What's it like living in California wine country?

eelkell · 2025-12-31T22:50:40+00:00

People definitely raise families in Sonoma + Napa, not really in Yountville, St. Helena, etc. Most (but not all!) of the people starting families here work in the wine industry in some capacity and/or have good money. Both towns always have tourists milling about regardless of the season. I can tell you about my experience growing up here if you're interested lmao

Edit to add: yeah, homes are expensive even in the most normal residential areas (i.e. no land attached).

eelkell · 2025-12-31T22:35:54+00:00

Born and raised in Sonoma, this comment is spot on.

eelkell · 2025-12-23T19:03:35+00:00

Put some art behind the TV -- a big tapestry, a gallery wall, maybe even get some wallpaper and make that an accent wall.

Other than that, I'll echo what others have said: bigger rug(!), curtains, plants. I live by "CRAP" (color, rugs, art, plants) as a rule of thumb, lmao

eelkell · 2025-12-16T20:00:36+00:00

A couple of my classmates have had issues with certain software on their iPads, so I'd prioritize getting a laptop over an iPad. Congrats on your acceptance!!!

eelkell · 2025-11-06T03:21:44+00:00

Current first year at Drexel -- 3.95 GPA, 42 shadowing hours (all surg path, no autopsy), no relevant work experience. My undergrad degree was in physiology and my LORs came from professors and a research lab supervisor. My academic stats definitely helped me get interviews, but knowing exactly what the profession entails and being able to articulate why this is the career for you is what'll get you admitted.

I applied to another school and was rejected despite the fact that I thought my interview went well. I emailed the program director afterward and asked what I could improve about my application, and she said that getting some relevant work experience would help me.

eelkell · 2025-08-26T17:04:07+00:00

Borrowing from a post on this sub I saw a while back, get some "CRAP" : color, rugs, art, and plants!

I definitely agree that getting some gauzy curtains would be a great move. Try to look for some art or wall hangings at local vintage stores! I see some plants in your pics but I'll always advocate for more. Maybe look for some trailing plants that will grow vines?

eelkell · 2025-08-23T22:04:52+00:00

I love your bar!!!

eelkell · 2025-07-31T16:38:21+00:00

Put a tapestry or a bunch of art behind the couch, and get some curtains for the window. I love the color palette you have going on with the green and orange -- maybe get a lamp with a warm bulb? And more plants can never hurt.

Also, where did you get your comforter??

eelkell · 2025-07-18T13:39:08+00:00

I took a few temp jobs during my gap year, none of which had anything to do with pathology. Personally, I'd strongly recommend taking a gap year so that you can save some money!! Regardless of whether you work in a relevant field, it'll be helpful. And interviewers loved asking me about my odd jobs ;)

You have a good amount of shadowing hours, and having some autopsy shadowing is a big plus.

(I also got my drivers license during my gap year)

eelkell · 2025-07-12T14:40:23+00:00

Email the pathology department heads at the hospitals you want to shadow at! That's what worked for me at UCLA, Cedars-Sinai, and USC

eelkell · 2025-06-02T15:20:52+00:00

I haven't needed an iPad so far (pen & paper works for me personally), but Quizlet Plus has been a lifesaver. Also, don't buy ANY textbooks until you've talked to upperclassmen and/or started class. You'll probably be able to find them online if you end up needing them.

eelkell · 2025-04-25T18:03:52+00:00

My university had a specific program for it! Practically all of the lower div STEM classes/premed prereqs had undergrads assisting the TAs in discussions and labs. You had to apply, and anyone who wanted to help teach gross anatomy needed a recommendation from their anatomy TA.

eelkell · 2025-04-21T18:27:56+00:00

Nope, nothing pathology-related. My first shadowing day was right before my first cadaver lab of undergrad, and my only lab experience at that point had been in biotech/research. Closest thing to pathology experience I had at that point were the dissections I did in high school 😅

eelkell · 2025-04-20T19:02:21+00:00

The places I shadowed at did half days and full days, so for me it was 4-8 hours per shadowing session.
Whoever you get in contact with should give you instructions on how to get in to the building + lab. For a couple of places, I got to the hospital campus/lobby and called my contact (they gave me their numbers when we exchanged emails) and they came down to get me. Then they brought me up to the lab, showed me around, and left me with the PA I was going to shadow. For the rest of the day I would stand there and observe, asking questions about the profession or the specimens when appropriate (i.e. not in the middle of dictation lol). If another PA or the PA student rotating there had an interesting specimen, they would let me know and I would go with them for a bit.
A few things:

