Preperations for becoming a Physicians Assistant?

Question

hello, i would like to become a Physicians Assistant after I graduate college and later on maybe go into medical school. I am a freshman at University of Connecticut.

1) I am currently in a biology major, but I have heard that PA programs and Medical schools do not like students with Majors in the MEdical field, so I am wondering if I should change my major.

2) Also what other things would i need to do to get into a PA program after college besides getting good grades.

3) What choices of majors would be good to have instead of Biology to go into PA program.

4)Also what classes do i need to have to go into a PA program?

5) Would it be easier to get into medical school after becoming a PA?

p.s. I would like to be involved in surgery as a PA.

Answer 1

1. I studied moecular bio in college, and I was pre-med. The best reason NOT to be a bio major if you want to do health sciences is that there is a lot of competition to get to the top. I'm smart and i went to a prestigious university. But my grades suffered. So despite a very good MCAT score, I'm still not in med school. I did a Masters and am applying AGAIN to med school right now.

The important thing is that you do your prereqs. It's convenient to declare biology, and there's nothing inherently wrong aobut that. But it's not the best strategy. Personally, I recommend majoring in something flaky and EASY so you can devote your real brain power to acing the medical prerequisite courses.

2. PA programs have slightly different pre-reqs than medical school. These include anatomy and physiology labs as well as microbiology.

3. Do extremely well in your pre-reqs and major in underwater basketweaving. SERIOUSLY. Study something easy.

4. Some PA programs have a clinical requirement, meaning you need to log a certain number of hours (about 400 to 1500)working in a clinical setting. U of Southern Cal has a great PA program, and their requirements are in line with most other PA schools. Read their page to find out what you need http://www.usc.edu/schools/medicine/departments/physician_assistant/education/requirements.html

5. HELL NO!!! Going into a graduate PA program is a waste of time if you want to go into medical school. Moreover, the coursework doesn't overlap in some places, meaning you may have to take more classes or repeat some coursework at a different level in order to qualify for medical school.

I am only considering applying to PA programs because I am scared to death I won't get into a MD or DO program. This means despite having a BA in molecular biology, I have to do an extra year worth of coursework to make the pre-reqs for PA school. PA is better off a last resort for me (and a first choice for others, but by no means a jumping off point from one track to the other).

If you wanna go to med school, just be a pre-med. Get it over with.

Answer 2

Why don't you look up a local college or university website that has a PA program. With all the questions you have, that will be the only way to answer them. Most have information on qualifications applicants need to have.