Accepted: Finley - Midwestern University

Undergraduate education: Bachelor's in Global Health from UC San Diego

Overall GPA: 3.79

Science GPA: 3.7

GRE: 317

Total PCE hours: 345

Total HCE hours: 1,400

Shadowing hours: 70

Other Volunteer hours: 110

LORs: 1 from my PA mentor, 1 from my anatomy professor, 1 from my supervisor, and 1 from an internship coach.

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 22

Gender: Male

Why PA? I stumbled upon the profession while exploring the healthcare field. All of the normal perks of the job looked nice on paper, but once I shadowed a PA I knew it was right for me. Never before have I met such friendly, caring, confident, and curious people. I was also very lucky to be mentored by a PA where I worked in clinical research. With his help I was able to understand the profession and a PA's role in healthcare.

How many programs did you apply to? 9

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 2 interviews with 1 denial and 1 waitlist where I was later accepted.

Where will you be attending? Midwestern University, Glendale

Anything you found surprising about interviews? No matter how hard you prepare there will always be something that catches you off guard. Be ready to adapt and be flexible. Also, you'll be told this so many times, but be honest. They want to know you as a person.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? In finding schools I found the The Applicant's Manual of Physician Assistant Programs very helpful. In preparing for the interview I would highly recommend using the programs' websites and physicianassistantforum.com for insight to the process. Savanna's book the Physician Assistant School Interview Guide and the PA Platform's mock interview service were also very helpful for my confidence.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? If becoming a PA is as important to you as it is to me you are more than capable of getting in. Just remember to do your research, take time to make your application shine, and to try not to get too stressed. Use others' stats only for reference, not as a means to compare yourself. You and your experiences are unique. Use them to your advantage.

Where can we find you? @finn.shea.the.pa on Instagram

Accepted: Rachel - Wayne State University

Undergraduate education: Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration

Overall GPA: 3.62

Science GPA: 3.62

GRE: 299

Total PCE hours: ~9800 upon submission

Total HCE hours: ~2500 hours upon submission

Shadowing hours: 32

Other Volunteer hours: 31 upon submission

LORs: 1 PA, 1 MD, 1 Supervisor, 1 Undergraduate Professor, 1 Clinical Coordinator

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 31

Gender: Female

Why PA? My story is very layered and my path has been non-traditional, but, PA has been my end goal since I realized what a PA is. This has been my dream for a decade! Medicine is my passion and my goal is to provide a safe place for patients and to instill relationships with trust.

How many programs did you apply to? 2

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 1 interview (other school's deadline hasn't hit yet), acceptance to school interviewed at.

Where will you be attending? Wayne State University

Anything you found surprising about interviews? Not really- I say this because I prepared for months from the time I submitted my CASPA in July until I received my interview invitation in October. Also, Wayne State provided a basic outline of what to expect at an interview.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? YES! The PA Platform Instagram page, the Pre-PA Club podcast, Pre-PA Facebook group, several YouTube videos, and Savanna's Interview book!

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Never give up if this is your goal! Put in the work now and it will pay off if you believe in yourself and give this your heart and soul!

---

Accepted: Alyssa - Arcadia University

Undergraduate education: Old Dominion University

Overall GPA: 4.0

Science GPA: 4.0

GRE: 108

Total PCE hours: 33 (had just started as an MA when I sent my application!)

Total HCE hours: 612 (ER scribe)

Shadowing hours: 4 (only one opportunity)

Other Volunteer hours: 469 + a lot of involvement in the Filipino organization at my school! :)

LORs: 3 (1 PA, 1 Professor, 1 Mentor)

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 21

Gender: Female

Why PA? After seeing PAs work (ER & gastroenterology), I really loved that they were able to bridge a gap in healthcare, helping more patients be seen while still providing high-quality care to all. Not to mention, they can spend more time with the patient, which can really help a visit feel more personable. I also love the lateral mobility aspect of the profession; I'm not exactly sure what speciality I want to go into yet, but I know that I will be able to find one that I really enjoy.

