Program Spotlight: Western University of Health Sciences

Location:   Pomona, California

Number of students:  98

Application Cycle:  April-November 1st for CASPA, and December 1st for supplemental application

Interview dates:  January-March, with decisions going out at the end of March.  

Start date:  August

Length of Program:  2 years

Public/Private:  Private

HCE:  Preferred, not required

GPA:   Minimum overall, science and prerequisite GPA of 2.7.  Prerequisites must be completed w/ a C or better

Shadowing:  No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

•  Although the minimum GPA is 2.7, it sounds like to get an interview you need a good bit higher.  Rumor has it, they rank applicants based on lowest GPA (overall or science) and then offer interviews from the top.  They usually do not go below 3.2 for invites 
• MMI style interview - 4 mini sessions with 2 interviewers (faculty or students), with 2 minutes to prepare and 6 minutes for each station.  
• 7 year deadline for prerequisites
• No organic chemistry requirement

Program Link:   Western University of Health Sciences PA Program Website

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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Program Spotlight: South College

Location:  Knoxville, TN

Number of students:  85

Application Cycle:   CASPA through March of year of matriculation, and supplemental application

Interview dates:   January-May

Start date:   Fall

Length of Program:  27 months

Public/Private:  Private

HCE:  No specific requirement of hours

GPA:  Overall GPA of 2.75, with prerequisite GPA of minimum 2.75

Shadowing:  No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

• No specific Organic Chemistry requirement, although it is recommended
• There's a specific program for students who are military veterans (VET-UP), that offers mentorship and financial assistance
• Information sessions are available
• Applicants who interview are notified that day whether they are accepted, denied, or waitlisted
• Interview process - group interview with faculty, medical terminology quiz, writing sample
• Preference is given to students of South College (likely invited to interview if met requirements)

Program Link:  South College PA Program Website

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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Program Spotlight: Stanford University

Location:  Palo Alto, California

Number of students:  Up to 50

Application Cycle:  CASPA April - October 1st w/ supplemental application

Interview dates:  January-February (they call these validation sessions)

Start date: June/July

Length of Program:  21 months

Public/Private:  Private

HCE:  3000 required direct patient care hours  (Average is 8791 hrs)

GPA:  A&P w/ labs and Microbiology GPA must be 3.0 or higher.  Prerequisites must be complete when application is submitted.  

Shadowing:  No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

• Primary care focus - The program is actually called the Primary Care Associate Program. It is offered as a certificate program, but there is an option to do an additional online program to obtain your Masters, which can be completed during the clinical year.  
• 40% of class is minority groups
• A degree is not required to apply, but you must have a BA to complete the Master's program
• GRE is not required
• No organic chemistry requirements
• Interview/validation session - 2-on-1 with faculty, writing portion

Program Link:  Stanford PA Program Website

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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Up and Coming: Charles R. Drew University

** updated March 2020 **

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Accreditation Status: Provisional

Listen to this podcast to see how accreditation status can affect you

Number of students: 26

Application Deadline: January 15

Admissions: Rolling

Read this blog post about When to Apply to PA School

Start date: August

Order your copy of The PA School Interview Guide here

Length of Program: 27 months

Public/Private: Private

Tuition: $100,324 (including fees)

Read this blog post about How to Pay for PA School

HCE: 2,000 Hours

Read this blog post about HCE

GPA: No minimum (sciences and prerequisite GPAs of 3.0 are preferred)

Required Standardized Testing: None

Shadowing: Preferred, Not Required

LOR: Three Required, no one specific

Listen to this podcast about requesting a Letter of Recommendation

The Good Stuff:

• Students complete a medical nutrition therapy course, which provides them with knowledge to manage enteral and parenteral nutrition from pediatrics to geriatrics and allows students to sit for the Certified Nutrition Support Certification Exam and become a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician

• Students can take seminars to become Certified Diabetes Self-Management Leaders and Certified in Culturally Relevant Urban Trauma.

Program Link: https://www.cdrewu.edu/cosh/PA/

** All information is from The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs 2020 and the Program’s website. For corrections and comments, please fill out this form.

