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Best of luck to everyone interviewing at Baylor this week. Regardless of the outcome you all should feel proud of all the hard work you have put in to get to this point. You DESERVE to be where you are. Of the thousands of applicants to the 3rd ranked program in the nation, you have been CHOSEN to interview. You stood out on paper....now go wow them in person. - PA-S2 BCM

The graph they use is a bit misleading too. Numerous posters have pointed it out on Reddit, but they use the bare minimum clinical hours required to practice as an NP (500) and a PA (2000). However, they fail to do the same for medical students. Never once do they mention that there are at least 17 medical schools offering accelerated 3-year pathways now, and that medical students in those programs don't get 6000 hours of supervised clinical practice. One program apparently only does 50 weeks of clinical rotations, and some of those programs only last 130-134 weeks in total. Numerous medical students posted on those threads and also took issue with the 6,000 clinical hours posted as well, saying they didn't get those numbers in their 4-year program since their 4th year contained lots of time for interviews, research months, etc. And then, of course, there's this paper that someone posted which directly disputes the data in the chart. So in short, this website seems to be taking a page out of the NP playbook and obfuscating the data to push their message. Not really surprised though.

Does anyone know when the latest MBKU could inform someone from the waitlist that they are invited to an interview? And are the last set of interview days Jan 11 and Jan 31st?

"Sinusitis" and "bronchitis" IMHO are two of the most trash DX in the UC/WIC domain! It is the incessant demand for ABX that has created the mindless reflexive writing for ABX ! I wasn't present nor fully aware of both sides of the OP post, but I've seen the pressures applied to PAs by all parties to "Treat and street" pt and pts demanding they receive "something" during their visit. BTW we are all human and make mistakes or have lapses in the care we provide in good faith.

I got in too!

I did as well!!

I turned down my offer for Northwestern and decided to attend another program so some people will still hear back for a spot! I'm sure there will also be a few others who turn down their seat too.

Hi all! After much consideration I have chose to pursue another program and have given up my spot at ATSU! You are all so deserving and I know whoever gets this spot will be an amazing PA!

My plan is to master watercolor and I'm in process. I just sold a painting today. I start teaching classes at the city parks and recreation department in June. I'm taking classes from master watercolor artists - local and nationally known. I have 1.5 years to retirement, maybe earlier. Someday I will be famous and you can all say "I knew Paula on the forum, wish I would've bought an original when she was just a novice!" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Won't ever happen. Think about it. The best PAs would go on to become docs and the WORST docs(who could not pass their own boards) would become PAs, much like the assistant physician model some states are developing for docs who can't match.

To the OP: PA schools that look at prior healthcare experience will want to know how much actual patient contact time you had and what you did during that time. You probably have many hours of volunteer time, but it's unlikely that many of them were actual patient contact. In the same way, what mattered when I applied was the thousands of runs, not the decades in the fire/EMS service. It's also important to realize that that experience, whether volunteer or paid, gives you very limited insight into the actual practice of medicine, whether in hospital or in an outpatient setting. Concerning pre-reqs: most schools post their requirements on their web sites. Please go by those lists. If those lists contain recommended courses as well as the required courses, take those as well. It's a crowded pool of applicants so you need to do everything you can to try to show you are at the front of the pack. As you plan to take those pre-reqs, make sure you take the "majors" version of the courses, not the "general". Take the same sections the pre-meds take. Also, consider which pre-reqs are pre-reqs for other pre-reqs, e.g. general chemstry for organic chemistry, bio chemistry, cell biology, etc; biology for A&P. You should plan a minimum of 2 years, more likely 3 of full-time schooling to get these done. Physics is actually very helpful and not just for physical therapy: consider understanding mechanism of injury in trauma, fluid dynamics, electricity (cardiology), gas flows. Concerning what areas of medicine you hope to work if you become a PA: you have some but only some insight because of your personal health. That's not the same as working in that area. Finding a 1st job as a PA is getting much harder, especially in specialty fields. Pre-PA contacts may be helpful, but only if there are available jobs in the areas and geographies you want when you get out that they know about. If they recommend you, those recommendations won't be as valuable as those from people who actually observed your work during clinical rotations. Demeanor is very important, because the application process includes essays and interviews. For example, I recall a very intelligent applicant I counseled. He was/is an engineer, extremely intelligent, hard working, great grades. He viewed the application process as a list of check boxes and was disheartened because he had been rejected several times. The feedback I got from the folks who interviewed was that he had come across as almost arrogant - as though he should definitely be admitted because of his qualifications. He just didn't understand about the personal attributes of teachability, good team member, etc. that the admissions committee was looking for because they make for both an easier student to teach and a more successful PA. Knowing you only from your messages in this forum, you're coming across in much the same way. You are arguing with the answers you've been given. While these answers certainly aren't the entire truth, they are coming from folks who have as much or more pre-PA experience as you, who have successfully gone through the application process, have completed PA school, passed boards, and are working as PA's. This doesn't devalue where you are now, but it certainly should give you perspective about where you fit in the continuum of PA hopeful to experienced PA. My very strong recommendation to you is that you've gotten what you can from this forum. Your next steps should be to get into contact with several PA school that you hope to apply to. See if you can meet with someone to get insight on how to prepare and how you look as an applicant. Shadow several PA's working in different areas of medicine - see if you like their work life. Listen, ask questions to learn, accept those answers as that person's best advice. Compare, process, and evaluate those answers later.

