JohnnyLAX9 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 I'm about to graduate from Boise State University with my BS in Health Sciences. I'm thinking about applying to PA school but needed advice on finding the right schools to apply for. I don't have the best cumulative GPA sitting at right around 3.3 and will probably finish right around the 3.4 range. Although some of my lower grades are from classes that I took in high school. Most of my pre requisites I got As with a few Bs and then one C in biochemistry. I haven't taken the GRE yet and will take it sometime next year since I won't be applying for at least another year. I also haven't taken general biology because I know that some programs don't require it. For Health Care Experience I have roughly 2,600 hours as a radiology tech assistant in both an outpatient and inpatient setting, 416 volunteer hours as a Community Health Worker at a free and charitable clinic, and then I recently took a job as the Community Health Coordinator at the same clinic where I will work for the next two years full time. I also have a lot of leadership experience in school, at church, and the community. My question is what are some schools that would value my experience in Community Health, having a mid to low GPA wouldn't be a huge deterrent, and I wouldn't have to go back and take general bio for? My dream schools are Duke and Baylor but I know that both of those programs are very competitive and I'm not exactly the most competitive applicant. I'm just looking for a few programs that I might have a shot at. Any and all advice is welcome! Thanks all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCHW9076 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 No one is going to be able to tell you what schools are best for you. You're going to have to put the work in yourself to find the right schools for you, just like the rest of us did for ourselves. Google is your friend. Good luck to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastudentw Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 I literally looked up every accredited program on the PAEA program directory and went through the individual program websites. You can use a few of their filters to help you narrow things down. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panglossian Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 First try checking these out... http://paprogramsearch.com/ and http://directory.paeaonline.org There are so many factors when it comes to choosing what schools to apply to and you know yourself best! Figure out what is important to you in a program and then find schools that meet those criteria. Try looking at cost, location of school, PANCE pass rate, admission requirements, graduate employment location, accreditation, type of degree, class size, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastudentw Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 Wish I knew of that website when I applied! Great resource! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marktheshark89 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 Here is another option: The Applicant's Manual of Physician Assistant Programs https://www.amazon.com/dp/1541298985/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_bPB4ybQKYDWWX We have helped >1000 prePA students narrow their list. (Full disclosure: I am one of the authors). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyLAX9 Posted April 3, 2017 Author Share Posted April 3, 2017 Thank you all! Those are all super helpful resources that I hadn't come across. Mark I think I probably will end up getting your book thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdabrowski Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 Do yourself a solid favor and retake biochem and get that grade up. Most schools want the pre-reqs to be A's, and this will be a good way to show them you are serious. Duke looks at the applicant as a whole since they have more of a holistic approach. Focus on the GRE, and getting those pre-reqs up and you should do well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA-C-to-be Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 "Holistic review" of applicants is what you are seeking in a program. This is often mentioned on the program websites and sometimes is mentioned where matriculating student stats are to help explain an average GPA of 3.4 or whatever it may be for that class being a little lower than what you'd expect. I can't recommend programs that don't need general bio, pretty sure all of mine did require it but several were "holistic review" type of programs. A's in Biochem are mentioned specifically as something that some programs are looking for that will help applicants stand out, so I agree with the above comment. I'm in a similar GPA range as you with much less HCE and interviewed at a top 10 school and others further down the list of rankings. It was all over the board but I scored interviews at the schools I really loved all at the top of my list. Holistic review can really be your friend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA-C-to-be Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Another thing I just remembered that may help you search: I noticed a good number of "holistic" programs I applied to had a D.O. Program as well rather than MD for the med school they had, so it may be helpful to search for schools with a D.O. Program since the osteopathic/holistic philosophy is often shared throughout the institution but bear in mind you may be taught on more of an osteopathic model if you attend one of these programs since some of them share courses/professors with the med school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyLAX9 Posted April 11, 2017 Author Share Posted April 11, 2017 Thank you PA-C-to-be and Jdabrowksi! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eian01 Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 The best answer is to ask yourself, evaluate the personal pros and cons of each program and their future potential Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeA Posted April 13, 2017 Share Posted April 13, 2017 The PAEA directory is great - very easy to set criteria to search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pabound2016 Posted April 13, 2017 Share Posted April 13, 2017 I just want to emphasize how much Duke uses a holistic review for their applicants. I wasn't the most competitive applicant during my first and only cycle. I had the minimum 1000 HCE hours for many programs, including Duke's, had average GPAs (around 3.6) , mediocre GRE scores, and had just graduated from undergrad. You don't have to be stellar in all aspects of all of your application, but you do need to stand out. I want to say it was my leadership roles and community involvement that I did during undergrad and my personal statement that landed me an interview.It's a difficult journey applying to PA school. I say, even if you have the minimum in some aspects of a program's requirements, do not let that stop you from applying. You never know what will happen if you do not try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyLAX9 Posted April 14, 2017 Author Share Posted April 14, 2017 paBound2016 that actually gives me a lot of hope!! Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petunia Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Also- Duke doesn't require biochem :) I am going to Duke, and I never took it. I was enrolled to take it- but I got the Duke acceptance early enough to not take the class. A lot of schools don't require biochem... but if you are going to apply to schools that require it, then definitely recommend retaking it Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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