u/MSG_Marx

*Shower Thoughts*.

Before I knew I would be fortunate enough to secure a seat this cycle there were multiple PAs old and young (some that just graduated 2 yrs ago) telling me that the PA schools have gotten way more competitive when I asked them about it. I’ve also noticed trends that are taking place more in application cycles younger students/ average higher gpa. Just look at pa program websites (including the old and new ones) their accepted averages are rising each year. PCE hours mattering but only if your gpa is just as high. I’m not saying applicants outside of this don’t get in but it’s way harder.
My question is why is the pre-pa identity changing? Or why do you think it’s not? Is there a shift happening in the average applicant where the original multi-year PCE older adult with experience but low gpa has now been shifted out by young pre-med gpa, low PCE (less than 1k)applicants?

I myself have 7k hrs/ 3.79gpa so I’m not sure which one really held the most weight. I see applicants on here getting in with high GPA and 500-1000 hrs PCE though.

Edit*- to clarify like I said I have been accepted. Nothings wrong with my social skills lol.

I’m (24M) heading into a PA school interview next week. I have short, neat starter locs that don’t reach past my eyebrows. I plan on getting them pulled back into cornrows with a burst fade on the sides. With my silver framed glasses to really sell professional look.

My question is about the brown highlights in my hair. Since it’s not a single solid color is a bit more risky? Should I dye my hair back to black before the interview, or is it okay to leave it as is?

I just spent $900 just to book a flight and hotel for a PA interview. My question is: how do you guys afford this?
For those applying to 20 schools, how is that even possible? I only applied to three, and it already cost me hundreds. I don’t qualify for the CASPA waiver, and don’t even get me started on CASPER and the GRE. I made sure not to apply to schools requiring those, even though I’ve already taken the GRE.

On top of that, if you get an acceptance, it’s another $1,000 deposit just to hold your seat while waiting for other schools. Juggling rent, food, gas, and health insurance makes it feel like my money is just disappearing. This is my first fly-out interview and I’m already feeling the burn and this is all before the big beautiful bill drops and I have to take out private loans.

I’m genuinely curious: how do you do it? Has anyone actually dropped $5,000 to $10,000 on applications and interviews? Is that even sustainable? If my job didn’t pay semi well I’d be cooked.

Hello, I’ve applied to three schools already this cycle but thinking about adding a new program to the list. They are a brand new program (January 2025) and have no stats out yet (attrition rate, pance scores, etc.). The reason I want to apply is because they match a lot of the things I need from a PA school like next to major medical center, January Start, among other things. My stats aren’t bad, but I’m trying to apply to schools early that take an in-progress course so I could use my stats to my advantage early. Do I risk applying here?