Accepted: Amy - Pace University

Undergraduate education: Pace University

Overall GPA: 3.4

Science GPA: 3.04

Total PCE hours: 2,020- Medical Assistant at Headstart Daycare/ Learning Center and Medical Assistant/ Phlebotomist at Urgent Care

Total HCE hours: 448- Counselor at Addiction Treatment Hospital (Rehab) and front desk at Urgent Care and

Shadowing hours: 11- Shadowing PA at the Addiction Treatment Hospital (on my day off) and Virtual Shadowing

Volunteer hours: 503- Through Church (homeless shelter, tutoring, religious education teacher), Meals on Wheels (telephone reassurance volunteer), Respond Crisis Translation (Spanish translator for attorney and clients)

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 21

Gender: Female

Why PA? Lack of Spanish speaking medical providers in my area. As a Latina, I saw the need from my community for a provider that understands and can communicate with them. PA allows me the flexibility to work as a provider and contribute to my community through social working and public health.

How many programs did you apply to? 9

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 1 interview with my top school and I accepted

Where will you be attending? Pace University

Anything you found interesting about interviews? I did a zoom interview and it went well, there were more students than I expected (about 12) interviews were one on one which I appreciated because I got to bond.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, webinars, etc) you used to get through prerequisites courses, the application or interview process? The only thing I used to prep for interview was advice given on Instagram from PA mentors/ current PA-S

Any advice for other pre-PA students? Follow different Instagram accounts and apply the advice they give. Also make a document where you include all of the schools you “need to apply to, want to apply to, and wouldn’t mind applying to” include all their stats and apply to the ones where your stats align with theirs. Add safer schools and reach schools. It’s not necessary to apply to more than 10 schools (even that’s too much) if you feel like you need to apply to many schools your first time DONT. It’s a waste of $ and you can use that to take the year and take a course (MA or CPT) to increase PCE.

Where can we find you? I post PA content and advice on Instagram! @pa.rivz My personal Instagram where I just post my life and fun stuff: @amyrivadeneira

Accepted: Emily - University of Michigan - Flint

Undergraduate education: Ferris State University

Overall GPA: 3.5

Science GPA: 3.4

GRE: 318

PA-CAT: Did not take

Total PCE hours: 2500, CNA, PT tech, and MA for a plastic surgeon

Total HCE hours: 200, Pediatric Unit Volunteer (Candy striper!)

Shadowing hours: 20 - Shadowed Ortho PAs during downtime at work

Volunteer hours: 200, a variety of college and personal involvements throughout my college career

How many times did you apply?:  3

Age: 26

Gender: Female

Why PA? I chose PA after shadowing various positions in the medical field. I saw how PAs were able to bridge the gap between patients and providers. They bring well-rounded care to those who need it. I wanted to have a career that allowed me to provide comprehensive care, while forming trusting relationships with my patients.

How many programs did you apply to? 8, then 5, then 4

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 3, two waitlist, one acceptance

Where will you be attending? University of Michigan - Flint (First Cohort!)

Anything you found interesting about interviews? How quickly your mind goes blank! It's like you get in there and you've never done anything in your life! Preparation (and maybe a little reminder note) is key!

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, webinars, etc) you used to get through prerequisites courses, the application or interview process? I used the Personal Statement email process and found that helpful to keep me on track.

Any advice for other pre-PA students? Keep going. When I had my second round of rejections, I was so close to giving up on PA school. I told myself I'd have one more chance because this was something that I wanted so badly and it paid off. I'm succeeding in PA school and have fallen more in love with the career. If it's something you really want to do, go out and make it happen!

Where can we find you? (Instagram, TikTok, Website, etc) - Insta: @thatemmilygirl

---

Accepted: Finley - Midwestern University

Undergraduate education: Bachelor's in Global Health from UC San Diego

Overall GPA: 3.79

Science GPA: 3.7

GRE: 317

Total PCE hours: 345

Total HCE hours: 1,400

Shadowing hours: 70

Other Volunteer hours: 110

LORs: 1 from my PA mentor, 1 from my anatomy professor, 1 from my supervisor, and 1 from an internship coach.

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 22

Gender: Male

Why PA? I stumbled upon the profession while exploring the healthcare field. All of the normal perks of the job looked nice on paper, but once I shadowed a PA I knew it was right for me. Never before have I met such friendly, caring, confident, and curious people. I was also very lucky to be mentored by a PA where I worked in clinical research. With his help I was able to understand the profession and a PA's role in healthcare.

How many programs did you apply to? 9

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 2 interviews with 1 denial and 1 waitlist where I was later accepted.

Where will you be attending? Midwestern University, Glendale

Anything you found surprising about interviews? No matter how hard you prepare there will always be something that catches you off guard. Be ready to adapt and be flexible. Also, you'll be told this so many times, but be honest. They want to know you as a person.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? In finding schools I found the The Applicant's Manual of Physician Assistant Programs very helpful. In preparing for the interview I would highly recommend using the programs' websites and physicianassistantforum.com for insight to the process. Savanna's book the Physician Assistant School Interview Guide and the PA Platform's mock interview service were also very helpful for my confidence.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? If becoming a PA is as important to you as it is to me you are more than capable of getting in. Just remember to do your research, take time to make your application shine, and to try not to get too stressed. Use others' stats only for reference, not as a means to compare yourself. You and your experiences are unique. Use them to your advantage.

Where can we find you? @finn.shea.the.pa on Instagram

Accepted: Geena - University of Pittsburgh

Undergraduate Education: Psychology & Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh

Overall GPA: 3.53

Science GPA: 3.4

GRE: 304

Total HCE Hours: 400

Total PCE Hours: 2,900

Shadowing Hours: 55

Other Volunteer Hours: 435

LORs: 5: one Chemistry professor, one research PI, one PA, one from boss at hospital, and one Neuroscience professor

How many times did you apply? 1

Age: 23

Gender: Female

Why PA? I have worked for 3 years at a trauma hospital and have fallen in love with the role of a PA. PAs are able to talk with the patients and make decisions regarding diagnosis/care/etc. I love the autonomy of the profession and the flexibility!

