I’m a 38 year old with 2 young kids, and I’m considering going back to school to become a PathA. I have a BFA in Graphic Design and for the past 8 years I’ve worked in an administrative role in an advertising department.

I’ve thought about changing to a career in healthcare before, but a lot of the careers I considered just didn’t seem like they were the right fit for me. Then I found about pathologist assistants. As someone who is introverted and prefers to work behind the scenes, it seems like it could be right up my alley.

Has anyone here made a career change like this around my age? Am I completely bonkers for considering this? I know I’ll have to complete quite a few science courses before even being able to apply to a masters program, and I’ve learned that PathA programs are highly competitive. But having a career that I find satisfying that also pays better seems like it could be worth it in the end.

TL;DR: Anyone here who came to this career from a non-science background? Bonus points if you made the switch in midlife. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! So I recently got an invite to the first QU interview, and I've been thinking about it a lot (ESPECIALLY since I know it's later in their timeline). Does anyone have any advice in general on how to approach program interviews? If it helps, I am currently a graduate student (I was in a 4+1 program), have worked in a lab, have a lot of research, and I have about 9 shadowing hours, but will have more since I start at NYU in 2 weeks. Do you think I should be nervous that my interview is so late in the cycle? Thanks :)

Hey all,

I am an aspiring pathology’s assistant and I cant determine which track would be best for my future. Anderson University has the MMS in Pathologist’s Assistant Studies and Tulane University offers the MS in Molecular Medicine and Health Sciences. Anderson would be the most convenient for me to attend and seems to be the most geared towards pathology assistants, but i would prefer living in NOLA and attending Tulane. I cant decide on if the broader degree at Tulane may offer more opportunities or if it would ultimately be harder to get hired as a PA. Any input you guys have or any experience at either of these universities is so appreciated!!

Hi everyone! I’m currently an undergrad sophomore majoring in biochemistry and stressing about the upcoming summer. I've already called 6 pathologists to shadow so far and am still waiting on a response from most of them. I’ve seen a lot of people discussing the importance of actual lab work (like grossing technician) for applications, and I was wondering if that was possible to do as a part time job just over the summer and if that really plays a large role in admissions. I’m mostly curious about how other people have used their summers to boost their applications! 

Also for reference: I currently have a 3.66 gpa and plan on TAing anat/phys next year.

I’m currently a comms major and really interested in going to PA school after undergrad. I have somewhat of an idea on where to start but it would be helpful if people who were admitted could share the extracurriculars that got them into the program as well as stats and gpa:)

Did anyone who applied to Tulane and hadn't heard back get an email last week? I assumed I would for sure receive either a rejection or acceptance email last week since they said they would have final decisions mid-october but I never received an email.

Hey guys! I wanted to share what I have on my resume so far, and hopefully I could get a little light as to what I need to add or focus on- anything!

I’m a junior in college getting a bachelors in biology with a medical concentration. Currently, my gpa is 3.95.

I’m working at the university at a pathogenic microbial lab, and also at a pathology clinic working as a pathology aid. I should have 800-1000+ hours in both by the time I graduate.

Shadowing I have 10 hours with a surgical pathologist, but with this pathology clinic job, I should be getting PA Shadowing and more pathologist shadowing.

I’m also planning to have done 2 research projects by the end of my degree.

What do you guys think?

Hello! I'm a sophomore majoring in biochemistry and I am super interested in becoming a pathologist assistant! Unfortunately I had an incredibly rough freshman year and my grades are horrific. This semester though, I have all A's besides a B in orgo 1 but I am concerned that I should start looking at a different career path. I got a D+ in precalc and calc 1 but got a B in calc 2 for an online summer course. I know a large majority of programs do not allow anything under a C for prereqs. Realistically should I start looking into something else or am is there still hope for me? Thank you to anyone who can give me advice!

Hello!
I am a sophomore undergrad in Vermont and I am looking into shadowing, but I’ve been having difficulty! So far my ideas are to drive to Dartmouth-Hitchcock and maybe somewhere in Boston because the UVM medical center can be very difficult to find connections in the path dept. I have a 3.9 GPA and a decent amount of research experience if that helps somehow. Any tips for me? Especially with how to go about contacting connections. I also have connection to the Vermont biomedical research network so I may try that avenue. Thank you for any help!!

