in the running for to be able to start PA school this year, I am still waitlisted at LECOM-Erie and have an interview coming up for the Carribean on the 20th of March. Also, I might be in the running for an interview at my undergraduate school as well. So there are so many options for me to think about, and I am getting exhausted... 🙁

Just curious if anyone out there is also debating applying to PA school (for me it would be May of 2007), be it because of location, relationships, wanting to be around more for a future family, etc.

I am always on AIM and my screenname is the same as on here! So if you wanna chat please message me. I find myself thinking about this alot. I know there are people out there that may say "If you have doubts then medical school isn't for you." so if that is what you are going to say, please don't bother, no offense.

Thanks! 🙂

Why would you want to do the same exact job for minimal pay and zero autonomy?

I don't think I would be an "assistant" to someone else who is making $200,000 more than me for the EXACT same job, just because my significant other doesn't want to move.

 

[JO300]

Do not give up if going to med school is what you want.

 

[DLOP?]

Just wanted to say yes! Definitely, others struggle with this same decision, please, post what you come up with.

 

[Dr Trek 1]

Why would you want to do the same exact job for minimal pay and zero autonomy?

This is a good point. However, PAs in most professions make a good amount of money, hardly zero pay. They also have less loans, less malpractice insurance, and better hours. However, it varies greatly.

So, Jezz, I would suggest that you do some research. Like if you want to be a family doctor in PA, check out the average salaries. Probably around $175,000. That's not including your loan payments, malpractice insurance, etc. etc. Next, check out the family practice PA salaries in PA. It may be worth it if a PA is what you want to do.

 

[JO300]

This is a good point. However, PAs in most professions make a good amount of money, hardly zero pay. They also have less loans, less malpractice insurance, and better hours. However, it varies greatly.

So, Jezz, I would suggest that you do some research. Like if you want to be a family doctor in PA, check out the average salaries. Probably around $175,000. That's not including your loan payments, malpractice insurance, etc. etc. Next, check out the family practice PA salaries in PA. It may be worth it if a PA is what you want to do.

It should not be about the money.

 

[lilymoo]

many people have second, third plans other than med. school. Nothing wrong about that. I sure had mine. I'd go to business school if not med. school. Some people will say if it is not the only thing you want, then you are not cut out for med. school anyway, but i never believe that. Go for what will make you happy in the long run. Good luck.

 

[Dr Trek 1]

It should not be about the money.

Of course not. If I wanted money, I would go into business with my dad. Business is where the money is.

I was simply explaining a point that the previous poster had brought up. Of course you shouldn't go into medicine for the money (not that there is really all that much anyway in most fields), but for people struggling between the choice of MD/DO and PA, it may influence them somewhat knowing they won't be in such great debt and will have better hours as a PA. It goes without saying that it is not about the money.

 

[OSUdoc08]

This is a good point. However, PAs in most professions make a good amount of money, hardly zero pay. They also have less loans, less malpractice insurance, and better hours. However, it varies greatly.

So, Jezz, I would suggest that you do some research. Like if you want to be a family doctor in PA, check out the average salaries. Probably around $175,000. That's not including your loan payments, malpractice insurance, etc. etc. Next, check out the family practice PA salaries in PA. It may be worth it if a PA is what you want to do.

I'm not sure how it works where you live, but PA's & MD's/DO's work the same shifts everywhere I have seen them. The only difference between the two jobs is the net pay and autonomy.

 

[Dr Trek 1]

No, PA's don't have an average salary greater than MD/DO's in the same specialty...

That's not what I meant. What I meant was that the difference between the MD/DO and PA salarly may be worth it for the less loan payments, less liability, less hours, etc. Of course PAs don't make as much as MD/DOs however they are a top earner in health care.

 

[drjds]

Is anyone out there juggling between medical school and PA school?

While I am not in the running for to be able to start PA school this year, I am still waitlisted at LECOM-Erie and have an interview coming up for the Carribean on the 20th of March. Also, I might be in the running for an interview at my undergraduate school as well. So there are so many options for me to think about, and I am getting exhausted... 🙁

Just curious if anyone out there is also debating applying to PA school (for me it would be May of 2007), be it because of location, relationships, wanting to be around more for a future family, etc.

I am always on AIM and my screenname is the same as on here! So if you wanna chat please message me. I find myself thinking about this alot. I know there are people out there that may say "If you have doubts then medical school isn't for you." so if that is what you are going to say, please don't bother, no offense.

Thanks! 🙂

Hey, Jezz, I've been keeping up with your posts for awhile, now and your problems keep sounding like my problems. My major holdback is the MCAT and now I am trying to decide on whether to pursue my Plan B (PA school) and later pursue my Plan A (Med. School). Let me know what you decide. 👍

 

[suckermc]

Hey, Jezz, I've been keeping up with your posts for awhile, now and your problems keep sounding like my problems. My major holdback is the MCAT and now I am trying to decide on whether to pursue my Plan B (PA school) and later pursue my Plan A (Med. School). Let me know what you decide. 👍

im just happy that you have options...we are rooting for you.

 

[mj1878]

It's so funny what the application process can do to one's brain! First off, we're a self-deprecating race to begin with(premed students, that is), and secondly we place all of our ego, our hopes, our futures and ourselves onto the few pages of an application and place it in front of strangers to judge our worth.

I have to admit that I too was running through my options last year after getting nothing but rejections(in fact, it was right about this time exactly last year!). After all, nothing hurts as badly as the prospect of:

a) Having to retake the MCAT
b) Having to voluntarily subject yourself to the excruciatingly painful application process again, only to possibly
c) End up right here again next year, but $3,000 poorer.

My advice would be to decide nothing monumental right now. Emotions are running way too hotly for you to be fully rational about anything. Go back through all of your posts. Read them with fresh eyes and re-learn where it is that you stored your passion to be a physician, then grab on to that. Just because the application process temporarily made you forget where you put it doesn't mean it's not there.