Program Spotlight: Desales University

Location: Center Valley, PA

Number of students: 80 (about 30 come from the undergraduate program)

Application Cycle:  April - December 1st through CASPA with rolling admissions

Interview dates:  July - January

Start date:  August

Length of Program:  24 months

Public/Private:  Private

HCE:  Minimum 500 hours (volunteer or paid) by matriculation, international experience does not count

GPA:  Overall and science GPA > 3.0

Shadowing:  No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

• 2 options for admission - Apply after completing an undergraduate degree, or applying as a Medical Studies major to Desales University and doing 3 years with guaranteed admittance to the PA program (with completion of all requirements and an interview)
• GRE requirement will be waived if MCAT score is > 30
• Desales alumni are given an interview if they meet minimum requirements
• Participants in the Yellow Ribbon Program - financial benefits for veterans and military 
• Cadaver lab
• Clinical time during first year/didactic
• Free clinic that is a requirement for students to participate in
• Interview - writing assignment, 2 one-on-one interviews
• The school is a Catholic university

Program Link:  Desales University PA Program

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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Program Spotlight: MCPHS University (Boston)

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Number of students:  100 students

Application Cycle:  April - November 1st through CASPA with supplemental and rolling admissions

Interview dates:  October-February

Start date:  Fall (early September)

Length of Program:  30 months

Public/Private:  Private

HCE:  Recommended 250-500 hrs

GPA:  Average overall of accepted is 3.3-3.5, minimum overall of 3.0

Shadowing:  Recommended

The Good Stuff:

• Here is a blog post with a Q&A from a recent student
• Preference is given to students in the Premedical and Health Studies Pathway Program
• First summer is off at Boston campus 
• No organic chemistry requirement
• GRE not required
• MCPHS has programs at Worcester and Manchester as well.  You are only allowed to apply to one of the MCPHS campuses.  These programs start in the Spring.  They require a bachelor's degree and are 24 months.  The professors are online for these programs.  
• There's an early acceptance program is you attend MCPHS, with 4 years of undergraduate work, and then 2 years of the PA program or 3 years of undergrad work and 3 years of PA program. 
• Cadaver lab at Harvard Medical School
• Interview - 3 1-on-1 10 minute interviews(faculty, alumni, student), group activity, writing sample

Program Link:  MCPHS University (Boston) website

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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Up and Coming: Heritage University

Location: Toppenish, WA

Number of students:  32

Application Cycle:  April - November (Apply by July to be considered for early interviews)

Interview dates:  2 separate dates in December and January with rolling admissions

Start date:  May

Length of Program:  24 months

Public/Private:  Private

HCE:  Minimum 1000 hours at time of application 

GPA:  Minimum 2.75 overall (recommended 3.0), minimum 3.0 science; must have 3.0 in all prerequisites 

Shadowing:  No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

• Currently in Provisional status
• Medical Spanish is included in the didactic year 
• Focus on rural healthcare, and clinicals are in smaller towns in the Northwest 
• Prerequisites must be completed by January of the preceding year
• Medical scribe is accepted as HCE
• No GRE required
• No specific Organic Chemistry requirement
• Does not accept Letters of Recommendation from professors 

Program Link:  Heritage University PA Program

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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The Few Disadvantages of Being a PA

I got a question today about the setbacks or disadvantages of being a PA.  I've addressed a few of the disadvantages I've found in the education processes in this post, which compares PA school and medical school, but I'll go over some of the negative aspects of actually practicing in this post.  And here's another post about advantages/disadvantages to think about when looking for a job.  

This may not be the most popular post ever because most PAs like to think they have the greatest job every with no down sides.  And since PAs have been rated as the #1 job in America for years now, it's hard to disagree.  But now that I'm a year and a half into working, there are some things that I wish I had thought about starting PA school.  Would any of these have been dealbreakers for me?  Probably not, but maybe I can help you be a little more informed.  

• Plan your vacations years in advance.  - If you work in a clinic with scheduled patients, you're going to have to be really good at planning.  And you're going to have to convince your family to plan ahead as well.  The schedulers don't appreciate it when you ask them to move 60 patients so you can go on a vacation.  My family tends to do trips last minute and not know the holiday plans very early, so I haven't been able to participate much this year.  The longest vacation I took was actually to go to a conference.  It's not the end of the world if you have to reschedule patients, but it's courteous to both patients and office staff to try not to if possible.  
   
