Undergraduate education: University of Arkansas
Overall GPA: 3.4
Science GPA: 3.38
GRE: 295, 4 writing (took the GRE twice)
PA-CAT: Did not take
Total PCE hours: 5000 hours between a long term care facility as a CNA and med surg unit as a nurse tech
Shadowing hours: About 20 hours, covid made my shadowing hours very difficult to obtain. I got my foot in the door with my job at the hospital with a cardiology PA that I mostly shadowed for my hours!
Volunteer hours: 170 hours at a cancer support home
How many times did you apply?: 2
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Why PA? I love that PAs can treat patients in many specialities. I believe PAs are an extension of healthcare that is desperately needed now more than ever. Schooling is shorter but there are more requirements to get into school. This appealed to me because I’m ready to get out there and start impacting patients lives. I love the teamwork aspect of the profession and having a physician to consult with if you don’t know about a certain disease or diagnosis. PAs are the glue of healthcare!
How many programs did you apply to? 12
How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I interviewed for one school my first cycle and was rejected. Second cycle was much more successful. I interviewed at the same school and was waitlisted but received two other interviews, one in which was a rejection. I was waitlisted at my current school and then accepted one month before the start! Thankfully they did not require the GRE
Where will you be attending? Christian Brothers University in Memphis TN
Anything you found interesting about interviews? Their interview was very relaxed. I was surprised at how friendly the faculty were and it helped with the nerves!
Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, webinars, etc) you used to get through prerequisites courses, the application or interview process? Savanah Perry’s books are incredibly helpful, especially the questions at the end of the interview book. Practice your responses out loud! Practice with a family member or friend. PA Platform also really helped me navigate the personal statement and read other applicant stories.
Any advice for other pre-PA students? Do not give up. If this is what you want, you cannot take no for an answer. Look at what you can improve on. Focus on what you can change and do just that. Get more experience in a different area. Retake some courses. Retake your GRE. Take every opportunity you have to improve especially during covid. More importantly, do not compare your stats to others. I am on the lower end of the applicant scale, but I wasn’t going to let that keep me from living my dream. I worked harder as a CNA to show my dedication and kept focused on my goal: PA-S.
Where can we find you? (Instagram, TikTok, Website, etc) - morgandenisewood on instagram Morgan Wood on facebook.