How many programs did you apply to? 14

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 7 offered. Attended 5. Accepted to 3 so far. Declined other interviews because I committed to Pitt

Where will you be attending? University of Pittsburgh

Anything you found surprising about interviews? They really wanted to get to know me

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps, etc…) that you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or the interview process? The Physician Assistant Interview Guide and How to Ace the PA Interview

Any other advice for Pre-PA students? Get that experience and absorb every bit of information you can from everyone!!

Where can we find you? On Instagram @geenie_ina_bottlex

---

Accepted: Jennifer - University of Texas - Medical Branch

Undergraduate Education: University of North Texas

Overall GPA: 4.0

Science GPA: 4.0

GRE: 299 (149 - Verbal, 150 - Quantitative, 4.0 - Analytical Writing)

Total HCE Hours: 5,091 hours as Pharmacy Technician

Shadowing Hours: 74 hours (Ortho PA, Pediatric PA, Primary Care PA)

Other Volunteer Hours: 63 hours (Hospice Volunteer)

LORs: 4 (1 PA I shadowed, 2 Pharmacists I worked with, and my Biology/Genetics Professor)

How many times did you apply? 1

Age: 23

Gender: Female

How many programs did you apply to? 6

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? Got 5 interview invites and I only attended 4 of them. I received 2 rejections, a waitlist, and an acceptance.

Where will you be attending? University of Texas - Medical Branch

Anything you found surprising about interviews? In my experience they were a lot more laid back than I had anticipated. By my last interview I felt more confident going into it about just being myself and being honest.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps, etc…) that you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or the interview process? The PA Platform

Any other advice for Pre-PA students? Be yourself in interviews and utilize your resources for advice and help with the application process. Practice interviewing!

Where can we find you? On Instagram @jennifer_lambert

---

Accepted: Taylor - Campbell University

Undergraduate Education: Campbell University

GRE: 309, 4.5

Total PCE Hours: 2,112

Shadowing Hours: 70

Other Volunteer Hours: About 400 throughout undergrad career

LORs: 1 Professor , 2 Cardio PAs that I had shadowed the most

How many times did you apply? 1

Age: 20

Gender: Female

Why PA? I love the extra time that we get to spend with patients and the chance to build relationships with them. I also love the ability to switch between specialties because medicine has so many interesting areas.

How many programs did you apply to? 2, Campbell University and East Carolina University

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I received interview offers from both schools but only went to Campbell’s.

Where will you be attending? Campbell University, dual MPH and MPAP

Why did you choose a program that also has a public health component? I chose to do the public health dual component because I know it will allow me to better understand my future patients' background. There's so much more to a person than their physical health, and I want to be able to see each patient as a whole. Public health will provide that extra information on what my patients go through in their daily lives that they may not outright tell me.

How do you plan on using an MPH in the future? While I know that I will learn so much in PA school, I want to use the MPH to be better equipped to work in a rural area. Campbell University's public health program focuses on underserved, rural populations, which will prepare me as a PA to serve patients that may not have access to everything that they need to live a "healthy" life. I also strive to be an advocate for disease prevention and lifestyle changes that can improve one's health long before they acquire an illness, and public health will teach me the best ways to do this.

Anything you found surprising about interviews? Campbell University had such a relaxed and welcoming interview process! The question of “tell me about yourself” is harder than it sounds.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps, etc…) that you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or the interview process? Savanna Perry’s Interview book and mock interview!!

Any other advice for Pre-PA students? Apply early and have most everything ready to input into CASPA when it opens! Get multiple people to do mock interviews with!

Where can we find you? On Instagram @taylor.dw

---

Accepted: Emily - University of Kentucky

Undergraduate Education: B.S. in Human Nutrition from University of KentuckyOverall GPA: 3.63

Science GPA: 3.46

GRE: 302

Total HCE Hours: 800 - Medical Office Assistant (200), Oncology Training Program (600)

Total PCE Hours: 318 at time of application - nutritional counseling, physical therapy tech, patient care tech

Shadowing Hours: 132 PA-C, 268 MD

Other Volunteer Hours: 1000+ American Cancer Society, mission trips, teaching experience, and campus ministry volunteering

LORs: 1 Professor and PA-C, 1 Professor, 1 Cardio PA-C

How many times did you apply? 1

Age: 22

Gender: Female

How many programs did you apply to? 1

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 1 interview and acceptance!

Where will you be attending? University of Kentucky

Anything you found surprising about interviews? The interviews were very laid back and conversational. I learned a lot about my interviewers and felt very comfortable with the program and faculty.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps, etc…) that you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or the interview process? I used Savanna's PA Interview Guide as well as a mock interview with Sam and both were a huge help!

Any other advice for Pre-PA students? Don't obsessively compare yourself to other applicants stats, and be confident in yourself and what makes you unique! You need to exude confidence in your personal statement and your interview - if you don't know that you're capable of being a PA, how will they?

Where can we find you? On Instagram @emilybertram

---

Accepted: Angelica - University of Florida

Undergraduate education: B.S in Biology from the University of Florida Class of 2017

Overall GPA: 3.45

Science GPA: 3.27

GRE: 154/154/4.5

Total HCE hours: 952 (all volunteer)

Total PCE hours: 620 at time of application, >2000 by time of matriculation (CNA, MA & now Medical Scribe)

Shadowing hours: 20 

Other volunteer hours: 1237 including 1.5 year of research study

LORs: 4 letters - 1 from research professor/mentor, 1 from previous project manager from volunteering lab, 1 from nurse manager at CNA job and 1 from the executive director of clinic where I volunteered for 3.5 years. They all knew me very well except the nurse manager but I wanted a letter from someone who had seen more of my clinical side. I unfortunately did not get to shadow much by application time and did not have a PA letter.

