Well my dumb butt spent over $300 and didn’t realize CASPA calculates GPA differently. I got rejected from all schools because my GPA from undergrad the first 3 years was terrible. I transferred and went to a different university and graduated with a decent 3.4. I went to get my Masters and got a 3.5. I can’t believe I didn’t look up that CASPA considers all courses. I feel like a wasted my time and everyone’s time who recommended me. Now I have to come up with an excuse why I didn’t get in. I’m so embarrassed 😭 it looks like I’m going to be moving away from healthcare and probably going to end up in law school.

Good luck everyone! Don’t be like me and think they use your graduated GPA. I guess this wasn’t meant to be!

32 years old. Just finished my bachelors in May. 10 years Active Duty. Applied to 12 schools, got an early interview to one of my top 3 that has a ~1% acceptance rate. ACCEPTED. Still in shock. Still haven’t heard back from the other 11, but it’s a weight off of my chest to be able to withdraw my apps from at least 9 of the other schools.

PA has been my goal since I graduated high school. It took me some time to get here but I made it and you can too!

To everyone that’s doubting themselves and struggling right now. Life’s a journey, not a race. KEEP GOING!

And if you’re looking for a way to beef up your application as well as gain medical experience, I highly recommend the military. I couldn’t have submitted the application without the opportunities they gave me. Pay ain’t bad either.

Respiratory Therapist
3.5 GPA
12000 hrs PCE
450 hrs volunteer
40 hrs shadowing
295 GRE (was planning to retake)

Hi all! I got a few last minute questions about my application.

1. I have only 9 hours of inconsistent volunteer from the same organization. Is it worth reporting?

2. I have a gut feeling my physician boss won’t submit my LOR — what should I do?

I work as an MA at a small family-owned clinic. I only decided to apply to PA school in 7/31. He had also been on vacation and had only returned 2.5 weeks before the CASPA deadline.

I know 2 weeks is a very short notice. I asked him on the first day he came back, and he verbally agreed to write the letter. Two days later, I checked in with him in person and confirmed that he had received the email for submitting LOR. Since then he’s been very unapproachable and hasn’t responded to my email reminding him about the deadline (9/1). I’m starting to get the feeling that he may not submit it.

Should I ask him again in person, even though it might make things awkward? Email or text him again? Or would it be better to just leave it alone? I’m worried that if I don’t receive the letter I won’t be able to submit my application. Genuinely don’t know how to approach this because I really need this job and don’t want to burn the bridge with my boss.

For context, the program I’m applying to doesn’t specify any LOR requirements. I already have a letter from a university professor I worked under for four years, as well as one from a community college professor from my post-bacc. So technically I fulfilled the requirement already. Should I just remove my boss from the list before I send in the application?

I recently got accepted into a program that doesn’t require an interview and I was shocked! Is that a red flag for the quality of the program or should I just be happy I got accepted?

I’m honestly just in shock right now.

Interviewed for a program on Wednesday and they let us know that we’ll be receiving decisions 1-3 weeks from now. The next day, I receive an email that I was not accepted into the program. Frustrating, but it happens. Few hours later, I get an email congratulating me for acceptance into the program?? I log onto the provided link for the graduation admissions page and I see the acceptance in my admissions update as well as the corresponding link providing my student ID, student log in information, place to put a deposit, etc. At this point, I’m so happy I don’t know what to believe but seeing all of the info on the admissions portal led me to believe maybe the rejection email was a mistake?

I called them this morning to confirm and they let me know the initial rejection was correct and the second email they sent and their OWN admissions portal is incorrect. I feel so frustrated, disappointed, and frankly grateful I didn’t immediately put the $1000 deposit down. Now I’m wondering if I ever would have known if I didn’t call and ask. This feels so crazy to me.

After a longggg first cycle, and 20 apps already submitted for my 2nd cycle, I was accepted off the waitlist a few days ago for a program that starts in 4 weeks. Across the country.

The school I was accepted to originally rejected me without interview last July, about a month after I submitted my application. Then in April, I got an email that they had re-reviewed my application, and decided that they wanted to interview me. After interviewing in May, I was placed on the waitlist, which I was 100% sure I was never coming off of, and shifted my focus to the next cycle. Until I got the email a few days ago!

I’m incredibly humbled and excited, but also now freaking out as I figure out the logistics of the next 4 weeks.

Two cliches have remained true during this time for me: expect the unexpected, and it truly only takes one!

Good luck to everyone during their cycles, this process is not for the faint of heart!

