Starting life from the beginning at 30.

[SATXPre]

Hello everyone. Before I ask my question I wanted to give a little background as to what lead me up until this point, and see if someone could help me find the best route to take. When I was 20 I joined the military as a medic and loved my job, but never had/made time to go to much college. I worked for a PA the first few years in and loved what he did. In 2012 I got out of the military due to opening a successful business, where in 2014 my trust in others backfired and I was locked out by business partners. With the money I had I thought I wanted to start a new business, and now in 2016 I finally closed the doors 2 months ago. I have a job that pays really well, but I always regret not going to PA school. I am now 30 and feel like I may be too late to start, and college is incredibly intimidating to me as I feel that I left it behind.

What I am wondering has multiple parts. I have read another post about starting school at 30 but want to see if someone could help me with more relevancy. I am 30, with no degree, still have my GI bill, will be getting my veteran benefits finally, and close to selling my business.

Is it possible for me to start fresh and eventually become a PA? I've looked at prerequisites and though the degrees have familiar words, the courses don't give a difficulty rating. I am by far from unintelligent, but school is admittedly more difficult for me unless it's medical related. So, what undergraduate degree would someone recommend based on speed, and difficulty? I'd like to get a bachelors before 4 years if possible.

Summed up: 
1. Is it possible for me? 
2. Which undergraduate degree is the easiest/fastest. (Less focus on unrelated courses) 
3. Can I become a PA in less than 6 years? (Understanding the PA program is a set timeframe)

I understand that PA School isn't a joke or simple, but when I do this I want to make sure this is something I can achieve.

 

I apologize if this may have sounded informal. This is a scary moment for me, and I want to make sure this is completely viable, as I am at the end of my choices. 

[hustleforthePAC]

I have a similar background and started at 28 waiting on PA school now. You can msg me can't tslk much, working on ambulance now

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MT2PA]

6 years is pushing it.  It's pretty hard to complete a B.S in less than 4; 3.5 maybe, rarely have I heard of 3 years.  While you could take 20 credits per semester and knock it out in less than 4, you may want to consider taking the 4 years and working on some more recent HCE/PCE since it sounds like it may be 4-5 years since you were last a medic.

 

Can you do it?  Absolutely.  But PA school is competitive and there's never a guarantee you can get in your first cycle.  That said, your age shouldn't concern you.  You're the only one imposing a time limit on yourself; schools aren't, jobs aren't, and society isn't.  I don't know why 6 years is your number (4 for B.S. 2 for PA?) but it's admittedly probably not enough time even if you started your B.S. this coming spring.  

 

I highly recommend finding a degree that would provide a backup career if you decide along the way that you don't want to be a PA or if you don't get in right away.  There are numerous options.  Don't take the easy way out; technically they can all be completed in 4 years with few exceptions.  Really absorb the B.S. experience/education - don't see it as a means to an end of getting in PA school.

[cilantro]

if you don't have a bachelors degree yet, and are looking for the fastest/easiest route, here's what I think:  go the Nurse Practitioner route.  Look into NP vs PA, they do basically the same thing.  As you said, it would take you a minimum of 6 years to get your PA-C.  Whereas, starting from scratch, you can sign up at a community college for an Associates Degree RN class now, finish that and start working in 2 years as an RN, and either apply to a BSN (bachelors of science in nursing) or NP program online.  Even accounting for the fact that NP programs need some work experience, you can get there in 5-6 years.

[SATXPre]

I don't know why I put an emphasis on less than 6, I guess I'm just in a rush to try and get my life back on track. I know this is an overshare but maybe it can lend some understanding to my frustration at my current stance in life. In 2014 I got out of the military because the company I started in 2012 was grossing in the multi-millions. We were doing great and money was rolling in so partners decided to cut out the less business educated partners (I.E. me). When I started up the new company, another partner spent 25k of my money on consumable items (cannot be returned). I am now stuck with a lease, selling off my business to recoup some losses, and working a job that offers no benefits in the future. I am making equivalent to a PA but the job only last for a couple months at a time and calls me back randomly throughout the year. I work 6 days a week, 12 hours a day so as it stands I can't pick up even an online class.     

