My husband and I are getting out of the military and moving back to Kentucky here soon. I'm in my last year at ASU- biological sciences major and have been a lab tech for 8 years in the Air Force. I'm finding it extremely difficult amongst the Covid crisis to find a PA to shadow in order to fulfill my requirements for PA school. Any suggestions!? Thanks for all the informative videos! Love following along.
Thanks for watching! So many have asked me that question. Unfortunately, it’s going to be near impossible to find someone to shadow right now. I think it’s going to come down to what region of the country you’re in and the specialty as far as your chances of getting that shadowing experience. You’re fortunate in that KY hasn’t been devastated by COVID at this time, so you might be able to find someone to shadow sooner than a student in NYC. You’ll likely have the best luck in those specialties that haven’t been as affected by COVID (ortho, derm, peds, surgery, etc). So, I’d start there!
I think in the ask me anything video I mentioned it. My GPA overall and science was around a 3.8. I had 1300 hours of PCE. GRE score was a 298. I applied to UK, UMKC, SLU, Midwestern, Rosalind-Franklin, Travecca, UAB, U of Wisconsin, Wichita State, UT Southwestern... and now I’m blanking on the last one? Possibly a school in South Carolina?
Silly question - you mentioned that we should upload our transcripts on day 1 but also that they have to be sent to CASPA’s address. So am I uploading an unofficial one first? I’m confused about when I should be requesting the official transcripts and to whom it should be sent and at what point I should be updating CASPA.
This might sound stupid, but I am going to take a gap year because I need to get my PCE first, after getting all the hours, then we are supposed to apply for CASPA right?
Hi, Just came across your channel, I was wondering if I have to be a certified worker (EMT/CNA) to get patient care hours. If not and I still manage to get a job without certification i.e ( PCA/ Homecare, etc), does it make my application less qualified?
Not really less qualified! It’s hard to find jobs without any prior training, but they exist. Some ERs will hire patient care techs with no certification like a CNA. Another I know of is a physical therapy tech or aide 👍
I have a question! What did you major in during college? Also, do you have a video about requirements that might be needed before PA school or any advice for someone in college? I am majoring in Biology and seeing your videos are very informative!
Been binge watching all your videos they’ve been so helpful!! I’m still a bit confused on when exactly I can start applying. I am graduating with my BA in May of 2022 and do not want to take a gap year. Most of the programs I want to apply to start May or June of every year (summer semester). This means I would need to apply in the spring of 2021, correct? I still won’t have all my pre-requisites for PA school (2 chemistry classes) completed until closer to my graduation date. I know my transcript won’t show that I plan on taking it. Any advice/recommendations?
That should be fine. They just want to see a strong background and that you are enrolled and will be finished with the courses before start date of PA school. So make sure you share this with them, but that will not stop them from letting you in.
Are there any places you recommend obtaining PCE, especially with the current conditions? I began volunteering at a hospital near the end of last year (can I consider it as HCE rather than volunteer?) but I am still trying to find a quick way to obtain PCE hours (preferably this summer) as a rising junior because common routes, such as EMT, CNA & MA, require training which takes a while, but I'm looking for some sort of "on-the-job training" in nursing homes, dialysis clinics or the sort. Thanks.
Nidal Almasri as far as i know volunteer hours are not considered PCE because you have to be paid. If you can, apply at the hospital because that is where you will learn all kinds of things & itll be a great experience.
Nelly is correct. This would only count as volunteer experience. If taken over the summer, a CNA course will only take you about 2 months. A common job those get for PCE that doesn’t require prior training is becoming a physical therapy aid.
No 😢 I’m sorry! I doubt it’d work but you could try to find those specialties that aren’t on the frontlines like ortho, peds, derm, etc. I highly doubt you’d get anywhere with them, but you have a better chance than any hospital. Just pray you’ll be able to again soon and know that you’re in the same boat as thousands of others applying to PA school.
Let's say that I talk to a few people about getting a letter of recommendation, I have to tell CASPA to send the request to them via email? and they would send it into CASPA themselves? or do I get a physical letter and scan it into CASPA?
No definitely don’t ask all professors. I always recommend at least 3 letters of rec. One from someone who can speak to your academic accomplishments (professor/advisor), your professional accomplishments (work supervisor, could be a RN, PA, or even a MD), then someone who can talk about your future and desire to become a PA (again, PA or MD)
If we are graduating in a few weeks, should we already order transcripts so they come in early, or wait until the semester officially ends and final grades are in to order the transcripts but then wait a few more weeks?
