Ask The Reader:What Is Your BIGGEST Challenge To Getting Into PA School?

Future PA,

I have a question for you today. I would like for you to share with me your” BIGGEST” challenge to getting into PA School. I remember when I was going through the process, I faced numerous challenges yet I overcame them.

I want to help you overcome yours as well. So please share below by leaving a comment.

Dave
“The PA Coach”

Click here to see how current PA students overcame their share of challenges.

30 thoughts on “Ask The Reader:What Is Your BIGGEST Challenge To Getting Into PA School?

  1. The interview is the hardest part because its hard to be yourself and show them your passion is only 15 minutes when all they do is write and do not make eye contact with you. My interview went bad and I think that’s why I didn’t get in. I need help with the interview. I think my answers were too brief.

  2. My biggest hurdle by far is my gpa. I have two degrees, one in chemistry and one in medical technology. The first degree I had a 2.0 graduating, which drags down my Caspa gpa to a 2.3 and makes getting even looked at by pa schools impossible.

  3. The biggest challenge yet is letters of reference. I am graduating this December with my degree in Nutritional Sciences. Although not outstanding, my GPA is adequate and I have taken many graduate level courses during my time as an undergrad. For the past four months I have worked as a medical scribe in an Emergency Department. However, I realized a few months back that this is not “direct patient care” and have signed up for an LNA class. I expect to have my Licenese mid January 2012. I have many hours shadowing in the ED and am in the process of arranging time to shadow to a PA in surgery and a PA in neonatology. Additionally, I plan to get my certificate in medical spanish and take the GRE by February 2012.

    My biggest concern is that when applying this coming April 2012 for 2013 start, that the admissions board will think I “crammed” all of these aspects of my application in. I really would like to not put off my application another year and this is why I have set myself up to graduate a semester early and focus on other aspects of my application.

    Secondly, I am worried that my letters or recommendation will not be personal enough. Despite all the time I spend with Doctors, it is often busy in the ED and we do not always get a chance to talk about much more than medicine. I feel very shy about asking people to write a letter for me. I realize this is a significant part of the application and could be a set back.

  4. My biggest challenge is proving to an admissions committee that I’m not the person I was in undergrad with mediocre grades and a so-so GRE. That I have since found my passion and drive and hope that they will realize this when they review my amazing work experience, volunteer experience and great grades that I’ve procured for myself post B.A., especially in science!

  5. My biggest challenge is the same as Jason’s. I did not know I wanted to become a PA until the end of my undergraduate career so my grades are just ok. However, it’s been three years that I have been trying to get in and have since repeated courses and taken additional science courses. I received A’s in all, but apparently iy’s not good enough. My interviews have gone well and when I ask why I didn’t get the spot, it always comes down to my GPA. In one instance I had a 3.58 but they only took people with a 3.85! The director of the program said, ” it’s not about how sharp you are, it’s about who you are competing against.” I want this more tham anything, and these schools are not giving me a chance. What else can I possibly do!?

  6. My biggest challenge on my journey to become a PA, is finding a job to obtain the patient-care hours necessary to apply. Most of the jobs call for some type of certification and I do not have any certifications, so it is difficult. Any ideas, please post.

  7. My biggest challenge is also like Jason’s and Erin’s. My GPA isnt the best out of the bunch. I graduated undergrad with 2.5 science GPA but i plan on retaking courses before i apply and get the A’s that i need. But after reading Erin’s story this makes me very worried. But im still not giving up on my dream! I am hoping with my experience dedication and determination one school will give me a chance. I still have a long way before i apply but i want to get there. And in Erin’s situation i really would like to know as well what else you can possibly do?

  8. Ste’Keira – I obtained my patient care hours by becoming a medical assistant. In the state that I lived in I did not need a certificate to work as a MA. All my training was on the job training. It would be worth while looking into getting a job as an MA at your local clinic, if you haven’t done so already.

    While working as an MA I took an EMT-B course which was very useful for me because it allowed me to gain more patient care experience working as a firefighter / EMT at a fire department. You may look into your local volunteer fire department to see if there is opportunity to volunteer as an EMT at the department. You would get lots of great experience as either an MA or an EMT.

    Please keep in mind I have not applied to PA school yet, but I’m hopeful that my experience as an MA and EMT will help get me into school when I apply next year.
    Hope this helps. Good luck!

