Prerequisite Courses
Name 3 common prereq courses
Bio
Chem
A&P
Biochem
Microbio
Statistics
etc.
What types of hours do you need for applying to PA school
HCE PCE Volunteering Shadowing
When should you start looking at CASPA?
ASAP!
You need a 4.0 GPA to get into PA school
False
How long are typical PA programs?
2-3 years depending on the program
What grade do I need in a prereq?
Depends on the schools requirements. Most have a minimum GPA for prereqs or will have a (B- or C+) minimum grade, but again SCHOOL DEPENDENT
Should your volunteer hours be health care related or not health care related?
Trick question... kinda!
Both work, but PA schools want to get to know YOU as a person and they do this by seeing what your interests are through volunteering experiences. So go make a difference in a place you feel passionate about. (animal hospital, food pantry, work 5K for a charity, etc)
What are the things needed for applying?
HCE/PCE Hours, PS, grades, LOR, Shadowing
You should apply to 10-15 schools for your best chance.
False. You should apply to as many schools you want. Applying is expensive and tiring. Many components should be considered when applying to schools (would I actually go here? Is it too expensive? Is it far from home? Does their program have everything that I want in a program?
What 2 parts of PA school are there?
Didactic and Clinical
Do you need labs with prereq courses
Most school will require lab, when in doubt check the schools that your interested in.
Safe route : take the lab for all your science prereqs
Should you shadow a health care provider if they are not a PA?
YES! Gives you substance to talk about your experience in an interview/PS
When should I apply to PA school?
When (most of) your prereqs/degrees are done! (Junior year spring is when most people can apply - to get in and start right after you graduate)
I have to be a biology / science major to apply to PA school
False
Is PA school competitive to get into?
Very! But you can do it!!
Can I take prereqs at a community college?
Short answer: yes
Long answer: yes you can, but most PA schools like to see prereqs from a 4 year institution and like to see you can handle taking 2/3/4 hard science classes at a time (just like in PA school)...but will have one or two classes at a CC ruin your application? No
What is the difference between HCE and PCE?
HCE = health care experience --> working in a health care setting behind the scene
PCE = patient care experience--> "direct" physically touching and having contact with patients
Can I apply with outstanding prereqs?
Yes most schools will allow 1 or 2 outstanding prereqs
Every PA school has similar interview styles
False!
Will you learn each specialty in PA school?
Yes! Most PA schools have what specialties you will do rotations in on their website, but they try and keep the rotations very diverse so you can become a well rounded provider
This is tough, some schools will allow this, but others will not. They may have a time limit for how long ago you have taken a course
What are 2 types of PCE? 2 types of HCE?
PCE = CCT, PT Aide, PCT, EMT, Medical assistant
HCE = front desk, patient transporter, doing paperwork and calls
What is an application cycle?
CASPA opens in the spring, you can apply until the schools close their applications (dates on websites). You may get invited for an interview which they would schedule for you. Then you wait to hear back from your programs. Some schools start in the following January, some start in the fall (very school dependent)
If you get put on the waiting list to a school, theres a better chance of just reapplying and getting an interview than waiting it out till the last second.
False! Many people get called off the waiting list last minute. Don't be discouraged...it wasn't a rejection!
After PA school, do I have to pick a specialty and stay with it?
NO! So much flexibility when being a PA, you can switch specialty whenever you want