My Statistics

Alot of people who are applying to PA school and those who were rejected frequently want to know what the stats of applicants who were accepted. The reason I started this blog is to help people who are applying get the sense of how much work and dedication it takes just to GET IN to PA school. Alot of PAs and previous applicants have told me don't expect to get into PA school you first try and make sure you apply to at least 5 schools. These "warnings" I listened to but decided to take my own path, keeping these pearls or wisdom in the back of my head.

On my own path, I decided to do things a little different. Instead of applying to 5 schools I applied to 2 (one of which I did on a whim last minute) and focused all of my attention on getting into my top school (Western). Maybe its a bit unorthodox but it worked! Here are my stats:

- Overall Undergrad GPA: 3.22 (CASPAs calculation, not my schools)
- Post Bacc GPA: 4.0
- Cum Undergrad: 3.27  (Merging of Post bacc and undergrad)
- Prerequisite GPA: 3.5 or 3.6 (a rough estimate- Western calculates their own      GPA and I do not know what their result was)
- HCE: roughly 2,000 hours of home health aide. (not preferred HCE, Loma Linda thus rejected me immediately; Western does not require HCE)
- Volunteer Hours: LAC+USC (150); HM Hospital (200); Rescue Mission (30); Marathons (30)
- Shadowing: over 100 hours and over 10 PAs (most of which were at LAC+USC)
- Extra: Member of AAPA, CAPA (and attended conference), Mt. SAC PA Preparatory Program, attended Western Information sessions 3 years in a row, Medical Terminology, Pharmacology and Pathology classes; Phlebotomy Certified; Attended PA meetings; Sit Ins on classes at Western
- Academic Awards: Dean's List 2005, 2006, 2008; Golden Key Honors Society
- Reference Letters: 3 PAs and one professor (of anatomy)
- Standardized Tests: N/A (I only applied to schools where they were not required)

Preparations

I sent in my acceptance response and my $500 check to hold my seat. That's alot of money! But luckily the money will be put towards tuition. I also went looking for and found a really nice apartment and will be moving in August 1st. I can't wait! This will be my first time living on my own. I am excited but a little nervous about handling a small household and finances. But hey! Im almost 25 and its about time.

Part of the requirements of enrolling is also doing a full H&P (history and physical). I need to get my labs, and a series of immunization titers and have my HCP (health care provider) sign off on them. I also need to send off any of my final transcripts. This is all due my June 1st.

Registration is July 1st-31st and Orientation week is August 1st-6th, making August 8th the first day of class. My days of freedom are now numbered! I will take these next five months to spend with family, friends and loved ones and fit in a trip to the Mexican Riviera! See you next time!

Accepted Into Western U!

I received my acceptance letter to Western University! I will be starting in August and graduate in 2013. I started this blog to let people who are interested in PA school know what it is like in PA school and what I did to get in. I always wanted a blog like this to read when I was preparing for PA school so I hope that this is helpful!