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Guest UMDeeMan

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Finally able to post one of these! My advice to those applying is to PRACTICE for the interview. I had thought out much of what I would've liked to say, but at the end of the day, I definitely would've found it beneficial to acclimate yourself to answering questions in an interview-type format (concisely/professionally.) Write a strong personal statement about why you're passionate about working in healthcare, and be able to convey it effectively in person!

 

Undergrad School: Grand Valley State University (Michigan)
Major: Biomedical Science

Minor: French
CASPA Cumulative Undergraduate GPA: 3.72
CASPA Science Undergraduate GPA: 3.56

Post Bacc GPA: N/A

CASPA Overall GPA: N/A

CASPA Overall Science GPA: N/A

Age at application time: 21

GRE: 159 Verbal (74%), 157 Quant (74%), 5.0 Writing (93%)

Application Submitted Date: July 5, 2014

Direct Patient Care Experience (type & hours at time of application): Certified Psychiatric Technician (worked on a hospital floor as a CNA with psych patients) 2300 hrs, MA volunteer 350 hours, staffing agency CNA 200 hours

 

Health Related Certifications: CNA certification, Psychiatric Technician certification, BLS, CPI certification (nonviolent crisis intervention)

Health Care Shadowing: Psych PA 8 hours 

 

Other Health Care Experience:  

Research Experience: None

Community Service: Volunteering at college track meets 200 hours

Schools Applied (11 total): NAU, AT Still, Midwestern, CU Denver, Idaho State, RFUMS, IUPUI, Eastern Michigan, GVSU, Hofstra, Pace

Interview Invites (9 total): Everywhere except NAU, and Eastern Michigan

 

Waitlist to Interview: 

 

Withdrew Application: AT Still, Idaho State, RFUMS, Hofstra, Pace
 

Interviews Attended (4 total): Midwestern, CU Denver, IUPUI, GVSU

Denied: GVSU

Waitlisted: CU Denver

Accepted: Midwestern, IUPUI, CU Denver (after being waitlisted)


Attending: CU Denver!

Attempt: 1st

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Undergrad School: Northeastern University

Major: Behavioral Neuroscience
Cumulative Undergraduate GPA: 3.58
CASPA Cumulative GPA: 3.62

CASPA Science GPA: 3.47

Age at application time: 23

1st GRE: 

Verbal – 154 (63%)

Quantitative – 154 (60%)

Analytical Writing – 4.0 (49%)

Direct Patient Care: 1,340 hours total

Physical therapy aide (deaf blind population) – 840 hours

Clinical research assistant (nutrition) – 500 hours
 

Extracurricular/Research Activities:

Three research positions totaling 1,723 hours (non-clinical)

 

Shadowing Experience:

Orthopedic PA – 8 hours

Internal Medicine PA – 63 hours

 

Volunteer Experience:

Horizons for Homeless Children – 40 hours

Behavioral Neuroscience Peer Mentor – 20 hours

Habitat for Humanity – 7 hours

Schools Applied:

MGH Institute of Health Professions

Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale

Yale University

UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Application Submitted Date:

CASPA - 8/16/14

MGH Institute Supplemental App – 8/28/14

Yale University Supplemental App – 9/8/14

Nova Southeastern Supplemental App – 10/17/14

Interview Invites:

MGH Institute of Health Professions

Nova Southeastern University – Fort Lauderdale (seats were already filled so I interviewed for a spot on the “accepted/hold” list)

 

Denied:
Yale University

UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Waitlisted:

Initially put on the “accepted/hold” list for Nova Southeastern but received an acceptance call in April.

 

Accepted:

MGH Institute of Health Professions

Nova Southeastern University – Fort Lauderdale

 

Attending:

MGH Institute of Health Professions!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Attempt: 1st

                    

Biggest piece of advice…APPLY AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE! Most schools are rolling admissions so seats fill up fast. The sooner you apply - the more available seats and therefore the more likely you will get called in for an interview.

 

Make sure to spend time preparing for the interview. I felt confident and prepared after going through the book “How to Ace the Physician Assistant School Interview” by Andrew Rodican. Make sure to know the role of a PA, why you want to become a PA, and what sets you apart from other applicants.

 

I think having strong letters of recommendation helped me get accepted to PA school. One of the interviewers even mentioned being impressed with one of the letters!

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Finally!!

