GoPackGo Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I applied to 18 schools. This is alot but i decided to carpet bomb the pa school process rather than not get a seat and try again next year. I have a 3.7 science and overall gpa but only 337 hours as a cna. Gre scores were 151 and 152. Thats good for just over 50th percentile in both categories however my writing portion was only 3.5. With how competitive things are i want to increase my odds. I picked schools that had low attrition rates and historically high pance scores. Im willing to move Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sartort Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I'm only applying to places that I'm willing to live long-term and feel meet my needs. I actually did apply to one program that I don't meet a pre-req in (where I will be a few weeks late at finishing biochem) so they may throw me out immediately but all the others I meet the pre-reqs and think the schools would be good/like me. I live in Oregon and the only school that might prefer Oregonians is OHSU because it's public, but they only had enough spots for 2% of applicants last year and I know a lot of state programs go for their residents. I would rather realize I applied to too many and wasted time and money applying than feel as if I didn't give it my best shot and have to go through the process again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackjacks Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 so, a question for those applying to 10+ schools...is this done because you like 10+ schools, meet their prereqs, and want to live in those areas or more as a hail mary because of bad grades and/or low experience? Yes to the first 3. Already long-distance with the SO and nothing else tying me to one area for 2 years that are likely to fly by. However, there were some regions of the country where I didn't even consider applying. Somewhat because of your last question. I remember being VERY worried that if I didn't get in anywhere another year of working as a MA, taking more upper-level classes, and continuing to volunteer should do the trick. Instead I got a bunch of interviews and got into my #1/2. Edit: not that getting in was easy, I had already worked hard, but because I was worried it took 5K hours of top-notch experience or stellar GPAs. I guess a well-rounded applicant with A- grades and B quality HCE gets in these days... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvi1kd Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Yes, I applied to over 10 programs because my stats aren't stellar. I found programs that I qualified for and did a lot of research and narrowed it down from there. Moving to a different area of the country for 2-3 years is not that big of a deal to me. I'm 22 and not anchored down to any particular location. It took a long time, but feel like I applied to some pretty special programs. I just wanna be a PA!!!!!!! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will352ns Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 so, a question for those applying to 10+ schools...is this done because you like 10+ schools, meet their prereqs, and want to live in those areas or more as a hail mary because of bad grades and/or low experience? as an adcom member I have seen many folks apply without even bothering to meet all the prereqs. those files go straight to the round file. I know someone who applied to 35 programs. talk about a waste of money. she later got into her first choice. Mostly because I meet the pre-recs. It is also a bit of a hail Mary because I have only an ok GPA, not great. I see all these folks posting 3.8 to 4.0 GPA's and it makes my paltry 3.5 look pathetic. My GRE was just "OK" as well. The only thing I really have going is my experience, which seems to not be much of a factor with many programs these days. I don't care where I live and I don't care about the cost, the goal is PA-C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinntsp Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 More schools applied to = more chances to get in. What's another $400 in app fees when it means not having to spend another year of your life in the application process? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kagildersleeve Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I just submitted my CASPA application yesterday, and applied to 14 schools (13 CASPA and 1 non-affiliated)...this is my first time applying, and while I feel like I am a strong applicant, the acceptance rates have me a little freaked out. I am just trying to maximize my chances!!! The thing that is killing me are all of the supplemental applications, but I have finished all of the ones that you can do before applying through CASPA. I think that for me, I am motivated to attend every interview I get, because I think a feel of a school on campus and interacting with the students is the best indicator that you fit wtih the program. Obviously I have some top choices, mostly to do with geographical locations or rapport, but my goal is really to just get into a school that I feel good about my first time around. Thank goodness my husband has a flexible job where he can really work anywhere, so we're not specifically limited to any one area in the country. When I chose the schools I applied to, I looked for a) 24 - 28 month programs, b) a mission statement and curriculum that resonated with me, and c) excellent PANCE first-time pass rates. I honestly think that if you have the ability, apply to every school you are interested in: I think it absolutely maximizes your chances at getting accepted somewhere (hopefully!). I'll let you know how it turns out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jen0508 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I really wanted to get into a school on the first try and didnt have any geographic limitations so I applied to 10 schools on CASPA....but ended up getting into my top choice early on so I only had maybe 5 "complete" applications (as in supplemental application completed). I even remember canceling a check for a supplemental application for another school after I got in. That would have been a wasted 100 bucks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvi1kd Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Well said wutthechris and ksleeve! 100 bucks for a sup app?!?!?!?! Ludacris!