The "typical" MEDEX student...?!

[jmpetersen]

Hi everyone!

 

I'm applying to the MEDEX program this year and have a question/concern for those of you who are in or have graduated from this program. This particular program is really appealing to me because of location (parents live in CDA..right outside of Spokane..and I have a lot of family in Seattle). I live on the east coast and would love to move closer to family if I get into this program. I'm not sure yet which campus I would choose.

Here's my question. The website is REEEALLY emphasizing military. I see that many of the accepted students are non-military (like me), but I can't help but get the feeling that this particular program has a completely different set of applicants than other schools I've seen(I'm applying to Emory, WF, Duke, MCG, MUSC). I'm only a couple years out of college with no spouse/kids...would I fit in here? My parents went to the open house at the Spokane campus to check it out and they said the group there were mostly men in their 30s and planning on doing the BS program. I would be doing the MS program so I don't know if the typical class make-up is different. And are there differences between Spokane and Seattle?

 

I realize this all might seem a little silly, because the my main purpose is to obtain a stellar PA education. I might be focusing too much on "Are they going to like me?". But again, every open house I have been to stresses the importance of making sure you feel that you fit in to the program. I know I fit this program's mission, but would I fit in with the class? Any insight would be much appreciated!

[jmpetersen]

Hi everyone!

 

I'm applying to the MEDEX program this year and have a question/concern for those of you who are in or have graduated from this program. This particular program is really appealing to me because of location (parents live in CDA..right outside of Spokane..and I have a lot of family in Seattle). I live on the east coast and would love to move closer to family if I get into this program. I'm not sure yet which campus I would choose.

Here's my question. The website is REEEALLY emphasizing military. I see that many of the accepted students are non-military (like me), but I can't help but get the feeling that this particular program has a completely different set of applicants than other schools I've seen(I'm applying to Emory, WF, Duke, MCG, MUSC). I'm only a couple years out of college with no spouse/kids...would I fit in here? My parents went to the open house at the Spokane campus to check it out and they said the group there were mostly men in their 30s and planning on doing the BS program. I would be doing the MS program so I don't know if the typical class make-up is different. And are there differences between Spokane and Seattle?

 

I realize this all might seem a little silly, because the my main purpose is to obtain a stellar PA education. I might be focusing too much on "Are they going to like me?". But again, every open house I have been to stresses the importance of making sure you feel that you fit in to the program. I know I fit this program's mission, but would I fit in with the class? Any insight would be much appreciated!

[kempoguy]

Hi jmpetersen,

 

I am currently in the summer of my first year. All four sites are currently here on campus and the military is definitely well represented. More so than military experience, you need medical experience. The average amount of medical experience is 7 plus years. The program is designed for people with medical experience and they emphasize teamwork over competition. One person may be strong during the ER rotation and weak in OB. Whereas, there may be a student with experience as a nurse in OB but weak in ER. These two individuals are expected to pull each other through the respective rotation with which they are having difficulty. Another thing is the classes are taught with the assumption that the student has already had exposure to the medical field. I can't stress enough how important medical experience is.

 

The history of the PA dates back to the 60's when military medics were trained to be an extension of the physician. Duke was the first PA program and a few short years later UW MEDEX was the second. They value the military heritage but it is not a requirement for admission. I haven't done a formal analysis, but I would guess that less than half in my class of 100 plus have served.

 

The question about whether you would fit in or not is definitely NOT a silly question. You will be spending more time with your classmates than you would your family and that could amount to a long two years if you don't feel like you have anything in common with them. The majority of my class is in their 30's and 40's with some outliers in the opposite ends of the spectrum. I was willing to go anywhere I was accepted. I was accepted to a school in New York before I even interviewed at MEDEX. I was happy that I got in at the school in New York but I didn't feel as comfortable there as much as when I interviewed at MEDEX. I suspect that you wouldn't know that either until you interviewed.

 

There are a lot of great PA schools out there. So if you have the opportunity to choose between two or more schools, you should go where you feel like you belong. You won't know just by the website. Go to as many info sessions as you can. When you go to an interview you will have an opportunity to ask questions which will also help you to decide if you belong at a particular school. I love it here and would pick MEDEX again over any other school out there. However, that's just me. I fit into that demographic you cited and that was a major reason for wanting to attend here.

