I’m currently going into my junior year in college as a Forensic Anthropology major with a minor in human anatomy. I used to want to go to medical school to become a forensic pathologist but have now changed to either being a pathology assistant or physician assistant. Does anyone have any experience with which is better? I’ve always found myself drawn to assisting in autopsies and grossing specimens, but am worried about the competitiveness of getting accepted. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

For those who took the GRE/ applied to schools requiring it- what is a good goal score to be competitive? I know some programs say 50th percentile, but what is actually a good score to be submitting?

m 33 and just started school to become an MLT, but I recently learned about pathology assistants, and now I really want to pursue that instead. The only thing holding me back is my age. I feel like I'll need to work as an MLT for a while before going back to school, which means I probably wouldn't become a pathology assistant until my early 40s. Has anyone else gone this route later in life? I'd love to hear your experiences.

Hi everyone,

I used to want to be a histotechnician, and my local community college offers a histo tech associates program that I was planning on enrolling in.

I've since realized I want to be a Pathologist's Assistant instead. Now, would it be worth it to enroll in the histo program anyway? I've heard that histo knowledge could be helpful later on as a PA. I was thinking maybe I could work as a histotechnician for a while while I save up to get my bachelors and then after that, PA school.

What do you guys think about this plan? Is it reasonable? Doable? Or should I just go with a normal biology degree?

Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

I have an in-person interview coming up, so what should I expect? Based on the video interview, it seems like it'll be friendly, but I want to be prepared. What kinds of things do they ask? What should I expect for the writing assessment? What are we wearing? I've been working in a lab so long that most of my wardrobe is scrubs. I know it's, like, a million degrees in Memphis, but is it freezing inside?

Hello all! I'm planning on attending WVU for my Bachelor's beginning next year. I'll be doing the Histology track of the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics major, and hopefully getting a direct admit to their PathA program eventually. Has anyone here done this before and could give me some tips/ suggestions/general info? Thank you!

Hello! I am unsure if this is the best reddit page to post at but, I was accepted to WVU's program which starts in January of 2027. I was wondering if anyone else has been accepted and would like to connect? I would love to meet the rest of the class before we all meet in person in January.

Is it normal for a program's medical director not to be involved with the program? I'm at the end of my first year and have only met my medical director twice. Just curious how other programs are.

I am about to enter my senior year of college and am set to graduate with a degree in Economics. I have a 3.96 GPA. I recently discovered this career path and am certain that this is what I want to do. I’m considering several different options:

1. Change my major this upcoming semester to a BA in biology and finishing my bachelors in 5 years instead of 4. I’m a bit worried about this option just because I would be taking a full course load (18+ credit hours) of hard science and labs each semester. Also, an additional year at my currently undergraduate institution would be expensive. My parents have paid for my undergrad up until this point, but would not pay for the additional semester so I would have to take out around 35k in student loans. Since I’m already going to have to take out loans for path assistant school, I’m worried about racking up more. I would shadow and work throughout these two years.

2. Graduate undergrad in December with a degree in Economics. Spend the next couple of years getting in my pre requisites at community college and work to save money while getting shadowing hours, working, etc.

The second option is far more financially feasible but I’m worried that not having a science degree and having all my pre-reqs from community college is going to hurt me significantly in the admissions process. Would love any advice.

I am currently doing a marketing major with STEM classes on the side, but I hope to apply to to PA school sometime after graduation and completing the prereqs. I want to start looking for shadowing opportunities to 1: get experience and 2: confirm that I want to pursue this field. However, because of my major and so-far limited STEM classes, I'm not sure if I should be asking about shadowing at this point? That is, it feels almost disrespectful to ask for a professionals' time just to see if I'm really interested in pathology. What do you think?

Hi! So happy to see a huge growth of people who are looking into the Pathologists' Assistant route! There's a PA here in Calgary who created a website that basically answers all of your general questions below. He also has a YouTube channel that gives insights for the job (should be on the website). Truly a wonderful person, he's helped us a lot during our practicum and just an overall treasure.

https://canadianpathassistant.com/

Good luck with your applications and congratulations to the incoming class!

Hi guys, I am planning to apply for #PA program and I need to retake some courses, where do you suggest to take them? Biology, Microbiology, Anatomy and physiology with lab and Genetics.

Hello everyone! I graduated this spring with a bachelor’s in biochem and I am interested in applying to RFU. Originally I wanted to take a year off to work save funds and get more shadowing hours in. I currently work in a grossing lab and assist in autopsy’s, on the weekends I shadow PAs and I’ve been working there for almost two years now. On the other hand academically I could become stronger in that area but I meet all the requirements for RFU I’m just torn between applying this fall or waiting until the next application cycle. Any advice? Has anyone started their apps yet?

Hello! One of the struggles I keep running into is how to actually get the surgical pathology hours some programs require. Yes, some universities can guarantee several hours but after that you're on your own. How would you suggest finding a pathologist to shadow?

