Leslie Mean is a 25-year-old single white female who presents to the PA school admissions committee on her second attempt to get into PA school.
She has a 3.6 overall GPA and a 3.5 science GPA. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, had an SAT score of 1,200, and a GRE score of 303.
She has two years of hands-on clinical experience working as a CNA and a long history of volunteer work, which exemplifies her desire to help her community.
She is kind and considerate and has reference letters that demonstrate her maturity and strong interpersonal skills.
She was accepted into PA school on her second attempt.
Who is Leslie, and why did she get into PA School?
When asking the question: What do I need to do to get into PA school? You would be smart to talk to Leslie.
Leslie is a hypothetical PA school applicant who went on to become a PA school student, an entirely average PA school student.
She also embodies what PA schools across the country are looking for at this very moment.
How do I know this?
Because the most recent data from the PAEA semi-annual report, representing responses from over 85% of PA programs detailing characteristics of the 27,283 PA school applicants and 8,802 students accepted in PA school, show that they are filling their seats with Leslie.
As much as I like to talk about not being average and differentiating yourself from the pack, it's nice to know what average is. Average provides a baseline by which you can measure your progress, set goals, and develop an application timeline.
Does this mean you have to be just like Leslie to get into PA school?
Absolutely not, first, factors such as race, age, ethnicity, etc., are of no importance, and you certainly don't have to be female to get into PA school (I am living proof).
But it is safe to assume that most schools are looking to keep their graduation and certifying exam pass rates high. They have an incentive to take fewer risks, and because of this, anything below average is considered a risk.
Thus, take a good look at Leslie and focus on factors that you can control to differentiate yourself, like your academic standing, your experience, your volunteer activities, your references, and your essay.
If you set the bar at Leslie and end up being a Mother Theresa, I am fairly sure you will be accepted into PA school, although I have no data on religious preference and PA school acceptance rates. 🙂
What are your chances of getting into PA school?
- Approximately 27,283 people apply to PA school in any given year.
- Approximately 20% of all applicants across the nation gain acceptance to a PA program in any admissions cycle.
- Applying to one PA program gives you about a 25% chance of acceptance while applying to 12 PA programs increases those chances to 49%. There is no statistical benefit to applying to more than 12 PA programs.
- Of the PA students accepted, more than two out of three (65.3%) (a.k.a. the majority) had applied to PA school previously.
- The average PA program's acceptance rate is 7%. However, some schools have much higher acceptance rates, while others have much lower acceptance rates. For example, the acceptance rate at Harvard Medical School is 4%, while the acceptance rate at the University of Central Florida is 65%.
So, what does an average PA school applicant who is admitted to PA school (i.e., student) look like?
Let's take a look:
In studies, the five most influential noncognitive factors known to have an effect on PA school admissions are faculty interactions, career motivation, knowledge of the PA profession, maturity, and professionalism. - Journal of Physician Assistant EducationClick To Tweet→ The average PA school student is 25 years old
- The average age of first-year students ranged between 25 and 28 for all categories
- The median age at application is 25 years old
- The median age of recently certified PAs is 27
- For the past six years, the median age of all certified PAs is 38
Age Range | Percentage of Matriculants |
---|---|
22-23 | 21.6% |
24-25 | 24.5% |
26-27 | 22.2% |
28-29 | 17.1% |
30-31 | 10.8% |
32-33 | 3.6% |
34-35 | 1.1% |
36-37 | 0.6% |
38+ | 0.4% |
→ The average PA school student is female
The gender distribution of first-year students has started to stabilize after a 20-year trend of a gradually increasing proportion of women. In 1980, 36 percent of PAs were female. Today, 65.6% of matriculated PAs are female.
- Female: 65.6%
- Male: 32.9%
- Non-binary: 1.5%
Gender | Percentage of Matriculants |
---|---|
Female | 65.6% |
Male | 32.9% |
Non-binary | 1.5% |
As you can see, the majority of matriculating PA students are female. This is consistent with the overall trend in the healthcare field, where women make up a majority of the workforce.
There are a few reasons why there are more female matriculants than male matriculants in PA schools. First, women are more likely to be interested in healthcare careers. Second, women are more likely to apply to PA school than men. Third, women are more likely to be accepted to PA school than men.
However, it is important to note that the number of male matriculants in PA schools has been increasing in recent years. This is likely due to the fact that the PA profession is becoming increasingly popular, and more and more men are choosing to become PAs.
