Undergraduate education: I completed my undergraduate education at Ball State University
Overall GPA: 3.888
Science GPA: 3.80
GRE: 301
PA-CAT: Did not take
Total PCE hours: I had about 1600 PCE hours total. I gained my experience as a scribe in the emergency department
Total HCE hours: I did not have any additional healthcare hours outside of scribing.
Shadowing hours: I shadowed about 50 hours once COVID allowed students to shadow again. I shadowed in CT surgery where I saw a CABG, in an ER that was not my home ER, hospitalist service, spine and pain management, and IR.
Volunteer hours: I volunteered 120 hours. I mainly volunteered at my local second harvest food bank but also at IRONMAN and with the local special needs organization. I have a special need cousin who is the reason I become involved and had the passion for volunteering at their events such as their yearly prom and trunk or treats.
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 21
Gender: Female
Why PA? As a senior in high school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in medicine due to watching TLC’s a baby story and Discovery health channels Surgery saved my lie however I was unsure what. Our high school gave us the opportunity to spend half the school day at an internship of our choice and own arrangement. So, I decided to do an internship at a pain management/sports medicine facility. I was with a doctor from 8-12 every day and he had 2 PA’s. This is where I was introduced to the PA profession. I met one who had previously practiced in the ER and another who also currently practiced at an urgent care. I was intrigued by the lateral flexibility being a PA provided but also their level of autonomy. I was able to shadow them and see the teamwork between the PA and their supervising physician and the support the PA provided to the patient workload, but I also watched them independently manage their own patients from the initial consultation to reviewing images, changing treatment courses and medications and even perform trigger point injections. As a scribe, my decision to be a PA was further solidified as I worked alongside PA’s who were able to independently manage and treat their own patients but also collaborate with a physician on duty. I witnessed this PA/provider relationship when I had the privilege of observing a CABG in July where the PA was the first assist. While the PA harvested the vein, the doctor prepared the chest and once they were both done and the patient was on bypass, they collectively performed the surgery. These benefits of being a PA and being a valuable part of the patient care team are why I want to be a PA.
How many programs did you apply to? 10
How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I had seven interview offers. I interviewed with three programs and was accepted to all three programs.
Where will you be attending? I will be Kettering College MPAS
Anything you found interesting about interviews? I was surprised how incredibly welcoming and inviting each programs staff was. I never felt intimidated but instead professors were excited to get to know me as a potential candidate and seem incredibly interested in what I brought as a candidate. It made the interview process so much less stressful which allowed me to perform better during my interviews.
Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, webinars, etc) you used to get through prerequisites courses, the application or interview process? The most helpful resource was the physician assistant school interview guide by Savannah Perry. The most helpful personal resource was connections. I had two girls who were older than me who were also pre-PA and their guidance was huge to my success. I also had a PA mentor whose wisdom, advice, and willingness to help also made all the difference in my journey. I always had someone I was able to reach out to for help whether it was academic, where to volunteer, where to gain PCE, etc.
Any advice for other pre-PA students? My biggest advice for other pre-PA's is to find mentors. Find people you trust, especially another pre-PA and a PA. Networking is huge when it comes to shadowing other PA's and letters of recommendation. Another thing I found helpful was having numerous people read my essays; getting various perspectives from people in the medical field and other people not was very helpful and made my essays so much better. You do not have to take everyones advice but different perspectives should be considered.
Where can we find you? (Instagram, TikTok, Website, etc) - Instagram: katie__suee__
