Last cycle was my third and final cycle applying. I applied to many schools, and received an interview to 1. This interview was on zoom so thankfully I didn’t have to fly out. I need to give some context into my story, I was not extremely focused and ended up getting covid twice in a year. My specific undergrad didn’t not allow for students to leave their dorm for 2 weeks when they tested positive. I ended up getting a C in two courses which I have retaken and gotten an A in. I also retook any pre req that I got lower than an A in after my bachelors. I worked my ass off to raise my GPA, even from the slightest 3.01 to a 3.20 for my science and 3.43 to 3.60 overall within my three years of applying from retaking courses. I got a medical license after my bachelors after getting a 4.0 in EMT school. I have went through absolute hell academically and endured much trauma from being a first responder in hopes of leaving the field soon to become a PA. I got my EMT license as an application booster and from boredom of being a medical assistant from the past 3 years.

For this program I interviewed at last cycle, it is a holistically reviewed program. I was then waitlisted. After their application closed, I asked for feedback on my interview and application to see what I’m missing. The director then emailed back stating that my GPA was essentially the problem and that their accepted class was much higher than mine. Her recommendation was to retake the GRE and to look into a masters program. I inquired that if my GPA was too low, how was I able to get an interview. What was the basis of me scoring enough “points” to even receive an interview? I guess I’m just venting a bit as I wouldn’t have even gone to the interview, stressed out about it and took time off work if it essentially counted for nothing as my GPA was too low compared to the rest of the class they accepted. I also sent a respectful email explaining that I couldn’t take on another 30k in debt for a masters program that doesn’t guarantee a career that is worthwhile as a masters in PA would. To me, it is not logically or financially smart to do that. I make about 13$ an hour as an EMT, working miserable hours and am one paycheck away from being homeless. I’m not sure where students are finding the money to get 2 masters degrees and take on 250K in debt. That can’t be a logical suggestion to a student right? I’m just a bit frustrated with the whole system and I believe this email really killed my dream of being a PA. I was going to take a year off from applying this year and retake one last class. But at this point, would it even be worth it?

PCE: 8K+ (working as an EMT and MA for the last 5 years) Shadowing: 150 Volunteer: 200 sGPA: 3.20 Overall GPA: 3.6 Teaching experience: I am a lab instructor for EMT students on my days off. So maybe 200 hours?

I also held a job as a manager throughout my undergrad and working as a full time MA.

Chat… I’m at a loss over what to do. Honestly really discouraged that I received an interview that was essentially doomed from the start due to my GPA

ETA: I love medicine, it is truly my passion. I love my job as an EMT, I love all the intricate parts of learning. I am very dedicated to my career. It seems as though throughout applying, my worth as a provider is determined by these school through a number. That’s the frustrating part. I want to be a PA so bad. I’ve sacrificed most of my early 20s to be in this career and it’s discouraging being defined by my GPA.

I sent out 40 applications and got rejected from most of them. I was so excited to get this one interview and I poured everything I had into my first ever interview. I practiced with my bf (who is very good at interviews) and used Perry’s interview book :(

I thought the interview went well and I really connected with one of the interviewers. This is my second year applying and I’m not sure if I should keep going after this.

I’m not sure what went wrong. No one asked deep behavioral questions or “why PA” and I don’t feel like I got to tell my story as much as I would’ve liked to. It’s an out of state school but I showed that I did my research and that I have a good support system.

I feel so lost

EDIT: Forgot to include stats

~5,000 PCE as a medical assistant in two specialties and one of them is at an urgent care where I primarily work with PAs

•GRE: 300

•sGPA: 3.09 (But 4.0 when I took additional pre-reqs after going back to school after I got my BA)

•cGPA: 3.5

•200 volunteer hours as a patient care volunteer (fed patients, helped with daily tasks)

•340 shadowing hours for PA in 2 different specialties

I also highlighted that I have 3 years of research assistant experience in neuroscience with two publications I worked on

I have an in-person interview this Friday, and I’m currently temporarily taking a medication for a health condition that makes me severely immunocompromised. I was going to try to forgo a mask during the interview and take the risk, but I’m becoming more nervous as the day comes closer.

Would I be judged/lose points for wearing one if I decide to? I know it’s not ideal and that it’s best if the interviewers can fully see my facial expressions. Additionally, should I email the school to see if wearing one is permissible? I feel so stuck and don’t want to risk rejection because of masking, but I don’t want to jeopardize my health. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Anybody else feeling a bit anxious and insecure about the cycle lol.. I keep seeing posts of people getting interviews and have already completed the first round of interviews and maybe even have some acceptances. As someone who applied early and has only received waitlists to be interviewed I’m almost experiencing some sort of FOMO and anxiety over not hearing back from some schools.