Has anyone heard anything more? The struggle of waiting is real!

Just got an acceptance call today for yesterday's interview as well!! Good luck to those who have an upcoming interviews! And to those who haven't hear back, don't lose hope!!

While the rest of us are waiting for an update... those of you have been accepted, are you set on Northwestern or are you still weighing other acceptances? (yes Ive peeked and see some very impressive acceptances! ). Anyone know if NU has used its waitlist in the past?

Is there any type of FB group created yet for accepted applicants?

This makes sense. A first-time offender gets a felony DUI? Are there multiple offenses? Was there bodily injury of another person? I wonder if we have all the facts.

The real money is maintaining DEA #'s. As long as you don't need to do PANRE, the cost of maintaining NCCPA certification and state licenses isn't too bad. Each is about $200 every 2 years. I plan to work FT until my wife is 65 - until we're both on Medicare. That way I can keep us covered with health insurance. How much I work after that depends largely on the stock market. Right now I really like my job. I could see working until my early 70's on a part-time basis mostly for the mental stimulation. That would still give us time to travel.

The new edition has mostly the same info as the 2nd edition, with a couple of new diseases listed in the book along with expanding more on some of the previous diseases. Overall the book is ~200 pages longer than the previous one, hence why it is split up into 2 separate books. I only looked through the cardiology chapter so far so I can't speak for the majority of the books content, but I saw that they go over how to manage a posterior/inferior MI with RVI as opposed to the 2nd edition which just had a "one treatment fits all" approach for an MI. HTN guidelines were updated instead of the now incorrect "Stage I HTN is classified by SBP of 140-159 or DBP of 90-99." As I've been previously using the 2nd edition to study for my EOR exams and comparing it to ROSH questions, it became pretty clear to me that the 2nd edition is outdated and was due for an overhaul. For the price, I think its worth buying the newer version.

My recruiter told me that we should know something within 2 weeks

I was accepted today!! Is anyone looking for a roommate? I'm a female in my 30's and would be open to chatting with someone to see if we would be a good fit. Just send me a private message if you are interested.

I think most people have been in a job that just "didn't fit" Call it that and that you choose to move on Live and learn...

Hey all! I’m currently a first year PA student at Barry. We’re about to start the 2nd semester of didactic in a few weeks. I’ve had a few people reach out to me on here with a few questions. But I just wanted to give a few words of encouragement. Last cycle I didn’t submit my application until late September just because it was my first time applying and CASPA took me way longer than I anticipated. I was nervous that I wouldn’t even get any interviews but I ended up interviewing at 3 schools. In October I got an email saying that Barry received my application and then in March I got an email saying they were reviewing my application. It wasn’t until early April that I got an interview and accepted an interview for the 2nd week of April. 2 weeks later I received my acceptance in the first week of May. Now I’m already finished my first semester of didactic. So with all that said my point is that it’s not too late. So don’t lose hope!

