NPthePA2018 Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Undergrad Ed School: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Major (GPA) // Minor (GPA) : Biology (3.58) with 2 minors in Chemistry (2.9) & Psychology (4.0) Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: 3.68 Science Undergrad. GPA: 3.58 Post Bachelor GPA: N/A Age at application time : 22 1st GRE - V: 141 Q: 150 W: 3.0 // I unfortunately scheduled the GRE after taking 2 summer finals (Physics and Psychology of Individual Differences) so this score is pretty much a baseline for how I would do with minimal / no studying. 2nd GRE - V: 149 Q 161 W: 3.0 // The GRE prep I used was Magoosh and they did not have an analytical practice section so my AW score was the same, but my verbal and quantitative scores improved tremendously! Magoosh usually has pretty good sales for a 6 month subscription for $125 (regular price of 1 month subscription) around January and July. Direct Patient Care : (Patient Care Technician / CNA) Cerebrovascular / Diabetic floor (2 years ~2,500 hours) Float pool / Anywhere in the hospital (~500 hours) Extracurricular / Leadership / Research Activities: Greek organization // Junior and Senior scholarship committee Pre-PA club // Treasurer 2 full terms UTC Medical Society // Member Volunteer for local hospital, Adult and Children's Emergency Room (200 hours) Children's Believe Campaign and St. Jude Up till Dawn participant (~25 hours), Girls on the Run (~10 hours) Supporter of various organizations such as Ronald McDonald House, Make A Wish foundation, TC Thomson's Children's Hospital, Girl Scouts of America LOR PA in Neurosurgical and Spine Unit (Shadowed 150 hours) RN who's director/manager of Neuroscience (Known for 2 years) RN Clinical Staff Leader (Known for 1 year) Professor who I had 3 classes in Microbiology (B) , Immunology (A), and Microbial Ecology (A) Saving one more recommendation request for a potential PA or MD Personal Statement Topic: I talked about my personal childhood struggles with many health issues in my family & how I wanted to pursue a career that provides access to healthcare . I then weaned into my work experience at the hospital and mentoring. Ended it with a description of the PA I shadowed and all the qualities that I believe I had to be an important asset in healthcare. Schools Applied: Six. UTHSC, South College - Knoxville, South College - Nashville, Lincoln Memorial University, Lipscomb University, and UAB Application Submitted Date: 06/03 for UTSHC, LMU, and UAB Late June for South College Knoxville and Lipscomb Mid August for South College- Nashville Schools Received Application Date: Most of the schools received my application in less than a week after it was verified. Verified 2 days after I submitted my CASPA application. Interview Invites: LMU Denied: UTHSC Waitlisted: UAB Accepted: N/A Attempts: 2nd (Applied pretty late 1st cycle to 1 school because of graduation/deadline issues so this theoretically would be my 1st real application cycle) Plan B if all else fails: 1. Pursue an accelerated Masters in Pharmacology to compensate all this waiting since most of these PA schools matriculate in August 2019 2. Take the MCAT. Some PA schools allow MCAT scores and would be a good refresher in basic prerequisite courses. 3. Shadow MD's, PA"s, NP's, PT's .............................. I would greatly appreciate all the strengths and weaknesses in my current application. Any other ideas to improve my application would be helpful as well. Thank you guys so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NPthePA2018 Posted August 16, 2018 Author Share Posted August 16, 2018 I'll make this a little easier Copy & Paste away! Undergrad Ed School: Major (GPA) // Minor (GPA) : Cumulative Undergrad. GPA: Science Undergrad. GPA: Post Bachelor GPA: Age at application time: 1st GRE Direct Patient Care: Extracurricular / Leadership / Research Activities: LOR Personal Statement Topic: Schools Applied: Application Submitted Date: Schools Received Application Date: Interview Invites: Denied: Withdrew Application Waitlisted: Accepted: Attempts: Plan B if all else fails: .............................. Personal message/questions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarcyJ Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 The one thing that stands out to me is (based on my reading) that taking the MCAT may make you look less committed to PA school. It could make you look like you're considering med school as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NPthePA2018 Posted August 16, 2018 Author Share Posted August 16, 2018 4 minutes ago, DarcyJ said: The one thing that stands out to me is (based on my reading) that taking the MCAT may make you look less committed to PA school. It could make you look like you're considering med school as well. That was my worry as well. I know UAB and other potential schools allow both scores so it was a consideration. I've been constantly reviewing old undergrad powerpoint slides of prerequisites as a safe alternate. Thanks so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubbles Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Your PCE and volunteer work are good, and your personal statement sounds like it covered the right things. Most schools recommend GRE scores over 150 in each section and AWA ~4.0. While your quant score was great, another good option, if this cycle doesn’t pan out, would be to attempt to increase your verbal to 150 or above and awa score to around 4.0. Some schools may deny based on the verbal being under 150. I used google and found a lot of good tips for the AWA. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victory1322 Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 I'm a little late on this post but I second @Bubbles. Some schools use the minimum GRE requirements as a screen and if you don't meet those then it's unlikely you'll move forward in the process. If for some reason you need to reapply next year, work on getting the verbal above 150 and the AWA to 4 and you should be good on the GRE front! Looking at your letters of recommendation, I'd try to get one from a PA/MD/DO/NP (preferably PA if you can) that has personally worked with you during your PCE as opposed to a PA you've shadowed. While it's great you've had a lot of shadowing hours with them and you've built a rapport, they haven't seen you involved in patient care and are unable to adequately attest to your skills as a care provider. Along those lines, some schools I applied to and a few others I've seen through research specifically ask for a letter from a healthcare provider that was a supervisor during your patient care experience. I'm not sure from your list if the RN's were directly involved and working with you day in and day out but that would be one thing to think about moving forward. I took the MCAT when I initially thought I wanted to go to med school but of the seven schools I applied to this year only one accepted it in lieu of the GRE. That's a personal preference for you if you want to spend the time and the money to study for it and take it but I don't think it'll do much for you in strengthening your application in the long run. Hope some of this helps and good luck to you this cycle! Hopefully you've heard some news from the schools by this point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrittanyJ95 Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 Just apply earlier. Dont waste money on anything else (unless you're balling in dough, and can afford it)! If anything, retake GRE to get V above 150, but honestly.. I think you're golden. Make sure your PS is up to par, apply early (in the first few weeks), and rock the interview. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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