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So you have a sub 3.0 GPA and no Masters degree?


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Hi,

 

In my panicking, I've decided to create a support thread for those of us with a sub-stellar GPA.  The catch of this group?

  • There is a pretty decent reason why your GPA is so low.. (I hope)
  • Physician Assistant is your first choice for professions, and you're willing to do anything...
  • You're ready to put in a 500% effort, because let's face it, this isn't going to be easy.
  • Can you add this to this?  Please post below!!!

I by no means am a master of this, but I've sought advice from all around the country by frequently corresponding with admissions directors and admissions coordinators.  

 

Every applicant is UNIQUE, so make your story shine.  There happens to be a lot of advice on how to apply to PA school with a low GPA.  DO YOUR RESEARCH!  There are a large number of programs that have HARD cutoffs... so know when your application won't even get a look.  Save your money.  There are plenty of programs that may consider an appeal for consideration (something I've done! - I've been told I have a very compelling backstory - and I've appealed for consideration to a number of PA programs and have been looked at).  

 

If you believe you have a very strong, unique or compelling reason why there is an enormous hole/flaw in your application and can write about it for consideration, give it a try!   I've had program directors e-mail me back telling me to do A, and/or B and they're looking forward to next application cycle and seeing my app.  Either they're just looking for my money (a possibility, but I doubt it), or they gave me solid advice out of their extremely busy day and are really trying to push me forward ... b/c they understand how hard we have to work to make up for our short comings.  

 

Then there are programs with lower GPA cutoffs... despite many of them stating the average applicant has high stats, this is where a holistic approach and making your application shine really comes in handy!  Professional affiliations?  Medical and/or non-medical volunteering?  Have you been busy publishing?  Are you a leader in some area?  How extensive is your clinical work?   Apply to programs that value your clinical exposure.  A powerful personal statement & non-medical volunteering, coupled with very strong letters of recommendation will almost likely get someone to look at your application.  I applied to a very good program.. my GPA is a 2.9, with a modest MS GPA, but I have a very strong holistic profile.  Unfortunate my GRE (2012) was too old for their program (require within 3 years) and I foolishly missed that slight detail.  The director told me to retake (get >50%ile in both sections), take another semester of courses at night, get B's and It'll show my competitiveness and ability to succeed in their program.  Coupled with my strong recs, volunteer, clinical, and research history... they look very much forward to receiving my application VIA caspa.  Oh, and I should ping them when I submit.  

 

I am so excited my hard work MAY pay off. I say MAY because hey... I'm not accepted until I have that letter of acceptance in my hand.  

 

What's your story?  What have you done to overcome adversity?  Words of advice or experience you may share?  

 

I'll share mine later on...

 

Thank you guys for reading this.  I truly wish you all the best of luck this coming application cycle!

 

-Dante

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LOVE this. I have a 3.4 GPA and constantly feel punished for this while my entire undergraduate career I was battling with the anxiety and depression of having a parent with terminal illness. I worked full time as a pharm tech while going to school full time as I actually needed to send money home to help my parents when i was able to. This is the first thing I have brought to the attention in my personal statement. The biggest advice I can give is own your faults. I explain in my essays why my GPA is less than exceptional even with hard classes, and that I have overcome this and after the passing of my father I had an upward swing in my GPA. Even with this knowledge in my essay and seeing I was active in undergrad and still volunteer with hospice care, I don't even get looked at from some schools due to my GPA. They always come back and say get my GPA up. So I continue to take classes once a semester if I can pay for them and keep going.

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I agree with the post above me! Owning your faults will tell admissions committees that you can acknowledge your mistakes and learn from them. But they obviously need to see how you learned from it so whether it's from doing really well on your GREs or having a lot of HCE - it's really about compensating with another part of your application. 
 
I had a 3.21 undergrad GPA, 2500 hours as a medical assistant in an urgent care/tech in a neuro ICU, 3000 hours just working in the healthcare field (these didn't count for hands on patient care), 100 hours shadowing PAs (cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, family medicine), medical mission trip in Honduras and 5000+ hours in community service. 
 
The first time I applied, I only applied to one school because I was still obtaining all my hours. The school I applied to required no hours and had a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply. I didn't get an interview because I didn't have a 3.5 so sometimes schools have strict cut offs that they don't tell you about on their website lol so that sucked. 
 
This time around, I applied to 10+ schools with a more completed application. I also enrolled in a masters program in contemporary human anatomy at EVMS to show an overall upward tread GPA wise (some schools will look at either your undergrad, prerequisite, or graduate GPA). 
 
