I am so LOST!!!! Please HELP

I knew I always wanted to become a PA. Now that I am a freshman in a community college I dont know where to begin. Do i need to get an Associates Degree or is there a school that you can go to just for the PA field? I try talking to my councilors but they really dont explain much to me. I really need help!!!!

Thank you,
Ginisa

Based on research I have done for myself you have a few different options:

You can apply to BS/MS programs
you can apply to Bachelors programs
You can apply to graduate programs

BS/MS programs are meant for students fresh out of high school and they have a pre-professional phase a didactic phase and a professional phase. It is hard to transfer into one of these programs becase the students move up in classes so to get in, someone has to drop out basically. At the end you are awarded a BS in health sciences and a MS in physcian assistant studies. With most when you apply you are applying for the PA program so you dont have to apply later to the PA portion.....for some you do have to apply again once you have met the pre-reqs. There are no programs like this in FL...most are in the northeast.

There are some bachelors programs out there as well as one associates program that I know of (miami dade college but I think they are on probation). You must meet the pre-requisites which you can take at a cc and a few other general education pre-reqs along with direct patient care hours. A lot of these programs are being switched to grad programs.

Then there are grad programs. Most of these you need a BS degree in order to get in. The degree can be in anything but you still have to meet required pre-reqs. There are some prorams like Nova and a few others where you do not need a bachelors degree, only the pre-reqs and 90 credit hours.

This is basics that i got from visiting sites and doing research for myself. Im sure if I missed something or said something wrong, someone will correct me :-)

Cindy in Orlando, Florida said: Based on research I have done for myself you have a few different options:

You can apply to BS/MS programs
you can apply to Bachelors programs
You can apply to graduate programs

BS/MS programs are meant for students fresh out of high school and they have a pre-professional phase a didactic phase and a professional phase. It is hard to transfer into one of these programs becase the students move up in classes so to get in, someone has to drop out basically. At the end you are awarded a BS in health sciences and a MS in physcian assistant studies. With most when you apply you are applying for the PA program so you dont have to apply later to the PA portion.....for some you do have to apply again once you have met the pre-reqs. There are no programs like this in FL...most are in the northeast.

There are some bachelors programs out there as well as one associates program that I know of (miami dade college but I think they are on probation). You must meet the pre-requisites which you can take at a cc and a few other general education pre-reqs along with direct patient care hours. A lot of these programs are being switched to grad programs.

Then there are grad programs. Most of these you need a BS degree in order to get in. The degree can be in anything but you still have to meet required pre-reqs. There are some prorams like Nova and a few others where you do not need a bachelors degree, only the pre-reqs and 90 credit hours.

This is basics that i got from visiting sites and doing research for myself. Im sure if I missed something or said something wrong, someone will correct me :-)

Good luck getting into any respectible PA program without a bachelors degree. You must have 4.O grade point average to even be considered for this competitive program. The University of Nebraska Medical Center had over 600 qualified applicants last year and accepted on 40 students.

BS in Mc Cook, Nebraska said: Good luck getting into any respectible PA program without a bachelors degree. You must have 4.O grade point average to even be considered for this competitive program. The University of Nebraska Medical Center had over 600 qualified applicants last year and accepted on 40 students.

Did you mean to RWQ to me, because if you did Im not sure what youre getting at....sorry.

Ginisa in Fort Lauderdale, Florida said: I knew I always wanted to become a PA. Now that I am a freshman in a community college I dont know where to begin. Do i need to get an Associates Degree or is there a school that you can go to just for the PA field? I try talking to my councilors but they really dont explain much to me. I really need help!!!!

Thank you,
Ginisa

Most PA programs are bachelors or post-graduate degree programs. Those that do not require a bachelor’s degree usually require 60-90 hours of course work. You do not need an associate’s degree per se but you do need specific courses (the exact courses vary from school to school). When you ask if there is a school that just teaches PA I presume you mean a technical school like those that teach medical assisting, office assistant, or other such programs marketed primarily to those who are, for whatever reason, not college bound; I know of no PA schools like this.

What I suggest you do is take a course of study that is “pre-med” in nature. Also, I encourage you to go to a four-year college/university as soon as you are able because having only community college credits puts you at a disadvantage when applying to PA school.

Good luck!
Elpis

Elpis in Paros, Greece said:
What I suggest you do is take a course of study that is “pre-med” in nature. Also, I encourage you to go to a four-year college/university as soon as you are able because having only community college credits puts you at a disadvantage when applying to PA school.

