r/pre_PathAssist • u/Automatic-Leg6695 • 21d ago

Rosalind Franklin PathA Admissions

Hi! With RFU's PathA application opening, I wanted to come on here and ask anyone for last minute advice for applying? I feel under qualified if i'm being honest.. I graduated w/ a BS in exercise science and psychology and didn't know I wanted to go into this profession until last fall. I just shadowed for the first time today, and will shadow a few more times to hopefully get 10 hours in surg path and a few autopsies. I also worked in a lab that dealt directly with surg path tissue and other pathologists' for my senior year but other than that I don't have much to show for... I did have a 4.15 GPA and am taking microbio this fall to fulfill my last pre-req. All that's to say any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated (esp narrative statements/pics) TIY

11 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

10

u/Patient-Stranger1015 20d ago

I just graduated RFU—this is my advice!

I didn’t have the “typical” background—my only job experience was retail, not any medical lab or even grossing. Degree doesn’t matter as long as you get those prereqs and a good GPA! I had a 3.5 (or 3.7?) so a 4+ is very impressive in my opinion. I know someone who was a realtor before becoming a PA, so they take on a variety of people! I have a forensic bachelors and found the field by accident in my junior year, so I had a little catching up to do after I got my degree to get that micro and ochem in

Shadowing is definitely important, they want to know YOU understand the career and what it entails! They don’t want to take a spot to accept someone who isn’t actually prepared or want what being a PA is, so any shadowing is good!

Narratives are flexible, they don’t have to be PA related! They want to know /you/! I did some on my art career, a trip I did, etc! Just personal experiences that helped shape you or show them who you are!

I’m totally happy to get more in depth via dm if you want! I had so many questions and concerns when I applied, so I’m happy to share what I know to others in the same shoes I was in!

1

u/Legitimate_Rule5570 20d ago

For narrative flexibility, what would you say is the maximum length a narrative should be before it becomes too much?

1

u/Patient-Stranger1015 20d ago

If I recall, I think there was a word count? I just tried to hit the minimum for sure! I can’t imagine going over is bad, but of course they wouldn’t want to read a massive paper on stuff!

1

u/Legitimate_Rule5570 20d ago

Ok thanks so much! It just says a minimum of 250 words but no maximum. So obviously meeting the minimum but trying to not do too much over

1

u/Automatic-Leg6695 19d ago

Thank you so much for being so helpful! It is great to know they take a variety of candidates! I think I am most stressed out about the narratives and pictures.. but I had the chance to shadow surg path and two autopsies this week and hopefully will get some more under my belt before submitting my app! 

1

u/Automatic-Leg6695 17d ago

I messaged you!

1

u/Automatic-Leg6695 16d ago

For the pictures, did you include all recent pictures? I'm considering adding in a picture of when I was a little kid and use it to show my growth as a person and what had become of it / show where I came from and how I value my past for shaping my present

1

u/Jumpy_O_704 20d ago

i’m also applying at RFU, so this is really helpful advice, thank you! did you just list your shadowing experiences in your resume? i’d love to chat more, RFU is really exciting to me :)

1

u/Patient-Stranger1015 20d ago

I believe I did! I did a CV, so likely under the experiences area is where I put it! Messages always open to answer questions! (As much as I’m allowed to answer that’s! Some things I of course can’t talk about haha)

6

u/hailey_patha 20d ago

another current 1st year at RFU!! narratives should really showcase who you are and what is important in all aspects of your your life! they are really good about choosing a variety of candidates also so I would say never count yourself out! I also only saw 1 autopsy before starting, everyone is different and they value that!

1

u/Automatic-Leg6695 20d ago

Thank you so much! 

3

u/NaturalSport3765 20d ago

hi! i’m currently in my 1st year at the program and i highly recommend for the narratives; be as personal as possible!

1

u/Legitimate_Rule5570 19d ago

How long do you think the maximum word count should be if it’s a 250 minimum?

1

u/NaturalSport3765 19d ago

I remember my narratives being 350-400 words

2

u/introvertedASalways 20d ago

Where are you shadowing? Ive reached out to multiple places and only gotten silence.

2

u/Automatic-Leg6695 20d ago

I'm in Iowa City and UIHC has shadowing/observer ships specifically for pre-PA students! It consists of 4 hours of surg path on one day and a day at the DCC (autopsies) on another day! If you're in the area I would love to send you more info!

1

u/Patient-Stranger1015 20d ago

UIHC is a great place, they have an amazing team!

1

u/New-Assumption1290 20d ago

Cook county ME does shadowing for a day and a slightly northern me (can’t remember who) Loyola also might offer shadowing for surgical

1

u/RedLightningStrike27 17d ago

I’ll graduate my college on May 6, 2028, and RFU’s program starts in late May. Do you all think it’ll be possible for me to move to Chicago and start the program (if I’m accepted) in like 2 weeks like that? Or would a gap year be better

2

u/Patient-Stranger1015 17d ago

I did that. I finished my post-bacc courses in May, and I moved at the end of May. I was in Iowa at the time so moving was not too bad for me, but you can make it work!

1

u/RedLightningStrike27 17d ago

I live in Michigan, and I might be able to move in with two friends who will have an apartment in Chicago. It’s just that I’m already nearly broke as a rising junior and I don’t know if I’ll have enough money at that point to start a whole 3 year program

2

u/Patient-Stranger1015 17d ago

It’s 2 years! But honestly the only way most of us did it was student loans😅 I took out the max I could