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My College journey has ..less then stellar....actually.. pretty disgraceful---so I know if I were to apply now I would either flat out be rejected or barely accepted into an extremely sub par program....I keep hearing how competitive PA school is so I feel like I have a long uphill battle to even shot at a decent program.
Brief break down...
Currently I have a B.Sc in Psychology (3.4GPA) and a minor in Sociology (via a mesh of community college courses/distant learning program-from a brick and mortar University). I haven't calculated my SciGPA but I'm sure it's about ~3.2-3.0. I have a 3 Ds....smattering of Cs on my transcript and 1 W.
-Active in volunteering during high school and a year or so post high school (hospital volunteer, tutor, campaign office helper, etc). Had a major lull in the volunteering department until recently...with the exception of a short stint volunteering at a horse rescue facility about 1.5 years ago.
-I have a CNA certificate
-Working as a tech at a medical clinic (Post/Pre-OP, Teching, Accreditation, Front desk, etc) for a little more than 2 years.
-Currently pursuing an EMT-B course.
-I have taken most of my pre-reqs along with other courses like Cell/Micro-biology, etc.
I wanted to do a few things to improve my chances--will it be enough?
From Sept-Dec of this year
-Finish my EMT-Basic program
-Continue working at my clinic-getting more into the area of accreditation and possibly writing a QI study.
-Volunteer for an abused women crisis hotline
-Will find another volunteer opportunity (any ideas?)
-Lots of pre-studying for the classes I will (ideally) take in January
I want to take VCU's heath science certificate program in January (For 3 semesters).
-It will allow me to tailor my schedule to the courses I need, and to take a nice mix of undergrad/grad courses to strengthen my GPA and show that I can excel in more rigorous subject matters.
-It will give me the opportunity to shadow and volunteer at their medical center (They require volunteer hours)
-I'll have a chance to pursue more research opportunities.
-Will take my GRE within that time
During that year I will also
-Join a local rescue squad
-(Hopefully) find part-time medical work
-Join a relevant club or two.
Next Oct-December will be applying broadly to PA programs.
Am I screwed or do I have a chance?
I'm 26 years old...
Brief break down...
Currently I have a B.Sc in Psychology (3.4GPA) and a minor in Sociology (via a mesh of community college courses/distant learning program-from a brick and mortar University). I haven't calculated my SciGPA but I'm sure it's about ~3.2-3.0. I have a 3 Ds....smattering of Cs on my transcript and 1 W.
-Active in volunteering during high school and a year or so post high school (hospital volunteer, tutor, campaign office helper, etc). Had a major lull in the volunteering department until recently...with the exception of a short stint volunteering at a horse rescue facility about 1.5 years ago.
-I have a CNA certificate
-Working as a tech at a medical clinic (Post/Pre-OP, Teching, Accreditation, Front desk, etc) for a little more than 2 years.
-Currently pursuing an EMT-B course.
-I have taken most of my pre-reqs along with other courses like Cell/Micro-biology, etc.
I wanted to do a few things to improve my chances--will it be enough?
From Sept-Dec of this year
-Finish my EMT-Basic program
-Continue working at my clinic-getting more into the area of accreditation and possibly writing a QI study.
-Volunteer for an abused women crisis hotline
-Will find another volunteer opportunity (any ideas?)
-Lots of pre-studying for the classes I will (ideally) take in January
I want to take VCU's heath science certificate program in January (For 3 semesters).
-It will allow me to tailor my schedule to the courses I need, and to take a nice mix of undergrad/grad courses to strengthen my GPA and show that I can excel in more rigorous subject matters.
-It will give me the opportunity to shadow and volunteer at their medical center (They require volunteer hours)
-I'll have a chance to pursue more research opportunities.
-Will take my GRE within that time
During that year I will also
-Join a local rescue squad
-(Hopefully) find part-time medical work
-Join a relevant club or two.
Next Oct-December will be applying broadly to PA programs.
Am I screwed or do I have a chance?
I'm 26 years old...
