Undergraduate education: Iowa State University - Kinesiology & Health Major (emphasis in Community & Public Health) and Psychology Minor
Overall GPA: 3.82
Science GPA: 3.77
GRE: 303 overall and 5.0 on Analytical Writing
PA-CAT: Did not take
Total PCE hours: 650 - CNA in a nursing home & PCT on the post-surgical unit of a hospital. (By the start of PA school I’ll have 2,000 hours)
Total HCE hours: 436 - Dietary Aide in a nursing home & working at the registration desk of a vaccine clinic
Shadowing hours: 9 - Family Medicine PA at the ISU student health clinic
Volunteer hours: 273 - I volunteered at a food pantry, was an active member and President of Doctors Without Borders student chapter at ISU, was an active member and Social Chair of NSCS, and the Director of Social Awareness for my sorority!
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 23
Gender: Female
Why PA? There are so many reasons why I chose to become a PA. For one, I love that PAs focus on collaboration because it allows for better patient outcomes when the insight of multiple healthcare professionals is involved in patient care. Also, PAs have the ability to expand healthcare to populations in need by not only working in primary care, but being leaders in health promotion, health education, and patient health literacy. The PA profession allows you to use your talents and passions in whichever way you can!
How many programs did you apply to? 8
How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I received 5 interview offers and I’ve been accepted to 3 programs so far!
Where will you be attending? Carroll University
Anything you found interesting about interviews: Every school has a different interview style, so prepare for each style! Some interviews required critical thinking while others were more conversational. Be yourself, have fun, and remember that you are also interviewing the school to see if it would be a good fit for you!
Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, webinars, etc) you used to get through prerequisites courses, the application or interview process? Yes! I had my personal statement reviewed by My PA Resource, I did a mock interview through The PA Platform, & I used Savanna Perry’s PA School Interview Guide! Each of these resources were extremely helpful and I suggest them to anyone applying to PA school!
Any advice for other pre-PA students? Show how everything you experienced in undergrad contributed to your decision of becoming a PA! I found the personal statement to be my biggest selling point, since I could really expand on my personal journal and life experiences. Start your personal statement 2-3 months before CASPA opens, because your first draft (and even the next couple drafts after that) surely won’t be your last! Good luck to everyone :) you can do it!
Where can we find you? (Instagram, TikTok, Website, etc) Instagram - jennaaashley
