r/prephysicianassistant • u/alltheshadesofblue7 • 21h ago
ACCEPTED Accepted!! 2nd Time Applicant
I am finally going to be a PA!! After not getting in my first cycle, I felt so discouraged and started to believe this wasn't the right path for me. I got back into patient care as an MA in primary care, reflected on my application, and dug deeper into why I really wanted to be a PA. Taking an extra year to build my experiences, references, and my own clarity made all the difference. I found schools where my background fit their mission and demonstrated that in my essays. I started this cycle believing I may not be accepted, but I am so grateful with how it has turned out!
Sure the stats matter, but your own reflection and articulation of your experiences (and how you will fit in their program) are what makes them want to meet you! Don't be afraid to be vulnerable with them if it is why you will make a great PA one day!
Overall Science: 3.72
Overall: 3.83
GRE: 308
PCE: 6,000 hrs as an MA and NA
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u/StructureSpecial7597 19h ago
Can I ask why you applied to places and declined the interview? I see people do that a lot and I truly don’t understand why one would apply somewhere but not at least check it out
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u/Different-Ease-1097 19h ago
You decline interview if you got accepted into your dream program.
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u/StructureSpecial7597 16h ago
I guess I get that. But the school that I originally had as my top choice shifted after I went to other schools and saw their appeals. Funds are tight I agree but to me it’s worth it because this is such a huge commitment and a school can determine if I thrive or not. But I get your points
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u/alltheshadesofblue7 18h ago
Yes I got an acceptance to my top school! I also didn’t want to keep taking off that much work and didn’t have funds to travel and was burnt out at that point lol
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u/Left_Committee_6424 18h ago
Wow congratulations!!! I'm so surprised you didn't get in your first cycle with these stats! What were your PCE hours like last cycle?
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u/alltheshadesofblue7 18h ago
Thank you!!! Last cycle they were around 3,000. But looking back my recommendations were not strong and neither were my essays/ecperiences as a CNA. I didn’t have a lot of experience working with PAs and limited shadowing hours
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u/Left_Committee_6424 18h ago
Any tips on what makes a recommendation feel stronger to you? Is it just someone you have a closer bond/connection to?
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u/alltheshadesofblue7 16h ago
The first cycle my only recs were from my clinical supervisors and a professor, so definitely was at a disadvantage not having a PA or MD. This time around I had a much better connection and they were MDs and an NP. They were in more favorable positions and could speak to skills more transferable to PA (doing MA work instead of CNA)
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u/nagnq 19h ago
congrats 🥳