 

Undergrad Ed School: University of Florida (Go gators!) BS in Biology
Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.49
Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.28

Graduate Ed School: (if applicable) N/A

Age at application time : 22

1st GRE: V148, Q152, AW4.5

 

Direct Patient Care: Pediatric ED Scribe: At time of application 670 hours, now 1500+

 

Extracurricular Activities:

Control Flu Intern: 55 hours

Hospital Volunteer (in Radiology, Pediatrics, and Emergency Dept): 126 hours

Advisor for a youth group: 40 hours (now 100+ hours)

First Aid, CPR, AED certification

 

Shadowing:

Surgeon, 5 hours

Pain Management physician, 60 hours

Pediatric Orthopedic PA, 5 hours

 

Schools Applied: Nova (Ft. Lauderdale), FIU, Barry
Application Submitted Date: 7/19

Schools Received Application Date: CASPA verified 8/2
Interview Invites: Barry and FIU
Denied: Nova
Waitlisted: Barry
Accepted: FIU

Attending: FIU! (Go panthers!)

 

Attempt: First 

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So surreal that I get to post this now....after so much work.

 

 

 

Undergrad Ed School: University of South Florida B.A. Criminology

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.19
Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.4 or 3.5ish
Graduate Ed School: (if applicable) n/a
Cumulative Graduate GPA: (if applicable)
Science Graduate GPA: (if applicable)

Age at application time : 30  (2nd time applying)

1st GRE: 299
2nd GRE: (if applicable) 307

Direct Patient Care : (type & hours)
EMT ~1100 hours working on an ALS ambulance unit in an EMS system.
Lifeguard  ~1500 hours (not sure if they would take it but i counted it in my caspa app)
Insurance claims adjuster ~6000 hours. (not patient care, but it was my previous career)
Extracurricular/Research Activities:  Annually involved in the Salvation Army's Adopt an Angel program.

Schools Applied: 10 i think... South University (Georgia and Florida campuses), Harding Univ., South College (TN), Trevecca Nazarene Univ., UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) Barry Univ. (St. Pete), Nova (Ft. Myers and Orlando), Eastern Virginia Medical School

Application Submitted Date: July I think.

Schools Received Application Date: (approximate date)

Interview Invites: Barry, UAB, South College (declined), South University Tampa campus. 

Denied: Nova campuses, South University (both campuses),  Harding, Trevecca, (haven't heard from EVMS--but I would turn it down at this point)

Withdrew Application:EVMS, South College

Waitlisted: Barry Univ, South University Tampa, UAB

Accepted: UAB!   They called me in February to tell me I was accepted from the waitlist.
 
This is a 2nd career for me, and I did not have an impressive application because of my Undergrad GPA, but my Prereq GPA was 3.5ish  and my post bacc GPA was 3.7ish which included pretty much all the prereq's.  It took me 2 years to take all the prereq's and get experience as an EMT, but it was well worth the work and wait, I now have a new career as a PA on the horizon.  Plan well, work hard, and be willing to make sacrifices if you want to be a PA.  I quit a good job and good salary to take a very low paying job as an EMT just to get experience for my application, and spend almost 2 years taking night classes and working during the day just to meet the minimum requirement of programs so I would be considered.  I love my wife for supporting me through this endeavor.  Make it happen if this is what you want.  
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Undergrad School: University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio, TX)

Major: Biology
CASPA Cumulative Undergraduate GPA: 3.70
CASPA Science Undergraduate GPA: 3.60

Post Bacc GPA: N/A


Age at application time: 23

GRE: ​I can't remember, I know it wasn't too good though.

Application Submitted Date: Aug 8, 2014 

Direct Patient Care Experience (type & hours at time of application):

ER Scribe- 1120hrs

Lab Tech- 3200hrs

Health Care Shadowing:
PA in Cardiovascular Surgery- 30hrs


Research Experience:
None

Community Service:
Food Bank- 12hrs

Community Outreach- 8hrs

Boys and Girls Club San Antonio- 90hrs

Seton Homes for Women- 8hrs

Schools Applied: Wichita State University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences- Boston, Philadelphia University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio, University of North Texas Health Science Center


Interview Invites: Mass. College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

 

Waitlist to Interview: N/A

Interviews Attended: I attended both

Denied: Phil. University, UNTHSC, UTHSCSA, PCOM (withdrew application from Wichita State)

Waitlisted: N/A

Accepted: Mass. College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences


Attending:  Mass. College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences- Boston

Attempt: 1st

I decided to apply for PA school VERY late in the game. You definitely weaken your chances if you submit your application in late July/August (like I did)! However, by the grace of God, I was accepted into the perfect program for me. I acquired all of my shadowing, wrote my personal statement, crammed for the GRE (that didn't work out too well lol) within 2 months. It sucked but hard work pays off! I am here to encourage anyone and everyone who truly has a desire to become a Physician Assistant. I struggled at my first interview at PCOM. I was trying to become the "perfect candidate" for their program and I lost myself in it. If I could give any tips on interviewing, don't try to be someone you aren't! They can tell, trust me :) If you need ANY advice, please feel free to shoot me a message. Good luck everyone!

