Please Help: Prospective PA Student

[Eudaimonia]

Hello, I am a recent graduate from Emory University with a BS in Biology. My GPA is 2.86, and I have zero clinical experience. I have decided to pursue entering the PA program because I want perform clinical work rather than research work. I have looked into a few PA programs and their prerequisite. I plan to complete the missing course prerequisites and take the GRE during the period when I am acquiring clinical experience/patient care experience. I have a few questions regarding preparing and applying for a PA program. Any guidance, advice or suggestions will be sincerely appreciated.

 

1. What clinical experience do PA programs value most? I am considering taking EMT courses and getting EMT-basic or EMT-intermediate certified. Is this recommended?

 

2. With my fairly low GPA, what can I do to improve my chances of getting accepted into a PA program? I plan to study hard and perform well on the GRE. Should I shadow a PA for the first hand experience and the recommendation letter?

 

3. After completing my clinical hours and prerequisites (most likely a year from now), what should I do next?

 

4. What is the best/most optimal route to take in order to get accepted into a PA program?

 

5. What types of PA specialties would you recommend? I am considering urgent care or emergency medicine. 

 

6. Is there anything I am overlooking, or not considering? 

 

I am a first-generation student from a Chinese immigrant family, so my parents cannot help me. I am really looking to better myself by learning something new everyday and lessening the suffering around me before returning forever to the endless naught. Please help. Thank you.

[PACdan]

Your GPA is below the minimum a lot of places set at 3.0.

 

Clinical/health care hours aren't just a checklist. It's experience that builds your foundation in medicine. Don't just decide to do a type of HCE because it is "valued most" by programs. Do something you're passionate about.

 

Have you talked to/ shadowed a PA yet? How do you know you want to practice medicine as a PA? What interests you about medicine?

 

You don't need to worry about specialties at your stage.

 

The most optimal route is one in which you aren't doing something just because it looks good, but because you want to do it. A lot of people come here looking to check off boxes as fast as possible. You should first consider the reasons why, not how.

 

[DiggySRNA]

Hello! Answering in order:

1. PA programs really value HCE where you're providing care and actually touching the patient. Examples are, EMT, Paramedic, ER Tech, PCT, NA, CNA, Phleb (debatable according this forum), RN, LPN, MA, etc...at the end of the day, you must be responsible for carrying out patient centered care.
2. Based on your GPA, they have programs out there that have a minimum cGPA that's 2.75+...you'll have to find those. I would say to improve your candidacy, you need to retake classes (especially ones with Cs) and get B+s/As. Since your degree is in Bio, I am going to assume you took all the upper science classes. I am currently shadowing an MD and I find it hard to request a LOR because a) she hasn't seen me work and b) I don't want a generic LOR.
3. Work towards earning a minimum of 500 HCE while simulataneously researching the schools you're interested in. After that, complete all the necessary prerequisites and then apply. Also, make sure to work on your personal statement from now. I am 2 years away from applying and I have been working on mine since last year.
4. I am a pre-pa so I cannot  say what the optimal route is into PA school since I don't have that experience - I can only offer suggestions so from my POV: HCE > 3.0+ GPA (3.4-3.7 is the average) > LOR > Volunteering > PA interview (kill it) > PA school.
5. I am drawn to PC (pediatrics) so I am a little biased lol. If the program's emphasis is in PC then best refrain from saying you're interested in EM or UC in your personal statement.
6. Have you research the profession to make sure you're willing to sacrifice and be happy with your decision 10, 15 or 30+ years from now? Look into the Pros and Cons of the PA profession. Many PAs love their career but others hate dealing with the disrespect, poor lobbying, and always feeling the need to prove themselves to other professions/public even with 15+ years under their belt.

[cinntsp]

You should post this in the pre-PA section.