PA then DO or MD

Med School Insiders
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
O

onstar

Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2006
Messages
44
Reaction score
0
Members do not see this ad.
how would med school react to PAs applying to DO programs.

Im 25 right now and dont really want to spend my youth behind a book. Im thinking about doing PA first, then apply to med school when im about 30ish. how would that look?

I did the post-bac route and just finished up. I have no chance in hell for any MD porgrams in the states, but a pretty good chance at a lot of DO programs.
 
My initial response is: if you want to be a doctor, be a doctor. Take a year off and do something interesting if you're not ready to start med school right now, but spending the time and money to get a degree you only plan on using for only a couple years is a big waste. just my opinion.
 
If your goal is medical school, then avoid PA school and go straight to medical school.

Yes, PAs have been accepted and have gone through medical schools in the past. Each applicant is unique and brings with him/her unique background, stats, reason for wanting to pursue medicine, etc. so to give you a general statement about how med school adcom will react to an applicant will be difficult at best

Using PA school as a stepping stone for med school is a very expensive process ... you're basically doing 6 years of formal medical education (2 yrs PA + 4 yrs med school) ... paying tuition (and unless you are wealthy, lots of loans)
Plus you state that you don't want to spend your youth behind a book ... so why bother spending 6 years total in school when you can spend 4?

Also, many PAs find it harder to return to medical school once they are out in practice and making decent income (financial and time commitment)

Now if you want to ultimately pursue a PA education/profession or a medical school/profession, then that's a different topic. But if your ultimate goal is to become a physician, then it's a no brainer ... go to medical school.
 
Umm, you want to apply to apply to PA school b/c you can't get into med school or b/c you want to spend the rest of your 20's partying and think PA school will be easy?
 
Here's a more positive note: If you don't feel like being in school right now, and it's not uncommon to want some time off before med school, then get a job (preferably research or clinical) and apply to med school in a couple of years. Going to PA school would mean more school and it sounds like you don't want that right now.
 
The PA students at my school study equally, if not more, than us... You will be spending your time behind books, just an extra 2-3 years if you go PA first.
 
I think your plan may sound good to you right now, but you may realize that studying to become a PA takes 100% committment just like studying to become a doctor. It would be an awesome stepping stone but you need major major determination. I would look around the DO schools and look for a MS program. Good luck!
 
im not using it as a steping stone. The place where in doing my post-bac has PA program and i applied just for the hell of it. I think PA schools different casue im not gonna be gunning for that A. Meaning- an all nite cramaton at best.


And yes, I do want to party it up a couple of more years.
 
onstar said:
im not using it as a steping stone. The place where in doing my post-bac has PA program and i applied just for the hell of it. I think PA schools different casue im not gonna be gunning for that A. Meaning- an all nite cramaton at best.


And yes, I do want to party it up a couple of more years.
Click to expand...

So why do you want to go to a PA school? Maybe go to business school and learn something you won't learn in med school... is the PA school idea in order to increase your chances of getting into med school?
 
onstar said:
im not using it as a steping stone. The place where in doing my post-bac has PA program and i applied just for the hell of it. I think PA schools different casue im not gonna be gunning for that A. Meaning- an all nite cramaton at best.


And yes, I do want to party it up a couple of more years.
Click to expand...

I think you should go to PA school. I do not think your desire to become a physician is that strong and will show/ has shown in your interviews, which will prevent you from being accepted anyway. If you become a Physicina's Assistant and start making $90,000, I think you will be happy.

Maybe in 10 years when you have paid or nearly paid your student loans off and you realize that you have minimal control over your patients treatments, you will realize that you do want to be a physician. -Then your desire may be strong enough to persue your passion. But of course, then you will likely be married with children and your decisions will affect your entire family.

There are too many people on this thread who have worked hard to get where they are and would cringe at someone like you taking a precious spot in a class somewhere.
 
onstar said:
im not using it as a steping stone. The place where in doing my post-bac has PA program and i applied just for the hell of it. I think PA schools different casue im not gonna be gunning for that A. Meaning- an all nite cramaton at best.


And yes, I do want to party it up a couple of more years.
Click to expand...

Not gunning for A's?! You realize med schools will see your grades from PA school and may question your suitability for handling the med school curriculum.

If you want to party, get a job so you're not racking up your debt. In a couple of years, after you've matured more, you can reconsider your options.
 
I'm a PA. I knew that I wanted to be a physician, but had no clue about DO school when I applied. Took me four years to get into PA school, did fine and practiced for 3 years. Now I'm back in medical school. I wasted a lot of time really, but things happen for a reason.

What I'm saying is that, if you have any desire to go to medical school, don't be a PA. Take if from someone who knows.
 
SOUNDMAN said:
I'm a PA. I knew that I wanted to be a physician, but had no clue about DO school when I applied. Took me four years to get into PA school, did fine and practiced for 3 years. Now I'm back in medical school. I wasted a lot of time really, but things happen for a reason.

What I'm saying is that, if you have any desire to go to medical school, don't be a PA. Take if from someone who knows.
Click to expand...

