PA schools and medical schools each require that students have a four-year bachelor degree. PA schools typically take three years after this; medical school, on the other hand, requires four years, plus three to seven years of training as a resident. If you’ve always wanted to be a doctor, medical school is your best choice, since PAs are not doctors. If you primarily want to be in a role where you treat patients under a physician’s supervision, PA school may provide the opportunities you need and not take as long or cost as much.