PA or AA school

[satayarayne]

New to this, not sure if I'm in the right spot....but Graduating with my Bachelors but not competitive for medical school (3.1 GPA; 2.7 science). I don't think it's a smart investment, financially or time-wise, to attend a post-bacc program "hoping" to become a better med applicant. I still want to try for medical school but will probably only have a chance through a nontraditional route; here's what I was considering:
Getting my Masters degree to become an Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA) or a Physician Assistant, work for 1 year or two and then apply to Medical School. I know that they are currently fighting for licensure against the CRNA's who see them as a threat; so job outlook isn't that great right now. I wouldn't want to waste time and money to go back and get my BSN, plus 3 years ICU training, just to be able to apply to a CRNA program; even if the job outlook may be stronger at the moment.
Anyways I'm looking for advice from anyone who is a current AA or PA or have worked with either of these professionals. What advice would you give to me? Which seems like a better route and why, PA or AA? How hard are the programs to get into? DO you need clinical/ health care experience prior to applying? Any other info would be greatly appreciated!

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[MedicaMagus]

You do need HCE for PA school, however, your GPA is probably to low for most if not all PA schools. Not sure about AA school. Your best bet is doing a post bac or SMP, IMO.

 

[DrMidlife]

The AA degree is not widely recognized. Just 10 states. By contrast, CRNA or PA degrees are universal across the US.

 

[BluMist]

also, even if you work a few years as PA/CRNA, it will not dismiss your GPA. You'll need a post-bacc at some point.

on the other hand, if you find your alternate career satisfying, then you don't need to waste the time/money to prep for medical school.

 

[esob]

My premed adviser just got done telling a room full of PA students they needed 700 - 800 hrs shadowing a PA (not a doc) in order to even apply to PA school. If that's true, then seems like you'd be better off putting the time into a post bac

 

[Apollo1]

My premed adviser just got done telling a room full of PA students they needed 700 - 800 hrs shadowing a PA (not a doc) in order to even apply to PA school. If that's true, then seems like you'd be better off putting the time into a post bac

Seems like a scare tactic, with the diminishing returns and all.

 

[DoctorDrewOutsidetheLines]

LECOM offers a 3 years PA to DO pathway
http://lecom.edu/academics/the-college-of-medicine/accelerated-physician-assistant-pathway/


Application Requirements
Applicants to the program must:

1. Be a Certified Physician Assistant.
2. Have a minimal GPA of 2.7.
3. Have completed at least one physics and one organic chemistry course with lab.
4. Have obtained a minimum of 23 on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) taken January, 2015 or prior, or scored in the 40th percentile or higher on the MCAT taken after January, 2015.*
5. Be US citizens or have permanent residency

*Recognizing that alternative measures can be used to demonstrate the ability to handle challenging curriculum and that GPA is more predictive of successful completion of medical school, we now consider the LECOM Academic Index Score (AIS) as an alternative for outstanding applicants who have not taken the MCAT. The AIS uses undergraduate and graduate GPAs in formula calculation with ACT and/or SAT Critical Reading and Math scores in consideration of offering interviews.

 

[Darth Doc]

Seems like a scare tactic, with the diminishing returns and all.

PA schools really do have significant shadowing requirements. It makes sense, since the programs are only two years long.

From the American Association of Physician Assistants: "Of the top 12 PA programs in the nation, eight require between 1,000-4,000 hours of “direct patient healthcare experience.” Some require paid clinical hours."

https://www.aapa.org/twocolumn.aspx?id=2826

 

[Apollo1]

From the American Association of Physician Assistants: "Of the top 12 PA programs in the nation, eight require between 1,000-4,000 hours of “direct patient healthcare experience.” Some require paid clinical hours."

Just so we're on the same page, this is talking about working as an EMT, paramedic, nurse, CNA etc. Shadowing wouldn't require this many hours because there is only so much you can learn from following a person around.

 

[Darth Doc]

Just so we're on the same page, this is talking about working as an EMT, paramedic, nurse, CNA etc. Shadowing wouldn't require this many hours because there is only so much you can learn from following a person around.

Yes, but it can include volunteer hours. Examples could include: BP check tables, healthcare for the homeless, etc. Any hands-on medical can count.

While in undergrad, I got a certificate to be a CNA at a local community college and did that for money and experience while in school. I'd recommend EMT. Way more interesting. I did learn about life as a CNA, but not much medicine.

My local hospital hires scribes, usually college students hoping for medical school, who work in the ER typing into the computer system for the docs.

There are more options out there than you'd think.

In my PA class, several ended up MDs. FYI, applying to medical school on AAMCAS you still have to include all of your undergrad grades. DO with grade replacement might be your best bet if you plan on going further than midlevel. (Also, there is an anesthesia physician assistant program in Florida if you're set on anesthesia.)