How many programs did you apply to? 4

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 2 interviews, 2 acceptances

Where will you be attending? Arcadia University

Anything you found surprising about interviews? Both programs I interviewed at (Pace & Arcadia), had such wonderful environments. Although the candidates were technically "competing" for spots, everyone was so kind and supportive of each other. The interviews were more relaxed than I anticipated, which really helped ease my nerves and allowed my true personality shine through.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? Savanna Perry's PA interview book taught me all the strategies I needed for the interviews. I also reached out to my school's Biology advising department to do 2 mock interviews, a 1-on-1 and a group interview, which really helped me work on articulating answers.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? If you're a younger applicant still finishing up your undergrad but want to keep the ball rolling, don't hesitate to apply! Especially if you've been working towards your goal while in school! I didn't think I had enough or *good* enough healthcare hours, but most of the alumni that I talked to encouraged me to apply anyways. Definitely glad to have listened to them!

Also, don't just apply to random programs. Really look to see what makes each program unique. I'm so thankful my friend told me about Arcadia; they are highly involved in their community and have amazing international opportunities which have me extremely excited to attend! So, definitely find a program that fits you. :)

Where can we find you? instagram - @lyssachi

---

Accepted: Keeley - Nova Southeastern University

Undergraduate education: Bachelor’s in Biology from University of Florida

Overall GPA: 3.6

Science GPA: 3.6

GRE: 150 qualitative, 153 quantitative, 5 on writing

Total PCE hours: 640 at time of applications being submitted

Total HCE hours: 0

Shadowing hours: About 30

Other Volunteer hours: 0

LORs: One from my nursing manager, one from my A&P professor, one from a professor and mentor for the PhD program I was in before, one from an MD I shadowed, and one from the PA I shadowed

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 22

Gender: Female

Why PA? I was in a PhD program right after graduating undergraduate and started to lose focus of the big picture and why I was spending hours in the lab getting very little data. I took a leave of absence and became a CNA where I fell in love with the patients and decided on PA school after remembering my many interactions as a patient with type one diabetes and a patient’s family member who had stage four colon cancer.

How many programs did you apply to? 12

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 4 interviews (I’ve only been to 2/4 and got accepted to both)

Where will you be attending? Nova Southeastern University in Jacksonville, FL

Anything you found surprising about interviews? How different my two interviews were was really surprising as well as how sweet and supportive the other interviewers were. Someone even drove other interviewers back to the airport to help them out.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? 100% Savanna’s book (I tried another book before hers and hated it) along with her website and podcast! I also decided on a mock interview with Ngan who was amazing at calming my nerves and helping me perfect my interview a few weeks before my first one. I also used the pa forum to see if any old students left some advice before interviews.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? I had a family member ask me a few interview questions almost every night leading up to my first interview. I also wrote down most of the questions I was asked during my first interview and analyzed them afterwards to see how I could improve for the next one. But I also just want to say don’t give up! I was basically told to expect not to get in this round but I still gave it my all and was pleasantly surprised.

Where can we find you? instagram - Keeleysarah97

---

Accepted: Ariel - UT Health Science Center San Antonio

Undergraduate education: Biology - UIW

Overall GPA: 3.93

Science GPA: 3.94

GRE: 300

Total PCE hours: 3,500

Total HCE hours: 2,000

Shadowing hours: 260

Other Volunteer hours: 1,000

LORs: PA, previous professor, and current supervisor

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 27

Gender: Female

Why PA? Growing up with a P.A. as a father, I was introduced to the professor at an early age. My mother was an ultrasound technologist too, so I grew up in the medical field. I always knew I wanted to be a medical provider, because it combines my love for medicine and science with my passion for education and helping people. I always looked up to my father and saw how much he truly enjoyed his job and the flexibility that it provided him, so after shadowing him (along with other medical professionals) my decision to follow in his steps and become a P.A. myself was solidified.

How many programs did you apply to? 9

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 7 interview invites, attended 2 of them, accepted at both of those 2.

Where will you be attending? UTHSCSA (UT Health Science Center San Antonio)

Anything you found surprising about interviews? Both were MMI format. One of the schools had a “meet and greet” dinner the evening before, which I really enjoyed because it helped calm my nerves as well as allowed me to meet several of the staff members, current students/Alumni, and other applicants in a more relaxed environment before the actual interview day.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? Savanna Perry’s interview prep course as well as her interview prep book from Amazon. Listening to the Pre-PA Club Podcast also helped a lot!

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Just be yourself! Try to practice techniques ahead of time that can help you calm your nerves and allow your true personality to shine through. Whether it be guided mediation, self help books or podcasts, herbal supplements, power poses or deep breathing exercises, and positive mantras/affirmations, all of these things helped me to train myself to keep my nerves under control enough to feel comfortable and confident on my interview days!

