Wanting to apply to PA after completing masters, advice on direction?
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By Rylie
First, I would like to start off by introducing myself.
My name is Rylie Yager and I am a junior in my undergrad at Grand Valley State University. I am majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience, minoring in Psychology and Biology with a pre - PA emphasis.
Due to the competitiveness when it comes to admissions in to PA programs, I have been attempting to prepare to become the best possible applicant for when I apply to PA programs next summer (2022). It is stressful and beyond overwhelming - especially being that I am the first member of my family to be attending college, let alone grad school. I've had to figure out everything related to college on my own; from scheduling courses to managing everything that comes along with being a college student whom has to finically support themselves simultaneously. Thus far, I feel like I have been keeping up with the punches that this new journey has thrown my way. Now, I am on a new journey to become a PA - which is terrifying but also exciting. Being that I have been working along my education journey on my own, all I know is from research that I have done myself and contacting facility at my university. But I would like to receive more input and advise that could help me - and I am sure many others - on this journey of becoming a PA. Being how competitive it is to be admitted into a PA program, I am doing all that I can think of to become a worthy applicant - and would love advise from others who are on this journey and those who have surpassed it and are willing to give advise on how to get there.
I have listed some of the things that I have done/currently doing to help prepare me for my future in a PA program, and as a PA:
Work Experience:
Server in a nursing home
Receptionist in a nursing home
Medical technician in a nursing home
Behavioral neuro technician in an inpatient facility
Mental health technician in a psychiatrics hospital (current)
Education:
Overall GPA: 3.678
Coursework:
Fall 2021
BIO 328 SWS Biomedical Ethics
BIO 376 Genetics Laboratory
CHM 232 Biological Chemistry
CHM 232 Biological Chemistry Discussion
CHM 232 Biological Chemistry Lab
PSY 300S WS Research Methods in Psych
367 Health Psychology
Winter 2022
AHS 100 Medical Terminology
BMS 212 Introductory Microbiology (RETAKE)
213 Laboratory in Microbiology (RETAKE)
PHY 200 Physics for the Life Sciences
PSY 400 Advanced Research in Psychology
Previous/Completed
BIO 121 General Biology II with lab
BIO 355 Human Genetics
CHM 231 Introductory Organic Chemistry with lab
PSY 303 Psychopathology
PSY 311 SWS Controversial Issues Psych
PSY 330 Foundations of Behav Neuroscience
BMS 212 Introductory Microbiology
BMS 213 Laboratory in Microbiology
BMS 251 Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
PSY 324Developmental Psychopathology
WRT 219 Creative Writing Workshop
CHM 230 Intro to Organic and Biochem with lab
FIT 125 Performance Weight Training
HST 102 European Civilizations
PSY 364 Life Span Developmental Psych
WRT 150Strategies in Writing
BMS 250Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
CHM 109 Introductory Chemistry with lab
PHI 202 Ethics of Health
SOC 105 Social Problems
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
BIO 121 General Biology II
Academic achievements:
Deans list
Writing portfolio utilized by writing department for grading scale
Volunteering:
Crisis Hotline
Community Food Bank Grand Rapids
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By vjaniceb
Hi there, my name is Vanessa and I just graduated with my bachelor's in February. I am looking to pursue into a PA program but not quite sure where to start. I am currently studying for the GRE and have about 250 internship hours done at an ENT clinic with an audiologist. I'm not sure in what I am doing and need any guidance or suggestion in what to do.
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By sabella57
Hello! I thought I would get the forum for the SIU application started!
Has anyone had trouble filling out the supplemental application? There is no option to choose "Summer 2022".
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By KH21444
Hello!
I'm currently in my undergrad program taking my prerequisites for PA school. I plan on graduating in the Spring of 2023 and applying for PA school that same year.
As I begin my PA school research, I keep having self-doubts on my ability to learn the content in PA school, which questions my ability to "make it" as a PA.
While I am doing well in my undergrad/prerequisite courses, I fear I am not genuinely learning the information - just merely memorizing and doing well on exams. My question is: Will I/How badly will I struggle in PA school if I don't remember/didn't efficiently learn the coursework from prerequisites like Biology/A&P/Chemistry?
I do not fear applying for PA school/getting accepted (aware that it may not happen the first time I apply), but my current GPA is 3.8 and I've been working full-time as a medical assistant for 3 years (plenty of PCE, HCE & shadowing). However, I fear getting into PA school and having the feeling of "what did I get myself into". I've had PAs that I work for all tell me that I can do it, but I keep having this lingering self-doubt that my ADHD brain and I will not be able to grasps concepts like others will due to my lack of deep understanding during prerequisites (and just having recently been diagnosed with ADHD & still learning what medication works best for me).
Is this feeling normal?
Thank you to whoever can give me some honest insight!
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By Tarantino
Hi, everyone. I'm a non-traditional student, wrapping up my associate's degree in psychology from a small state school (not a community college) in Georgia. This college only offers 3 bachelor degrees, which is why I would finish elsewhere. I was a student at Arizona State Online, but transferred to take my prerequisites and labs in person. All my science prerequisites with in-person labs for PA programs will be done prior to transferring to the next college for my bachelor's degree. Now that I'm almost done, I was originally planning to then finish my degree through ASU, but am now considering finishing it at my local university for various reasons. Here's the two options I have:
Option A: Finish my bachelor's degree in psychology at my local university.
PROS: Graduate with less than $10k in debt. Get hands-on experience in research. More than likely get a stronger letter of recommendation.
CONS: It would take longer to finish. I would barely get by, working part-time and living paycheck to paycheck. I would have to devote more time to in-person classes, which would take away from my income and time to do other things. Less volunteer hours. ALL clinical hours will be in private EMS, so my hands-on experience and skills won't be utilized as much, as it's 95% mostly transporting stable patients.
Option B: Finish my bachelor's degree in psychology at Arizona State University (online).
PROS: Accelerated program and can finish in 1.5 years instead of 2.5 years. Work in 911 EMS, which means better hands-on experience and utilizing my skills more - I think this will also make me a better provider in the future. More time to work, which means more income. More time not in a physical class, which means more time to volunteer, which is less stressful since I also have more money in general. Still get to go graduate in person.
CONS: Graduate with around $30k in debt. Weaker letters of recommendation. Little research opportunity. Obvious I finished my degree online because the college is 20+ hours away.
Although it would cost more to finish at ASU, I could become a PA faster, which means it would actually be better financially IF I were to get into both at the same cycle.
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