DStillwagon Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 I failed out of PA school. I got a 77% in one course, passing is 80%. Failure of a course constitutes dismissal from the program. It was my 1st semester, where I had several significant issues to deal with. I may have a chance at getting back in to the program, but I have to apply all over again. If I were to apply to other programs, what are the odds they'd even look at my application? (My issues were being out of school for 10 years, having nonexistent study skills, having 2 kids-1 with a chronic medical condition that requires constant attention, my husband worked nights so he was sleeping while I studied, and my mom, who moved to help us with the kids, up and left one day because she missed her freedom) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MT2PA Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 It's rare for a student to be re-accepted after failing out (so rare I haven't heard of it happening). First, does the program you failed out from have some sort of option to decelerate and start over? While all programs are different and can have whatever rules they want, usually you just have to maintain a 3.0...so it's a little shocking that a 77% in one course would be enough to send you away. If you have no option with your current/former program, you can certainly try to apply but the biggest thing you need to do is be able to prove that you have resolved or found solutions to your issues listed above. You have a lot going on and while you can eventually get back into the swing of school after 10 years or develop study skills, you don't really have TIME to do that in PA school. You've got to get them FAST. Your family, on the other hand, is obviously not something you can change so you need to consider how you would approach PA school again with the hurdles you have. Not even just to tell/prove to schools, but so that you can be successful. I won't lie, odds aren't great. I'd suggest reaching out to programs and feeling it out before wasting all the money on CASPA and supplementals just to find out it's too big of a red flag for them. 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DStillwagon Posted May 17, 2018 Author Share Posted May 17, 2018 MT2PA: no option to decelerate. Policy is pass every course with an 80 or you're done. I had a meeting with all the faculty and explained openly all the barriers and things that I messed up on. I know I was at fault for most of my failure, and they appreciated my honesty. The director said I should make the threshold for an interview again, and if so I'd have to prove that I've changed and would be successful the 2nd time. However, I doubt I'd be re-chosen with a huge applicant pool. I'm also an MT, btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted May 17, 2018 Moderator Share Posted May 17, 2018 other programs may not take you given a huge pool of folks with great grades/hce/etc. Your best chance is to change your home situation in some way for the better, convince them the issues have been fixed, and reapply to the program you were let go by. My program allowed folks to fail one class and restart the following year. they had to retake everything and any further failure meant dismissal. fail 2 courses in the same term and instant dismissal. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilygurlie Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 I’m really sorry to hear that. I recognize your username from a previous thread and I interviewed at the same school. Is there any exceptions that can be made? I really doubt that another program would take you knowing you failed out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DStillwagon Posted May 17, 2018 Author Share Posted May 17, 2018 Ilygurlie: no exceptions. I appealed my dismissal because the reason I failed that course was an exam that 75% of the class failed, but since I didn't appeal the grade within the allotted time, my appeal was denied. I got a 77, which is passing for many programs, but not this one. I was hoping that other programs would see that it was still a somewhat decent grade and at least give me a chance. If I had the chance at my program to just start over, I'd take it in an instant. But they don't offer that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilygurlie Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 (edited) 6 minutes ago, DStillwagon said: Ilygurlie: no exceptions. I appealed my dismissal because the reason I failed that course was an exam that 75% of the class failed, but since I didn't appeal the grade within the allotted time, my appeal was denied. I got a 77, which is passing for many programs, but not this one. I was hoping that other programs would see that it was still a somewhat decent grade and at least give me a chance. If I had the chance at my program to just start over, I'd take it in an instant. But they don't offer that. I’m assuming that if you apply to other programs, you are required to disclose that you previously attended PA school and failed out? Edited May 17, 2018 by ilygurlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DStillwagon Posted May 17, 2018 Author Share Posted May 17, 2018 Just now, ilygurlie said: I’m assuming that if you apply to other programs, you are required to disclose that you previously attended another program? Yes, I not only have to disclose that I was in a program, but also that I was dismissed. I'm thinking if I don't get back in to my program that I'm going to have to do a medical master's or post bacc to prove my ability to do a rigorous program. I'm so sick over it. This was my top choice and only place I wanted to get my education. Mad at myself is an understatement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilygurlie Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 1 minute ago, DStillwagon said: Yes, I not only have to disclose that I was in a program, but also that I was dismissed. I'm thinking if I don't get back in to my program that I'm going to have to do a medical master's or post bacc to prove my ability to do a rigorous program. I'm so sick over it. This was my top choice and only place I wanted to get my education. Mad at myself is an understatement. I could only imagine. Are there maybe other health careers you would be interested in? I would be afraid of putting the work, time, and money into a postbacc to find out in the end that failing out of a program will ultimately end up in an automatic rejection. