Should I tell the truth?

[medical22]

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The truth is that I've applied to both med school and PA schools. Now I've been called for an interview at a PA school. Should I tell them that I've also applied to med school? But I know that they will take that against me, unless.....well i'm just not sure what to do. I'm thinking I won't tell them unless they ask me. But how can I convince them that now I'm really interested in their school and not med school even though if accepted to med school, I will go there. Please help! PA is my backup, meaning that if not accepted to med school, I will go to PA school. My first choice is med school, but I know that I will be happy as a PA too.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Raptor]

seems to me you are indecisive about you career. anyways if you really want to be a doctor then hence i would apply at least 3 times then apply to PA school. But if you tell them the truth I don't think that they will really like that.

 

[lola]

hmm...i'm always one for the truth, but that is a tough call. i don't see why you should tell them if they don't ask. there is nothing dishonest about not telling them unless they specifically ask you. if they ask, i think you have to tell them. do they normally ask?

 

[klp14]

I wouldn't tell them unless they ask. If they do it'd be a good idea to know why you'd be interested in doing MD or PA - they might grill you on why you'd apply to both because from what I've seen the philosophies are pretty different.

 

[katemonster]

What does PA stand for?

 

[vixen]

Originally posted by katemonster
What does PA stand for?

physicians assistant

 

[2badr]

Originally posted by katemonster
What does PA stand for?

Physician Assistant

 

[zer0el]

PA = Physician's Assistant

To the OP: Sounds like ur absolute first choice is MD. If that is what u want, i would advise that u reapply if u don't get in this year. I'm not u, but i know that i might regret becoming a PA if all along MD was my first choice. plus, an MD will be hiring u, so u'll have no choice but to be around them for the rest of ur career. this is all moot if u get into med school, but i'm just advising u against choosing to be a PA as a backup to an MD.

 

[MDwillneverbe]

Having been on PA admissions committees for the past 10 years my best advice to you is that if you want to be an MD then pursue MD - PA school is not for the people who couldn't make it to med school-If you want to become an MDand are rejected, find out what your deficiencies are, improve your application and try again.
You have to want to be a PA due to the rigorous course of study , otherwise you will not make it through PA school
We are pretty good at weeding out mdwannabes
That being said- Ask yourself if you would be happy being a PA - motivations are usually different for becoming a PA- generally it is lifestyle issues- shorter time to degree, no internship or residency- but keep in mind that the level of responsibility is never going to approach that of a physician- no matter how many years you are in practice- If you need to be top banana- this isn't the career for you.

 

[woolie]

As much as I like to tell the truth in general, in this case I would have to second the post-ers above and not say anything unless it somehow (how?) came up in the conversation.

I think I have learned a lesson about variations of truth: when going for a job do I just go for the job or should I also mention oh by the way I am applying to medical school ... well, that has lost me about a handful of interviews and jobs. So, as much as I would like to be an honest person I have bills to pay and can not say anything unless the subject should come up (how?) ...

On the other hand, go full steam for the full banana if that's what you want. PA could be nice if you want to be more with your family and kids but that's a decision you need to make for yourself ...