| What do I need to do to become a Physician Assistant?

What do I need to do to become a Physician Assistant?

betyoucantfindme asked:

Currently, I am a freshman in college planning to major in a health-related field. What should I do during these 4 years to prepare myself to apply to a PA program?
Should I take all the classes recommended for pre-meds?
Do I need to take the MCAT?
How much patient contact and clinical experience should I get? When should I start?

Any advice would be much appreciated. Please, answer only if you are actually informed about the topic (ie. you are a PA, you work with one, you are a guidance counselor)
Pharmacy technician schools information and tips

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Comments

2 Responses to “What do I need to do to become a Physician Assistant?”

  1. mlmar625 on March 15th, 2009 7:45 pm

    Your ideas are right on. You need biology, chemistry, etc. You do not need to take as high-level of courses as the pre-meds do, as you will not need the MCATs; just the GREs.

    As for hands-on experience, volunteering is always a good idea. It won’t teach you what you need to know, but will help you determine if this really is the right career for you, and it will get you some good references for PA school.

    Another good idea is to call a few PA programs or visit their web sites and look at their suggested preparatory curricula. Good luck - it is a great career choice.

  2. Diane A on March 16th, 2009 10:10 pm

    Pre med will do you fine and supplement if possible with some more functional classes like microbiology, a hematology class if you can get one, I had a great parasitology class at CAL State LA as well which has lasted me 20 years, etc.You do not need to take the MCAT. You do need some sort of experience for many schools however, and as much experience as you can get only helps you out in PA school that much further. Good luck (Try to volunteer in an ER–we had a great volunteer who got into Med school after 3 years of summer ER volunteering–he asked alot of questions & we showed him everything we could)