Every PA you know had to make the decision between medical school and PA school. Every PA will have different reasons as to why they chose the PA route. It is a very difficult decision for some because it does affect the rest of your life. Cue scary music. Dun DUn DUN! This is one of those soul-searching questions that every person needs to make. For some it is easy because of life circumstances. For others, not so much. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to help guide your decision.

Questions to ask yourself-

1. Do you have a problem with debt? Both options will leave you in debt, but one much moreso. Yes, MD’s make more money but with that comes significant debt. Most PAs will pay off their school loans earlier, or have smaller payments every month.
2. Do you want to own your own practice? There are a lot of hurdles for a PA to own their own practice. It can be done, but it is easier for an MD to go that direction with their education.
3. How do you feel about being a dependent practitioner? There are definitely movements for PA autonomy, but we aren’t 100 percent there yet. Even if you are a seasoned PA and work very independently, at the end of the day you still need a supervising physician, even if it’s only on paper.
4. What’s your time frame for your career? If you want to get going and start treating patients, PA school is wonderful! I wanted to be a practicing clinician and did not want to wait for medical school and a residency.
5. Lifestyle. You can choose your pace of life. PA school is intense and insurmountable at times, but it is done after 2-3 years. Next you choose your field of medicine and the intensity varies. MDs have less wiggle room in their positions.
6. Lateral mobility is a key factor in the decision to become a PA. You can work in any specialty with no residency or extra schooling. Keeps the opportunities wide open!
7. Upward mobility is a key factor for becoming an MD. The MD title has prestige and the number of years in training give them an easier path to leadership positions and management positions. This is attainable by a PA as well, but with more difficulty.

In the end, it is a very personal choice. Don’t let your age make the decision. Don’t let your family make your decision. Don’t let societal pressures make your decision. I’ve met MDs who wished they went to PA school. I’ve met PAs who wished they went to med school. If you are unsure, that’s a great reason to slow down the process and take more time to learn about both professions. Make sure you weigh all the options carefully and then go all in. A career in medicine is rewarding no matter which path you take. But at the end of the day becoming a PA is obviously the better choice. (I am not biased, I swear!)