Where can we find you? instagram - @PA_Leira

---

Accepted: Lauren - Yale School of Medicine

Undergraduate education: University of Connecticut, B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science

Overall GPA: 3.86

Science GPA: 3.8

GRE: 325

Total PCE hours: 2,100+ Patient Care Associate on a Med Surg floor

Total HCE hours: 2,500+, Medical Technology Generalist

Shadowing hours: 130 - Shadowed different PAs in Ortho, Neurology, OB/GYN, Internal Medicine, and Vascular Surgery

Other Volunteer hours: 100+ - Red Cross Blood Drives, Children's Hospital Fundraising, Women's Center

LORs: 4- Nurse Manager, Lab Manager, PA Mentor, Undergrad Program Director

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 23

Gender: Female

How many programs did you apply to? 19; way too many, my thought was that I didn't want to risk going through the application process a second time, but I definitely went overboard

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? Invited to interview at 17 schools and I attended 7. 4 acceptances (Yale, Duke, Tufts, Sacred Heart), 1 waitlist, 1 rejection, and 1 that I haven't heard back from.

Where will you be attending? Yale School of Medicine (On Campus)

Anything you found surprising about interviews? My first interview was rough! It was my only interview that had an MMI session and it was a really long 8-hour process. I was rejected but I used that experience to improve myself for future interviews. I did a mock interview with the PA Platform and used the Physician Assistant School Interview Guide to sharpen up my skills. They were both amazing resources!

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? Physician Assistant School Interview Guide, How to "ace" the Physician Assistant School Interview, PA Platform mock interview, CASPA application review service, ect

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Don't be afraid to take your time to get all your ducks in a row before you apply. I took 2 years off after undergrad to pay off my undergrad loans and gain experience before submitting my CASPA and it was worth it for a better financial situation and an acceptance at my dream school. Keep up the hard work!

Where can we find you? Feel free to message me on instagram for any advice! @laurenmasay

---

Prepping for PA School Applications as a Freshman in College

Today’s guest post is written by Ashley Koch, a second semester freshman in college who is pursuing a career as a physician assistant and has been working towards making her dream a reality since she was in high school. Follow Ashley’s journey at @akoch_coke

I have always known I wanted to be a PA. As a freshman in college, I knew that I wanted to start doing everything I could to prepare for my PA school application. Even though the application process was so far away, I was still dedicated to doing anything I could to start preparing myself for PA school and I will be sharing how I began this journey at such an early stage in my life!

 I realized pretty early on that I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field; throughout my childhood it seemed as if at any time someone got injured, I was always the person called on to help them. With this desire of helping others continuing on as I grew older, the only dilemma I faced was deciding between pursuing the career of either a nurse or a doctor (at the time I was unaware of the PA profession). I felt as if there were pros to both careers, but there wasn’t one that was peaking my complete interest; I was instead desiring a career that was ideally a perfect combination of a nurse and doctor. From this interest, as soon as I discovered the Physician Assistant profession, I knew that it was in my path.

Toward the ending of my freshman year of high school, I was introduced to a program at my local Northside Hospital called “Volunteen.” This program gave teenagers the opportunity to not only experience what working in a hospital environment felt like but also determine if this environment was one they could picture in their dream job. After going through their application and interview process, I was accepted! During this experience, my love for medicine only grew stronger. I spent every remaining summer of my high school career volunteering at Northside Hospital in their Family Centered Care, Women’s Surgery, and Baby Photography positions. Along with my experience as a Volunteen, I was at the same time researching more about the Physician Assistant career in order to further confirm my desire to pursue it.  

When it became time for me to apply to colleges, I made the decision to only apply to universities that also had the Physician Assistant Master’s Program. With my home state being Georgia, I had a couple of options to choose from and ultimately decided on attending Augusta University! 

Within my first couple of weeks in college, I immediately sought out and joined my university’s PA club; this action alone has provided me with a greater understanding of not only the Physician Assistant career, but also all of the details surrounding the application process. After learning about the basic requirements for most PA schools, I dedicated my Christmas break to creating a spreadsheet of various PA schools and their specific course and healthcare experience requirements in order to set my goals of what I want my PA school application to look like. Currently, I am scheduling my shadowing experience along with more Northside volunteering over this next summer, along with planning my sophomore year schedule around beginning undergrad research and getting my EMT certification through a program my university offers.

