PA or DO?

[Bmolyneaux]

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I know you all see this dilemma posted by a lot of pre-health students but after all my research I still am not swayed to one side. Both PA and DO have their own benefits but I just can't make the final pick. Plus I am running low on time until I need to have taken the MCAT or GRE as I am entering my 5th year of undergrad. PA seems to be the more accommodating choice with shorter time in school, great pay, great employment outlook, less debt, and still some reasonable autonomy. However, if I don't do DO I feel almost as if I am giving up or copping out to take an easier road. I also don't want to have to answer to anyone about treatment of my own patient and I want to prove to myself that I have what it takes to achieve the highest degree of certification in healthcare. Maybe I am just letting my ego overpower my thinking but nonetheless I feel as if I have been running in circles with this decision for some time now. Anyone else going through this struggle or have in the past? Really could use some advice.

 

[backside_attack]

Why not MD? What are your stats and life situation? Ultimately we can't tell you a definite answer but maybe if we understand where you're coming from we can offer anecdotes and advice.

 

[Mad Jack]

Just ask yourself if you'll ever be happy going the PA route, or if you'll just get fed up and go DO down the line as you realize how limited you are. Sometimes I think I should've gone PA, but then I realize I would have always felt unfulfilled, even if it was the better path. Now I at least know it would have been a good road to take- but given that the only way to find out was to go to medical school, it seems this was my only option and I'm way too deep in to turn back now.