→ The Average PA school applicant has a bachelor’s degree
The majority of PA school applicants hold a baccalaureate degree.
- No academic degree: 8.1%
- Certificate: 0.2%
- Associates Degree: 2.6%
- Baccalaureate Degree: 70.5%
- Master’s Degree: 6.6%
- Doctoral Degree: 0.9%
→ The Average PA school applicant graduated with a degree in Natural Sciences
Most PA school applicants hold a degree in natural sciences (biology, chemistry, etc.), but this doesn't mean you have to!
Major | Percentage of Matriculants |
---|---|
Biology | 28.4% |
Health Sciences | 19.4% |
Psychology | 16.2% |
Chemistry | 12.2% |
Sociology | 7.7% |
English | 5.2% |
Other | 9.1% |
The most common major is biology, which makes up 28.4% of all matriculated PA students. This is likely because biology provides a strong foundation in the sciences, which is essential for PA school.
Other popular majors include health sciences, psychology, chemistry, and sociology. These majors also provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in PA school and in the PA profession.
It is important to note that there is no one "right" major for PA school. PA programs are looking for applicants with a strong foundation in the sciences, but they also value applicants with a variety of experiences and perspectives.
Here are some tips on how to choose the best undergraduate major for PA school.
→ Matriculating PA students had an average of 2,669 patient contact experience hours.
PA school applicants come to the table with a variety of medical experiences, especially if they are strong applicants.
It is important to note that the amount of clinical experience required for PA school varies from school to school. Some schools may have no minimum requirement, some may have a minimum requirement of 1,000 hours, while others may require 3,000 hours or more. It is important to research the specific schools that you are interested in to see what their requirements are.
To be a successful PA candidate, you should aim to have at least 2,000 (preferably 3,000+) hours of hands-on patient experience at the time of application. This is 20-30 times more than the number of hours needed for medical school!
Experience in one of the following areas is common:
- Nursing
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Allied Health
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Registered Radiologic Technologist
- Athletic Trainer
- Emergency Services
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Paramedic
- Emergency Room Technician
- Miscellaneous
- Phlebotomist (that was me!)
- Medical Researcher
- Medical Volunteer
Medical Experience Statistics for PA School Applicants
Of applicants admitted to PA school, 90.5% worked in healthcare before applying to PA school. The most common healthcare experience is a certified nursing assistant (CNA) 30.4% and medical assistant (MA) 26.5%. Among those accepted, 23.3% worked as a scribe, 19.3% had experience as an EMT/paramedic, and 8.9% had experience as an emergency room technician. In addition to paid healthcare experience, 55.2% of matriculating PA students participated in volunteer community service work, such as Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, service-learning activities, and mission work.
Health Care Employment Prior to PA School | Percent |
Nursing assistant | 30.2% |
Medical assistant | 26.5% |
Scribe | 23.3% |
EMT/Paramedic | 19.3% |
Emergency room technician | 8.9% |
Home health aid | 8.7% |
Phlebotomist | 7.3% |
Clinical research coordinator/assistant | 7.3% |
Physical therapist/Physical therapy assistant | 5.7% |
Pharmacy technician | 4.1% |
Athletic trainer | 3.8% |
Medical technician | 3.3% |
Medical reception/records | 2.9% |
Medic or medical corpsman | 1.7% |
Radiology technician | 1.6% |
Dental assistant/hygienist | 1.4% |
Source: 2020 PAEA student report |
Average Health Care Experience Hours of Matriculating Students
According to the latest PAEA program survey and report, for those applicants accepted to PA school, the average student had 2,669 patient contact experience hours. Accepted students had, on average, 1,490 hours of “other healthcare experience,” 378 hours of community service, 1,883 hours of other work experience, and 108 hours of healthcare shadowing.
Experience | Maximum | Mean | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patient Contact Experience | 25,000 | 3,240 | 2,669 | 3,850 | 5,834 |
Health Care Shadowing | 2,807 | 215 | 108 | 152 | 231 |
Community Service | 18,000 | 719 | 378 | 515 | 938 |
Other Health Care Experience | 9,000 | 1,791 | 1,490 | 2,098 | 2,903 |
Other Work Experience | 12,651 | 2,315 | 1,883 | 2,278 | 4,200 |
* 2023-2024 Update: Some recent data suggests HCE hours are significantly declining, with a new average of 1.88 years of healthcare experience among matriculating (accepted) students.
Admissions directors Q&A: What are some of the points that are extremely impressive to you in the application?
