PA to DO

[kardom11]

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Are there any PAs looking to go on to DO/MD programs? I've been working as a PA for >5 yrs and am looking to broaden my knowledge. Anyone in a similar position?

 

[workaholic181]

Pa To Do

Found this thread from way back when. Hope it helps!

 

[kardom11]

Pa To Do

Found this thread from way back when. Hope it helps!

I saw that, but it's so old

 

[workaholic181]

I saw that, but it's so old

Yea unfortunately that's literally the only thing I could find.

Usually helps on here when people post their stats. What was your Undergrad gpa? Any MCAT? how'd you do in PA?

Seems like the big thing, assuming that all these stats are in order, is how can you frame why you want to make this switch at this point?

 

[kardom11]

Yea unfortunately that's literally the only thing I could find.

Usually helps on here when people post their stats. What was your Undergrad gpa? Any MCAT? how'd you do in PA?

Seems like the big thing, assuming that all these stats are in order, is how can you frame why you want to make this switch at this point?

Undergrad 3.5 overall, science 3.3. PA school I was number one in my class which was 3.71. Just interested to hear from other in a similar place. As a PA, it just seems no matter how much you read, do CME, practice, you never get beyond a certain knowledge level. Only going forward to medical school will give what is desired. Also, I'm wondering what people who have been out of school for >5 years do about LORs. I could get about 20 from physicians but it would be difficult after all this time to go back to science professors. Took the MCAT last week.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

LECOM has a PA-->DO program you should look into, although I do believe some of the spots are for people looking to go into PC. Your MCAT score will be a big part of deciding which schools to apply to.

 

[mfrey28]

There is a poster on physicianassistantforum.com that did LECOM PA to DO. She would probably be a good resource

 

[austintr]

Just a couple of things I would like to note: in the med school world, real life experience taking care of patients in a mostly autonomous role is greatly valued. Especially at DO programs. You can get letters from physicians, and I encourage you to do so. But, speaking from experience, you should do everything you can to get a couple of professor letters. Even if you have to take a couple of evening classes or something. I applied with 3 physician letters and a letter from the chair of my paramedic program and was told that was insufficient for my top 2 schools. Even after one of them said that combination would fulfill their requirements. So real world experience is valued, but you also need to jump through a couple hoops.

As a side note, the absolute best physician I've ever worked with was a PA for several years before moving on to med school. He is a great clinician, the most patient and awesome ED doc I've ever met, and he's universally loved by his coworkers and patients alike. So if medicine is something you want to pursue, do some research and don't limit yourself to just one bridge program like LECOM. Not to say it's a bad program, because I don't think it is. But don't limit yourself to one avenue just because it's slightly easier to turn onto that street.