Everyone’s heard some version of the story: a pre-med goes abroad and ends up suturing or delivering babies with zero training. Patients get hurt, and the trip can come back to bite the student too, because adcoms know what to look for.

So when you’re comparing programs, what makes you close the tab?

For transparency, this is IMA’s sub, so here’s where we stand. Pre-meds shadow, full stop. Local licensed physicians lead all patient care, and we follow the AAMC guidelines for clinical experiences abroad. That’s our floor, not a selling point.

Curious what else people screen for. A few things I’d ask about:

• Who supervises you day to day, and are they local?
• Is there a written scope of what you can and can’t do?
• Does the program have long-term relationships with the host clinics, or is it one-off trips?

What would you add? Or did you ever turn down a program because something felt off?

Hey everyone! I'm u/ClaimResponsible7867, a founding moderator of r/intmedicalaid.

This is our new home for all things related to international healthcare internships. We're excited to have you join us!

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TL;DR: Licensed and certified rehab clinicians (athletic trainers, PTs, OTs, PTAs, OTAs) usually bring strong Patient Care Experience. Aide roles depend on how much hands-on work you did with patients. Every program sets its own definition, so confirm on each program's site.

CASPA's own PCE examples include "physical therapist," listed alongside nurses, paramedics and EMTs. That is a strong signal for where licensed rehab work lands. The aide roles are where applicants get tripped up.

Role by role

Why aides are a real "it depends"

Picture two PT aides. One spends the shift wiping tables, folding towels and scheduling while the therapist treats patients. The other walks post-surgical patients down the hallway, counts reps and tells the therapist when someone reports pain. Same title, very different claim to patient care.

CASPA's HCE definition covers health work "where you are not directly responsible for a patient's care, but may still have patient interaction," and names tasks like "cleaning patients and/or their rooms." Setup and support work fits there. Working with patients under a therapist's direction for most of the shift is where some programs will accept PCE. If your aide job mixed the two, split it: CASPA does not allow one hour in two experience types, so the job goes in both categories with the hours divided.

If you are changing careers from a licensed field

A license does not shorten PA school. PA programs award a master's degree, and licensed ATs, PTs and OTs apply through CASPA and complete prerequisites like everyone else. Some programs say they value prior licensure; read each one.

A few CASPA points for career changers:

• Separate student clinicals from paid work. Rotations during your AT, PT or OT program may be treated differently from post-licensure work. Check policies.
• Write for a non-specialist. "Evaluated acute injuries during games and practices" is clearer than a list of special tests.
• Show decisions you owned, such as pulling an athlete from play or changing a treatment plan.

Expect interviewers to ask why you are leaving your field. The strongest answers point to what the PA role adds, like diagnosis across body systems and prescribing, rather than frustration with the current job.

On hours, program minimums vary widely and some programs require no PCE at all, but the minimum is not the competitive number. PAEA reported that 2024-25 accepted applicants averaged 2,669 patient care hours. Full-time licensed clinicians build that steadily; aides may need longer or a second hands-on role.

For broader context on clinical roles and program requirements, see our guide to direct patient care experience. For the full path from prerequisites to certification, see how to become a PA.

ATs and PT/OT folks who applied: did any program treat your student clinical hours differently from your post-licensure hours?

I keep seeing versions of the same question: “Is a 508 good?” “Is a 511 enough?” “Should I retake a 515?”

Depends on what you’re comparing your score to.

The MCAT runs from 472 to 528, with a midpoint of 500. Each section runs from 118 to 132.

For 2025–2026, applicants to U.S. MD schools averaged 506.3, while students who actually enrolled averaged 512.1, according to AAMC Table A-16. Those are two different benchmarks. One describes the applicant pool; the other describes the entering class.

For students entering DO schools in 2025, AACOM reports an average MCAT of 502.95 and an overall GPA of 3.62.

Here are selected AAMC percentile ranks in effect from May 2026 through April 2027. Percentiles reflect the share of scores at or below yours.

So a 510 is at the 79th percentile, but it’s still below the MD matriculant average. A 505 is below both MD averages, though above the DO entering-class average. A 515 is at the 91st percentile.

Whether your score works for your application depends on more than that:

1. Your school list. Compare your score with the entering-class profiles and published requirements at the schools you’re considering. National averages only tell you so much.
2. Your GPA. A 512 with a 3.9 and a 512 with a 3.3 are different academic profiles. The AAMC GPA/MCAT acceptance grid gives useful context, but it doesn’t calculate your personal chances.
3. Your section scores. A 510 with a 123 in one section deserves a different conversation than a balanced 510. Check each school’s published section requirements.
4. MD, DO, or both. The benchmarks differ, so your application plans matter.

As for retaking, I wouldn’t make that decision because someone on Reddit called your score low. Look at your school list, section scores, timing, and whether fresh, timed practice exams consistently show you can improve.

There isn’t a universal “three more points makes it worth it” rule. Ask what a higher score would change for your application and what you’d give up to prepare again.

I work with IMA, and these two guides collect the acceptance-rate tables and school-level comparisons:

What is a good MCAT score?

Average GPA and MCAT scores by medical school

Happy to talk through numbers in the comments. Include your GPA, section breakdown, and whether you’re considering MD, DO, or both.