• Office hierarchy - When working in a private practice, you will be the bottom of the totem pole at times.  This doesn't mean that you aren't respected and valued, but unless you own the practice, you don't get to call the shots.  It's important that you don't let yourself be abused, but you also have to accept that you may end up taking shifts you wouldn't prefer, working while the boss takes off, or taking on some extra responsibilities.  If you do not think you could be okay with not having the final say or having to answer to a supervising physician, then you may not want to go the PA route.  As a PA, you will never have an MD behind your name.  (I actually love that patients call me by my first name and I would feel weird being called doctor, so although I don't feel it's a bad thing, you might.)
   
• The Haters.  - There are going to be some people (patients, physicians, family) who just don't get what you are doing as a PA, and who won't trust you no matter how many times you explain how you were trained.  On the flipside, you'll probably have people asking you to treat them the first day you start PA school and think you have all of the answers (AKA - my grandma who calls me the cosmetologist.  I work in dermatology.  Same thing, right?)  It can be extremely difficult to have to work with physicians who do not think you are capable of quality patient care. You can choose your supervising physician, but sometimes you can't control who they choose to work with.  You can try to educate others and help them to learn about the scope of PAs, but some people may not ever be convinced.  My husband is a great example.  He is in medical school, and most medical students that I've encountered have no idea what PAs do.  I constantly get, "How do you know that?," "You guys learn about this too?," "PAs can actually do that?"  I like to use these opportunities to teach them about our profession, and I hope that as physicians they will have a better appreciation of their PA colleagues.
   
• Make the big bucks, but not the biggest.  - PAs do great as far as compensation in my opinion, especially when you consider the amount of schooling, but you will never make the same salary as your supervising physician.  Ultimately, a physician is going to hire a PA to bring in profit and allow for schedule flexibility, so yes, they will profit off of your work.  It can be a little discouraging when you feel like you are working hard and being profitable for the practice, but if you negotiate well and come up with a fair contract, you can do very well financially as a PA.  

• Lifetime learner (because you have to) - Continuing education requirements for PAs are intense.  100 hours every 2 years, and an exam every 10 years on EVERYTHING.  So if you decide to specialize, it's gonna be tough.  Physicians don't have requirements that are even close to as crazy as these, but at least you have no choice but to stay up to date.  

Overall, I love my job and I wouldn't trade it for anything, but if you're on the fence maybe this will help you to choose a side!  

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Program Spotlight: Barry University

Location:  3 campuses - Miami (52 students), St. Petersburg (24 students), St. Croix (24 students)

Application Cycle:  Mid-April to October 15th recommended (must receive complete application from CASPA by December 1st) - rolling admissions

Interview dates:  September - March

Start date:  Fall

Length of Program:  28 months

Public/Private:  Private

HCE:  No set requirement, but recommended 1000 hrs

GPA:  Overall and science GPA greater than 3.0

Shadowing:  Strongly recommended, and "looked upon favorably"

The Good Stuff:

• Medical Spanish is part of the curriculum
• Organic Chemistry OR Biochemistry can be taken 
• No supplemental application
• No cadaver lab, but plastic models are used
• 4 students are chosen at both the St. Petersburg location and USVI campus to receive a 20% tuition discount (St. Croix students must agree to work in the US Virgin Islands for 2 years)
• One of our Pre-PA coaches, Samantha, attended Barry University. Schedule a mock interview with her now! 

Program Link:  Barry University PA Program

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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Program Spotlight: Albany Medical College

Location: Albany, NY

Number of students: 42 (waitlist of ~20)

Application Cycle:  Rolling admissions from May 1st - December 1st (deadline)

Interview dates:  May - December for upcoming cycle

Start date:  January

Length of Program:  28 months

Public/Private:  Private

HCE:  1000 hours

GPA:  Prerequisites with a grade of C or higher, but no specific minimum GPA

Shadowing:  No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

• Biochemistry OR Organic Chemistry required

• Monthly information sessions available

• They have agreements with a few different programs for early assurance admissions - basically as long as you maintain your GPA and fulfill all prerequisites and other requirements, you are accepted into the PA program.

• Full cadaver lab with about 4 students per cadaver

• Interview - 2 one on one interviews with faculty (very relaxed)

• Tuition is estimated to be 55,000 - significantly cheaper than some other private programs

• GRE is required

Program Link: Albany Medical College PA Program

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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Programs that do NOT Require the GRE

For the majority of programs, the GRE is required, but there are the occasional few that don't have a standardized test requirement.  A few schools are even accepting the MCAT now as well!  But anyways, this is not an all-inclusive list at this point, but thanks to Christina K., here are some of the schools that don't make you take the GRE!

