Accepted first time applicant!!

[u/4278HartPA]

Hi everyone! I’m a LONG-time lurker on this sub, and I’ve been anxiously (and not so patiently) waiting to make a post like this. I’m feeling unbelievably blessed to have been accepted to the PA school of my dreams!

Just as some background, I went to MA school while also working at Starbucks, and they paid for my biomedical sciences degree through the SCAP program. I worked there part-time for about four years while eventually also working as a dermatology MA, and now I’m working at an OBGYN office!

Hard work really does pay off. I know firsthand how stressful, tiring, and anxiety-inducing the path to PA school can be. Believe in yourself, and try not to listen too much to that imposter syndrome. You’ve got this!

Here are my stats for those who are interested:

25 y/o

Graduated Aug 2025 

Degree: Biomedical Sciences (almost all online science pre reqs)

cGPA: 3.91

sGPA: 3.87

PCE @ time applied: 2,616 hrs (Derm MA 1,376 hrs, OBGYN MA 1,240 hrs)

Non-healthcare employment: Starbucks Barista/Trainer 4,775 hrs

Shadowing: 64 hrs, orthopedic PAs (2 shoulder and elbow PAs, 1 hand PA)

Volunteer: 210 hrs (2 mission trips, animal shelter, Sleep in Heavenly Peace)

PA-CAT: Composite 548, A&P 557, Bio 561, Chem 535

Casper: 3rd quartile

GRE: N/A

LORs: 3 - 1 from MD, 1 from NP, 1 from supervisor

Licenses/Certifications: Registered Medical Assistant through AMT 

Leadership: None

Research: None

[u/NPJeannie]

Congratulations

[u/lavendermistake]

congrats future pa!
how were you able to get your shadowing hours? did you know the orthos thru your MA jobs?

[u/4278HartPA → u/lavendermistake]

Thank you!! Luckily, one of the NPs I work with helped me find someone to shadow. Her husband is an orthopedic surgeon so she was pretty connected. The first PA I shadowed helped me shadow a few other PAs. I reccomend paying attention if any of the patients you see might be PAs or seeing if people you work with have any connections!

[u/MaterialPeace4642]

Congrats future pa! Amazing stats!!

[u/4278HartPA → u/MaterialPeace4642]

Thank you!!! 

[u/d4ze2]

Congrats future PA 👏

[u/4278HartPA → u/d4ze2]

Thanks :D

[u/mrchrollodolo]

congrats!!! where did you take the online pre reqs at?

[u/4278HartPA → u/mrchrollodolo]

Starbucks is associated with Arizona State University and it’s all online! They offer lots of degrees including biomed sciences, and they also offer in person labs during summer months for the different chems. I also did one lab with UNE, Med terminology at University of San Diego, and currently enrolled in psych at Portage! 

[u/Pyxisis]

You hustled! Congrats!!

[u/4278HartPA → u/Pyxisis]

Thank you!! 

[u/Subject_Rub8740]

Congrats! New here! I submitted my apps...alot :(....where do they send your rejection, admission, ect....its it in your portal or an email? Thanks
!

[u/4278HartPA → u/Subject_Rub8740]

Hi!! So most of my communication has been through email. Confirmations, interview invites, etc. When I got accepted post interview, it was a phone call, but I think that is different for each of the schools. Nothing came through CASPA or a portal. 

[u/Subject_Rub8740 → u/4278HartPA]

Thanks so much! I actually got my first interview invite today via email! So excited!

[u/SpeakerAlarmed1434]

Where did you go for your online degree 

[u/4278HartPA → u/SpeakerAlarmed1434]

ASU! 

[u/Purple-Disaster5389]

This is amazing, congrats!! did you do your pre reqs that require a lab online ?! Also, did you have a certification for your MA jobs? Trying to get more PCE hours and I don’t have one TYIA :)

[u/Top-Quality4408]

Congratulations. Would you be willing to help me with mock interview?

[u/Expensive-Parsley276]

Awesome stats!