4 Ways to Maximize Your Gap Year as a Pre-PA Student
By Katie Bean, DMS, PA-C and Beth Macintire, DMS, PA-C
As a pre-PA (physician associate/physician assistant) student, you may find yourself contemplating taking a gap year. This can be a valuable opportunity to gain crucial medical knowledge and strengthen your application before applying to PA school. A gap year can provide tremendous personal and professional growth, and help you become a well-rounded candidate and competitive PA program applicant. It’s important this time is used wisely to increase the chances of being accepted to PA school. Let’s explore some ways to maximize a gap year as a pre-PA student.
- Gain Clinical Experience
While many students may have already acquired some clinical exposure during their undergraduate studies, a gap year allows students to deepen their understanding of patient care. Seeking opportunities with direct hands-on patient care, such as working as a back office medical assistant (MA) or emergency medical technician (EMT), will allow you to expand your clinical skills and knowledge. Many programs require a minimum number of patient care hours (PCE) as a requirement before applying, so this can be a great time for you to gain those hours and become a more competitive pre-PA applicant.
- Pursue Shadowing Opportunities
Shadowing practicing PAs is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of the roles and responsibilities PAs have on the healthcare team. These experiences provide invaluable insight into the daily routines of healthcare providers and expose students to diverse patient populations. Understanding the scope of practice of the PA profession and learning about their training and education can help students prepare for entry into a PA program. Shadowing will also allow students to witness how critical thinking is an integral part of establishing a differential diagnosis and learn what other vital skills are needed to succeed in healthcare.
- Volunteer and Give Back
A gap year is an ideal time to engage in community service and give back to those in need. Consider volunteering at local hospitals, clinics, or non-profit organizations that align with your interests. Opportunities like volunteering at homeless shelters, working with underserved populations, or utilizing previous medical training to provide free treatment, not only make a positive impact on the lives of others but also cultivate empathy, compassion, and interpersonal skills- all of which are essential qualities for a PA.
- Enroll in Additional Courses
While a gap year is often a break from formal education, it doesn’t mean you can’t continue learning. Contemplate enrolling in relevant courses or workshops that will create a solid foundation for future PA studies. Consider taking upper level or graduate classes, like advanced anatomy and physiology, microbiology, or pharmacology to increase medical knowledge. Obtaining advanced certifications such as ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) can also enhance your clinical skills and help you become more well-rounded and knowledgeable about healthcare.
As a pre-PA student, a gap year presents a golden opportunity to grow personally, professionally, and academically. Whether you choose to shadow, gain clinical experience, volunteer, or enroll in additional courses, each experience will contribute to your overall development as a future PA. You need to ensure you strategically use this gap year to become a more competitive and knowledgeable applicant.
Katie & Beth are the co-founders of Pre-PA Clinic, an organization dedicated to helping students get accepted into PA school. They are both certified PAs and hold Doctorates in Medical Science, and have years of experience working at PA programs as PA faculty.