If you’re in undergrad considering your path in healthcare, you may be wondering a common question: “Is PA school hard?” Well, the short answer is, yes! (But, you can get through it if you’re armed with knowledge about what’s ahead. 😉)
The goal of this article is to give you a sense of what to expect and how to overcome the obstacles that’ll inevitably come your way if do choose to pursue PA school! Let’s begin by taking a look at how PA school stacks up compared to other healthcare career paths. Is PA school hard relative to other grad-level medical degree programs, and what other factors make this path challenging?
How hard is PA school compared to med school or NP school?
As an aspiring healthcare professional, you may have taken the time to compare different healthcare careers. Oftentimes, students on this journey will compare and contrast the MD/DO, NP, or PA pathways. These careers are all very rewarding!
While they have their differences, one large misconception is that PA school is an “easier” option than other healthcare pathways. This isn’t necessarily true—all these paths are rewarding and challenging in their own way!
So, if you’re looking to pursue a career as a PA because it’s the “easier” option, you’ll be unpleasantly surprised. While going to PA school is a very rewarding experience, it’s also a challenging path. You can do it, but like other grad healthcare career paths, it’s going to be tough.
Is PA school hard to get into?
While PA school isn’t as long as medical school, it’s just as challenging and often proves to be even harder to get into given its current popularity.
To give you a sense of what admittance standards are, the minimum GPA requirement is usually a 3.0 to apply to most PA schools, and the average GPA of accepted PA students is closer to 3.6.
💡 For more answers about the admissions process, check out this post about PA school acceptance rates!
How hard is PA school from an academic standpoint?
Since most PA school applicants are high academic performers, they usually head into PA school assuming the same study techniques they used during undergrad will work in PA school. But after just the first few weeks, many students realize their old study habits won’t cut it anymore.
Given the sheer volume of material you have to learn, it’s crucial to develop new study techniques. Students who once relied on flashcards realize they don’t have enough time to prepare them now. Those who were fine studying a day or two before exams suddenly understand they need to begin reviewing as soon as the material is presented in order to keep up. And some weeks they have multiple exams, which (needless to say) can be really draining!
Can you work while you’re in PA school?
Students accepted into PA programs are advised, and sometimes even required, not to work during the program. This is due to the rigorous demands and coursework, making any other commitments extremely difficult to maintain. It’s also to ensure students are prepared to prioritize the program, as it takes a lot of time and dedication to succeed.
How hard is PA school when it comes to taking time off, holidays, etc.?
Outside of the strenuous educational component, there are many sacrifices that a PA student needs to make in order to be successful. For the entirety of the program, don’t expect to have more than a week or so off around the holidays. PA graduate programs range from 24 to 27 months long and rarely include a summer break. If you do attend a program with any extended breaks, that time will be made up in the total length of the program.
While cumulative exams will mark the end of each semester, sometimes all you have is a week off before starting up again. It can be a whirlwind and a balancing act to keep up with all that’s required to comprehensively learn medicine in just two years.
Can you be dismissed from PA school?
Of course, acceptance into a program doesn’t guarantee you’ll graduate. If your performance isn’t up to the school’s standards, you can be dismissed from it.
Is clinical year of PA school difficult?
Even once you’re through didactic year, the learning and commitment won’t stop. You have an additional clinical year when your knowledge is put to the test with hands-on patient care directed by your preceptor.
There’s going to be a lot on your plate at this time, believe me. You’re doing full-time clinical work, preparing for end-of-rotation exams, and the PANCE at the end of the year. The good news is passing the PANCE will, in a sense, finally be the end of the road, because it’s the last step to obtaining your certification!
Is PA school hard on your social life?
While the coursework and academic requirements are of course a challenge, for me one of the hardest parts of PA school was watching the world go by as I continued my education.
Of course, I was so thankful to be where I was, but it was hard not to feel behind or left out. I watched my best friends go on trips together and I was stuck studying. Many of them took post-graduation trips with the money they were making at their new jobs, which I didn’t have the time or money to participate in. I had to FaceTime into all the family holiday gatherings I couldn’t make it home to, and sent gifts to weddings and other special occasions I had to miss. While the career was without a doubt worth it, it was anything but easy.
One comforting part about PA school is that it opens up opportunities for you to build friendships within your program, too! Check out this post about building friendships during PA school. 💙
So, is PA school hard? Yes—but totally worth it!
If you ask any practicing PA to describe their experience during graduate school, I can assure you they won’t say it was easy. That said, this reality is not to deter you from pursuing this incredible career! Rather, it’s to prepare you for the challenges ahead, so you can avoid any misconception that the path to PA-C is an “easy” one.
I’ve been practicing for four years now (wow, does time fly), and I still remember what those 24 months of education were like. I have a group of excellent friends I met along the way (trauma-bonding at its finest), who I’m so thankful for. We struggled, laughed, and cried together, and now we’re all PA-Cs in our respective specialties.
All this is to say, as long as you’re ready to put in the effort, you’ll do well on this humbling, gratifying journey! 💙