Commitment to community, overcoming adversity, a WELL written narrative, great letters of reference from someone that REALLY knows you, ability to juggle many responsibilities simultaneously, and activities that show a particular passion for something are what we look for in a PA school applicant - Penn State University PA ProgramClick To Tweet→ GRE scores of those accepted into PA school tend to be in the above-average range
The mean GRE scores for matriculated PA students are 152.2 for verbal reasoning, 152.0 for quantitative reasoning, and 3.9 for analytical writing. The 25th percentile scores are 140 for verbal reasoning, 139 for quantitative reasoning, and 3.0 for analytical writing. The 75th percentile scores are 164 for verbal reasoning, 165 for quantitative reasoning, and 4.5 for analytical writing.
GRE Section | Mean | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
---|---|---|---|
Verbal Reasoning | 152.2 | 140 | 164 |
Quantitative Reasoning | 152.0 | 139 | 165 |
Analytical Writing | 3.9 | 3.0 | 4.5 |
The average GRE score of matriculated PA school students has been trending up over the years.
Year | Average Total GRE Score |
---|---|
2021 | 303.6 |
2020 | 302.2 |
2019 | 301.4 |
2018 | 299.8 |
As you can see, the GRE is the most commonly required exam for PA school admissions. This is followed by the TOEFL, the MCAT, and the SAT.
Exam | Required by |
---|---|
GRE | 57.7% |
TOEFL (Internationl Students Only) | 71.3% |
MCAT or GRE | 14.0% |
SAT | 10.0% |
ACT | 7.0% |
CASPer | 5.0% |
Competitive GRE scores average around a composite score of 300, and scores above 310 are extremely competitive. This averages to about 150 on verbal reasoning, 150 on quantitative reasoning, and 3.5 on writing.
Please note that these scores are averages of past GRE examinations, and you should consider your score competitive if they are above the 50th percentile.
Percentiles are more important than actual GRE scores. Every GRE differs in difficulty, which is why none of them can be considered equivalent, thus, necessitating the need to use a standardized ranking method.
→ The average PA school student has between a 3.5 and 3.6 overall GPA and an undergraduate science GPA of 3.5
- According to the latest PAEA program report, the average undergraduate overall GPA for PA school applicants who were accepted into PA school was 3.6. Accepted students had, on average, a science GPA of 3.5, a non-science GPA of 3.6, and a CASPA BCP (biology, chemistry, and physics) GPA of 3.5
- The average overall GPA for students who were not accepted into PA school was 3.28. Non-matriculant science GPA was 3.17.
Interesting factoid: As the age of applicants increases, their GPA tends to be lower.
GPA type | Average |
---|---|
Overall GPA | 3.6 |
Science GPA | 3.5 |
Non-science GPA | 3.6 |
CASPA BCP GPA (biology, chemistry, and physics) | 3.5 |
GPA | Percentage of Matriculants |
---|---|
3.75 or higher | 56.5% |
3.50-3.74 | 28.5% |
3.25-3.49 | 8.5% |
3.00-3.24 | 4.5% |
Below 3.00 | 2.0% |
→ Most PA school students are Caucasian
As you can see, the majority of matriculated PA students are white. This is consistent with the overall trend in the United States, where white people make up the majority of the population.
However, it is important to note that the racial makeup of PA students is becoming more diverse. The percentage of Asian matriculants has increased in recent years, and the percentage of Hispanic/Latino matriculants is also increasing.
If you are considering applying to PA school, it is important to be aware of the racial makeup of PA students. If you are a member of a minority group, you may want to consider applying to programs that have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Race | Percentage of Matriculants |
---|---|
White | 67.2% |
Asian | 14.3% |
Hispanic/Latino | 10.3% |
Black or African American | 5.4% |
Native American | 0.8% |
Multiracial | 2.0% |
→ What are your chances of being accepted into PA school?
- If you apply to one PA program - you have a 25% chance of getting in
- If you apply to 12 programs (or more) - you have a 49% chance of getting in
- The average number of PA programs applied to is 8
Interesting factoid: There is little statistical benefit of applying to more than 12 programs!
→ Pucker up, baby. Most PA students are single!
Most students are single (72.2%), though about a quarter are married (24.5%). A little under two percent were divorced, and 1.6% were in a domestic partnership/civil union.
Most students (92.1%) have no legal dependents. For the nearly 7.9% of students that reported having legal dependents other than themselves, the average number of dependents was two, with a range of 1 to 9 dependents.
