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On 11/5/2016 at 1:04 PM, pabound2016 said:

I am thrilled to announce that I am finally done with the application cycle! I have gotten accepted to my number 1 school (DUKE!!!) and will be declining all of my future interviews. To be honest, I was quite surprised to see how many interviews and acceptances I received. Coming in, I applied to many programs due to my minimum direct patient hours and sub-par GRE scores. I also just graduated this past May, so I was afraid being a recent grad would hurt my chances. This was my first attempt in the cycle, so I did not want to risk having to do it all over again. I was fortunate enough to get interviews in some prestigious programs like Cornell, Yale, and Duke. I was able to really see what each one had to offer for their students. I want to say that most of my success in getting these interviews stemmed from my personal statement, recommendations, and responses to many of the supplemental essays. It's good to know that they (at least for many of the ones I applied to) do a holistic review on everyone. Good luck to everyone applying to PA school! 

Undergrad Ed School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Pre-Reqs: some were taken at a community college and others were taken at a university associated with early college credit, but the majority were taken at my undergrad
Age at application time: 22
Application Submitted: 6/27/16
Application Verified: 7/01/16

Cumulative GPA: 3.67
Science GPA: 3.63
Pre-req GPA: 3.74-3.97 (depending on the program)
GRE: V/152 (56%) Q/158 (71%) A/5.5 (98%)

Shadow Hours: 41 hrs shadowing PAs (from 3 different specialties)
Letters of Reference: 1 PA, 1 supervisor, 1 professor

Direct Patient Care: (1200 hrs total)

100 hrs Resident Care Associate at Senior Living Community
1100 hrs Nursing Assistant at Hospital


Research: 2 yrs as research assistant in two different labs mainly in plant biology

Volunteer: 
~90 hrs as hospital volunteer
~40 hrs volunteering in creating of self-sustainable farm in food-desert community
~75 hrs volunteering Habitat for Humanity

Awards: Dean's list (2 semesters)

Memberships:
-Beta Beta Beta (Tri-Beta) Biological Honors Society
-Alpha Chi Sigma (Professional Chemistry Fraternity)
-AAPA
-Pre-PA Society at UNC
-American Red Cross Club at UNC

Leadership:
-Executive position in Tri-Beta
-Executive position in Alpha Chi Sigma

-Vice President for my rush class of Alpha Chi Sigma

Schools Applied (15 total): Arcadia, Campbell, Cornell, Drexel, Duke, ECU, MCPHS Boston, Methodist, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Philadelphia Uni, UNC-Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Yale, Highpoint, Lenoir Rhyne, Chatham

Interview Invites (Format-> School (interview date): Lenoir-Rhyne (7/22), Arcadia (9/13), ECU (8/19), Cornell (9/15), Methodist (September 28), Chatham (October 1-did not attend), High Point (October 1), Duke (October 26), Yale (October 20), Wake Forest (Nov. 9-chose not to attend), MCPHS-Boston (January 20-chose not to attend), Campbell (November 10-chose not to attend, Stanford (January 24)

Acceptances: Lenoir-Rhyne (accepted same day as interview), Methodist (Sept 30), Arcadia (Sept 16), High Point (Oct. 7), Duke (Oct. 31), Yale (November 24), Stanford (February)

Waitlisted:ECU


Withdrew Applications (after getting into my #1 pick): Campbell, Wake Forest, MCPHS-Boston

Denied: UNC-Chapel Hill, Cornell, Philly U, MGH Institute of Heath Professions-Boston Campus

Application Submitted Date: June 27, 2016
Application Verification Date: July 01, 2016 (1am)
Attempts: 1st

Attending: Duke!!! #1 choice!!! ?

Congrats on your hopeful progress towards clinicals! I am curious if you could please let me know your undergrad major at unc chapel hill?  Thanks in advance! 

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  • 4 weeks later...

Undergrad Ed School: California Baptist University

Major: Public Health

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.81

Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.70

Age at application time: 23

GRE: N/A

Direct Patient Care: 

2100 hours as a physical therapy aide

Health Care experience:

1140 hours as a medical scribe for a general and vascular surgeon

Volunteer/Leadership:     

Church volunteer - 200 hours

Research: None

Teaching Experience: None

Shadowing: 200+ hours shadowing an internist

Organizations: N/A

Letters of Rec: 3- one from an MD, one from a general biology professor, 1 from my clinic director at my physical therapy clinic

Schools Applied: 9: California Baptist University, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Western, Colorado Mesa, Drexel, Lipscomb, OHSU, Thomas Jefferson - East Falls, UNE

Application Submitted Date: July 21, 2018

Interview Invites:  None yet

Denied w/o interview:  

Rejected after interview: 

Waitlisted: 

Accepted: 

Attending: 

Attempt: 1st

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Undergrad Ed School: Eastern Illinois University

Major: Biological Sciences minor Psychology

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.52

Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.48

Age at application time: 22

GRE: 150V 152Q 4.0

Direct Patient Care: 

1200 hours as CNA in LTC

585 hours as PCT on ortho trauma

2080 hours as PCT on cardiac tele

Total: ~4000 hours

Volunteer/Leadership:     

128 hours tutoring/mentoring

40 hours hospital volunteer

97 hours various events.. Special olympics, blood drives, girls on the run...

