Re-Applying to PA school. Advice?

[SarahChil]

I graduated with a degree in Biology in May 2012, and applied to PA school in September. I applied to 9 schools, interviewed at Lock Haven University, but I was not offered admission anywhere.

 

At the time I applied I only had 233 patient care hours, with a science GPA of 3.1, and a QPA of 3.3.

 

Since I applied I have increased my patient care hours to ~900. I worked as a health care aide and currently I work as a clinical allergy specialist. I do allergy testing, and administer allergy injections.

 

I feel that to increase my chances of getting into a program I need to increase my GPA. I am currently looking into an accelerated bio master's program that is specifically designed for people that want to go to med school or PA school. The program would only be a year and I think I could really strengthen my application.

 

Do others think my GPA is the problem? I'm worried if I just apply again and don't do anything to increase my GPA that it's not going to work out in my favor.

 

Just looking for any advice from other people that have been in a similar situation and had success applying a second time.

[cinntsp]

You should continue taking undergrad upper level sciences(and any pre-reqs you didn't do well in) while increasing your HCE a good bit. Threads like these belong in the pre-PA forum if you want to get the most input possible.

[rev ronin]

You should continue taking undergrad upper level sciences(and any pre-reqs you didn't do well in) while increasing your HCE a good bit. Threads like these are belong in the pre-PA forum if you want to get the most input possible.

 

This. This is also an FAQ, and I'm sure it's covered in a sticky thread somewhere...

[MedicinePower]

Take some additional undergrad science classes, especially anything you got a B- or below on. It might take only a few classes to bring up your GPA to a more competitive level. Your additional HCE hours are great. Don't go into the graduate level until/unless you can't get into PA school the second time.

[Just Steve]

From a financial point of view...if you continue working, making a pay check, building your HCE and bank roll, it may prove more judicious in the long run. If you decide to climb into higher level classes, will you be able to get the As you want while still working? Or will you end up cutting your HCE/pay check in exchange for grades?

 

I guess the crux of the question is why didn't you get more interviews, or get selected from the interview you got? Are you sure it's your GPA/HCE hours? Are you sure it's not your PS, LORs, or overall application? Did you rock your interview and blow their socks off or did you stumble through?

 

An application gets you to the interview. The interview gets you into PA school. Personally, I vote that you keep working, building up HCE, saving money, and completely re work your application from the ground up.