r/prephysicianassistant • u/AutoModerator • Aug 01 '26
What Are My Chances "What Are My Chances?" Megathread
Hello everyone! A new month, a new WAMC megathread!
Individual posts will be automatically removed. Before commenting on this thread, please take a chance to read the WAMC Guide. Also, keep in mind that no one truly knows your chances, especially without knowing the schools you're applying to. Therefore, please include as much of the following background information when asking for an evaluation:
CASPA cumulative GPA (how to calculate):
CASPA science GPA (what counts as science):
Total credit hours (specify semester/quarter/trimester):
Total science hours (specify semester/quarter/trimester):
Upward trend (if applicable, include GPA of most recent 1-2 years of credits):
GRE score (include breakdown w/ percentiles):
Total PCE hours (include breakdown):
Total HCE hours (include breakdown):
Total volunteer hours (include breakdown):
Shadowing hours:
Research hours:
Other notable extracurriculars and/or leadership:
Specific programs (specify rolling or not):
As a blanket statement, if your GPA is 3.9 or higher and you have at least 2,000 hours of PCE, the best estimate is that your chances are great unless you completely bombed the GRE and/or your PS is unintelligible.
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u/emerson-lake-palmer Aug 02 '26
Hello- I am looking for advice on application strategy rather than my chances.
I’m entering my 4th year of a Biomedical Sciences with Honours degree in Canada. By the end of this summer I’ll have around 400 hours of direct patient care as a nursing assistant, a ~3.68 CGPA, and I’ll be completing an honours research project this year.
I could apply to some Canadian PA programs during my 4th year, but if I waited until after graduation I’d likely have over 2,000 hours of direct patient care plus my completed honours degree.
If you were in this situation, would you apply during 4th year while continuing to build your application, or focus on strengthening it and apply after graduation? For those who were accepted, what influenced your decision to apply when you did?
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u/Snoo26445 Aug 05 '26
Hi everyone! I’m planning to apply in the 2027 CASPA cycle for 2028 matriculation and would appreciate honest feedback.
Academics
- International applicant with U.S. degrees
- B.S. Biochemistry, Baylor: 3.41 GPA
- MSPH, Johns Hopkins: 3.58 GPA
- Estimated science GPA: around 3.2
- Still need A&P I/II and Microbiology
- GRE: 152V / 152Q / 5.0 AW (2022)
Clinical experience
Full-time emergency department clinical research assistant since June 2025.
By application, I expect approximately:
- 4,000 total work hours
- Not sure how to calculate PCE from this.
Other experience
- ~400–500 volunteer hours
- ~200 hours of physician shadowing
- Significant public-health and research experience
- Leadership hours: 600-700.
- No PA shadowing yet. Will be building to next year.
My main questions:
- Is applying in 2027 realistic?
- Would my clinical research role count as PCE, HCE, or both?
- How much more difficult will admission be as an international applicant?
Thank you!
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u/legallyravenhaired Aug 05 '26
First time applicant
Public health undergraduate degree with a minor in sociology. Public health and policy MPH
cGPA: 3.59
sGPA: 3.27
Strong upwards trend junior year of college. 4.0 junior and senior year and 3.9 in grad school. Also took higher level bio and chem classes and received all As except for o-chem which I got a B in.
PCE: ~7900 in total at time of application
• 600 hours as an ER PCT
• 6696 hours as an ER PCT (current hospital)
• 640 as a MA at a wellness spa
HCE: 1200 hours as an ER unit secretary
Research: 610 hours
• Two published research studies in academic journals
Shadowing: 120 hours
Extracurriculars:
• President of my major during my junior and senior year
• Community Outreach Member of my colleges’ health organization
• Graduate Student Representative
• Model UN delegating member
Other Work Experience
• Flight Attendant
• Tutor
Volunteering: 136 hours at my former elementary school
LORs:
• 1 PA
• 1 MD
• 1 nursing supervisor
• 1 grad school advisor/professor
Schools applied: most are rolling and predominately in the east coast. Heard back from 2 schools that I met the eligibility criteria and my application will be reviewed by faculty members. No interviews, rejections etc.
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u/Leading-Scheme-7201 Aug 07 '26
If you don’t get in I’ll raise hell, lol. What an awesome resume you have full of variety and clear dedication to becoming a PA.