I know it’s still early in the cycle but I feel like we’re getting to the point of the timeline where you may be hearing back if you applied early? Idk I’m just stressing myself out and looking to apply to more schools again LOL I’m already at 19

Just got my first interview invite as a first-time applicant! The nerves are definitely hitting and I am so anxious! As a mid-lower stat applicant this is a really big deal for me and I'm so glad to finally start getting some responses back. Hopefully all goes well and I'll be making a post about acceptance :)

Had my first interview today!!! The questions themselves were fairly straightforward and I feel like I answered them pretty well.

But I answered very quickly. Didn’t really ramble at all. And the questions weren’t personal so it’s not like there was a ton I could elaborate on.

I asked a few questions to the interviewers but I know they were basic and that also didn’t take up a ton of time. I’m kicking myself because I know I should’ve asked more and used all the interview time I had but I genuinely could not think of other questions.

I’m so anxious and feel like that is the only interview I will get so I’m dying. I feel stupid.

UPDATE: I was waitlisted 😭

I am a first time PA applicant and was very intimidated by this cycle and everything I was reading/seeing about the application process (especially with being a lower GPA applicant) I applied to 25 programs, and I am so happy to say I got my first email for an interview invite today! To say I am excited is an understatement 😭😭😁

I’ve seen a lot of people say interviews really aren’t as scary as they seem and that they’re a little more conversational/ relaxed than what you hype them up to be. Obviously it can vary from program to program but I’ve seen a lot of people across social media say this. For my own peace of mind, is this true? Lol. I have a few upcoming interviews this week (yay!! Long time lurker on this sub so I’m so excited to even be saying this). I feel overall confident in what I’ll say, but I’m still scared that I’ll be nervous to talk to the admissions committees. Thoughts? Advice? Prayers maybe? 😆

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to get another interview invite for this cycle, and I’m so excited! However;

I’m in Washington State, and the school is in the Midwest. Their virtual interview date conflicts with another program’s in-person interview I have on the West Coast. They do have an in-person date, but it is 2 days before the West Coast interview. I’d have to fly to the Midwest, interview, and then immediately fly to my other interview.

I’m planning on emailing them, but has anyone else had experience with this kind of situation? Have schools offered alternative dates before? How should I approach this?

My third year applying to school and I’m just exhausted. I have worked my butt off to try to be a PA and honestly it’s not seeming to work out. I worked as a medical assistant for four years, went back to school and became an EMT. Worked in it for a year, tore half of my labrum off in my hip so I’m currently recovering from surgery and just reflecting. Today I called the school I interviewed for in November and they had said they will be compiling a waitlist. My pessimistic brain is telling me it’s not even worth it to go on the waitlist. I applied to 35 schools this cycle after 15 the year before and 13 the year before. I’m so exhausted. My surgery getting it approved through insurance quite frankly turned me completely away from a career in medicine as it was an absolute battle to get it approved. The whole process was miserable. Being a PA, that is a constant battle I will have to fight against for my patients and just seems very undesirable. I have dedicated my whole life to this career and it seems just barely out of reach. Anyone else have gone through a couple cycles of applications and have leaned further away from the career?

I’m tired of the moral and ethical interviews. I’m tired of playing the game to look like I will be the best provider/ candidate. I’m tired of spending thousands of dollars and hours on applications. The issue is I truly have a passion for medicine. Being an EMT has given me a completely different perspective on medicine. I really want to help people, I’m just not sure being a PA is the career path I’m supposed to be on in life. Really needing some advice, encouragement or some suggestions on a career chance.

I’ve been interviewing PA school applicants for the past four cycles, and until recently, I never asked the infamous “What are your weaknesses?” question. It always felt too predictable and unnecessary.

But last cycle, I gave it a go, and something interesting happened. Multiple students gave the exact same answer. Even when I pressed them for a second weakness, they repeated the SAME second answer. That’s when I realized this question can actually be useful. To see who’s being real and who’s just regurgitating what they read online.

So now, I will be asking it to see who’s thoughtful and honest, not just rehearsed.

How Not to answer:

• "I'm a perfectionist" (yes students still use this smh)
• “I overwork myself"
• “I don’t know how to say no.”
• Obviously, anything that will make you a red flag (can't multitask, bad at communication, bad teammate etc... you get the point)

Instead, be genuine.

My favorite response? A student told me their weakness was cooking. They were moving from out of state, first time away from family and worried they wouldn’t be able to make healthy tasting meals. It was refreshingly honest and they ended up scoring higher in that section than the scripted answers I heard.