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Undergrad Insitution:

Western Washington University

Major: Biology and Anthropology

GPA: 3.41

Science GPA: 3.24

 

Graduate Institution:

Western Washington University

Physical Anthropology

GPA: 3.7

Science GPA: 4.0

 

CASPA Verified GPAs:

Cumulative: 3.46

Science: 3.33

 

Age at Time of Application: 31

 

GRE Scores: 720Q, 560V, 3.5AW

 

Direct Patient Care Experience: 12,000 hours paid urban EMS/Ambulance

 

Research Experience: Graduate School Thesis

 

Community Service: N/A

 

Shadowing: N/A

 

Schools Applied:

UW MEDEX

Rocky Mountain College (Montana)

University of Utah

Touro College (California)

Samuel Merritt University

Arcadia University (Pennsylvania)

Drexel University

Oregon Health and Science University

Pacific University

Rutgers University

New York Institute of Technology

 

Schools Interviewed:

MEDEX

OHSU

RMC

Drexel

Arcadia

U of Utah

 

Accepted: Drexel, U of Utah

 

Waitlisted: N/A

Withdrawn: Samuel Merritt, NYIT

 

Rejected: Everywhere Else

 

Attending: Drexel University, Class of 2017!

 

Comments: This was my first year applying, and although I was a competitive applicant, I really hindered myself in that I did not have experience in participating in a high-level professional interview. My first post-interview rejection was 100% due to my lack of confidence and demeanor. However, I was fortunate enough to have multiple interviews to hone my presentations and confidence. This paid off in the end, as I was accepted to the final two schools where I interviewed.

 

Also, to current applicants, my only advice to you would be to thoroughly research the mission statements of each school to which you apply. I would suggest reviewing faculty profiles as well, to see if the areas in which they practice match up with your intended area(s) of specialization. There were a few schools at which I interviewed (whom I will not name) that I felt were misleading in the mission statements on the school websites when compared to the interests and goals discussed by faculty at interview.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Undergrad Ed School: Large SEC school, B.S. Microbiology
Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.54
Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.56

Graduate Ed School: (if applicable) N/A

Age at application time : 29

1st GRE: V155, Q154, AW4.0

 

HCE (at time of application): ~1,000 hours as a combination of Monitor Tech, HUC, and patient sitter at a university hospital (I am in the registry so I get to see all areas of medicine as well). I also started Red Cross CNA training midway through the application process.

 

Extracurricular Activities:

~1,000 hours of research in an academic biomedical science lab

2 oral presentations on my research project at scientific conferences

Micro department research and travel stipend

ESL Spanish tutor for non profit agency: 50 hours

ED Volunteer: 12 hours

AHA BLS certification

 

Shadowing:

Hospitalist MD, 50 hours

Neurosurgery PA, 35 hours

CT Surgery PA, 5 hours

 

Schools Applied: Lock Haven, St. Francis (PA), LMU, South College (Knoxville)
Application Submitted Date:

Schools Received Application Date: CASPA verified 7/2/14
Interview Invites: Lock Haven, LMU, South College
Denied: Lock Haven, LMU, St. Francis (class was already filled)
Waitlisted: N/A
Accepted: South College

Attending: South College

Attempt: First... My first two interviews were pretty bad, but I kept a positive attitude, learned from my mistakes, and improved my resume substantially before the final interview. My advice: Use statistics in this thread as a general idea for what you need to accomplish, but you should be relentless in your pursuit of this career if it's really what you want to do.

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Undergrad School: University of Nevada

Major: Biochemistry
CASPA Cumulative Undergraduate GPA: 3.812
CASPA Science Undergraduate GPA: 3.78

Post Bacc GPA: N/A


Age at application time: 21

GRE: Didn't take

Application Submitted Date: Oct 1 2014

Direct Patient Care Experience (type & hours at time of application):

Clinic Volunteer: 150 Hours

Hospital Volunteer: 150 hours. 

 

Health Care Shadowing:
Primary care PA: 20 hours


Research Experience:
6 months of pharmacology research and 1 year of senior thesis in same lab. 