Whether you are currently in high school or just beginning college and pursuing a career that extends beyond undergrad, even though the application process may be a decently long time away, don’t feel discouraged about preparing for the application because of time. Instead of viewing the several years before applying as several years of waiting, view it as several years of preparing and pushing yourself to not only have the ideal application you want but also to become more experienced and ensured that this program is meant for you. It is always a great idea to get a head start and it is never too early to start working toward the career that is calling your name.

Join The PA Platform’s Pre-PA Club Facebook Group, a community of thousands of Pre-PAs!

Accepted: Shannan - Medical University of South Carolina

Undergraduate education: Computed Tomography

Overall GPA: 3.85

Science GPA: 3.8

GRE: 301

Total PCE hours: Over 10,000

Total HCE hours: Over 10,000

Shadowing hours: 45

Other Volunteer hours: 50

LORs: 2 MD, 1 Clinical Instructor

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 25

Gender: Female

How many programs did you apply to? 10

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 3 interviews, 3 waitlists, 1 accept

Where will you be attending? Medical University of South Carolina

Anything you found surprising about interviews? The faculty wanted to know about me personally, not my accomplishment but what you wouldn’t know based on my application.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? I feel that having as much hands on, critical thinking experience is what made me stand out. I’m not your typical PA applicant. I had a career before applying and wanted to further my education.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Get all the actual hands on/critical thinking experience you can get. I had the benefit of working in radiology for 5 years before applying. This not only exposed me to how the healthcare system works but many diseases and treatment that has helped make PA school much more manageable.

Where can we find you? instagram - shannan.dieselberg

---

Accepted: Paige - Trine University

Undergraduate education: Allied Health Science

Overall GPA: 3.6

Science GPA: 3.75

GRE: I don’t remember totals but 4.5 on writing

Total PCE hours: 1,500 as direct care worker and medicine passer

Shadowing hours: 400 with internal medicine PA

Other Volunteer Hours: 15 at various orgizations

LORs: 3 (one from internal medicine PA, one from chemistry professor, and one from supervisor at assisted living facility)

How many times did you apply?:  Once!

Age: 21

Gender: Female

Why PA? My cousin was diagnosed with osteosarcoma my senior year of high school. I knew I had to help patients like doctors, PAs, nurses, etc. helped her!

How many programs did you apply to? 9

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 1 interview, 1 acceptance!

Where will you be attending? Trine University

Was there anything you found surprising about interviews? It was a long day, but a lot less stressful than I was anticipating. It was fun! I loved meeting so many people passionate about the same thing as me.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? The pre-PA club at my undergrad university was great at giving us all the resources we needed! I used the interview guide for my interview.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Be yourself always. I compared myself to everyone during the application process. Once it came to the interview, I was ready to shine. Our stats didn’t matter anymore, they wanted to see us for who we are!

Where can we find you? instagram - @paigejonites

---

Accepted: Sydney - University of Washington

Undergraduate education: BS: Biology

Overall GPA:2.8, last 90: 3.95

Science GPA: 3.05

GRE: 296

Total HCE hours: 18,000

Shadowing hours: 212

Other Volunteer Hours: 100

LORs: Fertility medicine PA, OB/GYN Doctor, and Research professor

How many times did you apply?:  2

Age: 30

Gender: Female

Why PA? Patient care, lateral mobility, filling a healthcare need, shorter schooling.

How many programs did you apply to? 7

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 2 interview invites: 1 acceptance, 1 interview not attended

Where will you be attending? University of Washington

Anything you found surprising about interviews? I had so much fun at my interviews. Everyone was so kind and relaxed. It truly was just conversational.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? Resources I used were: Savanna Perry's PA school interview guide, How to Ace the PA school interview, and 2 mock interviews through the PA Platform. All were incredibly helpful and I would be so happy to pass my like new books along.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? In general, do not give up. Stop comparing your stats to everyone else. Everyone has a story and no two people's paths are the same. Embrace your uniqueness. At the interviews, be yourself, let your personality shine. You worked your butt off to be there. Be confident.

Where can we find you? instagram - @sydney_nicole_06

Program Spotlight: Samford University

** Updated March 2020 **

Location:  Birmingham, AL

Accreditation Status: Provisional
Learn more about what provisional accreditation status means for you.

