I've been looking at the average applicant stats recently, and it seems like applications are becoming more and more competitive. With that, I'm really worried if I have an actual shot, as I really would love to pursue this as my career. I only have a 3.48 gpa. I have a C in in Stats, and a C in anatomy lab, and swimming. But the rest of my grades are relatively decent. I'm also studying extremely hard for the MCAT right now, do you think I would have a chance if I score reasonably well on the MCAT? I'm willing to do whatever it takes, but I'm nonetheless worried as be gpa is rather low..
Re: Applicant Stats
Posted by tetsuo on April 1, 2016, 9:09 am, in reply to "Applicant Stats"
The swimming portion of the interviews is really tough so you might want to retake it
Re: Applicant Stats
Posted by flyingscot32 on March 31, 2016, 4:56 pm, in reply to "Applicant Stats"
Based on my experience, your overall GPA is not too low (mine was a 3.45). It seemed like my program cared far more about my prerequisite GPA. I think a very strong MCAT would ease the worries programs would have in granting you an interview, especially when you consider the stats and anatomy principles required to succeed when taking the "new MCAT". That might be easier said than done for you, based on the grades in those courses. Additionally, most programs do not accept pre-requisite grades below a B-, so you will likely be faced with retaking anatomy lab and stats regardless of your MCAT score. You should be able to take one, if not both courses this summer depending on what other time commitments you have.
Sadly I can't provide personal experience of this, as I took the GRE (which was originally for PA programs, but I discovered AA late last year).
Re: Applicant Stats
Posted by AA Hopeful on March 31, 2016, 5:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Applicant Stats"
Hi, Flyingscot32
Thanks a lot for taking your time to provide helpful input, any more opinions are more then welcome. I see that might be the case, any medical graduate program is very difficult and requires a concentrated and determined effort. I'm not confident yet on how well, I would do on the MCAT, but I carefully mapped out a timeline and am reviewing 2-3 test prep materials in preparation for the test, going to be grinding pretty hard for the test. I'm considering re-taking statistics online, but taking the anatomy lab, might be really difficult as my family is constantly moving...am I out of luck? I have a decent grade for the course, just the lab kind of messed me over. That's interesting though, I also originally wanted to go for the PA route as well, I'm interested in knowing what made you change your mind and has the outcome been anticipated?
Re: Applicant Stats
Posted by flyingscot32 on March 31, 2016, 6:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Applicant Stats"
Your anatomy course's lab component was not a portion of the total anatomy course grade? That is odd. You may be best suited to retake anatomy entirely, including the lab component. Before you take either course, I highly encourage you to contact admissions departments to confirm that the courses you plan to take will be accepted by the program. It's better to change a plan before you invest time and money into courses than afterwards, even if the solution is initially less convenient.
I initially considered the switch to AA from PA when I learned that my years of research work would be seen as an asset in the eyes of AA admissions committees. This is a stark contrast to how that time was perceived by PA committees, who would have preferred me to have spent my professional life as a CNA, EMT or phlebotomist after college. I hit a bit of a wall with PA school apps, and I was beginning to accept the fact that I would need to leave the job in the lab if I was ever going to enter PA school when I discovered this profession. The tipping point was my shadowing experience. I absolutely loved every second of it, something I could not say about my time with PA's or MD's. As a result, I decided to apply. I'll start my first semester in August, and I'm pleasantly surprised it has gone this well so far.
Re: Applicant Stats
Posted by tetsuo on April 1, 2016, 9:09 am, in reply to "Re: Applicant Stats"
That's pretty normal for the lab grade to be a separate course for one credit hour or something
Re: Applicant Stats
Posted by AA Hopeful on March 31, 2016, 9:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Applicant Stats"
I see what you mean, I'll check with the schools, found some good accredited inexpensive courses online, still quite a bundle tho. It gonna be a lot more studying, but it seems like it would be worthwhile investment.
Your reasons are very similar to mine in applying. I've looked into the relative data for PA schools, most require a minimum of 1000-2000 hrs, but those accepted now, have roughly 4000 hrs of paid experience, coupled with relatively high gpa. Not very interested in pursuing the CNA/EMT route either.
Wow, that is really impressive what kind of research work did you do? I remember doing some research work myself during undergrad. Experimented with reverse mutations in halobacteria, and tried identifying viruses through fluorescent labeling.
Thanks, again for the input
Re: Applicant Stats
Posted by Texas AA on May 18, 2016, 8:03 am, in reply to "Re: Applicant Stats"
not sure if anybody on the board know this or not but a Memorial Hermann in Houston Texas is replacing 100 AA with CRNA. They need help fighting. This is just the beginning for all AA's. CWRU Houston main Rotation.
on March 31, 2016, 4:26 pm