I'll be finishing this program this May but my GPA has been consistent at a 3.63 so  PA schools like to see that you can take graduate level classes and do well in them. Also, the nature of this program is to help us do whatever we want in the future so I'm taking classes with PA students (the school has a PA program as well), I've taken gross anatomy and some other classes like pathophys that PA students normally take. 
 
I recently got accepted into a PA program so don't give up hope, I promise it will pay off! For me, I think the graduate program helped so just find what works for you and you will get in :)
 

 

Hope this helps!
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I agree with the post above me! Owning your faults will tell admissions committees that you can acknowledge your mistakes and learn from them. But they obviously need to see how you learned from it so whether it's from doing really well on your GREs or having a lot of HCE - it's really about compensating with another part of your application. 
 
I had a 3.21 undergrad GPA, 2500 hours as a medical assistant in an urgent care/tech in a neuro ICU, 3000 hours just working in the healthcare field (these didn't count for hands on patient care), 100 hours shadowing PAs (cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, family medicine), medical mission trip in Honduras and 5000+ hours in community service. 
 
The first time I applied, I only applied to one school because I was still obtaining all my hours. The school I applied to required no hours and had a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply. I didn't get an interview because I didn't have a 3.5 so sometimes schools have strict cut offs that they don't tell you about on their website lol so that sucked. 
 
This time around, I applied to 10+ schools with a more completed application. I also enrolled in a masters program in contemporary human anatomy at EVMS to show an overall upward tread GPA wise (some schools will look at either your undergrad, prerequisite, or graduate GPA). 
 
I'll be finishing this program this May but my GPA has been consistent at a 3.63 so  PA schools like to see that you can take graduate level classes and do well in them. Also, the nature of this program is to help us do whatever we want in the future so I'm taking classes with PA students (the school has a PA program as well), I've taken gross anatomy and some other classes like pathophys that PA students normally take. 
 
I recently got accepted into a PA program so don't give up hope, I promise it will pay off! For me, I think the graduate program helped so just find what works for you and you will get in :)
 

 

Hope this helps!

 

Completely agree on trying to raise other requirements. I have 7000 as a pharm tech, 100 hours shadowing, and currently work as a scribe full time. My GRE is 151Q and 151V with 4.0 writing.

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I have been going through so much hesitation with applying to PA school due to my low GPA. I graduated with a 2.8 GPA and I honestly don't know if it's even worth my time to apply or even take additional courses. I'm just very discouraged because many schools look highly on the GPA. Here is where I am at today:

  • Currently not enrolled in any Masters Program
  • Haven't taken the GRE's
  • Working as a full time Lead Medical Technologist at UPMC.
  • Medic with the PA Army National Guard (4 years)
  • Graduated with a BS in Biology and Clinical Lab Science
  • Multiple hours of shadowing a PA with the Army

Right now I have been looking at Post Bac programs, but there are so few and far in between in Pittsburgh. So the next best thing for me to do is go for a Masters Degree. I want to apply to the PA schools that do not require the GRE's just so I can save money on that. Mainly just trying to get opinions or if anyone knows or has experienced this situation before. My goal is to attend a PA school in Western PA, Ohio or West Virginia.

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I have been going through so much hesitation with applying to PA school due to my low GPA. I graduated with a 2.8 GPA and I honestly don't know if it's even worth my time to apply or even take additional courses. I'm just very discouraged because many schools look highly on the GPA. Here is where I am at today:

  • Currently not enrolled in any Masters Program
  • Haven't taken the GRE's
  • Working as a full time Lead Medical Technologist at UPMC.
  • Medic with the PA Army National Guard (4 years)
  • Graduated with a BS in Biology and Clinical Lab Science
  • Multiple hours of shadowing a PA with the Army

Right now I have been looking at Post Bac programs, but there are so few and far in between in Pittsburgh. So the next best thing for me to do is go for a Masters Degree. I want to apply to the PA schools that do not require the GRE's just so I can save money on that. Mainly just trying to get opinions or if anyone knows or has experienced this situation before. My goal is to attend a PA school in Western PA, Ohio or West Virginia.

 

From my understanding, the vast majority of PA programs don't factor in your Master's GPA to their GPA requirements. Additionally, the vast majority of programs have a 3.0 cut-off (not including some school's "unofficial" higher GPA cut-off). I understand being discouraged (I graduated from undergrad with a 2.5 sGPA), but I am persevering and I am taking a full year of science courses at a local community college (35 hours). My sGPA is on track to be a 3.2, which a lot of accepted applicants have said that they have gotten accepted with. I highly recommend taking community college courses, the GRE (just to widen your net of schools to apply to), and articulating your struggles and how you've come out on top in your personal statement.

