r/prephysicianassistant

These departing Drs, Nurses, and resources were amazing they treated my father with such kindness. ER was crazy busy. Budgets are tightening everywhere. Please be patient with the new staff. 

Thank you !!!

i had my first virtual interview for a program today and the second part of the interview for this program is scheduled for next week. how do i approach the second part differently? For typical questions like why PA or tell me about yourself can I say the same answer I gave during the first part?

first time applicant

I have been on this sub for ages and now i am finally making this post,

i am shocked that i got in, but hey ho such is life

3.2s and 3.2c gpa

4000 hours pce, long term care cna

130 hours shadowing

120 hours volunteering

Third-time applicant here. This year is the first year out of the three where I thought I had a really good chance of getting into a program, as in addition to my thousands of hours of PCE, I actually have some shadowing hours and some volunteer hours (although admittedly not much compared to others I've seen), and completely revamped my personal statement. I did end up getting three interviews thus far, and I thought I did pretty well with them. However, I've been waitlisted to two programs (which based on what I've seen on the forums, waitlisted A LOT of people) and flat out rejected from the third. I know it's still early and haven't heard from all the programs I applied to, and people say getting on a waitlist is a good thing as it moves all the time, but as a natural-born pessimest, I can't help but feel I won't get in even if it moves, with all the better qualified candidates on the list. I just feel my confidence has been completely shot through all of this. The thought of having to potentially apply again next year and going through all of this again is just so demoralizing. Certainly doesn't help when everyone I talk to, whether it be family, friends, and coworkers all expect me to get in. Overall, I just feel so defeated.

hi this is my first cycle applying and I got two acceptances so far from my 5 interviews. I already payed for a seat (1500$) at a program that is close to where I already live and I was ok with attending here because I can live at home and not pay rent.

however there are some problems with this program:

1. it is new and is provisional accreditation

2. the graduation rate is 88% for the one year they have data on which is kinda low for my liking

3. they don’t have a lot of resources for students in terms of simulation and access to clinical sites being a newer program

4. it is SO EXPENSIVE just the tuition is 160k

the second program I got admitted to however is in another state and I would have to pay for housing, travel, and living apart from my family.

some info for the second program:

1. 98k for tuition

2. established, accredited continued

3. small class size, 24 students which I like

4. they have more resources for simulations and ultrasound training

5. it is in a small rural town which can be hard to have access to clinical sites as well

6. I would have to pay for a car (which I don’t have) and an apartment so wouldn’t these things end up being similar to the 160k tuition for the other program as well?

so I’m confused as to whether or not I should even pay for the seat in this second program I got accepted into or I should just stick to my local program I initially payed for. I have two more schools im waiting to hear back from which I would prefer over both these programs so Im really not looking to spend another 1000$ on a seat deposit I might not even use.

Looking for programs that give the students the opportunity to perform a full dissection, not just look at prospected donors. Thanks!

I got accepted! This was my first cycle and I was not expecting to get in AT ALL this round due to my low PCE and shadowing. I got one interview and now I’m accepted to that school! It was my first choice as well! So grateful!!

Edit with stats:
PCE: 1000 at the time of app (CNA nursing home, MA in Ortho)
Research: 228 (cell lab and capstone)
Volunteer: 500 (Girl Scouts, played piano for the hospital I work at, crocheted blankets for veterans in hospice, student athletic trainer in high school)
Shadow: 14 (would go into OR for an hour before work)
Leadership: 2114 (Specialty shop manager at Scheels, Section Leader in band)

cGPA: 3.92
sGPA: 3.89

Letters of rec: 2 PAs I work with, Manager from Scheels, 2 professors from college

Hi! I am looking for some input regarding NNP vs PA for mid level providers in the NICU. I currently have my masters degree in social work and have experience working in a level IV NICU. I have wanted to make the switch into a more medical based role for a while and I have started taking my science prereqs. I have gone back and forth between the RN to NNP route or PA. I like the idea of PA for lateral mobility and being taught under the medical model. But, I hear NNP is preferred in majority of hospitals. I haven’t provided hands on patient care yet so I’m nervous to commit to RN if I don’t enjoy the NICU from a medical standpoint. Any insight?