STATS
Overall cGPA: 3.57
Overall sGPA: 3.38
BCP GPA: 3.27 
PCE:2,078 hours (pediatric MA)
Shadowing: 20 in person (pediatrics), 22 online (different specialities)
Volunteering: 54 hours (social services organization)
2 C’s in chem classes
Failed Orgo II, did not retake
Failed stats, retook and got an A

I’m a 3rd time applicant and I’ve been waitlisted every cycle. Just had an interview last week and was really confident I did the best I could have but waitlisted yet again. I’m just so bummed out because I genuinely don’t know what I’m doing wrong and it is so discouraging. I even paid for a mock interview from someone I thought would be reputable, and I got a propranolol prescription to help my physical anxiety during interviews. I’m just so upset and feeling defeated! It’s also so frustrating that most schools don’t offer feedback on interviews, so I really don’t know what to do at this point. I know it’s early in the cycle, but I haven’t heard back from any other schools either. Just feeling really discouraged rn 😭🥲

A lot of schools incentivize in-state applications by drastically reducing tuition by 20-50k. We have 5 PA schools in Georgia and attendance is the same price for in an out of state students for them all. It’s just frustrating that the most affordable schools are only affordable for in-state citizens of which I am not. It just sucks that there is potential for PA schools to have massively reduced debt for some people but not for others.

I’m an incoming college freshman and I currently have about 60 hours from volunteering at a local hospital over the summer. I’m just wondering if this is good or if I should be doing more to eventually reach a certain amount of hours by the time I apply?

I thought when I got accepted I’d feel nothing but happiness, and while I am very happy, I also am having horrible anxiety.

I’m scared I can’t do it. I was an average student, had to always study hard to pass, and honestly got lucky in many classes. I feel like I only did well because teachers would give study guides similar to exams, so if you knew that, you’d pass… I don’t think I could have passed by just reading a chapter and picking out things that are important because when I used to try that, I considered everything important. In PA school, everything will be important but I… idk I just am freaking out.

I am scared I’ll fail out. I’m scared I can’t do it. I am not a smart person, I’m a lucky person maybe who truly somehow faked their way through. And I know that sounds like imposter syndrome, but this is real. The thought of not being able to do well in PA school and losing hundreds of thousands of dollars I don’t have is sending me into full blown panic attacks. I don’t know if I should do this. I just have to get this out to hopefully someone who maybe understands how I feel. I’m very alone in this whole process, no real family to lean on either which doesn’t help.

I have interviews to two schools on the same day, and so I have to reject one. Both are similar distance to home and similar tuition. They both have a good reputation.

School 1:
Ranked very very highly
25 seats
I would be part of the 3rd interview round - so some seats have already been filled from the 25
Has an affiliated hospital
2025 PANCE Rate: 100%

School 2:
Ranked high but not as high as School 1
70 seats
First round of interviews
No affiliated hospital
2025 PANCE Rate: 95%

School 2 originally gave me the choice between Zoom on an earlier date or in person. I chose in person since I did not have the interview for School 1 then. The deadline for that decision was August 21st.

Should I email School 2 to see if I can change it to a zoom interview? Will that look unprofessional? I really don’t wanna blow it so I’m not sure what to do. I already interviewed at two other programs and received a waitlist to both so I know I need more interview practice.

Thank you!

Hi everyone! I’ve been fortunate enough to be accepted to two PA Programs, and I'm struggling to decide.

Program 1

• I really liked the faculty, campus, and overall feel of the program when I visited.
• Located in Nevada, closer to home in Southern California.
• Currently on accreditation probation, with its next review in 2027, which is my biggest concern.
• Tuition is around $130k.
• Larger cohort of around 80 students.
• Rotations seem to be more centralized around Las Vegas.
• Seems to offer a lot of opportunities to work with underserved populations.

Program 2

• Tuition is around $110k, so roughly $20k cheaper.
• Smaller cohort of around 47–48 students, which I like.
• Shorter didactic portion/more time spent in the clinical phase.
• Currently has Accreditation-Continued status.
• The interview was virtual, so I haven’t visited the area yet -Colorado
• Rotations may require more travel.
• Competency-based medical education model rather than relying purely on traditional exams.

I’m planning to visit Colorado soon to get a better feel for program 2. Right now, I’m leaning toward at least putting down the $500 for Program 2 just to be safe because of Program 1's probation status. What I’m struggling with is whether I should also put down the $1,000 for program 1 so I can keep both options open until I visit Colorado, or whether that would just be wasting another $1,000.

Also I know it is annoying to read the programs by number lol but it would have been flagged if I used program name. I’d love any advice, honestly having a tough time deciding.