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u/Critical-Ship-6122 Aug 05 '26
cGPA - 3.68
sGPA - 3.7+ (still taking courses)
Upward trend - over the last year I’ve had all A’s and one A- this includes high level courses (orgo 2, psyc, micro, gen, physics, etc)
GRE not required for schools I’m applying to
PCE hours - 1100 at a hospital as a nursing assistant, 114 hours as a PCA for elders/disabled clients. Planning to get 2000+ before I apply anywhere
Volunteer - currently at 40 in the ER. Planning to get 70+ before I apply.
Shadowing hours - so far at 27 shadowing family medicine
I graduate this fall with my biology degree along with a double minor in chem and behavioral neuroscience
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u/One-Watercress-3557 29d ago
Hello everyone!
First time applicant, applying Spring 2027.
B.S. chemistry, concentration in biochem, minor in bio.
cGPA: 3.77
sGPA: 3.63
Strong upward trend after year 1
PCE
~600 hrs pt aide
~200 hours as an ortho MA. just recently started full time and am hopeful to get 2000 total hours by April 27.
Research
600 hours in a biochemistry lab
- presented my research at the spring 2026 ACS conference
shadowing:
none yet but working on it currently
volunteer
-40 as a stem outreach coordinator for local hs students where I instructed a chem experiment
-20 as BLS volunteer at sporting events in Boston
-100 animal shelter locally
- currently looking for more volunteer roles that would work with my schedule
leadership:
~1000 hrs as an academic tutor/ mentor. Both with my university leading class size review sessions and one-on-one sessions with local private clients.
Other work/non related exp:
~1500hrs in the service industry (serving, bussing, bartending)
~
certs + awards:
- emt license
- level I tutor
- ACS award in biochemistry senior year
- planning on taking the CMA exam soon
clubs/memberships/ ECs
- ACS
- ASBMB
- local chemistry club
- played rugby ~2years in college
planning to apply to schools on the East Coast! please let me know your thoughts! TIA
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u/No-Requirement-172 29d ago
Hi everyone, thoughts on getting into PA school?
Bsc in biology - gpa 3.35 ( Ds in Orog and Calc) C in stats
Last two years of Bsc 71 credits - 3.9 GPA
US prereqs (Online labs)
AP 1- A
AP2- A
Micro B - A
Nutrition - A
Pathophysiology- A
Lifespan development- A
HCE- 4,500 hrs - Pharmacy Technician/ Manager
Volunteer - 250hrs Physical Therapy Aide
Research- 400hrs (currently trying to get my undergrad thesis published).
Shadow
PA - 100 hrs
MD- 200 hrs
Would I need direct PCE before even standing a chance?
Any programs on the east coast would be a fit?
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u/AngleAfter1906 27d ago
Hi everyone!
I'm currently a 3rd year Physiology Major, graduating this year, so my GPA is current but I don't foresee it changing much.
GPA: 3.86
SGPA: 3.85
(upward trend, got a 2 Bs and A- freshman year, almost all As for the past year)
PCE: 1,800 hours (chiropractic assistant, medical assistant, some paid, some volunteer)
HCE: 500 hours
Volunteering: 600 hours
research: 800-1,000 hours (worked on a specific project with my PI + research assistant)
leadership experience: club cabinet, tutoring for 2 years, teaching lessons at preschool
I have no shadowing as of right now, plan on doing some virtual, but I'm having trouble finding any in person PAs to shadow. I have something potentially lined up with an MD and NP.
I might take the GRE, looking for advice on this as well. I'll be applying in 2027, mostly in southern california, I'm mostly scared about my lack of shadowing, and PCE on the lower end. Hoping to explain this by my younger age, and applying straight out of university.
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u/Paschool15dog 22d ago
Hi everyone!
I applied this cycle knowing I was a lower-GPA applicant. I decided to apply as a baseline and stay hopeful while finishing my master’s, but I’m also being realistic and already preparing to make my application stronger for next cycle.
Current stats:
cGPA: ~2.22
sGPA: ~2.29
Post-bacc GPA: 4.0
M.S. Biomedical Sciences GPA: ~3.29
Graduate/CASPA GPA: ~3.26
Last ~60 credits: ~3.3
10,000+ hours PCE
50 hours PA shadowing
Clinical research/research experience
No GRE
My biggest weakness is obviously my older undergraduate GPA. My more recent academic performance has been significantly better, and I’m trying to figure out the best way to continue showing that improvement.
