Undergraduate education: Major in kinesiology, Minor in psychology
Overall GPA: 3.47
Science GPA: 3.26
GRE: Combined score: 295 writing score: 4.0
Total HCE hours: 2,466
Total PCE hours: 3,328
Shadowing hours: 307
Other volunteer hours: 124 volunteer hours. 54 kinesiology club hours. 324 leadership hours.
LORs: 1: MD 1: PA-C 1: employer manager 1: undergrad professor
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Why PA? To be in the optimal position to make a difference in our population’s future in health. And to be able to collaborate with a team of other healthcare professionals while doing so.
How many programs did you apply to? 10
How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 4 interviews 3 waitlists
Where will you be attending? UC Davis
Anything you found surprising about interviews? The faculty were a lot more warming and welcoming than expected. They literally just want to get to know who you are. It was hard for me to remember that the faculty literally know nothing about who I am. So it’s up to me to open myself up and share my experiences thoughts and strengths with them.
Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? How to ace the physician assistant interview by Andrew Rodican. How to write your physician assistant personal statement by Stephan Pasquini. The PA platform. PAschoolforum blog. PAEA program directory.
Any other advice for other pre-PA students? It’s important to double check the small details in program’s requirements and then triple check again. I was automatically denied from a couple programs due to small details that I had overlooked such as an English course minimum grade or biology courses needing to be a sequence rather than just a set amount of credits. Getting closer to interview season, it’s important to self reflect on your passion and why this profession is important to you and think about ways you can verbalize that during your interviews. Also remember that these schools are investing in you as a student by giving you a seat in their program. So make sure to sell yourself as a student and give the faculty no reason to doubt your commitment or success in their program. But don’t forget to let your personality shine. Nothing’s worse than a robotic rehearsed answer that is not personable. Just take a moment, breathe and relax before your interviews. You got this! You’re a commodity, let it be known :)
Where can we find you? Instagram: cindylouuu__