Emory University - Georgia
Stony Brook University - NY
Drexel University - Philadelphia
Thomas Jefferson University - Philadelphia
PCOM - Pennsylvania
Hofstra University - NY
New York Institute of Technology - NY
Rutgers - NJ
MCPHS University (Boston)
Mercy College - NY
Loma Linda University - California
Arizona School of Health Sciences
University of South Dakota
Western University of Health Sciences - Oregon
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Howard University - Washington DC

Interview with Jorge Muniz, PA-C, Creator of Medcomic

I'm really excited to share an interview with the extremely talented PA, Jorge Muniz.  While working as a PA, he has found the time to create a really cool and fun study tool!  Many of us are visual learners, and if you have trouble remembering the essential pearls, then you need this book!  There are a few days left in his Kickstarter campaign, so you still have a chance to be one of the first to jump on board.  

What is your name?

Jorge Muniz

How long have you been a PA?

In 2013, I graduated from the Nova Southeastern University's PA program located in Orlando, Florida. Two weeks after graduating, a large group of us took the PANCE. I’m proud to say we all passed. Immediately afterwards, I began practicing as a PA in the hospital as I had secured a position in orthopedic surgery during my clinical rotations.

What inspired you to create Medcomic?

I've loved cartoons since I was a little kid. As a PA student, I realized that being in the medical field gave me the opportunity to channel my creative energy while helping my classmates study for exams.

My artwork has been influenced by the cartoons I watched as a child, which relied heavily on physical humor and facial expressions. I believe the animation seen on television today has changed a lot from cartoons like Looney Tunes that were produced in the 1940s and 1950s. I remember watching many of those reruns. Another inspiration and influence on my art has been the work of Mike Krahulik. He’s the graphic artist behind the popular video game webcomic Penny Arcade.

What do you hope to accomplish with Medcomic?

Medcomic’s mission is to make studying medicine fun and entertaining. Part of my vision for Medcomic is to expand the concept so that it becomes more comprehensive. There are plans to introduce new features and apps in the future. The first book is weeks shy of being released and there are countless ideas and possibilities to add more volumes to the Medcomic library.

What is your favorite comic that you've created?

How long does it take you to create a single comic?

One comic takes approximately 12 hours to produce. Part of that time is dedicated to reviewing the topic and gathering information that’s relevant for students to know for exam purposes. Sketching the concept and producing a comic takes time and patience. There have been instances where I’ll throw away an idea midway of completion if I feel it isn’t going to result in something that meets my standards. I always try to think, “ If I were a student, would I find this illustration useful?”  There’s a value of quality over quantity.

How do you find time to do something like create a comic book while practicing as a PA? 

I’ve produced most of my artwork on my days off by waking up early and working on an illustration all day. It’s a bit of a sacrifice, but it’s gratifying that I continue to help many students with the cartoons I’ve been able to produce thus far.

How can we find out more information about Medcomic and help to spread the word?

For more information, visit Medcomic.com.  At the time of this writing, a Kickstarter campaign has been launched to help publish the first Medcomic book. This book will propel Medcomic into academic circles and make an impact on how traditional medicine is taught. It will also help establish a foundation for additional projects that I’m excited to share more details about in the future.

I truly appreciate everyone’s support to make the Medcomic book a reality. You can contribute by pledging or by sharing the campaign with friends and colleagues on Facebook and Twitter. Please visit Medcomic's Kickstarter page to support this project! Thanks.

Update! Medcomic's kickstarter was successful, and you can now purchase it on Amazon. (Affiliate link)

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3 Questions You Need To Know For Your PA School Interview

JORGE MUNIZ, PA-C, President at Medcomic.com
 

Congratulations! The moment you receive news that you’ve landed an interview for PA school is an exciting time.  The next step is to prepare and practice the types of questions you’ll most likely encounter during the interview process.

If you’re currently a Pre-PA student, you may have done some research and found a list of popular questions to review prior to your interview. However, have you really given thought to how your answers will differentiate you from the other candidates?

Before we talk about specific questions, I think it’s important to make a note on the delivery of your responses. Keep your answers succinct, don’t go off on tangents, and remember to smile!

