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 Nurse 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 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 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: 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…

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 amExam 9:00 am Lecture 12:00 pmLunch 1:00 pm Lecture 5:00 pm Work out + shower 6:30 pmDinner 7:00 pm - ? amStudy

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 Information Grace Deng Cindy Yiu Facebook message me

Thanks all! Good luck with apps! Hope this was useful!