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12 years ago
General
Guilt module powering down. Anyways, I do have a question that I'd really like some feedback on. It's looking unlikely that I'll have my GPA up to the absurd 3.7+ that most medical schools require by the time I graduate with my BS in microbiology. At that point, I have 2 options I'm considering.
1: Go on and get my Masters in microbiology and hope my GPA is high enough (if it isn't, repeat with PhD)
2: Get into a PA program and become a physician's assistant for a few years.
Main benefit of getting my Masters in micro would be that the coursework is less intensive, allowing me to work to support myself while going to school and rely less heavily on loans. Main drawback would be that demand for microbiologists isn't incredibly high, especially in my area, so I'd have trouble finding employment in my field that caters to the demented schedule that college would inflict upon me.
On the other hand, getting a PA license would allow me to enter the job market and get relevant experience in the upper-level medical field while earning a pretty nice salary to rid myself of debt and start saving up for the eventual plunge into medical school. The downsides would be that I would have a lot of trouble working for the 2 years I'm in the PA program due to the crazy workload and I might get stuck in the dreaded rut. You know what I mean. I graduate as a PA, get a job, start making good money, and then get sucked into the routine until I'm 60 years old wondering why I never actually made it to medical school. Nothing wrong with making a career out of being a PA, but I really want to have my own practice someday.
Anyways, I'd love feedback on this issue. The final decision is up to me and my discretion of course, but other peoples' opinions may give me some angles or perspectives that I haven't considered. So please, fire away
P.S. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Quanza, Blessed Yule, and all the other things that come around this time of year
1: Go on and get my Masters in microbiology and hope my GPA is high enough (if it isn't, repeat with PhD)
2: Get into a PA program and become a physician's assistant for a few years.
Main benefit of getting my Masters in micro would be that the coursework is less intensive, allowing me to work to support myself while going to school and rely less heavily on loans. Main drawback would be that demand for microbiologists isn't incredibly high, especially in my area, so I'd have trouble finding employment in my field that caters to the demented schedule that college would inflict upon me.
On the other hand, getting a PA license would allow me to enter the job market and get relevant experience in the upper-level medical field while earning a pretty nice salary to rid myself of debt and start saving up for the eventual plunge into medical school. The downsides would be that I would have a lot of trouble working for the 2 years I'm in the PA program due to the crazy workload and I might get stuck in the dreaded rut. You know what I mean. I graduate as a PA, get a job, start making good money, and then get sucked into the routine until I'm 60 years old wondering why I never actually made it to medical school. Nothing wrong with making a career out of being a PA, but I really want to have my own practice someday.
Anyways, I'd love feedback on this issue. The final decision is up to me and my discretion of course, but other peoples' opinions may give me some angles or perspectives that I haven't considered. So please, fire away
P.S. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Quanza, Blessed Yule, and all the other things that come around this time of year
They're both sure things. It's just the way things will turn out afterwards that's different. If I go with microbiology, I'll be able to work WHILE attaining the degree, but I'll be leaving college a poor student, and then going to medical school as a poor student. If I go with PA, I won't be able to work for the two years I'm getting the degree, but after I graduate, I'll be able to take the time to square all debts, save up money to see me through medical school, and gain valuable experience...at the cost of taking an extra 5 or so years to get into medical school.
Valeroo
~ctylover
Whichever choice you make, I'll support you any way i can manage. Secondly, i think it might be better for you to go for the PA. Considering the stories ive heard about med school debt, that extra bit of scratch would be very helpful
Jardenon
~jardenon
This is beyond my ability to understand I'm afraid.
semiceri
~semiceri
I actually see a PA. Shes awesome and I wouldn't go anywhere else. I suppose it really depends on what you feel is the better option for yourself though.
I would find out details first love, if your GPA is high enough to even get into the master's program, then do it. if not, go with the PA for a few years. That should be a lot of fun for you.
