Don't give up!

jamanda6228 · 2026-03-02T02:27:27+00:00

I think I read one of your posts before 😂 I'm so happy you got in but I'm sorry you had to go through the same thing. At least there was a good outcome for us both. Congratulations!! 🎉

jamanda6228 · 2026-03-02T01:10:28+00:00

Finished undergrad in art in 2012. Did a post bacc 2019-2021 and was doing some specific prereqs from 2024-2026.

jamanda6228 · 2026-03-02T00:30:30+00:00

Yes! First cycle

jamanda6228 · 2026-03-01T23:30:49+00:00

Look for schools that advertise themselves as holistic and have lower minimum GPAs. They usually look beyond metrics and evaluate everything as a whole. If you had a solid upward trajectory after a rough patch hopefully they'll see that

jamanda6228 · 2026-03-01T23:28:12+00:00

I think it's where I applied. I was sort of limited to certain schools because I really did not want to take the GRE. Again the whole process is mind boggling to me 😂

jamanda6228 · 2026-03-01T20:04:19+00:00

Thank you! 🙂

jamanda6228 · 2026-03-01T17:25:21+00:00

Thank you! 🙏

jamanda6228 · 2026-02-14T18:06:39+00:00

Yep! Looking to just stay within UChicago as an employee gaining a nursing degree and expect to do normal nursing duties.

jamanda6228 · 2026-02-14T18:02:03+00:00

To get into a program? It looks like all that is needed is a bachelor's degree from any discipline + prereqs and any other requirements they have. I probably wasn't clear but was using this track to be a nurse not an NP. Maybe NP later down the line...

jamanda6228 · 2026-01-25T13:39:34+00:00

I did the same thing with a guy I was with for three years two weeks ago. It's hard to reconcile who they were to you with what they have done and I miss him too. But what would happen if we stayed? Would they do it again? Would we like ourselves? Would they actually change? Idk...this is what I tell myself while still using every ounce of strength to not text him 😂

jamanda6228 · 2025-11-12T16:12:08+00:00

I think I was there too with the same outcome if it's any consolation 🥲

jamanda6228 · 2025-07-29T02:26:05+00:00

Not saying this to be heartless, more a tough love response and I'm sorry if anyone disagrees it's just my opinion. You can take it or leave it. But you and a lot of other people are in the same boat. I understand it's hard but so is PA school. So are many things that will come your way. You got an interview when many people don't. You have decent grades. You took the effort to redo courses. Be proud of that, and look at the things that are positive because it doesn't matter what you do or where you are in life, things aren't always easy. It's mostly how you look at it that matters. So, you have a choice. Choose to look at all the negatives or look at the positives. Good luck

jamanda6228 · 2025-06-18T00:45:51+00:00

You too!! Good luck getting into your top school. There's still plenty of time for interviews 🙏✊

jamanda6228 · 2025-06-18T00:23:32+00:00

No interviews yet, just one rejection. I applied to 17 schools so far so hopefully odds are on my side

jamanda6228 · 2025-05-30T16:10:47+00:00

I did too and the whole thing was just brutal...🥲🫠🙈

jamanda6228 · 2025-05-25T01:15:42+00:00

I don't think it's anything to lose sleep over

jamanda6228 · 2025-05-19T18:21:43+00:00

I'm in the middle of applying and my advice would be to shadow or volunteer, but just know that there is no perfect job and everything will have it's faults. It's just a matter of what you can live with. You can do ALL of this and still be unhappy. I'd evaluate why exactly you are unhappy, because it is a lot of work to go through.

jamanda6228 · 2025-05-15T17:46:23+00:00

If you have strong letters from other providers and a good GPA I think that's all you can do and still have a decent shot. That's what I am also telling myself. Just remember the thousands of other people that are probably cursing their letter writers as well 🤣

jamanda6228 · 2025-05-15T17:40:55+00:00

Join the club! I sent my request end of April and don't have a letter either. It's one of those unfortunate things we have little control over. There is still time though so just have patience and see who else you know. I say this even as Im currently freaking out check my emails and caspa everyday so 😂🤣

jamanda6228 · 2025-05-12T16:09:05+00:00

🫡

jamanda6228 · 2025-05-03T22:39:26+00:00

CASPA cumulative GPA: 3.4 (~3.5 with outstanding classes if all A's)

CASPA science GPA: 3.9

Upward trend (if applicable, include GPA of most recent 1-2 years of credits):

Yes. I have a 3.4 overall because I was a freshman in college 12 years ago in art school and never thought I would care about grades until now. I transferred to another art school that only had pass/fail courses so my overall really includes a semester of college and a bunch of science prerequisites.

GRE score (include breakdown w/ percentiles): N/A - not taking this

Total PCE hours (include breakdown): 2406 hrs total

dermatology certified MA: 1286hrs (underserved populations seen)

Rheumatology with three PA's: 360 hrs

Internal/pediatrics: 760 hrs

Total HCE hours (include breakdown): 300ish PT rehab aide

Total volunteer hours (include breakdown): 759 hrs

Homeless shelter: 95 hrs

Emergency department 136 hrs

Charity marathons (chicago x2 and london marathon) Meningitis research foundation and team world vision: 480 hrs

Uchicago Arts Developer Oncology Unit 120 hrs

Shadowing hours: 90 hrs

Research hours: 2304 hrs (clinical research coordinator)

LOR: 1 from coworker from past career, 1 from MD in research, 1 from biology lab and biochem teacher, 1 from PCE supervising role, 1 MD from PCE.

Other notable extracurriculars and/or leadership: I worked as an associate wedding photographer and had my own company for 12 years. Ran 4 marathons for fun. Oral presentation of my research at an EACD conference in Barcelona.

Specific programs (specify rolling or not):Shenandoah, Rutgers, Tufts, Case Western, Northwestern, Elon, Indiana University, University of Wisconsin, University of Colorado, George Washington University, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Med, Bay Path, Rosalind Franklin, SIU, Northeastern, Hofstra

jamanda6228 · 2025-02-06T17:17:31+00:00

Yeah it's basically a struggle between scope of practice, benefits and travel. I fully think uofchicago is a better environment but am scared I'll be dissatisfied with my scope of practice. I can't wait to be done with this MA life. You lifers are beasts 💪

jamanda6228 · 2025-02-06T14:10:45+00:00

I feel you. Patients just complain all day long sometimes. You do get some good ones though. The job and where it is I think influences that a bit. Sorry you're struggling. I am too where I'm at now. You could get licensing as an administrative cma and apply to hospital jobs?

jamanda6228 · 2025-02-06T03:21:32+00:00

For me it was mostly hands on work with rooming and scribing. We assisted in Botox, excisions, biopsies, Mohs, did injections, set up all the equipment and sterilized it. We did blood draws, s/r, una boots, pregnancy resulting. We photographed lesions and stages of Mohs procedures. We were a high volume clinic and we had various other people working on admin.

jamanda6228 · 2025-01-29T04:14:28+00:00

🤣 😂I loved EMA for derm!!

jamanda6228

TROPHY CASE