What is the daily life as a Physician's Assistant like?

Physicians Assistant question?

• I am currently a biology major and about to go into my sophomore year of college. I currently have a 3.2 GPA but I'm SURE it will be a 3.4-3.5 once I graduate. My resume needs a lot of work; but I do have community service in the local Boys and Girls Club, a mentor program at my school and a leadership activity. I will be volunteering at a hospital in the summer. I need to know what I can do to enhance my resume, and what are chances in getting into a physicians assistant program. Also what internships can I strive for to help boost my status?

• Answer:

  Hi, I am a pre-medical student and Cell and Molecular Biology major in my senior year of college. With your GPA and extracurriculars, it seems as you might need a bit more to help you out. The good news is that you have plenty of time to enhance your resume. Depending on what PA school(s) you will be applying to, you may or may not have to take the MCAT exam. I think the PA school in my state doesn't require it, but others I know do. If you're applying for one that does, make sure you have all of the coursework required for taking the MCAT (General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and all the Biology you can muster) and then begin studying for the exam. It is fairly insane. I just took it a little over a month ago. In the meantime, you should definitely volunteer at a hospital from this summer until the point where you go to PA school. That will show your commitment to being a physician's assistant and will provide a strong show of interest in a healthcare related field. You should also try shadowing a physician or a PA or looking for research positions/internships. These will boost your resume like no other. If you ask around with some of your professors. they might be able to provide you with contacts and resources as to how to find shadowing and research opportunities. It is never a bad thing to show your dedication to science and to continuing your education. If you can get your GPA up to around the 3.6-3.7 range, you'll be even more competitive. You still have a lot of time. Just keep trying your best and going to class. When you go to class, take advantage of it. Enjoy it. It is a privilege to be there and it is priceless in worth. If you do these things, I'm sure you'll be a knockout competitor for a PA school admissions committee and you can become a PA in good time. Good luck!!