Community Service:

1200 hr volunteering 

 

Schools Applied: Mass. College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Western University, and West Liberty University


Interview Invites: Mass. College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Western University, and West Liberty University

 

Waitlist to Interview: N/A

Interviews Attended: Attended all except West Liberty University. 

Denied: Western University

Waitlisted: Mass. Pharm

Accepted: New York Institute of Technology


Attending:  None. Reapplying this year. 

Attempt: 1st
 

I kind of regret declining NYIT. I'm from the West coast and i don't think I really want to go that far for 3 years. Location and weather were the basis of why I declined NYIT, but otherwise it seemed like an amazing school from the interview. Hopefully I can get into a school closer to home this year. 

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Undergrad Ed School: Lorain County Community College (3.5yrs), Cleveland State University (2yrs).

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.44
Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.48

Age at application time : 24
1st GRE: 303 (149 verbal, 154 quantitative, 4.0 analytical)
Direct Patient Care : Patient Care Nursing Assistant at the Cleveland Clinic in the Float Pool (12 months, ~1300 hours at time of application)
Extracurricular/Research Activities: 1 Day of Volunteer Community Service
Schools Applied: Tri-C/CSU, Toledo, Marietta, Mount Union, Kettering, Baldwin Wallace, Lake Erie, Ohio Dominican, Pittsburgh, and Eastern Michigan.
Application Submitted Date: August 20, 2014
Interview Invites: Kettering College, University of Mount Union, Ohio Dominican University, Lake Erie College, Tri-C/CSU, and University of Toledo. 

Interviews Attended: Kettering College, University of Mount Union, Tri-C/CSU, and University of Toledo. 
Denied: Eastern Michigan University and University of Pittsburgh (both out of state).
Withdrew Application: Marietta (did not do supplemental application).
Waitlisted: University of Mount Union and the University of Toledo
Accepted: Kettering College, University of Mount Union, Tri-C/CSU, will update.

Attending: Tri-C/CSU.

Attempts: First

Additional Comments: I have a rising trend in GPA. 2.5 freshman, 3.60 sophomore, 3.95 junior, 4.00 senior. Nearly straight-A student for past 8 semesters ever since I decided I wanted to become a PA, which was specifically after my first A&P course.

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Undergrad Ed School: Boston University, 2012

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.55
Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.47

Age at application time : 24
1st GRE: N/A
Direct Patient Care : Medical Assistant in Dermatology ~ 3,500 hours, ~1200 hours scribe in urgent care, medical mission trip to kenya
Extracurricular/Research Activities: Undergrad research in neuropsychology lab/clinical research with alzheimer's disease/sorority member
Schools Applied: Hofstra, Rutgers, NYIT, Pace, Stony Brook, PhilaU, Northeastern, Quinnipiac, Hofstra, PCOM, EVMS, MCPHS-Boston
Application Submitted Date: June 14, 2014
Interview Invites: Rutgers, Quinnipiac, PhilaU, Northeastern, Hofstra, EVMS

Interviews Attended: All invites except EVMS 
Denied: Pace (missing pre-req), Stony Brook (missing pre-req; application not complete), Northeastern, Quinnipiac, Rutgers, NYIT, MCPHS-Boston, PCOM
Withdrew Application: N/A
Waitlisted: Hofstra, PhilaU
Accepted: Philadelphia University

Attending: PhilaU

Attempts: First

Additional Comments: It is possible to get in off the waitlist -- I have just been accepted a month and two weeks before classes begin. I am very stressed, but unbelievably excited. My biggest advice is PRACTICE YOUR INTERVIEWING. I thought I would have no problem interviewing since I am generally well-spoken and sociable, but I believe my denials were from lack of preparation and a combination of being very nervous during my interviews and, therefore, not acting like myself. Practice enough, but don't sound rehearsed. And.... things happen when you least expect them. I received the acceptance phone call as I was getting ready to submit my CASPA for this cycle.

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Undergrad Ed School: Appalachian State University, BS Exercise Science 

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.50
Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.2ish
Graduate Ed School: (if applicable) n/a
Cumulative Graduate GPA: (if applicable)
Science Graduate GPA: (if applicable)

Age at application time : 22  (1st time applying)

1st GRE: 307 (writing 4.0)

Direct Patient Care : (type & hours)
CNA Home Health- 250 Hours
ER Tech- 500 hours when I submitted by application in July, 1000 hours by December 
Shadowed different PAs- 70 Hours
Volunteer Experience- Very minimal 
 
Schools Applied: Medical University of South Carolina, MCPHS Worcester, Wingate, Campbell, Elon, Nova Southeastern, Eastern Virginia Medical School, University of Tennessee, Wake Forest University, Rosalind Franklin

Application Submitted Date: July 

Interview Invites: Wingate University, MCPHS Worcester, Campbell University 
 
Denied: Nova Southeastern, Rosalind Franklin, Wake Forest, MUSC (I never heard back from EVMS and University of Tennessee)
 
Waitlisted for an interview: Elon University 

Waitlisted after interview: Wingate and Campbell

Accepted: Wingate and MCPHS Worcester!
 