  9. i am also having trouble getting the medical experience. I have received my phlebotomy certificate over the summer, but i can’t find a job. Everyone wants experience. Was looking at MA jobs as well. How do you get these jobs w/o the experience??? My GRE was unfortunately at the minimum required as well. Waiting for PA interviews now! I live in Atlanta, so if anyone has any insight on how to get in the healthcare field, please let me know!!

  10. My biggest challenge is my GPA. I really wish my circumstances were different at home when I was younger. I would not have worked 3 jobs while taking full loads to keep from having to go back. I’ve had a passion for the medical field since I was in 5th grade and paying doctor on my siblings. I used tweezers, popsicle sticks, band-aids, peroxide, alcohol and anything else that I thought could be used as a tool to “doctor” on their cuts. I didn’t know then that I was adding more germs to their wounds.

  11. My biggest struggle has been getting a job that has direct patient care, without having to go through a trade school. Not many places will hired new graduates. Most, if not all of my experience (direct patient care) is volunteer, which means I have to work to pay the bills and still go to school, even after graduating college, to show the committee that I am capable and committed to dedicating my life to serving others and learning for a lifetime. Not only is this financially stressful, it can be a bit overwhelming and at times discouraging.

  12. My biggest concern is the GPA. I have 3.01 GPA, and I will recieve the BS degree for biology in May 2012. But, I am not sure what is the required GPA for physician assistant programs and I am quite scared to re-take 2 classes that I had gotten C’s in, because from what I have read the earlier posts that the person had not gotten into a school because of her GPA. Also, I am quite concerned if my GPA is not good enough to get into the physician assistant program. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

  13. Vaishnavi – do not allow fear to govern whether you take action (which goes for anything in life for that matter). One thing is certain – if you do not apply, you will not get in.

  14. Absolutely my GPA, I graduated with a 2.45 I believe. I am now taking prereqs and hoping to get all A’s, but it’s hard to take enough classes that will increase my gpa while working full-time. Trying not to lose hope : /

    1. Morgan, hang in there! You can do this. Get it up to just over 3.2 and you should be competitive given all other aspects of your application are up to par. Don’t quit.

    2. Hi, I’d really like to know how things turned out for you Morgan. I’m currently a senior in my undergrad program and just decided on becoming a PA. My GPA is not great and I may take a masters program to boost it. But I was curious how it worked out for those believing the GPA was the biggest thing holding them back.

  15. My biggest challenge has been my GPA, which CASPA calculated as 2.35. I know this is not competitive, but I still wanted to apply hoping that other aspects of my life will help some. As of today, I fell like this will most likely be my demise. I tried to take some post bacc classes, but I could only afford a few. My GPA for those classes was a 3.6. I’m trying to stay positive, but I don’t know what I should do in the event that I am not invited to any interviews. I can’t erase my past, and the grades that I’ve made. Many people have told me that based on my grades/gpa, I should think about changing my career path, but I haven’t accepted that.

    Thank you,

    Malika

  16. I too am worried about my potential “attractiveness” as a candidate, as it seems that I have many traits that one may consider “unattractive” on an application. Firstly, like most of you posting on here, I did not hit my academic stride until later on in my student-career. In fact, my first attempt at college was riddled with problems such as, divorce, a burnt-down car, and a number of F’s and withdrawals that left me with a GPA of 1.13 in my first year. I have since turned it around, though it took an additional 2 years and will be receiving my A.S. as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L) this December, with a 3.90 GPA (GPA excluding the first year mentioned). To make up for this I am currently serving a 40 hour a week internship for said A.S. degree, taking 16 credit hours of classes toward my B.S. in Health Science, including pre-req’s, and starting to make connections for shadowing opportunities. Despite all of this, I worry that CASPA will have a very different account of my GPA as they will average classes that I have since retaken. Worse yet, I also have full-sleeves of tattoos which I keep covered at all times. You see, when I was a younger man I had a very troubling family life in which I dropped out of school, played music on the road, got tattooed, etc. To my credit, I never committed any crimes and have a clean driving record. I often feel as though this list is insurmountable. My concern is whether you think that the things I have described about myself are just too much for a committee to overlook?

  17. My biggest challenge Is definitely trying to not get worried about the competition. Also since I am a freshman in community college I wonder if P.A schools would see this as a bad thing. After I graduated from community college I hope on transferring to a great 4-year university to get my bachelors in biology. Right now I’m going to start volunteering at a hospital and next semester I am going to take EMT classes!

