carpy2012

I am working on my application in CASPA... and I have a few questions regarding HCE. I know that direct patient care experience would be my job working as a derm medical assistant.. But I have a few things that I am not sure qualify as general health care experience: 1.) Dietary Clerk in a nursing home - I had to create meal plans with the dietitian and residents based off of their meal restrictions, etc. 2.) Residential counselor (senior year of college Practicum for credit) The position was a residential counselor for a group home with people who have dual illness. I had to assist in managing illness/sobriety of the individuals and help them develop independent skills to transition to a more independent setting. Thank you for your responses and help!! Clarification would be great!

I am having trouble with starting my personal statement. People keep telling me to start it off with an experience or anecdote to draw the readers in..There is not just ONE experience that sparked my dream of working in the medical field. I feel as though the various experiences I have had collectively have drawn me into the medical field. Here are a few topics I was thinking of starting my personal statement with..Please give me any feedback! (I am interested in specializing in dermatology, but by no means am I committed to this specialty!!) 1.) I currently work as a medical assistant in dermatology..maybe I could talk about some of the experiences I have had doing this such as surgery, dealing with patients, etc... 2.) My personal history of malignant melanoma, and how that led me to volunteer for the melanoma foundation, become a public speaker and tell my story to educate/raise awareness to young adults/teens...now I work as a derm medical assistant 3.) (Completely unrelated to derm) Worked in a nursing home and happened to be at the right place at the right time when a resident was having a stroke...(this was an experience to remember, but not my topic of choice) I would then discuss shadowing PAs and MDs and why I want to be a PA....bla bla bla Please let me know what you think! I am lost right now! I appreciate your help!

I was wondering if anybody had any advice on how to ask a PA to shadow them? Do you keep it simple or go into depth on why you want to shadow them...etc?? I have found a few on PAshadow online website but I was just wondering if anybody had any advice! Also, how long should you typically shadow someone for? Just to avoid "over staying your welcome". Thanks!

Hello, I am trying to find a Physician Assistant to shadow in Massachusetts (preferably central MA, worcester area)... I am having some difficulties finding anyone to shadow. Has anybody else ran into these problems?? How did you find a PA to shadow (without "knowing" anybody)? I've looked on PAshadow.com and there aren't any that are available anywhere near me. Thanks a ton!

Thank you so much for your response! I agree...there isn't any hurry... I will wait to apply until the following year once I boost my GPA and finish the prerequisites. Thank you again, I appreciate your insight!

I am currently a senior in college and will be completing my degree in health sciences in May (2016)... My cumulative GPA is currently a 3.2. One program that I plan to apply to (MCPHS) allows you to apply to the PA program without completing all the prerequisites, as long as they are complete prior to matriculation. I still need three major prerequisites for the school: A&P II, Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry.... (It is a January start, 24 month program.) I plan on taking A&P II in the spring, and will take Organic Chem/Biochem in the summer of 2016. Applicants are accepted on a rolling admissions basis until the deadline: March 1, 2016. The general admissions advisor of the school told me that it would be "wise to apply for the following year, once prereqs are complete" and that if I were to apply now, I would be "at a high disadvantage" since they are on a rolling admissions basis and the "class fills so quickly".... So.... I would like some advice from anyone who has encountered a similar situation. Part of me is saying to apply anyways, even at a disadvantage (why not give it a shot, right?) The other half is telling me to wait until the following year to apply, since I basically won't stand a chance anyways.. I understand my GPA is on the low side (I only cared about the sport I was playing my first two years and didn't take school seriously until last year)... I will happily take any constructive criticism...and any other advice you are willing to give me in general. Thanks for reading & I look forward to hearing from you, Amanda

Thank you for all of the replies! That experience just sparked the idea in my head of possibly going down the PA route. You wish you had gotten your MPH instead of PA? I am just curious...but why? thanks again for your help everyone!

Hi! I will be going into my senior year of college in the fall as a Public Health major. It need some advice on becoming a PA.... The reason why I want to pursue a career as a PA is because of my experience with one. When I was 18 years old I was diagnosed with melanoma. My usual dermatologist was out one day and I saw the dermatology PA instead...she was even better than my usual doctor...so engaging and personable. Ever since she has sparked the idea in my head of becoming a PA... I am just really curious on current or past PA students experiences getting accepted into school. I currently have a 3.2 GPA (and hope it keeps going up). I have little to no direct patient care experience. I work in a nursing home in the dietary services...and have been a volunteer with the Melanoma Foundation of New England for 3 years. (Running events and speaking to colleges|high schools on melanoma) I need to take only 3 more prerequisites after I graduate with my bachelors degree... Basically...I need all the advice I can get! I have no guidance in this from professors at my school and want to know your experiences! When should I apply to school?? What should I do to get direct patient care experience? Is becoming a PCA at my nursing home too safe or do I need to become an EMT or phlebotomist?? I look forward to hearing from you!

Hi! I will be going into my senior year of college in the fall as a Public Health major. It need some advice on becoming a PA.... The reason why I want to pursue a career as a PA is because of my experience with one. When I was 18 years old I was diagnosed with melanoma. My usual dermatologist was out one day and I saw the dermatology PA instead...she was even better than my usual doctor...so engaging and personable. Ever since she has sparked the idea in my head of becoming a PA... I am just really curious on current or past PA students experiences getting accepted into school. I currently have a 3.2 GPA (and hope it keeps going up). I have little to no direct patient care experience. I work in a nursing home in the dietary services...and have been a volunteer with the Melanoma Foundation of New England for 3 years. (Running events and speaking to colleges|high schools on melanoma) I need to take only 3 more prerequisites after I graduate with my bachelors degree... Basically...I need all the advice I can get! I have no guidance in this from professors at my school and want to know your experiences! When should I apply to school?? What should I do to get direct patient care experience? Is becoming a PCA at my nursing home too safe or do I need to become an EMT or phlebotomist?? I look forward to hearing from you!