For many pre-med students, the dream of a medical career begins with the image of wearing a white coat, saving lives, and making a profound, positive impact on the lives of patients. But the path to achieving that dream is far from uniform.
If you’re a pre-med who’s struggling to qualify for medical school right out of your undergrad program, you may wonder if an MD program is still within reach. You may also be considering whether or not to become a physician assistant (also known as physician associates, or PAs). How do you decide which one is the best fit for you? This article explores key factors to consider as you weigh your options.
Comparing the Roles: MD vs PA
Physicians (MD or DO)
Physicians hold the highest level of responsibility in patient care. They diagnose and treat illnesses, perform surgeries, and lead healthcare teams. Becoming a physician requires four years of medical school after your bachelor’s degree, followed by at least three to seven years of residency training (and potentially fellowships, depending on your chosen specialization).
The benefits of spending a decade or more in medical education include being able to obtain complete autonomy in diagnosing, prescribing, and treating patients. You can also specialize in various fields, from surgery to psychiatry to medical research, allowing for diverse career paths. However, if you want to change specializations, you may need to pursue additional training and board certification, a process that can add time and expense to your professional development.
Physician Assistants/Physician Associates
Physician assistants (increasingly called physician associates) work as part of a healthcare team, practicing medicine under the supervision of a physician. They can also diagnose and treat patients, perform certain procedures, and prescribe medications, but have a limited scope of practice that can vary by state. However, specialization is still available to PAs, and without the need to pursue additional board certification.
The plus side of becoming a PA is that the educational pathway is much shorter, typically only two to three years long.
Questions to Ask Yourself
What motivates me to pursue a career in healthcare?
Is it the desire to lead, specialize, or make a difference quickly? If you aspire to lead healthcare teams, specialize deeply in a field, or conduct medical research, medical school is the choice for you.
If you value caring for patients above all, a PA program might be ideal. You may also appreciate the PA pathway’s quicker entry into the workforce and the ability to switch specialties without additional training.
Am I prepared for the long-term commitment and challenges of medical school and residency?
The journey to becoming a physician is long, often taking at least seven years after completing your bachelor’s degree, and sometimes as long as 15 years if fellowships are required. The PA route is significantly shorter, with most programs lasting about two to three years after earning a bachelor's degree.
However, if being a physician is your life’s goal, the years you commit to that goal will be time well spent.
How important is work-life balance to me?
Healthcare careers are demanding. Some are more demanding than others. Physicians often have intense work schedules, including long hours and on-call shifts. Long hours are particularly common during residency and in certain specialties, such as emergency surgery.
PAs may also be on call at times, but they generally have more predictable schedules and greater flexibility, making it easier to achieve work-life balance.
Am I comfortable working under supervision, or do I prefer having full autonomy?
While most physicians collaborate with other professionals, they often have complete responsibility in patient care and decision-making. PAs work in a collaborative model, sharing responsibilities with supervising physicians. Some may find this appealing, while others may prefer the independence of being a physician.
What are my financial goals, and how does student debt factor into my decision?
While the debt load for medical school is often significant—the non-profit Education Data Initiative reports that average debt for medical school graduates was $234,000 in 2024—physician salaries are also generally very high. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that “wages for physicians and surgeons are among the highest of all occupations, with a median wage equal to or greater than $239,200 per year” as of May 2023. This high salary can offset medical school debt.
PA graduates carry lower debt because their programs are much shorter, and they can start earning sooner. The salary potential for PAs is also quite strong: the BLS reports that PAs earned a median annual salary of $130,020 in May 2023, though this can vary by job market.
Two Pathways, One Master’s Program
Choosing between medical school and a PA program is a deeply personal decision that depends on your goals, values, and circumstances. However, if you need additional preparation before you apply to either option, there’s one program that can help you get there: a Tiber Health Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS) program. This one-year special master’s program provides the rigorous clinical education you need to enhance your profile as an applicant to an MD program, a DO program—or a PA program.
Our university partners are ready to support you as you prepare for your career goals – whatever they may be. Click here to learn more about the MSMS and find a partner near you!
