What are /r/prephysicianassistant's favorite Products & Services?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-As-Second-Language/dp/1119110661

This book was really helpful.

I had to study non-stop for Ochem. It was my last prereq. It was a good experience in the sense that studying for PA school has been very similar.

Don't buy anything until you talk to the class ahead of you. You won't need it on day 1. Once you know what you need, use amazon, it'll show up tomorrow.

The only things I use regularly are my stethoscope, pen light, $1 reflex hammer, and the Snellen chart on Maxwells.

Buying a PB cuff, otoscope, various other tools really is a waste of money.

Yeah, if someone's not willing to spend $7 then I question their motivation or drive when the going gets tough in school.

There are two interview books. This one by Savanna Perry, PA-C is newer and more updated and this one by Andrew Rodican, PA-C is older but more reviewed. Savanna runs The PA Platform and has admissions experience. Not sure Rodican’s experience but I assume he has some if he decided to take the time to write a book!

Edit: one of the other mods made it so Amazon links don’t work. You’ll have to just search “physician assistant interview” on Amazon, both books are the first and second results. Good luck!

They asked me the same question (why PA) 3 consecutive times in 3 diff ways. I also rambled and answered some other questions poorly. For my MMI I felt a lot better. I used this book (https://www.amazon.com/Multiple-Mini-Interview-MMI-Strategies-ebook/dp/B01C4FP99A) for MMI prep and watched a bunch of MMI scenarios on youtube when I got tired of reading. Hope this helps.

iPad with an Apple Pencil. Download the notability app so you can transfer lectures onto it and take notes.

Your program will probably include medical equipment in your tuition cost and waive the cost of any items you already own that are up to their standards.

This reflex hammer:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012NI68M/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWwp13NParams

You’ll save yourself future hassle by getting your reflexes the first time with this hammer. My program director liked it so much she asked me for a link after she tried it out. A bunch of my classmates got it too after borrowing mine. IMO it’s a lot easier to use than the standard triangular one.

The second monitor idea someone else mentioned is a good idea too. I got another monitor a month into school and I use it all the time.

A good stainless steel reusable water bottle for coffee bc god knows coffee is the only way I can stay awake during a full day of class and during exams. I really like my swell bottle bc it keeps my coffee warm and cold drinks icy cold all day. Just a recommendation. There are tons of other great brands too.

On that same note, if you’re a big coffee drinker— a coffee machine. I have a nespresso one and use it daily. My husband and I drink lots of coffee so it ends up saving us money in the long run bc we make all of our coffee at home. Keurigs are good too but I haven’t used mine at all since getting the nespresso.

Some of my classmates swear by PANCE prep pearls but I haven’t used it so can’t vouch for it personally.

Anyways, congrats on your acceptance. Good luck!

iPad with an Apple Pencil. Download the notability app so you can transfer lectures onto it and take notes.

Your program will probably include medical equipment in your tuition cost and waive the cost of any items you already own that are up to their standards.

This reflex hammer:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012NI68M/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWwp13NParams

You’ll save yourself future hassle by getting your reflexes the first time with this hammer. My program director liked it so much she asked me for a link after she tried it out. A bunch of my classmates got it too after borrowing mine. IMO it’s a lot easier to use than the standard triangular one.

The second monitor idea someone else mentioned is a good idea too. I got another monitor a month into school and I use it all the time.

A good stainless steel reusable water bottle for coffee bc god knows coffee is the only way I can stay awake during a full day of class and during exams. I really like my swell bottle bc it keeps my coffee warm and cold drinks icy cold all day. Just a recommendation. There are tons of other great brands too.

Some of my classmates swear by PANCE prep pearls but I haven’t used it so can’t vouch for it personally.

Anyways, congrats on your acceptance. Good luck!

If you're interested in medical Spanish, here is a great app, which is free:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1574202729?pt=123220161&ct=email&mt=8

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rogers\_dictionary&referrer=utm\_source%3Demail

You could buy a moped, electric longboard, electric scooter, or even this electric bike which isnt to much. If you live on

Here is the memrise course that I made for the terms I had to learn for UNE's medical terminology course. (It's a free website like quizlet if you've never used it before) https://www.memrise.com/course/1375906/medical-terminology-une-online/

I've been using these Klipsch neckband headphones for my classes that are currently through Zoom, and they look quite professional.

This applicant’s manual is great! It has all the info you need for all PA programs in the US.

The Applicant's Manual of Physician Assistant Programs https://www.amazon.com/dp/1697868665/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_vOn3FbHHT87K5

"How to write your physican assistant personal statment" is a good one for starting your personal statement! I got it on amazon for my ipad for like $4.99 https://www.amazon.com/Write-Physician-Assistant-Personal-Statement/dp/1517303753/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470338197&sr=8-1&keywords=personal+statement+pa+school

https://www.amazon.com/Whitecoat-MedInfo-Clipboard-Medical-Black/dp/B00C2EG826/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2A22NKN1HCC3O&dchild=1&keywords=white+coat+clipboard&qid=1596080453&sprefix=white+coat+cli%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-2

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This is something several students got for clinical rotations!

This is pretty close to the one I had. I got one at my school's bookstore, but that one look pretty similar. They help a lot with the cyclohexane rings and chair structures, for me. Also, if the school you go to has a workshop section that goes with the class, that might help. My school had a section with a TA and several other students who would go through the practice problems together.

There is already The Applicant's Manual of Physician Assistant Programs which is pretty comprehensive and written by a couple of practicing PAs from my program. (Mark V wrote like all our study guides and is amazing)

I think it's a pretty niche market if you're looking for an advice book since the one linked is already the go to book and you'd have about no chance of surpassing that book for any real market share.

Definitely think it’s too short. I really suggest you read a bunch of PA essay examples to get a feel for what programs are looking for. I found this book extremely helpful.

Personal finance is smart. The Millionaire Next Door is a great book for that - I highly recommend it. It's kind of like a self-help book, like not at all textbook style. Reads kind of like a novel and doesn't take long. The gist is, of course, "don't spend more than you make".