Worried about not getting into PA school

[twixxiwt]

Hi everyone!

 

I am currently taking some biology and chemistry classes right now at a college and planning to take organic chem over the summer. I am doing great in chemistry class, like A+, however in biology classes, I'm more of a B- or C student.

 

I'm just worried that since my biology grade isn't so well, would that affect me getting into PA school. I heard it is very competitive and everyone getting in has like a 4.0 gpa!! 

 

I am also planning to volunteer over the summer at a local hospital so that I can fulfill some HCE hours. What's a good way to keep track of Hours?

 

Plus, is PA school that competitive? Would getting some A's, B-, and C's and with lots of experience help me get into PA school? Any advice on how to study for biology? 

 

Any advice would help.

 

Thank you!!

Twixxiwt

[EMEDPA]

you need more than a few summers of volunteering for hce to get into most pa programs. most programs want a minimum of 1000 hrs of PAID experience.

you need to get mostly As and a few Bs. a C or 2 won't kill you, but will drag down your gpa. shoot for a 3.5 if you can. good luck.

[twixxiwt]

how do i go about getting some Paid experience in NYC? Start volunteering in a hospital and go from there? Plus, I have tried calling many medical offices, and they mainly just hire receptionist...I'm sure receptionists do not qualify as Healthcare experience right? Doesn't it have to be dealing with patients? 

[EMEDPA]

you need to get a health care certification like cna( 80 hrs) or emt(120 hrs) and then look for jobs using that credential. that is what the vast majority of pa students do. remember for most PA is a second career in medicine....

[Rocksteady]

if you want to be a PA you need to fully commit yourself to this goal. Get yourself EMT certified and apply for hospital jobs, you cant beat (IMO) Emergency Department experience. I studied essentially every waking moment in undergrad in order to ensure I presented stellar grades for PA schools. Good luck.

[Glorious_Ignoramus]

Yes PA school is that competitive.  As in, single digit acceptance rates competitive - ie as competitive as the most competitive med schools.  Experience absolutely will not make up for poor grades, but a couple of Bs and Cs does not necessarily constitute a poor grade.  Hardly anyone applying has a 4.0 - look at average accepted scores.  I have a couple of Cs, Bs, and a D on my transcripts, cGPA of 3.5, and have interview invites this cycle.  Pre-req grades are more important than GE, elective and degree core grades.

 

Paid HCE is always preferable over volunteering as, what some here like to term, a candy stripper.  You are at the stage now where you need to do everything in your power to get the edge on those applying with you who have 1000s hours of experience as medic, nurse, tech, as well as stellar grades.

 

Best way to study biology is to 1) be interested in it and 2) memorize everything.

 

Best of luck to you.

 

PS - The PAEA directory will probably help you answer many future questions you will have regarding the application process.

[cop to pa]

To put 'competitive' in perspective: I just interviewed at a program that had over 2,000 applications, for a little more than 100 interview invites, for 30 seats. That's pretty typical.

[Caroline91]

I believe it's indeed a little bit competitive. And practical experience indeed would add point to you. I think though experience is important, you still have to improve your biology grade. Come on, believe you can make it!

Good luck!