lbcbentley Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 On their website, it was not clear if they required HCE. Does anyone know? Health Care Experience The MPA program defines health care experience as direct, "hands on" patient contact. This can be gained through paid experience as an EMT, paramedic, health educator, RN, patient care attendant or nurse's aid, clinic assistant, Peace Corps participant or other cross-cultural health care training, technologist, therapist, clinical research coordinator, etc. To a lesser degree, volunteer experience may be considered. Most competitive applicants will have a minimum of 1000 hours of related direct patient contact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eze8923 Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 "...minimum of 1000 hours of related direct patient contact." from my experience, although any applicant is encouraged to apply, it is highly unlikely that you will even be granted an interview or further consideration unless you meet the minimum. from the numbers, class averages in that statistic are more up towards 2000+ as of recent years just as a heads-up. nonetheless, you can always test out the waters and apply anyway to see what happens... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbcbentley Posted July 13, 2009 Author Share Posted July 13, 2009 It reads, "most competitive applicants will have a min. 1000" vs. "it is required to have a min. of 1000..." so I'm confused. "...minimum of 1000 hours of related direct patient contact." from my experience, although any applicant is encouraged to apply, it is highly unlikely that you will even be granted an interview or further consideration unless you meet the minimum. from the numbers, class averages in that statistic are more up towards 2000+ as of recent years just as a heads-up. nonetheless, you can always test out the waters and apply anyway to see what happens... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just_me Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 basically its not required but if you want to be competitive you will have it........especially if you only have or really close to the min GPA Im taking to mean that out of their application pool the majority of students invited for an interview have those hours or more....if they do not then you better have a pretty darn good GPA and higher level sciences to make you glow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbcbentley Posted July 13, 2009 Author Share Posted July 13, 2009 I got it. I hope that my good looks help. basically its not required but if you want to be competitive you will have it........especially if you only have or really close to the min GPA Im taking to mean that out of their application pool the majority of students invited for an interview have those hours or more....if they do not then you better have a pretty darn good GPA and higher level sciences to make you glow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LESH Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 It reads, "most competitive applicants will have a min. 1000" vs. "it is required to have a min. of 1000..." so I'm confused. IMHO they are telling you that to be "competitive" (get an interview) have the minimum of 1000 hrs HCE/patient care experience and be strong in the other areas of the application. If you come in with < 1000 Hours it makes it a lot easier to reject the application. Because an applicant can reapply and possibly will gain more Clinical hours. Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbcbentley Posted July 13, 2009 Author Share Posted July 13, 2009 Hey Lesh, Thank you for clarifying. This forum and myself included appreciate your words of wisdom. IMHO they are telling you that to be "competitive" (get an interview) have the minimum of 1000 hrs HCE/patient care experience and be strong in the other areas of the application. If you come in with < 1000 Hours of it makes it a lot easier to reject the application. Because an applicant can reapply and possibly will gain more Clinical hours. Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LESH Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Hey Lesh,Thank you for clarifying. This forum and myself included appreciate your words of wisdom. Thank you for your kind words, maybe I should write a book...lol;) Lesh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMM Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Don't give up if you don't have that many hours. If you have good life experience - work, have excellent grades, volunteer experience, leadership, etc - you will stand out. Put all your experiences down on paper and take a look at where you are. Maybe you need to add some hours but look at the big picture. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbcbentley Posted July 13, 2009 Author Share Posted July 13, 2009 Thank you for the encouraging words. Like you have indicated, it won't hurt to try. Perhaps if I jump into the Oakland Raiders bandwagon, I may get the edge:) Don't give up if you don't have that many hours. If you have good life experience - work, have excellent grades, volunteer experience, leadership, etc - you will stand out. Put all your experiences down on paper and take a look at where you are. Maybe you need to add some hours but look at the big picture. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eze8923 Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Thank you for the encouraging words. Like you have indicated, it won't hurt to try. Perhaps if I jump into the Oakland Raiders bandwagon, I may get the edge:) only for certain faculty members... but i will leave you to figure those out on your own. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamablotto Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 i know a few people in the SMU PA program and they've told me that the majority of their classmates have 3000+ hours of experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbcbentley Posted July 14, 2009 Author Share Posted July 14, 2009 I have a great voice so I'm going to sing my way through and win adcom over, "I've got sunshine.....on a cloudy day....." This should compensate for the lack of HCE. i know a few people in the SMU PA program and they've told me that the majority of their classmates have 3000+ hours of experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cstarkwe Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 I received an interview at SMU - and I have around 700 hours (when caspa was submitted)... Now im worried :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbcbentley Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share Posted December 5, 2009 You had received an interview. what is there to worry about? I'm interviewing too and I have alot less hce hours than you. I received an interview at SMU - and I have around 700 hours (when caspa was submitted)... Now im worried :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wongs Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Ohh man I just started working 30 hours a week in Sept as a MA. I have an interview but I have to let University of CO school know before my CA interview! The post about majority of class has 3000+ hours is intimidating...I wonder what my chances are of acceptance? ohhh stuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AAPrePA Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Does being a physical therapy aide count towards HCE? I also have experience doing unpaid work at a acupuncture office, however, this was a very hands-on experience as the doctor's assistant. I applied this cycle during the month of September, but have not heard a word from SMU so I am assuming that I did not make the cut this year. I believe I am lacking in the HCE with no paid hrs. Are there any other options besides being a MA for a few years? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cchen87 Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 To those that don't have many hours, Samuel Merritt must have found something in you to want to interview you! Think about your high GPA and how that works to your benefit! Perhaps those that have 3000+ don't also have #s in other areas to back it up. I submitted my app in late September and have not received an invite to interview. You are all qualified!!! Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cchen87 Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 To those that don't have many hours, Samuel Merritt must have found something in you to want to interview you! Think about your high GPA and how that works to your benefit! Perhaps those that have 3000+ don't also have #s in other areas to back it up. I submitted my app in late September and have not received an invite to interview. You are all qualified!!! Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cabkrun Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 To those who have not heard, their app deadline was October 1st. I know they started looking at apps in the month of November. I know I've seen some interviews granted for forum members. Not sure if and when rejection letters have been sent. Guess until a letter arrives in the mail, keep up the faith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellybb0104 Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Thank you for your kind words, maybe I should write a book...lol;) Lesh You should consider it. It would be great to have some up-to-date literature on the PA profession, general requirements, and pertinent issues facing PAs in this millineum. Especially from an insiders' true prospective. Don't get me wrong, Rodican was my saving grace this year, but I believe the PA profession as well as the programs has somewhat evolved (salaries, responsibilities, specialties, etc.) since 1995 or so. It's just that I am in agreeance with lbcbently (did I spell that right?) you've been so helpful on this forum. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seatofmypants Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 cstarkwe and lbcbentley... can you tell me what type of experience you have?? i now have quite a bit but i submitted my caspa app before i started my job...i really want to reapply for next year but i was also accepted elsewhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cstarkwe Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 I had about 1000 hours. I did physical therapy aide, senior care and volunteering. I had a pretty high GPA so I think that helped me. Congrats on your PA acceptance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seatofmypants Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Thank you cstarwe. To you as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephk12 Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 Does anybody know if a medical assistant is considered direct "hands on" experience for SM? I've talked to other schools that consider MA experience but wasn't sure with this one since they make a point mentioning it. I have 3500 hours of experience as an MA, and while I didn't actually TOUCH the patients most of the time, I called in their Rx's, took their histories, and interacted with them face to face every day. Just wondering if it's worth applying. Any advice on this is greatly appreciated! =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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