mwb25 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Hello, I plan on applying next cycle 16-17 for school. I currently have my associates in respiratory care and a BS in exercise science. I have been a RRT for nearly three years now full-time (roughly 6000 hours). I have worked in 2 major hospitals with over 800 beds and 90% of my experience is in critical care. I have my adult critical care specialist credential as well (BLS, ACLS, PALS too). I work in medical, neuro, surgical, and cardio-thoracic (most of my experience is here) ICUs. My cGPA is ~3.4 and my science GPA is ~3.3. I plan taking the GRE this summer and finishing up a few pre-reqs over the next year. I work along side PAs, NPs, and MDs everyday. With all this being said, how much is this going to play in to my application? I realize my GPA is on the low-average side (I had a low GPA freshman and sophomore year of college) and I am retaking some pre-reqs to prove that I can do better. I am just wondering if my experience will compensate a little bit for my lower GPA. ( I say this because schools I am looking at have around average 3.5-3.7 GPAs) Any input is helpful and thank you for reading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RURALMED Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 You sound like a very strong applicant. I know that the University of Washington would take you in a heartbeat! And I do not think your GPA is weak. Just make sure you are genuine and convey WHY you want to be a PA in your personal statement. Good luck, but I am sure you won't need it :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrubenstein Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I'm no expert but trust me when I say more than just a few programs would love to have you on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalPA Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Your HCE and GPA look solid. My only suggestion is to take a GRE prep course if possible. Check out University of Washington, Stanford, and other programs that value extensive HCE. You'll have a good chance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwb25 Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 I am in the NC area and I say my GPA is on the lower average side because I look at class profiles for schools around my area. I see averages of around cGPAs 3.5-3.7 and science GPAs around 3.6s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddisilvestro Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 This is a perfect time to remind applicants that is about much more than just GPA. I am not an admissions directory but I feel comfortable making the statement that it is definitely beneficial if you meet minimum program requirements - despite what their average class GPA is - and you have such a strong application in addition to your GPA. You may want to do more research on any other requirements programs may have but it is important to focus on the entire application, not just GPA, which so many applicants do focus on. GPA is obviously important and if you don't meet minimum requirements, your chances of consideration are very low, however, it is the whole application, evaluations, personal statement, GPA, health care and previous experience. They all matter. Best of luck to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalPA Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I agree that you need to look carefully at each arc-pa accredited program. Your GPA is not awful. Most programs will set their minimum GPA lower than what the average GPA is to allow for people who have great HCE. Again check out the programs that were recommended above and also look at each and every program to see what their admit focus is. You may have to look outside of North Carolina. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nonlegit Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I always wonder about this too. It seems like its really hard to get a good idea of how much HCE heavy schools value your prior HCE. Guess I'll have to find out! I have maybe 20,000 hours now, and am in OP's boat as well, with a GPA that fluctuates between 3.3-3.6, currently probably closer to the low side of that range. I always worry that some rockstar student will knock me out of contention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitcc1 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 You don't look like you have any major setbacks (your GPA looks fine, low range but fine non-the-less) but remember its your essays that truly set you apart. Your personal statement is what will capture the adcom's eyes and then after reading that they will check your CASPA app to make sure there aren't any obscene outliers. Meaning, your essays will get you that foot in the door! Good luck! ps- University of WA just lowered their required HCE to 2000 hrs however I personally talked to them and they said that their preference is still for 4000+hrs they just don't want to exclude other potential candidates for only having 3000 hrs. That being said this change will greatly increase the number of applicants! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtmathew Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 GPA is only one metric. Dont get hung up on it. Focus on the skills and experience that you have established. You have outstanding HCE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rasputina.natali2277 Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 http://votz.asfet.ru/433306502/4921413/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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