Would I be able to Start a Graduate PA program, if I have a 4.0 GPA in BBA & Finance?

[KNukey]

Hello,

 

 

Thank you everyone for your time and efforts reading this post. I have been on the fence back and forth between pursuing a Masters/Graduate Degree in Actuarial Studies ( I am a 25 year old male for anyone wondering, residing in Michigan) and pondering the concept of being a Physician's Assistant, (My mother was an endocrinologist).

 

I just completed a dual major program, with a 4.0 GPA in Finance & a 4.0 GPA in Business Administration, working for an insurance company doing Actuarial Procurement. I'm one of those people who are gifted with a true photographic memory, and things just come easy. I'm making around 61k at the moment just starting off, (which is great for a college graduate) but this might seem difficult to explain, I have no feeling of "worth," inside for this type of work. I feel like a drone, in a megalithic colossal battle of internal struggle, who am I to decide who should qualify for certain health insurance plans, and who is deemed "to risky."

 

To open up a little, my mom passed away of Cancer when I was a young, and sadly never had contact with my biological father, I ended up turning my whole life around, and not go down the path of depression, drugs, and violence. Years later, I now have this burning passion that is non-explainable to "help people," I have dreams, and just "feel my mothers presence," speaking out to me, to do the best in life I can. Please attempt to view the situation from my point of view, and offer any honest, and rational thoughts or opinions.

 

I have searched around on the internet, and asked a few different doctors, I seem to get mixed answers.

When contacting Wayne State University, they basically told me technically you could, but it is "looked down upon," not having a science degree, and the review board might "disqualify you." I've already taken Calculus IV, and other high level math courses, hoping that would take care of some of the math prerequisites. Wanted to do the Graduate PA Program, and not have to start from scratch, BA > PA.

 

I'm well aware that staying with my current actuarial program & progressing results in the pay range goes very easily to 150-300k+, for national security agency, or private sector level PhD. actuarial work.

 

Even though a P.A. might make less, I feel I would be "satisfied," at the end of the day, and happiness overrides monetary financial gain to me.

 

 

Any Advice People?

Thank You for any replies, =)

 

 

-J-

[lundkm18]

You should probably narrow down a few schools you might be interested in and go from there. Many schools require you take the GRE, they also require a lot of science pre-reqs (at least a year's worth) and many health care experience hours (around 500-1,000 hours of direct patient care experience, things that qualify are a CNA, EMT, Phlebotomist... etc..)

[JasonD]

You have to take all the science pre-reqs: Bio, A&P I and II, Chem and organic chem, etc. Get those and sufficient health care experience and you're golden.

[KNukey]

You should probably narrow down a few schools you might be interested in and go from there. Many schools require you take the GRE, they also require a lot of science pre-reqs (at least a year's worth) and many health care experience hours (around 500-1,000 hours of direct patient care experience, things that qualify are a CNA, EMT, Phlebotomist... etc..)

 

I might have misunderstood your reply, but please correct me if I'm wrong. Are you saying that I need 500-1,000 hours of direct care, before being accepted into a PA/graduate program, or those are the hours needed during the 2 year program + pre-reqs?

 

Thank You,

 

-J-

[DizzyJ]

In my opinion, being on admissions committees in the past, having a non-science undergrad degree would not disqualify you, nor make you "looked down upon". As long as you have all the require pre-reqs done, your specific degree shouldn't matter. I think having a non-science degree would make you stand out from all the other applicants. Who all have the same B.S. degree.

[KNukey]

In my opinion, being on admissions committees in the past, having a non-science undergrad degree would not disqualify you, nor make you "looked down upon". As long as you have all the require pre-reqs done, your specific degree shouldn't matter. I think having a non-science degree would make you stand out from all the other applicants. Who all have the same B.S. degree.

 

I greatly appreciate your time & efforts on your reply, you have motivated me to meet with advisers at Universities, and ask additional questions. I feel like I would be able to offer a unique perspective to the PA program from having an analytically inclined mind.

