Going back to school advice

[GoSTATE71]

Hey,

I've been working a few years following graduation in healthcare and I'm making great money but I'm considering going back to school for further education, specifically possible medical school or a PA program. Any MD/DO or PAs here that can shine some light on this decision? I had pretty good grades in undergrad and initially thought about medical school and have taken the MCAT. However, I'm not so sure about the time commitment and costs (currently debt free which is nice). Any advice?

 

[BoxsterCy]

Anecdotal note from the Twin Cities for University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.

All of the PA's at the family clinic I go to went through the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse/Gundersen Lutheran/Mayo PA Program. Nephew-in-law, who was working as a respiratory therapist, just finished up going to back to school at La Crosse to be a nurse anesthetist. They moved from Billings there for the school and ended up staying with a great local job offer.

BTW, La Crosse has REALLY changed. I remember it as this seemingly rundown old river town 25 years ago but it's changed significantly. Pretty nice city and downtown these days.

 

[Sigmapolis]

My wife finished medical school this spring (started dating as undergradutes) and is in her residency now. What are you curious about?

 

[carvers4math]

Have a relative who is a PA. Went to Des Moines University. Got out of Iowa State with no debt, but I think wound up with $25,000 debt from PA school. Took her a while to settle in with a job she liked. Husband makes good money so I don't think it took long to eliminate the debt. She has young children and they are letting her work part time, which she enjoys.

She is the only person I know who retook Organic Chemistry because she got a B and was worried about getting into PA school. Did get an A on second try.

 

[Cyclonepride]

If this isn't what you mean by MCAT, I'm not going to be much use to you.

 

[cydline2cydline]

 

[BCClone]

Hey,

I've been working a few years following graduation in healthcare and I'm making great money but I'm considering going back to school for further education, specifically possible medical school or a PA program. Any MD/DO or PAs here that can shine some light on this decision? I had pretty good grades in undergrad and initially thought about medical school and have taken the MCAT. However, I'm not so sure about the time commitment and costs (currently debt free which is nice). Any advice?

If you aren't married or have kids, do it now. Those two events will make it much more difficult.

 

[MNCYWX]

Anecdotal note from the Twin Cities for University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.

All of the PA's at the family clinic I go to went through the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse/Gundersen Lutheran/Mayo PA Program. Nephew-in-law, who was working as a respiratory therapist, just finished up going to back to school at La Crosse to be a nurse anesthetist. They moved from Billings there for the school and ended up staying with a great local job offer.

BTW, La Crosse has REALLY changed. I remember it as this seemingly rundown old river town 25 years ago but it's changed significantly. Pretty nice city and downtown these days.

La Crosse... beautiful city that has really cleaned up lately. Vibrant downtown area too.

Have a relative who is a PA. Went to Des Moines University. Got out of Iowa State with no debt, but I think wound up with $25,000 debt from PA school. Took her a while to settle in with a job she liked. Husband makes good money so I don't think it took long to eliminate the debt. She has young children and they are letting her work part time, which she enjoys.

She is the only person I know who retook Organic Chemistry because she got a B and was worried about getting into PA school. Did get an A on second try.

My sister also went to DMU for PA. As far as the debt thing... I'm sure you are well aware there are several places that offer loan forgiveness options in exchange for length of tenure. You'll find this at a lot of rural hospitals as it's often hard to recruit to those areas.