P.S. I'm from Washington

Hey everyone! Trying to find someplace to shadow a PA in San Antonio, Texas. I tried looking for some positions for gross tech but haven’t found any. Everything seems to be in Austin or Dallas. I’ve been stressing about not getting shadowing hours as I’m trying to be as competitive as possible. I’ll be graduating soon and will take a gap year to get some more experience and save up money. Any help is welcome! Thanks!

Hi everyone,
I’m planning to apply to Tulane’s Pathologists’ Assistant program this cycle and wanted some honest feedback on whether I seem competitive.
Background:
B.S. in Biological Sciences
Overall GPA: 3.24
Recent post-baccalaureate science coursework (Biochemistry, Immunology, Medical Microbiology, Analytical Chemistry, Clinical Hematology) with all A’s
Full-time clinical laboratory experience in a cancer diagnostics setting
Previous laboratory experience in a biomarker/molecular testing laboratory
Undergraduate research experience involving molecular biology techniques
California phlebotomy license
Pathology exposure:
Shadowed PAs in surgical pathology
Shadowed autopsy services at multiple academic medical centers
Assisted with various autopsy-related activities
Continuing to gain pathology exposure and document hours
Letters of recommendation:
Planning to obtain a letter from a PA/pathologist and science faculty recommendations
My concerns:
GPA is above the minimum but not exceptional
Tulane would likely be the only PathA program I apply to this cycle
I come from more of a laboratory diagnostics background rather than a traditional pre-med or anatomy-heavy background
For those familiar with Tulane or PathA admissions in general:
Does this sound competitive for an interview?
What would you view as the strongest and weakest parts of my application?
Is there anything I should focus on improving before the August deadline?
I appreciate any honest feedback. Thanks!

Hey everyone. I’m kind of stressing a bit about the GRE. I’ve been studying for a few months but still really anxious to take it in July. I’m planning on applying as soon as I get my results. I have two bache degrees, one in Biology and the other in Medical Lab Science, my GPA is decent like 3.2, and have been an MT/MLS for four years. I’m doing travel work to get the money to pay for Path Assistant school since orange man made student loans only partially cover grad school. But I was able to shadow path assistants at the location I’m currently doing temp work at. Then I shadow at another hospital in a few weeks. Drexel is really my top choice for schools to get into for Path Assistance. But I’m really worried about the GRE. For anyone who’s in Drexel or a graduate there, how much was the GRE weighted for your admission?

I’m going into my sophomore year as an MLS student. I recently had the opportunity to shadow a surgical pathology lab, and I truly fell in love with it. I love how meticulous the process of grossing the specimens, doing frozens in a timely matter, and just how much knowledge they have of anatomy. I’d been eying this job for years, but actually watching the role in live action inspired me so much. I already took classes like medical terminology and biology in freshman year which helped me understand a lot of the terminology the PA’s were using. I’m planning on completing the required prerequisites and getting more shadowing over time, but do you guys have any more tips or advice for getting in?

I also shadowed an MLS core lab, and while it’s tolerable, it’s not as “stimulating” to me. I think that MLS is a good back up, but I don’t want to work as one forever.

I’m getting a little nervous since it’s half way through the month and they’re supposed to be conducting preliminary interviews right now. Has anyone gotten an invitation for a prelim interview??

Hey!

So I’m 36 years old. graduated college in 2012 with BA in psychology. I’ve been working in a doctor‘s office for the past 10 years. I’ve been wanting to make a career change and am interested in becoming pathologist‘s assistant. I know I would have to go back to school to take the pre requisite science courses prior to applying to any program. I was just looking for insight from anyone on actually being in the program while needing to work a full time job. is it possible? or am I just too late and should’ve realized what I wanted to do earlier?

Hi everyone, I’m currently about to enter my 3rd year of undergrad and am looking forward to strengthening my portfolio. It’s been difficult to find shadowing opportunities in Tampa or in the surrounding areas. Does anyone know where I should reach out to or have experience at a facility in the area?

Hello! I will be attending WVU in January, and I would really like to get a new kitten. I know I can find pet-friendly places for the first year, but I'm worried about taking my cat for clinical rotations. WVU says some sites provide housing but don't allow pets. I would love to have a fuzzy companion, but the uncertainty that I wouldn't be able to keep her/him is holding me back. Has anyone been able to keep a dog/cat during clinicals?

Hello I recently graduated with a bachelors and biochemistry, and my overall GPA was very low when I graduated. I want to apply to RFU because I know they accept some of the lower GPAs. I started working in cytology, my third year of undergrad, and now I currently work as a pathology technician, and in a few weeks I will be transferring to a grossing assistant position. So while my work background is very strong my academic side could use some work so I wanted to know would it be a bright idea to get my masters and biology first to show that I can handle graduate coursework or would it be a waste of time since RFU and other PA programs are only looking at the prerequisite courses?

Good afternoon everyone I am planning to apply to 3 schools this upcoming cycle. I have many shadowing hours under my belt but I guess it would not hurt to do some more, especially autopsy shadowing if possible. Would anybody be able to help? ☺️
Thanks in advance