 

-J-

[IdahoPA]

I might have misunderstood your reply, but please correct me if I'm wrong. Are you saying that I need 500-1,000 hours of direct care, before being accepted into a PA/graduate program, or those are the hours needed during the 2 year program + pre-reqs?

 

Thank You,

 

-J-

 

You understood correctly. Many, but not all, programs require some healthcare experience hours as a pre-req. For example, OHSU requires a minimum of 1000 hrs while MEDEX requires 4000. ATSU doesn't require any. You can get HCE from working in any position where you're getting hands-on patient contact: CNA, phelobotomist (I can't spell that), EMT... This is in comparison to shadowing hours where you only observe.

 

Also, just as a lil helpful hint, the profession is generally referred to as "physician assistant" rather than the possessive "physician's asst."

 

Good luck in your endeavors. It's good that you're looking into your options now, instead of waiting a few years and being "drained" from unsatisfying work.

[Dondoro88]

Firstly..don't say physician's assistant..!

 

As everyone else said, get the prereqs done (look at school websites through CASPA for these)

 

Get some volunteer hours

 

Background shouldn't matter, I met a program director who had a finance/accounting background who went through the same thing and became a PA..

[duchesskre]

I have a bachelors in criminology and sociology and a masters degree in social work. I had acquired about 10,000 hours of direct patient care (working as a medical social worker)...spent a year and a half taking the required pre reqs an applied to 14 schools this cycle. So far I have been accepted at one school, withdrawn my apps from 5 and am waiting to hear back. Regardless, I will be starting PA school this summer. In no way was my non science background hinder me, I think it made me unique. If you want to help people, first this is to start working with them to make sure its what you really want and to start taking the necessary pre reqs......

[Corpsman2PA]

Hello,

 

 

pondering the concept of being a Physician's Assistant

 

-J-

 

I'm sure plenty of physician's will hire you as an assistant ;) Lots of good advice available for you here, keep on looking...the advice you'll receive is invaluable.

[medman2007]

I'm well aware that staying with my current actuarial program & progressing results in the pay range goes very easily to 150-300k+, for national security agency, or private sector level PhD. actuarial work.

 

up to 300K+?. . .wow. Very doable to make 150K as PA depending on specialty, location, etc. . . but I would say very few get close to 300K :smile: Didn't realize the comp was that good for Actuary!

 

Good advice from above posters. . .good luck in whatever you decide . . .As you can read on this board, PA route has it challenges but pros far outweigh the cons. Good luck.

[Lemon Bars]

KNukey,

 

With your talent, you can make a place for yourself doing work that helps people and not just corporate profits. If you have interest in medicine you could become a PA or even a doctor, since you are young. You can either do a year of PA pre-requisites or a year of physics, chemistry, and biology and then apply to medical school. Medical school and residency take longer to complete, but I don't believe previous health care experience is required for medical school. Specialist doctors can make the kind of money you would have made in insurance, but PA's don't.

 

Good luck!

[shawnmclane]

KNukey,

 

I'm a fellow business major. I have a bachelor's in accounting. Your undergrad grades are excellent. If you take the required prerequs and maintain the same level of academic achievement, you should have no problem finding a program. The fact I had a non-science degree never came up in any of my interviews, and I was accepted into my program of choice last month. Every school has a different set of criteria for applicants, and you may have to expand your search and/or move to find the right fit. Best of luck in your endeavors.

[HopefulPA]

I am a WSU PA Grad who had a non Science BBA and Masters Labor Relations GPA 4.0 so not sure how "Looked down upon" it was for me. There were other students in my class that had non science degrees. One had a BA-Performing Arts, One had BA-Fine Arts. Do the pre-reqs. and YES you do have to get direct patient care 500-1000 hours. Also you need to do some volunteer hours as well about 50-100. Of yeah and take the GRE. If you ace the above and do well in the interview you should be fine.

[taotaox1]

My ba is in English and i have been accepted to one school (so far) and offered 5 interviews, mostly at top tier schools. About 3k hce, high a gpa and a high gre (1440).

 

no need for a science degree if you have other decent stats.