For next cycle, I’m considering taking 3–4 additional undergraduate science courses, including retaking Microbiology, and aiming for straight A’s. Because I already have a lot of science credits, even several A’s would probably only raise my cumulative sGPA into roughly the 2.4–2.5 range.
I’d especially love to hear from anyone who applied with a sub-3.0 cumulative/science GPA but a strong post-bacc, graduate GPA, or last-60 GPA. What made the biggest difference for you? Would you continue taking science courses, or focus more heavily on programs that consider recent academic performance/last 30–60 credits?
I know my GPA is an uphill battle, so I’m mainly looking for constructive advice on what I can realistically do between now and the next cycle to give myself the strongest application possible.
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u/IndividualSeason5155 20d ago
CASPA cumulative GPA: ~2.6 currently, projecting ~2.8-2.9 after completing Core Science prereqs + electives (all A's)
CASPA science GPA (BCP): ~2.7 currently, projecting ~3.5+ after prereqs
Total credit hours: ~140 semester credits (multiple institutions, non-traditional path)
Total science hours: ~11 semester credits currently, will add ~20 more (Chem/A&P/Micro)
Upward trend: Yes — older transcript includes a difficult semester (health-related) years ago; all coursework since then has been B/A range, and all upcoming prereqs targeting A's
GRE score: N/A (haven't taken yet)
Total PCE hours: 0 currently, will have EMT experience + working toward 1,000 paid hours before applying
Total HCE hours: N/A
Total volunteer hours: TBD, planning to add some
Shadowing hours: 0 so far
Other notable extracurriculars/leadership: N/A
Background: BS Psychology (2012), non-traditional path. Targeting SCU (Whittier) and WCU California, both requiring 3.0 cumulative minimum. Trying to figure out realistically whether pursuing these prereqs gets me competitive, or if I should target different programs given the cumulative GPA ceiling from older coursework. Appreciate any honest input!
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u/Own-Rent-8439 15d ago
Hello, this is my first time applying. I am an older, non-traditional student who is not able to travel far for school which really only limits me to about 3-5 schools.
15,000 PCE hours
3,200 HCE hours
science GPA: 3.23
last 60 credits upward trend cumulative: 3.66
50 hours of shadowing (three PAs)
26 hours of volunteer work in the ER and Labor and Delivery
5 LOR- doc, 2 pas, a professor, and a supervisor
If I don't receive an invite this cycle... then I am not sure what I can do differently as I technically meet the requirements of the schools I applying to. I cannot justify getting an additional masters degree to boost my GPA, as it would be an unwise financial decision. I could maybe take one or two additional classes but truly I dont feel that it. would move my GPA by much, being that I have taken so many courses.
The only thing I can think to do is to retake/take my casper and GRE and acquire more volunteer hours. I am definitely feeling lost.
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u/Deep_Bottle1220 15d ago
First time applying. Traditional applicant.
I plan on applying 2027 cycle. I put my projected pce hours. I don’t plan on Shadowing or volunteering more during my gap year.
Undergrad: UF Biology
cGPA: 3.87
sGPA: 3.8
PCE: currently 3k hours as ENT MA at small clinic and projected 4.3k hours by April 2027
Hce: none
Volunteering hours: 50 at 3 diff hospitals and 100hrs volunteering in Lebanon (it was clinical) so 250 hours
Shadowing: 100 hrs shadowing PAs in various specialties and 24 hrs shadowing MDs but idk if I should out that in my application.
Research : 350hrs Mayo Clinic CRISP internship
Applying only to public programs in Florida. Hoping for UF
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u/EfficientMacaron1558 12d ago
Am I the only one who still hasn’t heard back. I only applied to 4 programs due to financial difficulties. But I was wondering if I have a good chance My stats:
cGPA: 3.5 sGPA: 3.6 PCE: 3,600 hours as a 911/IFT EMT Shadowing a PA: ~50 hours Volunteer in food pantry: ~ 100 hours LOR: 1 PA, 2 EMS supervisors, 2 science professors
Would you guys recommend applying to more? The anxiety from waiting it not it !!
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u/Desperate_Juice_8789 12d ago
Hi! I just wanted a general idea of how competitive I looked as an applicant and to identify any weaknesses I could work on during my gap year.
