Looking Ahead - Application Cycle 2015-2016

[karebear12892]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the PA forum. Haven't seen a thread yet for the upcoming application cycle, so I thought I'd go ahead and start one. I'm sure I can't be the only one in the process of narrowing down my list of schools for next year! Just curious to see where everyone else is applying and what your backgrounds are. 

 

I'm going to do my best to stay active in these forums, because I think I can learn a lot from everybody here. This is my first time applying, and I'm sure there are people here who are re-applicants and can offer advice to those of us who are new to the process. 

 

A little bit about me -- I'm a recent University of Arizona graduate (Bear Down Cats!). I studied healthcare management and I'm currently working as an ER scribe in a rural hospital, about an hour outside of Charleston, SC. I'm taking the GRE in January and I'm currently finishing the last of my science pre-requisites. Once I receive an acceptance to PA school (fingers crossed), I'm comissioning in the Navy as a medical officer and I'll serve for at least two years after graduation. Planning to specialize in surgery, likely trauma and/or orthopedics. 

 

Here's a list of schools I'm considering, in order of preference. I know it's quite a few -- most likely, I will not apply to all of them. Let me know if you are also applying to any of these schools and/or what you've heard about these programs! 

 

Duke University

Chapman University - Orange County, CA

University of Alabama - Birmingham 

Treveccca Nazarene University - Nashville

A.T. Still University - Phoenix

South College - Knoxville, TN

MUSC - Charleston, SC

University of South Alabama

University of Utah

University of Florida

University of Charleston - West Virginia 

Sullivan University - Louisville, KY

Idaho State University

Monmouth University - West Long Branch, NJ

Seton Hall University - South Orange, NJ

University of New England - Portland, ME

 

Look forward to hearing more about everyone....and good luck to everyone applying in 2015! 

[bass_acupuncture]

I submitted my application to CASPA in June and it was verified and sent to my school but then I emailed the school to pull my application because I needed to retake the GRE and get a better score and I wanted to make sure that I have everything on point to get accepted.  So I will be ready on April 15, 2015 for CASPA to send my info. to Wingate University.  

[ddisilvestro]

I submitted my application to CASPA in June and it was verified and sent to my school but then I emailed the school to pull my application because I needed to retake the GRE and get a better score and I wanted to make sure that I have everything on point to get accepted.  So I will be ready on April 15, 2015 for CASPA to send my info. to Wingate University.  

The 2015-2016 CASPA application will open on Wednesday, April 22, 2015. 

[udyj]

This will be my first year applying. I was originally going for pt school but after shadowing PA's I decided to switch.

 

GPA: 3.6

SGPA: 3.5

 

HCE: 5,000 hours

Shadowing: 20 hours

 

GRE: 309

 

I want to be over 100 hours shadowing before April. One question I have is will it matter if the PA who writes one of my recommendations has the same last name as me ? We are 3rd cousins

[JoeBallent]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the PA forum. Haven't seen a thread yet for the upcoming application cycle, so I thought I'd go ahead and start one. I'm sure I can't be the only one in the process of narrowing down my list of schools for next year! Just curious to see where everyone else is applying and what your backgrounds are. 

 

I'm going to do my best to stay active in these forums, because I think I can learn a lot from everybody here. This is my first time applying, and I'm sure there are people here who are re-applicants and can offer advice to those of us who are new to the process. 

 

A little bit about me -- I'm a recent University of Arizona graduate (Bear Down Cats!). I studied healthcare management and I'm currently working as an ER scribe in a rural hospital, about an hour outside of Charleston, SC. I'm taking the GRE in January and I'm currently finishing the last of my science pre-requisites. Once I receive an acceptance to PA school (fingers crossed), I'm comissioning in the Navy as a medical officer and I'll serve for at least two years after graduation. Planning to specialize in surgery, likely trauma and/or orthopedics. 

 

Here's a list of schools I'm considering, in order of preference. I know it's quite a few -- most likely, I will not apply to all of them. Let me know if you are also applying to any of these schools and/or what you've heard about these programs! 

 

Duke University

Chapman University - Orange County, CA

University of Alabama - Birmingham 

Treveccca Nazarene University - Nashville

A.T. Still University - Phoenix

South College - Knoxville, TN

MUSC - Charleston, SC

University of South Alabama

University of Utah

University of Florida

University of Charleston - West Virginia 

Sullivan University - Louisville, KY

Idaho State University

Monmouth University - West Long Branch, NJ

Seton Hall University - South Orange, NJ

University of New England - Portland, ME

 

Look forward to hearing more about everyone....and good luck to everyone applying in 2015! 

Hi Karebear,

 

I'm actually a member of the University of Utah Pre-Physician Assistant Student Organization and they've put on some great clinics, mock interviews, and events like that.  Really informative and helpful.  One of the factors they've really emphasized to us is demonstrating service to underserved populations... this doesn't even have to be medical in nature necessarily, it can be volunteering as a mentor to underprivileged youth.  