TIA!

Program A vs. Program B — Which Would You Choose?

Hi everyone!

I'm very fortunate to have been accepted into two programs! I'm having a difficult time deciding between the two and would love to hear opinions

Here is some general information about both:

Program A

• 27-month program
• Starts May 2027
• Tuition/fees: Approximately $115,000
• Well-established PA program with a large alumni network
• Located on main campus with extensive academic and simulation resources
• 10 clinical rotations, including 3 electives
• 2025 first-time PANCE pass rate: 97%
• Accreditation-Continued

Program B

• 27-month program
• Starts January 2027
• Tuition/fees: Approximately $130,000
• Smaller, newer PA program
• Cadaver anatomy lab and clinical skills training
• 2025 first-time PANCE pass rate: 98%
• Accreditation-Continued
• I had a really positive interview experience and loved the faculty and staff!

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed my experience interviewing at Program B and felt that the faculty and staff were extremely welcoming and supportive. However, Program A seems to have a more established PA program, a larger university infrastructure, and potentially more academic resources. Program A is also slightly less expensive, although I would be starting four months later.

My biggest priority is receiving the strongest possible education and clinical training to prepare me to become a competent PA. Location isn't a major deciding factor since I'm comfortable living in either area.

Thank you in advance!

Hello all,

I am still in disbelief about getting an acceptance a month ago. My dream is finally coming true. I will post my stats but also I have a few questions regarding waitlisting.

cGPA - 3.88

sGPA - 3.57

Shadowing ~60 w/ 3 different PAs

PCE ~ 850

LoR - nurse manager, PA, and research PI

Ok now on to my question and I will provide some context. So I have already paid my seat deposit for the school I have been accepted to but am also waitlisted from another in-state school that is MUCH cheaper. Both schools start in September so I am planning on attending the one I paid for and if I get taken off the waitlist at the other I will go. Anyways, the school I was waitlisted from mentioned how waitlisted candidates should contact the program with updates in components of application (new GRE, prereqs, more shadow/PCE/volunteer, etc...). I am planning on updating them with prereqs once I finish undergrad in December, but what I was wondering was is it worth getting a PCE job when I move back home for about half a year so I can update them with hours? I'm at around 1000 right now and would essentially be full time until August (that is if I can even get a job considering I don't have any certifications). Just wondering if anyone has any input or experience with this as I am wondering what the best course of action is before I start school?

anybody available to help me refine and critique my answers for common interview questions?

I was accepted into my top program, George Washington University joint MPH + PA program. It doesn’t feel real that I got into a top, highly ranked program. I’m extremely fortunate that I got an acceptance during my first application cycle. However, the happiness has faded as I look at the program costs. With the elimination of GradPLUS and the new caps of federal loans, it seems impossible for me to attend. I’m feeling so discouraged now because I would hate to lose an amazing opportunity.

Hi friends!!

For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted a job in healthcare. For the longest time, I thought it would be hard to achieve because I none of the rolls made sense to me. I was always good at math so I get a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Loved the program loved doing sciencey things and problem solving. Math was always my strong suit but I LOVE the classes that focused on medicine and the human body. Problem was there aren't many jobs that sounded fulfilling to me. That or I didn't get very far in the application process.

I worked as a general engineer for the past year and lost my job a month ago. Although I stayed for a while, I hated it. It was boring most of the time. I didn't know what I was doing and I was just there for the pay check and benefits. And honestly, I really wanted to do something in the clinical space. I worked on a hospital campus in a building detached from the main hospital. Everytime I went to the hospital, I'd try to talk to any healthcare provider about their job or what research they were working on.