Good luck!
Elpis

Its only a disadvantage for schools that require pre-reqs taken at a 4 year or require level 3 type courses

In the instance of Nova in FL (I was speaking to an admissions officer the other day), they will not take the uppper level science credits from a community college. They want you to take them there. They will take the basic liberal arts, I for got to ask abou math, but definately not the sciences. So, before taking all of these classes, I would definately look into the different schools to make sure that they will take the tranfer. If they do not require the sciences for a 4 yr, well woo hoo. God luck! :-)

Fey in Fort Myers, Florida said: In the instance of Nova in FL (I was speaking to an admissions officer the other day), they will not take the uppper level science credits from a community college. They want you to take them there. They will take the basic liberal arts, I for got to ask abou math, but definately not the sciences. So, before taking all of these classes, I would definately look into the different schools to make sure that they will take the tranfer. If they do not require the sciences for a 4 yr, well woo hoo. God luck! :-)

If you are talking about the upper level sciences that are a part of their PA curriculum then yes you have to take them there are the school (i.e. Pathophysiology, gross anatomy ect). Normally the sciences a part of the pa curriculum is a level 3 or higher and you have to take them there.

Now the pre-requisite sciences you can take those anywhere as long as they are for science majors meaning survey of biology, into to chem and things like that wont count.

Now there are some pa programs that require that even the pre-requisite science be taken at a 4 year university...one school is Duquesne University in PA....you have to take general bio I and II and general chem I and II at a 4 year no matter what. Not all pa programs work like that but some do and they will specify this on their websites for the most part.

The only course that I would say be careful with when it comes to pre-requisites is human anatomy. For the most part, the pa curriculum has gross anatomy or cadaver based anatomy, however there are some schools that do not have this so they require that you take that kind of a&p as a pre-req...I've seen at least 2 schools like this and was not able to apply because here in FL, cadaver based a&p is not easy to find unless you are in a medical program....at least that is what I have been finding to be true.

I am currently attending PA school in Naples, Florida, and was not the "traditional" science major. I did have a 4.0 GPA, but that is not necessary. They are looking for a well rounded student. I was accepted to numerous schools without a problem. My GRE scores were not awesome, but I did have a good reason for wanting to be in this field and I had excellent recommendation letters. I took classes at several different schools, not just 1 major university. Just do as well as you can, but you do not need to be perfect.

Jennifer in Naples, Florida said: I am currently attending PA school in Naples, Florida, and was not the "traditional" science major. I did have a 4.0 GPA, but that is not necessary. They are looking for a well rounded student. I was accepted to numerous schools without a problem. My GRE scores were not awesome, but I did have a good reason for wanting to be in this field and I had excellent recommendation letters. I took classes at several different schools, not just 1 major university. Just do as well as you can, but you do not need to be perfect.

I am looking at the Naples PA program as this is where I reside. Do you have any advise as to starting the process of shadowing a PA? What types of individuals provided your recommendations? I'm currently working at NCH. I'm obtaining plenty of "hands on" patient care, however I have little or no direct contact with PA's or Dr.'s. --Thanks

Jennifer in Naples, Florida said: I am currently attending PA school in Naples, Florida, and was not the "traditional" science major. I did have a 4.0 GPA, but that is not necessary. They are looking for a well rounded student. I was accepted to numerous schools without a problem. My GRE scores were not awesome, but I did have a good reason for wanting to be in this field and I had excellent recommendation letters. I took classes at several different schools, not just 1 major university. Just do as well as you can, but you do not need to be perfect.

Do you think I have a chance to even apply to the program. I am from MN and have a GPA of 2.61 with a B.S. in Biology and minor in chemistry. I have volunteer experience but have not have any direct contact with patients. Should I attempt to apply this year?I was thinking that I take a medical assistant course and then work for a couple of months or get certified as a sonography and work a couple a months and apply for enrollment of? suggestions would be nice.

Yvonne in Naples, Florida said: I am looking at the Naples PA program as this is where I reside. Do you have any advise as to starting the process of shadowing a PA? What types of individuals provided your recommendations? I'm currently working at NCH. I'm obtaining plenty of "hands on" patient care, however I have little or no direct contact with PA's or Dr.'s. --Thanks

You'll need to be able to get at least one recommendation letter from a doctor (I believe this is CASPA's rule) and some schools also require another from a PA. It just depends where all you apply. But for sure you need to know at least one doctor well enough that they will write a good recommendation letter for you. I did work with a couple of doctors before applying. I would start asking around, as I am sure you would easily find someone who will let you shadow. Good luck!