How many times did you apply?:  Once

Age: 23, I took two gap years

Gender: Female

How many programs did you apply to? 3 Florida programs all near me since I could not move very far 

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I received two interviews which ended up in 1 waitlist and 1 acceptance.

Any red flags on your application? I'd say the biggest red flag was my low PCE hours when I submitted my application (620 all from being a CNA), my science GPA also isn't stellar and I had a downward slope GPA wise. I did get straight As in some courses I took after college. I had a W in physics 1 course, a D+ in my first semester for chemistry 1 (retaken the following semester where I received an A-) and 3 Cs & 1 C+ (all in science courses). 

Anything you found surprising about interviews? I'd say what was the most surprising is the fact that they were both very encouraging and supportive. Despite this, it is a competitive environment and you have to be on your toes prepared for all types of questions. I think after you receive an interview it is clear the school is interested in what you offer, but you need to stand out in the interview.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? In terms of the interview, yes, I did a lot of research on different types of behavioral and straight forward questions that could be asked. I read Savanna's book and the How to Ace PA interview book which both got me in the right mindset. I was also quizzed by a PA I work with and video-taped. As far as pre-requisites, I recommend using the various resources online! I loved YouTube videos from Khan Academy, Freelance-teacher.com, Organic chemistry as a second language I & II and a few others. Learn your learning style! When it comes to applying, start reading the CASPA FAQ early, if you're applying this coming cycle, start reading it NOW, it'll make applying much simpler. 

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Apply early (before end of May if you can help it), be in contact with your top schools. I attended open houses, asked questions, introduced myself to the admissions director, sent emails, maintained eye contact during interviews and let my confidence shine through. It is so important to be focused and determined to be admitted. Connections are vital and the earlier you make them the easier the process will be. The PA career is amazing and everyone knows it, so it is definitely getting more competitive. If you have a low GPA and low PCE hours, tailor the schools you apply to but don't let it stop you from applying to a school you love. Your personal statement is your saving grace, pour your whole heart into it. Make sure that your application has a "theme" (for example I did a lot of work with the underserved and was passionate about research, having presented at various universities) so that when someone reads through your application, they can say what you're about in a sentence. This is what makes you stand out, for PA school and any other graduate school program!

Where can we find you? (website, instagram, etc) 

I recently started a website to help those who are struggling with choosing a career in health since it was something that took a lot of my time! It is easy to know you want to be in medicine, but for many it is difficult to pinpoint which career you'd like to pursue. The website is PreHealthPath.Com which offers Pre-PA advice as well.

You can also find me giving out Pre-PA & Pre-Health advice on my instagram @ angelicamaria_pa

---

Accepted: Raelynn - St. Ambrose University

Undergraduate education: Saint Mary’s University, Minnesota

Overall GPA: 3.6

GPA: 3.3

GRE: 307

Total HCE hours: 4,696

Total PCE hours: 4,436 – I worked as a CNA in a long-term care facility with assisted-living and memory-care units. I then began doing medication administration to residents in this same care facility. Next, I transferred to Mayo Clinic as a PCA in our pre- and post-op surgical units. I really learned so much from being exposed to such a variety of patient care settings. 

Shadowing hours: 200—Always stay professional and be an active learner during shadowing opportunities. Often times, the medical professionals you shadow will turn into references, future contacts, or colleagues. It’s important to start building those professional relationships early on, and to really take advantage of the opportunity to learn as possible during your time shadowing. 

Other volunteer hours: 165 – I volunteered with pediatric inpatients at our children’s hospital wing at Mayo Clinic. Additionally, I volunteered throughout high school and college as a mentor for a young girl through the program Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Volunteering isn’t a second job and doesn’t require extensive hours, find opportunities in your community and spend just a couple hours when your schedule permits—it makes a world of difference!

How many times did you apply?: 3 application cycles

Age: 23

Gender: Female

How many programs did you apply to? 5, 11, 19 each cycle, respectively

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I interviewed with 4 programs, and was either accepted or listed as an alternate. 

Where will you be attending? I will be attending St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. The PA program at SAU is relatively new but graduates highly sought after PAs in our Midwestern area. The new health sciences graduate center and small class sizes were most appealing to me when considering where to further my education. 

Any red flags on your application? My junior year GPA took a hit and brought my overall GPA down due to significant time away from classes because of ankle reconstruction surgery. My coursework during this year was my toughest and missing class because of surgery affected my academic performance. I made sure to address this topic in any interview, and highlighted my active involvement on campus and in the community hoping to show how I gave extended efforts to be involved in many aspects as a student, student-athlete, volunteer, employee, and community member. 

Anything you found surprising about interviews? What surprised me about interviews was actually how laid-back and informal each was. I expected my interviews to be very direct, one-sided, and specific, but each time I interviewed I felt very at-ease and comfortable. The interviews were more of an engaging conversation; the program faculty is trying to get to know you, as well as sell their program to you. When you get an interview, you’re already good enough on paper—be excited about that! Take the interview opportunity to actively communicate with faculty and current students, ask questions, and be interested! Interviewing for me was a surprisingly pleasant experience. 

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? No, I didn’t use any outside resources as far as materials are concerned. What I found most helpful was reaching out to PAs I’ve shadowed for advice during interviews or wording on applications, or current student whom I knew for previous interview questions and information regarding specific programs. 

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?  Take every opportunity to be involved! I was active in the classroom, research opportunities, honor societies, athletics, working part-time, and volunteering at our Mayo children’s hospital as well as with Big Brothers, Big Sisters. A classroom “field trip” or project seeming so irrelevant has the potential to have an impact, and you can use each opportunity to take a leadership role and highlight that involvement on your application. Additionally, make as many connections in health care as possible; the more people you meet and build a professional relationship with will only add to your success towards acceptance and further down the road in your career. I’m happy to answer any further questions and help when able!