Total: 265 hours

Research: 67 hours

Organizations: none

Letters of Rec: 4 - 1 A&P Professor, 1 Professor, 1 PC PA, 1 clinical leader/charge nurse

Schools Applied: 12 - Rush, Methodist, Texas Tech, Harding, Mississippi College, NOVA jacksonville, Touro Cali, SIUC, University of New England, Our lady of the lake, Sullivan

Application Submitted Date: 6/0?/2017

Application Verified: 6/0?/2017

Interview Invites:9 Rush, Methodist, Nova Jacksonville, our lady of the lake, Barry, Mississippi College, Texas Tech, Sullivan, University of New England ..

Denied w/o interview: 0 

Rejected after interview: none

Withdrew Application: 11

Waitlisted: 0

Accepted: 1 - Methodist

Attending: Methodist

Attempt: 2nd

Edited by BrittanyJ95
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Undergrad Ed School: University of North Florida

Major: Health Science/ Bio minor

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.4

Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.7

Age at application time: 25

GRE: 150V 151Q     5.0

Direct Patient Care: 

~6,000 Physical therapy aide

Volunteer/Leadership:     

~300 HR internship

Organizations: Society of Leadership and Success, Eta Sigma Gamma honorary society

Letters of Rec: 5

Schools Applied: UF, South U-Tampa, Nova (Jax, FtL, FTM, Orlando), Keiser, FSU, USF, FGCU, Barry U

Application Submitted Date: 6/02/18

Application Verified: 6/05/18

Interview Invites:

Denied w/o interview: UF

Rejected after interview:

Withdrew Application:

Waitlisted: 

Accepted: 

Attending: 

Attempt: 1st

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Undergrad Ed School: Arizona State University

Major: Nutrition

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.77

Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.84

Age at application time: 33

Direct Patient Care: 10,000+ as a renal dietitian  

Volunteer/Leadership: 50 hours at a women's shelter

Letters of Rec: 3 (MD, manager who is an RN, and professor/director of nutrition program)

Schools Applied: University of Utah, EVMS, Pacific University, UNR, ATSU

Application Submitted Date: 7/15/18

Application Verified: 7/30/18

Attempt: 1st

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Undergrad Ed School: CSU- Dominguez Hills

Major: Cellular and Molecular Biology

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.55

Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.47

Age at application time: 23

GRE: 149V 151Q     4.5

Direct Patient Care: 

~1400 Physical Therapist Aide

~110 Clinical Care Extender

Total: 1510 hours

Volunteer/Leadership:     

~90 Blood Donor Ambassador

~15 Signature Gatherer for Animal Rights

~144 March of Dimes

~105 Spark of Love

~10 Raising money for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research

~4 Heal the Bay

Total: 368 hours

Research:

~ 468 Research Associate

Shadowing:

~ 94 Pediatric Orthopedic PA

Organizations: Alpha Gamma Delta, California Academy of PAs

Letters of Rec: 4

Schools Applied: 14: Chapman, Touro Nevada, ATSU, Weill Cornell, Charles Drew, Dominican, Hofstra, SUNY Upstate, Cal Baptist, LIU Brooklyn, UC Davis, Marshall B Ketchum, LeMoyne, SCUHS

Application Submitted Date: 5/16-6/7

Application Verified: 5/16-6/7

Interview Invites: Dominican University, ATSU, LeMoyne

Denied w/o interview: Touro Nevada, Chapman, SUNY Upstate, UC Davis, MBKU

Rejected after interview: Dominican University

Withdrew Application: LeMoyne

Waitlisted: 

Accepted: AT Still University!!!

Attending: 

Attempt: 1st

Edited by californiahopefulpa
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  • 3 weeks later...

Undergrad Ed School: Temple

Major: Kinesiology

Cumulative GPA: 3.55

Science GPA: 3.35 (red flags: C+, W, F in prereq courses)

Post-bacc GPA: 4.0 (biochem, graduate cell bio)

Age at application time: 22

GRE: 322

Direct Patient Care: 2650 hours at time of application (650 volunteer EMT-B, 100 volunteer medical mission,1050 peri-op critical care tech, 750 level 1 peds ED tech)

Health Care Experience: 2K hours assistant EMS chief, 250 hours volunteer/medical mission Leadership: 750 hours assistant EMS chief, 300 hours membership officer Volunteer: 150 hours miscellaneous (not including volunteer PCE) Research: ~1000 hours public health research, two posters and oral presentation Teaching: 800 hours certified CPR and EMT instructor

Shadowing: 40 hours PA, 60 hours other (MD, flight medic, nurse). Also worked closely with MDs/PAs/NPs during PCE.

