44 years old starting medical school. I have a PhD already and have worked for at least 20 years. I don't care about the fact that I won't finish residency until I am almost 52. I am just happy to live my dream! I took my MCAT 3 times.
Great video! I am torn between which one I would like to become but I finally figured out what I would like to do and I am going for the PA route for awesome reasons that I surely believe the PA schools would be impressed to hear during my interview!
You are welcome Wendy and thank you so much for watching and commenting! I'm trying to learn more about what people want to see, so would you mind if I ask what you particularly liked about video?
@@TheMedicineCouch Hi! I am trying to get into PA school as a nontraditional older student. Any content on realistic expectations of someone without a perfect GPA and things they could do to strengthen the application.
Got it! First off, best wishes on your journey. It's not easy and I do think older students have some extra challenges. Of course, we have advantages too! I honestly don't know if they look at older students any differently. I just felt like I didn't want to "waste" time so I tried all I could to be competitive. From the other side, I will say I think I worried too much about getting into PA school right away. If I had it to do over again, I think I would have taken a year and become an EMT. I had the necessary patient care hours to get in, but I really didn't have much useful experience. Obviously I was still successful in getting through PA school, but I feel like a better foundation before PA school would have helped me in my career. Just something to think about. Have you watched my video about going to PA school as a non-traditional student? Here is the link in case you haven't. th-cam.com/video/uh06Qa8IS9w/w-d-xo.html
One thing I’ve notice was that if you are an MD and specialize in a certain area in medicine and want to live in a certain city. There are only number of spots in those hospitals that are in that area that have positions pertaining to that certain specialty. Whereas, a PA can switch to another specialty if they were presented with the same situation.
As long as you can get your pre-requisite classes, certified that they meet the standards here, then you are absolutely welcome to apply to PA school, as far as I know. To my knowledge, however, people with other medical training cannot just sit for the PA certification exam at this point. You would have to go to the full PA school.
I saw a PA at the Ascension clinic and he was a total jerk. He acted very entitled and the first thing he said to me was, "What stinks? Are you a smoker?" things didn't get better after that. Everyone at the clinic called him doctor. I don't know if they did it out of courtesy or what but it felt dishonest. To be truthful I've seen 4 PAs in the past and every single one of them was a jerk, they were really loud and quite rude. They had this stuck up attitude that you mostly see with surgeons except surgeons are a little more subtle. I'll never see a PA again if I have a choice.
I'm sorry you've had bad experiences with PAs. I find it quite surprising as most PAs I know are not jerks and many patients tell me they would rather see a PA. You certainly have a right to see MDs and I support your right to do so. I hope that if you do ever see a PA again, you will have a better experience! Thanks for sharing.
@@TheMedicineCouch Thank You so much. As long as I have a choice I will never see a PA again. I think the worst part of it all is after seeing the last one I was so upset I filed a complaint and the clinic acted like I was the one with the problem. I was too sensitive and his insults were taken in the wrong way.
There's a big distinction between Physician Assistant to an MD. Why compare PA vs MED? We know it's a big difference when it comes to the number of years in schooling, training and certification/licensing.
I wonder if you watched the video? I was comparing the options of a person becoming an MD or PA. There are MANY PAs who weight that option and who would be top candidates to get into med school. However, there are definitely pros & cons to both paths.
So not true my son loves his profession as a physician assistant and the constant action, and I will have to tell you that physicians assistance are in pretty high demand from patients as well they make some darn good money
Hi Susan. I'm not sure if you are commenting about my video or someone else's comment. This video is very pro-PA and I said they were in high demand, and while not making as much as MDs, still make good money. So, I'm a little confused, but am happy you watched and commented!
Why do you PAs always have to rationalise and console yourselves (for the consolation prize)? Simply take pride in what you are capable of doing and stop with the nonsense comparisons.End of discussion.
@@drnpillay3020 Again, did you watch the video? It wasn't comparing PA to MD to say who is better or to try to rationalize anything. It is simply a video for people who are trying to decide between becoming a PA or MD. There are pros and cons to both routes and I was highlighting things to think about. And, contrary to what you might think, a good percentage of PAs could get into medical school if that was what they wanted to do, as I point out in the video.
Yep, us PAs who take care of the President and Vice President, perform solo organ procurement surgeries, deliver babies, work at the south pole, take care of our armed forces, serve as science officer on a space mission, get elected to the US House of Representatives, and who see our own panel of patients everyday, are just too stupid to get into med school. Thanks for letting everyone know the real truth.
@@TheMedicineCouch Dont even give this guy the time of day. What a fool. People pick PA over MD for many reasons, including the faster track and flexibility. Great video, thank you!
![Should you become a PA [physician assistant/associate] or MD/DO [physician, medical doctor]?](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RV7ByW_qbwM/mqdefault.jpg)
![Should you become a PA [physician assistant/associate] or MD/DO [physician, medical doctor]?](/img/tr.png)
44 years old starting medical school. I have a PhD already and have worked for at least 20 years. I don't care about the fact that I won't finish residency until I am almost 52. I am just happy to live my dream! I took my MCAT 3 times.
That’s great! Congratulations. Doing what you really want to do is priceless. Best wishes to you!
Great video! I am torn between which one I would like to become but I finally figured out what I would like to do and I am going for the PA route for awesome reasons that I surely believe the PA schools would be impressed to hear during my interview!
That's great! I'm glad you found this helpful. Best wishes to you and your career!
Thank you!
Love this video.. If I were to go into the medical field I would choose to become a PA.. Great video!!
