By Isabel Alexander
Thomas Jefferson University offers two ARC-PA accredited programs, one in Center City, Philadelphia, and the other located in two different locations: East Falls in Philadelphia and Voorhees in New Jersey. Jenny Han, a physician assistant student at the East Falls location, explains her experience being in the program.
Han loved the idea of becoming a physician assistant because of lateral mobility, the ability to switch specialties. “I also like having the option of experiencing different specialties while only completing a two-year program,” Han explains. PA students learn how to conduct physical examinations, order and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose and treat illnesses, provide patient counseling, assist in operating rooms, and prescribe medications.
Han also highlights the unique challenges that come from PA school. “Figuring out the best way to study is probably the most challenging. It is entirely different from undergrad, and the study methods from before may not work as well,” she emphasizes. “At first, being in PA school feels like drinking from a fire hose: there is a lot of information thrown at you all at once while simultaneously trying to understand, remember, and apply it.”
Source by Olivia Wong
The PA Society hosted a Q&A for current undergraduate students looking to apply to PA school and those preparing to begin in July.
Despite these challenges, Han emphasizes finding the right study strategies and methods. “Once you figure out the study method that works for you, you start to get a better grasp on it," she adds. Han likes to implement active recall methods to help her memorize and understand the information. She likes to first study on her own by going over the material before and after the lecture to better understand it. Han then reviews the information with her group study the day before the exam. “All in all, it is important to not procrastinate and start studying earlier than later,” she stresses.
Han provides us with a glimpse of her daily routine, which underlines the dedication and hard work required for the PA program. “Typically, we start classes around 8:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. each morning with lectures. Our lunch break is from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Then, lectures again until 3:00 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. After classes, I will probably study for a few more hours, then go to the gym for an hour. I get home around 7:00 p.m. and make and eat dinner, then study for another hour or two,” said Han.
When it comes to balancing coursework and personal activities, Han encourages students to set time aside outside of school for activities they enjoy. She makes sure she does something fun and does not study every Friday night. “At first, it may be hard to juggle extracurriculars and personal commitments, but once you get into the swing of things, you get a better handle on your schedule,” she further noted.
Han highlights the importance of patient care experience beforehand and ensures that this is truly the path one wants to pursue for future physician assistant students. “Don’t be discouraged by people saying it’s hard, or you will never have time for a social life. PA school is definitely hard, but definitely doable if you put in the time and energy for it. You can always make time for the things you love,” she advises.
Currently, high school seniors can only apply into the 4+2 PA program at East Falls since the 3+2 PA program is no longer offered. However, the four years of undergraduate education can allow for more time for students to gain even more patient contact hours as well as do a study-abroad semester.
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