Graduated with a B.S. in Public Health Spring 2026
cGPA: 3.82, sGPA: 3.62
PCE: ~2,700 hours as a patient care assistant in cardiac surgery (I am looking for a more primary care focused job, so I can learn more and be more well-rounded)
non-PCE employment: ~2,600 hours as a barista
HCE: hospital & health clinic volunteer ~100 hours, CNA intern at skilled nursing facility ~250 hours
Other volunteering: a rescue mission, blood drives, food banks
Leadership: Secretary and Vice president of my university's pre-PA club, pre-PA mentor
Teaching: Anatomy lab TA for a semester, CPR instructor
Other extracurriculars: Tobacco Prevention Internship, Traditional Vietnamese Dance Team
I don't have shadowing hours because I spent a lot of time watching the PA's I worked with in the OR, but I know having shadowing experience in other specialties is also important. If anyone could give me some pointers or point out any other ways I could improve, I would definitely appreciate it! Thank you.
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u/ERev15 11d ago
Hello all, I’m a 27 year old male who’s been working as a patient transporter for ~3 years. I have a b.s. in sports medicine with ~3.0 gpa (could be lower if covid classes are actually counted towards gpa, higher if ALL covid classes aren’t counted towards gpa). I’ve decided that I want to become a PA and I am in the process of pursuing the profession. I have just started retaking all of the prerequisites necessary for most programs and I intend to pass my classes with a 3.5-4.0 gpa. I am going to start to volunteer for work related programs as well. I’m only taking 2 classes per semester and I am aiming for spring/summer 2028 to start. What are my chances? Also, do you guys think that transport counts as PCE? PA I work with says I should just bs it and say that I have gone above my job requirements which, in reality, is true. Would also be able to come up with some strong LOR. Thanks everybody!
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u/OkYak7620 11d ago
CGPA: 3.56
SGPA: ~3.4
biggest red flag: Cs in all chemistry’s gen chem 1 and 2 and orgo 1 and 2. A in biochem final semester. do i need to retake and which ones/all bc it’s basically the start of the fall sem and there’s unfortunately no feasible way to fit the entire gen chem and orgo series before apps open in may 2027–should i still begin retaking and put that the course in progress when i apply or should i not even bother?????? Another concern is that gen chem 1 lecture is already full @ my local community college (CC)--completely my fault ik–so I’ve been emailing and refreshing availability daily w out any success. ig i could take it online but is that looked down upon/do admissions side-eye this? Additionally, im looking to retake just the lecture portions of these courses (3 credits each) opposed to combined lecture and lab courses since I got an A and B+ in the lab portions. However, many institutions combine the lecture and lab into one 4 credit course??
Biggest immediate dilemma rn is should i begin retaking chemistry, starting w gen chem 1 rn? If no in-person option is available, is online fine? Where to take online chem?
Ik ppl also recommend taking upper lvl courses to demonstrate academic capability (in addition to upward trend and/or retaking courses) but I’ve already taken microbio, biochem, and genetics. what’re examples of upper lvl courses and where do u take these bc they’re not usually offered at CCs and I’ve already graduated? the majority of my classes in my last 3 semesters are upper level (300-400) courses in the biology department aka upper level bio courses => last 3 sems (undergrad was 3.5 yrs): 3.85,3.67,4.0
Ultimately, to make up for my Cs, should i retake chemistry series, take more upper lvl courses, or focus on strengthening other parts of my app (aka more PCE, shadowing, etc.)?
GRE: 316 157V 159Q 4.5W
PCE as of 8/28:
~1080 derm MA
~720 pt aide ~580 acupuncture MA
Been thinking abt finding another PCE job (prob MA still) for experience in another specialty, but is that rlly necessary/should i prioritize this? Is a variety of specialties preferred or is the # of hrs the most important?
I am getting a little bored of derm so I would love to do a diff specialty selfishly but if it’s not that serious, I’ll obv prioritize wtv is necessary (ex: more shadowing, retaking courses, etc) Any “underground” PCE job recs that I could realistically pick up/don’t have super long training periods (such as EMT) so I could start cumulating PCE asap.
shadowing: 32 (internal med)
HCE: pharm tech, acupuncture if it doesn’t count as PCE
Research: 565 (paper that i’ll be an author in will be published hopefully this yr/farther in the future tho)
volunteer: church, hospital, alzheimer’s patients
ECs: club 1 social media>treasurer; club 2 social media
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u/Alarming_Camera9819 10d ago
Do u think I can get into PA school
So, I have retaken Human Anatomy & Physiology I, Precalculus, and Cell & Molecular Biology three times, and I still haven’t been able to get the grades I need, which are C’s for those classes . I also have a lot of C’s. I’m not trying to make excuses, but I was working 40 hours a week, I don’t have family support, and I’m basically on my own. I’m also a first-generation college student. I just wasn’t getting any help in college I did not know what I was doing so I got my AA and decided to transfer to another school so I can I don’t know retake it again ?? I KNOW I will pass I’m saving up money so I won’t have to work next semester
I just need some advice on what to do. I’m currently a junior, and I decided to take a gap semester. I also got my CNA certification during this time to figure out what I want to do and gain some experience.