Where can we find you? (website, instagram, etc) Instagram: @raelynnn_mae 

---

Accepted: Jessica - Weill Cornell College of Medicine

Undergraduate education: Graduated in 2017 from Boston University. Major was Health Science and I was on the pre-medical track. Overall GPA: 3.7

Science GPA: 3.6

GRE: I took the GRE twice. I got 35% verbal and 70% math and 5 on writing the first time. The second time, I got 35% math and 70% verbal and 5 on the writing. This just proved to me that standardized testing is not a reliable measure and did not affect me at all through the application process. 

Total HCE hours: 200

Total PCE hours: 3200 (Medical Assistant at an Internal Medicine Practice) 

Shadowing hours: 100

Other volunteer hours: 300

LORs: Three letters 

How many times did you apply?:  Once

Age: 23

Gender: Female

How many programs did you apply to? 13

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I was offered 12 interviews and attended 8 of them. I interviewed at: Northeastern, Northwestern, Johnson and Wales, Drexel, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Mass General and Cornell. I was waitlisted at Northeastern and Northwestern and was accepted to every other program. 

Where will you be attending? Weill Cornell College of Medicine PA Program 

Any red flags on your application? Low GRE scores and a Withdrawal on my transcript from freshman year 

Anything you found surprising about interviews? They are a lot more relaxed than I thought and they are all very similar. There are several questions that you are always asked at every interview. Overall, faculty are very nice and want to get to know you and your true self. 

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? To get through the application and interview process I highly recommend these two books: PA school interview guide by Savannah Perry and How to Ace the PA school interview by Andrew Rodican. Read both of these through and make flashcards with your own responses and practice them out loud before interviews.  

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Only apply to programs you would actually attend. Looking back, I applied to several programs that I would have not wanted to attend but applied anyway. It is a lot of money and a waste of time completing all of the supplements so really focus on what schools are important to you. Also, start everything in advance. You can start filling out the application before it opens, and writing your personal statement ahead of time is crucial. Sending your applications earlier is much better than later in the process. 

Where can we find you? (website, instagram, etc)  My instagram is: jess_bonet 

---

Accepted: Keyla - University of Nebraska Medical Center

Undergraduate education:  BS from University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Major: Neuroscience.

Overall GPA: 3.7

Science GPA: 3.4

GRE: 150 verbal. Quant 150. Writing 4.0

Total HCE hours: 5504

Total PCE hours: 4992 (all the schools I applied validated my Certified Medical Interpreter as PCE). 

Shadowing hours: 59

Other volunteer hours: 819

LORs: one family medicine MD, one college professor (organic chemistry), one local hospital president (Methodist Hospital).

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 32

Gender:  female

How many programs did you apply to? 3

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes?

3 interview invites, two acceptances. I attended two interviews and declined the third interview because I was accepted into my top choice school.

Where will you be attending? UNMC (University of Nebraska Medical Center).

Any red flags on your application? A W grade in one class. I dropped because of a high risk pregnancy. I’m currently retaking it as my last pre- requisite class (Biochemistry of Metabolism).

Anything you found surprising about interviews? 

They were both very different. One interview was classic PA school interview and the other one was MMI interview style.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? 

The Pre-PA club podcast with Savanna Perry.

My PA resource (used for my personal statement).

Followed lots of current PA students social media accounts and blogs and followed their advice/tips.

Book: “How to Ace the Physician Assistant school interview” by Andrew Rodican, PA-C.

The PA platform website.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

“Studying doesn’t suck as much as failing”. Believe in yourself, if you’ve made it this far, you can reach your goal!.

For mom students out there, don’t feel guilty, just spend “quality time” with your kids, away from your phone. Our kids are watching us and learning that hard work pays off!. Don’t disappoint them, be your best version!

Where can we find you? (website, instagram, etc) 

Instagram @keylasanchezm

---

Accepted: Wei - UC Davis

Undergraduate education: Rutgers University , Newark, NJ.

Overall GPA: 3.3

Science GPA:3.5

GRE: Didn’t take it

Total HCE hours: more than 16,000 hours as an ER tech for 4 years and Respiratory Therapist for 4 years

Total PCE hours: same as above

Shadowing hours: 90 hours

Other volunteer hours: 200 hours

LORs: 1 PA, 1 MD, 2 professors, 1 supervisor from work

How many times did you apply?:  2

Age: 30

Gender:  Male

Why did you choose PA? because I want to learn to treat the whole human body instead of specializing in the lungs. I often feel limited with my capabilities on taking care of my patients as a respiratory therapist 

How many programs did you apply to? 19

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 19 applied. 6 interviewed. 4 waitlisted and only 1 admitted. 14 rejections

Where will you be attending? I will be attending UC-Davis PA program

Any red flags on your application? GPA of 3.3 is on the low side. And there were multiple C’s on my transcript including General Chemistry 1 and 2.

Anything you found surprising about interviews?  I found that everyone is so nice, both the interviewers and the interviewees. And I saw a couple of same people in different interviews. That was surprising. 

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process?  I used 2 books for the interviews. 1st one and also my favorite and most helpful is the Physician Assistant School Interview Guide by Savanna Perry, and How to “Ace” The Physician Assistant Interview” by Andrew Rodican. I also did the mock interview with the PAplatform website and listen to the podcasts. I also watch PA-S you tubers who shared their journey into PA school.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Take this seriously. It’s harder than you think. I learned it the hard way. Use the services from thePAplatfom.com. They are extremely helpful. Watch the YouTube videos by James Kim.  I also had help to edit my essay. Don’t get discouraged easily, don’t give up. If you really want it, you can do it. Always be openminded and use all the opportunities that are available. People always say to be yourself for the interview. I completely disagree with this. I say be the best version of yourself. Don’t compare yourself to others because you are the pilot of your own life. The author of your own life novel. Not them.

