AMSA

Pre-PA Pathway

1. What exactly is a PA?

PAs (physician associates/physician assistants) are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. PAs receive general training in all medical fields and may practice in many different specialty areas. They are different compared to physicians and doctors as the latter recieves specialized training in specific fields. So if you’re on the Pre-PA route, welcome and we hope the information provided in this page will help you!

2. What does it take to be able to apply for PA school?

Requirements to attend PA school:

  1. Applicant will need to have an undergraduate degree with all the necessary prerequisites fulfilled.
  2. Applicant will have to sign up for CASPA, which is the application portal that PA schools use.
  3. Applicant will have to take the GRE, and the CASPER exam.

I. That Undergraduate Degree

This is arguably the most important part, as how you choose to spend your undergraduate years will reflect on your application and how it turns out for you. Many of your peers will major in something related to chemistry or biology, but quite frankly, you can truly major in anything—as long as you’ve fulfilled the prerequisites for the program you’re applying to. Most PA programs will have the following prereqs listed on their sites (Tech equivalent):

  • Anatomy (ZOOL 2403)
  • Physiology (ZOOL 2404)
  • Biochemistry (CHEM 3310)
  • Biology (BIOL 1403 and 1404)
  • Microbiology (MBIO 3401)
  • Chemistry (CHEM 1307 and 1308)
  • Organic Chemistry (CHEM 3305 and 3306)
  • English Composition/Writing
  • Genetics (BIOL 3416)
  • Medical Terminology (NS 4220)
  • General Psychology (PSY 1300)
  • Statistics (MATH 2300)

There will also be, on their sites, additional “recommended” courses that you should take (and honestly, they probably really do want you to take them). Each will differ by the program requirements, so please go out and do the research for the program you want.

Additionally, they will want to see if you have any prior healthcare experience that’s hands-on—meaning you’re interacting with patients and actively working alongside healthcare providers. Some ways you can get these patient care experiences include, but are not limited to:

  • Medical Assistant (MA)
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
  • Paramedic
  • Lab Assistant/Phlebotomist
  • Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Emergency Room Technician
  • Surgical Tech
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Go with any of these, but do note that some of these will be more expensive and costly to get the certification for and others might be cheaper. Some places will train you while working at the same time, so if that’s something that might interest you (but there’s probably a catch so beware).