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CASPA calculates GPA from ALL courses submitted, including post bach and graduate courses.

 

Look for schools that calculate a separate GPA for admissions based on your last 45 or 60 credit hours. There are a handful of schools that do this and will use the higher of the two GPAs for admissions consideration.

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I would encourage everyone in this situation to keep plugging away at it.  I would imagine that most of you are in your 20's or early 30's.  You still have PLENTY of time to make your app stronger and, as tdhanani was saying, compensate for the lower GPA.  I realize that it is a timely and costly process to bring up GPAs when you have 100+ credit hours.

 

Just a few suggestions--they are worth every penny you pay for them ;)

 

1.  Make sure you have the BEST grades you can in the prerequisite classes.  If you retake ANYTHING, it would be these first. Why?  These are going to be the ones that they pick out of mix to get a feeling of your overall scientific capability.

 

2.  If your GPA is <3.0, you do need to bring it up to that level.  Don't retake non-prerequisite classes as they don't give you as much bang for the buck.  Take post-bacc science classes and make A's in them .  Enough to get you over that 3.0 hump.  This will at least open the doors for application to a much bigger swathe of schools.  If you have time, take start a grad degree in something relevant that you like.

 

3.  Look objectively at your application.  Make 4 categories--GPA, GRE, HCE and Intangibles.  Assume you are deficient in the GPA department.  You need to SHINE in 2 of the 3 others and at least be competitive in the other.  The lowest hanging fruit in that list is the GRE.  Prep up and shoot for a 310+.  Get more than the average HCE hours.  Groom the folks you want to do your letter of recommendation.  Float your personal statement on here for people to critique.

Just keep pulling!  I'm 45 and starting PA school this fall.  My GPA isn't great...3.3 overall and 3.1 sci.

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I have been going through so much hesitation with applying to PA school due to my low GPA. I graduated with a 2.8 GPA and I honestly don't know if it's even worth my time to apply or even take additional courses. I'm just very discouraged because many schools look highly on the GPA. Here is where I am at today:

 

  • Currently not enrolled in any Masters Program
  • Haven't taken the GRE's
  • Working as a full time Lead Medical Technologist at UPMC.
  • Medic with the PA Army National Guard (4 years)
  • Graduated with a BS in Biology and Clinical Lab Science
  • Multiple hours of shadowing a PA with the Army
Right now I have been looking at Post Bac programs, but there are so few and far in between in Pittsburgh. So the next best thing for me to do is go for a Masters Degree. I want to apply to the PA schools that do not require the GRE's just so I can save money on that. Mainly just trying to get opinions or if anyone knows or has experienced this situation before. My goal is to attend a PA school in Western PA, Ohio or West Virginia.

 

 

Hey I was in a similar boat as you with the low GPA and applying to PA school. I figured if I was going to pay for extra classes I might as well get a degree out of it so I applied to a Masters program. These PA programs like to see that you can compete graduate level courses if you have a low GPA. So I ended up going to Chatham University right in Pittsburgh. Their Masters program for biology is a year long and is designed for people who want to improve their GPA for professional schools. After the program my overall GPA was at a 3.1 and I got 5 interviews to PA school

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CASPA calculates GPA from ALL courses submitted, including post bach and graduate courses.

 

Look for schools that calculate a separate GPA for admissions based on your last 45 or 60 credit hours. There are a handful of schools that do this and will use the higher of the two GPAs for admissions consideration.

 

Yes, CASPA calculates GPA from all courses submitted, but notice that I said that most PA programs do not. AcelPA85, if you really are against taking classes at a community college, I'd recommend finding some of the few programs that would factor in your Masters GPA. But honestly, taking community college courses instead would really widen your net.

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I'm here to encourage any applicant to not lose hope. I was a sub 3.0 applicant as well, although I did have a Master's with a great trending GPA. Try to visit faculty members for meetings. I can't emphasize this enough. I know with near certainty that I was accepted over 1000+ others who had better stats. I credit a lot of it to letting faculty members getting to know me as a prospective student prior to applying. Good luck!!!

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Thank you all for your responses! I'm not against taking community college courses, I am not 100% sure if I want to take the core classes again. I graduated from Med Tech school having taken Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Blood Bank, Coagulation, Urinalysis and all those courses we drilled Human Anatomy. I'm hoping they would look at those courses instead of my O. Chem "C" grade because I earned A's and B's in my MT program. Then again, I could be wrong and they just want to see my core classes. I would like to take graduate science courses or a Masters and actually get something out of it just in case PA school doesn't work out for me.