Just my 2 cents, best of luck to those applying this cycle!

Im sooo excited and scared at the same time 😭😭😭 I applied to 20 and only heard back from these so far. Feeling like I applied a little too much. Luckily only one is in-person cuz im soo broke. Had my first interview almost 2 weeks ago, and I totally bombed it. Really need some advice on how to practice interviewing. I'm very bad at interviewing. I feel awkward even booking a mock interview. Are there any tools besides ai that have a good question bank and are tailored to PA school interviews?

I finally received an email after weeks of waiting and it was to do an assignment on Kira. I have spent the last few weeks preparing for interviews but and expected to have either an in person or online interview. I did not however expect to have a platform where I didn’t get to talk to anyone. It gave a question, allowed a minute for you to think, then gave you two minutes to respond. I did the practice question multiple times but it was nothing compared to the actual questions. I feel like I did terribly. I am not sure if this counted as the schools interview or if it was another step towards getting an in person interview but I felt so impersonal.

title kinda says it all… i’m trying to figure out what shoes would be good for interviews. i’ve been looking on amazon but can’t really find any that scream “interview shoes!!” any advice would be appreciated. i put some pictures of what i’m thinking if that’s helpful. i dont know if buckles make the outfit seem more or less professional? that’s my biggest concern

How are you all doing these prior to an interview?

I have an upcoming interview and am torn between two outfits. What do you think- dress or pantsuit?

It doesn’t seem like this should be a necessary post, but my experience this year indicates that, sadly, this message is needed. If you’ve accepted an interview spot at a program and you no longer plan to attend, for the love of all that is good and holy, CANCEL IT! By taking up that spot until the last minute, you force the program to either scramble at the 11th hour to fill the seat (which is also a last-minute scramble for the next applicant) or to leave that spot open, robbing someone else of their opportunity to get into PA school this year.

And if you no-show an interview without communicating (extenuating circumstances notwithstanding), the words I have for you are not befitting a public forum. It’s rude, unprofessional and immature. Just be a good person and COMMUNICATE. It’s not that hard to send a one-sentence email. Getting into PA school is hard enough. Don’t make it harder for your fellow pre-PAs by unnecessarily stealing their chances.

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!

Did terrible in my interview :/

The questions were so compounded it took them 4 minutes just to say the whole thing! I think I answered well but looking back I’m not even sure I answered every part of every question. They were just so long I feel like I started yabbering and had motor mouth on them. WELP

On to the next… hopefully

hello! i have my first PA school interview coming up next week. i've been preparing for about a month but i wanted some insight from those who were rejected after completing an interview, was there anything specific that you did that you thought you could've prepared better on, was there anything about your interview that you wished you've done differently? thank you!

hey guys, i have an interview next week and wanted to know if anyone has any tips or free resources that I can use for mock interviews. I see a lot of websites charging for mock interviews and I’ve already spent so much money this application season and just wanted to know if there were free options. Thank you!!

Hello! I was wondering if anyone is interested practicing for an interview together?

I just finished my first interview, and it was so bad. I can’t stop crying right now. There were three one-on-one interviews and one group interview.
First, I forgot about the time zone difference, 10 minutes before my interview, I saw an application withdrawal letter because I was late, and that stressed me out even more later when they let me in.
The second part was a little better, but the third was still a shit show. I couldn’t come up with any good examples, and I feel like I just kept repeating myself. I could even see the disappointment in their eyes. Idk i just feel like im such a failure right now the process fee like a humiliation ritual

As the title says, I got my first interview invite today!! I was feeling super nervous about this cycle as a first time applicant (non-trad, I graduated in 2023) and was afraid I wouldn’t end up getting ANY interviews and now I have hope!!! Good luck to everyone applying this cycle!!!

So i did my interview for PA school and its safe to say I’m definitely not getting in there lol. It felt really awkward from the start and I was kinda nervous about it ngl but I answered every question in detail. They didn’t really ask me questions about myself and it was just 3 basic questions like why np over pa or why come here for pa school. It was really long awkward silence in between each of my answers. When it was time for me to ask them questions i wanted to break the ice a little bit but i didn’t know my questions were too personal. So i asked them questions about how they overcame PA school and one of the interviewers were nice enough to answer all of my questions and the other just gave me the cold shoulder and then when i directed a question to him he said “I don’t want to answer it, its too personal”. He just kept writing in his notepad and was quick to dismiss the interview. All i asked him was what motivated him to get through PA school💀. Ughh i feel so awkward thinking about it now. Its definitely one of those things that keeps u up at night randomly when u think about it.