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PA vs. MD

in pre-pa on 12/09/16

 

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!)

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1 Comment

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« Personal Statement Booby Trap #2
Slaying the PA School Interview »

Comments

  1. Joe M says

    December 11, 2016 at 7:58 pm

    Honestly I think there is more to be said about this topic. There are so many blogs about whether it is better to be an MD or PA – from a financial standpoint as well as emotional and I’m becoming more and more convinced of you conclusion. I actually read an article similar to this one by NPAE and ended up purchasing their Online PANRE course just because the way they wrote the article made me realize how smart the authors were. I wouldn’t be surprised if pre-pas read your articles and do the same thing!

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I would like to share some excited news with you. I recently was accepted to 2 PA schools and still have another interview coming.

I was accepted to Marshall B. Ketchum in Fullerton, CA, and Touro University- California.  and another interview at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Ca.

I wanted to thank you for giving me the best coach ever. He is super supportive and always check if I was ok during the process. I am so happy and proud of myself that I even got in the first year. I know how competitive PA schools are, so I am just so thankful that I found you all.

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Betty, accepted at Marshall B. Ketchum and Touro University, California Coaching Package

I took your advice and went into my interview with confidence. I just want to thank you so much for all your help!!! I am truly grateful for what you’ve done for me. 🙂 

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Robin Coaching Package

I don’t even know how to thank you for all your help!! I was accepted to my first choice program at the Yale School of Medicine Physician Associate Program Class of 2019! Not only that, but I was one of those they called right after the interview. I am absolutely excited (and scared)!

Thank you again for all your through assistance! I don’t think I could have done this without you!

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Angela, accepted at Yale School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program Coaching Package

I just got their acceptance email. Beyond excited and grateful. Thank you so much for everything. I would not have come this far without your help!

 

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Aleena, accepted at UTGRV Mock Interview/Personal Statement Critique

My experience with PA Trek Coaching was great. The team really provided me with the guidance I was looking for, plus tons of extra information that really came in handy. Initially, I was struggling with my personal statement but my PA Trek coach encouraged me to look inside myself and dig deep. Without their help, I’m not sure if I would have been able to articulate my story in such a professional way. Additionally, the mock interview with my coach gave me a new perspective and insight on the entire process. I know the mock interview helped me gain confidence with my interviewing skills, which really paid off. Thank you, PA Trek Coaching! 

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Liza Chapman, accepted at Emory University Coaching Package

I used personal statement review and interview bootcamp. These resources were INVALUABLE to me. I felt my confidence grow, and when it was time for my last interview at my top choice school, I killed it!

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Lindsay Hickman, accepted at St. Catherine University, MPAS Personal Statment Critique/ Interview Bootcamp Personal Statement Critique and Interview Bootcamp

I just wanted to share that after my ONLY interview this cycle (aaand my first cycle applying), I was just accepted to Carroll University’s PA Program and will be starting this coming May!!!!!
I will be forever glad that I took advantage of  PA Trek! My coach gave me great advice and suggestions which I definitely took to heart and worked on the week following our mock, and knowing what I needed to work on gave me the confidence that I needed. I felt I truly rocked that interview and clearly I did something right. 🙂

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Mary, accepted at Carroll University Mock Interview

We took an hour for a mock interview at the end of September and I just wanted to give you an update on my interviews! So far, I have gone to four. I was accepted at South University (Savannah, GA) and Western Michigan University! Your mock interview helped me so much. At WMU, I had an impromptu essay about the state of health care in America / pros and cons of the current health system and I felt completely prepared – I wouldn’t have had too much to say if you hadn’t recommended I look into it further! Just wanted to let you know! Thanks so much for your time. It was well worth it.

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Laura, accepted at South University and Western Michigan University Used our Mock Interview

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