PA to Physician?

[DNARNAPROTEIN]

My backup plan if I don't get into med school is to become a PA. Since the app cycles run diff for PA school, I am currently in the process of applying to PA programs. These will start either this summer or next fall. I am, however, still planning on applying to med schools come this spring/summer depending on when I take the MCAT. Assuming I get into a PA program, my question is: how would adcoms look at an applicant applying to med school while in a PA program? I wouldn't want it to look like I can't be trusted to commit to anything by leaving PA school if I was accepted to med school, but I do need a plan B. Also, if it takes 2-3yrs before I get into med school, how would adcoms look at the situation if I was a practicing PA applying to med school? Or, if med school is my ultimate goal, should I skip plan B and do something like paramedic/peace corps instead? Finally, would completing a PA program in any way change the amount of schooling needed in med school. I'm pretty positive it wouldn't make a difference, but just had to ask.

 

[DrMidlife]

This is a new extreme in bet hedging.

Applying to, and possibly matriculating in, a PA program before you've done a med school app cycle, says to me that PA is your plan A, and med school is your plan B. A plan B is the thing you resort to if you can't get plan A to happen after lots of trying. Actively pursuing a PA program says you don't want to be an MD for the foreseeable future.

I mean no offense, but IMHO your plan is quite unreasonable, unless you're VERY interested in being a PA, and you want to practice as a PA for at least 5 years before applying to med school. Otherwise you're taking a PA seat away from somebody who really wants it and will use it.

Peace Corps, on the other hand, is a GREAT idea. Oh how I wish I'd done this in my twenties. Sigh.

Best of luck to you.

 

[2008orbust]

I had posted the following on a different thread--may be helpful?

I am an ortho NP. It was not meant to be a stepping stone, it was at one point the goal. It is only because of my exposure to medicine/surgery as an NP that I now want to become a physician.

My two cents...
I really don't think the classes in general (or the degree), without actually putting in the time as a working NP would be helpful. I believe the strongest part of my app is that I have ~10,000 hours in the office (seeing MY OWN patients) and ~8,000 hours in the ER. After talking to some adcoms, the degree in and of itself held no weight, it was the huge huge huge amount of exposure to patients and the medical field that I get because of the degree that is attractive to them. Had I applied to medschool during my third year of NP school, there would have been a red flag (a mighty big neon one according to the adcom I spoke with) raised as to my intentions.


I hope this helps a little, James

 

[Micah6:8]

As a PA who will be starting medical school next week😀, I do NOT recommend that you go to PA school if your primary intention is to go to medical school. First, the PA admissions committee does not favor this. Most importantly, PA school is lots of work and although I have enjoyed many aspects of being a PA, it will only take time away from your primary goal. There are cheaper and faster ways to get patient expereince (CNA, EMT, peace corps, etc.)
And, trust me, you will not ANY credit for 'time served' during PA school. Besides some required pre-reqs, I will be taking all of the same classes as my fellow MS-I students.
Good luck and follow the path that will lead you where you really want to go.