 

EKPA  when you scheduled to meet with faculty members, did you meet them to acquire more about the program or have them get to know you or both?

 

Again THANK YOU to everyone!

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What is considered competitive in HCE? I have 1000 hours working as a nuclear medicine technologist while working with a PA, community service hours at a elderly day care every saturday for the past year for a few hours, a year of clinical experience for school, and 80 hours of shadowing 2 different PAs. 

 

My overall GPA isnt too great as well, i graduated with a 2.9, however with an upward trend. I am currently taking post bac courses and so far have been receiving As in classes like orgo, calc, chem 2 (taking genetics, biochem and micro now). 

 

Im trying to also study for the GREs but I have been finding that hard to do with the classes im taking. 

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Hi Guys,

 

Sorry this is SO LONG.  Thank you for reading!

 

So after creating this thread... here's my story.  By the way, thank you all for sharing so far.  It isn't an easy journey for us.  

 

ANY and all advice, I would truly and sincerely appreciate.  

 

 

To begin, as I was ending high school and beginning my ugrad career my father required an emergency open heart procedure.  He had a mitral valve regurge.  My first semester was stellar... my father was post-op and doing well.  Straight A's.  And then, his health deteriorated.  I transfered from an upstate NY school back to MA to be closer to family.  His health was a roller coaster... in and out of the hospital.  Putting him in and out of work - until he'd finally lose it.  My grades unfortunately went on the same roller coaster ride.  I never sought help.. I didn't know how to.  Towards the end of my ugrad career, my grades improved.  Now, here's the catch - my dad lost his job.  So I was taking out loans, and working 3 jobs (grocery clerk, bouncer, and operations for our collegiate arena during overnight changeovers) to survive and help family.  They have a mortgage with bills.   I had bills, too.  This affects me now with student loans, but i'll get there.  So mitral valve problems, congestive heart failure, frequent transient ischemic attacks, etc, etc… it was such a roller coaster of emotion and heartache.

 

As I began my masters degree, everything was perfect.  But now… entering into 2012 my father’s health declined… drastically.  This semi-affected the final semester of my MS… impacting my grades.  Still got published.. still got my MS… but left me with very modest GPA’s… a 2.9 UGrad and a 3.2 MS… I am not proud, but I am.  My father required an emergency pericardectomy…

 

Despite everything I had gone through emotionally, familial wise, and financially.. I still came out with a BS and an MS.  Coming out of graduate school – it was near impossible to find a job.  I came home, worked at Starbucks for 2 years trying to network and figure my life out.  I re-enrolled in night classes; while working 35-40 hours a week as a barista… on top of landing a volunteer gig in research at a prestigious hospital!  I was excited, but that was an additional 20 hours a week.  I was over reaching… taking entry level BPCM (Bio 1, Organic Chem) but because of my schedule I was averaging C’s.  I’m not proud. 

 

Here’s another catch… student loans started creeping up!!

 

Suddenly, my networking had paid off.  I didn’t get just 1 job… but 3.  I took them all.  3 Part-time jobs I managed to fit into my work day.  FYI – I’m still in 2 of them. 

 

ED Pedi research 20 hours a week

Pulmonary Rehab 16 hours a week

Research Assistant in Pulmonary (where I used to volunteer for 20 hours a week) 20 hours a week

 

AND, still taking classes at night.

 

This was great for a year, but overwhelming.  The big thing is, I managed to learn how to prioritize.  I was now averaging B’s in these classes… a few A’s.  It’s tough to work > 40 hours a week in 3 jobs, with near full-time responsibility + classes!

 

I finally picked up a new job where I began running Pulmonary Rehab, up to 24 hours at that point.. leaving the ED research. 

 

Fast forward to today.

 

I have a BS and MS with substellar GPA’s (not proud, but proud despite my circumstances).  To show I am a strong candidate I have worked extremely hard to make up for these short comings.

I have more than 4000 clinical hours as the pulmonary rehab coordinator in a major hospital (4 years)

I have more than 500 hours as a medical volunteer for marathons/10k’s/half-marathon races as a medical sweep member on the finish line

I have more than 250 hours (and will keep earning) as a non-medical volunteer for the salvation army

I have more than 4000 research hours; published 9 times now… including abstracts, first authorship, and secondary authorship… with 4 more on the way in the next 6 months hopefully.