I didn’t ask the question with regard to this specific facility. I was asking for general practice individuals who don’t have access to system lab results. I provided my answer in a previous post. Even if the patient says “I have kidney issues” they are not providing you with enough information to use the example medication first posted about at a traditional dose without pause. I was asking what you would do in a situation where you don’t have lab values accessible and the PCP is not returning your call. I later gave my answer, but it still doesn’t address the primary question of what to do with patients requiring possible medication dosing alterations in extenuating circumstances. I’d still like to hear answers from others in response to this question.

Has anyone inquired about their position on the waitlist? If so, was the response just that they don't give any information on that?

I emailed them asking because I have a summer trip

I have worked in the doc in the box and in the fast track in a super busy ER seeing those types of patients. If I knew someone had CKD and I had to Rx something that required renal adjustments, I'd be damn certain to ascertain their GFR before I issued the prescription....turn around time be damned. Yeah you have a waiting room full of people pissed by the wait. But you have to practice safe medicine. If your administrators can't let you practice safely, you need to find a place that will. In the long run neither you, nor your SP, nor your malpractice insurer want to get sued because you feel pressure to turn over patients trumps patient safety. Your patient certainly doesn't want to be harmed because you felt pressured to produce numbers over safety. The other option is to send to patient to the ER because proper, safe treatment relies on knowing the renal function of a kidney patient.

Got an invitation to interview on 12/23 for interviews in January. Turned it down and withdrew my application because I've already been accepted to a different program. Good luck to whoever gets that interview spot and all other candidates!

Lack of taking O. Chem and Physics never kept me from unnecessarily prescribing an antibiotic.

$300 is your copay probably...the insurance company coughs up $1500 I bet. This is one of the problems with the medical system in the US. Spend an hr with a hypertensive diabetic, get their meds straightened out, save them from a CVA or MI. Bill=$45. Freeze a skin tag in 10 seconds= $1800

Former paramedic here- Something to consider: Part time PA programs. There are 3 of these left still. I attended the program at Drexel/Hahnemann. Typically they split the first year into 2 years, allowing you to work almost full time for 2 years, followed by a full time clinical year(normally the 2nd year, but the 3rd yr on part time tracks). I worked 24-30 hrs/week for 2 years and did event standbys only year 3. This option made everything both easier ( 3 classes at a time instead of 6), and more affordable. PA schools have folks from 22-60 in their ranks. You are never too old unless you decide you are. 90k is good money, but you could double that as a PA with a much nicer schedule. My full time job for example is 6 24s. I work more than this elsewhere, mostly because I wouldn't know what to do with my time if I didn't. https://www.thepalife.com/physician-assistant-programs-offering-part-time-options/

Let me know too!

You could always do something like take an EMT course at your local cc. They are usually between 8-12 credits and it is calculated by CASPA into your science GPA. This would not only boost your science GPA but it would give you a certification and EMT is probably less rigourous comapred to patho and biochem.

I am sorry but my only thought on anything telemedicine for anything other than psych is - NO. Hate it. Sad state of affairs in ruining the art of medicine and personal interaction and humanity.

Another example of our profession's self inflicted wounds due to the absence of serious public advocacy by the AAPA and state academies over many many years! I've never seen an aggressive public information or visibility campaign conducted by these entities ,"We" seem to always playing second fiddle in this band!!!!

It seems odd they haven't sent out emails yet letting us know who's wait listed or not. Best of luck to all. I interviewed with Dr. Yozzo as well and didn't hear anything back yet.

Keep in mind that after you have applied to 12 schools your chances of acceptance do not statistically increase when above that number. Students who apply to 17 schools stand the same chance of acceptance as someone who has applied to 12. PAEA has done research on this and found that 8-12 schools is the most appropriate number to apply to, regardless of your stats. Applying and everything that goes along with it is expensive. So consider than that when thinking about applying. What is most important is to find schools that you are a good fit for application wise. This will increase your chances more than spreading your application all over. Good luck to you all!

The way I see it - not a ton has changed since last application cycle. Aside from some updates, most everything I plan on keeping. Do you all not plan on recycling letters of rec and personal statements? I feel like mine were too strong to abandon.

I am a believer. Why? Because my IM MD never mentioned CKD and as I looked at my lab work and past labs, I discovered that my eGFR was declining every year and my creatine and BUN had been elevated for the pst three years. I then went o my VA Medical Center where I have always had excellent help and was sent to their Renal Clinic and I have Grade lllA CKD. I am on top of this now but the article is a great warning and superb guidance for FP and IM.

