nava223 Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Hey Everyone, I've been researching this for a while, and have been going back and forth in between my head - but when I found this forum, I figured I'd ask you guys what you thought. I'm currently a senior at my university, graduating with two degrees (sociology and public health science). My GPA is very low (by low, I mean approximately a 2.5, which I am assuming my science GPA is around as well). This semester, I am hoping that my grades will slightly increase, as I am already doing better than past semesters - although that obviously doesn't say much yet. I am hoping to end the semester with a 2.8. On the other hand, I've been certified as an EMT and have been involved with EMS on my college campus for almost 3 years. I recently also completed a one and a half year program which bumped me up to an EMT-Critical Care (very similar to a paramedic certification - but 1 or 2 less things you can do independently). I've moved up in my ambulance company as well, and am a certified emergency vehicle operator, as well as a primary patient care leader. I've been shadowing two doctors for approximately a year at the hospital near my university. Lastly, I am doing a Global Medical Brigades program this winter where we go to the Honduras for a week and help create a sustainable water system for them. Not sure if it counts, but I've also held part-time jobs all throughout college. My issue was always that I chose the opportunity to get healthcare experience which was readily available to me over going to sit in a classroom. I would cut classes to respond to EMS calls. The opportunity to respond to a 911 seemed more appealing than sitting in an organic chemistry class. Hence, the low GPA. Stupid, I know. But at this point I have probably accumulated at least 3000+ hours of EMS, if not more. This is not counting my shadowing, or my time spent in EMT-CC class on rotations, etc. My question is....I know my GPA is extremely low, and is a major red flag on my application. I'm not saying my healthcare experience is superb, but I figure it should count for something, if anything at all. Should I even bother applying to PA school at this point? Or should I focus on getting either a masters or post-bacc in order to increase my GPA? Would me getting a good GRE score change anything? Any advice you could give would be really appreciated! Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted September 30, 2012 Administrator Share Posted September 30, 2012 Your GPA is not a red flag. The word you're actually looking for is "showstopper". You need to get that up to 3.0, while continuing to accumulate direct patient care hours, then you might have a chance. All your other bells and whistles don't matter at all unless you can get your GPA up to the point where you will even be considered by programs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nava223 Posted September 30, 2012 Author Share Posted September 30, 2012 Thanks so much guys. I will look into masters programs or post-bacc programs which allow me to retake all my science classes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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