Living Comfortably - PA

[cliz04]

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Hi there!

So before anyone accuses, I'm definitely not in health to chase money, since this post IS about money. I've been wanting to be a practicing clinician for my entire life, and even if I'm dirt poor, I'll be happy with what I'm doing as long as it is in medicine.

My first 3 years of college weren't smooth, to say the least. I internally struggled with whether or not medicine was TRULY my calling in life (clearly I've decided that it was). So last year, I enrolled in a radiography program. I graduate in May with my Associate degree in Radiography, and will be a certified RT(R).

That being said, I will hold the world's most expensive associate degree. I went to a private college out-of-state for this 2 year degree (it's a 4 year college offering this 2 year degree), and needless to say, I'm in a boatload of debt.

Next year, I will be attending a state university at home to finish my bachelors, which should only take me a year and a half. I'll be paying out of pocket for it since it's so cheap for me. I also plan to work full time as an x-ray tech, and put most of my salary to start paying off my loans to put a dent in them before I apply to both medical school and PA school.

As a PA, will I eventually be able to live comfortably with a massive amount of debt? I hope to enter a state university to pay in-state tuition, but obviously, you never know what will happen! I understand that it will be difficult for a long time. Even if I get accepted to medical school and become a doctor, it will be difficult for a long time. But will I bring my debt to the grave? Like other people, I'd like to eventually get married, start a family and maybe even one day buy a house (not for a very long time on that one!).

I know it's probably been asked a million times but insight would help 🙂

 

[pamac]

Hi there!

So before anyone accuses, I'm definitely not in health to chase money, since this post IS about money. I've been wanting to be a practicing clinician for my entire life, and even if I'm dirt poor, I'll be happy with what I'm doing as long as it is in medicine.

My first 3 years of college weren't smooth, to say the least. I internally struggled with whether or not medicine was TRULY my calling in life (clearly I've decided that it was). So last year, I enrolled in a radiography program. I graduate in May with my Associate degree in Radiography, and will be a certified RT(R).

That being said, I will hold the world's most expensive associate degree. I went to a private college out-of-state for this 2 year degree (it's a 4 year college offering this 2 year degree), and needless to say, I'm in a boatload of debt.

Next year, I will be attending a state university at home to finish my bachelors, which should only take me a year and a half. I'll be paying out of pocket for it since it's so cheap for me. I also plan to work full time as an x-ray tech, and put most of my salary to start paying off my loans to put a dent in them before I apply to both medical school and PA school.

As a PA, will I eventually be able to live comfortably with a massive amount of debt? I hope to enter a state university to pay in-state tuition, but obviously, you never know what will happen! I understand that it will be difficult for a long time. Even if I get accepted to medical school and become a doctor, it will be difficult for a long time. But will I bring my debt to the grave? Like other people, I'd like to eventually get married, start a family and maybe even one day buy a house (not for a very long time on that one!).

I know it's probably been asked a million times but insight would help 🙂

Yep. It's going to be expensive. I know rad techs that went to community college and had no debt. Get a job at a hospital that has tuition reimbursement to help pay for your BS. Join the military to have them pay for your PA degree. That's your solution right there, other than rack up more debt.

Incidentally, I read chart recently showing that most of the best paying jobs had the word "engineer" tacked on. For all the effort people put (or say they will put) into getting into and through PA school, they could do much better financially doing engineering. Yeah, a lot of math, but if you trader it like a job, it's manageable.

But who wants to be an engineer? Not I.

 

[deleted6669]

There are a few other options.
there are several 3 yr part time programs which allow you to work yr 1 and 2 and keep the debt down.
PA school debt can be big but it's manageable. folks pay it off and continue on with their lives.
there are lots of loan repayment jobs as well, especially if you are willing to work rural or work for the govt(military, public health service, etc). these are usully year for year and include a reasonable salary and benefits as well.

 

[cliz04]

Yep. It's going to be expensive. I know rad techs that went to community college and had no debt. Get a job at a hospital that has tuition reimbursement to help pay for your BS. Join the military to have them pay for your PA degree. That's your solution right there, other than rack up more debt.

Incidentally, I read chart recently showing that most of the best paying jobs had the word "engineer" tacked on. For all the effort people put (or say they will put) into getting into and through PA school, they could do much better financially doing engineering. Yeah, a lot of math, but if you trader it like a job, it's manageable.

But who wants to be an engineer? Not I.

Thanks for your insight 🙂

Military is not an option, I have a chronic health problem that would get me weeded out before I could even sign the papers, ha! The hospital reimbursement seems like a good idea though. I will definitely look into that.

And yes, I definitely do not want to be an engineer.... health care is definitely where I'm at!

