Advice for potential applicant based in philly

[superninja]

So here's my story:

 

I'm 23 finishing up my MBA with a Healthcare focus. I have a BS in Health Sciences but did not have the best science grades. I also work full time as a consultant in the pharma industry.

 

Dilemma:

 

I want to go to PA school and will apply next year as that will give me time to re-take some of my chem classes.

I took the GRE, GMAT and LSAT when deciding what to do after my BS- I've done well on all three.

I also do not have volunteer experience in a hospital except from back in the day (high school and freshmen year of college)

I can't, for the life of me, find a PA to shadow with (in Philly, which is ridiculous).

 

So, in a nutshell: I will have a MBA in 2012, a BS in Health Science and I need to still re-take some classes, get shadowing hours/volunteer experience in.

 

My questions are:

 

1. What has your experience been like?

2. If you did your hours in Philly- where and how many?

3. If not- where did you do your hours/what type of work and how many hours?

4. Which PA programs did you apply to? What was your GRE score/GPA and were you accepted?

5. Do you advise doing a post-bac or just re-taking some of the courses?

6. What's your advice to me if you had to do it all over again?

 

 

Thank you so much for any input :) I'm just trying to understand how to plan this process so I can get all of my hours/classes done and not have to stop working.

[david89]

Hi, i have a friend who did the pre-req for pa school while majoring in business. we graduated last year and she decided to pursuit an MBA. so i'm just wondering for your case, why the turn around lol.

[superninja]

I finished my bachelors in under 4 years. By the time I graduated, I realized I would still have to accumulate my volunteer/healthcare experience hours to be able to apply. I found a job and began the MBA program after taking my GMAT- less requirements for admission. That's why it's the opposite- didn't want to waste time doing one thing at a time.

[Just Steve]

 

I want to go to PA school and will apply next year as that will give me time to re-take some of my chem classes.

I took the GRE, GMAT and LSAT when deciding what to do after my BS- I've done well on all three.

I also do not have volunteer experience in a hospital except from back in the day (high school and freshmen year of college)

I can't, for the life of me, find a PA to shadow with (in Philly, which is ridiculous).

 

So, in a nutshell: I will have a MBA in 2012, a BS in Health Science and I need to still re-take some classes, get shadowing hours/volunteer experience in.

 

My questions are:

 

1. What has your experience been like? having a great time, has been pretty painless so far outside of my own misplaced stress

2. If you did your hours in Philly- where and how many? N/A

3. If not- where did you do your hours/what type of work and how many hours? US Navy corpsman with emphasis on primary care and surgical suite x 10 years followed by 12 years as a paramedic

4. Which PA programs did you apply to? What was your GRE score/GPA and were you accepted? UW/Medex was my only school, GRE not required, sGPA 3.0, cGPA 3.4

5. Do you advise doing a post-bac or just re-taking some of the courses? I advise getting a job in health care such as Radiology tech, Respiratory tech, surgical tech, paramedic, EMT, CNA, MA

6. What's your advice to me if you had to do it all over again? Having a very strong background in medicine and applying to a school that values previous experience was instrumental in my acceptance. I didn't go to college until I was well into my mid to late 30s...but I did have an education in medicine. That is what got me in the door, not more courses or better GPA (assuming you make the minimal requirement) Pick your school(s) wisely..match what they are looking for with what you have to offer. With over 140 programs in the nation, surely there are a few looking for people just like you. The trick is finding them.

 

 

Thank you so much for any input :) I'm just trying to understand how to plan this process so I can get all of my hours/classes done and not have to stop working. To keep working while getting your course work done will simply require a longer schedule. You are young..you have time on your side. The average age of my class is 36. I'm 39, I sit behind a 56 year old. My roomie is 42. So relax, focus on working in health care, and meet the required courses. Then apply.

responses added in red

[superninja]

Thanks Steve!

 

Anyone else?

[panelson]

My questions are:

 

1. What has your experience been like? Great so far. I am starting my program in a little less than 2 weeks and I feel prepared and excited!

2. If you did your hours in Philly- where and how many? N/A

3. If not- where did you do your hours/what type of work and how many hours? Local community hospital in Connecticut while finishing my undergrad degree - shadowed an orthopedic surgery PA for about 25 hours

4. Which PA programs did you apply to? What was your GRE score/GPA and were you accepted? I applied to schools in the Northeast; Franklin Peirce, Northeastern, MCPHS Boston, MCPHS Worcester, Quinnipiac, EVMS, and UNE

5. Do you advise doing a post-bac or just re-taking some of the courses? If your GPA is ono the lower end of the spectrum, absolutely! Research the school you are interested in applying to and see what the average GPA is that they are looking for or the average GPA of the current class. Theat will tell you what you need to strive for. If your GPA is lower than what their average is, I would definitely reccomend retaking classes or do some post-bach classes in order to improve for the better.

6. What's your advice to me if you had to do it all over again? Strive to do your best in every class. it doesnt matter if it is interesting to you or not or whether you think it will help you in the long run or not. They are all calculated into your GPA which is usually the first thing that can make or break your application. Also, shadow as much as you can. Shadowing and HCE are both extremely valuable in your success to become a PA (or PA-S)

 

 

 

I wish you the best of luck with your path to PA school! Keep working hard!

[superninja]

Thanks guys! :)