 

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[lk87]

who ever told you that is totally non-sense, i have a friend who was english major in undergrad and he is now in Yale medical school, another friend of mine was psyc major in undergrad and now is in NOVA DO program. and im sure there are many others on this forum who has an undergrad major other than science.

 

I, myself also has an non-science undergrad degree, and im currently working full time and working on my pre-reqs for PA schools

[Just Steve]

As a thought, what about attending med school, then skipping residency? Using your current education coupled with a medical education and work for patient advocacy groups as a consultant? Taking your obvious eye for monetary background and stats, blending with an understanding of medicine...seems there would be some sort of market there for you. By skipping residency you trim 3 years at least off your training, still have the MD.

 

This way you can salvage your soul, use both degrees...

 

just thinking off the cuff

[KNukey]

I'm sure plenty of physician's will hire you as an assistant ;) Lots of good advice available for you here, keep on looking...the advice you'll receive is invaluable.

 

XD!!!

 

/facepalm

 

Thank You for the corrective criticism ( along with the others) I wouldn't want to be speaking incorrectly.

 

=)

 

Regards,

 

-J-

[KNukey]

I'm well aware that staying with my current actuarial program & progressing results in the pay range goes very easily to 150-300k+, for national security agency, or private sector level PhD. actuarial work.

but I would say very few get close to 300K :smile: Didn't realize the comp was that good for Actuary!

 

For the limited few genius minds (Wish I was 1 of them :p) that obtain a PhD. in Risk Management Actuarial Assessment & pass a specific A/~ exam (9% National Pass rate, CPA exam is 22%). The National Security Agency NSA ( hires in close to the 500k-1M+ range) !

 

-J-

 

/off subject.

 

 

/on subject

 

 

 

Could anyone comment on their personal experiences with being a P.A. in a surgical environment?

[KNukey]

Just wanted to thank everyone again for their inputs, I've met with the department head for the P.A. program and they instructed me I would be a valuable candidate, and encouraged me to apply, along with having much of the prereqs already completed, ( I took a bunch of unnecessary additional math/chem/science/psych classes, just for personal enjoyment and self fulfillment at the time), so I can start the program soon if desired.

 

-J-

[KNukey]

KNukey,

 

With your talent, you can make a place for yourself doing work that helps people and not just corporate profits. If you have interest in medicine you could become a PA or even a doctor, since you are young. You can either do a year of PA pre-requisites or a year of physics, chemistry, and biology and then apply to medical school. Medical school and residency take longer to complete, but I don't believe previous health care experience is required for medical school. Specialist doctors can make the kind of money you would have made in insurance, but PA's don't.

 

Good luck!

 

KNukey,

 

I'm a fellow business major. I have a bachelor's in accounting. Your undergrad grades are excellent. If you take the required prerequs and maintain the same level of academic achievement, you should have no problem finding a program. The fact I had a non-science degree never came up in any of my interviews, and I was accepted into my program of choice last month. Every school has a different set of criteria for applicants, and you may have to expand your search and/or move to find the right fit. Best of luck in your endeavors.

 

I am a WSU PA Grad who had a non Science BBA and Masters Labor Relations GPA 4.0 so not sure how "Looked down upon" it was for me. There were other students in my class that had non science degrees. One had a BA-Performing Arts, One had BA-Fine Arts. Do the pre-reqs. and YES you do have to get direct patient care 500-1000 hours. Also you need to do some volunteer hours as well about 50-100. Of yeah and take the GRE. If you ace the above and do well in the interview you should be fine.

 

My ba is in English and i have been accepted to one school (so far) and offered 5 interviews, mostly at top tier schools. About 3k hce, high a gpa and a high gre (1440).

 

no need for a science degree if you have other decent stats.

 

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

I guess that staff employee was just "having one of those days," people seem to be rude over the phone, and in person when they are ending their shift, or don't want to deal with someone, guess I just caught someone at a bad time.

 

I know everyone says, you can't really do something unless you *want* to do it yourself. I've wanted to do this for awhile, and now am even considering the MD route, and thanks to all of you, and anyone else who viewed this post, you "sparked the flame, that was manifesting in my soul to not just ponder the idea anymore, but do something about it.

 

-J-