Lela in Saint Paul, Minnesota said: Do you think I have a chance to even apply to the program. I am from MN and have a GPA of 2.61 with a B.S. in Biology and minor in chemistry. I have volunteer experience but have not have any direct contact with patients. Should I attempt to apply this year?I was thinking that I take a medical assistant course and then work for a couple of months or get certified as a sonography and work a couple a months and apply for enrollment of? suggestions would be nice.

PA school is tough. My suggestion to anyone is the sooner you can get in and get it over with, the better for you. I would just find a doctor to shadow and do that for experience. See about taking the patients to their rooms and gathering history or something. You can do some things without any extra time or money spent in school. That's just my thoughts, but get more than just my advice and weigh it all before making a decision. Good luck!

Jennifer in Naples, Florida said: You'll need to be able to get at least one recommendation letter from a doctor (I believe this is CASPA's rule) and some schools also require another from a PA. It just depends where all you apply. But for sure you need to know at least one doctor well enough that they will write a good recommendation letter for you. I did work with a couple of doctors before applying. I would start asking around, as I am sure you would easily find someone who will let you shadow. Good luck!

Thanks,for the suggestions

Lela in Saint Paul, Minnesota said: Do you think I have a chance to even apply to the program. I am from MN and have a GPA of 2.61 with a B.S. in Biology and minor in chemistry. I have volunteer experience but have not have any direct contact with patients. Should I attempt to apply this year?I was thinking that I take a medical assistant course and then work for a couple of months or get certified as a sonography and work a couple a months and apply for enrollment of? suggestions would be nice.

Getting in as soon as you can would be nice but you will most likely have some difficulty with the GPA you have due to the fact that the lowest minimum GPA I have seen is like like 2.9 and most require at least a 3.0 and a min 3.0 in science course GPA. From what most PAs I have talked to say.....if you dont have the highest GPA then have tons of experience and vice versa.

IF I were you, I would take a short course like EMT or CNA and not volunteer but work in those positions (there are some that give more weight to paid contact and some only accept paid contact. I would also take a few courses while doing that to raise the GPA. Maybe some health profession type courses (healthcare delivery systems, medical term, medical assessment, pharmacology) things like that. They dont have to be full loads but try to maintain a high GPA for the year or two you are getting expereience and not only will a make an impact on the GPA but some schools look at the last 30-60 hours GPA so that would help you finish off real well. JMHO

Jennifer in Naples, Florida said: I am currently attending PA school in Naples, Florida, and was not the "traditional" science major. I did have a 4.0 GPA, but that is not necessary. They are looking for a well rounded student. I was accepted to numerous schools without a problem. My GRE scores were not awesome, but I did have a good reason for wanting to be in this field and I had excellent recommendation letters. I took classes at several different schools, not just 1 major university. Just do as well as you can, but you do not need to be perfect.

Hello I just read your comment about your GRE scores. I just received my GRE scores of total 800 (Math and verbal) do you think I need to re-take. I have clinical experience and a Masters in Science but I see how important a cumm of 1000 or better is very important to these schools. what do you suggest?

may i ask you what your GRE score was? I did terrible in MY GRE but everything else is great? Any advice. I plan on re-taking it but with classes, i'm not sure it can improve. Thanks in advance.

Jennifer in Naples, Florida said: I am currently attending PA school in Naples, Florida, and was not the "traditional" science major. I did have a 4.0 GPA, but that is not necessary. They are looking for a well rounded student. I was accepted to numerous schools without a problem. My GRE scores were not awesome, but I did have a good reason for wanting to be in this field and I had excellent recommendation letters. I took classes at several different schools, not just 1 major university. Just do as well as you can, but you do not need to be perfect.

Jennifer in Naples, Florida said: I am currently attending PA school in Naples, Florida, and was not the "traditional" science major. I did have a 4.0 GPA, but that is not necessary. They are looking for a well rounded student. I was accepted to numerous schools without a problem. My GRE scores were not awesome, but I did have a good reason for wanting to be in this field and I had excellent recommendation letters. I took classes at several different schools, not just 1 major university. Just do as well as you can, but you do not need to be perfect.

I feel that I am in the same boat as you were. I have my bachelors degree in business but have my reasons for pursuing this. What school in Naples is there other than nova?

Mike in Naples, Florida said: I feel that I am in the same boat as you were. I have my bachelors degree in business but have my reasons for pursuing this. What school in Naples is there other than nova?

None. Nova is it for PA

Sheri in Fort Lauderdale, Florida said: None. Nova is it for PA

Nova Naples has moved to Fort Myers