Letters of Rec: Biochem professor, 2 physicians

Schools Applied: 16 (definitely too many in hindsight - I never expected the application cycle to go so well!) - Arcadia (both campuses), Albany Medical, Anne Arundel/UMB, Bryant, CCBC/Towson, Cornell, DeSales, Duke, GW, Marist, MGH, Rosalind Franklin, Penn State, Tufts, Temple, USF

Application Submitted Date: 5/23

Application Verified: 5/24

Interview Invites: 10 - Arcadia DE, Bryant, CCBC/Towson (declined), GW, Marist, MGH (declined), Rosalind Franklin, PSU, Tufts, Temple

Denied w/o interview: 1 - Albany Med

Rejected after interview: 1 - Arcadia DE

Withdrew Application: 5 (remaining)

Waitlisted: none

Accepted: 7 - Bryant, GW, Marist, Rosalind Franklin, PSU, Tufts, Temple

Attending: GW!!!!

Attempt: 2nd

Edited by nichole96
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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...

Undergrad Ed School: Public school in NJ 

Major: Chemistry

cGPA: 3.20

sGPA: 3.14 (undergrad science GPA was a 2.80...YIKES)

Master's GPA: 3.92 (all science credits), completed at Tulane University 

Age at application time: 25

GRE: 309

Direct Patient/Health Care Experience: combination of medical assistant in women's health, medical scribe in an ED, and research coordinator in neuro-oncology

Total: 3000-ish hours

Volunteer/Leadership:     

Numerous volunteer experiences in education, health, and music festivals!

Teaching Experience: TA in epidemiology during MS program

Shadowing: obtained from scribing, in addition to shadowing an ortho PA

Letters of Rec: 3 - 1 PA from work, 1 manager, and 1 grad school professor

Schools Applied: 9 - South (Tampa), South (Richmond), Barry (Miami), Southern California University of the Health Sciences, Emory, University of Florida, Case Western, Rosalind Franklin University, Campbell University 

Application Submitted Date: 5/15/18

Application Verified: a couple days after

Interview Invites: 3 (University of Florida, Case Western, Campbell-declined interview)

Denied w/o interview: 2 (South Richmond and Emory)

Rejected after interview: none

Accepted: 2 - UF and Case Western

Attending: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA!!!!!! 

Attempt: 1st

I NEVER THOUGHT I'D MAKE IT!!!! I failed classes in undergrad and graduated with a terrible GPA. I couldn't even apply to PA schools because my GPA was too low, so I took a BUNCH of post bacc classes and completed a master's to push my GPA above a 3.0. It took A LOT OF HARD WORK. I CANT BELIEVE MY DREAMS CAME TRUE. I used this thread a lot to help figure out which schools to apply to, so thank you everyone!!!!!

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hey all! I got accepted a few weeks ago, but I thought I would share my stats because I used this forum a ton to help me. Here it goes ? 

Undergrad Ed School: Purdue Univerisity in Indiana

Major: Health Science

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.54

Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.48

Age at application time: 23

GRE: 309

Direct Patient Care: 2000 hours as a medical assistant at an urgent care

Shadowing: 60 hours shadowing a derm PA and a functional medicine PA

Letters of Rec: an M.D., a NP. and a PA I shadowed

Schools Applied: 12 schools 

Application Submitted Date: May 28

Interview Invites: 3 interview invites

Denied w/o interview: 4 denials

Rejected after interview: 0

Waitlisted: 2

Accepted: 1 -Indiana University 

Attending: Indiana University!!

Attempt: 1st

If you have any further questions, or you want to know what I used to help me prepare, feel free to message me! 

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Undergrad Ed School: NESCAC liberal arts college

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.5

Science Undergrad: GPA: 3.3

Age at application time: 26

1st GRE: 320 (160, 160, 5.0)

Direct Patient Care: ~2400 hours as an ED tech (level one trauma center)

Extracurricular/Research Activities: 2 years of clinical research, publication in a clinical chemistry journal, president of two undergrad clubs, 1.5 years volunteering at an urban health clinic, ~400 hours ER scribe, ~150 hours shadowing MDs and PAs in ICU

Schools Applied: Northeastern, Tufts, Cornell, Drexel, PACE, Yale, Rutgers, Arcadia, Bryant, Duke, GW, Hofstra, Rush, Stony Book, Rosalind Franklin

Application Submitted Date: 5/13/18

Interview Invites: Tufts, PACE, Arcadia, Bryant, Duke, GW, Rush, Stony Brook, Yale

Denied: Rutgers

Withdrew Application: Arcadia, Stony Brook

Waitlisted: Rush, Bryant

Accepted: Pace, Tufts, Yale, Duke, GW

Attending: GW

Attempt: 1st

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  • 2 months later...

Like @mbaker13; posting here because I've used the forum for help with different things and would like to think I'm helping others here too. Message me with any questions!

Undergrad Ed School: public university in Arizona

Major: Anthropology; focusing on public health

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.74

Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.48

Age at application time: 23

GRE: can't remember the number but I remember one score was in the ~80th percentile, another in ~70th, and math (improved after taking the GRE a second time) in the ~50th percentile. Writing score very good. Remember being told after the first time that all scores should be above average at least, so retook to bump up math. 

