Hey guys,
I've posted on here before I want to preface that my GPA is very low; 2.65. BA in Psych. I didn't try very hard at all and partied a lot, but since graduating I have found a strong passion in medicine and my work ethic has changed dramatically (although I know it's not very convincing to adcoms). However, I have not taken any of the science courses for pre-med and I am thinking about going back to school to fulfill that and hopefully get great grades.
I have been reading that there is high demand for physician assistants now and it seems like something that might be a little more likely for me to get into rather than med school under my grade circumstances. If I do pursue PA school, I would ideally get an EMT certificate Winter 2015 and then start taking classes and work for a private EMS company or preferably, in the ER(to get those patient contact hours). If it were to be med school, I would like to shadow a physician and do some volunteer work in the hospital while I take the courses starting this fall.
My questions are:
1. If I do really good (above 3.7) in all of my pre-med or pre-PA school courses, do I still have a shot at getting into a good program? If so, which might I have a better shot at (pre-med or PA school)? I understand that the debt load is much different between the two programs, but let's assume money is not a major issue. Also, in the grand scheme of things, I wouldn't mind working under someone, but I would rather be a doctor. If the chances of acceptance are not too bad either way, I might be leaning more towards med school.
2. How competitive are the PA programs as far as GPA? What else do they look for?
3. I know that no matter what, there might not be any coming back from a poor GPA. What else can I do, provided that I do get in the science pre-reqs, to make me stand out for either track?
4. Side note: Does it look that much worse to take the prerequisites at a community college versus a local university?
I REALLY don't want to just give up this idea and succumb to my **** GPA due to irresponsible choices I made at 19 and 20 (that's what the law school kids told me when I contemplated going into law school; didn't really want to go into law anyways) unless there's absolutely no way of getting into either program. Any constructive ideas will help!
I've posted on here before I want to preface that my GPA is very low; 2.65. BA in Psych. I didn't try very hard at all and partied a lot, but since graduating I have found a strong passion in medicine and my work ethic has changed dramatically (although I know it's not very convincing to adcoms). However, I have not taken any of the science courses for pre-med and I am thinking about going back to school to fulfill that and hopefully get great grades.
I have been reading that there is high demand for physician assistants now and it seems like something that might be a little more likely for me to get into rather than med school under my grade circumstances. If I do pursue PA school, I would ideally get an EMT certificate Winter 2015 and then start taking classes and work for a private EMS company or preferably, in the ER(to get those patient contact hours). If it were to be med school, I would like to shadow a physician and do some volunteer work in the hospital while I take the courses starting this fall.
My questions are:
1. If I do really good (above 3.7) in all of my pre-med or pre-PA school courses, do I still have a shot at getting into a good program? If so, which might I have a better shot at (pre-med or PA school)? I understand that the debt load is much different between the two programs, but let's assume money is not a major issue. Also, in the grand scheme of things, I wouldn't mind working under someone, but I would rather be a doctor. If the chances of acceptance are not too bad either way, I might be leaning more towards med school.
2. How competitive are the PA programs as far as GPA? What else do they look for?
3. I know that no matter what, there might not be any coming back from a poor GPA. What else can I do, provided that I do get in the science pre-reqs, to make me stand out for either track?
4. Side note: Does it look that much worse to take the prerequisites at a community college versus a local university?
I REALLY don't want to just give up this idea and succumb to my **** GPA due to irresponsible choices I made at 19 and 20 (that's what the law school kids told me when I contemplated going into law school; didn't really want to go into law anyways) unless there's absolutely no way of getting into either program. Any constructive ideas will help!
