Advice & Empathy Needed: Someone who was accepted with low gpa/HCE

[Reina609]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm new as a registrant but have been reading this forum for a long time.  I have read a bunch of success stories about low gpa, etc.  I have read about some people with low gpa's and almost no hce that were applying but many do not come back to share.  Here's my situation: I have all my pre-reqs done at Richard Stockton College of NJ. I had to retake Chem 1, but got an A (previous grade D).  I have two C's---Organic Chem II and Inorganic Chem II (along with Physics II--but It's not a prereq).  I have shadowed a NP back in 2008 but only for 1 month for very little time (52 hours).  I work fulltime as a water treatment operator for the drinking water utility company as a local government employee.  Unfortunately that was the best I could find in my area that needed a Bachelor in Biology.  I graduated back in 2010 with a 3.2 gpa overall.  

I also volunteer for a non-profit called AHEART since 2011 and work as the executive assistant, it's more like social work than patient care although I interact with people.  I have about 6000 hours with AHEART.  I want to apply soon through CASPA to Howard, University of Sciences, and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.  

 

I feel like my application is weak.  Do anyone have any suggestions as to what I could do fairly quickly to have a shot at making it?  Thanks for helping. 

[GatorRRT]

After reading your "app", I think the bigger problem is no HCE, as well as no exposure to the PA role through either shadowing or working with a PA. While your volunteer work will look good on your application, it is not direct patient interaction. Are there any oppertinities at this site to work as a CNA/MA instead of your current role?

[Guest MedLib42]

I agree. Howard University requires 100 hours of direct patient care, USciences requires 400 hours of direct patient care and strongly prefers you've shadowed a PA, and PCOM requires 200 hours of direct care. All of these schools, as far as I'm aware, will accept volunteer work, but it still must be direct care, which means you spend the majority of your day physically touching patients and providing care of some sort (taking vitals, helping them bathe, dress, use the toilet, injections, blood draws, PT exercises, wound care, other therapies). Unfortunately, positions that primarily involve paperwork or just talking to patients don't tend to count (particularly executive assistant / admin type positions). 

 

You'll definitely need to meet the direct care requirement prior to applying - depending on your state, you might be able to take a cheap/quick certification program for something like CNA, phlebotomy, MA, or even home health aid. Some of these, such as phlebotomy and MA (and I believe home health aide as well), can sometimes even train on the job without certification depending on state requirements. You could also look into volunteering somewhere like hospice, and see if they will allow you to do any direct care tasks.

 

You'll also want to make sure you have at least 20-50 hours shadowing a PA - that's a must for any applicant, regardless of the school, but since USciences prefers it, I'd say it's particularly important in your case.

[WorkHardPlayHard]

The lack of meaningful HCE is an issue that needs to be addressed. Here was how I got to where I'm at now: Cna cert--->nursing home position--->hospital can position + option to cross train. I left a higher paying job and turned down a substantial promotion to get my Paid HCE positions and I honestly think its been highly beneficial for me this cycle in terms of interview offers. YMMV.

[zoopeda]

Re: GPA.  Adcoms are much more forgiving of lower cumulative GPAs is the science GPA is reasonable and the grade trend is strongly upward (i.e., strong recent GPA). 

[Reina609]

Wow! Thanks so much everyone.  I have been waiting for almost two months for the hospital to call me back regarding my volunteer application.  I was hoping it wouldn't take so long so that I could have enough HCE by the time I applied.  They just called today, bittersweet.  I want to volunteer as a baby cuddler, it's a direct patient contact care position.  However, I see the real issue is also my shadowing of a PA.  It sounds like I should quit this year and re-apply for next season.  That way I'll have everything needed and possibly be able to apply to more schools. Thanks!

[MassPA-C]

I would also check with the schools you are planning to apply to and make sure that a baby cuddler counts as direct patient care. Most schools will want to see paid hours so also consider what the others above have mentioned.

[zoopeda]

Consider that minimums tend to generally be in place not for students who hit the minimum requirement in each category but for those who perhaps make up for lower performance in one category with exceptional performance in another.  In other words, as I understand, a school is more likely to forgive a 3.1 GPA as long as the trend or sGPA are strong and healthcare experience is significant (5000-10,000 hours).  Likewise, a 3.8 might get someone in who has only a few hundred hours.  So if you're not going to get your GPA much over 3.2, I'd shoot for HCE of at least 1,000 hours, direct care.  Paid, unpaid, varies by school.  I have, however, been to a few interviews where directors said something to the effect of "everyone here has shadowed a PA."  That's an implied pre-req, for good reason. 

[ddisilvestro]

To gain healthcare experience, you will want to consider a certification of some sort - maybe take a year and find a full time job as a CNA, EMT, medical assistant, etc. That is the best way to get hands-on patient care experience that programs are looking for. Also, locate a PA to shadow or interview, lack of exposure to the profession overall may be a 'red flag' to programs, especially for applicants with little HCE hours. 

[dsmith16]

I have a less than stellar GPA (college athletics :/ ) however I have 5 years experience in the hospital and hopefully that helps out. I know some schools really are quite clear on what there HCE can be and I suggest talking to someone at each school you are interested in.  That way you wont think that something works for one school and wont be accepted  for any other school you are interested in. Dont sell yourself short 

[LiveLaughLove]

Sorry, I really dont think "baby cuddling" should be considered direct HCE...

[JohnnyM2]

Sorry, I really dont think "baby cuddling" should be considered direct HCE...

Rats, I spent years doing that. Also removed splinters, cleaned wounds, applied bandages, pulled teeth, treated kids for lice, changed diapers, took temperatures and any number of other things. NOW you tell me that doesn't count as HCE. Guess I won't be applying to PA school.

 

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[GreatChecko]

How about joining a volunteer fire company or rescue squad...looks like there are a ton in your area? Might be a way to get your EMT without paying AND it would look a lot better on a resume. Fire runs mostly medical calls these days...

 

Just being realistic, but I don't think that being a baby cuddler will wow too many AdComs when they are looking at a stack of applications from MAs, CNAs, EMTS, Paramedics, RTs, etc. PA school is exceedingly competitive. There are programs out there where a student has a better chance of getting into MIT, the University of Chicago, or even West Point, than just getting an interview. The goal should be to get good, high-quality, HCE, especially if other parts of the application are on the borderline. This is what will open doors and get interviews with a weak application. 

[zoopeda]

It's all in the wording.  "Pediatric Patient Liaison?"  To me, "baby cuddling" is probably extremely valuable and important work.  You probably end up interacting with a lot of sick people, babies, and families and learn a lot about caring for people as they negotiate important medical decisions.  If it were me, I would seek out the "patient care experience" aspect of the job and be careful to describe it in the best possible light on your application--really highlighting the patient care experience.  There's a real push out there to intellectualize medicine and de-emphasize the more human, emotional care aspects.  You have to play into that to some degree, but don't downplay the significance of caring for others and playing a role in the overall care of a dependent patient.  If the mechanical art of phlebotomy counts, it would seem a crime for "baby cuddling" to serve as anything less...