Any PA's around

Mrs_Lady

I read the post the other day and wanted to get some information for my little sister. 

In your opinion, which  major prepares you to be a PA? 

Which PA school did you attend?

 How many PA schools did you apply to? 

Did you go to PA school right after undergrad?

Which area do you specialize in?

iverske9

My good friend is a PA, and she had a biology undergrad, and worked at the hospital and or medical offices to gain experience in the medical experience. It is very competitive so tell her to get high grades and as much medical experience as she can.

thegirljack

I think any major in the sciences that meets the per reqs works. Most PA programs require similar classes so I would tell her to look up a few programs and just make sure she is getting all the per requisite classes.


I went to PA school in Philadelphia. I only applied to one. When I will was applying there were not a lot of graduate degree programs so that limited my choices. I went directly from undergrad to the program....one week off between them.

I have worked mainly in primary care/ emergency settings. You don't really specialize as a PA which is nice because you can switch areas fairly easily. There are a few "internship" type programs to specialize if one chooses to....but as of now most do not.

thegirljack

PA programs are definitely competitive. Hours of hands on experience is the hardest thing to get nowadays. I would recommend your sister become a CNA or EMT to get some hours in during summer breaks etc.

Mrs_Lady

Thanks for the info! she loves science and doesn't want to work in a lab she's entering her 2nd year of undergrad..and plans to get CNA certificate this semester so she can work at Children's or Medstar spring semester and during the summers

NicoleWI

Our former nanny is in PA school. I learned from her (as PP said, too) that PA school is very competitive, and you need hands-on experience as well as good grades and the right classes. She was an EMT, did a medical volunteer trip to Africa, and I think she also had a CNA as well along w/ her bachelor's degree. She applied to 5 or 6 schools, I think. She is going a year after graduation. She was off for a year doing some pre-req coursework on her own and nannying, and recovering from an ankle injury. 

Also, she ran into a super weird thing that you may want to check. Because she took a higher-level science course starting out as a freshman, she didn't have the basic biology class that was one of the pre-requisites for many programs. THis was a weird quirk that took her out of contention at like 3 schools. Even though she took a higher-level course, it didn't meet the exact standards for their required courses. 

ksonne

In your opinion, which  major prepares you to be a PA? Any major. Each school will have it's own requirements when applying. A certain number of bio classes, chem classes, English, etc. I had to eliminate some programs because I would not be able to fulfill their requirements before applying. I was a neuroscience major and chem minor and went back 2 years later to take more prerequisites at community college.

Which PA school did you attend? George Washington

How many PA schools did you apply to? I applied to about 10. I applied to a lot of the top PA schools, a few mid range schools, and a safety school. 

Did you go to PA school right after undergrad? Nope, I worked in research for 2 years. Then moved back home to do more prerequisite classes and become a CNA. Worked as a CNA for 1.5 years before attending PA school.

Which area do you specialize in? Surgery. I primarily work in colorectal surgery now but my first two years I rotated between the general, trauma, vascular, and colorectal surgery services.

The BIGGEST thing I can suggest is to shadow several PAs. Some schools require it, but it's the best way to know if it's something your sister would like to pursue. 

If your sister has an specific questions, please PM me

LtlAngL

Most PA's have majored in a science, especially Biology. I started off pre-med and then decided I didn't want that kind of lifestyle (and haven't looked back since!)

I went to Seton Hall for PA school. There is also a PA program at UMDNJ that used to be affiliated with my school. Seton Hall has a 3+3 program, where you do undergrad in 3 years and then get your master's in 3 years.

I automatically got into the grad program after getting into the 3+3 thing my 2nd year. I went right after undergrad and finished when I was 23...most of my friends took at least 1-2 more years to complete master's degrees in other things.

While I was in school, I worked as a counselor in a psych ward, and as a medical assistant...after I graduated, I did alternative medicine with autistic children for 2 years (and hated it because the parents were very difficult.) Then I did general surgery for 1 year and orthopedic surgery for 2 years (but the lifestyle sucked.) For the last 3 years, I've been in a multi-disciplinary primary care/outpatient sports medicine practice, and really love it!

Tell her it's a wonderful career. I've never met a PA that regretted their choice. Let me know if you need any more info.