Where can we find you? (website, instagram, etc)

You can find me on Instagram @wahwahwei. I usually post my dog’s photos and my cookings, but I am about to post my journey into PA school too.

---

Accepted: Aurthi - University of Toronto

Undergraduate education: 

BSc. Honours Specialization in Kinesiology & Minor in Medical Sciences

Overall GPA: cGPA 3.61

Total HCE hours: ~1500 hours

Total PCE hours: ~1200 hours

Shadowing hours: 40 hours (Shadowing PA)

Other volunteer hours: 1500 hours (Habitat for Humanity Mission Trips, USC – Ethnocultural Support Services, Air Cadets, Burlington Green, etc.)

LORs: 3 (Professor, Varsity Tennis Coach, Physiotherapist I worked with as a Kinesiologist)

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 23

Gender: Female 

How many programs did you apply to? 

2 in Ontario: University of Toronto and McMaster University

1 in Manitoba: University of Manitoba (Total 3 in Canada)

7 in USA: Augsburg College, Hofstra University, Rutgers University, Northeastern University, Pace University, Le Moyne College, Pacific University of Oregon

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 

3 interviews and 3 offers

Where will you be attending?

Currently a first year PA Student at the University of Toronto (Canada)

Any red flags on your application? 

My biochemistry mark was below what is considered “competitive” for prerequisites to apply to University of Manitoba

Did not have a competitive number of healthcare hours to apply to the States (some universities required at least 2000 hours to be considered “competitive”)

Anything you found surprising about interviews? 

It is possible to over-prepare for interviews and come across “scripted”—after my first interview, I had to step back a bit to find the perfect balance between preparing adequately but also going with the flow during the interview, so it’s more natural.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? 

Doing Right

MMI for the Mind

Kira Talent (for McMaster Supplemental App)

Practicing interview questions with friends/family (over skype/in-person) and asking for feedback. 

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? 

Make sure you do your research thoroughly for any school you want to apply to and for the PA profession (especially considering it’s a growing profession in Canada)

Take time to reflect on your healthcare experiences and try to come up with the skills/lessons you learned from each experience so that you can utilize them to write your personal statement, answer essay questions or apply it to a scenario during interviews. To do this, I used an excel spreadsheet with the following columns: experience, hours, reference, skills learning, examples.

If you can, try to shadow a PA in order to observe what they do in a clinical setting (and in different specialties if possible), to confirm it is the right career for you

Where can we find you? (website, instagram, etc) 

• Instagram: @aurthi.pa

---

Accepted: Rida - Sullivan University

Undergraduate education: University of Houston with a degree in Management Information Systems-Business

Overall GPA: 3.5

Science GPA: 3.7

Total PCE hours: 

2000+ hours 

(ER Scribe, Internal Medicine Medical Assistant, ENT Scribe)

Shadowing hours: 

300+ hours 

(PAs from different specialties such as orthopedics, family practice, urgent care, allergies, VA, etc)

Other volunteer hours: 

300+ hours

LORs: 

1 from Professor

2 from Doctors 

1 from PA 

1 from Corporate America ex-manager

How many times did you apply?:  

1st time applicant

Age: 

25 years old

Gender: 

Female

How many programs did you apply to? 

17 programs 

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes?

8 programs 

(Accepted to 2 programs, waitlisted at 3 programs, no response yet from 1 interview, cancelled 1 interview as I was accepted, and denied at 1 program)

Where will you be attending?

Sullivan University 

Any red flags on your application? 

I had 2-3 Ws on my transcript from undergrad and I had to explain this EVERY time when asked about it, so be careful with withdrawals! 

Also, my GRE score was VERY average compared to some of my candidates 

Anything you found surprising about interviews? 

One interview that I was at had us do a white coat fitting the second we walked in! I thought this was quite interesting as no other school did this

I was also surprised at how comfortable the interviews were and how BASIC some of the questions they asked were. It was so important to remain calm and collected because you prepare so much for something that turns out to be so quick and casual!

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? 

I highly highly highly recommend Savannah's book- PA School Interview Guide! This is an awesome first book to purchase to get started with understanding how one should approach interviews. It breaks down SO much, and i would re-read it on my kindle through my phone the day of interview.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? 

Don't give up! If someone like myself can get this far, so can you. My stats are pretty average but my story wasn't and I mastered on conveying this message to interviewers! Be authentic and be honest! Try to be as competitive as possible by doing MORE than the minimum requirements for school and schools WILL notice that. And for those of you that are career changers, there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is SO worth it :)

Where can we find you?

Instagram: @pa.RIDS 

---

Accepted: Serena - Touro University California

Undergraduate education: BS in biology, minor in chemistry

Overall GPA: 3.45Science GPA: 3.14

GRE: Did not take the GRE

Total HCE hours: 1888

Total PCE hours: 11000+

Shadowing hours: 409

Other volunteer hours: 336 as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters, 1068 as a hospice caregiver

LORs: 4; Two from physicians, one from PA, one from volunteer manager

How many times did you apply?:  3

Age: 28

Gender: Female

How many programs did you apply to? 17

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 4 interviews, 1 acceptance, 1 waitlist, 1 rejection, 1 have not heard back.

Where will you be attending?

Touro University California-Joint MSPAS/MPH Program

Any red flags on your application? I did not do well my sophomore year (had all upper division courses) and it really hurt my science GPA. I had to explain why on a couple applications and interviews. 

Anything you found surprising about interviews? One of the schools I interviewed with replaced the writing portion of the interview process with a video segment. This through me for a loop! I am not the type of person who likes to record myself talking so the jitters got the best of me.

The rest of the interviews were as expected: MMI’s, writing, group activity. 

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? 

