Undergraduate education: University of California, Davis - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Overall GPA: 3.63
Science GPA: 3.54
GRE: 322 (V 157, Q 165, W 4.5)
Total HCE hours: 120 hours (volunteering at medical center in pediatrics and ED)
Total PCE hours: 2,800 at time of application—Back office MA in pediatric primary care, pediatric urgent care, and orthopedics
Shadowing hours: 30 (Orthopedic PAs, Dermatology PA, Pediatrician, Pediatric NP, Internal Medicine MD, Internal Medicine NP)
Other volunteer hours: 100 hours through sorority and honor society philanthropies, 50 hours at local food bank, one week volunteering at senior home in Costa Rica
LORs: Pediatrician (my boss), Pediatrician (my other boss), Orthopedic PA that I worked for, supervisor at food bank
How many times did you apply?: 2 times
Age: 24
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? 10 programs
How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes?
7 interview invites, attended 4 interviews—3 acceptances and 1 waitlist
Will be attending University of California, Davis class of 2020!
Any red flags on your application?
low Shadowing hours, low volunteering hours, C’s in Organic Chemistry
Anything you found surprising about interviews?
I encountered so many different types of interviews (3-person group interview, 10-person group interview, MMI (Multiple Mini Interviews), one-minute speech, observed group activities). It's important to prepared for anything!
Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process?
PAEA Program directory (online), How to Write you Physician Assistant Personal Statement, individual program websites and emailing admissions at each program (the BEST way to get accurate information about prerequisites, deadlines, etc for each program)
Any other advice for other pre-PA students?
If you’re a reapplicant, try not to get discouraged. Retake classes, shadow more, volunteer more, and WORK more. You might surprise yourself with how much more successful you can be with another year of experiences behind you! Also, every application has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to remember that your app will be looked at as a whole, and that your weaknesses can be balanced out by your strengths. Good luck!
Where can we find you?
Instagram: @meganinmed (feel free to DM me with questions!)
If you've been accepted to PA school and would like to share your story in an Accepted! post, send an email to savanna@thePAplatform.com or use this link to contact us at The PA Platform now.