 
I really wasn't expecting to get into schools my first time applying! In matter of fact, when I toured a lot of these schools I always asked what they were looking for in re-applicants. I had a decent GPA and decent experience hours but besides that I felt like my application didn't stand out enough. I realize now that the schools that invited me for an interview saw that I pushed myself in undergrad and took a lot of non-required upper level science classes, and realized I was committed to gaining health care experience (I stated my job in the ER a day after I graduated). Don't let the application process get you down and good luck! Also the wait list is not a death sentence! 
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Undergrad Ed School: University of Oregon, BS Exercise and Movement Science, Minor in Biology

Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.15
Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.15

Age at application time : 37  (1st time applying)

GRE: 306 (writing 4.0)

Direct Patient Care : (type & hours)
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant- over 4500 hours
PA Shadowing- 50 Hours (including Primary Care, Thoracic Surgery, Pediatric Orthopedics, and Dermatology)
Volunteer Experience- Very minimal 
 
Schools Applied: OHSU, MEDEX, Heritage University, Idaho State University, ATSU, Tuoro NV, Red Rocks Community College, Des Moines University, South College

Application Submitted Date: End of June

Interview Invites: OHSU, Idaho State University, Heritage University
 
Denied: MEDEX, ATSU, Tuoro NV, Des Moines, South College
 
Waitlisted for an interview: Red Rocks Community College

Waitlisted after interview: OHSU

Accepted: Heritage University, Idaho State University
 
Attending: Heritage University
 
I know there are many stories on here about getting in with a lower GPA and I am yet another one of those stories. I got in on my first try! You need to pick your target schools appropriately- look at average class GPAs, GRE scores, healthcare experience. Do your research and make sure your essay and LORs are great and it can be done! Congrats to everyone starting this year and good luck to those applying this year!
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Hi All, @ bleu, Congrats on your acceptance!! I am also a PTA , 5 years now an will be applying next fall to Heritage, I was wondering what kind of LORs you got, did you use your PT contacts?, did you get one from a PA or MD?

Thanks in advance for your help,

Kim Tess

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Undergrad:Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis


C. GPA: 3.56


Science: 3.55


Age: 26


GRE: V: 152. Q 149 W : 3.5 ( these are sad, hoping to retake if possible) 


HCE: Phlebotomy and Medical Technology: 5760 hours 


Shadowing: 2 PAs: one derm PA for 8 h and one ED PA for 16 hours


Volunteer: So many volunteer hours with different organizations throughout college and after college


Schools Applied: University of Utah, Lynchburg, Desales, Nova Fort Lauderdale, Albany Medical College, University of Colorado, University of Findlay, University of Toledo


Caspa verified June 15th


Anxiously waiting........ ( Haven't heard about interviews so far )


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Attempt: 1st 


Application Cycle: 2015-2016


Undergrad Institution:University of Illinois


Age: 23


Stats: PM me if interested


HCE: ER Scribe and Home Health Aide ~2500 hours; will have ~3500 upon matriculation


Shadowing: 1 PA, ~40 hours; 2 Physicians, ~100 hours; Work closely with several PAs and physicians on a daily basis


Extracurricular/ Honors: Too many to list - best of which is probably being a scientific research assistant for ~3500 hours and the first co-author of a manuscript.


Volunteer: Various organizations ~1200 hours


Schools Applied: Emory, Northwestern, Baylor (withdrew application), SIU, SLU (withdrew application), Midwestern, Rutgers, Cornell, Thomas Jefferson (withdrew application), Rush (withdrew application), Butler


Interview invites: Northwestern, SIU, Midwestern (declined invitation), Rutgers (declined invitation), Emory (declined invitation), Cornell (declined invitation), Butler (declined invitation)


Acceptances: SIU and Northwestern


 


Northwestern c/o 2018!!! :))


 


I was fortunate to interview and be accepted at my 2 top choices early which made it easy to withdraw and decline interview invitations from all of the other schools in which I applied. 


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