Undergraduate education: I obtained my Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology and Health Promotions from the University of Kentucky in May 2018!
Overall GPA: 3.37
Science GPA: 3.42
GRE: 150 V / 147 Q / 4.5 A
Total HCE hours: 2,100 (Sterile processing assistant and ER scribe)
Total PCE hours: 3,500 (CNA in a variety of settings - nursing home, private, large university hospital, and rural hospital)
Shadowing hours: 620 (PA's in different fields - ortho, ER, primary care, and pediatrics)
Other volunteer hours: 3,450
Leadership hours: 7,600 (Student-athlete)
Research hours: 0
LORs: 5 (PA, MD, APRN, Assistant Athletic Director, and a Professor)
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 21
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? 4
How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I had one interview with UK and was accepted before the other 3 programs extended interview invitations.
Where will you be attending? University of Kentucky - Morehead Campus (Go Cats!)
Anything you found surprising about interviews? I really enjoyed interviews because it allowed me the chance to know more about the students and staff, even future classmates! The interviews were much more of a conversation and I felt very comfortable.
Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? I purchased the PA Interview Guide and read through it after submitting all of my CASPA and supplemental apps. I would go through and quiz myself on questions in the book and practiced with my family. I also scheduled a mock interview with Hanna while I was waiting for interview invitations. I was able to review how I interviewed and fine tune some of my weaker points.
Any other advice for other pre-PA students? My advice for Pre-PA students is to become involved in your favorite PA program and your state's PA chapter. Start learning about staff, the program's mission, disparities in healthcare, attend your PA program's fundraisers and join their pre-PA club if they have one! By the time I applied to UK I felt like I was part of a family (who all happen to be very intelligent and compassionate PA's!) I would also say to enjoy your hours as a CNA or EMT and don't be afraid to ask questions to ultimately learn more about medicine and science. I feel very strongly that patient care is the most valuable asset someone can possess as a future PA. You learn to appreciate not only how hard you work to pursue the PA profession, but how hard each individual in healthcare works to provide quality care to our patients. I would also suggest trying to scribe whenever possible! It's a wonderful opportunity to shadow providers and learn about the medical decision making process!
Where can we find you?
Instagram: @_whitness5
Twitter: @_whitness5
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