I googled for different blogs to help me with the interview process. The blogs provided me with tips on how to prepare for the interview such as what questions I should definitely prepare for, what the interviewers are looking for in your answers, and what you should and should not say during an interview.  

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

DO NOT GIVE UP!! I know it is easier said than done, but it is true! I applied three times before finally being accepted. My second round of applying I was interviewed five times and waitlisted twice before ultimately not being pulled off the waitlist (talk about a bummer!) If you are a reapplicant, you definitely want to show the schools that you have improved since the last cycle. For me, I enrolled in more classes. It does not have to be science courses necessarily, schools want to see that you are constantly trying to improve yourself. I continued to shadow the PAs in my community. If a school’s mission is to provide primary care, you should shadow a primary care PA because the school will ask if you have done any shadowing in this specialty.

If you are invited for an interview, first off, congrats! That is a huge accomplishment considering schools look over thousands of applications and they chose YOU! How to prepare for the interview? Be able to answer why you want to become a PA and why you chose that particular school (research research research). Practice interviewing with your friends, coworkers, etc. but do not over practice. You do not want to sound rehearsed. Try to converse as if you were on a coffee date (relax). Lastly, be you. Schools do not want to hear the cookie cutter answer, what separates YOU from the everyone else?

---

Accepted: Nicole - Rutgers University

Undergraduate education: Austin College (Richland College for post-bacc)

Overall GPA: 3.35

Science GPA: 3.11

GRE: 155V 153Q 4.0A

Total HCE hours: 360

Total PCE hours: 1860

Shadowing hours: 153 (2 MDs and 1 PA)

Other volunteer hours: 146

LORs: 1 from my Bio/Genetics post-bacc professor, 1 from my A&P II/Microbio post-bacc professor, and one from a PA I shadowed

How many times did you apply?: 1

Age: 23 at the time that I applied

Gender: Female

Why PA? So, so, so many reasons. I love everything about the PA profession, from the history based on diminishing the healthcare disparity, to the faster schooling with no required residency, the lateral mobility between specialties which reduces burnout, the projected growth, the generally-better work/life balance, the lower cost of attendance (compared to medical school), the team-based approach towards medicine, and I could go on and on. I’ve always wanted to practice medicine in underserved communities, and it was never about the title for me—just the work. The PA profession completely cuts out every apprehension I had toward medical school and I honestly couldn’t see myself doing anything else.

How many programs did you apply to? 14

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I interviewed with 3 programs. My first interview was a bit of a nightmare because I definitely over-rehearsed and I wasn’t surprised at all to be rejected. Lol. But it was a great practice run for the remaining 2 schools that were my top choices. I got accepted into both! (I also applied to a dual PA/MPH program that rejected me from their PA program, but accepted me at their MPH program, which I thought was nice and a great possible option in case things didn’t work out)

Where will you be attending?  I’m currently finishing up my first year at Rutgers!

Any red flags on your application? Definitely yes. My lower-end GPA.

Anything you found surprising about interviews? My first interview was honestly a bit of a toxic environment. The other applicants were pretty cold and seemed to only talk with each other because we were being watched. The 3 interviewers were also pretty cold/rude and I left the interview somewhat thankful for the eye-opening experience. I already had it set in my mind that I would not attend if I had any other choice in the matter and I chalked up the bad experience to a teachable moment.

My next two interviews, I was totally myself and unrehearsed. The second school had an MMI format and I was surprised by how much fun it was and how I thrived in that format. The faculty were so kind and welcoming and I felt so much more confident afterward. A few days later, I had another interview at my third school and it was also an incredible experience. The questions were all specific to my application, which led to a more authentic interaction. It totally surprised me to see the stark contrast between these 2 interviews and my first interview. All schools are definitely not created equal.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? I totally lived on the Physician Assistant Forum website and also found the Physician Assistant Life website and the Trust Me, I’m a PA blog to be extremely helpful.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? DEFINITELY. It is so, so, so important to build up your application around your weak spots as much as possible and to be a polished, but authentic version of yourself at the interview. My GPA was pretty low, so I made it my goal to make everything else as perfect as possible. I did great in my 9 post-bacc classes while balancing 3 jobs; I was super involved on campus in various leadership, volunteering, and teaching roles; I worked on my personal statement for 6 months and got it professionally revised; I had phenomenal LOR writers; and I really tried to own up to my mistakes and demonstrate my maturity and motivation in my PS and supplementals. I also applied very early (at the end of May). After getting interview invites, I took note of mistakes to be modified on and focused on just being myself. I prepared for my remaining 2 interviews by re-reading my PS (to remind myself of who I was) and by reading every page of the PA programs’ websites to have a very good idea of the programs and know what questions I wanted to ask that weren’t already on the websites. I didn’t rehearse answers the second and third times—I just kept myself grounded in knowledge about the schools and self-awareness. So basically, as cliche as it sounds, be prepared but BE YOURSELF. Seriously. There’s a reason why people say it—it’s actually true.

Where can we find you? (website, instagram, etc) Instagram: nomadicniko_pa

---

Accepted: An - University of Texas

Undergraduate education: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Overall GPA: 3.81

Science GPA: 3.85

GRE: 306 (Verbal - 152, Quantitative - 154) and 4.0 Analytical Writing.

Total HCE hours: 1,600 hours as an Emergency Department Scribe (my program also considers this PCE).

Total PCE hours: 250 hours as a Certified Nursing Aide.

Shadowing hours: 260 hours total - 70 with a Hospitalist, 100 with an ED PA-C, and 90 with a Family Medicine PA-C.

Other volunteer hours: 110 hours - 35 at St. Louis Children's Hospital and 75 in the Biology and Pre-PA club at SIUE.

LORs: 4 letters - ED M.D, anatomy professor/research mentor, NSCS regional manager, and the director of the Biology program I was a mentor for.

How many times did you apply?: Once.

