PA pre-reqs next semester - 4 classes(w/lab) too much?

[hakeemk]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm 31, a non-trad trying to get into PA school. I graduated with a Liberal Arts BA in 2015. Currently taking prereqs at a local cc and have gotten good grades so far. I've taken 2 classes Spring of 2016 (Gen Chem 1 and GenBio 1), 1 class in the summer (Gen Chem 2) and currently taking Orgo 1 and A&P1. So far all A's. Decent GRE (318)...might take again to try for a better score. Only healthcare experience I have is volunteering at a local hospital for the past year (about 150 total hours so far). I also may start shadowing a PA soon.
I know it's tough getting into PA school. I will have the prereqs completed for Midwestern PA after this current semester. In order to get prereqs done for Rosalind Franklin, I need A&P2, Biochem and Micro. I am planning on taking these 3, along with Orgo 2 next semester. Is taking these 4 classes (all have lab) in the same semester too much? I won't be working and plan on dedicating all my time to these classes. Are A's possible for all 4? Or should I pace myself and spread things out. I'd much rather get pre-reqs done asap so that I have a better chance when I apply this coming April. Any thoughts?
I might also take the MCAT and apply for med school also within the next few years. Seems like DO would be a better chance for me because of my lack of healthcare experience. Any advice for my situation would be appreciated.

 

[deleted6669]

only you can answer that. Can you get all As and Bs? then go for it. my last term I took 20 units and worked 24 hrs/week as an ER tech. I had no life and my girlfriend(now wife) almost left me. I survived. I do fine on 5-6 hrs of sleep/night. not everyone does.

 

[pamac]

Your lack of healthcare experience won't be a major factor for you if you apply to the vast number of PA schools that couldn't care less about you having a significant amount of background. There are plenty. At least 1/3 don't care much about hce, about 1/3 want some token hce, and probably not even 1/3 want a significant amount of significant hce for them to look at you. Grades are the most important factor for you. Everything else pales in comparison. If you want to be a PA, focus on grades, and that will be the most bang for the buck. If you are the kind of person that has to go slow to get A's, then go slow to get A's, because that will be the key that opens more doors for you than anything else, not health care experience wiping patients for just above minimum wage and taking blood pressure. Once you have A's, you can get some token HCE, and at that point, have the qualifications to apply to 2/3 of the PA programs out there.