With over a thousand qualifying candidates applying each cycle, getting into PA school is becoming more and more competitive each year. Here are three questions I believe you should put at the top of your list as you prepare for your PA school interview.

1.     How do you think you’ll be able to handle the workload?

A common analogy used for the amount of new information we consume in PA school is that it’s “like drinking water from a firehose”. How will you convince your interviewers that you can handle this daunting task? I like to turn this question upside down by eliminating the burden from the proposed workload.

Remember that medicine is your passion. Passion is work that you enjoy doing so it doesn’t feel like work. This makes accomplishing the task easier because you don’t mind putting in the time and effort to complete it. For instance, learning to play guitar isn’t easy. It takes weeks to build the callouses to eliminate finger pain. For most, it takes months or even years to become proficient with the instrument. These people push through each day because the process of practicing their passion doesn’t feel like a burden.

Similarly, you can tell your interviewers that the workload in PA school is something you welcome as part of the process to practice your passion. You’re already an avid reader and you love learning. Be confident, tell them to give you a second firehouse.

2. Why are you interested in our PA program?

Just as you should be mindful of differentiating yourself from other candidates, don’t forget to identify the the characteristics that makes one PA program unique from another. This will support any reasons you give for being a good fit for their program. Some PA programs may have a focus on recruiting local students that want to practice medicine in rural areas, while others may place more value on a student’s ambitions to have their research published in journals. Always take a look at their curriculum and mission statement to get a better idea if one particular PA program over another is a better fit for you. Be ready to give your concise answer.

3. What is your favorite hobby?

I like this question because it’s more informal and gives you the opportunity to showcase your interpersonal skills. Your hobbies and extracurricular activities can give the interviewer a good idea of the type of person you are. It’s also a good time to provide an answer that demonstrates balance in your life, something that is essential during PA school.

Conclusion

The PA school interview is a big deal. In my opinion, it’s the most important part of the application process. Not everyone with a 4.0 GPA that gets interviewed makes it into PA school. Remember to be confident in your answers. When possible, choose responses that are unique to you. You’ll be interviewing with the top qualifying candidates, why should they choose you?

One final recommendation. Before getting into PA school, I read a book called “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. Despite the odd title, it’s a great read that made me more aware of how important interpersonal skills are in business and in life. Pick it up and give it a try.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32217894@N03/6122032240

About the Author: Jorge Muniz is a board-certified Physician Assistant from Orlando, Florida. He graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a Master's in Medical Science in 2013. Jorge is also a self-taught cartoonist and the founder of Medcomic, an educational series of illustrations that makes studying medicine entertaining and fun. To view his work visit http://www.medcomic.com

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Accepted!

I think it's encouraging to see the stats of other pre-PA hopefuls and see who actually gets in!  Bhmbl from the Pre-Physician Assistant page on Reddit has graciously taken on the role of being the first one!  

Overall GPA: 3.52 (3.82 for the last 45 credits)

Science GPA: 3.56

GRE: 149V/146Q/4W

Total HCE hours: 200 hrs volunteer work at a hospital

Total PCE hours: 1,448 hrs volunteer work as an MA at a primary care clinic and two medical mission trips to Latin America

Shadowing hours: 50 hrs Cardiologist; 50 hrs Electrophysiologist; 72 hrs ND; and 40 hrs PAs from different specialties

Other volunteer hours: 346 hrs community service

Extra: Native Spanish speaker, two summers of cadaver dissection, and 5 letters of recommendation

Age: 28

Gender: F

How many programs did you apply to? >30 but I withdrew them all as soon as I received my acceptance at my top choice school.

How many programs did you interview with? At 4 out of the 9 interview invitations I received. Was waitlisted at the first one, rejected at the second one, accepted at the last two, and did not attend the last ones.

Any red flags on your application? courses >5 years old, W on biochem lab (re-took it and got A+), D in college algebra (took pre-calculus later on and got an A and got a letter of recommendation from the professor).

Anything you found surprising about interviews? I was quite surprised that I was asked to write an essay about a particular heart disease since I had shadowed the Cardiologists two years ago.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? I used http://www.coursesaver.com/videos/college/ to get through the General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry courses. I highly recommend those videos! Then I used http://paprogramsearch.com/search/ to find schools based on prerequisites. There are a few schools listed there that were not up to date so it is recommended to quickly double check them with the schools' websites. To prepare for interviews, I read the book "How to Ace the Physician Assistant Interview" along with many websites with interview questions.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? I recommend everyone to visit www.reddit.com/r/prephysicianassistant as well as www.physicianassistantforum.com. In the reddit website you can ask any questions you may have regarding applications and you will find "Ask Me Anything" posts from accepted students as well as my own posts with advice and helpful links that I used.

