

Sunday, September 4, 2011

First Rotation






  1. I'm in the middle of my IM rotation as well, and I feel the same way about the clinical experience. The interns and residents don't have the opportunity to spend as much time as they'd like with patients, but as a third year medical student I can stretch out the history and physical to let the patients share as much as they'd like. I've found that just listening to patients can help in their healing. Best of luck to you on your rotations!

  2. Hi Jennifer,
    I am a sophomore in college and I really think I want to be a PA. This year is my first year taking college-level sciences and so far I am not doing to well in Chemistry. I was wondering how important our course pre-requisites were when applying to PA school? I know they put an emphasis on Bio, Chem, Organic Chemistry, etc, but will it make or break my chances of getting accepted if my grades are not high? I am really considering going to PCOM because of your blogs. Thank you so much for all of your advice. Reading your posts makes me want to be a PA more and more.

  3. Hi Stephanie,
    I am so glad to hear you are thinking about being a PA. I think that everyone has their strong and weak science classes, chemistry just happens to be your weaker one. Just keep with it and do the best that you can. As far as pre-reqs it depends on the school how strongly they look at each part of you application. I think pre-reqs are definitely important but so is the rest of your application. So, dont put all your eggs in one basket so to speak, strengthen everything. Increase your health care experience, community services, and try to pass chem with the best grade possible. My grades in the sciences were definitely not the best, but I tried really hard and passed them all. I knew for me that was the best I could do and I got into PA school. I did have to explain some of my grades in interviews but I was honest. I also had an upward trend to my science grades which helps because it shows you are improving and taking the necessary steps to do so. My goal, and it is pretty much what I tell everyone, was to get to the interview because I knew that I could sell that by being unique and personable. Ultimately, they are looking for a person to represent the school and become a good PA that is relatable to patients and knowledgable in the profession.

    I am glad you are considering PCOM, it's a great school. You will like it here. .Let me know if there is anything I can do to help in your application process. I am glad you like reading my blog, it's great meeting new people on this and inspiring others.