Hmhguy95 Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 Hey you guys, I was hoping you all could give me advice or some encouragement to try to move on after having been rejected from multiple schools. I was actually rejected from a school today that I just interviewed at yesterday. I truly thought it went well and really liked the program more than I thought I would going in, but I guess I was not what they were looking for. To add to that, I got rejected from another program I applied to not 5 minutes later. I applied to 8 programs this cycle, received an interview for 2 of those programs, and have been rejected from 6/8. I am still waiting to hear from 2 programs but I assume those rejections are coming since its December. Should I apply to some of the programs I previously applied to next cycle? Also, how common is it to not get in your first cycle? I am not sure what these programs are looking for but I thought I was somewhat competitive which is why applied to 8 programs thinking I would surely get accepted into one program. My stats: 3.66 cum gpa, 3.63 sci gpa, 1150 hours as an ER scribe, 200 hours as a cell saver technician in the OR (just started this job) GRE: 157-V, 145-Q, 3.5-AW (Low I know) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 I would focus on your interview performance.Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinagoestoPAschool Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 I applied last cycle and received 0 interviews from the 4 schools I applied to. I continued working full time as a patient care technician and shadowed a PA for 100 hours. This year I applied to 16 schools, received 10 interviews, and been accepted to 2 so far! (shouldn't have applied to so many, but I was determined to get in this cycle). Improve your application and get some interview prep books and do some mock interviews for next cycle! If you want to go to those programs, I would definitely reapply! It shows you are dedicated and very interested in them. It is very common to not get in the first time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmtpnw Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 Stats are about average for applicants. Clinical experience is on the weaker side, so that may have held you back a bit this cycle. I think you’ve certainly got a good chance next cycle when you’re applying with more hours. Overall I would recommend applying a bit more broadly next year, at least 10 - 12 schools. Definitely rework your personal statement and make sure it’s stellar. Retake the GRE. I know you’re > 300 but it’s unbalanced and the 20th percentile in quant could definitely be holding you back. Continue accruing PCE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyPath Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 Sorry about the rejections, it really sucks. But pick yourself back up and keep moving forward if PA school is your goal. Lots of people I met on the interview trail applied more than once. Since your PCE, GRE scores, and GPA all look good, I would focus on your interview skills. Did you do any mock interviews with friends, colleagues, etc? Maybe you can contact the school for improvements. You can definitely reapply to the programs that you liked and can even apply to a few more schools if financially able. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hmhguy95 Posted December 13, 2018 Author Share Posted December 13, 2018 Thank you all for input and encouragement. I just started a new job in the OR that is considered true direct patient care experience, so I think that will help me tremendously next cycle. I work full time so I should have 1000+ hours by the time I apply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aba51 Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 I would consider retaking the GRE. Idk if most of the schools you applied to required it, but try to aim at least 150 in the verbal and quantitive sections and at least a 4.0 in writing. Along with your new gig and the hours you already have and your GPAs, I think you'd make a really competitive applicant next year Get some really good letter of recs too! Best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oneofmany1986 Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 Hey hold your head up man! Your stats are pretty good GPA and GRE wise. For next cycle I would focus on interview performance, getting more PCE (over 3000 hours), and LORs that can speak to your character. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 As has been said before, if you got interviews but no invitations, there is nothing wrong with beefing up your background but there is a big flashing warning light as far as your interview performance. You looked good enough on paper to invite but didn’t seal the deal in person. Finding out why is a good start.Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted December 14, 2018 Administrator Share Posted December 14, 2018 And again, A LOT of us including me got in second cycle, some took third or more tries... You;'re not a failure just because you weren't exceptional enough the first time around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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