 

I hope this helps. Remember that extensive medical experience is necessary so if you don't have any get some. If you do then focus on that experience for your application and interview and not your lack of military experience. One more thing get your application in by the early admissions deadline. Good luck!

[kempoguy]

Hi jmpetersen,

 

I am currently in the summer of my first year. All four sites are currently here on campus and the military is definitely well represented. More so than military experience, you need medical experience. The average amount of medical experience is 7 plus years. The program is designed for people with medical experience and they emphasize teamwork over competition. One person may be strong during the ER rotation and weak in OB. Whereas, there may be a student with experience as a nurse in OB but weak in ER. These two individuals are expected to pull each other through the respective rotation with which they are having difficulty. Another thing is the classes are taught with the assumption that the student has already had exposure to the medical field. I can't stress enough how important medical experience is.

 

The history of the PA dates back to the 60's when military medics were trained to be an extension of the physician. Duke was the first PA program and a few short years later UW MEDEX was the second. They value the military heritage but it is not a requirement for admission. I haven't done a formal analysis, but I would guess that less than half in my class of 100 plus have served.

 

The question about whether you would fit in or not is definitely NOT a silly question. You will be spending more time with your classmates than you would your family and that could amount to a long two years if you don't feel like you have anything in common with them. The majority of my class is in their 30's and 40's with some outliers in the opposite ends of the spectrum. I was willing to go anywhere I was accepted. I was accepted to a school in New York before I even interviewed at MEDEX. I was happy that I got in at the school in New York but I didn't feel as comfortable there as much as when I interviewed at MEDEX. I suspect that you wouldn't know that either until you interviewed.

 

There are a lot of great PA schools out there. So if you have the opportunity to choose between two or more schools, you should go where you feel like you belong. You won't know just by the website. Go to as many info sessions as you can. When you go to an interview you will have an opportunity to ask questions which will also help you to decide if you belong at a particular school. I love it here and would pick MEDEX again over any other school out there. However, that's just me. I fit into that demographic you cited and that was a major reason for wanting to attend here.

 

I hope this helps. Remember that extensive medical experience is necessary so if you don't have any get some. If you do then focus on that experience for your application and interview and not your lack of military experience. One more thing get your application in by the early admissions deadline. Good luck!

[IdahoPA]

Hi! Kempo guy makes some very good points, so I just thought I'd add this link from MEDEX's own site. http://www.washington.edu/medicine/som/depts/medex/applicants/mchsstatistics_incomingclass.htm

As you can see there seems to be an almost 50/50 split for genders and the average age is just over 30. It goes on to say that about 18% of the accepted students were former military. So...maybe those 30-yr old men that were at the session just happened to have the evening free. :) I hope this helps. You definitely want to be comfortable in your program!

[IdahoPA]

Hi! Kempo guy makes some very good points, so I just thought I'd add this link from MEDEX's own site. http://www.washington.edu/medicine/som/depts/medex/applicants/mchsstatistics_incomingclass.htm

As you can see there seems to be an almost 50/50 split for genders and the average age is just over 30. It goes on to say that about 18% of the accepted students were former military. So...maybe those 30-yr old men that were at the session just happened to have the evening free. :) I hope this helps. You definitely want to be comfortable in your program!

[Just Steve]

I am mildly surprised at the diversity we have in class; not only in medical experience but also geographically. It has been about the only surprise so far, but it caught my attention. While it is obvious that Medex has a soft spot for prior military and folks with a heavy EMS background (of which I am grateful for, as it got me in the door), I meeting athletic trainers, midwives, CT and MRI techs, nurses...but as mentioned, the one commanality is an indepth background in something medical.

 

So good luck, enjoy the application process. It'll be the easiest part of the ordeal :-)

[Just Steve]

I am mildly surprised at the diversity we have in class; not only in medical experience but also geographically. It has been about the only surprise so far, but it caught my attention. While it is obvious that Medex has a soft spot for prior military and folks with a heavy EMS background (of which I am grateful for, as it got me in the door), I meeting athletic trainers, midwives, CT and MRI techs, nurses...but as mentioned, the one commanality is an indepth background in something medical.

