THE G.A.P YEAR(s) - Jacob Wong (PPASO Co-President ‘24-’25)

Hello PPASO! My name is Jacob, a recent graduate from Sixth College with a B.S. in Human Biology. I initially came to UCSD being premed, but learned about the PA profession from my cousin and eventually came to join PPASO during my second year. I loved meeting other pre-PA students, especially in the Mentorship program PPASO had, and would eventually transition to more of the leadership/behind the scenes by applying to their Executive Board going from Social Chair to Co President. It was the best decision I made during my undergrad, but the main takeaway was all the memories this club has given me including new friends and amazing opportunities (like shadowing PAs)! 

In terms of PCHs, I currently work as a primary care Medical Assistant assisting in both front and back office tasks including venipunctures, vaccinations, and more. I completed a Scribe/MA internship as well. During my third year, I started to be a former nighttime caregiver for a quadriplegia patient. Both have been valuable experiences to how I understand healthcare and am able to approach different situations. I am still waiting to obtain both my CPT and CMA licenses. In terms of volunteering, I was part of another club on campus and helped organize different volunteering events in San Diego including care packaging, houseless shelters, and beach cleaning to allow for other students to gain insight to areas of help in the place they’re studying in. 

As of writing this blog, I am finishing up some pre-requisites at a community college while trying to find the right volunteering option that I am the most passionate for. I think it’s very easy for students to compare with each other (GPA etc.) and be in a rush to apply right after they graduate, but this gap year so far has been helping me in ways outside of just getting more exposure to healthcare. I’m able to really slow down and absorb all the things I encounter throughout the day while just enjoying life. When I am thinking about applying and interviewing for PA school, all those little memories and other precious moments I’ve had throughout these past four years, now, and to the future, will help better present myself, my actions, and thoughts to others way more. I know situations are different for others, but if you do have the option to take the gap year, I highly recommend it, as well as a few other things I wish undergrads can remember that helped me:

• Journaling - Ever since I attended college and now,  I have been writing notes to myself to better understand my own journey and where my thoughts were during that time. This will help you with your “Why a PA”.

• Be curious - Don’t ever be afraid of trying something new. Join that new club, send out that cold email, ask questions! The worst thing someone can say is no, and rejection is redirection.

• Slow down, have fun - Just as high school zoomed fast, so did college. It’s hard to imagine all the things I was a part of flash right past my eyes. All of this studying and classes will be over before you know it, so slow down and enjoy what you like to do and make new memories.

I always love to give back where I can, so if there is anything I can do to help you along your journey, you can reach out to me at my email! I know that everyone reading this will all do amazing in whatever future endeavors life may take you. Best of luck in your pre PA journey!

Jacob Wong

jjacobwongg@gmail.com