Transcript Physician Assistant UCSD

Physician Assistant
UCSD
November 19, 2012
About the speakers
Grace Deng
 Graduated UCSD 2009
 BS in Biochem & Cell Bio
 Work experience:
 EMT x3 years
 Volunteer
 Salk Institute Intern
 University Health Champion
Facilitator
 Medical Shadowing in India
Cindy Yiu
 Graduated UCSD 2010
 BS in Biochem & Cell Bio
 Work experience:
 ED Medical Scribe x2 years
 CCE x2.5 years
 Volunteer:
 Scripps Memorial Hospital
 FIMRC in Costa Rica
 Mexico Medical Missions
 Current PAS-1 at Midwestern
University – Glendale
MD vs. PA vs. NP
Physician
Physician
Assistant
 Medical model
 Medical model
training
 4 yrs undergrad + 4
yrs med school +
#yrs of residency
training
 4 yrs undergrad +
2-3 yrs PA school
 No residency
 Supervisor
 May or may not
have holistic focus
 Salary: $175k
required
 Supervised
 Holistic care
 Salary: $95k
Nurse
Practitioner
 Nursing model
training
 Nursing school + 2
yrs NP school
 Must be certified in
each chosen
specialty
 Practice
independently
 Holistic care
 Salary: $91k
So why did we pick PA?
 Flexibility – in both career & personal life
 Holistic approach to patient care
 Shorter schooling
 Worked with PAs
 Enjoy working within a team of medical providers
Characteristics of a PA
 Friendly & easy for patients to talk to
 Patience
 Critical thinking skills
 Ability to self-learn
 TEAM PLAYER
Applying to PA school
 CASPA opens in April every year.
 Get your application in as early as possible.
 Latest: Late July.
 Take the GRE several months prior to applying.
 Have all your information ready
 Recommended # of schools: 10-12 schools.
What do you need?
 3 letters of recommendation.
 Professor, MD, PA, nurse, community leader, etc.
 NO family members.
 Academic requirements
 Different for every school.
 In general, the following courses are required:






General Biology w/ Lab
General Chemistry w/ Lab
Physiology w/ Lab
Anatomy w/ Lab
Microbiology w/ Lab
Statistics
WHEN IN DOUBT, TAKE THE CLASS
Questions regarding general
requirements?
Let’s take a brief tour of the
CASPA…
https://portal.caspaonline.org/
Interviews
 Different types:
 Group interview – 2 panelists vs. 3 interviewees
 1 or 2 panelists vs. 1 interviewees
 MMI—Multiple Mini Interviews
 Don’t stress out. Have fun!
 Be the best version of yourself for 6 hours.
 Appear professional.
 PREPARE! But don’t over-prepare.
Recommended books:
Day in a life of PA school
7:00 am
Wake up + Breakfast
8:00 am
Exam
9:00 am
Lecture
12:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm
Lecture
5:00 pm
Work out + shower
6:30 pm
Dinner
7:00 pm - ? am
Study
My recommendations…
 Take as many biology/health-science related classes
as possible.
 Get as much healthcare experience and exposure
 Study habits - find out what works for you & stick to it.
 Don’t cram.
 Relax & have fun!
UCSD classes prepare you
very well for PA school
Trust the system
Which schools did we apply to?
Grace Deng
Cindy Yiu
 George Washington U. (D.C.)
 Midwestern U. (AZ)
 Drexel U. (PA)
 ATStill (AZ)
 Arcadia (PA)
 USC (CA)
 Rosalind Franklin U. (IL)
 Touro (CA) – Joint MPH/PA
 Midwestern U. (IL)
 Northwestern U. (IL)
 Baylor (TX)
 U. of Washington (WA)
 Touro (CA)—Joint MPH/PA
 Samuel Merrit (CA)
 OHSU (OR)
 Western (CA)
 Baylor (TX)
 Emory U. (GA)
 Yale U. (CT)
 Southwestern Medical Ctr (TX)
 Arcadia (PA)
 Pacific U. (OR)
Contact Information
Grace Deng
 [email protected]
Cindy Yiu
 [email protected]
 Facebook message me
Thanks all!
Good luck with apps!
Hope this was useful!