 

I'd like to use my GI bill, and other benefits to live while I work, but I know they have an expiration. The soonest I can get an undergrad, the more comfortable I will feel about making a complete life change. PA school, I don't care how long it takes to get in or through. Medical is what I am good at, and it's what I want to do. I'm not interested in Nursing, and I know the doctor path would take even longer. I apologize if this sounds like whining, but this is a pretty intimidating moment for me in my life, and don't have anyone I can bounce this information off of. 

[MT2PA]

You can do it.  Do a little research to figure out what B.S you'd like to pursue (pick something that interests you!).  Most things science related will get you most, if not all, of the pre-reqs you need for PA school.  

 

Don't stress over a timeline, get good grades, do some shadowing, maybe look for an HCE/PCE type job (who doesn't love a little extra money?) and just start the process.  You aren't too old.  You just need to get yourself organized and take the first steps.

[SATXPre]

You can do it.  Do a little research to figure out what B.S you'd like to pursue (pick something that interests you!).  Most things science related will get you most, if not all, of the pre-reqs you need for PA school.  

 

Don't stress over a timeline, get good grades, do some shadowing, maybe look for an HCE/PCE type job (who doesn't love a little extra money?) and just start the process.  You aren't too old.  You just need to get yourself organized and take the first steps.

 

I learned that I wanted to be a provider the first few months of being in the military and working under a PA. He taught me so much and motivated me to be an even better medic. When I transferred to ambulance response, dealing with trauma I took what he taught me and became the lead. I felt I gained much more knowledge from a PA than when I did with Doctors (No offense). To me, that was all the shadowing I needed, and I was just too lazy to pursue it. 

[sushithefish]

I mean there are college students who are getting into PA schools straight out of college. They accumulate HCE while in school, have leadership positions, volunteer, and have great grades. So yes, it is possible to become a PA in 6 years, but you have to plan things carefully and work hard.

 

One easy path through college would be starting at a community college, complete all the pre-reqs at a community college, and then finishing at a university. To speed up the college process, you can take classes during winter/summer breaks and take a high credit load each semester. Though, I don't recommend taking a high credit load unless you think you can handle it, since it can be overwhelming and you want to protect that gpa as much as possible. 

 

Although you have been a medic in the past, I am not sure if schools will want more recent hours. If you can accumulate, say, 500 HCE hours per year for 4 years, then you will have 2k hours by the time you apply. 

 

When you apply to PA schools, you can apply to shorter programs (24 months) that begin in January. For PA schools that start in January, you usually need to apply as soon as possible (April/May). 

 

The PA profession and programs are constantly changing. You should stay updated on any changes, such as pre-reqs. Although becoming a PA in 6 years is possible, you can never be sure if your plans will work out and have to be flexible. 

[cerebro]

One thing life has taught me is that: there are no guarantees. Besides loving what a PA does, have you asked yourself why you want to be one? to get back at your old partners? All i'm saying is, try to do this for the right reasons. Your reasons. 

To me there are two paths: take some classes in college to see what you like since you haven't been there before, then, pick a program. You'd take some time to feel it out, see if this is what you really want to do.

Finish the program, start your prerequisites. Thats probably another year or two. While you're doing this you can acquire your HCE/DCE. having a good family support will help a lot. Then look for schools and apply. This might be around 7yrs. But it seems the best option if you care about your future and do not want to go into something you might potentially hate. I'm saying it because you said you haven't been to college before, chances are, you get there, and discover a passion for something else. 

 

 

Second route:

You can transfer into a biology or health science related program after completing prerequisites at a community college. Do the program all year (winter, spring, summer, fall). Chances are you'd complete it in 3 years if you can manage your time well.
I did. (i went to school all year and worked full time overnight. I can assure you it was HELL. I am not joking, it was literally, HELL. But I'm gifted with one thing; i always know exactly what I want to do and i'm very motivated to achieve my goals. This means discipline, and great time management. Add great family support and you have me. I never sulk, i use failure to push me. That being said, I haven't even achieved my goal of being a PA quite yet, i have interviews lined up so i'm hopeful). 

