[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg__animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” overlay_strength=”0.3″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg__animation=”none”][_with_animation _url=”3193″ alignment=”” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” _loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg__animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” overlay_strength=”0.3″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg__animation=”none”][vc_column_text]If you are interested in practicing healthcare, you may think there is only one path—medical school. However, before making your decision, you should compare and contrast the programs and practices of an MD vs a PA.
To do so, start by considering the key differences between the professions while also evaluating your own personal goals and desires.
You’ll want to actively evaluate what you can achieve in the different roles against your personal and professional goals. For some, it may be necessary to have the “MD” after your name, while others may be professionally satisfied providing patient care as a PA.
Before making the decision to apply to medical school or a PA program, do some in-depth research in the chosen field, to ensure that it is the direction you truly want to take.
This research should include getting hands-on patient care, interviewing healthcare providers, and shadowing medical professionals. Shadowing looks good on your application, and it’s a great way to find out the different areas of medicine you may be interested in pursuing.
When deciding on which route is right for you, it’s necessary to first compare the programs, looking at the different levels of education, preparation, and cost involved in being a medical student or joining a physician assistant program.
After that, it’s best to analyze the different lives that the professions lead. From there, you should be able to decide which is best for you.
If you dream of a career in medicine, you likely aspire to become a doctor. But have you considered the PA route? Deciding between medical school and PA school is a major fork in the road. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare key factors like training, lifestyle, admissions requirements, and more to help you determine if you should pursue an MD or PA.
Overview of Medical School vs PA School
While they work in the same field, there are some significant differences between physicians and physician assistants:
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Training: Medical school is 4 years, PA school is 2-3 years. Physicians complete lengthy residencies, PAs get on-the-job training.
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Scope: Physicians can practice medicine independently, PAs must work under physician supervision.
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Lifestyle: Physicians tend to work longer, irregular hours while PAs often work standard 40 hour weeks.
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Salary On average physicians earn nearly 2x the salary of PAs.
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Admissions: Both are competitive, but PA school has slightly lower GPA/test score requirements. More patient care experience is needed for PA school.
There are compelling reasons to pursue either path. Read on as we explore the key factors to help you decide between medical vs PA school.
Comparing the Training and Education
The first major difference is the amount of schooling and training required:
Medical School
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4 year MD program after undergrad
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2 years pre-clinical coursework 2 years clinical rotations
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After MD: 3+ years residency in a specialty
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10+ years total post-undergrad training
PA School
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2-3 year master’s program after undergrad
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1 year classroom, 1-2 years clinical rotations
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Optional 1-2 year residencies, but not required
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2-3 years total post-undergrad training
As you can see, becoming a physician requires significantly more formal education and training time. PA programs allow you to begin practicing medicine sooner.
However, some key similarities exist in the curricula. Both programs teach:
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Science foundation – anatomy, physiology, pathology
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Physical exam skills, medical procedures
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Diagnosing illnesses, creating treatment plans
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Rotations in various specialties like family medicine, surgery, pediatrics
The depth and focus differs, but both learn medical knowledge and clinical skills.
Comparing the Licensure and Scope of Practice
After graduating, both MDs and PAs must pass national licensing exams to practice:
- MDs: Pass USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, Step 3
- PAs: Pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE)
With a license, the scope of practice differs:
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MDs can practice medicine independently in any specialty. They can prescribe medication, perform procedures, diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans, and more.
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PAs must work under physician supervision. Their duties may include:
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Conducting patient exams and interviews
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Diagnosing more basic illnesses
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Developing treatment plans
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Prescribing certain medications
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Assisting with surgeries and procedures
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Referring complex cases to the supervising MD
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While PAs have more limited scope, they still play a critical medical role on the healthcare team.
Comparing Salaries and Job Outlook
The salaries also differ between these two careers:
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The average PA salary is around $112,000 per year
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The average physician salary is around $208,000 per year
This nearly 2X salary difference reflects the more advanced training and greater responsibilities of physicians. However, both earn very competitive wages relative to other careers.
In terms of job growth:
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PA jobs are projected to increase 31% over the next decade, much faster than average.
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Physician jobs are projected to increase 4% over the next decade, on par with average growth.
There is strong demand for PAs as healthcare teams seek more affordable providers. But physicians also continue to be in demand, especially in certain specialties.
Comparing Lifestyles
There are also lifestyle differences between these two career paths to consider:
Physician Lifestyle
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Long and irregular hours, often 60+ per week
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More demanding on-call responsibilities
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High stress handling complex patients and making critical decisions
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Ability to own a private practice
PA Lifestyle
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More regular 9-5 schedule, around 40 hours per week
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Minimal on-call responsibilities
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Less stress as PAs hand off complex cases to physicians
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Always work under physician supervision instead of independently
For those seeking better work-life balance, PA careers tend to be less demanding than the typical physician lifestyle. But physician careers offer more autonomy.
