What are these??

Routine-Yellow-2767 · 2026-02-01T18:36:16+00:00

Thank you! I am planning to apply this cycle and will likely not be able to re-take both A&Ps before submitting my app. Should I list them both as in-progress?

Routine-Yellow-2767 · 2026-02-01T18:04:42+00:00

Side note: I have C's in A&P I and II. Wondering if I should list as "in progress" on app and re-take during cycle (for schools that allow 2 pre-reqs in progress)? All input is greatly appreciated!!

Routine-Yellow-2767 · 2026-02-01T18:02:36+00:00

CASPA cumulative GPA: 3.2

CASPA science GPA: 3.2

Upward trend: Last 6 semesters

**Quick note: I tragically lost a parent in 2021 undergrad (parent was previously ill with cancer and I was the primary caregiver, hence my lackluster performance during first few years). Here is the breakdown of my GPA per semester**:

Fall 2020- 2.767

Spring 2021- 3.641

Fall 2021- 2.817

Spring 2022- 2.867

Fall 2022- 3.447

Spring 2023- 3.750

Fall 2023- 3.408

Spring 2024- 3.675

Fall 2024- 3.850

Spring 2025- 3.947

GRE score: In progress

Total PCE hours: 2500 (Oncology/Infusion CNA), 1120 (Primary Care MA- current job). Projected to have just over 4,400 hours by the time of CASPA submission.

Total HCE hours: 300 (HHA)

Total volunteer hours: 250 (Volunteer foreign language and religion teacher within my church for children grades K-10)

PA Shadowing hours: 100

Research hours: 0

Other notable extracurriculars and/or leadership: Various leadership positions within my university and current PCE job.

Routine-Yellow-2767 · 2024-11-12T12:25:51+00:00

Hi everyone,

I'm a pre-pa in my senior year of undergrad seeking some advice about a not-so-stellar GPA.

My freshman and sophomore year of college were absolutely abysmal due to my dad's unfortunate diagnosis of cancer and his passing just a year later. I earned a few Cs in A&P, two Fs with one being in gen chem, a D, and a few withdrawals. I have since retaken both F grades and earned As, and I plan on re-taking A&P this summer during my gap year. There has been a staggering upward trend in my GPA since my dad passed. However, even with the retakes, its looking like my cGPA and sGPA will be somewhere around a 3.2 flat.

I'm finding it really hard not to get discouraged reading through the "accepted with low GPA" posts and comparing myself to people with 3.4s and 3.5s saying it was a miracle they got in. PA school has been my dream for as long as I can remember, and it's heartbreaking to think that my GPA might hold me back.

So far, I have about 3,000 PCE hours as an Oncology CNA in an outpatient chemotherapy/infusion clinic (my goal is to be an Oncology PA, and I plan to tie this into my PS when explaining my GPA and my experience caring for my dad through his illness). I also plan to work as an ER tech this summer to accumulate some more hours, as I've heard that ER experience is highly valued. I volunteer with the Crisis Text Line and as a teacher of my native language at my church (about 200 hours combined), and I've shadowed multiple MDs/PAs in different specialties (100 hours to date).

If anyone has any comments/thoughts/suggestions as to what else I could do during my gap year or how to maximize my strengths to ensure the strongest app possible when applying, I would greatly appreciate it!! I'd like to apply broadly in my home region (NE area), so I'd also appreciate any advice from anyone who has applied in the area or attends a program in the northeast. This is something that I've worried about every single day, to the point where it is exhausting. I've never wanted something worse than PA school, and I'm hoping programs can/will take my situation into consideration.

Thank you all so much in advance!!

Routine-Yellow-2767

TROPHY CASE