 

So good luck, enjoy the application process. It'll be the easiest part of the ordeal :-)

[EMEDPA]

yup, one of the strengths of this program over other programs is that they don't consider individuals without considerable prior experience. it makes a better pa student and a better pa. I precept their students regularly. they are consistently head and shoulders above students from other programs.

[EMEDPA]

yup, one of the strengths of this program over other programs is that they don't consider individuals without considerable prior experience. it makes a better pa student and a better pa. I precept their students regularly. they are consistently head and shoulders above students from other programs.

[jmpetersen]

Thank you all for your insight! That definitely allays some of my fears! I have heard that it is a really great program and will continue to keep it high on my list. Now...just waiting patiently for interviews :smile:

[jmpetersen]

Thank you all for your insight! That definitely allays some of my fears! I have heard that it is a really great program and will continue to keep it high on my list. Now...just waiting patiently for interviews :smile:

[Doc Savage]

I would say there really is not a "typical" MEDEX student, rather it is a set of traits you can expect from MEDEX students. As far as my class goes... we all were career health care providers for many years( MA, Medic, RN, Surg Tech). We all are very mature, professional, and knowledgeable in our backgrounds. We work well together with each other, staff, and other health care providers. The goal is truly team based and the staff and students all help you out to get you through it. The motto they like to say is that they want to make it harder to fail than to pass. But typical is anything but MEDEX. Students come from all ages and all backgrounds. With some people with as little as 3 years or so of experience to those with 20+ years of experience. Some people have no degree and a handful of credits, some have foreign medical degrees. I hope you get an interview because I love MEDEX and would not have gone to any other school if you paid me to.

[Contrarian]

yup, one of the strengths of this program over other programs is that they don't consider individuals without considerable prior experience. it makes a better pa student and a better pa. I precept their students regularly. they are consistently head and shoulders above students from other programs.

 

Yep... and the reason why I now will only accept Medex students for clinical clerkships.

 

As in previous yrs... I have 10 students scheduled starting next week.

[Brane]

I would say there really is not a "typical" MEDEX student, rather it is a set of traits you can expect from MEDEX students. As far as my class goes... we all were career health care providers for many years( MA, Medic, RN, Surg Tech). We all are very mature, professional, and knowledgeable in our backgrounds. We work well together with each other, staff, and other health care providers. The goal is truly team based and the staff and students all help you out to get you through it. The motto they like to say is that they want to make it harder to fail than to pass. But typical is anything but MEDEX. Students come from all ages and all backgrounds. With some people with as little as 3 years or so of experience to those with 20+ years of experience. Some people have no degree and a handful of credits, some have foreign medical degrees. I hope you get an interview because I love MEDEX and would not have gone to any other school if you paid me to.

 

I am happy to hear this.

 

In my current position (acute inpatient hemodialysis RN) I have discovered how much I savor working and collaborating with all different departments and Providers in the hospital setting.

 

UW is my first choice (nothwithstanding their #8 ranking) for a variety of reasons, and your post along with several others I've come across here...I am hopeful I may be a good fit for them.

[Brane]

I would say there really is not a "typical" MEDEX student, rather it is a set of traits you can expect from MEDEX students. As far as my class goes... we all were career health care providers for many years( MA, Medic, RN, Surg Tech). We all are very mature, professional, and knowledgeable in our backgrounds. We work well together with each other, staff, and other health care providers. The goal is truly team based and the staff and students all help you out to get you through it. The motto they like to say is that they want to make it harder to fail than to pass. But typical is anything but MEDEX. Students come from all ages and all backgrounds. With some people with as little as 3 years or so of experience to those with 20+ years of experience. Some people have no degree and a handful of credits, some have foreign medical degrees. I hope you get an interview because I love MEDEX and would not have gone to any other school if you paid me to.

 

I am happy to hear this.

 

In my current position (acute inpatient hemodialysis RN) I have discovered how much I savor working and collaborating with all different departments and Providers in the hospital setting.

 

UW is my first choice (nothwithstanding their #8 ranking) for a variety of reasons, and your post along with several others I've come across here...I am hopeful I may be a good fit for them.