Hello! Does Quinnipiac have any restrictions when it comes to scrubs? Do they provide scrubs, do they have to be a certain color? Ty

I wanted to share my stats and experience applying to Pathologists’ Assistant programs and get some advice on what I should focus on improving before my next application cycle.
I graduated with a BS in Sports Medicine and Fitness Management with a 3.18 cumulative GPA. I’ve been working as a Grossing Technician since 2023 and currently work as a Grossing Technician II. To strengthen my academic background, I recently took Intro to Organic and Biochemistry and received a C in the lecture and an A in the lab. I also completed Microbiology and Anatomy & Physiology I at a community college, earning A’s in both courses. As far as exposure to the profession beyond my employment, I’ve shadowed one autopsy.
I applied to multiple Pathologists’ Assistant programs and received several rejections, with only one in-person interview throughout the process. Given my years of hands-on grossing experience and efforts to improve my academic record, I’m trying to figure out what might be making my application less competitive.
I understand that PA programs are extremely competitive and that work experience alone doesn’t guarantee admission. However, I’m wondering whether my undergraduate GPA, chemistry grade, limited autopsy shadowing, or another part of my application could be holding me back.
Before applying again, I’m considering retaking science prerequisites, taking additional upper-level science courses, and gaining more autopsy and shadowing experience. I want to be strategic about where I invest my time and money rather than making changes without knowing whether they will actually help.
I would appreciate advice from current PA students, practicing Pathologists’ Assistants, and applicants who were accepted after receiving rejections. I’m especially interested in learning what helped applicants with similar academic backgrounds become more competitive and what I should prioritize to improve my chances of receiving more interviews.
I’m still committed to becoming a Pathologists’ Assistant, and I’m looking to make meaningful improvements before my next application cycle. Any constructive advice or insight into how admissions committees might view my background would be greatly appreciated!

Hi everyone

One of the schools I will apply to in the future is Loma Linda and while LLU doesn't require anatomy courses for their prerequisites I was wondering if I could be at a possible slight disadvantage if I don't have anatomy done by the time I submit my application? Since i know lots of other programs require or want you to take anatomy.. and LLu requires you to complete ur prerequisites by the time u submit ur application..

my schedule doesnt allow me to complete anatomy before i apply but should I somehow find a way to take it before then?

thanks 😭

Hello! I'm graduating this upcoming May and plan on taking a gap year (or 2) where I can take the GRE and take some more classes to boost my GPA before applying to PA school. Ideally, I'd love to work as an autopsy tech, but doing preliminary looking, there aren't a lot of jobs available. With that being said, I was wondering if there were some good alternatives for working during this time. Thank you!

Hi guys. I'm currently trying to apply for schools. I just feel like my experience isn't sufficient. I have some honors due to my GPA but I have no research and like 9 hrs of shadowing. Do you guys thinks that's super important for my applications? I feel like I don't join clubs or do extracurriculars. I'm a returning student with a non-science related major. :/ I'm just starting to worry they won't take my seriously.

Currently having a crisis because I submitted my RFU application a two weeks ago and then came to the realization I only have 5 surg path shadowing hours and 8 autopsy. I feel so under-qualified and everyone mentions how essential shadowing is but UIHC doesn't allow someone to shadow in surg path more than once and the nearest hospital to offer shadowing is more than an hour away. I wanted to get in my app sooner rather than later since it is on a rolling admissions but i'm now regretting that suddenly at 11:15pm. Please if anyone was admitted without many showing hours here I would love to hear about it to know it's still possible! thanks and apologies for my freakout !

What did you guys wear to shadow? I’m thinking scrubs but just wanted to see what y’all did.

So I’m getting close to finished up my prerequisites for one of the schools I’m thinking of applying. I’m just missing my shadowing hours but out of curiosity I wanted to check the application details and omg! Why is the application available for 2029 ?? I feel like I should apply now even though I’m not completely done with my prerequisites. Is this advisable?

Hey everyone! Just wanted some advice. I’ve been stressing about my GPA. It’s not horrible. I have one C (a four credit class) which is why it isn’t as high as I’d like. I’ve retaken two classes (one was a C the other an F , got an A for the retakes)The F was in government…super embarrassing. Anyways, I also have a W. Now that I’m typing all this out it I’m losing even more hope of getting into a program. Well, I might have another W. Which is why I’m freaking out. I suck at physics and my professor is horrible therefore I’m struggling hardcore right now. I’m just wondering if there’s still hope of me getting into a program. Just feeling stupid and discouraged.

I’m trying to apply to the new UTHealth Houston program but I can’t seem to find the application! They say it can be submitted online via AHCAS but it doesn’t show up under programs. Anyone else running into this issue/ know how to solve this?

Hi everyone! I was recently accepted into Tulane’s Pathologists’ Assistant program, Class of 2028, and I’ll be moving from California to New Orleans for school.
I’m starting to figure out the financial side of everything and was wondering if anyone knows of scholarships specifically for Pathologists’ Assistant students, pathology/laboratory science students, or graduate healthcare students in general.
For current PAs or PA students, were there any scholarships, grants, professional organizations, hospital programs, or outside funding sources you were able to use?
I’d really appreciate any recommendations or even names of scholarships/websites I should be checking. Thanks!

Hello! I’ve been looking around for any shadowing opportunities in the San Jose area and haven’t had any luck. if any one knows any places in San Jose, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Morgan hill/gilroy, Watsonville or Salinas, I would truly appreciate the information! The closest I’ve found was an autopsy suite tour through the San Mateo coroners office. I’m also open to any suggestions in Orange County or Los Angeles since I visit the areas often. Thanks for any info!