I was a first responder at the Boston Marathon Bombing as a medical Volunteer… this changed the way I perceive life and see outcomes…

I know, and have been told I have very strong recommendations from faculty from the two major univiersities / hospitals I work at .. MD’s and PA’s.

 

My insecurities now are since I'm working so much (to pay loans and make ends meet in Boston, MA)... I'm averaging B's with a few C's in there from the very beginning of my night classes)... and my BS and MS gpa's...  =(

 

I applied this last application cycle to learn I am not a strong candidate… to most programs.  I would do anything to redo my ugrad with the time-management, work ethic etc I have now… things I was too immature to know and understand.  I know I have strong HCE, strong volunteering, strong positive recommendations…

 

What can I do help my application? Any and all advice is sincerely appreciated. 

 

Your time and consideration is sincerely appreciated.

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This is solved with getting a Masters

 

 

I had about a 2.9 undergrad due to 2 semesters with a 1.8 early in my education

 

Once I figured out life - I was almost a 4.0 in my major, but my overall GPA stunk

 

 

I went back to part time school and got an MBA and had a 3.95 and was inducted into the Golden Key Honor society and poof - into PA school I got..... applied at one school and accepted.....

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Hello everyone. I'm so glad I found this page because it's speaking on my current situation.

 

I would please like advice from some of you if you have any...

 

I graduated with a 2.57 Ugpa. With 2 years of postbach and a bunch of extra sciences I brought it up to a 2.85 (239 credits in total). Last year I applied to over 20 programs and was rejected by all. I have close to 3000 hce. Every program I spoke to said it was my Ugpa that it's too low.

 

The issue now is, I definitely want to apply again, but in order to get a 3.0 I would need 40 additional credits. To me this is a nightmare as I have done 239 credits worth of undergrad work (postbach and certificates included 45 science credits ) I'm 28 yo, and tired of the same cycle. I no longer want to "do" undergrad and just register for "filler" classes where most of them may have nothing to do with healthcare.

 

My question is...should I do a masters with my 2.85 gpa and strive to get a 4.0 in the MS? Or take a bunch of filler undergrad classes that have nothing to do with healthcare just to bring my gpa to a 3.0?

 

Are there programs that would factor in MS gpa? Does caspa factor it in?

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if you have time, please read my story above

 

This is solved with getting a Masters


I had about a 2.9 undergrad due to 2 semesters with a 1.8 early in my education

Once I figured out life - I was almost a 4.0 in my major, but my overall GPA stunk


I went back to part time school and got an MBA and had a 3.95 and was inducted into the Golden Key Honor society and poof - into PA school I got..... applied at one school and accepted.....

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Hello everyone. I'm so glad I found this page because it's speaking on my current situation.

 

I would please like advice from some of you if you have any...

 

I graduated with a 2.57 Ugpa. With 2 years of postbach and a bunch of extra sciences I brought it up to a 2.85 (239 credits in total). Last year I applied to over 20 programs and was rejected by all. I have close to 3000 hce. Every program I spoke to said it was my Ugpa that it's too low.

 

The issue now is, I definitely want to apply again, but in order to get a 3.0 I would need 40 additional credits. To me this is a nightmare as I have done 239 credits worth of undergrad work (postbach and certificates included 45 science credits ) I'm 28 yo, and tired of the same cycle. I no longer want to "do" undergrad and just register for "filler" classes where most of them may have nothing to do with healthcare.

 

My question is...should I do a masters with my 2.85 gpa and strive to get a 4.0 in the MS? Or take a bunch of filler undergrad classes that have nothing to do with healthcare just to bring my gpa to a 3.0?

 

Are there programs that would factor in MS gpa? Does caspa factor it in?

 

 

Did you do well in your postbacc? Look into EVMS who will take your past 60 credits and make a new GPA. Their class profile has like an average cGPA of around 3.3-3.5 I believe which is LOW. But their last 60 credits GPA is like a 3.8.

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Hi Guys,

 

Sorry this is SO LONG.  Thank you for reading!

 

So after creating this thread... here's my story.  By the way, thank you all for sharing so far.  It isn't an easy journey for us.  

 

ANY and all advice, I would truly and sincerely appreciate.  

