spflynn4 Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 @spflynn4 I have around 900 hours volunteering with hospice, 75 ish hours working with injured athletes in my college's training room, and 800 hours volunteering for a crisis hotline. (From what I can tell some schools will count that, some won't). I also have recently gotten a job as a resident care assistant at a group home, so I'll have like 320 hours there before I apply and that will be ongoing It's really going to depend on the school. I applied with similar stats but with more hce, and you can see my results above. Most of the opinions on this forum will probably tell you to hold off for a cycle, which isn't really the worst idea in the world. If you really want to apply directly out of undergrad, try to apply broadly and really focus on your personal statement, but keep accumulating hce and know that there's a chance that you'll have to apply more than once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AprilMedicPA Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Undergrad: Portland State University (BS Molecular/Microbiology - graduated August 2015) Cumulative GPA: 3.41 Cumulative Science GPA: 3.24 CASPA Submitted: May 2015 to top choices and early June to the rest CASPA Verified: Within a week Age: 43 (an outlier!) GRE: V161, Q150, W 4.0 HCE: 23 years as a paramedic Shadowing: 24 hours with a hospitalist PA LOR: Hospitalist PA, Paramedic Training Officer, Biology Professor Schools Applied: UW Medex, OHSU, Pacific, Samuel Merritt, UC Davis, Marshall B. Ketchum, Charles Drew (missed a needed med term prereq), was willing to add more if needed! Interviews: UW Medex (Sept), OHSU (Oct), Samuel Merritt (declined), Marshall B. Ketchum (declined) Interview Waitlist: None Rejected: OHSU, Pacific, UC Davis Accepted: UW Medex Attending: UW Medex!! Attempt: 2nd Last cycle, I applied in late August to UW Medex, OHSU, and Pacific. I was still in progress to get my BS degree. I was interviewed by OHSU and UW Medex... with a rejection from OHSU and a waitlist from UW after attending their very last interview. I learned my lesson and applied EARLY this cycle! I turned in the apps for my top 2 schools in May and the others in early June to see if I could get early interviews at the schools I wanted most and save some traveling fees. It seemed to work since I was interviewed at UW Medex during their first interview of the cycle and accepted less than a week later thus allowing me to decline other interviews out of the area. I do recommend interviewing at at least a couple of schools because there is definitely a feel at each and you want to fit in and be comfortable even if it isn't the closest program or the one you thought you'd like the best. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vtension Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Undergrad: Georgia State University (Biology, 2014) Cumulative GPA: 3.45 Cumulative Science GPA: 3.37 CASPA Submitted: June 2015 CASPA Verified: 11 days after Age: 23 GRE: V155, Q147, W 3.5 HCE: 1,800 as a CNA Volunteer: 200 hours in various free clinics and non-profits Research: 2 years in an evironmental microbiology lab Shadowing: 50 hours with 6 different PAs LOR: PA, Nursing Supervisor, Work Supervisor Schools Applied: Rush, Touro CA, Touro NV, Samuel Merritt, UC Davis, Western (Withrew application), University of Sciences (Withdrew application), Duke, Northwestern, NYIT, MCPHS Interview Invites: MCPHS (Declined), Rush, Touro CA, Touro NV, UC Davis Waitlisted: Rush, Touro CA Rejected: NYIT, Northwestern, Duke, Touro NV, Northwestern Waiting to hear from: Samuel Merritt Accepted: UC Davis Attending: UC Davis! (Unless I hear back from Samuel Merritt) Attempt: 1st Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA-S Zoidberg Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Undergrad: Colorado College (2010), University of Alaska Anchorage, UNE Cumulative GPA: 3.0 Cumulative Science GPA: 3.06 CASPA Submitted: June 2015 CASPA Verified: June 2015 Age: 28 GRE: V166, Q154, W 4.5 HCE: 5 years as Pilates Instructor. 1 year medical scribe Shadowing: 30 hours+ with PMR MD, DPT, DO FP. Volunteer: 300+ as volunteer EMS and youth mountain bike coach. LOR: FP DO, FP PA, 2 x EM MD Schools Applied: UW Medex, OHSU, Pacific, UC Davis, Marshall Ketchum, Heritage U, Idaho State U, Duke, UNC Chapel Hill, Rocky Mountain College, Rocky Mountain University, Stanford University, Touro California, Franklin Pierce, Southern California, University of the Pacific Interviews: UW Medex- Anchorage, UNC Chapel Hill, Idaho State U Interview Waitlist: Pacific U Rejected: UNC Accepted: UW Medex- Anchorage, Idaho State Attending: UW MEDEX- Anchorage Attempt: 2nd-ish (1st only applied to MEDEX to get a feel for the process). So excited to be starting this promising career and am looking forward to participating in my local medical community (Alaska). For those who are low GPA. Last year I had a 2.7 GPA! With hard work, introspection, and smart application skills you too can be a PA-S. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolui Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 This feels so surreal to type out... but I can finally do it! Undergrad: Northeastern University (B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience) Cumulative GPA: 3.65 Cumulative Science GPA: 3.48 CASPA Submitted: late June/early July 2015 Age: 27 GRE: V156, Q160, W 4.5 HCE: 2,800 split between clinical research, medical volunteer @ free clinic, and MA Volunteer: ~980 hours in free clinics, state house, ministry, service-learning, marine research, etc. Research: 4 years in women's health clinical research (including authorship on publication) Shadowing: 16 hours with 2 PAs (1 surgical onc, 1 wound care) LOR: undergrad advisor/prof, private practice MD, MD who was PI for clin research Schools Applied: Emory, Duke, GWU, Northeastern, Rush, Arcadia Interview Invites: Emory, Duke, GWU, Northeastern (declined), Rush (declined), Arcadia (declined) Waitlisted: None Rejected: None Accepted: Emory, Duke, GWU Attending: Emory! :) Attempt: 1st 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futurepa18 Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Undergrad school: Georgia regents university Undergrad GPA:3.46 Science GPA: 3.48 Age: 25 GRE: quantitative 157, verbal 156, writing 5.0 Patient care: EMT less than 200 hours, volunteer in ER about 200 hours, pharmacy tech but I don't know if that counts, shadowed PAs in cardio, derm and ER (about 100 hours) Extracurricular: student instructor and teachers assistant for organic chemistry, volunteer in ER, air force vet Schools applied: wingate, high point, south university in Savannah, wake forest, uab, south college, Anderson broaddus, Lincoln memorial Interview invites: south university, south college, Anderson broaddus, can and Lincoln memorial Denied: none Withdrew app: south university Wait listed: uab and Lincoln memorial Accepted: Anderson broaddus and south college I want to add that I didn't feel like I had enough patient care experience to apply this year but my friend who is a PA talked me into it. I'm so glad now that I did it now. So for those of you who are hesitant because you feel like you're not as competitive as you need to be, just take the jump and go ahead and apply if you have enough of the other stuff to make you look good. If nothing else, it's a great learning experience and it can be a great confidence booster. This was my first year applying and I could not be happier that I went ahead and applied instead of waiting until next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAGuy55 Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Undergrad: University of Florida Major: Food Science and Human Nutrition. Nutritonal Sciences Cumulative GPA: 3.97 Cumulative Science GPA: 3.96 CASPA Submitted: July 15 CASPA Verified: July 27 Age: 24 GRE: V156, Q148, 4.0 Writing HCE: 1,400 PCT at time of application (July), 2000 by Mid November-December Volunteer: Community service director, Pharmacy volunteer, Various hospital events with nursing unit Research: 1.5 years, Undegrad Independent Thesis Project, 1 Publication in Micro journal from senior thesis, Worked in Ag lab during undergrad Shadowing: 60 hours, 2 PAs, Critical Care/Primary Care Awards/Honors: Summa cum laude, Deans List LOR: Critical Care PA, Nurse Manager, Nurse Supervisor, Mentor/PI/Professor Schools Applied: Rutgers, PCOM, Barry, University of Florida, Desales, Drexel, Duke, Pacific, NOVA Ft Lauderdale Interview Invites: Rutgers, PCOM, Barry, University of Florida, DeSales (Declined), Duke, Drexel (Declined), NOVA (Declined) Rejected: Pacific Accepted: Rutgers, Duke, University of Florida, Barry Waitlisted: PCOM (Withdrew) Attempt: 1st Attending: University of Florida! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jGreen Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Undergrad Ed School: Arizona State UniversityCumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.87Science Undergrad. GPA: 4.0Age at application time : 351st GRE: Verbal: 155(67%); Quant: 160(78%); Anal: 4.0(56%)Direct Patient Care : Nothing, except for taking care of my sick kids (yes, I reported that).Extracurricular/Research Activities: N/ASchools Applied: AT Still (AZ), Baylor, Idaho State U, Midwestern (AZ), Northern AZ U, Oregon Health & Science U, Pacific U, Rocky Mountain U, St. Louis U, U of Colorado, UNT HS Center, UTMB (Galveston), UT Southwestern, U of UtahInterview Invites: Idaho State U, Baylor, (On hold at Midwestern)Denied: Everyone else (11 schools)Withdrew Application: NoneWaitlisted: Baylor Accepted: Idaho State Attempt: 1st 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sdmcdon1 Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 Undergrad Ed School: University of Mississippi - B.S. Exercise Science/B.A.Biology w/ minor in EnglishCumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.24Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.10Graduate Ed School: Mississippi College - Master's in Health Services Administration (in progress)Cumulative Graduate GPA: 3.85Science Graduate GPA: 4.00Age at application time : 251st GRE: 154-Verbal, 152-Quantitative, 3.5 AnalyticalHealthcare Experience : Medical Scribe (E.R.) - approximately 3000 hours -Student Athletic Trainer: 300 hours -E.R. Volunteer: 40 hours -N.P. Shadowing: 80 hours -P.T. Shadowing: 25 hours Extracurricular/Research Activities: -Research Assistant: 60 hours -Special Olympics Volunteer: 15 hours -Student Athlete Tutor: 48 hours -Waiter: Approximately 3000 hours Schools Applied: Mississippi College, University of South Alabama, South College (Knoxville)Application Submitted Date: 08/29/15Schools Received Application Date: 09/01/15Interview Invites: Mississippi College, South CollegeDenied: USAWithdrew Application: South CollegeWaitlisted: NoneAccepted: Mississippi College The old saying is true, there really are several ways to skin a cat. I had a less than stellar GPA and HCE, so I tried to make up for it in graduate school. If you get rejected this cycle, use that for motivation and do everything you can to improve your application for the next cycle. Don't give up, your hard work will pay off eventually, and it will be all the more rewarding when it does! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrickbaylor Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 Undergrad and Grad institution: Baylor University Undergrad GPA: 3.08 Science (BCP) GPA: 3.74 Graduate GPA: 3.66 (88 hours) Post-Bac GPA: 4.0 (48 hours – basically all my pre-reqs) GRE: Verbal – 168 (98%), Quant – 160 (78%), Writing – 5.5 (98%) Age at time of application: 34 Hands on Care Hours: 1800 – Research Assistant working on clinical trials (worked job for 5 years, but only part of it qualified as “hands on”) Research: 7200 hours Volunteering: Around 800 hours Shadowing: 40 hours (32 with Pediatric MD, 5 with Ortho PA, and 3 with Peds PA) Applied to: 18 so I won’t list them all, but if you are curious feel free to send me a message. Interviewed: (8) St. Francis (NM), University of North Texas HSC, Yale, Duke, Midwestern University, Wake Forest, Pacific University, and UT Southwestern Medical Center Denied: Yale, Wake Forest Wait Listed: St. Francis, UNT HSC, Midwestern, Pacific Accepted: UT Southwestern, Duke Attending: UT Southwestern Attempt: 2nd I want to encourage a few different types of people: The non-traditional student for whom this is a second career and the applicants that had a low GPA in undergrad. I got my BA in religion and my Master of Divinity. After school I worked in the music industry, worked a couple of short lived odd jobs, and then started my current work in research. I worked full time while completing all my pre-reqs over the course of several years. As one can see I had a poor undergrad GPA at 3.08. However, since my junior year I showed an upward trend academically from 3.42 Junior year, 3.53 senior year, 3.66 grad school, and 4.0 in all Post-Bac classes. If your academic record shows consistent improvement I believe that will help you if you were a complete slacker like me my first two years of college. Also for those of you with low GPA do everything you can to get a good GRE score and to get hands on care experience. If you don’t get accepted your first time around it’s okay to be disappointed. I didn’t get accepted on my first attempt last year. In fact I’ve met a lot of people that didn’t get in until their 2nd try. If you’re reading this post and feeling discouraged because you haven’t been accepted yet I know exactly how you feel. And if you need someone to vent your frustrations feel free to send me a personal note here and I’ll be your sounding board. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylelia Posted January 29, 2016 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Undergrad and Grad institution: Baylor University Undergrad GPA: 3.08 Science (BCP) GPA: 3.74 Graduate GPA: 3.66 (88 hours) Post-Bac GPA: 4.0 (48 hours – basically all my pre-reqs) GRE: Verbal – 168 (98%), Quant – 160 (78%), Writing – 5.5 (98%) Age at time of application: 34 Hands on Care Hours: 1800 – Research Assistant working on clinical trials (worked job for 5 years, but only part of it qualified as “hands on”) Research: 7200 hours Volunteering: Around 800 hours Shadowing: 40 hours (32 with Pediatric MD, 5 with Ortho PA, and 3 with Peds PA) Applied to: 18 so I won’t list them all, but if you are curious feel free to send me a message. Interviewed: (8) St. Francis (NM), University of North Texas HSC, Yale, Duke, Midwestern University, Wake Forest, Pacific University, and UT Southwestern Medical Center Denied: Yale, Wake Forest Wait Listed: St. Francis, UNT HSC, Midwestern, Pacific Still no decision: Duke Accepted: UT Southwestern Attending: UT Southwestern Attempt: 2nd I want to encourage a few different types of people: The non-traditional student for whom this is a second career and the applicants that had a low GPA in undergrad. I got my BA in religion and my Master of Divinity. After school I worked in the music industry, worked a couple of short lived odd jobs, and then started my current work in research. I worked full time while completing all my pre-reqs over the course of several years. As one can see I had a poor undergrad GPA at 3.08. However, since my junior year I showed an upward trend academically from 3.42 Junior year, 3.53 senior year, 3.66 grad school, and 4.0 in all Post-Bac classes. If your academic record shows consistent improvement I believe that will help you if you were a complete slacker like me my first two years of college. Also for those of you with low GPA do everything you can to get a good GRE score and to get hands on care experience. If you don’t get accepted your first time around it’s okay to be disappointed. I didn’t get accepted on my first attempt last year. In fact I’ve met a lot of people that didn’t get in until their 2nd try. If you’re reading this post and feeling discouraged because you haven’t been accepted yet I know exactly how you feel. And if you need someone to vent your frustrations feel free to send me a personal note here and I’ll be your sounding board. Congrats! I also worked in the music industry+ odd jobs post liberal arts degree before deciding to return to school. Definitely consider myself a "non-traditional" applicant, so thanks for the tips & encouragement! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samhamiam Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Undergrad Ed School: Michigan State University Major: Economics Minor: Art History CASPA Undergrad GPA: 3.20 CASPA Science GPA: 3.00 Age at application time : 26GRE: Verbal: 152, Quant: 151 , Analytical: 4.5Direct Patient Care : CNA Orthopedics: 500 hours; Dental Assistant: 2,000 Other activities: Refugee mentor in college, Honors college graduate, Deans list every semester, Soup kitchen for several years, have two years of working in the financial world as a banker PA Shadowing- I work in orthopedics, so I see and help out the PAs quite often, but my hospital only let me formally shadow them for 10 hours, but in reality, through my work I get to see them with my patients almost daily. Schools Applied: all of the Nova Southeastern schools but did not do supplemental for the Fort Lauderdale one, Rosalind Franklin, Rush, Rocky Mountain College, Barry, Rocky Mountain University, Touro University-California, King’s College, Midwestern Downers Grove, MCPHS, Johnson & Wales, Augsburg (15 total) CASPA verification date: July 20th (or so) 2015 Interview Invites: Barry University, Rocky Mountain College, Touro University-California Withdrew Application: none Waitlisted: none Accepted: Touro University-California Denied: everywhere else Attending: Touro University-California! My absolute #1 choice! Attempt: 1st I highly recommend that you save up a good amount of money because gre, application fees and the costs to go out for an interview add up really quickly! It is already a stressful process, be prepared financially. Don’t take hard classes during interview cycle, which is usually August to December, I did and it was stressful studying for a hard exam and also flying out to an interview. I would recommend having a plan if you are not accepted this cycle. I had a list of courses I was going to start taking if I was not accepted into any programs so that I could build on my application for the next cycle along with I was going to continue working getting more patient care hours. Many people don’t get in their first cycle, please do not get discouraged, it never hurts to have a plan to provide you peace of mind that you are working towards your goal. As for interview, it really is like a job interview and even harder. Have the questions, why you want to be a PA and why did you choose this school, prepared in an outline manner. Do not sound rehearsed! One school said I did sound rehearsed, and guess what, I did rehearse it line by line! So don’t do what I did. The next interview, I had my answers as an outline in my head. Every time the answer came out different, but the outline was the same, so it flowed naturally. Read up on healthcare, I read The New Yorker medicine, Washington post, the Economist to know the changes that are happening in healthcare and it made me more confident and knowledgeable in my approach. Best of luck everyone! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAsfbay Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Undergrad Ed School: Sonoma State University: BA Philosophy with distinction Cabrillo College AS Dental Hygiene Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.89 Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.9 Age at application time : 31 1st GRE: V 168 Q 154 W 4.5 Direct Patient Care : (type & hours) Dental Hygienist 10,000 Extracurricular/Research Activities: Volunteer in Dental Clinics, Mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters, Home health care volunteer, class president, treasurer for ethics club, several awards and scholarships Schools Applied: Davis, Loma Linda, Samuel Merritt, University of Utah, Barry St Croix, Yale, Duke, University of Utah. (Submitted CASPA to Stanford but withdrew application when I realized I didn’t want to go there) Interview Invites: Yale, Loma Linda (declined) U of Utah Denied: Duke, Barry, Davis Still waiting on Samuel Merritt Withdrew Application: Stanford- never submitted the supplemental. I wouldn't even bother if you are from a dental background they were very uninterested at the information session. Waitlisted: none Accepted: U of Utah I originally took my prerequisites for RDH school and my A&P were more than 10 years old. I wanted to apply this year, and I was going to retake them if I didn’t get in anywhere. I feel very fortunate to be starting this year! U of Utah was awesome! I highly recommend applying there! I wanted to give hope to applicants that have been working for many years since they took their prerequisites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamper Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Undergrad Ed School: University of Washington Major: B.S. in Biology and B.A. in PsychologyCASPA Cum. Undergraduate GPA: 3.44CASPA Science Undergraduate GPA: 3.34 CASPA Post-Baccalaureate Overall GPA: 4.0 CASPA Post-Baccalaureate