Great question. If you order now, you’ll have to specify that you’d like the official transcript from the completed semester otherwise it’ll show your courses as in progress and you’ll need to send another once you’ve officially received a letter grade. They should send it very soon after the semester ends, so still request it now.
If they’re solely apart of CASPA, they need to be submitted prior in order for your app to be marked as compete. It’s pretty common for schools to also have a separate application outside of CASPA that obviously doesn’t need to be completed in order to submit your CASPA app but you do need to have it submitted by the programs application deadline. It’s usually the same as the CASPA deadline, but check their website for clarifications
I’d recommend sending it now. It’ll show as in progress and many programs allow you to have a few outstanding prereqs. Once you finish, send another but don’t wait as your application will just be sitting there when it could be making its way to all the programs you’ve applied to!
Can you mention something that’s not obvious? All this information is on the Caspa website and any school PA program requirement section. How about some useful information like when does the caspa application process open? Does Casper take only required courses to determine your GPA? How do we obtain shadowing hours I was told Caspa is the one to submit the forms to get signed off. These are the questions I need answered not give yourself enough time to prepare that’s common sense.
No I really don’t think it does. It’s more of an “oh by the way” thing. Definitely doesn’t hurt though, but don’t go out of your way pursuing one just for PA school.
Thank you so much for making these videos, you do not understand how much these videos have helped me.☺️
Please keep making videos!!
This is gold. Thanks for these tips!!
No problem!!
Will you make new videos one day? :) You have very informative videos.
My husband and I are getting out of the military and moving back to Kentucky here soon. I'm in my last year at ASU- biological sciences major and have been a lab tech for 8 years in the Air Force. I'm finding it extremely difficult amongst the Covid crisis to find a PA to shadow in order to fulfill my requirements for PA school. Any suggestions!?
Thanks for all the informative videos! Love following along.
Thanks for watching! So many have asked me that question. Unfortunately, it’s going to be near impossible to find someone to shadow right now. I think it’s going to come down to what region of the country you’re in and the specialty as far as your chances of getting that shadowing experience. You’re fortunate in that KY hasn’t been devastated by COVID at this time, so you might be able to find someone to shadow sooner than a student in NYC. You’ll likely have the best luck in those specialties that haven’t been as affected by COVID (ortho, derm, peds, surgery, etc). So, I’d start there!
Hi! Thank you for the information! I’m wondering if there is a video on your stats or schools you applied to?
I think in the ask me anything video I mentioned it. My GPA overall and science was around a 3.8. I had 1300 hours of PCE. GRE score was a 298. I applied to UK, UMKC, SLU, Midwestern, Rosalind-Franklin, Travecca, UAB, U of Wisconsin, Wichita State, UT Southwestern... and now I’m blanking on the last one? Possibly a school in South Carolina?
Silly question - you mentioned that we should upload our transcripts on day 1 but also that they have to be sent to CASPA’s address. So am I uploading an unofficial one first? I’m confused about when I should be requesting the official transcripts and to whom it should be sent and at what point I should be updating CASPA.
This may be a dumb question…Can you upload transcripts into CASPA before the cycle opens?
This might sound stupid, but I am going to take a gap year because I need to get my PCE first, after getting all the hours, then we are supposed to apply for CASPA right?
Hi, Just came across your channel, I was wondering if I have to be a certified worker (EMT/CNA) to get patient care hours. If not and I still manage to get a job without certification i.e ( PCA/ Homecare, etc), does it make my application less qualified?
Not really less qualified! It’s hard to find jobs without any prior training, but they exist. Some ERs will hire patient care techs with no certification like a CNA. Another I know of is a physical therapy tech or aide 👍
I have a question! What did you major in during college? Also, do you have a video about requirements that might be needed before PA school or any advice for someone in college? I am majoring in Biology and seeing your videos are very informative!
Exercise science, check out my video the ultimate prepa checklist
Hi! Please my question is can Canadian's who go to american pa schools work in the us?
Yes, but I’m assuming you’d need a work visa? I’d do some research if I were you
Been binge watching all your videos they’ve been so helpful!! I’m still a bit confused on when exactly I can start applying. I am graduating with my BA in May of 2022 and do not want to take a gap year. Most of the programs I want to apply to start May or June of every year (summer semester). This means I would need to apply in the spring of 2021, correct? I still won’t have all my pre-requisites for PA school (2 chemistry classes) completed until closer to my graduation date. I know my transcript won’t show that I plan on taking it. Any advice/recommendations?