Then apply, Even then, 6 years is a very tight schedule. Life always happens believe me. I don't know if i'm in the position to advice anyone, but if I'm happy, i'm ok. Status, money, wealth are irrelevant. I like nice things don't get me wrong, but i'm only worried about not trying. I hardly regret not winning. I want to get in, but I would completely be devastated if I never tried. 

[MT2PA]

I learned that I wanted to be a provider the first few months of being in the military and working under a PA. He taught me so much and motivated me to be an even better medic. When I transferred to ambulance response, dealing with trauma I took what he taught me and became the lead. I felt I gained much more knowledge from a PA than when I did with Doctors (No offense). To me, that was all the shadowing I needed, and I was just too lazy to pursue it. 

 

That's great!  Just know that some programs will want formal shadowing hours on your application.  There are a lot of little nuances to applying and some of it is just making sure you can check all the boxes.  

 

If it doesn't apply to programs you're interested in, don't worry about it.  Just keep in mind it's something your competing applicants may have.

[anewconvert]

Hello everyone. Before I ask my question I wanted to give a little background as to what lead me up until this point, and see if someone could help me find the best route to take. When I was 20 I joined the military as a medic and loved my job, but never had/made time to go to much college. I worked for a PA the first few years in and loved what he did. In 2012 I got out of the military due to opening a successful business, where in 2014 my trust in others backfired and I was locked out by business partners. With the money I had I thought I wanted to start a new business, and now in 2016 I finally closed the doors 2 months ago. I have a job that pays really well, but I always regret not going to PA school. I am now 30 and feel like I may be too late to start, and college is incredibly intimidating to me as I feel that I left it behind.

What I am wondering has multiple parts. I have read another post about starting school at 30 but want to see if someone could help me with more relevancy. I am 30, with no degree, still have my GI bill, will be getting my veteran benefits finally, and close to selling my business.

Is it possible for me to start fresh and eventually become a PA? I've looked at prerequisites and though the degrees have familiar words, the courses don't give a difficulty rating. I am by far from unintelligent, but school is admittedly more difficult for me unless it's medical related. So, what undergraduate degree would someone recommend based on speed, and difficulty? I'd like to get a bachelors before 4 years if possible.

Summed up: 

1. Is it possible for me? 

2. Which undergraduate degree is the easiest/fastest. (Less focus on unrelated courses) 

3. Can I become a PA in less than 6 years? (Understanding the PA program is a set timeframe)

I understand that PA School isn't a joke or simple, but when I do this I want to make sure this is something I can achieve.

 

I apologize if this may have sounded informal. This is a scary moment for me, and I want to make sure this is completely viable, as I am at the end of my choices.

 

 

I started undergrad at 30, in PA school at 34, will graduate at 36. How hard do you want to work??

 

No undergrad degree is easy, they will all take time. An undergrad that is going to prepare you for PA school is not going to be easy, and the pre-reqs are hard, period.

 

 

You can do it, you're just going to have to work for it

[FrankB]

The average age at admit was 34 in my class.  You will not be far off of that when done with a BS.  I'll be a month off of 37 when I graduate.

The original intent of a PA was to utilize the training military personnel received to fill in HC gaps.  Your age isn't necessarily a disadvantage, use your experiences as an asset.  Medic and business owner experience are things a 24 year old can't offer a application committee.  

 

Community college, part time HCE work and chip away at requirements.  If it takes 6 years great.  If it takes longer and you achieve your goal that is fine too.  

 

I'm not a veteran, but use your GI bill wisely. Many of the veterans in my class paid for most of undergrad while they were able to work part time.  Then used the GI bill for PA school when it is much more expensive and they couldn't work.  Those who did it this way owe way less in debt at the end ( a bigger concern than you would think). 

[SATXPre]

Thank you for all the great replies. 

 

I think I can accept that it's going to take a long time and can't be rushed from reading what you all are saying, but I have been getting mixed messages. I want to be a provider, as I love working with patients and being the person they thank when I take care of their problems. It was that way in trauma, when we saved people's lives that kept me going.    The mixed replies are some are telling me to go the NP route because it is quicker/easier to obtain, and others says the PA  route. I completely understand from everything PAs have told me, that PA school is 2 years in hell. 

 

So now I'm pinging back and forth from NP and PA without truly understanding what I am looking for. So the bottom line is, I want to become a provider sooner than later, but I still need to pay bills/save up, and I'd like to not have to be jobless post college. 

