Undergraduate education: Austin College
Overall GPA: 3.56
Science GPA: 3.43
GRE: 296
Total HCE hours: 355
Total PCE hours: 187 at time of application (465 when accepted)
Shadowing hours: 138 (PA and Doctor)
Other volunteer hours: 60 (Meals on Wheels and Hospice Care)
LORs: Pre-health Adviser, Chemistry Professor, Patient Advocate that I volunteered with, Doctor I shadowed, PA I shadowed
How many times did you apply?: 2
Age: 22
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? Six the first time and nine this cycle
How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I received no interview invites the first time I applied in 2018. This cycle, I received three interviews! I went to the first two interviews and declined the third interview. I was accepted into the first two schools I interviewed with! I was declined from one school shortly after applying and I have not heard back from the other five schools yet.
Where will you be attending? University of North Texas Health Science Center!!
Anything you found surprising about interviews? My first interview was MMI and they were right when people said to be ready for them to throw anything at you! I was very surprised by all the tasks they made us do, but I actually did enjoy the process even though I did not think I would! (My next interview was a very laid back 1:1) Honestly, be yourself!! And, what I think made me stand out was the confidence I portrayed. (and funny enough, even though I was almost sick to my stomach from nerves during the drive to both interviews, I was not nervous at all when I actually walked into the building and started my interviews!)
Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? In preparation for interviews, I (of course) read Savanna's PA School Interview Guide! I think I read this book cover to cover four different times. I also recorded videos of myself answering most of the questions in the book and had family members do mock interviews with me quite often.
Any other advice for other pre-PA students? After being so discouraged from the first time I applied, I never would have imagined that the second time I applied that I would get into my top choice PA program! I still cannot believe it. Just know that it will happen for you one day! If I can do it, so can you! Everything happens in time so do not give up. Take your disappointments and use them to fuel your determination to accomplish your dreams!
Where can we find you? Instagram: ash_boehm