That should be fine. They just want to see a strong background and that you are enrolled and will be finished with the courses before start date of PA school. So make sure you share this with them, but that will not stop them from letting you in.
If I graduate in 2022 then when should I be getting ready for the process of application?
Are there any places you recommend obtaining PCE, especially with the current conditions? I began volunteering at a hospital near the end of last year (can I consider it as HCE rather than volunteer?) but I am still trying to find a quick way to obtain PCE hours (preferably this summer) as a rising junior because common routes, such as EMT, CNA & MA, require training which takes a while, but I'm looking for some sort of "on-the-job training" in nursing homes, dialysis clinics or the sort. Thanks.
Nidal Almasri as far as i know volunteer hours are not considered PCE because you have to be paid. If you can, apply at the hospital because that is where you will learn all kinds of things & itll be a great experience.
Nelly is correct. This would only count as volunteer experience. If taken over the summer, a CNA course will only take you about 2 months. A common job those get for PCE that doesn’t require prior training is becoming a physical therapy aid.
Any advice for if shadowing hours got postponed due to Covid?😩
No 😢 I’m sorry! I doubt it’d work but you could try to find those specialties that aren’t on the frontlines like ortho, peds, derm, etc. I highly doubt you’d get anywhere with them, but you have a better chance than any hospital. Just pray you’ll be able to again soon and know that you’re in the same boat as thousands of others applying to PA school.
Day with a PA thank you! Hopefully we’ll be able to see how their work paid off soon💪🏼stay safe!
Let's say that I talk to a few people about getting a letter of recommendation, I have to tell CASPA to send the request to them via email? and they would send it into CASPA themselves? or do I get a physical letter and scan it into CASPA?
Nope, caspa contacts them
Should letters of rec all be from college professors? Or could they also include work recommendations?
No definitely don’t ask all professors. I always recommend at least 3 letters of rec. One from someone who can speak to your academic accomplishments (professor/advisor), your professional accomplishments (work supervisor, could be a RN, PA, or even a MD), then someone who can talk about your future and desire to become a PA (again, PA or MD)
If we are graduating in a few weeks, should we already order transcripts so they come in early, or wait until the semester officially ends and final grades are in to order the transcripts but then wait a few more weeks?
Great question. If you order now, you’ll have to specify that you’d like the official transcript from the completed semester otherwise it’ll show your courses as in progress and you’ll need to send another once you’ve officially received a letter grade. They should send it very soon after the semester ends, so still request it now.
do the supplemental applications need to be submitted prior to or after CASPA application?
If they’re solely apart of CASPA, they need to be submitted prior in order for your app to be marked as compete. It’s pretty common for schools to also have a separate application outside of CASPA that obviously doesn’t need to be completed in order to submit your CASPA app but you do need to have it submitted by the programs application deadline. It’s usually the same as the CASPA deadline, but check their website for clarifications
If I finish my final prerequisite this summer 1 semester, when do you suggest I send my official transcript to CASPA? After I complete that course?
I’d recommend sending it now. It’ll show as in progress and many programs allow you to have a few outstanding prereqs. Once you finish, send another but don’t wait as your application will just be sitting there when it could be making its way to all the programs you’ve applied to!
Day with a PA Thank you so much!
Do PA programs care what kind of PCE hours you get? Like phlebotomist vs. CNA vs. EMT?
Not really. They just want you to have experience taking care of other human beings 👍
Day with a PA Thank you!
Can you mention something that’s not obvious? All this information is on the Caspa website and any school PA program requirement section. How about some useful information like when does the caspa application process open? Does Casper take only required courses to determine your GPA? How do we obtain shadowing hours I was told Caspa is the one to submit the forms to get signed off. These are the questions I need answered not give yourself enough time to prepare that’s common sense.
Did you go straight from undergrad to PA school or have a gap year (or a few)?
I went straight into PA school!
Do u think it helps if you have a minor when applying to pa school or do schools not really care about it?
No I really don’t think it does. It’s more of an “oh by the way” thing. Definitely doesn’t hurt though, but don’t go out of your way pursuing one just for PA school.
How many PCE hours did you have
1300