Speed-Running a Bachelor’s at 18 to Prep for a MS in PAs

[Duneranger]

PA school is competitive. I’m literally working right next to a PA this very second who spent years trying to get in.

He was a combat medic and paramedic.

Being young, you will be at a disadvantage. PA schools love experienced medical providers and being a MA is a pretty weak form of medical experience unless you can back it up with something else.

That something else should be stellar grades (ie not easy/hand waive ACE credits) or solid research experience.

You should not speed run this. To be honest I wouldn’t want a 22-23 year old PA treating me. I’ve seen hundreds in my lifetime, some good…many not.

Sounds like you are doing the right thing with CC pre reqs at the least. IMO MA certs are a waste of time, they are glorified secretaries that take vital signs and do blood draws.

I understand your concerns. I too would want a healthcare provider that I could trust and, I agree — someone who just doesn’t have enough experience would scare me as well. That’s why I’m prepared for the years of clinical experience and shadowing I want to acquire before I even step foot into CASPA and applications. 

I want to dedicate myself wholly to my studies and my job so I can mould myself into the kind of healthcare provider that I could trust. There have been so many times in my life in which either me and someone close to me was suffering and I just did not have the right resources or training to help. I never want to be put in a position where I felt like I didn’t do enough — wasn’t trained enough — to help someone who needs it.

Point is, being a healthcare provider is serious, and I DO intend to give my studies and training the gravity it deserves. I just want to move past all the GEs that may not be the most relevant towards my studies. I will still 100% give my all to regionally-accredited prerequisites with labs and the like! It’s just that the BS degree I see lined up for me at a traditional 4-year— has a lot of classes that may not be relevant towards getting into PA school. My thought process is: what if I get a bachelor’s without all the filler and just focus on prerequisites? PA schools don’t really seem to care about which bachelor’s you get as long as you get the prereq’s and experience! 

Again, I do not intend to speed past the courses that will be directly relevant to my studies as a PA, I just want to push past needing classes like Philosophy 50 and Art History 5. (Not knocking on those classes of course! Just may not be the most relevant to being in healthcare?)

And I am prepared to take on the years of application cycles. How many schools did your friend apply to during his cycles? Good on him for getting through and serving his community now! 

IMO MA certs are a waste of time, they are glorified secretaries that take vital signs and do blood draws.

It could be worth it if it gets the OP in with one or more physicians or PAs who allow wider opportunities than the typical MA position. Like shadowing, scribing, and of course recommendation letters. And maybe if it corresponds to a type of practice setting the OP is interested in working in and they want to sell that interest in their statement backed by some experience.

Maybe. Most do not treat MAs well is the issue. They are the “help”. I wouldn’t put in the effort banking on the possibility that a MD/PA or NP would take me under their wing. Some jobs may really foster a great learning environment but in my years of experience, most providers  won’t bother unless they know you personally.

Honestly a better route to go would be an ER tech. Usually is OJT training and only requires a CNA or EMT license. They often can do scribe work as well in a fast paced/intense environment. PAs are also heavily used in the ER.

Secretary work isn’t going to do much for her. MAs are almost always strictly outpatient too which limits things.

Oh and here is my thought process towards becoming a MA! Being a MA or a phlebotomist can allow to directly interact with patients in your community — to learn how to interact with all sorts of patient populations so that you can deliver the best care. To see how your physician or PA would handle certain situations. To practice how to soothe a baby or reassure a family member during a time as vulnerable as when someone needs healthcare. To be able to move between MAing for different specialties so you have a wider understanding of healthcare as a whole. Of course, take my view on this with a grain of salt and give me some feedback if you can! That’s just what I’ve heard about the right sort of MA position. 

But I am definitely worried about being pushed towards more administrative work, so I will definitely consider an ER tech position if I don’t find enough PCE through MAing! Thank you for the suggestion

Do you think being a MA at a private practice would be better? I’m currently applying for one of those kinds of positions now, and am hoping I can get in closer range and see what the physicians are doing. 

(I don’t know how to use all these functions so I hope I used the quoting tool right. Sorry if the formatting is a little janky D:!)

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I'm going to disagree slightly with Jonathan and say that OP probably should pursue alt credit for less relevant gen eds (e.g. sociology, american history, etc). It'll free OP up to focus on doing well in the prereq courses. If you get good grades in the prereq courses then your GPA is already high and you have no need to take other RA courses to boost your GPA.

Fair! I am concerned that the OP might take a GPA hit from a future science course – happens to the best students among us – then wish that they had the GPA cushion from a few more relatively easy graded RA gen eds or electives.

That TESU BS HST is worth considering. Disadvantage of no especially friendly-graded credits as part of the program, advantage of no residency credit requirement to speak of.

In an alternate universe where WGU awards graded credit their new BS in Health Science would be a great choice for pre-PA. It could still be a good choice in this universe for someone who's assembled credits and GPA elsewhere for pre-PA or other pre-health but has no bachelor's yet.

Good idea for a GPA cushion! But PA schools are also looking at a specific science GPA that won’t be impacted by GEs and electives, so no cushions in terms of that! There won’t be any cushioning from science courses.

Then again, they are looking at overall GPA as well, so I can definitely take some additional RA courses later on if my overall GPA falls but I think I’m okay for now, thank you Mr Jonathon and Miss Lion !

You sound like you have a good head on shoulders, you will do well. I have taught MANY PA, NP and med students and I still highly recommend an ER tech position if you can snag one. Based on what you wrote, I feel like MA work will disappoint you.

Good luck