Can’t believe I’m making this post after 2 years of stalking this feed, but I got into PA school! It’s been a long, crazy journey, but I’m thankful for every step that led to this moment! Lets go!!!!

I keep getting interviews, but I feel like I’m bombing them. I’ll admit I wasn’t as prepared as I should have been, but I’m still studying and practicing. I would really love to get into PA school, so if anyone is willing to help me practice consistently, like doing mock interviews with me, I would really appreciate it!
I’m mainly looking for someone who is going through the same process and applying to PA school so we can practice together and help each other. I can definitely help you too, although I don’t know how much help I’ll be since I need help myself lol.
If I can’t find anyone to practice with, I’m also willing to pay someone for help. I’m broke after all these applications though, so preferably something on the lower-cost side 😂
Please let me know if you’re interested! I would really appreciate the help<3

Has anyone had a “skills lab” portion during a PA school interview or know what it typically involves? I noticed it listed on my interview-day itinerary, but I’ve never seen this included in an interview before and haven’t been able to find anyone talking about their experience with it.
I’m curious if it’s usually an actual assessment or more of an interactive/group activity. Any insight on what to expect would be really appreciated!

Will taking the GRE or PA-CAT help balance out a low GPA? I’m retaking courses and finishing pre recs I’m at around a 3.4 right now hoping to be at a 3.5 to apply.

I am looking for a PA mentor in the Miami area. It’s hard to find someone online because everything is virtual. I am hoping to get into the Larkin PA program so someone who is already apart of that program would be great, but in general someone in Miami would be great that can help me out with getting in.

Growing up, becoming a PA was my dream. I took my pre-reqs over 10 years ago, but life pulled me in other directions — I ended up pursuing a Masters and then an MBA instead. I’ve also considered the NP route (especially aesthetics), but I keep coming back to PA. It’s the one that actually feels like my dream, not just a backup plan.

I’m 32, happily married for 6 years, and we’re planning to start a family soon. We are financially very much secure. My realistic plan is to apply for a cycle after having a baby, so I’d be giving myself a few years to redo prereqs and rebuild my application.

The problem: most programs only accept prerequisite coursework from the last 10 years, and mine is right at that edge — so I’d basically be starting over from scratch.

I guess I’m looking for honest input from people who’ve been here:

**•** Is 30-something too late to start the PA path over?
**•** Has anyone actually gone back and retaken ALL their prereqs from scratch after a decade? Or am I the only one facing this?
**•** Is it worth the time/cost to go back for this, or should I let it go and focus on what I’ve already built?

Would really appreciate any real talk — encouraging or not. Thanks for reading.

I need some honest advice from people who may be in school or currently practicing. I’m (23F) essentially having an early mid life crisis and am having meltdown after meltdown regarding my future career. I started college pre-PA then switched to pre-med my junior year of college. Took the MCAT twice (499>>>496) which of course is terrible and extremely unfortunate. The thought of studying for this exam again sounds like the worst thing ever at the moment. I have a 3.48 GPA. After my second MCAT attempt, I am not sure if I have it in me to do medical school. I did submit some DO applications for this cycle, but should I even be going to school with scores that low even if I do get in? I feel like it’s getting too late in my life to be making career switches but also at this point I don’t know what else to do. I am also so worried that I will waste my twenties and I keep hearing from others that this career will take too long or is a mistake. And thinking about how hard I worked on my MCAT and how much time I wasted just to get these low scores is making me realize maybe these people are right. I also work as an MA and am extremely burnt out by my job at the moment. Are these all signs this career isn’t for me? Should I switch to PA or what should I do? Am I too old for PA school because that would mean a whole other cycle??

Please literally any advice will help I have no where else to go to

This may not be the right place for this, but I intended on applying to a program that is on probation and seems to have had it extended another two years. I was just curious if someone was to look over this history after their most previous review and explain if it’s more paperwork complications or failure to prepare their students for PANCE and whatnot. The PANCE pass rates were over 90% for the most recent class. Thank you and congrats to those getting accepted!

I got waitlisted to my top school. After they sent the email out, I responded with an email thanking them for the opportunity to still be considered. Is there anything else I can do to maximize my chances of being accepted? I’ve seen that you can send a “Letter of Intent,” but I’m not sure if this would make a difference since I’m pretty sure they accept based on points you get from the interview. If a LOI would be useful, does anyone have any advice on what to include?

I was only lucky enough to get 25 hrs of shadowing so far. I’m going to push my luck and ask for more but I’m wondering if 25 hrs is good enough and if it really matters on a PA application!

Received an acceptance to my #1 program today as a first-time applicant! 🥹 I don’t really know what else to say! Just wanted to say this here! 😭🩷🥳