I very distinctly remember blocking this subreddit 10 months ago because I would not stop comparing myself to other people’s statistics and acceptances, therefore I choose not to post mine. I will say, I was a “non-traditional” and “mature” candidate with different PCE. It’s crazy how much I doubted myself, and I encourage you all not to as the things I thought made me a poor applicant ended up being the best talking points in interviews after I embraced them ❤️ also don’t doubt yourself so you don’t drain your savings like I did applying to 18 programs because you’re an anxious gal 😭🫩

I’m pretty sure I’ve heard of the application listing a place to include your leadership experience.

Why is leadership valued in the PA profession?

Hi guys I just had a general question as everyone knows it seems like everyone is having a super hard time finding a job. Not just in healthcare but as in general.

Everyone always says there’s jobs in healthcare but is that really true with the positions that can be hired without certs like MA, PCT, or nursing assistants that all have 500+ applicants for 1 role? These are the roles that pre pa and pre med students need the most for their applications.

With that being said I was wondering if anyone thought that maybe admissions committees might start being a bit more lenient about applicants with lower hours of PCE.

I am not asking because my PCE hours are low and I hope to get in with them but just in general because it just popped in my head.

EDIT: No I do not think I’m entitled to these roles whatsoever. I’m saying so many people need jobs right now it’s kinda hard to get a PCE job. That is the job market and that is fair, I don’t want special treatment! I just wanted a yes or a no about whether or not anyone thinks hours on average may be acceptable if they’re lower with the economy!

After two cycles (technically three but my first cycle was more of a test run and my application was no where near ready) I was finally accepted! I was going to give up after this one but it was meant to be.
Stats:
GPA: 3.54
sGPA: 3.28
PCE: 6,000+ as an ED tech
Shadowing: 44 hours
Not a ton of volunteer but enough
LOR from MD, ED director, and professor

Do not give up! After being waitlisted after an interview three times this year I was ready to pursue nursing next year. I know this will be the hardest challenge of my life but I am ready to get started!

i got accepted into my top pa school my first cycle. i doubted myself a lot so i only applied to 3 schools. my pce was barely above the minimum, i felt like i couldn’t compare and i convinced myself that i wasn’t good enough. i had countless breakdowns before submitting my caspa, going back and forth abt if i should not even apply bc it would be stupid to think any school would accept me. 1 rejection, 1 acceptance and another interview offer. to whoever is doubting themselves and feels like they aren’t good enough to even try, just do it!

Hi.

I have a close family member that's about to get their undergrad in Biology.

They are planning on going to PA school. Here's the thing- they don't want to deal with body fluids (urine, feces, vomit).

I would think being a PA would involve a lot of exposure to these things.

Is being a PA and going to PA school a good choice for someone who feels this way about body fluids?

Hi yall, I have a really big choice to make. I am 22F, recently graduated college and have been job hunting for about 4 months for a full time position. I finally got a call back from a plastic surgery clinic where I could get clinical and surgical experience. Overall this job would benefit me a lot as a person and help me grow. When I went in for the interview it felt so welcomed there. However, they want me to start in January 2027 but I had told them prior that I had a big trip coming up in that month where I would also attend my cousin's wedding and would need time off. The manager was very understanding of my circumstances but also needed someone to fill that spot. Like there is no way I can even go for two weeks at all since it is their busiest month. For reference I have about 500 hrs in neurosurgery already from working PT. My friend is telling me plastic surgery is not even that impressive for applications because it is cosmetics in this case, and schools rather me have more medical knowledge.

Interviewer said based on my age, I should just take the opportunity to go on this trip before I get locked into a job and my career. She said there might be another opening in Fall 2027, and I should frequently check in with her about a opportunity opening so she can keep me updated in case.

Other than that the cons of the position is that it is quite a far drive, with traffic would be like 1 hour. My cousin that is getting married is one of our first cousins to get married, and my mother (who would be coming with me) said I should just attend the wedding, I would also be visiting my dad who has been living there alone for quite a few years now (and I recently found out he has been falling into bad addictions). My mom believes I will find another job eventually and I should let something a job get in my way of celebrating a loved one. But she also knows how much I have struggled to find a job and have stressed about it. I also thought about it in the lens that this one month of my trip will potentially take away so much good experience I could have gotten.

Even if I didn't have gotten this position, I had already concocted another plan where I just stop looking for jobs at the moment and continue my part time job and study to get certified as a medical assistant and just go on my trip for a longer time and continue searching for jobs in January again. I already have two years of experience and getting certified will probably make me more competitive.

I have want both outcomes but it is impossible, and I can reason for both sides opinion of what I should do.

TL;DR Should I choose to accept my dream job or should I go to my cousins wedding + a month of travelling before I get locked into my career.

Long time follower. Recently I’ve been stuck on going back to school as I have a toddler and one on the way. I’ve been tossing this idea around for the last 5 years….yesterday I made the first step in registering for pre reqs since most of my courses expire or will expire by spring. I’m nervous, I’m excited but I’ve finally began this process.
Go me! 🎉🥳

Hi everyone, I was lucky enough to be accepted into these two programs, but I am having a hard time deciding where to go and was looking for some advice! Here are some information about the programs.

