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chances of getting in??


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Hi!! i'm a 21 year old student about to graduate from Michigan State University this spring and I have been debating on whether I should apply this upcoming CASPA cycle or wait another year to increase my PCE.  

My gpa is a 3.7 and my science gpa is around a 3.5/3.6, I currently work as a CNA and previously worked as a care provider and have ~500 hours right now so by the time I submit my app in June/July that number would increase.  I work as a research assistant in a clinical psychophysiology lab on campus and have about 100 or so hours with that, I have gone on 3 medical mission trips to Honduras and have been on the Executive board for a year with that as well. I'm in a sorority and have been on that executive board as well and volunteer with the Alzhiemers association through that. I have other volunteering here and there, and have just begun to start shadowing PAs- only 7 hours as of now but I am in contact with others to get more shadowing hours. I still have not taken the GRE but have already begun preparing for that so I plan on taking it in a couple months or so.

 

I'm mostly worried about my low PCE, but would rather only have 1 gap year working as a CNA versus 2 if i apply in the 2018 cycle.

Anyone have any advice on my chances of getting in if i apply this upcoming cycle, or should I wait another year and get more experience to make myself a more competitive candidate??
 

Thanks in advance!!!!

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I think if you are strategic about your application it's worth applying for a 2018 start. I would suggest submitting in May, I think waiting until June/July could hurt you. Your GPA/PCE are on the low side of most averages, but if you apply to programs which match up with your stats you have good chances. Sounds like you have a lot of volunteer/working with underserved experience so find schools which value that experience more than the stats. Definitely continue to increase your PCE and shadowing hours and put together a strong application (LOR, personal statement etc).

 

Best of luck!!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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Your GPA is actually higher than average for many schools. Schools vary in what they want in a student. Definitely take the time to research programs to ensure a good fit and that your stats fit in the range of their students. There are some schools that are open to students with high GPAs but low HCE. Keep in mind that some schools want a mix of students, such as varying HCE and GPA, so averages can be misleading. Don't discount a school if your stats don't perfectly align with their averages.  Applying early is a big advantage. Take the time now to work on your personal statement/essays, build relationships with possible LORs, research schools, and accumulate as many hours as possible. 

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Definitely agree that your GPA is good, much higher than mine was and I'm about to graduate PA school, and your HCE is much better than mine.

 

The below is not to brag, just to simply give confidence to those it can and to provide insight on what matters once your stats are high enough:

 

To give you perspective, I had around a 3.3-3.4 undergrad with double major in bio and secondary education (minor in chem).  I spent ~2 years teaching high school sciences before deciding to go back to PA school, which required me to finish the prerequisites.  I did very well in these courses, but my GPA didn't change much as it was only a few classes.  I scored pretty well on the GRE (around 330), but had no prior HCE.  I became a CNA and worked for a few months finishing with around 800 hours, and shadowed three PAs for a total of probably 200 hours.

 

I was offered an interview at every school I applied, and was accepted to every school I interviewed with.  I believe my narrative is what clinched it for me.  I had a strong storyline that explained my drive to become a PA, beyond just that being a PA is cool, that I will make a good salary, have job security, etc.  I legitimately want to work with patients and work to help them improve themselves.  You (and everyone reading this that wants to go to PA school) need to personalize that story yourself explaining how your life experiences have culminated into a passion that will help you push through what will likely be the worst 2-3 years of your life - because while the light at the end of the tunnel shines bright the trudge through PA school is not for the feint of heart.  It is arduous and it will test you, literally and figuratively almost every day.

 

 

Edit: sorry if that came across dark.  PA school is awesome, and the reward is awesome, but it is tough.

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