I definitely recommend the reddit site, and there are a lot of active users who are quick to respond to questions.  

If you've been recently accepted to PA school and would like to be featured in "Accepted!" send an e-mail to savanna@thepaplatform.com

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Getting into PA School with a Low GPA

So the question comes up a lot about whether it is possible to get accepted into PA school with lower grades or an overall low GPA.  If you work hard enough and apply widely and realistically, there is almost always a way to reach your goals, but that can be difficult when you're staring at some C's and D's and a number that is lower than you had hoped.  It is discouraging to know you are going to be quickly judged and maybe not even considered because of some mistakes in school or a really difficult schedule.  I hope to encourage you and provide some hope and tips for how you can still make your dreams happen.  And thanks to Bhmbl from Reddit for some of the ideas in this post.  Make sure to check out the Pre-Physician Assistant page for an active forum with other Pre-PA students.  

When it comes time to apply, you have to look at your overall application and determine how competitive of a candidate you are.  The main factors to take into account are GPA (overall and science), grades in prerequisite courses, GRE (if necessary), healthcare experience (HCE), other work or volunteer experience, and shadowing.  Most schools will have a cut-off for the majority of these categories.  I'll go ahead and say that if you do not make the minimum requirements, your application will likely never make it to the PA department.  They use those numbers to weed out applications, and so that they can get the candidates that are most qualified.  So if you have a 3.02, applying to a program with a 3.25 minimum will likely be a waste of your time and money.  

“ GPA is the best predictive factor of how well a student will do in PA school.”

One of the best ways to make up for a lower GPA is to make the rest of your application shine.  Thankfully, PA school places a huge emphasis on patient care or healthcare experience (PCE/HCE), so that gives you the opportunity to show that your experience makes up for where your grades fall short.  In comparison, medical school focuses on GPA and the MCAT, and they often don't even require HCE, so if you don't make the grades, the chances are much lower for finding a medical school that is realistic.  You want PCE that is going to be valuable and show that you have had good patient contact, so look into taking a class to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA), medical assistant (MA), or EMT.  Although it may take you longer to get to the point that you feel comfortable applying, try to be patient, and know this process is a marathon.  

I also recommend doing some extra shadowing and trying to get really strong letters of recommendation.  You want people who are familiar with you and who will write something that is both personal and positive.  

Your personal statement is going to be one of the most important factors in landing an interview.  This is what will make the program really interested you, and your goal is to show them who you are in a way that makes the admissions committee want to meet you in person.  While there are differing views on what to talk about in your personal statement, you can choose to discuss your lower grades or GPA if you feel like not addressing this may prevent you from getting an interview invitation.   It's not a bad idea if you feel like you can address it in a way that does not look like you are making excuses, and shows how you have improved and overcome the situation.  Your GPA or a bad grade should never be the sole focus of your essay.   

If you are applying with a lower GPA, be prepared to reapply.  PA school is getting more competitive every year, and it is common to not get acceptance the first year of application. You can use that year to prepare more for PA school, and to improve your application.  If you feel like your GPA was the only thing that prevented admittance, then take some additional courses to both raise your GPA and show that you are capable of rigorous coursework even though you may have had some stumbling blocks in the past.  You can repeat courses you had lower grades in or take some more advanced science courses.  It is very important that you do really well in these classes because you do not want to further jeopardize your GPA or your application.  If you do repeat some prerequisites and do better, it's important to note that CASPA averages all grades in their calculations.  Here is a post all about calculating your CASPA GPAs.  You may want to consider schools that recalculate your GPA based on the higher scores or look closer at the last 40 or 60 hours of coursework.  Here is a list of some schools that have post-bac classes you may want to look into. 

While in a gap year, you want to be improving your application in other ways as well, such as volunteering and HCE, but not at the expense of your coursework.  It's important to find a good balance because you want to be able to show how your application has improved during the next application cycle.  

When choosing which schools to apply to, you'll need to check their minimum requirements before applying.  It's not worth your time or money to get an instant rejection based on your GPA.  Most programs list this on their website and you can find it in our Program Spotlights as well.  