 

 

To begin, as I was ending high school and beginning my ugrad career my father required an emergency open heart procedure.  He had a mitral valve regurge.  My first semester was stellar... my father was post-op and doing well.  Straight A's.  And then, his health deteriorated.  I transfered from an upstate NY school back to MA to be closer to family.  His health was a roller coaster... in and out of the hospital.  Putting him in and out of work - until he'd finally lose it.  My grades unfortunately went on the same roller coaster ride.  I never sought help.. I didn't know how to.  Towards the end of my ugrad career, my grades improved.  Now, here's the catch - my dad lost his job.  So I was taking out loans, and working 3 jobs (grocery clerk, bouncer, and operations for our collegiate arena during overnight changeovers) to survive and help family.  They have a mortgage with bills.   I had bills, too.  This affects me now with student loans, but i'll get there.  So mitral valve problems, congestive heart failure, frequent transient ischemic attacks, etc, etc… it was such a roller coaster of emotion and heartache.

 

As I began my masters degree, everything was perfect.  But now… entering into 2012 my father’s health declined… drastically.  This semi-affected the final semester of my MS… impacting my grades.  Still got published.. still got my MS… but left me with very modest GPA’s… a 2.9 UGrad and a 3.2 MS… I am not proud, but I am.  My father required an emergency pericardectomy…

 

Despite everything I had gone through emotionally, familial wise, and financially.. I still came out with a BS and an MS.  Coming out of graduate school – it was near impossible to find a job.  I came home, worked at Starbucks for 2 years trying to network and figure my life out.  I re-enrolled in night classes; while working 35-40 hours a week as a barista… on top of landing a volunteer gig in research at a prestigious hospital!  I was excited, but that was an additional 20 hours a week.  I was over reaching… taking entry level BPCM (Bio 1, Organic Chem) but because of my schedule I was averaging C’s.  I’m not proud. 

 

Here’s another catch… student loans started creeping up!!

 

Suddenly, my networking had paid off.  I didn’t get just 1 job… but 3.  I took them all.  3 Part-time jobs I managed to fit into my work day.  FYI – I’m still in 2 of them. 

 

ED Pedi research 20 hours a week

Pulmonary Rehab 16 hours a week

Research Assistant in Pulmonary (where I used to volunteer for 20 hours a week) 20 hours a week

 

AND, still taking classes at night.

 

This was great for a year, but overwhelming.  The big thing is, I managed to learn how to prioritize.  I was now averaging B’s in these classes… a few A’s.  It’s tough to work > 40 hours a week in 3 jobs, with near full-time responsibility + classes!

 

I finally picked up a new job where I began running Pulmonary Rehab, up to 24 hours at that point.. leaving the ED research. 

 

Fast forward to today.

 

I have a BS and MS with substellar GPA’s (not proud, but proud despite my circumstances).  To show I am a strong candidate I have worked extremely hard to make up for these short comings.

I have more than 4000 clinical hours as the pulmonary rehab coordinator in a major hospital (4 years)

I have more than 500 hours as a medical volunteer for marathons/10k’s/half-marathon races as a medical sweep member on the finish line

I have more than 250 hours (and will keep earning) as a non-medical volunteer for the salvation army

I have more than 4000 research hours; published 9 times now… including abstracts, first authorship, and secondary authorship… with 4 more on the way in the next 6 months hopefully.

I was a first responder at the Boston Marathon Bombing as a medical Volunteer… this changed the way I perceive life and see outcomes…

I know, and have been told I have very strong recommendations from faculty from the two major univiersities / hospitals I work at .. MD’s and PA’s.

 

My insecurities now are since I'm working so much (to pay loans and make ends meet in Boston, MA)... I'm averaging B's with a few C's in there from the very beginning of my night classes)... and my BS and MS gpa's...  =(

 

I applied this last application cycle to learn I am not a strong candidate… to most programs.  I would do anything to redo my ugrad with the time-management, work ethic etc I have now… things I was too immature to know and understand.  I know I have strong HCE, strong volunteering, strong positive recommendations…

 

What can I do help my application? Any and all advice is sincerely appreciated. 

 

Your time and consideration is sincerely appreciated.

 

I am sorry for your father’s health issues and hope he is doing better.

 
Pure honesty here.
 
Two points.
  1. Your academic record is poor and unstable. I had 3 D's on my transcript so I know how difficult it is to raise your GPA. From the view of the admissions board, your grades are real wishy washy. There isn’t a upward trend that’s very noticeable. You need to really cut back on the jobs and FOCUS on school. Get A’s. No exceptions! 
  2. Your HCE isn’t good enough to offset your grades. Research is great to have (med schools love this particularly), but PA schools don’t really care. It looks great on a resume, but you need direct patient care. Look into CNA/EMT/MA. I understand you need to pay off bills, but is there a way you can make this work? I'm not sure what a coordinator does, but I would bet it involves less patient care than a CNA. 
I took 18 credits hours last semester and worked 36 hours a week and managed a 4.0. You can do it. Time management is key. 
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Hey everyone, new to the forum here and was wondering how likely are my chances of getting into a program?