Legal dependents | Percentage of Matriculants |
---|---|
With | 7.9% |
Without | 92.1% |
Over 30% of respondents said they were considered dependent of their parents.
Marital Status | Percentage of Matriculants |
---|---|
Single | 72.2% |
Married | 24.5% |
Divorced | 1.6% |
Domestic Partnership/Civil Union | 1.6% |
Separated but still legally married | 0.2% |
Widowed | 0% |
→ Most PA students are from "The Burbs"
Half of the students reported spending most of their time in a suburban setting. One-quarter of respondents reported spending most of their time in a rural environment, followed by 15% in an inner-city setting.
→ Most PA students don't come from extreme riches
According to the PAEA Student Report, the median family gross income of matriculated PA students was $110,000. This means that half of the matriculated students had a family gross income below $110,000, and half had a family gross income above $110,000.
The family gross income of matriculated PA students varies widely. The 25th percentile family gross income was $85,000, and the 75th percentile family gross income was $135,000. This means that 25% of the matriculated students had a family gross income below $85,000, and 75% had a family gross income above $85,000.
Family Gross Income | Percentage of Matriculants |
---|---|
Below $85,000 | 25% |
$85,000-$110,000 | 37.5% |
$110,000-$135,000 | 25% |
Above $135,000 | 12.5% |
Admissions directors Q&A: Who is the perfect PA school applicant?
Our program will look to utilize a holistic approach to admissions. We look at academic success, life experiences, and community activities to evaluate all candidates. There is no one mold to fit the PA profession. However, PAs need strong communication skills, leadership, grit, and a willingness to support the community - Michigan State University PA ProgramClick To Tweet Students need to be well organized, know how to manage their time and outside influences, and have a genuine desire to help and care for people. PA school is rigorous, so we recommend honest conversations with family and friends ahead of your start. - CWRU PA ProgramClick To Tweet→ PA school students don't smoke pot and are not drug dealers or part of the Italian Mafia
According to the PAEA Student Report, 99% of PA programs require a background check and 92% of PA programs mandate drug testing. This means that the vast majority of PA programs require applicants to undergo a background check and drug test before they can be admitted to the program.
The background check typically includes a review of the applicant's criminal history, driving record, and employment history. The drug test typically screens for illegal drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin.
The purpose of the background check and drug test is to ensure that the applicant is of good moral character and that they are not using illegal drugs. PA programs have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their students, faculty, and patients.
If you are considering applying to PA school, it is important to be aware of the background check and drug testing requirements. You should also be prepared to provide documentation of your criminal history and drug use.
Here is a table that summarizes the background check and drug testing requirements of PA programs:
Requirement | Percentage of Programs that Require |
---|---|
Background Check | 99% |
Drug Testing | 92% |
Some Important Points
It's Not Rocket Science: It is important that a candidate demonstrates reasonable aptitude in the hard sciences such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and biology. It is more likely that the committee may overlook a grade of C in U.S History or Spanish I. They will be less tolerant of a marginal grade in the sciences.
Show compassion: Your GPA is stellar, and you've amassed an impressive amount of medical work experience in the little spare time you have while keeping your grades pristine, but you still get that dreaded rejection letter. Why?
You didn't do enough volunteer work. Volunteering exemplifies your desire to help your fellow man—the attribute identified by schools as one of the most integral to becoming a successful PA.
Students who have had experience in working with underserved populations, rural or diverse populations, performing volunteer service or disaster relief, or other experiences that illustrate a drive and compassion for others often stand out to the admissions committee!
The view from the top isn't that crowded
It's an easy race to the bottom, so set your sights on the top.
Many people will be set back when they read that only 25% of applicants will be accepted into PA school in any given year, but this should be good news. Being in the top 25% in any field is not nearly as hard as it sounds, simply because the majority of the competition is in the bottom 75% and has bottom 75% qualifications.
For example, you have read this entire post, so you now know what the average PA school applicant who has had some success looks like. You understand what a top 75 percent candidate looks like. Your goal now is to be better than the average 75% and exceed the top 25%.
If you aim high, you will be competing with a much smaller minority, and your odds of getting an acceptance letter will increase dramatically. It also helps if you apply to 12 programs. 😉
*Tables and data were sourced from the latest PAEA Semi-Annual Report.
