r/prephysicianassistant • u/PABillythegreat121 • 18h ago
Pre-Reqs/Coursework When should I give up
I’m currently working on completing the prerequisites I need to apply to PA school, and I’m honestly struggling more than I ever expected. I’m 20 years old, and I already have a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and a minor in Medical Administration, so this isn’t my first time in college. However, this is my first time taking this type of science-heavy coursework, and I’m finding it incredibly difficult. No matter how much I study or how much work I put in, I can’t seem to understand the material the way I need to. I currently have a 2.7 GPA and a 3.0 science GPA, and I’m worried that I’m not going to be able to get an A in either my psychology or chemistry class this semester. Honestly, I feel like I’m going to fail no matter how hard I try, and I’m starting to question whether I’m capable of doing this.
My long-term goal is to become an emergency medicine PA (ED PA), and it’s something I genuinely want to pursue. However, my biggest fear is that I’m going to end up with a lot of student debt from completing my prerequisites and preparing for PA school, only to never get accepted into a program. Since I already have a bachelor’s degree, I’m trying to be realistic about how much more time and money I should invest in school. I don’t want to keep putting myself into debt if there’s a chance I won’t be able to achieve the career I’m working toward.
Another thing that makes this situation difficult is that my girlfriend is going to pharmacy school, and a lot of my friends are going to medical school. It feels really bad to struggle just to get through my prerequisite classes when the people around me seem to be moving forward with their goals. I can’t help but feel like I’m falling behind everyone else. I know everyone has their own path, but it’s hard not to compare myself to them when I’m struggling to get to the point where I can even apply to PA school. I already have a degree at 20, so I know I’ve accomplished something, but I still feel like I’m behind because I’m struggling with something that feels like it should be the next step toward my future.
I think part of what frustrates me is that I know I’m capable of completing college-level work because I’ve already earned a degree. However, this science coursework feels completely different from what I’m used to, and I’m having a hard time adjusting. I thought my previous college experience would help me feel more prepared, but I’m starting to question whether I can handle the academic demands of getting into PA school and completing the program itself.
At this point, I’m starting to wonder if I should consider pivoting to a different career path instead of continuing to pursue PA school. I don’t want to give up on my goal of becoming an ED PA, but I also don’t want to ignore the possibility that another healthcare career might be a better fit for me. I’m trying to figure out whether this is just a difficult adjustment to a new type of coursework or a sign that I should reconsider my plans before investing even more time and money.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Have you struggled with your science prerequisites but still managed to get accepted into PA school? How did you decide whether to keep pushing toward your goal or pursue a different healthcare career? I would especially appreciate advice from people who have experience with PA school admissions or who have had to make a similar decision. I’m looking for honest, realistic advice about my chances, what options I should consider, and whether continuing down this path makes sense. I don’t want to give up on something I genuinely want, but I also don’t want to spend years and thousands of dollars pursuing a career that may not be realistic for me.