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32 years old and would like to start towards PA.


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Thank you! I have chosen the Phlebotomy route and I start in September! Thank you so much for helping me! Wish me luck in my journey!

 

I really really don't want to be the bearer of bad news but I know schools out here don't count phlebotomy as HCE.

 

Have you researched the schools you hope to apply to in terms of what they accept as HCE?

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I'm 45 and I just got admitted to Jefferson College of Health Sciences from the waitlist to start mid-August (yikes!). Technically I got in the first year but I had already put in 10 apps for the current CASPA cycle. Do what you have to do! Go for it, 32 is young!

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I'm 45 and I just got admitted to Jefferson College of Health Sciences from the waitlist to start mid-August (yikes!). Technically I got in the first year but I had already put in 10 apps for the current CASPA cycle. Do what you have to do! Go for it, 32 is young!

 

That's fantastic!!! Please keep me posted!'

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Wow!!! This is awesome of you to share this!!! It gives me hope to keep going!!! I am 30 almost 31. I decided about 5 years ago I wanted to become a PA. I was practicing as a radiation therapist and felt like something was missing. I completed my ba in the same field on a 1 yr fast track deal. Immediately I started on my remaining per reqs- mostly chemistry.

 

Anyway I was doing well until I became pregnant and thought I could handle it and organic chemistry physics and other tough classes. I wasn't able to and I ended up with a bunch of withdraws and 1 F. It was a bad idea too late now tho. My GPA took a major hit as well as my head and heart. All I want is to be a PA. I eat sleep live PA.

 

My plan is to return this year and try and get my GPA back up hopefully score well on the GRE and apply next year. I got wait listed at 1 school and I do hear/ read on here a lot of people get in off the wait list so I just keep praying. I have 2 children who need a parent with a decent income.

 

My advice to you would be- do well in your pre reqs. I'm talking A and B grades. GPA is heavily heavily weighted in PA program s. Do well on the GRE. Its a long road brace yourself for applying and being denied and keep your head up!!

 

Good luck and please share your progress!!!

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I had a 3.5 something overall ugrad and 3.8 science. I'm an EMT. 1500 hours rescue volunteer and 2000 as a paid hospital tech when I applied (now 4000). I interviewed at Duke the day before I interviewed there and was really impressed by the faculty. I got my first choice even if it wasn't the highest ranked.

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laurac,

 

Strong work! Best of luck in school. If I can give you any advice it is to not only do well, but not to act too old and instead use this chance to re-experience what it is like to be young and in college. You will make some great friends in the process.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi waitingblessing!

So sorry for the delay!

It is very cool to see other Radiology professionals here! I'm in Florida. I have a lot of chemistry left to take! I retook A&P 1 and lab, and I also took medical terminology this summer. All A's :) I retook A&P because in the programs I've looked at, they are already outdated. I have had some chemistry, but I'm nervous about it, so for now I'm taking Chem courses alone. I start Gen Chem 1 and the lab next in a couple of weeks. I need Gen Chem 2 and lab, taking that in the spring. Retaking A&P 2 and lab next summer and probably take the GRE then too. I'm also thinking I need a semester of Organic Chem too and I plan to take that next Fall if so. I also need an upper level Microbiology and lab. I will take that too. I want make the stellar grades and to be able to apply for PA school in 2015.It is a long road, but I'm very excited about it!

Where are you in the process?

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Hi Gwen!!! That is awesome!! Yes it does feel good to know someone from the radiology field is trying to practice as a PA!!!!

 

I have taken all the pre reqs except organic chemistry. I was prego last year and tried to take it while prego. I ended up withdrawing. Then I went back right after I had the baby ended up withdrawing again :( it was just way way too much :(!! My a& p are also about 7 years out so I am retaking them this year. I plan to apply thru caspa next year and hopefully start in 2015 as well!!! :)

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Your undergrad is in communications? I am looking into getting my pre-reqs done, I as well have a degree in communication. I thought I was crazy for wanting to change it up so much by going into PA. I am 34. I meet with the pre-PA adviser tomorrow to register for classes.

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@Waitingblessing,

I hope I can apply to caspa in 2014 as well. That's the plan. It is a very exciting career path. We will have to stay focused! I see chemistry as a weed out class... I've heard organic chemistry is a beast. Is it much harder than General Chemistry 1 & 2? I don't know why I'm so nervous out chemistry. Wish me luck. I've paid for classes and books for the fall. Good luck with organic chemistry and A&P. I took A&P 13 years ago and I'm pleased with how I came out of my summer classes. I definitely think it helps being in radiology. We should definitely have a firm grasp on anatomy and terminology. In Nuc Med we do functional studies. Maybe that helped some with physiology. But either way, it was no walk in the park taking 3 condensed classes over the summer! The programs that I have looked at in Florida do not require shadowing a PA, just hce hours. But, if I find it will strengthen my application, I will try to get some shadowing hours from some PAs that I know and/or physicians. I will cross that bridge when I get to it, another time investment!!!!

I'm married with 3 kids, stepson 17, daughter 7, son 4. I know it is hard to take classes, work, and have a family. I'm glad we have this forum for support!

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  • 1 month later...

I am 39 and will be almost 40 if I get accepted this cycle, so here's hoping :-) I have 10 years experience as an acupuncturist and pretty good grades so hopefully I have a good chance.

 

I think that late career changes/shifts are becoming more and more common. If you have strong motivation and keep steady on your goal it is totally doable.

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An advantage to being older when you apply: You add to the school's diversity.

 

An advantage to being older while you're in a PA program: You've gotten through hard times before and succeeded.

 

An advantage to be older when you start working as a PA: It can be easier building rapport with your patients.

 

Don't let your age hold you back.

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