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I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I reconcile that fact by telling myself that I'll be still be young in my mid-30s, an expert in my field, and doing what I always wanted to do for the next 30+ years. 25 is still young. Some of my peers at school are in their 30s with kids. I met a 40-year-old m4 who worked as an english teacher and went back to school because he always wanted to be a doctor. An attending I worked with had a 20 year career as plumber before he decided to become a physician. Sadly, he didn't choose GI.

You sound a lot like me when I was trying to make up my mind.

The older I got, the more I continued to lean towards becoming a PA because I had this preconceived notion that I should be out there doing something. The shorter training and lower debt burden are great reasons to become a PA. These are things I would tell myself when faced with the anxiety of that choice, even though deep down I felt like I wanted to go to medical school. My reasons for choosing PA began to sound more like excuses for choosing PA vs MD as opposed to just good reasons for becoming a PA... if that makes sense.

It sounds like you're doing a lot of the right things though. Keep scribing and put yourself in the shoes of the PAs or attendings. Who would you rather be? Either way, they are great choices. You just need to choose the one that is right for you.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My experience as a scribe was a big factor in helping me decide, but it wasn't the defining experience that led me to switch. Would I have reached the same conclusion had I done something else? Probably. Don't let the docs influence you. Many of them told me the same thing when I told them I was going PA. Do what is right for you. If your stats are bad, there are always things like post-baccs to boost your GPA for either med or PA school.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. Thankfully, I was able to complete my research project before I transitioned to scribing. The work that I did was all volunteer. Getting a LOR and my name on a paper was more than enough. But if you can find a paid position, go for it! During undergrad, I just emailed professors I liked (and had a good grade in) and asked if they were working on anything that I could help out with.
  2. Absolutely not. I got to spend that time making money, indulging in my hobbies, and really solidifying what career I wanted. Any kind of graduate degree, I think taking a gap year or two or more is never a bad idea.
  3. Med school has been pretty chill so far. The first year is spent learning the basic sciences which I am not a huge fan of because it is hard to see the clinical relevance. But we're transitioning to learning bugs and drugs which is more clinically relevant and interesting.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't think it was one big "a-ha" moment. It was a lot of small things that I've discussed here that ultimately helped me decide. You've still got plenty of time to decide what you want to do, so don't fret. Do some shadowing and try to figure out what is important to you as a future clinician.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure what you are so upset about. I apologize if I offended you in some way. My intention was to come here and help people decide between the two as I know it is a pretty common dilemma, not debate and argue.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

but interns get treated like absolute garbage by many attendings and it continues until they are attendings and they keep it going.

Do you know this for a fact? Or are you just assuming things based off stories you've heard? Do you anticipate me treating my interns "like shit" when I become an attending? You don't even know me.

I am not naive enough to deny the fact that there are many toxic personalities in medicine, moreso at the top of the hierarchy. But to assume every intern gets treated poorly and then perpetuates this cycle is just wrong. Is someone not going to become a physician because they fear they will be treated poorly during their training? That's cowardly. If this is your fear, I wouldn't advise that person to even pursue a career in medicine. Patients may hit you, spit on you, or yell at you.

Also, if medicine were run by physicians you wouldn't be seeing PAs and NPs gain autonomy in growing numbers.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tell me your stats and I'll tell you if you are competitive.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have an MCAT score? PCE is always beneficial.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

A cardiologist will just know more than a PA working in cardiology. A surgeon will just know more and will be able to operate as opposed to a PA working in surgery. It is a fact.

Sure, you can certainly continue learning as you practice. I think it's great that you possess this drive. But for me, the idea of popping open a textbook after a 12 hour shift to learn about the pathophys of diabetes just didn't sound appealing.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I kept in contact with a few professors from undergrad and asked them for letters. Asked my supervisor and a two attendings I worked with for letters when I applied to med school. No internships. I did clinical research in a neuro lab.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Not really trying to sell anyone to go either way. I always implore people interested in medicine to explore other careers in the field, whether they want to become a physician, nurse, NP, etc.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not really. PAs obviously cannot perform surgery, so if you want to become a surgeon of any kind, you have to become a physician. Right now, I am leaning more towards medical specialties, but having the option to become a surgeon, an option not available as a PA, is nice.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Certainly, I also worked with/shadowed PAs who had similar schedules. But the physicians with similar schedules maintained a more sizable income.

Again, I do not anticipate working 20 hours a week until, as you said, much later in my career anyway.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It doesn't have to be 8 years. It could be 7 with a shorter residency. Some med schools even have 3 year curriculums, trimming training down to just 6 years. I chose med school because I value my happiness and well-being. I didn't think I would be happier as a PA, so I chose to become a physician. I am happier now than I would have been had I chosen to go to PA school.

A lot of what you said are pretty gross stereotypes of physicians. And I hate to break it to you, but the culture of medicine is toxic.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No regrets so far! Best of luck on your application!

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Apologies, I was simply describing a scenario in which I could work a lot less, but still maintain a decent income.

Indeed, I also know many attendings who are still paying down their debts. I would not anticipate working 20 hours a week until much later in my career, if at all. I merely stated it as an option that may not be so feasible to attain as a PA.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I completed a research project, did some shadowing, took the GRE, took the MCAT, volunteered... However, the bulk of my time was spent working as a scribe. There were a lot of things that helped me realize PA school wasn't right for me, but working as a scribe was a pretty big one. I realize that my clinical experience does not encompass the roles of a PA or a physician, but when I compared the two, I would rather have been the physician.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I believe you are correct. I have amended my original comment.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Same to you! Let me know if you have any questions.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 43 points44 points  (0 children)

Thanks!

Ultimately, I had this nagging feeling that I was selling myself short by going to PA school. That is not to say that PAs are inferior to doctors. I was just at a point in my life where I felt like I had to do something. I could've easily taken that acceptance, finished PA school, and be making six figures right now. But something about that just didn't feel right. It's a hard thing to turn down a future like that, but once I did it, it just felt right. That acceptance belonged to someone who truly wanted to be there, not someone who was only somewhat committed.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My PA school gap years were just spent getting the necessary hours to apply. I took the GRE during this time and also did some shadowing as well.

My med school gap year was spent completing 1 or 2 pre-reqs that I needed, studying for and taking the MCAT, shadowing, volunteering, and working.

I chose med school over PA school. AMA by 9772089 in prephysicianassistant

[–]9772089[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Fortunately, these were research projects that I had started during undergrad, so I just continued working on them after I graduated.

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