An interesting option that has come up for students with lower GPAs is to go the nurse practitioner (NP) route, as opposed to the PA route.  While I am in no way the expert on all things NP, it's a reasonable option because depending on the state, most NPs and PAs operate quite similarly.  I think a lot of that has to do with who you are as a person.  This path would mean going to nursing school to get an RN, and most are 2 year programs once you have the correct prerequisites.  Some NP programs require experience working as a nurse before applying, and there are some accelerated programs as well.  There are many more nursing programs than PA programs, and they are typically easier to get into to at the BSN level.  

If you are struggling to decide if you should apply to PA school, where you should apply, or what courses you may want to take or re-take, make sure to get some advice.  Whether that's a PA, a student advisor, fellow students on Reddit, or through a Pre-PA assessment here, it's always better to have a neutral party evaluate where you're at and offer their opinion. 

Comment below with any advice or questions about GPA! 

Program Spotlight: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (Philadelphia)

Location:  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (with distant campus in Suwanee, GA)

Number of students:  55

Application Cycle:  April - December 1st through CASPA (with an application fee to PCOM) with rolling admissions

Interview dates:  September - February

Start date:  June

Length of Program:   26 months

Public/Private:  Private

HCE:  Minimum 200 hrs direct patient contact

GPA:   Overall and science GPA of 3.0, with minimum C in all prerequisites

Shadowing:  No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

• GRE is NOT required
• Organic chemistry not specifically required
• A blog post about a student's first week at PCOM.  (The author put Pennsylvania instead of Philadelphia, so just ignore that.)

Program Link:  PCOM - Philadelphia

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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Program Spotlight: University of Texas - Medical Branch of Galveston

Location:   Galveston, TX

Number of students:  80-90 students

Application Cycle:  CASPA with supplemental application by September 1st

Interview dates:  ~August - December

Start date:  July

Length of Program:   26 months

Public/Private:  Public, but no preference to TX residents

HCE:  No specific requirement, but recommended

GPA:  Minimum overall and science of 3.0, with a minimum C in all prerequisites

Shadowing:  No specific requirement, but recommended

The Good Stuff:

• Open house information sessions are available, and are typically on Friday afternoons.
• There is no time restraint on how long ago courses were taken, but if more than 10 years old, it is recommended to repeat anatomy and physiology.
• Interview - one on one with 2 faculty members (about 20 minutes each)
• There's a bridge program with the respiratory therapy program at UTMB.  During the last year of the program, 4 students are invited to interview, and 2 are chosen to begin the PA program after completing the RT program and work as an RT for a year.
• Also a bridge program with Clinical Laboratory Sciences program, and up to 4 students may transition into the PA Program
• They have a long waitlist after interviews with known number on the list, and last year went to #36 on the list, so that's pretty significant!
• Here is a video interview with a student from UTMB

Program Link:   UTMB PA Program

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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Physician Assistant Blogs

While there isn't a ton of information out there in the blog world, and many of them do not stay recent, if you look hard you can find some good posts.  Here is a list of the blogs I've been able to find, so let me know if you run a site or know of any others!

I'm A PA - A site from the AAPA, and their blog does update a few times a month, and you could write for them if you have an interesting perspective.

Jay the PA -  A firsthand look at what it takes to become a PA from the Pre-PA stage to being accepted and starting school!  

With Ashley Kay - Ashley is a current PA student sharing her journey through school.  She has beautiful photography on her site as well! 

White Coat Clutter - Stephanie is a PA who is transitioning to dermatology and shares a ton of tips for Pre-PA students and current PA students. 

Life as a PA - Andrea is an amazing Pediatric ICU PA who is very open about sharing her lifestyle and giving back to the PA profession.  Make sure to follow her on Snapchat too! 

PA Student Essentials - A site run by PA students and the SAAPA

Meghan in Medicine - Meghan is a soon-to-be PA student who is doing an amazing job showing the details of how she's accomplishing her goals.  

The PA Life - Jourdyn is a current PA student at UW-Madison blogging about her time while in PA school.  

Reddit Pre-PA - Not exactly a blog, but more like a forum to ask questions to an active community and look up information that others have asked about in the past. 

PA Boards - This is a great resource with so many options - podcasts, blog posts, PANCE review, YouTube videos, and even an app!  