[Jigglytofu]

1. Is it possible for m?

Yes! Almost anything is possible if you want it badly enough. My dad switched careers 3 times in his life. He was 45 when he decided to go back to school for his PhD in an entirely separate field. He quit his job and worked long and hard while still providing for the family (not in finances, but in other matters such as cooking and being involved in his children's lives) for 4 years, often times studying late into the night when we are all asleep and the house chores were finished. Unfortunately, he passed away before he can start anything with his new degree, but his perseverance and dedication is what inspired me to work hard.

My mom's boss (an endocrinologist specialist who started his own firm and now makes millions) was a high school drop out. He spent his twenties driving garbage trucks and busting tables (all noble professions) before deciding he wanted something more for himself. So he enrolled in college when he was in his thirties, studied hard while the freshmen were partying, applied and was accepted to medical school then residency and then a fellowship and worked hard through it all. Started his own business with an in vitro fertilization clinic and was in the red for the first couple of years before ultimately succeeding with this venture. There are so many success stories similar to yours, and I just want you to know that you're not alone.

2. Which undergrad degree is the easiest/fastest?
I would say Biology will knock out most of the prereqs in PA school. Each school is obviously different so do look them up before you apply but generally: Anatomy and Physiology I/II, General Chem, General Bio, Orgo, Stats, Biochem, and a Psych course and English course will cover 90% of your requirements for both PA school and a Biology major. You can take online classes at a CC to save money and time for special classes such as Medical Terminology, or an additional Psych class that certain schools may require. Be sure to start developing a list of schools you are interested in and try to take your prerequisites for all those schools so you can save time.

3. Can I become a PA in less than 6 years?
That depends. It's doable, but difficult, and each case is different. I know of people who took courses in the day while working fulltime night shifts. It was awful and a hellish experience, but they survived. I also know of people who tried this and failed their classes. Do what is best for you, even if it means a longer journey. Don't forget that in additional to an undergraduate degree with decent grades, you also need HCE. Get your certificate as a CNA or EMT now or during the winter/summer break of your freshmen semester. Then try to get a PRN or part time position in a hospital as a CNA (you can work weekends only or as PRN, take off when you need to), or work as an EMT while going to school. It's manageable and you can study and work/rack up healthcare experience simultaneously, working more during your breaks. 3 or 4 years later you'll have enough hours to be competitive while fresh out of college. Depending on how competitive your application looks, you can apply your third year (and if accepted, start PA school right away) or you can apply right when you graduate and if accepted, start one year later which will increase a year in your timeline.

Be sure to get great letters of recommendation and write an awesome PS (mine underwent 12 drafts) in the process, don't hold off everything until the last minute. Study for the GRE and ace that. And look at programs that fit you (programs that prefer holistic approaches or prefer applicants with life experience- programs like Duke and Emory come to mind). Do your research on programs and you should be alright. Best of luck!

[Gavmalav]

SATXPre

As a veteran with a lot of experience in Gi Bill etc. Your reality isn't held only to your GI bill. You have 36 months of school that will be paid, but once you're about 6 months out from you're Post-911, go to Voc Rehab, Chapter 31. They will pay for you to finish your career path. Concentrate on your undergrad with others suggestions of a biology undergrad then use chapter 31 to pay for pa school. It pays tuition, equipment expenses and a living stipend. I know you're a ways from utilizing it, but PM me and I'll tell you what you need to know and how to get through the Voc Rehab pipeline. I'm 36 about to change careers for the better and you've got awesome opportunities ahead of you. Also, as a failsafe, you can apply for the Pat Tilman Scholarship for PA school when you're ready. I would tell you that you that the more you out into great grades now, the better off you'll be. Take care and aim for the moon, if you miss you'll still hit the stars!

[overthehorizen]

I hope you will look seriously at another pathway that is parallel to the PA pathway but gets you to the destination sooner and more safely and less costly with a better vantage point at the endpoint.