Number of students:  Not Reported

Application Cycle: April 30th -  August 1st

Admissions: Non-rolling

Start date:  August - annually

Length of Program:  27 months

Public/Private: Private

HCE:  Preferred, not required

GPA:  Overall: 3.0, Science GPA: 3.0

Shadowing:  Preferred, not required

PA Shadowing: Preferred, not required

LORs: Three required: One each from a professor, supervisor, and PA, MD, DO or CRNP

Seat Deposit: $1,000

Total Tuition: $97,000

Program Link:  Samford University PA Program Website

View other PA Programs in Alabama

Accepted: Kendall - Sacred Heart University

Undergraduate education: Simmons University

Overall GPA: 3.6

Science GPA: 3.4

GRE: 298

Total HCE hours: 10,000

Total PCE hours: 7,000

Shadowing hours: 50

LORs: 4

How many times did you apply?:  2

Age: 24

Gender: Female

Why PA? 1. Career versatility 2. Team based care 3. Giving back to the community

How many programs did you apply to? 21

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 6- 1 acceptance, 3 waitlist, 2 rejections. Haven't heard back from 15 programs yet.

Where will you be attending? Sacred Heart University

Anything you found surprising about interviews? How much the interviewers wanted to know about my personal life and the how I like to enjoy myself outside of work and school. Most notably everyone commented on my dog being named Tyrion from Game of Thrones.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? 100% the PA Platform! I utilized the pre-PA assessment, Mock interview and used My PA Resource for personal statement help. It was a hugely helpful in maintaining confidence throughout the arduous waiting game of applying.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Treat your fellow interviewees like they are already your classmates! I believe what sealed the deal for me was my interaction with not just my interviewer but those who I was also interviewing with because it allowed me to SHOW not just TELL how I would be as a member of their program.

Where can we find you? instagram - @kennnelll

---

Writing a Resume for PA School

Although not necessarily required by CASPA, it is important that you have a professional resume prepared when you are in the process of applying to PA School. A resume for PA school is clean, simple and professional. It highlights your education, healthcare experience and volunteering hours. To help get you started, I have created a FREE resume template download!

Why do you need a resume for PA school?

1. For letters of recommendation

   When asking for letters of recommendation, you want to make sure your recommender has all of the pertinent information they need to write you a strong recommendation. Although you should include a personalized letter that explains why you are asking for a recommendation from this specific person, it is helpful for the writer to know where else your experience comes from.

2. As part of your supplemental application for the program you are applying to

   The committee reviewing your application is also reviewing the applications of thousands of other students. A resume is a quick and effective way to understand who you are as a professional. Not every program will ask for a resume, but it does occasionally come up.

Resume vs Curriculum Vitae (CV)

For the majority of people applying to PA school, there won’t be a huge difference in the resume and CV. Thing of a resume as a snapshot of your experience and qualifications, while a CV is a more detailed look into the various components included in your resume.

For example, if you’ve done research or writing, you would provide more information on the CV in regards to what the focus of your content was. A CV will usually be longer than a one-page resume because there is so much more detail included. Don’t worry about the differences too much.

What should be on my PA school resume?

Your resume should highlight who you are as a candidate for PA school. This is not the place to highlight every job you have had since you were 16. Focus on the experiences that make you the ideal PA student. Your resume should include the following: (p.s. all of this is set up for you in my FREE resume template download!)

• Your Education

• Work Experience (PCE, HCE, other related work experience)

• Volunteer Experience

• Shadowing Experience

• Leadership Experience

• Research Experience

• Certifications

• Achievements/Honors

• Affiliations/Memberships

Don’t worry if you don’t have information to fill in all of these topics. Feel free to omit any sections that don’t pertain to you specifically.

PA School Resume Tips

Similar to a resume for a job, your resume should be clean and concise. Here are a few tips for you to keep in mind when writing your resume:

• Make it ONE page — no exceptions! Committees have access to your entire application in CASPA — this is just an overview of your experience. You can always elaborate on your experiences when it comes to your interview.

• Use an easy to read font such as Times New Roman or Arial. This is not the time to experiment with fun and creative fonts. You don’t want someone to stop reviewing your resume because they can’t read it. There’s a current trend of resumes with graphic design elements, but keep your audience in mind. Most of the PA faculty are traditional, and you’re applying for a professional program.

