Undergraduate education: The University of Texas-Austin ( B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences)
Overall GPA: 3.54
Science GPA: 2.9
Pre-req GPA: 3.8
GRE: 298
Total PCE hours: about 1550 at time of application
Shadowing hours: 70
Other volunteer hours: around 5,000 (I volunteered A LOT)
LORs: 4 (2 PA’s, 1 NP, 1 Professor)
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 24
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? About 18
How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 2 (1 waitlisted, 1 acceptance)
Where will you be attending? Francis Marion University Physician Assistant Program (I started August 20th)
Any red flags on your application? Low science GPA, my GRE wasn’t that competitive, but I met the requirement of my program.
Anything you found surprising about interviews? My interviews were pretty laid back. You can tell they wanted to know who you were as a person and not just giving you a hard time.
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 School Interview (Affiliate link)
Any other advice for other pre-PA students? You can do this! Do NOT give up. This process isn’t easy but its so worth. If you know you want to go to PA school start getting your patient care hours early. If your GPA isn’t the best that doesn’t count you out! Keep working hard but most of all enjoy the journey. One minute you will be submitting your CASPA and before you know it you will be starting PA School.
Where can we find you?
I have a blog called ministry in medicine where I talk about my journey! www.ministryinmedicine.com
Instagram: @Incomparabletay
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