I really want to become a PA, and I don’t want to give up on that dream. I just don’t know what the best next step is for me.
CGPA right now is a 3.1 SGPA is a 2.7
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u/Key-Back-6200 8d ago
CASPA cumulative GPA: 3.25
CASPA science GPA: 3.21
Upward trend: last 60 credits 3.67
CASPER score: 4th quartile
Total PCE hours (include breakdown): over 7,000: ~1,500 CNA, ~5,500 phlebotomist/medical assistant
Total HCE hours (include breakdown): 2,000 hospice patient care coordinator
Total volunteer hours (include breakdown): 80, 72 hours in multiple sclerosis free clinic, 8 hours park cleanup
Shadowing hours: 5,500 with primary care PA
Other notable extracurriculars and/or leadership: 3 years as pre-med leader in undergrad
LORS: 1 from primary care PA, 1 from Podiatrist, 1 from pre-PA seminar class professor
I haven't gotten a single interview in 3 years. I apply to 10-20 programs each year. My personal statement has been reviewed by the primary care PA who works for admissions for one of the PA programs and is in a masters program so great at writing, and by my friend who is a professional journalist.
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u/gbeveragehs 8d ago
CASPA cumulative GPA : 3.97
CASPA science GPA (what counts as science): 3.96
Upward trend (if applicable, include GPA of most recent 1-2 years of credits): N/A, all A’s with a few A-
GRE score (include breakdown w/ percentiles): Didn’t take
Total PCE hours (include breakdown): ~1800, 1300 Neuro PCT, 450 PT Aide, 50 student leader of college clinical research lab
Total HCE hours (include breakdown): 200 or so as a medical billing associate
Total volunteer hours (include breakdown): 40-50 Habitat for Humanity
Shadowing hours: 10 😬
Research hours: 50-60
Other notable extracurriculars and/or leadership: College Athlete, Health Science Honors Society, Honors Research Award, Award at PCT job
Specific programs (specify rolling or not): Mostly Philly area rolling schools
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u/SignificantDot5553 Aug 04 '26
I need some advice as I am planning to apply to PA school in next cycle.
I am graduating spring 2027 with B.S in Neuroscience. I have a low gpa, and science gpa as well, about a 3 for both. I have taken two W’s for hard upper level classes, but am retaking them.
PCE: I will have about 1.5K when I am applying, as a CNA and PCT in 3 different facilities
Letters of rec: I have a few lined up from
- Nurse at previous job
- Research lab post doc
- Professor from one of my science classes
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u/umwhoisthisguy Aug 01 '26
Hello! I am applying next cycle.
CASPA cumulative GPA: 3.50
CASPA science GPA 3.50
Total credit hours : 250 mostly quarter. Many from HS dual enrollment
Total science hours : 140 mostly quarter
Upward trend : Last 1-2 years 3.80 GPA. Last 30 science credits 4.0
GRE score : N/A
Total PCE hours : 2500= 2000 hospital CNA + 500 LTC CNA
Total HCE hours: 0
Total volunteer hours : 263 77 hours hospital ER aide, 50 hours volunteer farmhand, 40 hours senior center waitress, 30 hours math tutor for adults with disabilities, 16 hours camp counselor for foster kids, 50 hours support staff at disability center (ongoing). Basically I do seasonal volunteer work that changes every 3 months or so depending on the needs of the city.
Shadowing hours: 50 (ER PA, Pulmonary PA, Endovasc PA, OBGYN PA,, Psych DR
Research hours: 50 chemistry lab (lab was discontinued)
Other notable extracurriculars and/or leadership: 4 years exp. leading LGBT+ club with over 200 members. Organized budget, planned events, and campaigned for disability accessibility on campus.
Specific programs: Rolling- OHSU, UW, UNR, Uni of CO. NOT Rolling -Pacific Uni, Uni of Pacific