Undergraduate education: Cornell College - BA in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with minors in Philosophy and Psychology
Overall GPA: 3.5
Science GPA: 3.2
GRE: 314 (160 - Verbal, 154 - Quantitative, 5.5 - Analytical Writing)
Total PCE hours: 2,095 as a home health aide and as an attendant on a volunteer ambulance service
Total HCE hours: 3,198 as a medical scribe and as a student health center receptionist
Shadowing hours: 86 hours (50 with physicians, the rest with PAs)
Other Volunteer hours: 1,650 (American Cancer Society, volunteer trips, Crisis Text Line, etc.)
LORs: 5 (1 former manager from a healthcare job, 1 committee letter from Cornell College, 1 Chemistry Professor, 1 director of the ambulance service where I volunteered, and 1 PA I worked with as a scribe).
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 25
Gender: Female
Why PA? I love the horizontal flexibility of profession because it would allow me to change specialties if my interests change or to help cover a gap in the healthcare of my local community. I also felt the profession helped to facilitate collaboration with other health professionals, which is what I want in my career.
How many programs did you apply to? 13
How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 6 interview offers (went to one and was accepted; declined the rest of my interviews) 1 interview waiting list 1 waitlist (that program doesn't conduct interviews) 3 rejections
Where will you be attending? University of Dubuque
Anything you found surprising about interviews? How welcoming and relaxed the faculty and staff tried to make it. I had heard several other applicants or current PAs/PA students say that about their interviews, and I didn't really believe it. While the interviews still made me nervous, I honestly had fun getting to know everyone because everyone was so incredibly nice.
Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? For my application, I used the Dimensions Center from Cornell College as well as The PA Platform's pre-pa assessment to review my strengths and weaknesses. I continued to use the Dimensions Center and their Health Professions Committee for my personal statement and other written materials.
For interviews, I had a mock interview with The PA Platform (shout out to Jourdyn who did my assessment and my interview) and with someone from my college. I also read Savanna's book.
Any other advice for other pre-PA students? To remember that you are more than your stats. While you need good numbers, you have a personal story and journey that is unique to you. Showcasing that and showing your passion for this career is just as important as your GPA and GRE. Put hard work and revision in your written materials in order to do that!
And lastly, don't forget to celebrate any milestone/accomplishment during this process! It can be hard to keep up stamina while you are working towards applying or on your application. Celebrate getting that new job or certification, celebrate finishing your degree or prerequisites, celebrate hitting submit on that last assignment or your application. Any completed step is progress!!
Where can we find you? On Instagram @briannarolf