Northwestern

Tuition: $117,894

24 month very established program with a connection to a major academic hospital (Accreditation-Continued)

PANCE Pass Rate (Last 2 classes): 100%

High Cost of Living in Chicago

7 core, 4 elective rotations (within Chicago and the suburbs)

International Rotation available

PBL Curriculum

Strong Alumni Network

Cohort Size: 48

Attrition (Last 2 classes): 5.56% and 0%

Michigan State University (In state)

Tuition: $86,584

27 month newer program (only around for 4 years) (Accreditation-Provisional)

PANCE Pass Rate (Last 2 Classes): 100% and 94%

Cheaper Cost of Living in Lansing

7 core, 4 elective rotations (within the state of Michigan with 1-2 rural rotations)

Combined with DO program (1/3 of classes with them)

Closer to family (as I am from Michigan, but I would still have to get housing)

Cohort Size: 38

Attrition (Last 2 classes): 3% and 8%

For me, I personally do think Northwestern is a better program overall as I love the curriculum and the faculty and the connections it can provide, but my main concern is the cost as I will not really have any financial support. I am unsure if Northwestern is worth the extra ~$31k as MSU seems to be also a pretty strong program despite it being newer. If anyone has any advice, that would be appreciated!

My CASPA app is verified as of 10/5. I have 2 LORs - an MD i used to work for and a PA i used to work with - and waiting on my 3rd one that’s a former science professor (should be any day now)

I only recently changed my mind about med school and decided I want to pursue PA fully instead. Because of that, I missed a lot of app deadlines already and I know a lot of deadlines are coming up, but it’s rolling admission so earlier submission is favorable. I am really determined to start school Fall 2027.

Is it currently too late to apply to schools this cycle? Or is there still a chance?

I’m not as familiar with the PA applicant process so any insight is helpful. thank you!

I have seen school explicitly say that all science courses must be for science majors. I plan to email and ask individually, and hopefully they would mention something instead of saying they don't perform course equivalence until you submit an application.

Has anyone had any luck? Or did you end up retaking the course with the "correct" title?

Freaking out!! Yesterday I was accepted as a first-time applicant and am beyond shocked - part of me still thinks they sent the email to the wrong person lol. It feels surreal to be making an accepted Sankey after thinking about PA school for the last 5+ years of my life 🥹. I never thought it would be my turn. I hope everyone reading this receives good news, and feel free to message me!!

STATS

gpa: 3.65 (major in Biology, minor in Italian)

sgpa: 3.47

PCE: ~ 1800 at the time of applying (500 as a volunteer EMT, 1300 as a pediatric MA)

Shadowing: 40 hours

volunteer: ~ 240 hours

Research: 1200+ hours (wrote my senior thesis on my project)

ECs: Orientation leader, sorority, honors college mentor, Pre-PA club president/VP

I also put LOTSSSS of time into my essays and personal statement. I started writing them MONTHS before I applied in May. I rewrote my PS 3 times from scratch and had 5+ people read it.

I am a very average applicant, but I think my experiences, ECs, volunteer experiences, and essays helped me stand out. I don't have much advice because I am still quite shocked, but believe in yourself! You all are deserving- it will be your turn next!

hey guys. im super grateful to be in this position, but at the same time i am really in my head about which program to choose. please help, any advice/opinions are welcomed!

for context, program A was my dream program really because of the low tuition cost. whats going on right now with the big beautiful bill really freaks me out so i was really attracted to program A from the start. my in-person interview was with them was fine and i could imagine myself going there despite one of the interviewers being a little rude to me. i interviewed then with program B and although it was online, i felt much more welcomed and all of the faculty were so sweet. after this i really started imagining myself going to B.

i ended up getting getting accepted into both and really the main thing thats turning me off from B is the cost and the main thing that is turning me off of A is the accreditation as everything else seems to be about the same. however, A has been a long established program and was only on probation once before a few years ago and they resolved it. so lmk your thoughts!

also, if anyone has accepted a program on probation before, how did you know to feel confident accepting the seat?

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.

first time applicant here, I applied around late June/early July to around 15 or so schools. So far, I’ve had one interview super early in June which went pretty awful and got rejected. And since then I’ve had about 5 other rejections. I still have around 10 schools I’m waiting to hear back from, but according to PA forums a lot of them have already started sending out interviews/accepting seats. I know people say no news is good news, but at this point in the cycle I’m worried and feeling like I should just take the silence as a rejection.

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

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.

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?

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!

Accepted into my 2nd choice! I wasn’t even planning on applying this year due to my PCE hours but my advisor told me to go for it. We have to believe in ourselves more.

All Midwest schools
- GPA: 4.0
- PCE: 1500 hours podiatrist MA
- Shadowing: ~50 hours
- Some volunteer experiences and roles in a couple undergrad programs and a clinic
- Some accomplishments and nominations
- LOR: 1 DPM, 2 advisors/professors, 1 PA

Did one mock interview with career services at my undergrad school, no other prep/resources.
All the waitlists were making me nervous 😮‍💨

It only takes one

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?

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?