Age: 23

Gender: Female.

How many programs did you apply to? Nine.

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes?: I was offered five interviews, accepted four, but in the end only attended two. I was denied from one program and accepted to the other!

Where will you be attending?: Come July, 2019, I will be attending the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas!

Any red flags on your application? I did not have much volunteer experience and I only worked as a CNA for a very brief period of time.

Anything you found surprising about interviews?: Oddly enough, the nerves go away as you (firmly) shake hands with the person you're interviewing with. You realize that they aren't there to intimidate you but to truly get to know you as best they can in the allotted time. I was surprised when the questions asked became conversations that flowed easily rather than cut and dry responses.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process?: In terms of getting through prerequisite courses, I leaned on my friends and loyal study group to be successful. Having a strong support system is key! If your university has a Pre-PA group, I highly recommend becoming a member. It's an added support system and a great source of information. Other students are able to impart their knowledge/experiences about the application process and other need-to-know things about PA school and the profession.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? There's no doubt that the entire process is daunting, but stay positive and remember your purpose and why you wanted to pursue this great career in the first place! Step one: Submitting your application. Be confident in your applicant profile and don't compare yourself to others. I know that's easier said than done because I guilty of it myself, but you are unique and programs will see that through your personal statement. Start writing your statement early and then revise revise revise! Have friends, family, and others you trust critique it and give you pointers. Next step: Interviews. Continue being confident in yourself. Prepare for your interviews but don't sound too rehearsed! It is important that you familiarize yourself with the faculty beforehand and have reasons why you find the program attractive and why they should pick you, followed by questions you have for them. Arrive on campus with a smile on your face because your interview begins the second you step out of the car! All in all, embrace the process, stay true to yourself, and remember that this is your journey and it's on no ones timeline but your own!

Where can we find you? (website, instagram, etc): annguyen001

---

Accepted: Omotola - Augusta University

Undergraduate education: University of Georgia, B.S. in Nutritional Sciences

Overall GPA: 3.74

Science GPA: 3.61

GRE: 305 (Verbal- 153, Quantitative- 152, Writing- 4.5)

Total HCE hours: 275 at the time of application (Medical Scribe at a gastroenterology clinic)-- Aware that my hours were on the low end, I made sure to give the programs that I applied to monthly updates on any new hours gained as this was an ongoing HCE.

Total PCE hours: 40 (Medlife Mobile Clinic in Ecuador)

Shadowing hours: 434 (324- Orthopedic Surgeon, 100- Hospitalist PA, 10- Orthopedic PA)  

Other volunteer hours: 80 (Volunteering at a local free clinic)

LORs: 3 (1 PA, 1 MD, 1 Professor)

How many times did you apply?: 1

Age: 22 (at the time of application)

Gender: Female

How many programs did you apply to? 5

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 4 interview invites. Declined 1 invite. Attended 3, accepted to all 3.

Where will you be attending? Augusta University PA Program

Any red flags on your application? Both my HCE and PCE were quite low, so applying strategically was key for me! I did however have a fair amount of shadowing as well as a solid GPA which I believe balanced things out.

Anything you found surprising about interviews? My overall interview experience was quite relaxing and welcoming. It was comforting to know that I was not just a number, but that these programs truly desired to know me. During my interviews, I was asked the standard traditional questions as expected (“Tell me about yourself. Why do you want to be a PA? Why our program?”). Remember that these programs already know you on paper, all they now want to see is that you’re personable and that application “you” actually matches up with the in-person “you”. Lastly, ask questions! Although you’re the interviewee, remember that you are also interviewing these programs as well to ensure that their program is a truly a great fit for you.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? For the GRE, I used Magoosh and the ‘5 lb GRE’ book, and would highly recommend both. For the interview process, I used the “Physician Assistant School Interview Guide” which was extremely helpful and one of my favorite tools to date. I also connected with other Pre-PAs, PA-S, and PA-C’s through social media!

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Do not compare yourself to other applicants! Self-discouragement will disqualify you from the journey before you even have a chance to get started. It’s very understandable to research the statistics of the typical applicant, but know that there are other components that allow you to shine and stand out (i.e. your personal statement). This is where you get to tell your story, one that cannot be duplicated by any other applicant. Hundreds of other applicants may have the same GPA as you, the same PCE/HCE as you, or hey, even the same name as you. But one thing that will always be original and unique about you is your story, so do not be afraid to tell your “why?”. Do not underestimate the weight of that personal statement!

Where can we find you? Instagram: @tolaknowsbest

---

If you've recently been accepted to PA school and would like to be featured in an "Accepted!" post to share your story and advice with other PA hopefuls, send an email to savanna@thepaplatform.com 

Accepted: Megan - The University of Florida

Undergraduate education: Florida State University & The University of Tampa

Overall GPA: 3.48

Science GPA: 3.58

GRE: 305 (151 Verbal, 154 Quantitative, 4.0 Writing)

Total HCE hours: ~200

Total PCE hours: ~1,900 (Medical Scribe/Assistant)

Shadowing hours: ~180 (Orthopedic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon)

Volunteer: ~180 (Hospice, Hospital, MEDlife)

Research: ~500 (Senior thesis and Research Associate at the hospital)

Teaching: ~1250 (TA for A&P, Organic Chemistry and Ecological Physiology)

Extracurricular: Scuba diving, sorority member

LORs: 5 (2 PA, Research coordinator, 2 Professors)

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 24

Gender: Female

How many programs did you apply to? 19. I was uncertain about where I stood as an applicant, so I applied to as many programs as possible. Looking back, I would not recommend this due to the cost of applications. 

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I was invited to interview at 12 programs. Of the 12 invites, I attended 3 interviews and was accepted to all 3 programs. 