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jen0508 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Well said wutthechris and ksleeve! 100 bucks for a sup app?!?!?!?! Ludacris!!!!! yup, and that wasnt even the worst..... south alabama's was $110 bucks. most supplemental apps cost anywhere from 25-100 bucks (very rarely are free), usually average around $50, so you guys should keep that in mind when budgeting your application fees. Good luck!!! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jen0508 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 also keep in mind that most folks seem to get supplemental apps. its sinking more money down the hole if you dont really have a chance at the school. thats why it pays to do research and not throw darts in the dark by applying to programs that have requirements you are lacking. for instance, if you dont have their required number of HCE hours, dont bother applying. they often have 10 applicants per seat... they will cater to the folks that meet thier requirements, and will make money off of you by cashing your supplemental checks. a program that has 1000 applicants that send in supplementals and charges 50 bucks per supp, then they are looking at 50k coming in. i remember interviewing at a school that said they use a computer program to weed out applications that dont meet basic requirements (gpa, HC hours, missing GRE scores, etc) so about 1/4 (out of 1000+) applications were weeded out and not even reviewed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted July 18, 2012 Moderator Share Posted July 18, 2012 i remember interviewing at a school that said they use a computer program to weed out applications that dont meet basic requirements (gpa, HC hours, missing GRE scores, etc) so about 1/4 (out of 1000+) applications were weeded out and not even reviewed most places have volunteer pa's from the community do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missAmerICAN Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 Thanks for the replies everyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missAmerICAN Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 I applied to 18 schools. This is alot but i decided to carpet bomb the pa school process rather than not get a seat and try again next year. I have a 3.7 science and overall gpa but only 337 hours as a cna. Gre scores were 151 and 152. Thats good for just over 50th percentile in both categories however my writing portion was only 3.5. With how competitive things are i want to increase my odds. I picked schools that had low attrition rates and historically high pance scores. Im willing to move Which schools were these? I'm curious Good luck with your app! I retook the GRE today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missAmerICAN Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 Yes to the first 3. Already long-distance with the SO and nothing else tying me to one area for 2 years that are likely to fly by. However, there were some regions of the country where I didn't even consider applying. Somewhat because of your last question. I remember being VERY worried that if I didn't get in anywhere another year of working as a MA, taking more upper-level classes, and continuing to volunteer should do the trick. Instead I got a bunch of interviews and got into my #1/2. Edit: not that getting in was easy, I had already worked hard, but because I was worried it took 5K hours of top-notch experience or stellar GPAs. I guess a well-rounded applicant with A- grades and B quality HCE gets in these days... Congrats! How much HCE did you have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sartort Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I picked schools that had low attrition rates How did you find this information on all of the schools? I haven't seen attrition rates listed on many websites. Did you call/e-mail them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david89 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 woww. 110 bucks for supp app? that's too much. i just noticed AT still university in arizonia supp app fee went up from $60 (last year) to 70 for this year. and they're on probation right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackjacks Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 Congrats! How much HCE did you have? 1600 at application time, it'll be over 3K by the time I start next month. Just as home health CNA and MA in psych er. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balsam88 Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 Applied to 3 schools only Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boone1184 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Applied to 31 schools. Im just shy of a 3.8 gpa with excess of 200 credit hours. Went overkill on the pre req classes as I meet req and then some for every school I check out, however my work experience is seriously lacking. Currently a emt-b but just acquired cert 2 months ago. Wish me luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinntsp Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Applied to 31 schools. Im just shy of a 3.8 gpa with excess of 200 credit hours. Went overkill on the pre req classes as I meet req and then some for every school I check out, however my work experience is seriously lacking. Currently a emt-b but just acquired cert 2 months ago. Wish me luck. I'm all for applying broadly but 31 schools is overkill. Are you planning to go to all of those interviews if invited? lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest carolanimal Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Please tell me you're kidding. How are you going to afford all of the secondaries? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clballin Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 I would have waited one more year to apply if the work experience isn't there. wow 31 schools....well im sure something is bound to work out for you. I suppose money isn't an issue if its what you really wanna do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d3t3rm1n3d Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 I hope they were 31 schools that you researched and found they emphasize grades more than prior HCE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvi1kd Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 keep us updated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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