02/21/2026
The One Thing That Would’ve Made PA School Easier
I knew I wanted to become a PA from my very first day of undergrad. There’s one thing I truly wish I had done before starting PA school: become a medical assistant.
I had good clinical experience, but working as an MA would have given me a much deeper understanding of what a real clinic day actually looks like. Not just diagnosing and treating patients, but everything else that comes with being a provider: prior authorizations, referrals, charting, managing patient flow, navigating insurance challenges… all the behind-the-scenes responsibilities no one really talks about.
That’s why I consistently recommend becoming a medical assistant to my pre-PA students. Yes, it strengthens your PA school application, but even more importantly, it prepares you for your future role as a PA. You walk in more confident because you’ve already seen how clinics truly operate.
One program I often share is HealthCareerCerts. You can earn your medical assistant certification fully online in as little as eight weeks—which is a game changer if you’re balancing classes, work, and life. They also guarantee an in-person externship anywhere in the U.S., so you gain real hands-on clinical experience.
If you decide to enroll, you can use code WHITECOAT100 for $100 off.
If you have questions, comment below or DM me. After three years as a PA, I genuinely wish I had known about an opportunity like this earlier in my journey—it would have made my transition into practice so much smoother.