Thanks Crystal! I appreciate you watching and commenting!
What a beautiful explanation, here in Kenya they are called Clinical officers (CO) . What you apply for is called clinical medicine
Thank you! I appreciate you sharing that information about Kenya!
PA school is my new career during my transition out of the military
That's great! Are you in PA school now or are you already working as a PA?
@@TheMedicineCouch I am in PA school
Good for you! Good luck in your journey!
Also doing it transitioning out the military
Hi! Very nicely compared and explained. Best thing is flexibility and decent earning and worst is the PA tag.
Totally agree! Thanks for the kind words!
Thank you for this video!
You are welcome Wendy and thank you so much for watching and commenting! I'm trying to learn more about what people want to see, so would you mind if I ask what you particularly liked about video?
@@TheMedicineCouch Hi! I am trying to get into PA school as a nontraditional older student. Any content on realistic expectations of someone without a perfect GPA and things they could do to strengthen the application.
Got it! First off, best wishes on your journey. It's not easy and I do think older students have some extra challenges. Of course, we have advantages too! I honestly don't know if they look at older students any differently. I just felt like I didn't want to "waste" time so I tried all I could to be competitive. From the other side, I will say I think I worried too much about getting into PA school right away. If I had it to do over again, I think I would have taken a year and become an EMT. I had the necessary patient care hours to get in, but I really didn't have much useful experience. Obviously I was still successful in getting through PA school, but I feel like a better foundation before PA school would have helped me in my career. Just something to think about. Have you watched my video about going to PA school as a non-traditional student? Here is the link in case you haven't. th-cam.com/video/uh06Qa8IS9w/w-d-xo.html
@@TheMedicineCouch That is good information, and I will check out the video!
One thing I’ve notice was that if you are an MD and specialize in a certain area in medicine and want to live in a certain city. There are only number of spots in those hospitals that are in that area that have positions pertaining to that certain specialty. Whereas, a PA can switch to another specialty if they were presented with the same situation.
I graduated from medical shool in my home country, could i go to PA school since the usmle and residency is long track and i am already 50 💪
As long as you can get your pre-requisite classes, certified that they meet the standards here, then you are absolutely welcome to apply to PA school, as far as I know. To my knowledge, however, people with other medical training cannot just sit for the PA certification exam at this point. You would have to go to the full PA school.
I saw a PA at the Ascension clinic and he was a total jerk. He acted very entitled and the first thing he said to me was, "What stinks? Are you a smoker?" things didn't get better after that. Everyone at the clinic called him doctor. I don't know if they did it out of courtesy or what but it felt dishonest. To be truthful I've seen 4 PAs in the past and every single one of them was a jerk, they were really loud and quite rude. They had this stuck up attitude that you mostly see with surgeons except surgeons are a little more subtle. I'll never see a PA again if I have a choice.
I'm sorry you've had bad experiences with PAs. I find it quite surprising as most PAs I know are not jerks and many patients tell me they would rather see a PA. You certainly have a right to see MDs and I support your right to do so. I hope that if you do ever see a PA again, you will have a better experience! Thanks for sharing.
@@TheMedicineCouch Thank You so much. As long as I have a choice I will never see a PA again. I think the worst part of it all is after seeing the last one I was so upset I filed a complaint and the clinic acted like I was the one with the problem. I was too sensitive and his insults were taken in the wrong way.
There's a big distinction between Physician Assistant to an MD.
Why compare PA vs MED?
We know it's a big difference when it comes to the number of years in schooling, training and certification/licensing.
I wonder if you watched the video? I was comparing the options of a person becoming an MD or PA. There are MANY PAs who weight that option and who would be top candidates to get into med school. However, there are definitely pros & cons to both paths.
So not true my son loves his profession as a physician assistant and the constant action, and I will have to tell you that physicians assistance are in pretty high demand from patients as well they make some darn good money
Hi Susan. I'm not sure if you are commenting about my video or someone else's comment. This video is very pro-PA and I said they were in high demand, and while not making as much as MDs, still make good money. So, I'm a little confused, but am happy you watched and commented!
It’s just way to long to go to medical that’s why PA is a better option for myself.
Yep, the time factor was probably my biggest deciding factor!
The truth though is you really couldn't get into med.school.
You obviously didn’t watch the video or are just deluding yourself.
A PA is half a doctor.Medicineouch.
Why do you PAs always have to rationalise and console yourselves (for the consolation prize)? Simply take pride in what you are capable of doing and stop with the nonsense comparisons.End of discussion.
@@drnpillay3020 Again, did you watch the video? It wasn't comparing PA to MD to say who is better or to try to rationalize anything. It is simply a video for people who are trying to decide between becoming a PA or MD. There are pros and cons to both routes and I was highlighting things to think about. And, contrary to what you might think, a good percentage of PAs could get into medical school if that was what they wanted to do, as I point out in the video.
PA = Couldnt get into Medicine
This video for people who need to cope
Yep, us PAs who take care of the President and Vice President, perform solo organ procurement surgeries, deliver babies, work at the south pole, take care of our armed forces, serve as science officer on a space mission, get elected to the US House of Representatives, and who see our own panel of patients everyday, are just too stupid to get into med school. Thanks for letting everyone know the real truth.
@@TheMedicineCouch Dont even give this guy the time of day. What a fool. People pick PA over MD for many reasons, including the faster track and flexibility. Great video, thank you!
Truth!! Glad you liked it. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
@@TheMedicineCouch My pleasure