J D says
Stephen,
I am 25 years old white male, first generation American by way of Cuba. I have been in health care since 2010 as an EMT and 4 years as a firefighter. Through college I worked full time EMS and always maintained employment with at least one paid agency as well as one volunteer agency. I have 7000+ Contact hours from “911” to specialty teams such as neonatal critical care. I hold a BS in Exercise Science from College of Charleston. I speak Spanish. So here is my big concern… my GPA was not as competitive (just under 3.0)… primarily due to my employment through college and perpetually being exhausted. My plan now is to take a few extra classes this year that are still required for most PA schools thus showing my commitment and ability to achieve higher grades. Do you think it is possible for me to get in to a PA program with a lower GPA? And what should I do?
Thanks for your thoughts
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi J.D,
The field is certainly competitive and unfortunately when researchers compared all components of the PA school application GPA had the greatest predictive value in terms of applicants receiving an interview. This of course is too bad, but I think now in 2017 because there are so many applicants it has lifted the bar a bit higher and schools are using these types of metrics much more frequently. So, I think what you are doing is smart. With your background and experience if you can hit that 3.0 GPA mark for your overall and 3.2 for science GPA you will be extremely competitive. It doesn’t hurt to apply this year and give it a try.. with excellent letters of recommendation, your background and qualifications you may still have a shot.
Stephen
Jamie says
Thanks for all the great advice so far! I’m strongly considering applying to PA schools, but will need to get some of science prerequisites done. I currently have a masters in clinical mental health counseling and for the past 5 years, I’ve worked as an emergency services clinician, assessing people (mostly in hospitals) who are a danger to themselves and others and determining if they need to be in a psych facility against their will. I also worked in a facility as a psych tech for about a year and a half and was certified to administer patients prescribed medication.
I plan to either become an EMT or scribe as I finish up the prereqs I didn’t take when I got my bachelors. I’m curious to know if I’d be able to count my work history as HCE, or if it would just be kind of a “bonus.”
Thanks!
Ray says
Hi Stephen,
I am currently a sophomore in college and I have very recently decided that I am interested in the PA field. However, I just finished up my first semester of my sophomore year and I have not yet taken any prerequisites and feel as though it would be very difficult for me to catch up at this point. I was wondering if you had any advice on how to go about this. Also, I really want to get a head start on my hours but I do not really know how to go about this. Do you have any recommendations for any specific jobs or volunteer opportunities and how I could get them? Thank you so much for your time and blog posts, they help me so much to better understand the application process!
Susan Staggs says
Okay so, I am applying for PA school for the next cycle. I am 22 and will be getting my B.S. in Biology with a Psychology minor in the Spring. I have not taken the GRE yet (I will once I graduate). I currently have:
-a GPA of 3.9, 3.86 in my major
-2.5 years doing Type I Diabetes Research in a clinic/lab setting
-2000 hours of CNA experience on an inpatient/med surge Pulmonary floor at University of Colorado Hospital
-about 400 hours of volunteer experience in an ER/teaching children/working with foster children
-3 months doing human clinical trial research at Children’s Hospital
I do not have any PA shadowing experience though! I can’t find any PA’s to shadow (on the Pulmonary floor there are only MDs.) Also, there are absolutely no PAs at my doctor’s office (only MDs and NPs). Do you know any PAs in Colorado or any resources that would connect me to PAs that are willing to let me shadow? This is like the one aspect that is lacking for my current application, do you have any tips?
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Susan,
It certainly isn’t an easy task and it seems to be getting harder and harder as the PA profession grows and there are more people looking for shadowing opportunities. There is no secret that I can give you to ease this process other than commencing a relentless search, picking up the phone, or getting into your car and finding anybody who will be willing to let you shadow for even a couple of hours. Calling PA schools in your area and asking for suggestions can help, also referencing the pashadowonline website to see if they have any leads in your region. Search community clinics and hospitals in your area to find PAs and scout them out. Plead your case. Bring coffee and chocolate :-). I know it is hard but if you search hard enough and are willing to put yourself out there something will come up. Even if that means crossing state lines 🙂
Stephen
Taylor says
Hi Stephen!
I am a 24 year old female and I applied to 3 PA schools this summer for the 2017 start date. I got turned down by all 3, not even an interview!
I graduated from the University of Iowa with a BA in Health & Human Physiology and my GPA was 3.75. Currently, I have 1,200 patient contact hours that I gained by working as a medical assistant to an ENT doctor. I am very active in the volunteer community. I have volunteered as a pediatric cuddler, pet therapy, in the Emergency Room, and in cardiac rehab.