 

[aiviphung]

Honestly, I don't know if it's the best idea to apply to med school AND PA school. I think you should really sit down and consider long and hard what you want to be and go with one route. Especially if you are concerned about expenses. The application process definitely isn't cheap. Just my opinion.

 

[Boatswain2PA]

Honestly, I don't know if it's the best idea to apply to med school AND PA school. I think you should really sit down and consider long and hard what you want to be and go with one route. Especially if you are concerned about expenses. The application process definitely isn't cheap. Just my opinion.

Disagree with this. Apply to med school AND PA school. If you get into med school, then go. If you don't get into med school, then you might get into PA school.

Another option for the expense - - there are still a couple of PA programs that are pretty darn inexpensive. Usually in the middle of the country.

 

[FCMike11]

Disagree with this. Apply to med school AND PA school. If you get into med school, then go. If you don't get into med school, then you might get into PA school.

Another option for the expense - - there are still a couple of PA programs that are pretty darn inexpensive. Usually in the middle of the country.

Here is a question. I have considered applying to both at the same time, how would a school view you applying to their pa and md school at the same time?

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[Boatswain2PA]

Here is a question. I have considered applying to both at the same time, how would a school view you applying to their pa and md school at the same time?

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I don't know the answer to that, but I don't know how they would know that you are applying at the same time unless you told them. Unless, perhaps, you applied to both programs at the same school. But even then I would guess that they wouldn't know.

 

[FCMike11]

I don't know the answer to that, but I don't know how they would know that you are applying at the same time unless you told them. Unless, perhaps, you applied to both programs at the same school. But even then I would guess that they wouldn't know.

Yeah same school is what I meant.

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[deleted6669]

if you are thinking applying pa and md I would apply md and do instead.
you obviously want to be a doc.
DO school is about as hard to get into as PA school gpa wise so if you think you have a shot for PA and have the mcat and premed course requirements I would apply DO instead of PA.
if I was on an adcom(and have been before) and knew you were applying to pa and md at the same time I would not offer you an interview and if you got one I would recommend against your admission.
go to medschool.
pa school isn't a concillation prize.

 

[FCMike11]

if you are thinking applying pa and md I would apply md and do instead.
you obviously want to be a doc.
DO school is about as hard to get into as PA school gpa wise so if you think you have a shot for PA and have the mcat and premed course requirements I would apply DO instead of PA.
if I was on an adcom(and have been before) and knew you were applying to pa and md at the same time I would not offer you an interview and if you got one I would recommend against your admission.
go to medschool.
pa school isn't a concillation prize.

Speaking with my wife we intend to give medical school two whole-hearted application cycles (at least I guess you'd say). But in the back of my mind I'm always aware of the fact I'm extending the time until my family can really settle down (albeit we are only 23 and we have an 8week old boy). I know for a fact I'd be completely displeased if in 10 years I was still a nurse. I don't want to do the same thing in 20 years and be unhappy if I chose pa school or such. Haha sorry to spill, something I think about daily.

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[Makati2008]

Speaking with my wife we intend to give medical school two whole-hearted application cycles (at least I guess you'd say). But in the back of my mind I'm always aware of the fact I'm extending the time until my family can really settle down (albeit we are only 23 and we have an 8week old boy). I know for a fact I'd be completely displeased if in 10 years I was still a nurse. I don't want to do the same thing in 20 years and be unhappy if I chose pa school or such. Haha sorry to spill, something I think about daily.

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I think that is a good plan but please remember to add osteopathic schools in the mix unless you murder the Mcat. Osteopathic adcoms love prior hce while allopathic side it was a neutral.

Good luck

 

[FCMike11]

I think that is a good plan but please remember to add osteopathic schools in the mix unless you murder the Mcat. Osteopathic adcoms love prior hce while allopathic side it was a neutral.

Good luck

Oh absolutely, when it is all said and done my cumgpa will be 3.3-3.5, going to really dedicate time to the mcat. I think I'd be considered "competitive" for DO schools. With TCOM being my best chance (in state), but will apply to almost all texas schools and strategically DO out of state.

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[Sardinia]

Yep. It's going to be expensive. I know rad techs that went to community college and had no debt. Get a job at a hospital that has tuition reimbursement to help pay for your BS. Join the military to have them pay for your PA degree. That's your solution right there, other than rack up more debt.

Incidentally, I read chart recently showing that most of the best paying jobs had the word "engineer" tacked on. For all the effort people put (or say they will put) into getting into and through PA school, they could do much better financially doing engineering. Yeah, a lot of math, but if you trader it like a job, it's manageable.

But who wants to be an engineer? Not I.

Engineering jobs are cyclical.