Direct Patient Care: ~1500hrs as a medical assistant in derm; ~2000hrs as medical assistant in family practice

Shadowing: none really. As an MA, I felt I had more than enough exposure to PAs/MDs/DOs/NPs to identify roles/differences

Letters of Rec: an MD & PA I worked for, my honors thesis professor, a church leader and director of children's museum I volunteer at semi-regularly

Schools Applied: Oregon Health Sciences, Northern Arizona, Arizona Health Sciences, Midwestern in AZ, and George Washington

Application Submitted Date: June 3rd

Interview Invites: all except OHSU (for the third year in a row! dang them!)

Denied w/o interview: 1; see above rant

Rejected after interview: 0

Accepted: all except OHSU

Attending: Northern Arizona

Attempt: 3rd; though the first one I applied on a whim two years in to undergrad thinking I could graduate early if need be. Glad I didn't get accepted at that time; looking back

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I found this site helpful and wanted to tell my story in order to let others see that a non-traditional student with a low CASPA GPA due to freshman mistakes can make it if you keep working hard.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

After being put on Academic probation/suspension from VA Tech I joined the USAF as a Medical Lab Tech/Medic 1992-1996.  After completing my contract with the military enrolled at NCSU and graduated with honors.  Took more post-bacc classes for pre-reqs and boost up my GPA at Durham Tech Community College and NCSU.

Should be stated that Campbell will look at your last 60 credits if your CASPA cGPA is not a 3.2.

Undergrad Ed School: North Carolina State University

Major: Zoology

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.3 (from NCSU and does not include the courses I received a D and F in from my freshman year)

Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.23 (from NCSU and does not include the courses I received a D and F in from my freshman year)

CASPA Undergrad cGPA: 2.92 (this is low due to being put on Academic probation/suspension my freshman year)

CASPA Undergrad sGPA: 3.00 (this is low due to being put on Academic probation/suspension my freshman year)

Post-bacc cGPA: 3.86

Post-bacc sGPA: 4.00

Age at application time: 47

3rd GRE:  304 (155, 149, 3.0) This was my best score after 3 times.

Direct Patient Care: ~12,000 hours as a Medical Laboratory Technician/Medic in the USAF for 4 years

Volunteer: ~60 hours in the Emergency Department

Shadowing: 9 hours with a PA in neurosurgery

Letters of Rec: PA (was a fellow military friend who I worked with and obtained his PA degree shortly after we completed our contract with the USAF in 1996), MD/PhD mentor and A&P professor with a  MD/PhD as well.

Schools Applied: Duke, University of Florida, University of Utah, University of Nevada at Reno, Stanford and Campbell

Application Submitted Date: June 25th 2018

Interview Invites: Campbell

Denied w/o interview: all except for Campbell

Rejected after interview: 0

Accepted: Campbell

Attending: Campbell

Attempt: 2nd

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  • 3 weeks later...

My road to PA school was nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster. After so much doubt and insecurity with thinking my GPA wasn't "good enough", or I didn't have "enough" patient care hours of the right quality, it is amazing and humbling to think that I actually made it to where I am today. I'm sharing my stats here not to brag, but to show you that it is all worth it. 

While looking at this forum provides useful insight as to what a "typical" PA student accomplished in undergrad, do NOT fall into the trap of comparing yourself. I definitely can say that was one of the things that barred my self esteem during the application process.

So, to whoever is reading this, just know that whatever GPA, hours, or GRE scores you may have, IT IS NOT EVERYTHING! Please know that! So please don't give up and believe in yourself - you are amazing just the way you are and the right program will love you for that. 

Undergrad: Purdue University 

Major: Health Sciences Pre-Professional (Concentration in Pre-PA) 

Cumulative Undergrad GPA: 3.47

Math & Science GPA: 3.33 

Age at Application Time: 22

GRE: 312.5 (V 153, Q 156, W 3.5) Note: I made a baaaddd formatting error on my writing portion and literally thought I wasn't going to get into PA school because of it... lol. I took the GRE once. 

Healthcare Experience: ~2,300 hours as an ER, Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Scribe & Scribe Trainer

Patient Care Experience: ~350 hours as a Patient Care Technician on a Pre-/Post- Surgical Floor

Volunteering: ~300 hours from 5 domestic/international non-medical mission trips; ~20 from a Riley Hospital position; other various community work

Shadowing: 21 hours (with a CV Surgery PA, Internal Medicine PA, and Sports Medicine PA)

Letters of Recommendation (4): Anatomy Professor, 2 ER PAs I worked closely with as a scribe, 1 Hospitalist I worked closely with as a scribe. 

Schools Applied (11) University of Evansville, Indiana University, Saint Louis University, Rush University, Rosalind Franklin University, University of Dayton, Ohio University, University of Toledo, Grand Valley State University, Eastern Michigan University, Augsburg University

Application Submitted: Mid-July 2018

Interviews (5): University of Evansville, Ohio University, Saint Louis University, University of Toledo, University of Dayton, (& waitlisted for Rush University and Grand Valley State University)

Accepted/Chosen School: University of Evansville (first one to hear back from & first one I accepted!) Started in January 2019 and couldn't be happier!

Again, your statistics are just a small glimpse of who you are as an applicant! Let me know if you have questions 🙂

 

 

 

 

Edited by pa314
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  • 2 weeks later...

