Blog 1: Introduction- My reason for starting a PA blog

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Hi my name is Andrew Patterson because of stay at home orders from Covid-19 I have had time to write my first blog. I am an Senior Exercise Science major at The University of Scranton and I will be attending Thomas Jefferson University Center City Campus PA Program in May. I enjoy helping others reach their full potential so I thought I would create a blog and a Youtube channel. The purpose of this blog is to provide value to individuals aspiring to be or are already a Physician Assistant. On my path to PA school I struggled due to limited helpful resources and information, so I wanted to share my journey and knowledge I learned along the way.

Over the past few years in undergrad I helped countless individuals organize their Pre PA plan. I know how daunting the pre reqs, patient care hours, shadowing, and much more can be for everyone. My school has an elaborate pre med program with knowledgeable faculty advisors, a large organization for students to join, and a medical alumni council who visit twice a year. However, our Pre PA program, which is not really a program at all, includes one faculty mentor with limited knowledge and guidance so frustrated people began to reach out to me for advice because academic advisors, career services, and faculty members all failed them. I started to really enjoy the mentorship and just talking through the process with others. My sophomore year I was a mess, breaking down while trying to figure out and plan my next few years in hopes of becoming a PA and I did not believe it would be possible but I couldn’t allow myself to give up because I knew I wanted this profession and now I will be starting PA school in about 6 weeks and I could not be more excited. Two of my good friends gave up on the path to become a PA because it was too challenging and overwhelming while other people I know stayed the course and got accepted, or took a gap year, or got rejected the first application cycle and will be applying this application cycle again.

My hope for this website and PA blogs is to help ease some anxiety, make the path seem more achievable with detailed steps so you are not giving up on your dream of becoming a future PA, and give some insight into the life of a PA student. I am trying to be the person I know I needed and lacked during my Pre PA journey to any viewers on their own Pre PA journey. I hope you find this information helpful and if you do follow along for more PA tips and tricks. Feel free to message me on my social media with any questions and comment below any topics you want blogs on! Don’t forget to take care of you body and mind to stay healthy and happy.