I have not yet taken the GRE, so the 3 schools I applied to are the ones that don’t require it.
I was shocked when I didn’t even get an interview at a school. So, currently I am enrolled in classes to enhance my prerequisite work: Genetics, Cell Biology, and a chemistry lab starting in January.
I am also applying to nursing assistant jobs at the hospital to continue adding to my patient contact hours. And I am studying to take the GRE this spring so that I can apply to more schools next application cycle.
Can you tell me what you think my biggest weakness was as an applicant this past cycle? What do I need to focus on the most before the next application cycle for PA school?
I appreciate your blog so much. I’m just feeling very disappointed right now!
Taylor says
Also, I meant to add that I have shadowed two PA’s. This spring I will be looking to add more shadowing as well.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Taylor,
As you can tell by both my own experience with PA school rejection and the many others who comment on this blog the PA school selection process is a bit grueling (to say the least). One thing you could do this year is consider taking the GRE and applying to more schools this next round. Statistically 12 is the magic number to give you the best odds. I know it is costly but it is probably worth it to cast a wider net. Beyond that you are doing everything right. As you accumulate more healthcare experience you gain insights and patient care hours that will help you not only as an applicant but through the interview process. It will also make you a more competitive candidate. So my advice would be to keep up the great work and try to cast a wide net this next round. Somebody is sure to snag you up… as I always say anything worth doing involves some risk and hard work. This is something worth doing so don’t give up. Also, take a look at your personal statement and make sure it represents all that you have done and all that you bring to the table.
Stephen
Erin says
Hi Stephen,
I have a BA in Studio Art and a BS in Dental Hygiene and I am a Registered Dental Hygienist who is also licensed to give injections. I worked for 2 years in a practice and accumulated over 3500 hours of patient care. I started having back pain and the office let me go because I had to cut back hours and I managed to get a job at a medical device company shortly thereafter. Long story short, my back pain resulted in a spinal fusion and I am now fully recovered after two years. During those two years, I realized that I missed working with patients and decided to go for PA because I can no long practice in dentistry. I retook organic chem and A&P 1 and 2 and got all A’s. I have 60 hours of shadowing and took the gre. I have a 3. 2 from my BA and a 3.56 from my BS. This is my first cycle applying and I only applied to 2 schools. I made it to the interview process for the first one but didn’t get in and I am on the waitlist for my second school waiting to hear back. It doesn’t look like I will get in on my first try, but I know that I have gotten very far with only applying to 2 schools on my first try. I plan on applying to more schools around the country for my second cycle. My question is: how important is it to have a current job working in the medical field or in a hospital. I am 29 and have expenses and can’t afford to make anything less than what I am doing now. Should I do more volunteering and shadowing? Should I continue to retake classes? I know I will be a great PA because I can empathize with patients and understand not only the frustration of being in physical pain, but I can also understand the financial, psychological and mental issues as well when your going through a medical condition. Does it really matter to a school on what your current job is even if you are doing extra things on the side to improve your application? What are your thoughts?
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Erin,
Congrats on all your success of the first application cycle. You have a lot of experience and shadowing and I think you will be fine working in any capacity during the next application cycle. I am very impressed by your ability to persevere and overcome these obstacles and you will make an excellent PA because of them!
Stephen
Kamal Actkins says
Stephen, I love what you are doing; helping pay it forward is what it is all about. I hope you reply to my comment.
I am a 23 year old African American Male that has been working as a fireman/EMT for the last 3 years here in Houston. I for sure have my eyes set in stone on going to PA school and taking the steps now to make that happen. I am in paramedic school and will finish that soon. I currently do not have a degree, associates nor bachelors, due to me doing the fire academy and EMS, but I have most of my basics out of the way. I currently have a 3.3 GPA. I am trying to decide what to do my undergrad in, either Spanish, Biology, Sociology or Psychology. So I would be around 27 until I can apply to PA school and at that time I will have 7 years in as a fireman and EMT.
What do you recommend for my undergrad and any other helpful tips?
Natalia says
Hello Stephen,
I see you have posted this blog awhile back but I am really hoping for a response. I need someone to be very honest with me. My GPA is a 3.22 and I need to know if this is too low to apply. I’m working as a CNA in a hospital receiving my patient contact hours. I have volunteering and shadowing experience already and will be taking my GRE in the spring. With my low GPA in mind…am I dreaming too big? Please let me know because I need to start thinking of other options if I am not on the correct path. Don’t want to be discouraged but at this point I want someone to be honest with me!