Undergrad Ed School: Drexel University, B.S. Health Science, Minor in Biology

GPA: 3.88

sGPA: 3.94

Age at application time: 22

1st GRE: V151 (52%), Q147 (27%), W4.0 (60%)  = 298 total (would have retaken but I didn't want to waste 200 bucks to break 300, I’m awful at standardized tests anyway)

 

Experience: 

HCE (1,000 TOTAL):

-CNA in long-term care, short stay rehab units and a secure dementia unit = 1000 hours

(some supplementals wanted my projected hours so I put 1500 hours for those schools)

 

Volunteer (217 TOTAL):

- Soup kitchen in downtown Philadelphia = 12 hours

 

- Nutrition educator and food pantry volunteer = 100 hours

 

- Helping a non-profit organization provide nutritious food to those living with chronic disease, meals were catered to various illnesses = 105 hours

 

Extracurricular (not included in my CASPA): I was (and still am) big into weightlifting but did not include it on my CASPA. I always trained individually and not on some powerlifting team. This is really all I did outside of my school work while in college. No clubs or greek life. If I were to ballpark the number it would be approximately 1,800 hours for my years in undergrad :')

 

Research (500 TOTAL): Evaluated the expression of the protein ABCC10 in human embryonic kidney and ovarian carcinoma cells at Fox Chase Cancer Center during my sophomore year as part of Drexel’s co-op program = 500 hours

 

Shadowing (24 TOTAL):

  • 10 Gastroenterology PA-C
  • 14 Dermatology PA-C

LORs (4 TOTAL):

-       Derm PA

-       LPN I worked with on long-term care as a CNA

-       Professor who taught A&P as well as exercise physiology in undergrad

-       Volunteer coordinator at food pantry in Philadelphia

 

Achievements:

Honor Roll (from Red Cross during CNA training)

Alpha Eta Honor Society

Magna Cum Laude graduation honor

Delta Epsilon Iota Honor Society

Dean’s list (9 total quarters as undergrad)

Drexel Scholarship

 

Licenses + Certifications:

CNA license in PA

CNA license in NJ

Adult First Aid/CPR/AED

 

Schools Applied (12): Duke, Yale, Quinnipiac, GWU, Tufts, South (Savannah), Barry University (Miami), Rutgers, LIU, Jefferson (both East Falls and Center City campuses), and Drexel (I know this is an exorbitant amount of schools for my GPA and hours, but I’m also type A and paranoid and did not want to go through this torture twice)

 

Application Submitted: May 6th, 2018 (no transcripts, LOR’s, or test scores were missing)

Application Verified: May 7th, 2018

 

Interview Invites (w/ date of interview): South University (6/20), Jefferson East Falls (8/14), Drexel University (8/16), Rutgers (8/28), Barry U (9/91), Jefferson Center City (10/2),

Interviews Attended: South U (Savannah), Jefferson East Falls, Drexel, Rutgers,

Rejected without interview (w/ date of rejection): Tufts (7/11), Quinnipiac (11/1), GW, Yale, Duke

Accepted: South University (Savannah), Jefferson East Falls, Rutgers, Drexel

*Never heard ANYTHING from LIU*

 

Attending: Rutgers

Attempts: 1

Edited by allthingspa
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  • 2 weeks later...
On 3/13/2018 at 6:37 AM, britt1022 said:

Undergrad Ed School: Texas A&M University
Cumulative Undergrad GPA: 3.39
Science Undergrad GPA: 3.51


Age at application time: 26
 

GRE: 1st attempt (2014): V- 149 (41%) Q- 148 (32%) W- 3.0 (15%)

 

         2nd attempt (2017) V- 154 (64%) Q-152 (47%) W- 4.0 (59%)

Healthcare experience: Medical scribe ~3400 hours in Internal Medicine; ICU Health Unit Coordinator ~400 hours; Family Medicine Clinic volunteer ~40 hours; Physical Therapy Clinic volunteer ~800hours

 

Shadowing: 400 hours shadowing neurosurgeon PA; 5 hours shadowing ENT PA

 

Awards: Dean's List (1 semester), Distinguished Student (2 semesters)

 

LOR: 2 MDs, one from my manager, and 1 from occupational health manager from a clinic that I worked at.

 

Schools Applied: South University (Savannah and Tampa), Oklahoma City University, Baylor, Gardner Webb, UTMB, UT Southwestern, Wake Forest, Texas Tech, Wichita State, UNTHSC, Barry University (Miami), Hardin Simmons, Wingate-Hendersonville, South College

 

Application Submitted Date: 6/1/17

 

Application Verified: 6/1/17

Interview Invites: Wingate-Hendersonville, Hardin Simmons, Barry University-Miami


Denied: Gardner Webb, Oklahoma University, Baylor, UTMB, UT Southwestern, Wake Forest, Texas Tech, Wichita State, UNTHSC

Withdrew Application: South College

Waitlisted: Wingate-Hendersonville, Hardin Simmons

Accepted: HARDIN SIMMONS!!