Where will you be attending? The University of Florida

Any red flags on your application?  I started college off well with a 4.0 GPA my freshman year, but my grades declined through my sophomore and junior year. In this time, my transcripts were filled 5 C’s, 3 D’s and 3 withdrawals in core classes. I ended up transferring schools after being kicked out of my major twice, however, I continued to study and finished my 4th and 5th year of undergraduate with all A’s. Instead of retaking my core classes I decided to take more challenging upper level courses to prove that I could handle the material. When I interviewed at each school I actually spoke about my low grades being one of my strengths. I explained to the interviewers why I had received those grades and how I learned and matured since then, which they all appreciated. 

Anything you found surprising about interviews? While the interviews were very professional, I was shocked at how informal they actually were. Each program I interviewed with wanted to get to know me as a person, rather than just hear my stats. I had one interviewer tell me, “the board is going to sit down in 2 weeks and decide who we accept. Tell me something that will make you stand out so when your face comes up on the slides I will remember you and want to accept you”. I decided to tell a story about me scuba diving and how I overcame one of my greatest fears. Then I related my story to their PA program and why they should accept me. This must have made me stand out because 2 weeks later I was accepted.   

My advice to anyone going on interviews is, go in with a smile and showcase your personality. Every school that interviews you already knows your stats and believes that you would do well in their program. Use the time to talk about your passions, both inside and outside of health care. That is what I did, and one interviewer even thanked me for being so bright and optimistic in a setting filled with so much anxiety. 

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? When I was getting ready to apply, I started following PA-S/PA-C on instagram. I watched their stories and YouTube videos, and I reached out to ask them any questions I had. Another resource I used was the Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs 2018. I made an excel file of all the programs I wanted to apply to with their requirements. Throughout the application process I updated it in order to keep track of which schools received my GRE scores and supplemental applications, as well as tracked my overall application status at each program. When I was getting ready to interview I used a combination of the Physician Assistant School Interview Guide book  and The Pre-PA club podcasts. Both helped me to formulate my thoughts, and allowed me to practice what I would say in the interviews.   

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? This is going to be cliché, but never give up on your dreams. When my grades were slipping my sophomore year, I had a meeting with an academic advisor who sat me down and told me that I was never going to work in the healthcare field, and that I needed to re-evaluate my life goals. I was crushed, but I didn’t listen to him and here I am 3 years later with an acceptance to the PA program of my dreams. If anyone out there is struggling with a lower GPA or GRE scores, make up for it somewhere else on your application. I became involved in research and used that to help me stand out. There are so many other ways to do this. If a program requires 2,000 PCE and 100 volunteer hours, try to double or triple it. Lastly make sure that you are involved in extracurricular activities (not just clubs, but hobbies) and include all of them on your application!

Where can we find you? (website, instagram, etc) Instagram: _mgreener. Please feel free to reach out with any questions! I’d love to help anyone going through this stressful process in anyway that I can. 

---

If you've recently been accepted to PA school and would like to be featured in an "Accepted!" post to share your story and advice with other PA hopefuls, send an email to savanna@thepaplatform.com 

Accepted: Emily - Touro College

Undergraduate education: St. Joseph’s College Long Island—Biology Major, Chemistry and Psychology minors

Overall GPA: 3.7

Science GPA: 3.6

GRE: none of the schools I applied to required it!

Total HCE hours: ~1,000

Total PCE hours: ~500

Shadowing hours: ~100

Other volunteer hours: ~500

LORs: 3 letters of recommendation—one from my thesis advisor and professor, another from a professor I took several classes with and TA’d for, the third was from a professor and PA at my college that I shadowed

How many times did you apply?:  Just once!

Age: 20 at the time of my application, 21 when I got accepted

Gender: Female

Why PA? I like that the PA field allows me to work collaboratively as both a leader and a team member, something that fits my personality very well. I believe PA’s play a vital role in the health care field in being able to provide more personalized attention to patients and get to know them for more than just their illness—something that I find very important in gaining trust and a positive repour with someone undergoing a medical challenge. I also like the ability to change fields and practice in various different settings throughout my career.

How many programs did you apply to? I applied to 4 programs

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I received and went on 3 interviews. I was accepted to all 3 schools I interviewed at. The 4th school I was waitlisted for an interview.

Where will you be attending? I will be attending my first choice school, Touro College School of Health Sciences on Long Island

Any red flags on your application? I was nervous because I started a lot of my health care experience and shadowing only a few months before I applied so I thought it might not be enough time for the interviewers to know I was confident that this was the field I wanted to be in.

Anything you found surprising about interviews? How different each interview was! I’m a complete people person and have no nerves speaking to important people. However, I feel like everyone practices and rehearses for their interviews, but you really can’t practice because you don’t know what you’re walking into! My first interview was with four faculty members at the same time, my second was three mini interviews in groups with other applicants, and my third was one interview with one faculty member. Just be yourself and be confident in your application and you’ll be prepared for any situation!

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? I used this website/ blog a lot to find helpful tips from other PA applicants! However, I would say the best way to get information and advice is to ask classmates or students who have gone through the process a few years before you. I relied on upperclassmen and alumni from my school for help in prerequisite classes and with CASPA.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Don’t compare yourself to others! Every applicant is different—has different experiences, different set-backs, and different strengths. It’s so easy to get caught up in the process of applying to comparing your GPA, PCE, or shadowing hours to everyone else’s. While yes it is important to be realistic about your chances, a lot of the time we wind up crushing our confidence by not feeling as good as other applicants. It’s important to remember that you have worked hard to get to where you are now and that you CAN do this!

Where can we find you? (website, instagram, etc) You can find me on my personal Instagram @emilyfontinha. You can also follow my PA school page with my two best friends from my college that are also in the same PA program as me @threepasinapod. If anyone has any questions or needs advice feel free to message me there!

---

If you've recently been accepted to PA school and would like to be featured in an "Accepted!" post to share your story and advice with other PA hopefuls, send an email to savanna@thepaplatform.com