Overall GPA: 4.0Age: 25GRE: Quantitative - 156 (64th percentile) Verbal - 158 (79th percentile) Writing - 4.0 (56th percentile)Patient Care Experience: ~2,500 as a CNA at a hospital Volunteering: ~1,000 hours (counselor at UW Camp Kesem, volunteered at Group Health, UW Freshmen Interest Group (FIG) leader, volunteering at random events with my sorority in college, working on my sorority's philanthropy in college, etc.) Shadow Experience: ~105 hours shadowing PAs in dermatology, urgent care, family medicine, pain medicine, interventional radiology, and neurosurgery. Also shadowed doctors and nurses during my study abroad experience in Chile.Extracurricular/Relevant Activities/Experiences: studied abroad in Chile (focusing on their healthcare system and practices), Freshmen Interest Group (FIG) leader at UW, UW equestrian team member LOR: A physician I work with, my most recent physiology professor, and the PA whom I spent the most shadowing hours withSchools Applied: University of Colorado - Denver, University of Washington MEDEX Northwest, Baylor College of Medicine, Samuel Merritt University, Midwestern University - Glendale, Midwestern University - Downers Grove, Oregon Health & Science University, Pacific University, Pace University, University of Texas Medical Branch, University of North Texas, university of Toledo CASPA Application Submitted Date: July 17th Application Verified Date: July 28thInterview Invites: University of Colorado - Denver, University of Washington MEDEX Northwest, Baylor College of Medicine, University of Toledo Still waiting to hear from: Midwestern University - Glendale, Midwestern University - Downers GroveDenied: Oregon Health & Science University, Pacific University, Pace University, University of Texas Medical Branch, University of North Texas, Samuel Merritt University Declined Interview Invites: University of Toledo Waitlisted: Baylor College of MedicineAccepted: University of Colorado - Denver, University of Washington MEDEX Northwest Attending: University of Colorado - Denver!! Attempt: 2nd My first application cycle, I literally didn't get one single interview invite. If you don't get in the first time, seriously do not give up! Make a plan (NOW) for what you can do if you don't get in. Here's a summary of what I did: After I didn't get it, I continued to work as a CNA at a hospital. When I applied the first time I only had ~800 patient care hours; the second time I had ~2,500. I think just having another year of patient care experience A) boosted my application and B) helped me write a much more insightful, meaningful essay. I completely redid my CASPA personal statement (looking back now, my first one was awful), however I only made minor edits to most of my supplemental application essays because these were already pretty good. WRITE A GOOD ESSAY. I can't stress that enough. Utilize the writing centers are your undergrad schools (most will help you even if you aren't a student there anymore). The UW writing center helped me write an awesome essay. I shadowed more PAs in a wider variety of specialties and pretty much doubled my shadowing hours. I also took Human Physiology at a community college (I'd taken mammalian phys during undergrad, which most schools allowed me to use as a substitution for human phys...however, my grade in that class wasn't so hot). I also took Medical Terminology online at a community college just because a lot of schools recommended it and because I knew it would boost my GPA. I worked hard and got a 4.0 in both classes. I got a different professor LOR and a different physician LOR than I had the first time around. I had the same PA write an LOR though. Interview prep: I gathered like 100 example questions into one document, printed it out, and then just wrote notes and/or lists by the questions. I never came up with my exact answers. I also had a piece of paper where I'd jot down anecdotes that displayed my personal strengths or that would be good examples to many of the questions. Having a handwritten list allowed me to add to it as the ideas popped into my head (rather than giving me a chance to forget it before I could write it down). I also paid for a mock interview at the UW Career Center. I cannot recommend doing a formal mock interview enough. This seriously was a godsend. Mock interviews are usually free to UW students, but cost $75 for an alumni. It was seriously the best $75 I spent on any sort of application prep material. Feel free to message me if you want me to explain any part of my experience further! I am seriously on top of the world right now, and would be more than happy to lend a hand to anyone who is going through the same process I went through. 