Attempts: 4th

 

 

I'm so excited to finally post in this forum! This was my 4th time applying to PA school. It has been a very long journey to get here but I finally did it! Don't get me wrong there were times where I wanted to give up and try something else but I knew being a PA was what I wanted to do with my life. I hope my journey will inspire others who are in my shoes to keep applying to PA school. Retake courses you didn't do well in and/or retake the GRE. Just keep improving your application where you can. One day you will get accepted. Dont give up!! 

Could I ask what you majored in?

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Standard Format:

 

Undergrad Ed School: Indiana University

Major: Human Biology B.S. & Psychology B.A

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.94

Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.90

Last 60 Cum GPA - 4.0

Last 60 Sci GPA - 4.0

Graduate Ed School: (if applicable)

Cumulative Graduate GPA: (if applicable)

Science Graduate GPA: (if applicable)

 

Age at application time :21

 

1st GRE: 155 Verb, 152 Quant, 4.0 Analytical

2nd GRE: (if applicable)

 

Direct Patient Care : (type & hours) 550 - Intake Volunteer at Volunteer Clinic and First Aid/EMT work for university events

 

Extracurricular/Research Activities: PBK, Alpha Chi Sigma, Pre-PA Club (Treasurer), EMT-B for student-ran EMS on university, Teaching Intern for 2 years

 

Schools Applied: Trine University

Time Applying: First

Application Submitted Date: 11/17

 

Schools Received Application Date: (approximate date): 11/18

LOR: Biochem prof, NP who worked with extensively at clinic, Teaching Intern Supervisor and Mentor

 

Interview Invites:Trine University

 

Denied:

 

Withdrew Application:

 

Waitlisted: Trine University

 

Accepted: Trine University

Edited by PAHopeful1819
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9 hours ago, lillypa said:

Could I ask what you majored in?

 

On 3/13/2018 at 9:37 AM, britt1022 said:

Undergrad Ed School: Texas A&M University
Cumulative Undergrad GPA: 3.39
Science Undergrad GPA: 3.51


Age at application time: 26
 

GRE: 1st attempt (2014): V- 149 (41%) Q- 148 (32%) W- 3.0 (15%)

 

         2nd attempt (2017) V- 154 (64%) Q-152 (47%) W- 4.0 (59%)

Healthcare experience: Medical scribe ~3400 hours in Internal Medicine; ICU Health Unit Coordinator ~400 hours; Family Medicine Clinic volunteer ~40 hours; Physical Therapy Clinic volunteer ~800hours

 

Shadowing: 400 hours shadowing neurosurgeon PA; 5 hours shadowing ENT PA

 

Awards: Dean's List (1 semester), Distinguished Student (2 semesters)

 

LOR: 2 MDs, one from my manager, and 1 from occupational health manager from a clinic that I worked at.

 

Schools Applied: South University (Savannah and Tampa), Oklahoma City University, Baylor, Gardner Webb, UTMB, UT Southwestern, Wake Forest, Texas Tech, Wichita State, UNTHSC, Barry University (Miami), Hardin Simmons, Wingate-Hendersonville, South College

 

Application Submitted Date: 6/1/17

 

Application Verified: 6/1/17

Interview Invites: Wingate-Hendersonville, Hardin Simmons, Barry University-Miami


Denied: Gardner Webb, Oklahoma University, Baylor, UTMB, UT Southwestern, Wake Forest, Texas Tech, Wichita State, UNTHSC

Withdrew Application: South College

Waitlisted: Wingate-Hendersonville, Hardin Simmons

Accepted: HARDIN SIMMONS!!

Attempts: 4th

 

 

I'm so excited to finally post in this forum! This was my 4th time applying to PA school. It has been a very long journey to get here but I finally did it! Don't get me wrong there were times where I wanted to give up and try something else but I knew being a PA was what I wanted to do with my life. I hope my journey will inspire others who are in my shoes to keep applying to PA school. Retake courses you didn't do well in and/or retake the GRE. Just keep improving your application where you can. One day you will get accepted. Dont give up!! 

May I ask why u withdrew app from South...that is, if it was related to any issues w the school itself, or the atmosphere there? thx in advance! 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Undergrad School: Capital University

Cumulative Undergrad GPA: 3.96

Science Undergrad GPA: 3.94

Age at application time: 20
 

GRE: (2018) V- 148 (41%) Q- 149 (32%) W- 4.5
Healthcare experience: Oncology/Hospice PCA - 550 hours 

Shadowing: 45 hours - Family Medicine PA, 45 hours Orthopedic Surgery PA

Awards: President's List (5 semesters)

LOR: 2 from PAs and 1 from my anatomy professor

Schools Applied: Alderson Broaddus University, Johnson and Wales, Baldwin Wallace, Lynchburg, Salus, Wingate

Application Submitted and Verified: 10/17/2018

Interview Invites: BW, AB, Lynchburg

Withdrew Application: Lynchburg

Denied: Johnson and Wales, Salus, Wingate

Accepted: AB and BW

Attempts: 1

Going to BW!

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Undergrad Ed School: Northern Arizona University

Major: Biomedical Science B.S. & Psychology B.S.

