Physician Assistant or PA programs are academically competitive. Top schools customarily have a GPA requirement of 3.0 to 4.0. Although there are varying admission factors, most PA schools have a minimum quality point average.
The United States Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) has claimed that the physician assistant profession is comparatively tough to get into. According to a survey conducted from 2016 to 2017, out of the 26,768 PA school applicants, only 31% enrolled in the program. The data shows that in every 10 PA school applicants, there are 3 passers while the rest are unfortunately forced to try their luck again next year.
However, the PA program’s thorough application process is just as reasonable. The profession is considered one of the rapidly growing careers in the health sector on both financial and professional grounds. The US News recently logged the PA occupation as one of the best jobs in the United States, running in third place.
Due to the rapidly increasing demand for PA professionals, many institutions today offer physician assistant programs, yet PA enrollees applications are getting more competitive. Schools offering PA degrees tighten their requirements, asking for an average number of patient care hours and a standard GPA average.
The Career of a Physician Assistant
A physician assistant is a member of a clinical or hospital healthcare team. Their integral responsibilities involve performing medical practices under the supervision and direction of an authorized physician. PA professionals provide therapeutic patient care and diagnosis in all medical settings. They are responsible for performing physical examinations, taking patient historical information, ordering diagnostic and laboratory studies, developing patient treatment plans, and prescribing medications.
Similar to licensed physicians, PAs have diverse job descriptions. A physician assistant’s field of study has a scope that includes patient education, team leadership, medical education, research, health administration, and clinical practice.
Tips for Getting Into PA School
Though getting accepted to a PA school is highly challenging, there are proactive things that aspiring PA applicants can do to increase their chances of getting admitted into PA school.
Choose undergrad classes wisely
Though the required courses in Physician assistant schools vary according to the respective fields of study, aspiring PAs should consider taking medical terminology and other related science courses and topics if they plan on proceeding to PA school after completing an undergraduate degree.
First-year classes in PA institutions can be rigorous, especially when it comes to discussions about pharmacology, pathophysiology, and human anatomy. As a PA Candidate, get ahead of the curve and try your best to familiarize yourself with the critical and fundamental courses.
Prepare early TO GET INTO PA SCHOOL
PA school application can be challenging. So an early preparation can be more advantageous than preparing the requirements in the neck of the time. Make sure to upload your documents to CASPA (Centralized Application Service for PAs) on time. Some preparatory efforts should include:
Getting clinical experience
Physician Assistant programs, especially the ones that are offered by top schools, demand a direct patient care experience of 1,000 to 4000 hours. If you are determined to pursue the phyisician assistant profession, you may start looking for community colleges, or emergency room technician positions where you can gain first-hand knowledge and training in direct patient contact.
Keeping up your GPA FOR PA SCHOOL
The majority of PA schools now have a minimum average requirement of 3.0 to 4.0. While you are still in an undergraduate or bachelor’s degree, grab the chance to build a strong academic focus and a well-founded background in the sciences. Acing your early general education courses will get you a higher chance of getting a peak point GPA and help you get into PA school programs.
Finding your program
Part of early preparation of a PA student applicant includes carefully looking into the available programs you want to enroll into in advance. You can find the list of programs on the Physician Assistant Education Association website. Physician assistant programs have diverse cultures and requirements, which is why, if you are a PA school applicant, it is imperative to scheme your plan ahead of time. Applying to Physician Assistant school takes time and effort and the competition is high considering how low the acceptance rate in top schools.
Make summer breaks worthwhile
Are you a PA school candidate? You may also want to consider engaging in volunteering activities throughout the summer that will increase your appeal to PA school admissions committee. The direct patient healthcare experience is still an option, but if you have not found one yet, maybe the following can work for you:
● Join medical mission trips - Medical mission trips are organized by private or government healthcare teams that aim to reach remote areas anywhere around the world where there are underserved communities. They allow students, interns, and volunteers to join the trips and help serve patients who do not have healthcare access or privilege.
● Be a medical or ER scribe - The opportunity for pre-PA jobs such as that as an ER scribe is a valuable work experience for you. Aside from the public health care experience you’ll be able to bring into your record, it will also give you a glimpse of the PA world. ER scribes aid medical charting and conduct medical interviewing, which are valuable skills for aspiring PA students like you who want to get familiar with writing patient history and medical jargon.
● Join a research program - The National Institute of Health and other medical schools offer undergraduate summer research programs. Try to look for available slots and make sure to inquire early. A solid research program experience will add an outstanding impression to graduate schools.
Find mentors TO GET PREPARED FOR PA SCHOOL
Look for medical professionals or professors who believe in your ability and can help you get on the right track towards a Physician Assistant career and write you a good letter of recommendation which is an important Physician Assistant school requirement. Mentors can assist you in opening doors to big opportunities. Their ample support and strong recommendation letters will supplement your growth and encourage you to strive harder in the long run.
Get involved in extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities can be challenging, especially if you are fully focused on your academics. However, you can always choose to balance both worlds by participating in organizations that are pre-PA school related. If there are no established groups yet, have the courage to start one and inspire other applicants who share the same passion. Extracurricular activities can also contribute to your personal statement or essay greatly which is another requirement for Physician Assistant school applications.
Reasons to GET INTO PA SCHOOL
Becoming a PA is very rewarding.
Many individuals claim that having a PA profession is fitting to their personality. Although doctors and nurses have close similarities with physician assistants when it comes to job descriptions, PAs are more focused on direct patient care.
PAs have less classroom time compared to most medical courses.
Taking a physician assistant program is not a walk in the park, but it takes less time to get licensed than other medical degrees. PAs are likely to become licensed after the completion of a four-year degree, an accredited twenty-five-month PA program, and a clinical rotation of one year.
Physician assistants get paid well.
Although a PA’s salary is less than a doctor’s compensation, physician assistants earn a starting wage of $36,500 and can earn as high as $170,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The pay usually depends on the industry and company.
PAs have excellent job prospects.
Physician assistants are in demand across different medical industries. Some clinics where performing surgeries are not feasible tend to hire PAs to save funds. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a projected demand growth for physician assistants of about 30% from 2016 to 2026.
PAs work regular hours.
Physician assistants mostly work on a regular schedule. They have a clock-in system that seldomly calls for overtime shifts. Depending on the hospital or clinic emergency scenarios, PAs do not have to work longer or more than they normally do.
Summary
How competitive is PA School? Getting into a PA school is quite strenuous considering that the application requirements such as GPA and other test scores, healthcare experience (volunteer work), and medical background are becoming more and more competitive over time. However, the PA program application challenge is just a way to filter for individuals who have a genuine passion and possess skillful abilities to make them the great future physician assistants that the nation needs.