 

Undergrad: SUNY Buffalo

Undergraduate cGPA: 2.9 at graduation 

Bachelors in Nuclear Medicine Technology 

 

Some science courses:

bio 1 : B-

bio 2: C+

chem 1 : C

chem 2 : C+

anatomy : B-

physiology : B+

statistics : B+

 

Various other science classes once I entered the Nuclear medicine program that had A's and B's 

 

Currently in Post bac: CUNY Queens College 

chem 1 : B-

chem 2 : A

orgo 1 : A 

calc 1 : A 
Psych: A

Microbiology: taking currently

Genetics: taking currently

Biochem: taking currently

 

I know my GPA is low, however it is at an upward trend, thus my cGPA should be above a 3.0 now

 

 

Certifications: BLS and CNMT 

 

HCE:

1000 hours working full time as a Nuclear medicine technologist / including working with a PA during my time there 

500 hours volunteering at an adult day care

A year of school rotations as a nuclear tech (not sure if schools will accept this)

50 hours of shadowing Gasto PA

50 hours of shadowing internal medicine PA 

 

 

GRE: have not taken yet

 

LOR:

1. PA i worked with as a nuclear tech

2. Organic Chemistry professor

3. Clinical Supervisor while I was in undergrad

 

 

Overall I am very nervous, obviously because of my low end GPA, however as I mentioned before, I have good upward trend. What can I do to improve my chances?

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I am sorry for your father’s health issues and hope he is doing better.

 
Pure honesty here.
 
Two points.
  1. Your academic record is poor and unstable. I had 3 D's on my transcript so I know how difficult it is to raise your GPA. From the view of the admissions board, your grades are real wishy washy. There isn’t a upward trend that’s very noticeable. You need to really cut back on the jobs and FOCUS on school. Get A’s. No exceptions! 
  2. Your HCE isn’t good enough to offset your grades. Research is great to have (med schools love this particularly), but PA schools don’t really care. It looks great on a resume, but you need direct patient care. Look into CNA/EMT/MA. I understand you need to pay off bills, but is there a way you can make this work? I'm not sure what a coordinator does, but I would bet it involves less patient care than a CNA. 
I took 18 credits hours last semester and worked 36 hours a week and managed a 4.0. You can do it. Time management is key. 

 

 

so from my resume....

 

It's direct patient care :)

 

 

HOSPITAL NAME HERE, Boston, MA. September 2013 – Present

• Lead Exercise Physiologist, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Coordinator, Pulmonary & Critical Care, 40 hours per week.

 

Have strong knowledge of cardiopulmonary physiology, practices and principles, understanding of pharmacology, EKG analysis and interpretation, and cardiac telemetry to apply to clinical practice on a daily basis. Instruct patients on exercise education and health outcomes. Developed, implemented, and supervised unique exercise programs based on modifications from ACSM standards for exercising clinical populations, specifically for an intervention to elicit improvements in overall chronic disease care and maintenance.  Routinely perform medical responsibilities of patient care (adult and pediatric) including patient vitals (e.g blood pressure, glucose values, heart rate, arterial blood gases, height, weight, etc). Efficient with collaborative duties in a stressful environment working with physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists.  Manage administrative duties for Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program at Boston Medical Center; Direct patient intake and discharge planning per hospital policy and clinical standards, patient records and charting, for acute and long-term patient care. Routinely perform physician supervised cardiopulmonary exercise stress test (with and without right-heart catheterization).  

 

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so from my resume....

 

It's direct patient care :)

 

 

HOSPITAL NAME HERE, Boston, MA. September 2013 – Present

• Lead Exercise Physiologist, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Coordinator, Pulmonary & Critical Care, 40 hours per week.

 

Have strong knowledge of cardiopulmonary physiology, practices and principles, understanding of pharmacology, EKG analysis and interpretation, and cardiac telemetry to apply to clinical practice on a daily basis. Instruct patients on exercise education and health outcomes. Developed, implemented, and supervised unique exercise programs based on modifications from ACSM standards for exercising clinical populations, specifically for an intervention to elicit improvements in overall chronic disease care and maintenance.  Routinely perform medical responsibilities of patient care (adult and pediatric) including patient vitals (e.g blood pressure, glucose values, heart rate, arterial blood gases, height, weight, etc). Efficient with collaborative duties in a stressful environment working with physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists.  Manage administrative duties for Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program at Boston Medical Center; Direct patient intake and discharge planning per hospital policy and clinical standards, patient records and charting, for acute and long-term patient care. Routinely perform physician supervised cardiopulmonary exercise stress test (with and without right-heart catheterization).  

