- Joined
- May 25, 2016
- Messages
- 17
- Reaction score
- 1
Life happens, eh?
In my two-year-long (approaching three years) hiatus as a post-undergraduate, I have considered joining a PA program because of projected job prospects. However, as an underrepresented minority, I would like to see if my credentials would measure up: I have a 3.09 undergraduate cGPA and roughly a 2.8 undergraduate sGPA. Unflattering as these may seem, I have gained a significantly 11-month long experience working as a pharmacy technician trainee. Other experiences involved hopping from one research program to another in my undergraduate career, including working as a clinical assistant for two months. Additionally, I have a dual bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry, so that is always a plus - I guess.
I do not want to pursue pharmacy because of the low projected wages and the high turnover rate that I have experienced. Furthermore, the only schools that seem to accept me are private universities located within the five boroughs of New York State. The only way I could see myself considering these schools is if I join some government program to subsidize some or a significant portion of my tuition. (It would be helpful if anybody knows of any.)
Anyhow, with my explained motivation aside, I have discovered that some PA schools have dropped their GRE requirements this year. Additionally, I have seen some schools require either a philosophy or sociology course, none of which I have taken. I have heard that getting into PA schools is competitive and that some work experience in specific sectors of the healthcare industry is a bonus. Considering I have not sat for the GRE yet and the information previously mentioned, what must I do to increase the likelihood of getting accepted into a PA program? Or have I already met the requirements necessary to qualify?
Please comment, rant, or give an honest take on this matter. I would appreciate the latter.
In my two-year-long (approaching three years) hiatus as a post-undergraduate, I have considered joining a PA program because of projected job prospects. However, as an underrepresented minority, I would like to see if my credentials would measure up: I have a 3.09 undergraduate cGPA and roughly a 2.8 undergraduate sGPA. Unflattering as these may seem, I have gained a significantly 11-month long experience working as a pharmacy technician trainee. Other experiences involved hopping from one research program to another in my undergraduate career, including working as a clinical assistant for two months. Additionally, I have a dual bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry, so that is always a plus - I guess.
I do not want to pursue pharmacy because of the low projected wages and the high turnover rate that I have experienced. Furthermore, the only schools that seem to accept me are private universities located within the five boroughs of New York State. The only way I could see myself considering these schools is if I join some government program to subsidize some or a significant portion of my tuition. (It would be helpful if anybody knows of any.)
Anyhow, with my explained motivation aside, I have discovered that some PA schools have dropped their GRE requirements this year. Additionally, I have seen some schools require either a philosophy or sociology course, none of which I have taken. I have heard that getting into PA schools is competitive and that some work experience in specific sectors of the healthcare industry is a bonus. Considering I have not sat for the GRE yet and the information previously mentioned, what must I do to increase the likelihood of getting accepted into a PA program? Or have I already met the requirements necessary to qualify?
Please comment, rant, or give an honest take on this matter. I would appreciate the latter.
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