It's been a while as usual. To sum up the following months of waiting for interview notices for MD schools, we are now getting rejection letters... It's be a painful process and now it's at the end point. The notice deadline is April 30th. It's March 28th and we've heard back from 4 of the 9 schools we applied to the second 'go round'. I think it's safe to say we aren't getting in this year.
Am I upset? Yes/No. Is my H? Yes....
This was a dreadful process for H to go through. I feel awful that he didn't get in but I am relieved. I say this because after a baby and this crazy adventure, I needed a rest before moving. I was feeling a little selfish but relieved. He has been nonstop with school and testing and for him to get rejections is pretty crappy. I think we assumed we didn't get an interview when the first of the year hit. That was interview time. But we heard from people that sometimes notices can happen in early spring. So we were crossing our fingers. I was hoping for the best for it to happen since we worked so hard these past years and for him not to get in was rough.
It seems like it's a scam. You pay $35 for the initial application. Then they want a second application which costs between $60 - 180. Times that by 12!!!! Ya.... It's ridiculous. Luckily we had put savings aside for those application costs.
So after the first rejection I was praying hard and getting inspiration. What if this wasn't what our path was? What if this happen for a reason? H would say I was giving up easily and he was wanting to reapply next year. I argued that I wasn't giving up but thinking about new possibilities. Events happen for a reason. And God will either help you along the way if it is meant to be or he won't.
So after praying for a few weeks about our new path, I had this experience. I knew there was something out there that was different that could be better for our family but wasn't sure what it was.
The 'aw' moment happen at a playgroup. I was swinging baby #2 at the park and I was swinging next to a fellow church goer in our community. He is a MD resident and has a family of 5. I know his wife too. In the past, we've talked about her experiences being with kids and him in MD school. Lets' just say I wasn't to thrilled to hear what her life was like. She had 3 kids and was going through the motion.
The resident knew H and was asking about his application status. I broke the news not knowing if he knew. He then proceeded to ask if H has considered the 'P.A.' route......
I knew as soon as he said 'PA' that was it! I don't know why this didn't sink in before! I asked a ton a questions and had this inspiration come over me to really do the research to approach H about it.
H could be a Physicians Assistant!! I researched when I got home from the playgroup. I was able to concentrate despite the 2 kids all over me. I called H's mom and asked her opinion. She agreed and reminded me that H's father was PA first before a MD and absolutely loved it. It was better for their family and the amount of school was far less demanding. She actually preferred the PA schedule more too with the kids growing up. He was home more and they had a life.
PA school is ONLY 2 years.....ONLY 2 FREAKING YEARS!!!! I about gasped when I heard that. My first thought was H could spend time with the kids and be around!!!! I was so excited!!
Here I was thinking, how old were the kids going to be when H was in school for 10 + years.... H would be missing out on so much of their lives! Dance classes, soccer games, school programs, you name it! I grew up with a single mom and not really in my dads life and felt like I would be doing that again.
Yes, H will have to take 2 semesters worth of community courses and the GRE (which is an easier and cheaper test then the MCAT). BUT he would be done being a PA doing that and the 2 year program and making an income in less then 4 years!!!!! I mean, seriously?! I would rather give up 2 years to testing/book study then 4 years of school, testing, study groups, 2+ years of residency's, on call hours, and 3+ years of a fellow program any day!
On top of that, there is a PA school down the street!! I'm not saying we have to go to that one but wow! it would be less of a stress then having to move! There are still a ton of PA schools in our state so we can still move if needed, even to another state. I wouldn't mind! Especially knowing there's only 2 years needed!
The best part about that career is a PA can specialize in anything and anytime!!! They can jump around! If H wants to do PEDS one and then move to a radiology, he can!!! He's not glued to ONE specialty for the rest of his life! He'll never be bored and will learn!
So how to approach H about this was the next step. I had to get my ducks in a row and be smart about it. Boy did I mess it up... I mean it was fine but I freaking gchated him at work!! worst. idea...
He was open to it but I wish I would have waiting until he got home. Would have been a good discussion. In the end though, gchat is a good ice breaker lol.
I informed him about the addition courses, GRE and shadowing experience he needed when he got home. and then after the girls went down for the night I brought it up again and I think it clicked for him. He seemed to get a little more into it. Wasn't fully committed but it was in his head!
from that discussion, it lead to a few nights of bringing it up again. I'd ask and he was still on board but wanted to still apply to DO schools (easier to get into then MD schools and same about of time). I was a little shocked at first and probably came across not on board to him. We had a little argument but later discussed the real reason I was wanting him to pursue PA.
You would be in your kids life! I shared my thoughts and feelings and we really got into it. I told him about my inspiration and praying. He felt like he was giving up too easily if he didn't apply again. He likes to complete things and this goal of his was uncompleted if he didn't try it again. I understood and we discussed our life we would have with the kids if it was only 2 years. His income would be starting at $95K a year... crazy? He wouldn't have to wait 10+ years to make that!! We would have a steady income in less then 4 years if he started this year on those courses!!
To sum up, he seems to be on board and is considering it. I would have supported him either way. Honestly. If we didn't have kids and started earlier, it would have been possible. Kids and being a little older added that stress. His end goal was to always end up in 'medicine'. So this route he can do all areas of medicine and still learn and grow!
Love him dearly and hope to follow up with some good news this year on his additional courses. Until next entry!