Thanks,
Natalia
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Natalia,
Of course you have a reasonable chance to get into PA school. It starts with a strong conviction and a belief in yourself and your future purpose as a PA. GPA is a factor but by no means the only factor. Also, a GPA of 4.0 in an applicant who did the minimum amount of work is much different than even a 2.9 GPA in an applicant who challenged themselves or is a disrupter. Keep the end goal in sight, do all that you can to push yourself and try to find ways to stand out. Take online courses, start a community project, learn Spanish, spend a few months working overseas etc. etc. etc. The truth is you will go as far as you believe you can and as far as you are willing to see this through. It sounds cliche, but you truly can accomplish anything you put your mind to… But nothing worth doing in life is every easy. Remember that and embrace that.
Stephen
Iyuana Gibson says
Hey Stephen
I was wondering how important is your pre-requisite GPA in getting accepted into PA school? I have a Pre-requisite GPA of about a 3.7. My only concern is if I have a chance of getting into a school with an overall GPA of a 3.4 and a science GPA of a little over a 3.2.
I was also wondering that if my undergraduate program required me to take two classes for two degree, for example organic chemistry 1 & 2,if PA schools take the average of the two grades or the higher of the two grades if they only require say O chem 1?
Thank you!
Kahani Soni says
Hey Stephen,
I am a sophomore at a college and planning to pursue a PA career. I must tell you that your blog has been very very helpful to me. From the university listings, to their updated tuition costs and the volunteering and hands on clinical experience advice that you have given, all have tremendously helped me get a better picture of the kind of things I gotta do to get a better stand as a future PA school student.
Thank you so much.
With kind regards,
Kahani
Mykala Ward says
Does graduating from PA school mean you have a masters degree??
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Mykala,
Yes, all schools are now required to offer a master’s degree although there are still a handful of graduates who will earn a bachelor’s degree in their program as they enrolled prior to the new requirements. This will be phased out very shortly..
Stephen
Sunny says
Hey Stephen,
I am 23 years old and earned B.S in Biochemistry with double minor in Health and Chemistry. I worked as a scribe at ER for past two years and volunteered in several hospitals. However in my senior year my gpa took a hit due to personal issues. My current GPA is 3.45 and GRE is 299. I applied to PA program via CASPA for 2016-2017 cycle. I applied to 11 schools around beginning of August through middle of September. But I have only interviewed in one school around October. I feel frustrated and was wondering where am I going wrong and what can I do to improve my chances. Can you give me some advise please!
Acastano says
My story is very similar to yours. I applied to 10, interview at 1 (found out today that I didn’t get in) and rejected from another one. I still have 8 “chances” left. I’m still waiting to hear from the rest! My stats are similar to yours.
I’m close to the point of frustration and desperation 🙁
Kate says
Hi! I read your comment and have a suggestion to your problem. You don’t have much health experience (specifically hands-on patient care). Most of the PA schools I’ve talked to don’t consider basic hospital volunteering/scribing as patient care experience –but they’re very good to have additionally.
Alexander says
Hi Stephen, I have a bit of bad academic history (a 2.4) GPA but that is on an upward trend. I am starting to get healthcare experience as a volunteer and continue on with shadowing. I put myself through college as a waiter so I couldnt repair my GPA as high as I wanted to but my last semester is in the spring (bachelors degree) but I am worried that no amount of experience can overcome my bad GPA from before. Do I have any chance of getting in anywhere? I have done a lot of growing up and taking my future seriously. But I just want to be sure that there is still a chance. I could really use your input. What would you recommend I do at this point?
Kate says
Hello! I have family who are involved in admissions, so I thought I could give some pointers. What I would suggest is taking prerequisite science classes over again at a community college. If you take 4-6 science classes and get all A’s, this could show your resolve and current work ethic. You can take them one at a time of course if you have a job. Also, what volunteer work are you specifically doing? Most volunteering (even if you are handling patients) won’t qualify as hands-on patient care. Schools are looking for experience with higher medical autonomy. Additionally, are you shadowing a PA or a doctor? If it’s a PA, you’re already on the right track.
Sydney Gonzalez says
Hello! First, I must admit, I am your run of the mill optimism advocate with never ceasing demtermination. Reading your articles truly inspire me. However, I am concerned since I am in my freshman year of college, what jobs in the medical field can I obtain with little to no medical experience. Can you give me insight on how you got your start into the medical realm and first med jobs? Thanks for your consideration Steve!!