 

My apologies then. I associate “coordinator” with research positions  which usually doesn’t count for PCE.
 
But again, I think the main thing holding you back is your academics. 
 
Your PCE could offset your GPA if maybe you reach 7k…10k..  PCE hours? I’m not sure what the magic number would be. If you’ve already had some interest from some schools, you must be on the right track.
 

 

But I would assume the admission board would be hesitant to accept you since you didn’t do amazing in your Masters after a sub stellar undergrad. 
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My apologies then. I associate “coordinator” with research positions  which usually doesn’t count for PCE.
 
But again, I think the main thing holding you back is your academics. 
 
Your PCE could offset your GPA if maybe you reach 7k…10k..  PCE hours? I’m not sure what the magic number would be. If you’ve already had some interest from some schools, you must be on the right track.
 

 

But I would assume the admission board would be hesitant to accept you since you didn’t do amazing in your Masters after a sub stellar undergrad. 

 

 

Financially I can't support going back to a Masters program just to go to PA school :(

 

I'm really hoping for someone to take a chance on me... my past is my past and I've learned so much from it.  I've been so successful elsewhere with clinical work, research, and volunteer.  I'm working 55 hours a week, taking 2 classes and trying to get A's.. but end up with B's... 

 

One school's program director did provide me feedback last year, which was really nice!

 

My GRE was 151 and 151... 

I'm retaking it at the beginning of April... so I HAVE some hope based on the following if I apply early...

 

"you have very strong letters of recommendations, and your work experienced clearly demonstrates your interest and ability to become a medical professional, at this time I am unable to offer you an interview for our program.

 

May I recommend two things:

·         Continue to take science courses to strengthen your GPA. If you can consistently take science courses and receive no lower than a B, then it may be considered that you have found the key to success in our program.  We have a very strong science curriculum, with molecular biology, genetics, pharmacology review between the first and second semesters, this requires a student to be very strong in the sciences.  Although we require a GPA minimum of 3.0, on occasion exceptions may occur, based on exceptional continuous academic improvement;

·         Study for and re-take the GRE.  At this time, we require that applicants have a minimum score of 50% in each of the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE.  Although one exception may be considered, we are unable to make two exceptions for both the GRE and GPA components. "

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Financially I can't support going back to a Masters program just to go to PA school :(

 

I'm really hoping for someone to take a chance on me... my past is my past and I've learned so much from it.  I've been so successful elsewhere with clinical work, research, and volunteer.  I'm working 55 hours a week, taking 2 classes and trying to get A's.. but end up with B's... 

 

One school's program director did provide me feedback last year, which was really nice!

 

My GRE was 151 and 151... 

I'm retaking it at the beginning of April... so I HAVE some hope based on the following if I apply early...

 

"you have very strong letters of recommendations, and your work experienced clearly demonstrates your interest and ability to become a medical professional, at this time I am unable to offer you an interview for our program.

 

May I recommend two things:

·         Continue to take science courses to strengthen your GPA. If you can consistently take science courses and receive no lower than a B, then it may be considered that you have found the key to success in our program.  We have a very strong science curriculum, with molecular biology, genetics, pharmacology review between the first and second semesters, this requires a student to be very strong in the sciences.  Although we require a GPA minimum of 3.0, on occasion exceptions may occur, based on exceptional continuous academic improvement;

·         Study for and re-take the GRE.  At this time, we require that applicants have a minimum score of 50% in each of the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE.  Although one exception may be considered, we are unable to make two exceptions for both the GRE and GPA components. "

 

The admissions board from that program gave you great feedback.
 
So now.. work your butt off to get a great GRE score. It’s one of the easiest ways to make your application stand out since you only have to study for 1-3 months. Aim for 320.
 

 

And like I said.. take more classes. Aim for A’s but that program said B’s are okay.  Take upper level sciences - immunology, virology, pharmacology are great choices. 
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The admissions board from that program gave you great feedback.
 
So now.. work your butt off to get a great GRE score. It’s one of the easiest ways to make your application stand out since you only have to study for 1-3 months. Aim for 320.
 

 

And like I said.. take more classes. Aim for A’s but that program said B’s are okay.  Take upper level sciences - immunology, virology, pharmacology are great choices. 

 

Thank you

 

this program is my number 1

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