Physician AssistantUCSD
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. NPNurse
Practitioner
Nursing model training
Nursing school + 2 yrs NP school
Must be certified in each chosen specialty
Practice independently
Holistic care
Salary: $91k
Physician
Medical model training
4 yrs undergrad + 4 yrs med school + #yrs of residency
Supervisor
May or may not have holistic focus
Salary: $175k
Physician Assistant
Medical model training
4 yrs undergrad + 2-3 yrs PA school
No residency required
Supervised
Holistic care
Salary: $95k
So why did we pick PA?
Flexibility – in both career & personal life
Holistic approach to patient care
Shorter schooling
Worked with PAsEnjoy 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 requirementsDifferent for every school. In general, the following courses are required:
General Biology w/ LabGeneral Chemistry w/ LabPhysiology w/ LabAnatomy w/ LabMicrobiology w/ LabStatistics
WHEN IN DOUBT, TAKE THE CLASS
Questions regarding general requirements?
Let’s take a brief tour of the CASPA…https://portal.caspaonline.org/
InterviewsDifferent types:
Group interview – 2 panelists vs. 3 interviewees1 or 2 panelists vs. 1 intervieweesMMI—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 school7:00 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
George Washington U. (D.C.)
Drexel U. (PA)
Arcadia (PA)
Rosalind Franklin U. (IL)
Midwestern U. (IL)
Northwestern U. (IL)
Baylor (TX)
U. of Washington (WA)
Touro (CA)—Joint MPH/PA
Samuel Merrit (CA)
OHSU (OR)
Cindy Yiu
Midwestern U. (AZ)
ATStill (AZ)
USC (CA)
Touro (CA) – Joint MPH/PA
Western (CA)
Baylor (TX)
Emory U. (GA)
Yale U. (CT)
Southwestern Medical Ctr (TX)
Arcadia (PA)
Pacific U. (OR)
Contact InformationGrace Deng
Cindy Yiu
Facebook message me
Thanks all! Good luck with apps!
Hope this was useful!