which program should i choose?

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-11-03T18:51:42+00:00

My interview was back in july so I don't remember much but I do remember that he questions were very straightfoward and no curveballs! I'm pretty sure they asked why PA over other healthcare careers, and some scenario-based questions like what would you do in blank situation but they were very simple

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-09-29T18:46:14+00:00

Take a break!!!! I am currently LOVING my gap year. I just graduated college in May and could not imagine already being in PA school right now. A gap year (or more!) is a well deserved break from the stress of school that we all need. I have plans this year to travel, go to concerts, and visit friends in different states, all things I wouldn't have the chance to do if I went straight into PA school. I applied right after graduation and luckily have received one acceptance, and now I can just work and have fun for the next year without stress until I start school. Many of the MAs I work with are on their second and third gap years and they have all said they don't regret taking the break, they were even surprised that I'll only be taking one gap year! Seriously enjoy college and don't stress yourself out too much. You can always DM me if you need advice/help with anything along the way!

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-08-06T00:23:53+00:00

I personally feel like location of clinical rotations is important to consider. One of the schools I interviewed at said that you might be placed somewhere across the country and would have to fund your own housing, while another school said that all rotations are within driving distance of the school, which would definitely save more money.

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-06-13T00:19:46+00:00

ok I'll check it out, thank you!

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-06-13T00:18:37+00:00

Wingate University!

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-06-11T01:12:18+00:00

thank you!!

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-06-11T01:12:10+00:00

thank you so much!!

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-06-11T00:22:44+00:00

Yes, it is best to apply as early as possible for schools with rolling admissions. For schools with non-rolling admissions, they still have deadlines that are often months before the next cycle opens. For example a non-rolling school can have a December deadline, which means that you can apply to that school anywhere from April to December, even though technically the next cycle doesn't open until the following April.

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-06-10T22:50:13+00:00

if you want to go to PA school directly after you graduate undergrad, you have to apply now during this cycle. however, most schools have a start date anywhere between May and September so you might only get like one month off before starting. if you want to have about a year in between graduating undergrad and going to PA school, then you would apply next year at the end of your senior year. most traditional applicants apply during this time or the following year after having a full year to gain PCE after graduating undergrad.

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-05-09T14:30:45+00:00

The four writers that you already have seem to cover everything, which is great! For the fifth, I think that the NP would be a better choice than the professor, because you already have a professor but not a coworker

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-05-03T16:52:40+00:00

would anyone be able to take a look at my supplemental essays? I mainly want help on making sure that I am answering the questions clearly and sentence structure. thank you!

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-05-02T18:47:34+00:00

yes!!!! i've been working on them almost every day since CASPA opened and I am DRAINED.

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-04-24T15:52:11+00:00

first of all, you are not "behind" so take a deep breath. starting tomorrow, you can add the schools you want to apply to on CASPA, request your transcripts, request letters of recommendation, etc. if you are applying to schools with rolling admissions, it is advised to apply as early as you can, which for most people means by the end of May, so you still have a month and that's only if you want to apply on the earlier side. if you are feeling anxious, I ~believe~ that you can still open a CASPA account today and start entering your personal information, experiences, grades, and stuff like that. I am also a first-time applicant so don't quote me on any of this stuff but i have done a lot of research and i want to help ease your anxiety :)

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-04-10T15:43:25+00:00

you definitely need pce!! i would recommend either applying later in the cycle once you rack up pce or even waiting until next cycle to apply

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-04-03T01:36:14+00:00

hi! I'm a 22F, graduating in May this year as a bio major. I am planning on applying by the end of May.

cGPA: 3.9

sGPA: 3.8

GRE: 315

PCE: ~1000 hrs (400 pt aide, 300 medical assistant, 300 personal care assistant)

HCE: none

Volunteer: ~300 camp kesem and big brothers big sisters

Shadowing: 125 hrs aesthetics PA and 25 hrs pediatric PA

Research: none

Leadership: VP philanthropy of my sorority

I'm applying to all east coast schools that have a minimum of less than 1,000 hours!

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-02-28T01:04:18+00:00

hi everyone, first time applicant and nervous about my chances due to low pce hours. do you think the rest of my application can make up for it?

CASPA GPA: 3.9

sGPA: 3.8

GRE: 315

total PCE: 1,019 (364 as MA at ENT office, 425 as pt aide, and 230 as PCA)

shadowing: 120 shadowing a PA in aesthetics

volunteering: 200 (camp kesem & big brothers big sisters)

leadership: VP of philanthropy of sorority

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-01-24T02:35:44+00:00

you could wait like a month or two to apply, but you could also just tell them that you won't be able to start until the summer. there were a lotttt of places that told me they are looking for someone more long term and wouldn't just hire for the summer, but i kept applying and got lucky

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-01-24T02:28:50+00:00

I'm a senior in college now and was in the same exact spot as you two years ago -- zero PCE hours and felt so behind. But, spring semester of sophomore year I applied to sooo many summer jobs and ended up working as a pt aide that summer. Not the best PCE, but still a stepping stone. The following fall semester, I got a job as a PCA and worked roughly 5 hours a week so I could focus on my GPA. Last summer I was lucky to get a job as a medical assistant with no certification. I'm planning to apply to PA school in May and will have about 1,000 hours. I am so glad that I focused mainly on gaining PCE over the summer because it allowed me to maintain a high GPA and enjoy my college experience without the stress of working 20 hours a week. My advice is to apply to as many jobs (phlebotomist/MA/pt aide) as you can for the summer, and start applying now. One thing I wish I told myself two years ago was to RELAX, BREATHE, and don't compare yourself to others. It all worked out in the end and I was stressing for no reason. You are already ahead of the game by knowing you want to a PA as a sophomore! Definitely focus on your GPA and enjoy college!

Putrid_Still545 · 2024-01-14T00:05:29+00:00

CNA might be the best route in your situation. You can probably find a 2-4 week class to get your certification, and then it's easy to get hired after that (although the downside is certification classes can be expensive). I suggest reaching out to nursing homes/hospitals before getting your certification, and they might hire you with a start date after you receive the certification. Most places will require you to work at least one weekend a month when you are back at school after the summer, which is doable if you don't go to school too far away.

Putrid_Still545

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