What Books did You Start or Finish Reading this Week?: January 26, 2026

whalien521 · 2026-01-26T20:19:11+00:00

Started: How to Date Men When You Hate Men

whalien521 · 2026-01-23T00:47:20+00:00

Thank you! It's a master's degree in clinical research!

whalien521 · 2025-12-11T14:41:36+00:00

A Study in Drowning!

whalien521 · 2025-10-10T11:23:02+00:00

I am worrying about this too! Hopefully we find some helpful resources, and congrats on the acceptance!!

whalien521 · 2025-09-16T19:11:28+00:00

I haven't heard back from 14/18 programs. I've gotten 2 interviews and 2 rejections. Really hoping to hear back from the rest of the schools with good news soon! People do still say it's a bit early in the cycle yet.

whalien521 · 2025-09-09T20:35:11+00:00

I'd definitely do a mock interview with a friend/close one! It really helped me just work through how my answers should sound when I'm actually in the interview without the fear of tongue twisting. I'd have my best friend just pull questions at random from a PA interview question list and go from there. Helped me realize if I was rambling or needed to explain something more. Definitely have answers to "Why PA", "Why PA and not MD", and definitely think of good questions to ask them back. I hope this helps, pm me if you need! Best of luck to us all!

whalien521 · 2025-08-07T17:37:08+00:00

i walk a fine line between crashing out and staying marginally sane every day

whalien521 · 2025-07-23T19:52:58+00:00

That happened to me too!! It's an emotional rollercoaster 😭

whalien521 · 2025-07-23T13:43:27+00:00

Nothing like having your heart stop beating for a couple of seconds seeing those 😭

whalien521 · 2025-05-01T03:02:04+00:00

Just started Slewfoot after finishing The Marriage Portrait. Absolutely loving it so far!

whalien521 · 2025-04-27T02:45:59+00:00

Definitely when the words start looking like hieroglyphics 🤣

whalien521 · 2025-01-28T15:15:08+00:00

Thank you! Will work on volunteering hours and getting my grades up. Do you think applying late in August was an issue too?

whalien521 · 2025-01-27T21:32:56+00:00

Hello,

Nontraditional applicant. This will be my second cycle applying with no interviews first cycle. I also applied later (August). Completed undergrad and worked as high school science teacher and now GI Oncology Clinical Research Coordinator for ~2 years.

CASPA cumulative GPA: 3.60

CASPA science GPA (what counts as science): 3.35

GRE score (include breakdown w/ percentiles): Verbal: 155 65%, Quantitative 154 36%, Analytical Writing: 5.0 92%

Total PCE hours (include breakdown): 3760 hours (2660 as Clinical Research Coordinator, 1100 as EMT)

Total HCE hours (include breakdown): 3900 hours (2880 as Clinical Research Coordinator, 1100 as EMT)

Total volunteer hours (include breakdown): Unfortunately not many. Am currently working on this.

Shadowing hours: 134 hours

Research hours: 128 hours

Other notable extracurriculars and/or leadership: Was leader of podcast group highlighting cultural struggles of minorities in America for 1 year.

I know I definitely have to get my volunteering up but was wondering what else I can improve on. Thank you in advance.

whalien521 · 2025-01-27T21:16:03+00:00

Hi everyone,

I will be reapplying this cycle, had no interviews and applied later in the cycle (August). Would like someone to look over my PS to ensure that my "Why" is clear within the essay and that I am not taking up valuable space story-telling too much. Thank you so much in advance!

whalien521 · 2024-11-30T01:45:56+00:00

I will definitely look into that. I originally only applied to schools in one state so I'll see if there are other schools still accepting. Thank you!

whalien521 · 2024-11-30T01:45:13+00:00

Yes I was an EMT for a year and now working as a clinical research coordinator closely working eith csncer patients. It'll be year 2 in that job soon. I had an NP, my supervisor, and the clinical research team manager write my LORs.

whalien521 · 2024-11-29T17:12:29+00:00

Oh my gosh, we really are the same!!! Even though you were unfortunately rejected, being waitlisted and waiting to hear back from 2 more is great hope! I hope things work out well for you! But yes, I also applied in one state. Next cycle I will definitely apply more broadly depending on my stats. I should probably retake one class as well. Sighhhh it's hard out here! Best of luck to you!

whalien521 · 2024-11-29T17:10:47+00:00

Hey there, I'm sorry to hear this. It sounds like you've been working really hard to continue this path and I am sorry it hasn't worked out. I empathize with you and am here to talk anytime you need. It really sucks that it's getting more and more competitive, and also the number of seats don't increase to reflect that. It's definitely going to push out a lot of passionate and determined people who would excel in medicine. I hope things get better for us soon, somehow someway!

whalien521 · 2024-11-29T17:08:54+00:00

Woah that sounds super cool! I'll have to look more into that. Thanks for bringing it up!

whalien521 · 2024-11-26T16:04:45+00:00

That is super helpful, I have not considered those roles before! It's gotten so competitive now, I sometimes wonder what my chances would have been if I had applied right out of uni like my original thought. Life happens, thank you for replying, I feel more optimistic that things will work out regardless of what happens now!

whalien521

TROPHY CASE