Minor: Chemistry

 Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.69

Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.60

Age at application time :23

 

1st GRE: 157 Verb, 157 Quant, 4.0 Analytical Writing

Direct Patient Care : (type and hours, Dialysis Technician ~800 hours, PT Tech ~600 hours)

HCE: Medical Scribe in GI, FM, IM, OB/GYN ~1500 hours, ED volunteer in college ~500 hours 

Extracurricular/Research Activities: ~300 hours in Lyme Disease research with professor who taught my infectious disease course, ~450 hours research project with health psych professor, chemistry TA from freshman-senior year, worked at NAU’s veteran financial aid office for three years, Pre-PA club 3+ years, Club Med 2+ years, Best Buddies Club 2 years, summer math/science tutor for predominately 1st generation college students, served at a restaurant 20+ hours a week junior/senior years

Awards/Scholarships: Lumberjack scholarship (full tuition scholarship), Dean’s list (7 semesters), research award at campus symposium from psych research project

LORs: Biochem professor, Gen chem professor I was a TA for, a PA, and an MD

Shadowing: GI PA (15 hours), CT surgery PA (20 hours), FM PA (25 hours)

Schools Applied: Baylor, NAU, University of Colorado, LSU NOLA, Touro NV, Midwestern AZ, Cornell, Pacific University, South University GA, Arcadia PA, Barry Miami, UC Davis, George Washington University

Application Submitted Date: 05/28/18

Interview Invites: Baylor (attended), NAU (attended), University of Colorado (attended), LSU NOLA (attended), Touro NV (attended), Midwestern AZ (attended), Cornell (declined), Pacific University (declined), South University GA (declined), Arcadia PA (declined), Barry Miami (declined)

Denied after interview: LSU, CU

Denied without interview: UC Davis, GWU

Waitlisted: NAU (still have high hopes), Baylor

Accepted: Touro Nevada, Midwestern AZ

 

Attending: TBD

Time Applying: First

Edited by TayPrePA
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  • 2 weeks later...
On 3/13/2018 at 9:37 AM, britt1022 said:

Undergrad Ed School: Texas A&M University
Cumulative Undergrad GPA: 3.39
Science Undergrad GPA: 3.51


Age at application time: 26
 

GRE: 1st attempt (2014): V- 149 (41%) Q- 148 (32%) W- 3.0 (15%)

 

         2nd attempt (2017) V- 154 (64%) Q-152 (47%) W- 4.0 (59%)

Healthcare experience: Medical scribe ~3400 hours in Internal Medicine; ICU Health Unit Coordinator ~400 hours; Family Medicine Clinic volunteer ~40 hours; Physical Therapy Clinic volunteer ~800hours

 

Shadowing: 400 hours shadowing neurosurgeon PA; 5 hours shadowing ENT PA

 

Awards: Dean's List (1 semester), Distinguished Student (2 semesters)

 

LOR: 2 MDs, one from my manager, and 1 from occupational health manager from a clinic that I worked at.

 

Schools Applied: South University (Savannah and Tampa), Oklahoma City University, Baylor, Gardner Webb, UTMB, UT Southwestern, Wake Forest, Texas Tech, Wichita State, UNTHSC, Barry University (Miami), Hardin Simmons, Wingate-Hendersonville, South College

 

Application Submitted Date: 6/1/17

 

Application Verified: 6/1/17

Interview Invites: Wingate-Hendersonville, Hardin Simmons, Barry University-Miami


Denied: Gardner Webb, Oklahoma University, Baylor, UTMB, UT Southwestern, Wake Forest, Texas Tech, Wichita State, UNTHSC

Withdrew Application: South College

Waitlisted: Wingate-Hendersonville, Hardin Simmons

Accepted: HARDIN SIMMONS!!

Attempts: 4th

 

 

I'm so excited to finally post in this forum! This was my 4th time applying to PA school. It has been a very long journey to get here but I finally did it! Don't get me wrong there were times where I wanted to give up and try something else but I knew being a PA was what I wanted to do with my life. I hope my journey will inspire others who are in my shoes to keep applying to PA school. Retake courses you didn't do well in and/or retake the GRE. Just keep improving your application where you can. One day you will get accepted. Dont give up!! 

May I ask how you improved your GRE scores?

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  • 4 months later...

Undergrad School: University of Georgia

Cumulative Undergrad GPA: 3.42

Science Undergrad GPA: 3.46

Age at application time: 25
 

GRE: 333 V - 166 (97%)  Q - 167(91%)  AWA 5.5 (98%)
Healthcare experience: Medical Assistant 3200 hours, Volunteer at clinics 320 hours

Shadowing: 8 hours

LOR: 2 from PAs, 1 From MD Clinic Coordinator, 1 from A&P professor

Schools Applied: Mercer University

Application Submitted and Verified: 01/23/2019

Interview Invites: Mercer

Accepted: Mercer

Attempts: 1

 

 

I know I'm going to be an outlier, as I got into the only school I applied to in the "off season" leading up to the current application cycle. As it was one of my top choice schools already, I elected to attend there rather than attempt applying anywhere else. But I also waited an extra year to apply when I was confident of my application.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Undergrad Ed School: Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI 

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.4

Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.1 

Dual major in Biology & Spanish 

 

Age at application time : 24

 

1st GRE: 307, 4.0

2nd GRE: 311, 4.5

 

Direct Patient Care : approx, 3,500 hours. I worked as an ECG Technician for 3 years, and as a CNA in a nursing home a year before that. 

