Undergraduate education: University of São Paulo - Brazil
Overall GPA: 3.9
Science GPA: 4.0
PA-CAT: N/A
Total PCE hours: I had 3,100 PCE hours. I gained my experience working as a Speech Language Pathologist in Brazil, and working as an Ophthalmic Assistant in the U.S.
Total HCE hours: Only 35 hours working in the Ophthalmic clinic’s call center triaging patients according to their chief of complaint. Also, assisting patients with scheduling, rescheduling and canceling appointments.
Shadowing hours: I had 96 in-person shadowing hours. I shadowed three PAs in three different specialties (dermatology, pediatrics, and general surgery.) I also had 18 hours of virtual shadowing from the virtual shadowing platform.
Volunteer hours: I had 161 volunteer hours. I did different types of volunteerism. For a period of time I visited women with terminal cancer in a hospital. I took care of children with special needs, so their parents could go on a date. I practiced Portuguese with Americans who were learning Portuguese as a second language. I volunteered in my kids’ schools. And I volunteered in kids’ Summer camps.
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 39
Gender: Female
Why PA? My desire to help people heal as a whole instead of just a small part of them, which I used to do as a SLP, led me to the PA profession. Learning about the higher level of care PAs are able to provide and their importance to underserved communities made this career the right fit for me. As a Brazilian, I know how much underserved areas suffer from a lack of medical care, and my main desire is to help these communities with medical care as much as I can.
How many programs did you apply to? 14
How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I interviewed with 5 programs. I had one rejection (University of New Mexico). Two waitlists ( St. Francis University, Loretto - PA and University of the Pacific, Sacramento - CA. I was later pulled off from the UOP waiting list). And I had 2 acceptances (UTHSC, Memphis - TN and University of Utah, SLC campus)
Where will you be attending? University of Utah
Anything you found interesting about interviews? I found surprising that some interviewers really read your PS in details while others don’t. I learned that you have to be well prepared to answer not only specific questions about your PS, but also to highlight your PS for those interviewers who haven’t asked anything about it. In my opinion, If they didn’t ask anything about your PS, you should assume that they don’t know much about it.
Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, webinars, etc) you used to get through prerequisites courses, the application or interview process? The pre-PA club Facebook group and PA platform were essential to help me to go through all the steps from prerequisites to interview day. I used “My PA resource” for PS editing and for a Mock interview. I also bought the Interview guide book and the online course.
Any advice for other pre-PA students? What I learned about this process. - Apply to schools that you think you can be a good fit. More important than the school’s requirements is the school’s mission. Schools are looking for applicants that will be a good fit to their program. - Apply to as many schools as you can afford, even if you think you don’t have a good chance. Sometimes the schools that you think that will not send you an interview invite are the ones that will. - Take the time to prepare your personal statement. It is true guys! It is the personal statement that will give you an interview. I used “My PA resource” service to review my first draft and it was essential to guide me to the right direction. After my 6th draft, I got “the one” personal statement. - Prepare for the interviews. I read the book from Savanna Perry, did her prep course and also did a mock interview. I kept practicing the questions as much as I could. I also tried to learn as much as possible from each school and faculty that I was going to have an interview. - Tell your story, be sincere, show your passion and determination in becoming a PA. - If you got a rejection it does not mean that you are a failure. It can be so many factors. It is okay to feel sad and discouraged for a little while, but do not give up. Keep preparing for the next interview. It only takes one! - And last, but not least. If you get waitlisted do not lose hope. You still have a chance to be called. I am a non-traditional applicant, born and raised in Brazil, and mom of two little girls. After nine years getting ready to apply, I am finally GOING TO BE A PA! And so are you! Like the fable of The Tortoise and the Hare. Do not compare yourself, keep your pace, and you will get to the finish line.
Where can we find you? (Instagram, TikTok, Website, etc) - @lainetrent28