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vidbala Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Feels so great to finally be able to make this post! Undergrad institution: UC Berkeley CASPA Cum. Undergraduate GPA: 3.5 CASPA Science Undergraduate GPA: 3.4 CASPA Post-Baccalaureate Overall GPA: 4.0Age at application: 25GRE: Quantitative - 158 (71th percentile) Verbal - 161 (87th percentile) Writing - 4.0 (56th percentile)Patient Care Experience: ~3300 hrs ER Tech, Health Careers Internship, Assisted Living Community Service: ~1600 hours (Peer Health Educator in low-income high school, ER, Cancer Registry, clinic for the homeless, Public Service campus club) Shadow Experience: 40 hrs with ER PA, 40 hrs with CT Surgeon Other Experiences: Tutor in General Bio, A&P, Microbio; Undergrad honors research; Editor in Chief of Pre-Health magazine LOR: ER Physician, ER PA, Anatomy ProfessorSchools Applied: Samuel Merritt University (SMU), Midwestern University - Glendale (MWU), Touro-Vallejo (TUC), Western Pomona (WUHS), Chatham, Elon, D'Youville College, Univ of Pacific (UOP), Charles Drew U (CDU) CASPA Application Submitted Date: 09/20/15Application Verified Date: 09/30/15Interview Invites: Chatham, MWU, SMU, TUC, WUHS, UOP, Elon, D'Youville Turned Down Interview: Chatham, Elon U, D'Youville, UOP Waitlisted: WUHS Denied: CDU Accepted: MWU, SMU, TUC Attending: Samuel Merritt University Attempt: 1st Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsturr19 Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Undergrad ed school: Aquinas College (Grand Rapids, MI), B.S. Biology cGPA: 3.80 sGPA: 3.93 Post Bac GPA: 4.00 CASPA verification: July 7th Age at time of application: 24 1st GRE: V 151 Q 155 W 4.5 (306) 2nd GRE: N/A HCE: 3000+ CNA in the Intensive Care Unit Research: 200 hours researching the suture tensile forces on pacemaker leads Shadowing: 0 Volunteering: ~100 hours in various soup kitchens, teaching elementary students, science days at college Awards/ honors/etc.: Dean's List (All 4 years), Student Senate, Varsity Hockey Team Captain (also established the program while in school), AED President, BBB Historian, Pre-Health Professions Scholarship, Magna Cum Laude Schools applied to: Butler, Northwestern, Rosalind Franklin, Midwestern (IL), Rush, U of Colorado, Cornell, Hofstra, NYIT, Grand Valley, U of St. Francis (IN), U of WI-Madison, Carroll U, Marquette, Yale, Le Moyne, and Toledo Rejected: Rush, Northwestern Interviewed: U of St. Francis, Yale, U of CO, Rosalind Franklin, Midwestern, Grand Valley Waitlisted: Withdrew from Interview: NYIT, Hofstra, Marquette, Carroll U, Le Moyne, Butler, U of W-Madison Accepted: Rosalind Franklin, Yale, Midwestern, Grand Valley State U Attempts: 1st Attending: Grand Valley State University 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UCPA2018 Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Can't actually believe I get to post this already! Undergrad Ed School: Central Michigan University (BS in Communication Disorders in 2011)Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.41Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.5 CASPA Post-Baccalaureate Overall GPA: 3.6 Age at application time : 261st GRE: Quant: 151, Verbal: 148 Writing: 4Direct Patient Care : (type & hours) Approx 2000 as a medical assistant in a plastic surgeon's office and probably close to 5000 as an emergency room techExtracurricular/Research Activities: No research, but about 80 hours of various volunteer experience including a week long trip to St. Jude's to work with families and patients Shadowing: a couple shifts in the ER with a PA before I started working there and I observed several surgeries with an NP as first assist (similar to what a PA would do in surgery). I work daily with PAs of all different specialties so I made sure to make that known so they could see that although my shadowing hours were low, I do indeed know what all kinds of PAs do within a hospital.Schools Applied: Anne Arundel, Eastern Michigan, U of Toledo, Philadelphia U, Desales, GWU, EVMS, Franklin Pierce, West Liberty, SalusApplication Submitted Date: July 6 2015Schools Received Application Date: (approximate date) About 2 weeks laterInterview Invites: Anne Arundel, Salus, Philadelphia UDenied: Anne Arundel, EMU, GWU, DesalesWithdrew Application: EVMS, West Liberty, U of ToledoWaitlisted: SalusAccepted: Philadelphia University!! Attempt: 1st Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmelore Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Undergrad ed school: Delaware State University, B.S Exercise Science cGPA: 3.30 (Bacc: 3.17, Post Bacc: 3.63) sGPA: 3.31 (Bacc: 3.21, Post Bacc: 3.54) CASPA verification: August 6th Age at time of application: 23 HCE: 2200+ hours as PT tech (still accruing), ~240 hours interning with PT in school setting working hands on with children with disabilities, 1000+ hours as Chief Medical Scribe in ER (still accruing), 20 hours hands on doing ride alongs with EMTs Research: 675 hours researching expression levels of voltage gated sodium channels in those with spinal muscular atrophy Shadowing: 200+ hours shadowing PAs and Doctors in various settings such as ER, neurosurgery, pediatrics, orthopedic surgery, hospitalist services, and urgent care Volunteering: ~100 hours doing special olympics and various other events LOR: neurosurgery PA, professor/chairperson, PT/clinic director Extracurricular: Division I college soccer player, Teacher assistant for Biology 2, High school girls soccer coach Schools applied to: ~20 (too many to type, message for specifics if interested) Interviewed: Sacred Heart University, Le Moyne College, Slippery Rock University Denied: Most schools Waitlisted: none Accepted: Slippery Rock University Attempts: 1st Attending: Slippery Rock University!!! :) I posted this to give others hope. My GPA was not the greatest and even after taking an extra year of courses and repeating courses, it was still below average. However, I accrued many HCE and shadowing hours, and had an upward trend in my GPA. I believe that saving up and applying to as many schools as I did really helped as well. Don't put all your eggs in 1 basket! BUT, my best advice and a lesson learned for people with similar stats to mine, is to apply as early as possible (Like May!). I think that really would have helped me, because many programs were filled or mostly filled by the time they reached my application. Feel free to message me with any questions! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dabba Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Undergrad: Stony Brook University - Health Science - Critical Care Concentration - Graduated 2015 Cumulative GPA: 3.14 Cumulative Science GPA: 3.13 CASPA Submitted: 08/15 CASPA Verified: 08/15 Age: 28 GRE: 157V 152M 3W HCE: 5000 hours + of 911 EMT-B experience Shadowing: 8 hours of shadowing a MD in an ER, 8 hours of shadowing a PA in a practice LOR: 1 MD, one supervisor non healthcare related, one professor Schools Applied: Albany Medical, Le Moyne, Lock Haven, LIU, Monmouth, Nova Ft Meyers Jacksonville and Orlando, Rocky Mountain University, Sacred Heart, Sam Merrit, South University, Stony Brook, University of Bridgeport, University of Colorado, University of New Mexico, University of South Alabama, University of Utah, Medex, UT Southwestern, West Liberty, Clarkson Interviews: Monmouth, Sacred Heart, Clarkson Interview Waitlist: Monmouth Interview Rejected: Sacred Heart Accepted: Clarkson Attending: Clarkson Attempt: 2nd GPA was hit hard my first time around at school. Second attempt avg was around 3.5 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetéToPA Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Let me preface this post by saying that I place complete blame upon this forum for making me such a paranoid wreck that I applied to way too many schools. How many is too many? 29. 29 is too many. I was sure that my GPA wasn’t high enough or my HCE was no good or I was too old, or too young, or whatever other spastic negative thought came to me while poring over this website. PA Forum, you are a blessing and a curse. Undergrad: Skidmore College, B.S. in DanceCumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.72 Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.76Graduate School: N/A Post-bacc GPA: 4.0 (52 credits) Honors: cum laude, departmental honors, honors societyAge at application time: 40, holla1st GRE: 154 quantitative (56%), 164 verbal (94%), 5.5 writing (98%)HCE: 1100 hours phlebotomy Certifications: EMT-B. Got it, never used it.Volunteer: Red Cross (60 hours), Animal rescue (40 hours), volunteered in various arts-in-education, scholarship foundation, and community outreach programs for dance (1000s of hours). Shadowing: 60 hours internal medicine, cardiology, and orthopedics LOR: 2 PAs that I shadowed, professor, pre-health advisor, lab supervisorSchools Applied: Too many, see disclaimer.CASPA Submitted: 07/04/2015 CASPA Verified: 07/20/2015 Denied: South University, Philadelphia U, Rosalind Franklin Interview invites: Thomas Jefferson, College of St. Joseph, Indiana U, Clarkson, UNC Chapel Hill, Chatham, SUNY Upstate, NOVA Ft. Myers, Albany Med, Arcadia, Lock Haven, Rush, DeSales, Cornell, Yale, Rutgers, Wake Forest, George Washington, Duke Interviews attended: College of St. Joseph, Albany Med, Lock Haven, Cornell, Yale, Rutgers, George WashingtonWithdrew before hearing from: Drexel, James Madison, UNE, MCPHS, Stonybrook, Hofstra Accepted: College of St. Joseph, Albany, Lock Haven, Cornell, Yale, George Washington Attending: Yale Many will judge me for applying to so many schools, but there was a method to my madness and some surprising results that others might learn from. I am 40 years old and coming from my former job I took a HUGE pay cut when I got the job as a phlebotomist. In my mind, applying was a one shot deal so forking over the money for 29 schools seemed like a rational idea at the time since I wouldn’t have to apply again (more $) and also spend another year getting paid a low wage. Also, I honestly didn’t know how desirable a candidate I was until I started hearing back. 3.7 is a good GPA but it’s not 3.8 or 4.0. I read that 1000 hours was the bare minimum and that phlebotomy was not considered “desirable” to schools. Every school I applied to I researched thoroughly and made sure all of my pre-reqs and HCE requirements lined up even if only the minimum. I also just looked at schools I would be willing to go to if I only got into one. The most interesting thing about this experience is that the schools I considered my just-for-the-hell-of-it/reaches got back to me very quickly, and I was in the first or second interview groups (GW, Yale, Cornell, Duke, Rutgers, Wake Forest). And the schools I thought I was a shoo-in for I didn’t hear from by the time I had already interviewed and been accepted at 6 others (I’m looking at you, Drexel, Stonybrook, MCPHS, and UNE). So I guess the moral is that this is not an exact science. You cannot know what is possible until you fork over the cash and hit that submit button. I feel so very fortunate to have gotten the opportunities that I had. Best of luck to everyone, especially my fellow oldies. 