• Make your fonts a legible size. It may be tempting to use tiny fonts and margins to squeeze in ever bit of information you want to share but again, they can read more into who you are on CASPA.

• Don’t write in complete sentences. For example, if your PCE includes your experience as a paramedic, instead of…

  During my time as a paramedic, I assessed the condition of patients and determined a course of treatment

  say….

  Assess a patient’s condition and determine a course of treatment

• Make sure to read, re-read, and ask others to proofread! The last thing you want is for your resume to have a typo in it! Don’t rely on your computer to catch all of your mistakes either!

What questions do you have about your Resume for PA School? Ask them below in the comments!

---

Accepted: Nikki - East Carolina University

Undergraduate education: Mississippi College

Overall GPA: 3.3

Science GPA: 3.0

GRE: 302 - 152Q /150V/ 4.5W

Total PCE hours: ~5,600 - Two years as an EMT, eight months as an ED tech and currently still working.

Shadowing hours: 500+ Shadowed MD's in emergency medicine, family medicine and PA's in orthopedic trauma and peds

LORs: 2 MD's (emergency medicine, family medicine) , 1 PA (pediatrician), Anatomy & physiology professor

How many times did you apply?:  3

Age: 28

Gender: Female

How many programs did you apply to? Varied each cycle but any where between 9-12 each cycle.

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? Interview with one my top choice and found out a week later.

Where will you be attending? East Carolina University

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? I read the entire Physician Assistant School interview guide by Savanna Perry in preparation. This book could not have been more helpful in how it helps you dissect the question and better formulate strong answers.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Don't give up! In due season you will get your chance if you work hard.

Where can we find you? instagram - nikkiibrooks

Accepted: Susanna - Lincoln Memorial University

Undergraduate education: B.S. Biology

Overall GPA: 3.5

Science GPA: 3.2

GRE: 305

Total HCE hours: >5,000

Total PCE hours: 2,500

Shadowing hours: 80

Other volunteer hours: 200

LORs: A nurse I worked under, my anatomy professor, and two PA’s I shadowed

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 25

Gender: Female

Why PA? The area I’m from, rural Southwest Virginia, has a serious need for providers and I believe the role of Physician Assistant would be the most beneficial! It ticked every box I was looking for in a career in medicine.

How many programs did you apply to? 18 (lol!)

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 3! One waitlist, one denial, and finally one acceptance!

Where will you be attending? Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN!

Anything you found surprising about interviews? The school that denied me told me outright that it was a “red flag” on my profile that I finished my prerequisites at a community college during the interview.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? Savanna’s book FOR SURE! I also listened to mock interviews on YouTube and tried to answer the questions and then listen to how the person answered them.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Push yourself. If you don’t think that you’ll get through it, think about where you’ll be a year from now. This past year has been the hardest of my life, but it’s all been worth it now that I know that it’s paid off with an acceptance.

---

Accepted: Amanda - Thomas Jefferson Center City

Undergraduate education: University of Florida

Overall GPA: 3.84

Science GPA: 3.80

GRE: Did not take

Total HCE hours: 1,200 at time of application and 2,000 at time of matriculation

Total PCE hours: 300

Shadowing hours: 50

LORs: 4

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 22

Gender: Female

How many programs did you apply to? 6

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 4- accepted to all

Where will you be attending? Thomas Jefferson Center City

Anything you found surprising about interviews? I was very nervous going into my interviews but at almost every place I interviewed the staff was very relaxed and easy going!

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? If you are on the fence about applying because you do not think you have enough hours or a high enough GPA just give it a shot because you might be surprised at what can happen!

Where can we find you? instagram: @amandaclemyy PA-S insta account coming soon!!

