I interviewed Alana Winston, a fourth year at OSU, about her decision to become a physician assistant.
Q: Why did you choose to be a PA?
A: “Originally, I started my freshman year of college as a pre-mechanical engineering student. After about a year in the engineering program, I discovered that I absolutely hated it, and I knew I had to change my major before I was stuck in something that I was no good at. Except I had no idea what to change it too. My twin sister is a nursing student here at Ohio State, and she helped me explore the vast amount of options available in the field of medicine. As a sophomore, I decided on optometry as my future career, even though I wasn’t very interested in the retail aspect of it. It wasn’t until I shadowed my current doctor of optometry that I realized a career in optometry wasn’t for me either. Then my grandma, who worked as a nurse for almost 50 years, suggested that I look at the PA career. After researching it, I finally felt like I had found the career for me. The 27-month graduate program vs. the 8 years of medical school was another plus for me.”
Q: What has been the most challenging part of preparing for this career; what has been the most fun part?
A: “The most challenging part for me so far has been bringing my GPA back up from where engineering tanked it. The minimum GPA for most graduate programs is a 3.0 but the average GPA of the incoming graduate class is typically around a 3.6. The most fun part has been taking classes in preparation for PA school because the material actually interests me unlike my previous engineering classes.”
Q: How have you been preparing?
A: “I switched my major to Biology to achieve the prerequisites necessary for PA school. I also talked to an advisor about the best way to prepare for graduate school, and I started volunteering at the hospital.”
Q: How many hours have you shadowed? Have you done any patient contact experience, and if so, what kind?
A: “I haven’t shadowed a PA yet but I will be doing so this summer. However, my volunteer experience at the hospital allowed me to observe PAs at work. To fulfill my patient care hours, I plan on getting my EMT license at Columbus State once I finish my undergraduate degree and working as an EMT while I apply to grad schools. That way, I can save up some money before continuing my education.”
Q: How did you approach a professor with the intent of receiving a recommendation letter from them?
A: “I actually have not yet talked to a professor about a recommendation letter because I don’t plan on applying to any graduate schools until 2019. Once I begin the application process, I intend to approach professors in classes that I liked and did well in. I plan on asking them at least 2 months before the recommendation letters are due.”
Q: What is any advice you wish someone would have told you early on in the application/ preparation process?
A: “I definitely would suggest shadowing a PA or finding some way to familiarize yourself with a hospital or medical environment early on. Volunteering also is a good option because it looks great on an application.”