New Program, New Opportunity

[TxMT]

A new program has opened up near me for this application cycle. I am going to apply as my kids are now older (high school) and everything seems to have fallen into place. Here's my stats:

 

cGPA 3.4

sGPA 3.1

GRE 154Q, 165V 4.5 Writing

 

33,000 hours HCE

9340 PCE

 

I have an additional 6100 hours designing/developing CNA, LVN, RN and Medical Technologist classes. This was done for local colleges and universities after I got a Masters of Education (3.9 GPA graduate).

 

This will be this program's first year. I have not applied in the past because of my kids age and that there is quite some distance from where we live and any other program.

 

I know the GPA is low--Most of the lower grades were in my Freshmen year when I was dumb-er-er, immature and thought everything was going to be as easy as high school was. Last 60 of undergrad was a 3.6 (virtually all upper level science). Is this likely to at least get me a look by an admission board?

[UGoLong]

Being older,there is a reasonable chance that they will look at your more recent grades.

 

New programs can be a crap shoot. I recommend that you carefully find out if anyone -- especially the director -- worked for another PA program before coming to your school. 

 

I started in the third class for my program; the first class didn't graduate until a month or two after we started. The director had worked for another program and had assembled a great team.

 

I gather that isn't always the case.

 

Best wishes from a fellow older student!

[MT2PA]

Sometimes new programs favor applicants with higher grades/GPA/GRE etc because they know even if they have some kinks to work out, they likely have strong students whose grades will still reflect well on them.  If you're putting all your eggs in the one basket, it's really a gamble.  If you said you were applying broadly to programs with a history of favoring high HCE like you have, I'd say your apps definitely wouldn't get tossed.  Banking on one NEW program, however, no one can probably give you an accurate estimate.

[PAStu1358]

My advice, stay away from new programs if you're going to be part of their inaugural class. Unless its your absolute last choice, it is not worth the headache.