I did realize that being a PA was a thing till I saw my primary care provider for some knee pain. He is a PA-C! After doing some research, I believe this is something I want to presue.

Is this a good idea? I looked at the requirements for PA school and I honestly want to do all of it! The shadowing, volunteering, patient care hours. I just feel weird with my experience trying to go to PA school. What made you want to be a PA? Is it feasible to have such a drastic career change? Thoughts?

Non-trad: graduated college 2022 worked a healthcare adjacent job and completed masters of public health. Decided I wanted to become a PA last summer. DIY post bacc for some retakes and pre reqs

CGPA: 3.4 (2 C’s in A&P, D chem 1, C chem 2)
SGPA: 3.4
Masters: 4.0
Post bacc 16 credits: 3.8 (re took both anatomy’s)

Shadowing: 8 hours
HCE (2,000)
-1,000 hours oncology clinical research coordinator
-750 hours corporate wellness program coordinator
- 350 unpaid internship hours. Working with rural/underserved populations. Both masters and undergrad.

Patient care (less than 1K)
-counted half of HCE hours as patient care
-started working as a scribe May of cycle I applied. Only around 200 hours at time of submission.
-130 hours volunteer MA at free clinic

*Gap year between high school and college with around 500 international volunteer hours collected.

Probably only reason I got in was because of my masters and writing about experiences in rural health. Demonstrated interest in primary care from public health background. Untraditional application but good stories.

Applied 10 schools
1 acceptance (provisional accredited)
1 interview w/ waitlist
1 declined interview invite

[removed]

I’m interviewing with a program that outlines in their program overview that a required expense is malpractice insurance. The exact wording is that malpractice insurance will be added to university bill after joining the AAPA. Is this normal, I thought programs were responsible for malpractice insurance during clinical year?

So, I have a predicament. Don’t get me wrong—I am so grateful to be in this position. But I have 2 interview invites for the same day, and neither school is flexible on their date/time. I will have to decide between the two. There’s no clear winner for me, so I’m hoping to have some outside/unbiased opinions!

About me (trying not to doxx myself)
- I am married and have one toddler-aged child
- Not a current resident of either state but I grew up in the state of School 1
- Grew up in a rural, medically underserved area
Have been working for 4 years in the ER in a large city
- Stats: 3.4 cGPA, 3.0 sGPA (last 60 hours ~3.7 GPA), 4500 PCE hours, 120 volunteer, 150 shadowing (50 hours are PA)
- I retook a couple of classes to boost my GPA and made A’s because I graduate in 2022 and this is my first cycle applying

School 1:
- In-person interview, all day
- January 2027 start planned *if it is granted provisional accreditation after October 2026 ARC-PA meeting*
- Last interview date for a rolling admissions school (applied right before deadline)
- Located in a large city I would love to live in, in the state where I grew up, about 3 hours from my family and very close to an airport where in-laws could visit
- Unsure if they are filling their waitlist or if they still have available seats in their cohort (36 total seats)
- No published average stats since they have not had a class matriculate yet
- Potentially more opportunities for spouse to find a job in their field
- We would consider remaining in this area after school due to proximity to family
- 24 month program
- Less established clinical sites

School 2:
- Rural area
- 60 seats (and supposedly about 170 interviews offered)
- Virtual interview
- May 2027 start date
- Established program
- Non-rolling admissions
- GPA averages are around 3.7-3.8 so mine is substantially lower, but the rest of my application is on-par with matriculants and I have exceeded their average PCE hours and GRE scores
- 98% first time PANCE pass rate the past 2 cohorts
- Higher tuition by about 50k
- About 10 out-of-state students currently in their class and 50 regional/in-state (which I am not)

To sum it up:
School 1: closer to family and would prefer living in this city but not yet provisionally accredited; end of cycle for rolling deadline school
School 2: established and less risk, but I have much lower GPA than their averages and am not in-state; non-rolling deadline