  18. My challenge is simply overcoming the doubt of acceptance and recognizing that the competition is insane. I set on my path to be a PA 10 years ago when the prospective students werent nearly as high as they are today. Being in the military has made my journey to applying for PA school a ever long marathon with deployments after deployments and training…etc…where i feel as though the finish line is right there (so close) but im walking in slow motion. I feel like i have been in school for 28 years…(oh wait, i have).

  19. My biggest set-back is the GRE!!!! That’s a nightmare exam. I took it once and did not score anywhere near what’s required for me to get in the Surgical Physician Assistant Program at UAB! That exam makes me feel completely dumb! It’s so so tricky! I have a lot of prep material, including one by a company called Magoosh which provides web videos almost like you are in class. They do a great job at teaching the basics, and I fill like I know the material until I get to the end of the lesson videos and fail the quizzes. I’m planning on taking it one more time because I feel I can’t let it beat me that easy. However, if I don’t pass this time my plan is to apply for schools that doesn’t require the exam. I live in Birmingham, Alabama and the schools that does not require GRE are schools in Pennsylvania and many other really far away places. Even though I’m a new mom with a husband I’m going to become a PA, so if I have to move to Zimbabwe , I will do what it takes to make it happen!

  20. Latorya, now that’s the right attitude!!! You WILL NOT be defeated. I love it. The GRE is only one part of the entire PA application. Don’t let that one aspect hold you back. Stay motivated.

  21. I dropped my courses one semester due to military obligations. The withdrawals are on my transcript but no grades were assigned. I do not anticipate much of a problem there though. My major concern is to improve my 3.3 GPA and get As in the remainder of my courses.

    I am writing this mainly for the benefit of your readers Coach Dave.

    Three years ago I started considering a career as a PA, but I wanted to be sure. Thankfully, and by pure chance (or divine guidance) I stumbled on Coach Dave’s site. I read it thouroughly and TOOK HEED of his advice. This is how I have prepared since then:

    1. I joined my State Society of PAs even though I am not a PA student as yet.
    2. I became an EMT and have quality direct patient care experience.
    3. I shadow a PA, though it is more than shadowing because as an EMT I have some skills so they allow me to participate in patient care. I spent a lot of time in the Operating Room. The PA told me, without me asking, he will give me a reference when I am ready.
    4. I got close to the Pre-health Advisor at our college. He now knows me by name and has committed to giving me a reference.
    5. I met many PAs through the State Society I mentioned and one has committed to giving me a reference. As an EMT, I meet PAs so often and work with them so closely I can actually have 5 PA references if I need them.
    6. I offered the pre-health advisor at the college to help with a PA “club” and I am now the person, the “coordinator” at the college that pre-pa studnets come to for advice/help/guidance. He sends them to me since I so versed on the nature of the profession. This goes on my resume.
    7. I am a tutor at the college. The Director of the Learning Center has offered me a reference when I am ready to apply to PA school.
    8. I have a very good relationship with my employers, and due to my work ethics, the Director of Educational Services has said he will give me a reference.

    I am keeping out of trouble and building meaningful relationships. I am writing this, not as a boast, but as an encouragement to you. Don’t rush your preparation; take your time. Enjoy it, otherwise you will not enjoy PA school, nor being a PA.

    None of this came easy for me. I am an adult student working and studying full time plus volunteering. My family is poor, so I cannot save any money and MUST work. When I feel overwhelmed I come to this site or look up PA jobs or speak to a fellow student. Coach Dave is doing a very selfless deed by helping us all. The advice we are getting for free, many demand payment for.

    Lastly, when I started my preparation, I vowed that if I don’t like this path, I will leave it and find what I love. Turns out being a PA is my calling in life. I know it and would not cheat myself if it were not so. Keep fighting and NEVER give up. If others can do it, we can do it. Becoming an EMT is probably one of the best ways to get quality patient care experience. (I hope I did not sound boastful- that was not my intention- and I still have a lot of work to do).

    God bless.

  22. Mike, thanks for your contribution and sharing your path to PA land. I am impressed with your hard work and dedication to your dream! Keep up the great work!

  23. I am glad you are pleased Coach Dave. It was you who pointed me in the right direction. You have a video on 7 mistake applicant make. I watched that video several times and made a to do list of things to do to avoid them.

    Thanks again, and thanks for allowing students to share their stories with us. In due time, I will share the good news of my acceptance into a program of my choice. I just need to study harder Coach.

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