optimist-ic Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Hello, I am in a particular situation looking for insight. Age: 25 Undergraduate Studies-Criminal Justice Major (horrendous GPA 2.7) Went back to community college 3 years later after deciding to go PA, been taking prerequisite courses (Bio, Microbio, A&P I, Gen Chem I and Gen Chem II) with a 3.7 GPA Volunteer EMT-B with over 1000 hours (it has been about a year and 3 months) PA Shadow 250 hours (Columbia Presbyterian New York, Liver Transplant Team) Currently in spring semester finishing up prerequisite courses (A&P II, Bio II, Orgo, Abnormal Psych). I plan on taking the GRE's end of June and plan on shadowing another PA (Hackensack University Medical Center - ER) end of May for another 250 hours. CASPA opens up April 17th. Route A: Initially, I've been told to apply as soon as possible! Get your app in and have things pending, but at least get the process started and get your name in at the front of the line. If I take this route, I will be able to submit my application by the beginning of May however have 4 prerequisite courses in progress, GRE not yet completed and 2nd PA shadowing in progress. Route B: Now I am hearing that it would be wise to wait! If I wait to get everything done before I apply, I would not be able to apply until the beginning of July. That is like mid way time of application cycle. Some schools that I am looking into are: UMDNJ, Tufts, Baylor, Weill Cornell, Eastern Virginia Medical School. I know these are all particularly more competitive schools and am still looking into researching safety schools. Thoughts, anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
optimist-ic Posted March 30, 2013 Author Share Posted March 30, 2013 Hello, I am in a particular situation looking for insight. Age: 25 Undergraduate Studies-Criminal Justice Major (horrendous GPA 2.7) Went back to community college 3 years later after deciding to go PA, been taking prerequisite courses (Bio, Microbio, A&P I, Gen Chem I and Gen Chem II) with a 3.7 GPA Volunteer EMT-B with over 1000 hours (it has been about a year and 3 months) PA Shadow 250 hours (Columbia Presbyterian New York, Liver Transplant Team) Currently in spring semester finishing up prerequisite courses (A&P II, Bio II, Orgo, Abnormal Psych). I plan on taking the GRE's end of June and plan on shadowing another PA (Hackensack University Medical Center - ER) end of May for another 250 hours. CASPA opens up April 17th. Route A: Initially, I've been told to apply as soon as possible! Get your app in and have things pending, but at least get the process started and get your name in at the front of the line. If I take this route, I will be able to submit my application by the beginning of May however have 4 prerequisite courses in progress, GRE not yet completed and 2nd PA shadowing in progress. Route B: Now I am hearing that it would be wise to wait! If I wait to get everything done before I apply, I would not be able to apply until the beginning of July. That is like mid way time of application cycle. Some schools that I am looking into are: UMDNJ, Tufts, Baylor, Weill Cornell, Eastern Virginia Medical School. I know these are all particularly more competitive schools and am still looking into researching safety schools. Thoughts, anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 You will no doubt get lots of advice; here's mine. Your angle seems to be a later-in-life awakening that you want to be a PA and getting lots of healthcare experience. The admissions committee may like that, but they may be concerned about your past grades as a indication as to how you might do in a masters program. If it were me, I would apply in July as a learning experience and cast my net wider than just the super-competitive programs. You may not get in this time, but you'll learn something, which is almost always a good thing. Your bigger emphasis now should probably be on absolutely killing in your prerequisites to prove you are a good risk as a graduate student. Get an A in organic; it's not all that essential to practice, but it shows determination and grit. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 You will no doubt get lots of advice; here's mine. Your angle seems to be a later-in-life awakening that you want to be a PA and getting lots of healthcare experience. The admissions committee may like that, but they may be concerned about your past grades as a indication as to how you might do in a masters program. If it were me, I would apply in July as a learning experience and cast my net wider than just the super-competitive programs. You may not get in this time, but you'll learn something, which is almost always a good thing. Your bigger emphasis now should probably be on absolutely killing in your prerequisites to prove you are a good risk as a graduate student. Get an A in organic; it's not all that essential to practice, but it shows determination and grit. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinntsp Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Wrong forum section. You'll want to post this in the pre-PA or CASPA areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinntsp Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Wrong forum section. You'll want to post this in the pre-PA or CASPA areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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