 

I'm in the same boat as you- finishing up science pre-reqs and applying in the spring.  Also trying to stay active in this forum and network!  The U of U program is highly competitive and one of the top in the country; maybe emphasize your military intent on that application as a couple of the guys in their didactic year who came to speak to us aspiring applicants were former combat medics.  Very gracious with their time and straightforward in pointing out that the program is like drinking from a firehose- lots of information in a short amount of time.  But that's what we're signing up for, right!?

 

The U is really the only program on your list I can speak to personally since I go there... good luck with your applications and feel free to share any info you find helpful!

 

Cheers,

Joe

[tavenne323]

I am going to be applying next cycle to the University of Wisconsin Madison distance education program. (unless my partner gets a job in Madison in the next 6 months...he's trying!) Then I will apply to the campus program. I know the distance ed option only allows 10 in, but I am currently working at the hospital I want to eventually work as a PA at. And it's in an underserved/rural area. The distance program is a two year "part-time" didactic program, followed by a full year of clinical rotations. I have to go to campus 2-3 times a semester (about a 6 hour drive) for labs and tests, but otherwise it's all online. I'm hoping to be able to continue working for the hospital during that time as it is also affiliated for clinical rotations.

 

Community College: 

Lake Superior College (no degree)

cGPA 3.30

 

Undergraduate:

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Major: Athletic Training

Minor: Business Administration

cGPA: 3.48

GPA in Major: 3.92

 

Graduate:

College of St. Scholastica

Exercise Physiology

cGPA: 3.53

 

I've estimated my science GPA. It doesn't include any of my athletic training course because those were technically "AT" classes but they were mostly evaluation, diagnostic, treatment, rehabilitation, and research classes.

sGPA: 3.33

 

I have five classes to take over the next two semesters. Biology (retake because I had a C-), A&P 1&2 (because mine are too old), Biochemistry, and Microbiology. I'll be taking most online. I've already confirmed with admission at Wisconsin that the classes I chose are equivalent. And they have been very helpful in giving me resources so I could find online classes and not wait an extra year. I'm hoping that if I do really well, not only will I increase my science GPA, but also prove that I can do well with online classes since much of the distance option is online.

 

HCE: Over 10,000 working full time as an athletic trainer for five years and two years part time/casual. Clinic work of casting, rooming patients, home exercise programs, and preparing injections and working at a rural high school doing medical coverage at games and practices, evaluation and treatment of orthopedic injuries.

 

Volunteer: Just little things here and there. Planning to do more over the winter at the hospital.

 

Shadowing: None. The hospital I work at doesn't allow shadowing. But I do share an office with an Ortho PA and I have applied for shadowing opportunities at another regional hospital. I'm hoping to get about 10 hours per speciality (about 5). Plus, a few of my colleagues have gone to PA school.

 

I've confirmed recommendations with a family practice MD and orthopedic PA. Most likely my third will be from my current boss. 

 

GRE: not taking. Wisconsin doesn't require it.

 

Personal Statement: I haven't started it yet. Hopefully will have a first draft by the end of January (working on getting all my ATC CEUs by the end of this year first). I'm planning to focus on my desire to work in the rural area of northern MN. The hospital I currently work at has many outreach sites. I also want to talk about my athletic training background and how that course of study (full time classes, 20 hours a week in the training room and covering games) will prepare me for a rigorous school schedule and the PA profession. In addition, why I want to be a PA instead of an ATC. I do have to write two separate essays, one specifically for the distance education option.

 

I know I'm putting all my eggs in one basket with just applying to Wisconsin-Madison. But after talking to many people about the program and researching it, it really feels like a great fit for me. There is a local college (St. Scholastica) that is starting a program in 2016. I was considering that program, but they require all prerequisites to be within the last 10 years...and there are 15 prerequisites!! I would have had to take them all. Plus, as of right now they don't even have provisional accreditation. I have no doubt that they will get it since the school is known for it's nursing, OTC, ATC, DPT programs. But I didn't want to take all those extra classes and hope that they do. Plus, Wisconsin has a 97% average PANCE pass rate, a great reputation, it's associated with a medical school, and it's been accredited since 1977.

 

Any other recommendations?

 

Edit: last week I found out that all my AT classes count towards the science GPA...so that will go up a bit. Also, a class from my Master's had enough of a biochemistry element where I don't have to take biochemistry! Confirmed with UW Madison program admissions.

[cm7sus4]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the PA forum...

 

I don't know if this a potential concern for you - have you looked into cost of living in each of the respective areas to which you will apply?  I lived in Orange County, CA for a while; the cost of living is absolutely outrageous unless you want to either split rent with a handful of people or rent somehwere way inland, often times in less-than-savory neighborhoods.  Also, traffic is an absolute nightmare nearly all times of day and the main artery, I5, is a very dangerous highway with traffic flowing around 70-80mph at times.  Vehicle registration is by weight, and the state requires smog inspections.  My wife and I once paid $1100 per month for a small, drafty studio (350ish sq ft) in a relatively inexpensive area...and that was about 6 years ago.

[karebear12892]

Application opens month after next, coming up quick!