 

 

Extracurricular/Research Activities: I logged around 400 volunteer hours at the local hospital, a therapeutic horse riding center, Girls on the Run, camp counseling, & a trip to the Dominican Republic. I volunteered throughout my undergrad career and have a lot of great stories and memories from it!

 

Shadowing: 40 hours 

 

 

First time applicant. 

 

Schools Applied: 18. OHSU, University of Washington, Wake Forest, University of St Francis, Concordia, Augsburg, Idaho State, Touro Nevada, Touro California, Salus, Rosalind Franklin, Pacific, Rocky Mountain University, Rocky Mountain College, University of Utah, University of New England, Western Michigan, Western University CA. (super expensive!)

 

Application Submitted Date: May 22 2018

 

 

Interview Invites: OHSU, Idaho State, Touro Nevada, Touro California, Wake Forest (didn’t attend), Rocky Mountain University (didn’t attend) 

 

Withdrew application: Rocky Mountain College, Western Michigan, Concordia 

 

Denied: UW, St Francis, Augsburg, Salus, Rosalind Franklin, Pacific, OHSU (after interview), Utah, New England, Western University 

 

Waitlisted: Touro Nevada 

 

Accepted: Touro California, Idaho State

 

Attending: Idaho State!!!! 😄

 

 

Low GPA success story! GPA  isn’t everything. 🙂 

 

I didn’t know what a PA was until my junior year of undergrad. I decided I wanted to start on this journey my senior year... and I felt like I had little to no chance. It seemed like everyone knew this was their path going into undergrad, and that they had beyond stellar GPAs. I was pretty apprehensive about my chances. After graduating, my GPA was definitely not competitive (still wasn’t really when I applied!) so I took two years off, worked as many hours as possible, volunteered, shadowed PA’s, and re-took several courses at my local community college. To be honest, it was an exhausting time. But worth it!!

 

During the application process, I think the only reason why schools were interested in me was the fact that I worked insanely hard on my personal statement (start early!!!) and had several different people, PAs included, edit it. I showed genuine examples of times in my life where I wanted to be able to do more to help (as a physician assistant). 

 

After I cast my wide net in applying, the rejection letters started rolling in. The first rejection letter was the only “safety” school I applied to, and my spirits were crushed. However, after an eternity of email-refreshing and dandelion wishes, I had a couple of interviews. (Even at my top two dream schools!!) & The feeling of getting accepted into one is beyond words. 

 

If becoming a PA is what you want to do, then you can definitely do it!! Not all journeys are the same. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about mine! 

 

Best of luck everybody!!!!

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  • 1 month later...

Undergrad Ed School: St. Andrews University, NC

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.9

Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.77

 

Age at application time : 23

 

 GRE: Verbal- 154;  Quant- 155; Writing 4.5

 

Direct Patient Care : 1300 hours as a CNA at a rehabilitation facility 

Health Care Experience: 256 hours  as a student intern at a pediatric clinic in an underserved community 

Shadowing Hours: 24 hours in orthopedics, family med, and surgery 

 

Schools Applied: ECU, UNC Chapel Hill, Duke, Campbell, Elon, Wingate, HPU, and South University in Savannah GA 

 

Application Submitted Date: 06/11/2019

Schools Received Application Date: 06/25/2019

 

Interview Invites: ECU, Wingate, Campbell, South University, HPU 

 

Denied: UNC Chapel Hill 

 

Withdrew Application: Wingate, ECU, Elon

 

Waitlisted: Wingate, HPU, Campbell

 

Accepted: South University

 

Attending: South University

Edited by arielnberry
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  • 2 weeks later...

Sooo excited to finally be able to do one of these!!!! 😍🤗

 

Undergrad School: College of saint Benedict 

Cumulative Undergrad GPA: 3.68

Science Undergrad GPA: 3.44

Age at application time: 23
 

GRE: 310 V - 156 Q - 154  AWA 4.5 

Healthcare experience: 2000 hours as a CNA on a cardiac unit and assisted living facility 

Research: 1500 hours as a Medical Research Technician

Volunteer: 300 hours as a wildlife rehabber. Other various volunteering within the community 

Extracurriculars: choir, a capella, intercultural club 

Shadowing: 55 hours (EM, Primary Care, peds, infectious disease, vascular surgery, general surgery, Ortho)

LOR: 1 from comparative anatomy/biology professor, one from VP of engineering supervisor at medical research lab, one from RN - patient care manager 

Schools Applied: 16

Application Submitted and Verified: 5/20/2019

Interview Invites: 6 invites: Radford, Alderson Broaddus, Rocky Mountain, Midwestern - Glendale, AACC/UMD, Shenandoah 

Interviewed: Radford, Alderson Broaddus, Midwestern  

Accepted: Radford, Alderson Broaddus, Midwestern 

Attempts: 1

Attending: Radford 

Edited by youngbreezy
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