---

Accepted: Kayla - Alderson Broaddus University

Undergraduate education: 1 year Certificate Laboratory Assistant (Phlebotomy) ; AAS Respiratory Care ; BS Allied Health Administration

Overall GPA: 3.68

Science GPA: 3.75

GRE: 146 Verbal, 150 Quant, 3.0 Writing (not competitive)

Total HCE hours: 2,080 as a Sales Rep for a home oxygen DME company

Total PCE hours: 9,240 as Respiratory Therapist; 4,088 as CNA

Shadowing hours: 40 with a PA and her collaborating MD in Cardiology

Other volunteer hours: 247 in various sorority activities; 5 in volunteering at a preschool (just started/ongoing)

LORs: 1 from PA I shadowed, 2 from recent professors, 1 from current respiratory therapist supervisor

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 28

Gender: Female

Why PA? I've worked in health care since I was 17, first as a CNA and then as a respiratory therapist. Through these experiences, I learned first-hand what a PA is and what they do while working together closely with them. Several patient experiences led me to taking that leap to pursue my dream of becoming a PA. I feel limited in my practices as a respiratory therapist and found myself often wishing and knowing I could do more for my patients with the proper training. I want to help improve access to patient care in medically underserved states/areas such as WV, which is where I was born and raised and still live now. I have a profound love for patient care and I can't wait to further my education and have the knowledge to help more people in more ways than I am able to do now.

How many programs did you apply to? 9

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? Interviewed with 3. 1 rejection, 1 acceptance, 1 haven't heard back yet. Received 6 total interviews so far and turned down the other 3 after acceptance to my top choice!

Where will you be attending? Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, WV

Anything you found surprising about interviews? MMI was hard for me and I found out quickly it was not the type of interview I excel in. Traditional (get to know you) interviews are more relaxed and more my style. They truly just want to get to know you and they will know and sense if you are not being true to yourself. I know you've heard it a million times but just BE YOURSELF, no matter who you may be.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? Savanna Perry's Pre-PA Club Podcast, Physician Assistant Interview Guide Book, and The PA School Interview Course as well as the PA Platform's Mock Interview Service. My mock interview was 2 days before my first interview with Jourdyn Koebe, PA-C and it was the best and most helpful thing I could've done. She's amazing and I've heard awesome things about all the other mock interviewers as well!

I also stumbled upon thepalife.com which has a personal statement service and tons of real examples of personal statements from real pre-PAs. I did not use any personal statement service from anywhere but I read tons of examples/drafts from this site to help me write my PS. I also listened to every PS podcast from The Pre-PA Club and had a PA-C and current PA-S, that I know, read over my draft.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Your personal statement is the most time consuming and most important aspect of your application. Begin working on it at least 4-6 months before you plan on applying. If you can't afford a personal statement service, have other PAs and PA students read over it for you (this is what I did!).

When you get discouraged, remember why you want to be a PA and repeat it out loud to yourself. It will help you get through those rough days of waiting/rejections/waitlists.

Where can we find you? If you need any help at all during your pre-PA journey, catch me at @kayla_pas.

---

Accepted: Umamah - Indiana University

Undergraduate education: Psychology B.S. Biology minor

Overall GPA: 3.71

Science GPA: 3.51

GRE: Verbal & Quantitative: 301; Writing: 3.5

Total PCE hours: 2,000 + when I submitted

Shadowing hours: 100 (PA, NP &MD)

Other volunteer hours: Approximately 60-70

LORs: 4: one from Cardio PA, one from office manager, two from professors.

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 21

Why PA? It perfectly fit all aspects of my life both for now and the future, and it just felt like a calling, I didn't try hard before I fell head over heels in love!

How many programs did you apply to? 3

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 1. My first interview was my top choice, and I was accepted (YAY!)

Where will you be attending? Indiana University

Anything you found surprising about interviews? I was surprised by how laid back it was. They didn't grill me about anything and I felt that I was able to speak about my experiences with ease, but there were two scenarios/behavioral questions of things I would consider/do as a PA. Those made me nervous, but I was able to use my shadowing experience to answer.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? PA Platform/ Physician Assistant School Interview Guide.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? I'm a hypocrite for saying it but BE CONFIDENT. Being in the last batch of students interviewing for the day, I'm sure my interviewers were tired. I just thought "great, how am I going to stand out when they've probably heard a million things by now". I just remembered fighting with that voice of doubt in my head and going into the room with a bright smile and a positive attitude, ready to prove why I was worth it.

Where can we find you? Instagram: phleb.to.pa

---

Accepted: Grace - Wake Forest University

Undergraduate education: Health and Wellness Promotion B.S.