 

Here is an example. In NC, you can get an rn degree from a community college. That means dirt cheap tuition and you can work part time if necessary. Then, you enter the masters degree program WITHOUT a bachelors degree. UNC only requires three "bridging" courses for you to enter a Masters Nurse Practitioner school without a BS degree. They require you post a GRE score. Doesn't matter what score;just take it without studying.you complete the Masters in NP part time while working full time as an RN. You make great money, pat in state cheap tuition, skip two years of college. When done, you can practice independently in23 states or independently in VA or DOC. Competition is trivial. Nursing students are not required to take rigorous courses. If they did, too many wouldn't pass. I admit, you probably will despise your classmates but you will arrive in a better place.

 

PA schools have diminished in quality as they proliferate without right faculty, right infrastructure and right clinical relationships. They are largely tuition scams. You will have a harder time gettin in. Will spend a lot more to get there. In the end, you will be a dependent practitioner for life. Did you like basic training in the military where you received crappy treatment and no respect. The PA life is going to be 20 to 30 years of that life. NPs are the future and they are beating the crap out of us.

 

Get on the right path early while you can. Shadow some NPs and PAs. Don't get hung up on who is smarter or more effective. Focus on who has the best future.

[south]

- Absolutely you should do this.  I can't see you doing anything else.  So get to planning.

 

- Get as much knowledge about your GI BIll / verterans benefits as you can.  And use it wisely.  Foolishly, I started the clock on mine too early, while I was still in.  It ran out 10 years later, right after I finished my bachelor's.  I had post-Vietnam GI Bill though, I missed the 9/11 restart by 60 hours of service (!!).  So yours is different - know it, live it, be a part of it.  You can do your BS on the cheap.  PA school not as much.  Plan.

 

- It is going to require hard work...planning...and patience.  You may have setbacks and make mistakes - I sure as hell did.  Mine took 6 years post bachelors, but then again I didn't combine the classes I needed, and had to take them after.  Zero science in my BS.  Anyway, when these things happen, forgive yourself and don't think about it.  Take one semester, one challenge at a time.  It will get done.

 

- Your story is compelling, but - bug in your ear for years down the road - AVOID any victim language about your partners like the BLACK PLAGUE.  I'd love to have a guy in my class who can start and run businesses - that's just plain awesome.  Write a kick-ass personal statement around that.  

 

- Don't listen to all the people who didn't make it how hard it is.  It is hard - but I know complete and utter dumbasses with MD and hard science PhDs.  The key here is that they just focused on that night's task or homework, mastered that however they needed to, and moved on.  You're going to need like three years of Chemistry and other science.  One bite at a time and it goes fast.  Too dumb to quit...still makes it. 

 

- Embrace the suck and eat the pain.  Revel in your low status as a student and spit in the face of intimidation and fear.  and there will be that.  Get help, tutoring, no pride.  These classes are there to weed out the uncommitted (looking at you, Chemistry). 

 

If I made it, you can make it.  I got background and stuff going on you wouldn't even believe.  You got to get aggro and patient and grind this thing out.  Good luck.  

 

ps don't get married or have kids

[south]

By the way, get whatever BS degree sparks your interest AND you can do well in.  It absolutely does NOT matter what it is, as long as you take the "magic 8" classes as electives or on the side.  And get phenomenal grades!

 

A Bio degree is sort of a more elegant solution, but if you think a degree in Biz or Music or Emergency Management or what the hell ever is going to be easier for you to do well in, then do that.  Learning should be fun and interesting and valuable to life.

 

Open secret - community college is great and you can do them at the same time if the Big School doesn't have what you need that semester.  Just takes scheduling where to be on what days.  I did my BS degree in 2.5 years from a standing start this way.  Not sure I would recommend that - but it worked for me and I got seven associates degrees :)

 

But accredited schools only please!  No Univer$ity of Profitz bs.

[Allegro]

Some undergrad pre-PA programs allow you to apply to an accelerated dual-degree bachelor's/master's program (3+2) if you meet some high-achieving performance standards. It would be a long shot, but if you were really interested in an accelerated model, it may be worth looking into undergrad programs who offer entrance into this accelerated type of program. Even though you aren't coming in our of high school (which is typically the student these programs are targeted to), if this is your first time enrolling in college you may still qualify if your high school stats were up to snuff - it was hard to tell from your post if you never enrolled in college or flirted a bit with it. It's worth asking around, at least.