Im too young and good loking to waste my time behind a book
 
lrobin15 said:
I think you should go to PA school. I do not think your desire to become a physician is that strong and will show/ has shown in your interviews, which will prevent you from being accepted anyway. If you become a Physicina's Assistant and start making $90,000, I think you will be happy.

Maybe in 10 years when you have paid or nearly paid your student loans off and you realize that you have minimal control over your patients treatments, you will realize that you do want to be a physician. -Then your desire may be strong enough to persue your passion. But of course, then you will likely be married with children and your decisions will affect your entire family.

There are too many people on this thread who have worked hard to get where they are and would cringe at someone like you taking a precious spot in a class somewhere.
Click to expand...


PA make 90k? are you for real.
 
onstar said:
PA make 90k? are you for real.
Click to expand...

Absolutely, especially in the surgical fields. 90K isnt only possible, its routine in some places

Dont go to PA school unless you want to be a PA

👍
 
onstar said:
how would med school react to PAs applying to DO programs.

Im 25 right now and dont really want to spend my youth behind a book. Im thinking about doing PA first, then apply to med school when im about 30ish. how would that look?

I did the post-bac route and just finished up. I have no chance in hell for any MD porgrams in the states, but a pretty good chance at a lot of DO programs.
Click to expand...

Why would you say that? Many of the est. DO schools take only strong applicants. It is true that some of the newer DO schools may look at weaker stats but they still have to be good stats. If you think the osteopathic degree is less of a medical degree than an allopathic degree then maybe you should go PA. That will really make you less than a doctor with your own special little PA degree to prove it.

No offense to PA's. I know many good ones and you probably wouldn't even be good at that either.
 
onstar said:
Im too young and good loking to waste my time behind a book
Click to expand...

AH!

Perfect for PA school. Young, cocky, thinks they know more than they do. Yet somehow they still manage to screw up simple admission orders.

As a matter of fact, you would fit into a few medical schools I know of too.

Good luck in nursing. 😉
 
Let me describe my PA school for you: 52 weeks--97 test; must maintain a B average or your dropped. Avg 33 semester hours per 16 week semester. A typical week: Monday test--AΠ Wed test--Biochem: Fri test--A&PII; Classes from 730-430. Then clinicals science: Monday--OB/GYN test; Wed test--Peds; Friday test--Neuro; Week after Week after week. Its not nursing. Our study groups would take the test, crash, next day do a 24 hour study session, take the test; crash; start over. week after week after week. --After the fact, Schools want to look at your undergrad lol.
 
Just go to medical school. Don't waste your time doing something that you don't plan on continuing, and better yet, that spot that you take when you enter PA school could be for someone that has an earnest desire to be a PA.
 
onstar said:
how would med school react to PAs applying to DO programs.

Im 25 right now and dont really want to spend my youth behind a book. Im thinking about doing PA first, then apply to med school when im about 30ish. how would that look?

I did the post-bac route and just finished up. I have no chance in hell for any MD porgrams in the states, but a pretty good chance at a lot of DO programs.
Click to expand...

Hey onstar (the self-proclaimed hottie). I see you finished the post-bac route so you must have your bach's already... I'm not understanding what the benefit of PA school at this point would be? To me, the benefit would be not having to have a BA to enter the program..

PA vs DO Comparison:
PA school: 2 yr program, the 1st mostly class-based, the 2nd doing clinical rotations

DO school: 4 yr program, the 1st and 2nd class-based, 2nd and 3rd clinical rotations

Seems to me you're only looking at a 2nd year worth of hard book work difference. And as a PA, if you don't want to be in the primary care fields, you will have to complete a residency as well in your speciality. IMO, I would sacrifice doing one more year worth of slamming the books to benefit in a few years to be a physician (and added bonus, probably making about double). Mucho luck to you either way! 😀

Got the info from:
http://www.allalliedhealthschools.com/faqs/physician_assistant.php
 
onstar said:
how would med school react to PAs applying to DO programs.

Im 25 right now and dont really want to spend my youth behind a book. Im thinking about doing PA first, then apply to med school when im about 30ish. how would that look?

.
Click to expand...

Quite possibly the dumbest idea I have ever heard. Come on now.......you gotta stop eating ****** sandwiches. You either want med school or you don't want it.

DR L
 
DRLEWISDO said:
Quite possibly the dumbest idea I have ever heard. Come on now.......you gotta stop eating ****** sandwiches. You either want med school or you don't want it.

DR L
Click to expand...

:laugh: I've never heard of a ****** sandwich, although I admit I must've eaten atleast one in my lifetime 🙄
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Meganerd2012
  • Question Question
DO acceptance or Conditional MD SMP acceptance
Replies
26
Views
3K
Angus Avagadro
Angus Avagadro
M
Apply DO or wait a year to apply DO + MD
Replies
5
Views
2K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Ho0v-man
DO vs Carib MD podcast episode
Replies
3
Views
531
Ho0v-man
Ho0v-man
I
Should I do clinical volunteering or a job?
Replies
4
Views
620
Goro
Goro
S
Interesting Take - Canadian MD vs US DO
Replies
2
Views
1K
sky778
S
Top