Musings - The JAAPA blog.  This is a great resource to stay up to date with issues facing PAs.

ADVANCE for NPs & PAs - They have a few different blogs, including one for students and one for new grads.   

Lauren Does Life - A new blog with an awesome looking site.  Lauren has just started her clinical year of PA school and it looks like there are some great posts coming in the future!  

Lindsey's PA Blog - Lindsey is currently a PA student at Albany College and has been writing periodically about her experiences there.  

Hay the PA - Hayley is a PA student at University of Kentucky and she has a beautiful site where she shares tips for both PA school and living a healthy lifestyle. 

PAs RISE - A resource for pre-PAs, PA students, and physician assistants where they have access to interesting reads, mentorship, and FOAMed (free open access medical education).  This site encourages the PA community to contribute their thoughts, expertise, and opinions while shining a spotlight on the advances PAs and students are making within the community.  

The Organized Undergrad - Follow Emily's progress through undergrad as she works towards a profession in the medical field, and tries to make decisions between pursuing PA or MD.  

Medicine & Manicures - A great combination of PA school and fashion.  Kristina just graduated from Campbell University's PA program, and she will be a derm PA as well!  (Best choice ever.)

PA Fanatic - Brittany is transitioning from a Pre-PA to PA-S, and sharing all of her tips and advice along the way. 

Physician Assistant Blog - A blog with unique posts that are a little different from the typical things other sites write about.  The authors also wrote the PANCE/PANRE Study Guide, which is a resource to use during school and when studying for boards.  

AP the PA - A new blog from Aashna, a student who is about to start PA school.  Great information so far!  

Pre-physician assistant blog - A bunch of interviews with various students and PAs.  Especially helpful if you're interested in schools in Texas.  

New PA-C Here - Not updated recently, but she posted a good bit during school about her experiences 

Trust Me, I'm a PA Student - A well-researched blog from a current student at UTSW

The White Coat Investor - The best blog for financial advice if you're working in medicine. Not specific to PAs, but definitely helps everything to be slightly less confusing and provides great resources.  

Physician Assistant, Finally There - Not updated recently, but a lot of information from school and resources as well.

Women in Surgery - This is not specific to PAs, but seeing as there are plenty of women PAs and PAs doing surgery, it's a great reference.

Food, Fitness, & Family - Although the title may not seem to fit, this is a blog of a current PA student and how she survives.  And shes's a mom!

PA-C Hustle - A PA and mother, and how she balances both jobs. 

PA Journey - Follow along with a PA student on the journey to becoming a PA.  

xohollyd - Holly is currently in her didactic year of PA school and provides updates on her blog so you can see what it's like to go through PA school. 

Stethoscope and Sparkle - Follow Erin through her time in PA school, and look for all of the advice she has for Pre-PA students 

Apple A Day PA - Demi is currently in her clinical year at Florida International University in Miami, and she blogs about her experiences and offers advice for clinicals. 

White Coat Dreaming - Alex is in her 3rd year of PA school and on the tail end of clinicals.  She has some great advice from fellow students and throws a personal touch into her posts too. 

Lynzy and Co - Definitely more of a lifestyle blog, but Lynzy is a mom, but also a part-time PA.  She does a great job showing how she balances life. 

The PA Pursuit - Chelsea is a PA student who has beautiful pics on her site and her Instagram as she offers advice to hopeful PA students. 

White Coat Whitney - Whitney is a second year PA student sharing advice about PA school and for Pre-PA students. 

PA-Cents - A new kid on the block that is discussing all things having to do with the financial side of PA school and being a PA. If you have any questions about money stuff specifically for PAs, make sure to check it out!

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Program Spotlight: Seton Hall University

Location:  South Orange, NJ

Number of students:  30

Application Cycle:  June 15 - December 15 through the program website (NOT on CASPA)

Interview dates:  October - February

Start date:  Late August

Length of Program:  3 years

Public/Private:  Private - No preference to New Jersey residents

HCE:  Minimum 100 hours of experience or volunteering

GPA:  3.2 or higher overall and in prerequisites with a minimum C

Shadowing:  May count for HCE, but preference is given to direct patient care

The Good Stuff:

• Clinical experiences start during the first semester
• Prosected cadaver lab (no dissection by students)
• No organic chemistry requirement
• Group research project 

Program Link:  Seton Hall University PA Program

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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