Comparing Admissions Requirements
When considering medical school vs PA school, you also need to look at the admissions requirements:
Medical School Admissions
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Bachelor’s degree required, any major
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Median GPA 3.72 overall, 3.65 science
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MCAT exam required, median score 511.5
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Around 50-100 hours clinical experience required
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Research experience important
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7% average acceptance rate
PA School Admissions
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Bachelor’s degree required, any major
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Median GPA 3.6 overall, 3.5 science
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GRE exam required, average scores 150s each section
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~3,000 hours direct patient care experience required
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Less emphasis on research experience
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7% average acceptance rate
While both are competitive, PA school has slightly lower GPA and standardized test requirements. However, PA programs demand far more patient care experience hours than medical schools.
Completing PA school prerequisites as an undergrad helps your chances for both paths. Gaining quality clinical experience is critical if PA school is your goal.
Questions to Ask Yourself
As you weigh medical school vs PA school, consider asking yourself:
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How important is work-life balance to me?
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Am I prepared to spend 10+ years training to be a physician?
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Do I hope to practice medicine independently or am I comfortable with supervision?
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What level of responsibility and leadership do I want?
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Is earning a higher salary one of my top priorities?
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Do I already have substantial patient care experience?
Carefully reflecting on your career values, interests, and qualifications can help guide your decision.
Key Takeaways
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Both allow you to practice medicine, but physicians have greater responsibilities and independence.
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PA school requires less training time but also offers lower pay and less authority.
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Admissions to both are competitive – PA school emphasizes patient care experience more.
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Consider your career goals and values to choose the right path.
Achieving your dream of helping patients get well again is possible through either medical or PA school. Evaluate the factors carefully to pick the best route for you!
MD Scope of Practice & Flexibility
MD school graduates experience a different type of flexibility in their scope of practice than physician’s assistants or nurse practitioners, both mid-level healthcare providers.
Practicing under an MD license allows a physician to work independently of any immediate oversight and to own their own business. Since their education is specific to one specialty, and it requires additional years of training to switch, most physicians don’t change specialties during their career.
Programs: PA School vs Med School
As you’re considering your professional options, it’s helpful to compare programs and costs to weigh this against your life goals and how you’d like to use your education. Let’s look at some of the similarities and differences.
Schooling may take two to three years to complete. The amount of time it takes depends on how your PA program is structured. Toward the middle of the program, you begin to focus on clinical rotations, which give you hands-on experience and expand on your classroom education.
Education in PA school is generalized, which provides you with general knowledge in a wide variety of topics, so you can choose a specialty and clinical rotation that most appeals to you after you graduate.
A generalized education also increases your flexibility throughout your career as many PAs go on to work in more than one specialty before they retire. You are able to start practicing once you graduate, pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), and get your state license.
Medical school is a four-year program after completing a bachelor’s degree. Just like in a PA program, med school coursework also includes a clinical rotation focus that begins in the middle of the program.
After graduating from medical school, you must complete three to seven years of a postgraduate residency program before you are able to practice. If you want to practice in a subspecialty, such as pediatric pulmonology, you may have an additional fellowship program.
Once you complete your residency and possible fellowship, you’re still unable to practice until you pass a three-part United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) series, board certifications, and get your state license.
Why I chose PA over Doctor (differences between doctor and PA)
Is PA school better than medical school?
The decision to enter PA school versus medical school is significant and requires careful deliberation. Students who find themselves in this situation should consider a few points: PA school is not necessarily less competitive than medical school. PA school is faster. Physician associates have more flexibility.
Should a PA student go to MD?
So again as a PA student, you have to be okay with having a physician looking over your shoulder and be okay with the fact that the patient may want to see the physician sometimes. If you’re not okay with that, then you need to move on to MD or something else. This is something interviews for PA school are looking for.
How much does med school cost?
The average cost for a PA program ranges from $70,000 to $90,000. The difference in cost depends upon the school you attend, where the school is located, and if you can take advantage of in-state residency tuition. The average cost of med school is significantly higher than PA school, ranging from $200,000 to $300,000.
Does PA school have a higher acceptance rate than MD?
And the answer is, yes. While fewer students apply to PA programs (about 27,000 PA applicants vs. 57,000 MD applicants), the average acceptance rate for PA school is also 7%. In the end, 32% of total applicants in 2019-2020 matriculated into a PA program.