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DStillwagon Posted May 17, 2018 Author Share Posted May 17, 2018 Not really. Every time I think of different options, I always come back to PA. I've considered a BA to BSN, but I really don't want to be a nurse. I know eventually I could move to NP, but I'd likely need nursing experience first. There are more options, but nothing I can imagine doing for the rest of my life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiggySRNA Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 An ABSN is much more practical than a master's in biomedicine/medical science. Both probably cost the same, but a BSN is much more clinically related and guarantees a career post-graduation. If PA schools won't touch your application then there is no reason to continue fighting an expensive battle. Just my $0.02. I never wanted to be a nurse but look at me now, 3 months away from graduation, and I haven't had any regrets so far. Life doesn't stop and I'm ready to have a career, make money, go on vacation, and buy expensive toys. I could've tried for PA schools one more time, but by the time I started I would already be done with my BSN and be in the workforce 1 year sooner. It was a no-brainer. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DStillwagon Posted May 17, 2018 Author Share Posted May 17, 2018 Solid argument. My thoughts were that I may pursue med school, but I just can't see making that time commitment with 2 little kids. If I don't get back into my program, I'll look very hard at accelerated BSN programs. You don't think they'd have an issue accepting me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiggySRNA Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 (edited) I would say BSN programs are a lot more laxed than MS prepared programs. Mine accepted me even though their PA program rejected me and it was brought up during the interview. Your case is unique though and not the same as mine. But it's worth a shot. Edited May 17, 2018 by Diggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hustleforthePAC Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Sorry you're going thru this. Check out entry level nursing programs with the np add on all while applying to the pa schools you think you'll get into to see which one accepts you first. Good luck and I hope everything works out in your favor please let us know how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futurepa588 Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Have you considered direct entry NP programs? I know Boston College and Vanderbilt have programs which are 2 to 2.5 years and you come out with Nurse Practitioner degree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DStillwagon Posted May 20, 2018 Author Share Posted May 20, 2018 I've been considering it. Actually I'm considering a BA to BSN. There aren't direct entry MSN programs around me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilygurlie Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Maybe also consider perfusion school. Also genetics counseling might of interest to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DStillwagon Posted May 20, 2018 Author Share Posted May 20, 2018 Genetics counseling has interested me in the past! I love genetics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8404PA Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 I would hire a lawyer and fight the denial of the appeal. I have seen someone appeal all the way up to the school president to stay in, which he eventually won and stayed in. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camoman1234 Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 On 5/19/2018 at 10:11 PM, futurepa588 said: Have you considered direct entry NP programs? I know Boston College and Vanderbilt have programs which are 2 to 2.5 years and you come out with Nurse Practitioner degree. That is a scary thought (too quick and not safe for the patients, they just want your money). My wife is a FNP with 4 years of cardio telem. experience and she struggles a lot in the clinic. Luckily she has me to ask questions to, I could not even imagine if I was not in the medical field what she would be doing. She works at a privately owned NP clinic so not a lot of initial training. I would NOT do the direct entry options for NP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futurepa588 Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 On 5/21/2018 at 1:17 PM, camoman1234 said: That is a scary thought (too quick and not safe for the patients, they just want your money). My wife is a FNP with 4 years of cardio telem. experience and she struggles a lot in the clinic. Luckily she has me to ask questions to, I could not even imagine if I was not in the medical field what she would be doing. She works at a privately owned NP clinic so not a lot of initial training. I would NOT do the direct entry options for NP. Interesting. I haven't looked into in that much. I just know that they exist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocksteady Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 My program re-accepted a failure so its not unheard of however i think your reasoning of going the nursing route at this point makes the most sense. It will be less challenging and once you hit RN/BSN you can go the NP route at your leisure. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTNPA Posted August 2, 2018 Share Posted August 2, 2018 I’m really sorry to hear that. I recognize your username from a previous thread and I interviewed at the same school. Is there any exceptions that can be made? I really doubt that another program would take you knowing you failed out.What school was this? Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DStillwagon Posted August 3, 2018 Author Share Posted August 3, 2018 On 8/1/2018 at 8:58 PM, RTNPA said: What school was this? Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk University of Charleston WV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilygurlie Posted August 3, 2018 Share Posted August 3, 2018 8 hours ago, DStillwagon said: University of Charleston WV Did you ever figure out what to do next? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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