paadmissions

Hi everyone, I've written my first book about getting into and through PA school. It's written in layman's terms, with a side of humor and sarcasm. A very quick read, but hopefully useful. Click here. Happy reading.

@jdabrowski I certainly don't want to speak on behalf of the programs you've listed, but would encourage you to seek feedback from the other programs that you've been waitlisted with. I'm not sure how feedback works with any of the programs, but typically, I do not provide feedback for the waitlist applicants because they are still being considered for an acceptance should a seat become available. There could be more factors outside of just academics (i.e. interview performance). Hope this helps.

@scubaBubble I would recommend researching the clinical experience hour requirements for scribe hours. It's my understanding that not a lot of programs accept scribe for their requirement. Overall statistics that you've listed seem to fit within the competitive range we see for our incoming cohorts. I would tell you to go a step further and calculate your prerequisite GPA for each program to ensure your prerequisite GPA is in line with your science GPA. I would guess that if it's 3.4+ you're probably within a competitive range, but again, be sure to check your clinical experience to ensure it's accepted. Hope this helps.

@klaceypost Some programs place heavy emphasis on where you take your courses and some do not. Our program, for example, prefers to see prerequisites, especially biology and chemistry requirements, taken at the university level. I would research the programs that interest you to see if there is a preference on where you take them. This info may be on their websites. Hope this helps!

@pearls33 I don't think it will be a hindrance if you've gotten your family matters and health issues resolved. It's important that if those issues are resolved that you make that clear in your personal statement and if asked about it in your interview. Two things I know our program evaluates heavily through the interview process are your support system and emotional ability to handle PA school. I would imagine both of these topics would've have been difficult to say were solid a few years ago. I hope this helps!

@aspiring I would go even further to look at OC II and Biochemistry grades if you've taken those courses. Our program requires both of them, and if you've gotten As and/or Bs in them, I would say you'd probably be ok for our program, but if these are the only prerequisites of the programs you're applying to, it may be worth retaking at least OC I and Genetics to show improvement. Looks like HCE hours and GREs are solid. Hope this helps!

@gallant If your prerequisite GPA for the programs that you're applying to is strong I don't think it's necessary to go back and retake undergraduate courses to improve your overall performance. That said, I would recommend getting back in the classroom if you've not taken classes since you have worked as a pharmacist. There may be some time limit issues with some of the courses that are required of the programs that interest you. I do think it is worth calling out the elephant in the room in your personal statement as to why your pharm GPA was low, but would briefly mention it and not make your personal statement all about it. I think it would perceived as an excuse. I would also be prepared to answer the question succinctly, but with confidence in acknowledging why the GPA was low, if you're invited in for an interview. Hope this helps!

@usf17 Thank you for your questions and I realize what an anxious time this is for many applicants. When were the Fs received? If they were received more towards the beginning of your college career, I would hope your most recent performance would show an upward trend and show more of your true potential. I see early academic hiccups a lot from non-traditional students. A lot of times a return to college usually comes with a new motivation and mind set, thus showing a strong upward trend in performance. Hopefully you may have addressed that semester in your personal statement? I think you're probably right in the middle of the pack based on the academic stats you've given, and that's without knowing what the prerequisites are for the programs you're applying to. The strong part of your application, in my opinion, is your clinical experience. As far as interviews go, our program conducts interviews over a few months (August-Feb or March). Some programs don't start interviews until the spring (depending on their start dates), so the waiting game unfortunately is part of the process. I do think it's a positive thing you've received the opportunity to fill out a supplemental application(s). I'm hopeful your patience will pay off. However, if this year isn't an option be sure to ask for feedback. Hope this helps and best wishes!

@jreiner Thank you for your questions. I would lean more towards option 2 and then update the program if you're able to once the application is submitted. We pay attention to dates on your application so don't put any hours down if you haven't completed any. I've seen some students put an estimated number of hours down when they haven't even started the position. I get the purpose of it, but it's inaccurate. If you go with option 1, maybe you can provide more via a supplemental application if applicable. Hope this helps.

@hopefulNCPA Thank you for your question. I would recommend evaluating your performance in the prerequisite courses before moving forward with applying. I'm assuming the prerequisite GPA may be close to what your overall may be. If that is the case, I usually recommend the following options Post Bacc program-these type of programs usually allow you to take prerequisite courses over, but offer a heavy course load and you do them within a calendar year. I like post bacc programs because it provides good insight as to how applicants handle a rigorous course load in a short amount of time (similar to PA school). I'm assuming, based on your handle, that you're in NC? If that's the case, check out Meredith College's and UNCG's post bacc programs. Masters program in a science field (i.e. anatomy, physiology, biology)- these types of programs, especially anatomy or physiology, are rigorous curriculums and can show your potential in grad school.If you're from NC check out NC State's Master of Physiology program. It's a good one and students who have come from there to our program have been successful. They also allow you to take prerequisites during that time, if I'm not mistaken. Retaking prereq courses- You may be able to just get away with retaking prerequisite courses, and not enrolling in an official program. If that is the case, I would encourage you to challenge yourself as if you were in a post bacc program. You do this by taking as many courses as you can at one time and taking them at the university level. In regards to your hours, keep working on them so you're exceeding what most programs are saying is their minimum. Although we require 500 hours, most of our incoming students have over 1,000 hours of patient care. I hope these suggestions are helpful and let me know if you have any further questions.

@gb_Atc I'm sorry for the extended delay. Our busy time of year has begun. Our program requires 2 semesters of Org Chemistry, but a lot of programs do not require both Org 1 &2. At minimum I would go with Org 1 and Biochemistry-both are good prep courses for PA school.. It never hurts to take both organics, it shows potential, so to me option 2 with Biochemistry is the way I would go. Again, sorry for the delay.

@sarahbellum Thank you for your question. I would recommended delaying this cycle to accumulate more patient contact hours especially if you're considering applying to programs that require healthcare experience hours. Even if some of them don't require hours, I think it will be to your benefit to accumulate as much hands-on experience as possible as it will better prepare you for PA school. Hope this helps!

@prepa091 Thanks for your question. I doubt that should hinder your chances of being considered for a program. I would encourage you to provide an explanation on your application so that it's not a surprise when a background check is run. Honesty is the best approach and if all other factors are competitive, the hard work will pay off. Hope this helps!

@maryfred Thank you for your question. I'm unsure of if your hours you've explained would count..maybe the medical clinic hours would count, but some programs like to see paid positions. I would encourage you to seek opportunities to find a position that allows for patient contact and one that you can be utilized in a full or part time way. From our program's standpoint, you would need to retake the GRE. I'm sure that with more preparation that score would increase. I hope this is helpful!

@britrae Sorry for the delay. I'm assuming you'd fairly competitive based on hours and GPAs. Our program would also consider GRE scores as well. typically 50% in each section will be a solid score for most programs. I would encourage you to continue the health care experience position and find some more time to shadow a PA or two. I hope this helps.