Overall GPA: 3.86

Science GPA: 3.81

GRE: 308

Total HCE hours: 2,000

Shadowing hours: 44

Other volunteer hours: 100

LORs: 3 (science professor/advisor, current employer MD, other MD)

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 23

Gender: Female

Why PA? When I was starting looking into careers in the health care field, I shadowed MD's, NP's, nurses, EMT's, PT's, OT's, SLP's and of course PA's. What stuck with me about the PA career was the the lateral mobility aspect and the ability for PAs to adapt to the ever changing healthcare environment. My primary care provider was also a PA and that spurred my interest in becoming a PA.

How many programs did you apply to? 16

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I had 8 interview offers, ended up going to 4 interviews, 1 waitlist and 2 acceptances.

Where will you be attending? Wake Forest University

Anything you found surprising about interviews? Two things surprised me when interviewing:

1) How fast the interview day goes despite being a half or all day endeavor.

2) How amazingly qualified, interesting and kind all the other candidates were. The undergrad pre-health environment and the application process tends to be and feel very competitive but at the interviews everyone was just so stoked (and nervous!). I was in awe as others shared stories and backgrounds. I met people who ran rural EMT outposts, spoke 4 languages, started volunteer organizations, problem solved broken gene sequencers, found a interest in medicine after being on ski patrol for years etc.. There were so many amazing people out there who were way cooler, interesting and qualified than me. So when you go to interviews you are gonna meet some neat folks, embrace it and take time to listen. :)

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? "Physician Assistant School Interview Guide" by Savanna Perry , PA forum (website) and AAPA (website). But the best resource was talking to a friend who had gotten into a PA school a few years ahead of me who gave me all kinds of advice and answered my millions of questions. Also my friends mom worked on the admissions committee for a DPT school and just having her input on admissions committees in general was super helpful.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Its a process. Its just the way it is, so take it one step at a time.

Where can we find you? gracie_nm (instagram, although I'll warn you, its just a ton of videos of whitewater kayaking and mtn biking.). Feel free to shoot me a message if you have any questions etc.

---

Accepted: Annalisse - UT Medical Branch, Galveston

Undergraduate education: B.S. in biology from Texas Tech University; I also received my Master of Science in Medical Science from UNT Health Science Center

Overall GPA: 3.35

Science GPA: 3.15

GRE: 311

Total PCE hours: 3,166

Shadowing hours: 288

Other volunteer hours: 413

LORs: 5 -- dean of my graduate program, two of my graduate professors, a physician I used to work with, and a PA that I shadowed

How many times did you apply?:  5

Age: 26

Gender: Female

Why PA? Flexibility of the job, able to give more attention to patients

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? Received 3 interviews so far. Interviewed at 2, declined 1

Where will you be attending? UT Medical Branch, Galveston

Anything you found surprising about interviews? How personal they were. My questions focused mainly on assessing my personality, my outlook on life, my goals, and how I respond to my environment. One of the faculty of the first school I interviewed with asked me "what wakes you up in the morning". From my experience thus far, I have noticed that schools want your application to reflect your "why PA" side with all of your experience, while they use the interview to gauge your bedside manner, whether you are a reactor or a responder, how you manage stress, if you are able to accept criticism and how you handle change.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process?This year, I actually ended up working with a former pre-PA adviser-turned application consultant that reviewed and polished my whole application (big props to Karen Hudson, she is incredible!). In my graduate program, part of our curriculum was pre-health interview preparation, so we were able to gain experience in MMI and one-on-one interview styles and having that practice was a HUGE help. Also shout-outs to Khan Academy (the G.O.A.T.), PA Forum, The PA Life, PA Platform, Medgeeks, Complete Anatomy App, and so many other apps and blogs that got me through undergrad and graduate school.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Keep working, volunteering, studying, striving, shadowing, TRYING. Do not give up. I am a low-GPA miracle and I worked so hard to get here. I retook almost all of my undergraduate prerequisite classes (I don't recommend this, get it right the first time because CASPA is super unforgiving in this GPA aspect). Reach out to your pre-PA community and your peers. Make friends with your professors and the PAs and physicians you work with. My first PA shadowing experience only started because I called and emailed every physician's office in Lubbock (sometimes multiple times) until I got someone to tell me they had a PA that I could shadow, and it turned out to be one of the greatest experiences of my life. I am still in contact with that PA to this day, even 5 years later. This journey is not going to be easy, and it probably won't be fun most of the time, but I promise you, it is so incredibly worth it to finally get that "YES".

Where can we find you? Instagram and Twitter: @ann_amazingg

---