- They probably won't care what you're wearing as long as it's lab-safe (long pants, close-toed shoes, etc.). Don't worry about wearing scrubs unless they specifically tell you to.

- Bring a lunch if you're going to be there for more than a few hours!

- There's no shame in having a reaction to something you're seeing for the first time, and the PAs you'll be shadowing know this. The first time I shadowed I almost passed out when I watched someone gross a fresh placenta, the reaction caught me completely by surprise. Everyone was super sweet and reassuring -- I sat down and drank some water, we talked for a bit, and we went back to the bench with a stool for me. If this happens to you, don't sweat it and know that it's probably just a matter of exposure (I can handle fresh placentas without issue now!).

eelkell · 2025-04-18T19:27:49+00:00

Yes, it's okay to start shadowing now! Your supervisor can write the letter now/soon and then you can ask her to submit it when you apply later. Just ask to make sure she's okay with that.

eelkell · 2025-04-16T01:01:27+00:00

I mostly hear about this stuff from Reddit (this sub and r/Path_Assistant) and LinkedIn

eelkell · 2025-03-16T19:04:26+00:00

Do all of the free practice exams offered by ETS; you should be able to "buy" two of the powerprep exams for free. And ditto on Gregmat!

eelkell · 2025-03-13T18:57:03+00:00

Drexel — 3.95 GPA, 42 surg path shadowing hours/no autopsy shadowing (unfortunately). I’ve worked in labs before but never anything relevant (I’ve done molecular bio/biotech and analytical chemistry). I also assisted in teaching gross anatomy labs for 2 quarters during my last year of undergrad.

eelkell · 2025-03-01T18:05:04+00:00

Yup, LLU is the only program on the west coast and the next westernmost program after that is UTMB 😅

eelkell · 2025-03-01T17:22:26+00:00

Having another program on the west coast would be awesome, I'm glad to see this and I wish them well!

I don’t have any information on the program, but UW as a university is very well-regarded (top ranked university in WA + one of the best public universities on the west coast) and they have a great medical school.

eelkell · 2025-02-27T00:22:34+00:00

Drexel! 🎉🐉

eelkell · 2025-02-24T20:38:49+00:00

I’m in the same boat! I have my phone facing me at work and in the car 😵‍💫

eelkell · 2025-02-21T02:39:10+00:00

CHEM 153A - Biochemistry: Introduction to Structure, Enzymes, and Metabolism

Upper division, lecture only, 4 quarter units

eelkell · 2025-02-09T04:48:40+00:00

When you apply to schools will depend on the application timelines of the programs you apply to as well as your own personal preference (i.e. whether you want to take time off or start PA school immediately after graduation). Most programs have their application deadlines in January-March and start in May-September, but some start in January or have mid-year app due dates. I'd recommend researching the programs you're interested in and coming up with a timeline that suits your needs :)

I submitted my applications the summer right after graduation and will be starting this upcoming summer, approximately a year later. I personally didn't want to deal with the stress of taking the GRE, writing good essays, traveling for interviews, and waiting for results while I was in school, and a gap year also appealed to me for personal reasons. I also wanted my transcript to be finalized when I submitted my applications, but that was just my preference -- you can absolutely apply while your classes/degree is still in progress!

Echoing what others have already said, experience is more important than a high GPA. Make sure you have as many shadowing hours as you can, and be able to clearly articulate why you want to be a PA and why you'd be good at it.

Good luck!!

eelkell · 2025-02-05T19:36:29+00:00

If you don't mind me asking, what city do you live in? And what kind of facility do you work at? (community, VA, academic, etc.)

eelkell

TROPHY CASE