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyssahoover Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Undergrad Ed School: 3.55 [bS in Psychology at Texas A&M University] Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.29Age at application time : 23GRE: Quantitative: 157 (69%), Verbal:159 (81%), Writing: 4.5 (80%)Direct Patient Care : Medical Assistant/Scribe: 350 hours; Volunteer: 30 hoursExtracurricular/Research Activities: 3421 Hours through volunteer student organizationsSchools Applied: Baylor College of Medicine, UNTHSC, Harding University, Texas Tech, UTMB, UT-SouthwesternApplication Submitted Date: 6/3/15Schools Received Application Date: 6/11/15Interview Invites: Baylor, UNTHSC, Harding UniversityDenied: Texas Tech, UTMB, UT-SouthwesternWaitlisted: UNTHSCAccepted: Baylor, Harding Unversity Attempt: 2ND Attending: BAYLOR :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prepa106 Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Undergrad: a University of California school (BS Biology - c/o 2014) CASPA cumulative GPA: 3.48 CASPA science cumulative GPA: 3.34 CASPA Submitted: Late June CASPA Verified: Early July Age: 23 GREs: - Verbal: 157 74% - Quantitative: 157 68% - Analytical Writing: 5.0 93% HCE: ~1200 hours as a Dermatology Medical Assistant Community Service Hours: ~1500 hours in community outreach projects, health clinics, tutoring, teaching kids karate Shadowing: ~100 hours with PAs in family med, neuropsychiatry and neurology LORs: Research supervisor, cell bio professor, volunteer coordinator, supervising physician and a neuropsych PA Schools Applied: Western, CA - Rosalind Franklin, IL - Le Moyne, NY - MCPHS-Worcester, MA - Touro, CA - USC, CA - Midwestern, AZ - Touro Winthorp - Touro Manhatten - Touro Bay Shore - Stony Brook, NY - South University, GA - Touro Nevada - Saint Francis, PA - Samuel Merritt, CA - Charles Drew, CA - CUNY, NY (Withdrew) - Arizona School of Health Sciences - Long Island University, NY - Southern California University of Health Sciences (20 total) Interviews: - Western, CA - Rosalind Franklin, IL - Le Moyne, NY - MCPHS-Worcester, MA - Touro, CA - USC, CA - SCUHS, CA (Declined) Waitlist: - Le Moyne, NY - Declined - MCPHS-Worcester, MA - Withdrew - Touro, CA - Withdrew Rejected: Touro Winthorp - Stony Brook, NY - South University, GA - Touro Nevada - Saint Francis, PA - Samuel Merritt, CA - Charles Drew, CA - USC, CA - Midwestern, AZ - etc Accepted: Western University of Health Sciences, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Sciences Attending: Western Attempt: 1st I knew that my grades were concerning so I tried my best to beef up everything else while acing post-bacc courses to slowly raise my GPA (I work part time). This especially meant dedicating a lot of time doing community service, revising my PS/secondaries, having a great relationship with my LOR writers and honing my interview skills (which needed a lot of work) - feel free to msg me with any questions :) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aloha Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Undergrad Ed School: University in NJ, B.S. Bio Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.80 Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.92 Age at application time :26 GRE: 160 quant 162 verbal 4.0 w Direct Patient Care : 2600 hrs Medical Lab Tech, 700 hrs phlebotomist. Shadowed 4 P.A.s, ~40 hrs each. Extracurricular/Research Activities: Undergrad research published 1 article. Volunteer at Blood Bank and Habitat for Humanity ~100 hrs Schools Applied: Rutgers, Seton Hall, Elon, Duke, Monmouth, Yale, Emory, Wake Forest, MUSC Application Submitted Date: September 2015 Interview Invites: All but Emory Denied: Emory, Rutgers, Yale Withdrew Application: Seton Hall & MUSC (declined interviews) Waitlisted: Wake Forest Accepted: Duke, Monmouth, Elon ATTENDING: Monmouth 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babyface Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Undergrad Ed School: University in NJ, B.S. Bio Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.80 Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.92 Age at application time :26 GRE: 160 quant 162 verbal 4.0 w Direct Patient Care : 2600 hrs Medical Lab Tech, 700 hrs phlebotomist. Shadowed 4 P.A.s, ~40 hrs each. Extracurricular/Research Activities: Undergrad research published 1 article. Volunteer at Blood Bank and Habitat for Humanity ~100 hrs Schools Applied: Rutgers, Seton Hall, Elon, Duke, Monmouth, Yale, Emory, Wake Forest, MUSC Application Submitted Date: September 2015 Interview Invites: All but Emory Denied: Emory, Rutgers, Yale Withdrew Application: Seton Hall & MUSC (declined interviews) Waitlisted: Wake Forest Accepted: Duke, Monmouth, Elon ATTENDING: Monmouth I'm honestly surprised you did not get into Yale, Emory and Rutgers. You seem like the perfect candidate, how did your interviews go? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aloha Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 I'm honestly surprised you did not get into Yale, Emory and Rutgers. You seem like the perfect candidate, how did your interviews go? I thought my interviews at RU and Yale went well. My interview at Duke was ok. Each school is looking for different types of applicants though, so you never really know! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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