Jump to content

Please give me advice... Applying to 1 program


Recommended Posts

Hi guys, 

 

I am currently a sophomore at rutgers university.  I am applying to 1 accelerated program with Rutgers/UMDNJ this upcoming April.  Can you please review my criteria in order to help me strengthen my application???  Please keep in mind that I am starting my sophomore year this September, so I have not had as much time as traditional applicants.  

 

Major: Public health (no minor required because it is a credit intensive major)

cGPA: 3.95 (got 1 B+ in english)

sGPA: 4.0 (took orgo at community college)

 

I still have to take bio I/II/lab.  Rutgers does not require any upper level bio prereqs to apply.  Will finish Bio I by the time I apply.  I will be able to apply while still having prereqs pending.  

 

HCE: 

 

-dental assistant/surgical assistant: 800 hours, paid

-currently a Physical/Occupational therapist aide: 450 hours by the time I apply (paid)

-Taking a CNA course currently, 40 hours of clinical experience (volunteer)

- Senior Squad member- work along side EMT's and paramedics/respond to emergency calls- 350 hours by the time i apply (volunteer)

TOTAL HCE HOURS: 1640 hours

 

SHADOWING EXPERIENCE: 

 

- shadowed 5 different PA's (including an experience at Riker's Island and the Hospital for Special Surgery), in the specialities of cardio surgery, orthopedics, psych, bariatrics, and general surgery. - totals at 40 hours

- accepted into a shadowing program during winter 2014- unknown amount of hours. 

 

School involvement: 

 

-AIMS: achievements in math and science- a program for freshman students with a strong interest in math and science- access to mentors/tutors/guest speakers/field trips/reserved seats in science and math courses

- NSCS- honor society for top 10% of freshman and sophomore students

- Sigma Delta Tau- social sorority

- pledge class scholarship chair-  ensure the pledge class maintains academics during the pledging process

- Rutgers Blog writer- able to give advice and share my experiences using the Rutgers Blog as a medium

- Allied Heath Professions Club

- Eta Gamma Sigma- honor society for public health students

 

LETTERS OF REC: at least 3

- Owner of dental practice where i worked

- Physical Therapist where i currently work

- A PA who has mentored me/set up shadowing experiences for me

- My orgo professor

- Possibly my frozen yogurt boss/owner (ive worked there for 4 years)

 

Work NON HCE

 

- frozen yogurt- past 4 years, train new people, open/close store, etc

- RU disability services- scribe for disabled- take and upload notes from a variety of classes

 

Volunteer non HCE

 

- dance marathon for embrace the children- 35 hours

- Prevent Child Abuse 5k race- 5 hours

 

HOW CAN I STRENGTHEN MY CHANCES OF GETTING IN?!?!?!??!?! PLEASE OFFER ADVICE

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow!! That's quite impressive. I think that you should continue to maintain good grades and acquire more HCE. Does Rutgers/UMDNJ program require GRE? If yes, plan on studying and getting above 50th percentile. 

 

Btw, why are you applying to one program? It might be safer to increase the number of programs that you'll be applying to. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@SoniaU  Rutgers doesn't require GRE's! And I am only applying to 1 program because it is the only accelerated program in NJ and all other schools in the Tri-state area want you to attend their school for a certain amount of semesters before applying.  Rutgers is the most sensible option.  Thanks for the feedback!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Your background sounds great! My only suggestion is to apply somewhere else too, even if you have your heart set on the one school. Going through at least one set of interviews first may help you feel better and having a Plan B in life is a good strategy. Kind of takes the edge off.

 

Good luck in whatever you do.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest MedLib42

Sounds great so far - especially since you are only in your sophomore year! You have an especially impressive variety of experiences. I might suggest to just keep doing what you're doing - maybe keep working on increasing the amount of hours you have in all of those categories (as of 2012, the average accepted applicant in the U.S. had a few thousand hours HCE, close to 100 shadowing hours, and several hundred volunteer hours). I don't know what the average UMDNJ applicant has. I applied there in 2012, and I think I called them and asked for that information, but I can't remember now. You might want to find that out, so you know how competitive you are at that particular school.

 

You might also want to consider additional unique volunteer hours - underserved clinics, medical missions, etc. Tutoring experience also looks great for some schools, as it shows your willingness/ability to help fellow classmates succeed academically.

 

I would strongly suggest (like other posters have) applying to more than one school. I applied twice - the first year, I applied to the only 2 schools in my state, with really strong stats (13,000 hours HCE, bachelors degree, volunteering, 500 hours shadowing, 3.9 GPA) and didn't even get an interview. The second year, I made the commitment to uproot my life and move if I got accepted, and I applied to 11 schools all over the country (exact same stats as my previous app). I got interviews at 6, accepted to 3, and waitlisted at 2 schools. I know applying all over the place isn't always possible for everyone, though, sometimes there are extenuating circumstances that require you to stay in one place, so best of luck however/wherever you decide to apply!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I applied to two programs several times. One program I interviewed twice and the other program (My first choice and eventual alma-mater) I applied 5 times to. And yes, I am stubborn, just ask my wife.

 

I agree with those that said to apply to other programs, but I felt that If I had gotten into the other programs, I would not have attended them so why bother.

 

As far as your application, your grades look great. Your only weakness I think is your HCE. Though we are now in the era of seeing 2000 hours as impressive, you should get a couple more thousand to be more competitive since you are focusing on one school. But, again, like Lesh would say, "it's a brave new PA world" and you likely will land a spot with only 1600 hours. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to the Physician Assistant Forum! This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn More