getting into pa school
Post on 19-Jun-2015
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GETTING INTO PA SCHOOL
By Sarah Sanders, PAS-IIMidwestern University
Understanding the PA profession
Choosing the right school Becoming a competitive
applicant Utilizing available resources
OBJECTIVES
What is a Physician Assistant?
“Physician Assistants (PAs) are health professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Physician Assistants are qualified upon graduation from an accredited physician assistant educational program and/or certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Within the physician/PA relationship, Physician Assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision-making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. The clinical role of Physician Assistants includes primary and specialty care in medical and surgical practice settings in rural and urban areas. Physician Assistant practice is centered on patient care and may include educational, research, and administrative activities.”
www.aapa.org
PA vs MD
Points for the PAs: You can change specialties relatively easily You will go to school for 2-3 years You will have smaller debt You can find a job conducive to a family life
Points for the MDs: You will be “in charge” You will make more money
PA vs NP
Nurse Practitioners Are RNs with advanced training in a clinical
specialty Take a biopsychosocial approach as they
collaborate with physicians Are able to function independently
Physician Assistants Are trained much like physicians, focusing on diseases/pathologic aspects of healthcare
Take a team approach with their supervising physicians
WHAT PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Factors to Consider
Location How far are you willing to move?
Curriculum, length of program Do you have specific desires, such as
international rotations? Do you cringe at the thought of doing a
thesis? Do you need a part-time option?
PANCE pass rate Will they prepare you well?
Program reputation Are bragging rights important to you?
Degree awarded Certificate vs Bachelors vs Masters
Cost Most students will survive on loans and grants
So who has what I want?
Browse programs websites
Visit campuses
Call admissions advisors
Check out what others have to say
**Be selective, but remember that staying open-minded will increase your chances of acceptance!
OKAY, I’VE NARROWED DOWN MY LIST. NOW
WHAT?
The Application Process
As the PA profession grows in popularity, competition for admissions is becoming steeper and steeper Nearly 800 people applied to MWU last year,
86 were accepted
www.caspaonline.org You can apply to most of the schools through
this one central application Some schools require additional paperwork
To Do List
Pre-requisite coursework Each program is slightly different, so make sure
that you’ve completed everything you need If these aren’t required, you should still
consider taking them Medical Terminology Immunology Pharmacology
GRE Just do it
Healthcare experience Hands-on experience gives you a good
foundation to build on (ex. EMTs, MAs, athletic trainers, CNAs, EKG Techs…)
Unique situations help you stand out in the applicant pool and give you a different perspective on things (ex. Military, Public Health, PeaceCorps, medical lawyers…)
CASPA/Essay Keep in mind that this gives the Admissions
Committees their first look at you…avoid fluff and focus on what makes you special
Interview You’ve impressed the Committee on paper, or
at least intrigued them enough to meet in person
Prepare, but don’t rehearse Familiarize yourself with the program (mission
statement, unique aspects) and the faculty members
Make sure you have a clear goal in mind and think about how you are going to convey that to them
The most important thing to keep in mind is to BE YOURSELF and don’t overanalyze things
THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE PROCESS…
Remember That There’s Help Out There For You
Advisors
Current PAs
Current students
The internet www.physicianassistantforum.com www.aapa.org www…
Thank You!
~Sarah Sanders, PAS-II
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