Just received my acceptance email this morning; SO excited! Submitted to CASPA June 7 (confirmation email June 10). Interviewed September 21 (Invitation email sent August 29). Wait-listed December 16. Accepted January 8!

OMG, just spit out coffee reading this! That's terrible! And hilarious!

Dang! Why haven’t they accepted anyone yet? I didnt get a waitlist notification, I haven’t received anything.

I would bet that the UC had a written intake history document that the patient was expected to fill out available to the provider. It's an easy way to get a 99204 instead of a 99203, by taking a written PMFSHx and ROS, and documenting that you reviewed it. It would be interesting to see if 1) such a document was taken, and 2) if so, if it gave the clues that the provider overlooked. Nice thing about written documentation... it's written.

I am from Louisville so if you guys have any questions feel free to ask:)

Congrats to those accepted!! I’m a current student so if you have any questions, feel free to ask! As for the Facebook page, how it worked for our cohort is they created one and sent out an invite to the page shortly after acceptance. So hopefully that helps answer your question a little. For those waiting to hear, just remember no news is good news! Best of luck to everyone!

Was just accepted off the waitlist from one of my top choice programs and boy does it feel good!! I'm not sure how much ranking plays but this was certainly a reach school for me. Stats for this cycle: 27 y/o M cGPA: 3.11 sGPA: 3.22 GRE: 309. 4.5 writing. PCE: 4010 hours as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist Shadowing: 18 hours with an OBGYN PA // 30 hours with a senior cardiology PA // 75 hours with a GI PA Volunteer: 100 hours at a senior center // 50 hours as an Anatomy & Physiology tutor. Thousands of hours in extracurriculars as a choreographer and public relations officer LOR: MD director of our Nuclear stress lab, Senior Cardiology PA, Anatomy and Physiology professor Degree: BS in Nuclear Medicine Technology Interviews: 2 (still waiting to hear back from other programs) Waitlisted: 1 Acceptances: 1 Graduated undergrad in 2015 with a 2.9 cGPA and a 3.0 sGPA. Retook \~55 credits and recieved a 3.8 post-bac sGPA with classes in biochemistry, microbiology, A/P, organic chemistry, gen bio, gen chem, psychology, genetics, and calculus to name a few It IS possible to get into PA school with a low gpa! I had zero interviews on my first cycle. I Improved my second-time application by making my PS a KILLER, improving PCE hours, and making myself look like a well-rounded applicant to make up for my low GPA. I was asked about my GPA right off the bat during both my interviews and how I planned on succeeding in a rigorous didactic program so be prepared to answer these types of questions! I also felt that what gave me an advantage over others was the fact that I am in a niche field and that as someone whos trained in nuclear medicine I am able to provide insight on these types of studies and help my peers understand/read nuclear studies! Don't be afraid to flex on certain characteristics on your profile that makes you unique! Good luck everyone!

Got an acceptance letter today, will be declining and choosing my top school. I hope this opens up a spot for one of you!

Great Job Mike!!! I'll be making a Facebook group soon for all the new ppl to join and receive updates from upper class, housing opportunities, books for sale, etc....

Whenever someone calls themselves a nocturnist I get the vision of a possum hanging upside down in a tree asleep. Don't know why......

Congrats!! I’m praying that I get selected from the waitlist!

I haven't interviewed at upstate but have had some interviews with this format. Just be very sure of the basic pa interview questions. Trust me, it's not good to wing these. I did in my first interview and ended up straying way off course, haha, it was a good learning experience. Make bullet points of key highlights that you want to get across and practice these over and over. Have a firm grasp of your morals and how you would act if put into certain ethical dilemmas. There may be multiple right answers but you don't want to throw up any red flags, so try not to go off on a rant if you feel strongly about a subject. Most of all, you want to become a pa, start acting like one, and think about how you would handle certain situations as if you are a pa. The MMI format is meant to throw you off your game. Just stay calm, think before you speak, and you'll do great. Remember, this is not a competition between you and the other interviewers, be genuine and show them the amazing person that you are. Good luck!