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Sydney,
One sunny day while in Seattle I washed behind my ears; laced up my shoes and took a trip down to the campus health center. I walked in the doors and presented myself to clinic administration office and said – my name is Stephen, I am a pre medical student, I want more than anything to be a healthcare provider and patient advocate someday, I work extremely hard, I am willing to do anything and oh, by the way, I work for free! The last part is the one you don’t want to leave out ?. I did the same thing at the university hospital. Over the next few weeks I began volunteering as a patient transport tech and the student clinic offered me a paid student position in medical records. I spent the next three years working my way through the ranks… this is where I met my first PA, this is where I would receive 3 out of 4 of my recommendation letters and this is where I would get a chance to volunteer and work in different setting all over the hospital. It all started with the word FREE! ?
Stephen
Nani says
Really great post! Thank you for writing it and putting it all together. I’m a mother of two, I was raised by a single mom of 6, and have had quite a challenging experience getting to this point in my career. I have a strong GPA both overall and in the science classes, acute care experience as a Clinical Registered Dietitian, and volunteer experience in underserved areas for school districts with high obesity rates in low income areas close to where I live. My major concern is the GRE, I’ve taken it twice and my scores are barely hitting the 50% ile for each section. Given the variety of the other aspects of my application and background, do you think the GRE scores will hard-filter my application out of the pool of qualified applicants? Appreciate your input and expertise. Thanks again for the great information!!
Kate says
Hi! I met a dietitian who is currently in PA school who made it in from her first year of applying. They absolutely love the experience that comes from it (extremely high medical autonomy is great). If you have a strong GPA, I wouldn’t worry much about the GRE, especially if you’re reaching mid-percentile. I’ve heard from different PA admissions that they typically don’t focus too much on GRE scores UNLESS they are amazing or horrible. If the school doesn’t have a strict minimum GRE score, you should be totally fine.
Lin says
Hi I have 4 years experience in medical research, I do blood draws, intubation, sedation, anesthesia recovery, injections, fluid administration, etc but my patients are mostly pigs though our devices are used in people. Do you think that this would count as health care experience or do I need human experience before considering pa degree? Thanks
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Lin,
As PAs we tend to work in the realm of Homo sapiens so it is best that your experience also involves direct, hands on, patient care experience in this manner. Not that pigs aren’t smart (and lovable) but a year, or at least 1000 hours of people medicine along with you background will probably be more than enough.
Stephen
Pengsean Chea says
Hello Stephen,
I know there still a possibility for me to get into PA school one day. My over all GPA is not that great … pretty much the avg GPA that doesn’t get into PA school 3.12, which was the GPA that described in the post. My issue is that I have to many units to even raise my GPA. My last 3 years over all GPA is 3.5 with a positive trajectory… will CASAP screen out my application because it doesn’t fall within competitive range? Do the colleges look at the individual’s transcripts record… I’m sure they do for those that gets interview. Do the applications screeners look at such?
Stewart says
Hi Stephen –
I graduated 5 years ago with a degree in sociology with a slightly less than average GPA. Much to my embarrassment, my focus was not on academics. The last several years I have been working in commercial real estate as a broker assisting non-profits. I have had a pull on me for a long time to get into the medical field, specifically working towards becoming a PA. I have a deep passion for helping others and practicing medicine runs in my family. At this point, I am 27 years old and would be starting a new career and lack confidence in my academics. Any recommendations for me as I continue to explore this passion as well as work to overcome my weak academic performance?
Jess says
Hi Stephen,
Great post- thanks for sharing! Do you know by how much chances of being accepted are increased for a Hispanic applicant, assuming the student is a “Leslie”?
Jessica says
Hi Stephen!
Really appreciate your site! Do you know any stats on non-traditional students being accepted into pa school? I have 9 years of experience as a paramedic, prehospital and hospital, however I have been a stay at home mom now for 1 year. The countdown is on for me to go back to school and get my bachelors when my youngest goes to school. Would I need more current work history before applications? Thankyou so much for your input!
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Jessica,
In my experience, after working with 100s of “non-traditional” students through our essay collaborative, I have found these applicants to be our very best and brightest. Also, because of the years of experience (both life and work) you bring to the table, you will likely stand out. I feel confident that your work experience will be plenty. I would suggest obtaining letters of recommendation early and obtaining some shadowing experience. I am sure you will do great!!!
Stephen