I graduated with a 2.99 cumulative GPA and a 2.5 science GPA. I then decided that I wanted to go to PA school after. I spent four years retaking courses, gained experience as a CNA and medical scribe, as well as volunteered in hospitals and with other community services. I applied last year and didn't get in, but I'm happy to say I'm going to PA school this year! Don't give up everyone!
jshar27 omg, I am in that situation right now. But it's been 3 years since I've graduated college. I did take a few more science courses I needed but did not retake courses. Thinking I should now with your story! Where did you retake your classes? University or community...
I took courses mostly at a community college but also retook some at my undergraduate college too (but that was expensive.) my scribe hours counted as healthcare hours, not direct patient care since I'm not allowed to touch patients.
Your GPA is fine, I graduated with a 2.73 GPA in biology from a college in Miami, FL and I was crying because my dream was to become a professor but, I got accepted into a great school in the UK for masters in biotechnology. I'm closer to a PhD than I ever expected.
i'm in the same boat and want to get some new experiences for my education by going out of the US, was applying/transitioning to the UK system challenging?
Congratulations James!!! I'm also starting PA school this upcoming fall (August 28 to be exact). Like you, my cumulative GPA was a 3.2 with a 3.0 science GPA. A 320 was actually my GRE goal but ended up getting a 296. I took my GRE TWICE reason being, I had a severe bacteria respiratory infection during my test and did not take any antibiotics or any decongestants or Tylenol cold. I was not functioning at my most optimal capacity. I do however have over 2000 hours ER scribing hours and gained a lot of meaningful experience along the way. I did NOT know I wanted to be a PA until I started scribing and had my essay proof read by 5 PA students and PAs. I'm glad you're sharing you're experiences! I know a few people who do not want to apply due to the fear that their GPA is not good enough and that should not AT ALL stop anyone from applying. Guys, the worst thing you can do is NOT apply and not be able to find out whether you would've been accepted or not. To any of you preparing for your interviews, I recommend reading "How to Ace the Phycisian Assistant interview" and modifying the answers to your past experiences and what motivated you to become a PA and know the history of the profession (I got that question in my interview). greatest luck to you James!! You're gonna be great! And greatest luck to those in second year! ✌️✌️
Thanks Emma! I guess just comparing it to the ~3.5-3.6 GPA for accepted students, I considered it lower. It's definitely not the lowest of PA applicants who have gotten in :)
@@JamesKim Just a curious question, I found a school that the GPA for accepted students of PA is high than those of MD. I ask the PA program why it happen and no response from them.
Very encouraging, bro. I'm 29 and now pursuing PA school. Everything you said was spot on...looking forward to the journey. Thanks for sharing a part of yours.
I have never been happier to hear someone have a low GPA😂With my GPA standing at a solid 3.0 with a year and a half of my undergrad to go, it was very comforting to hear that my chances of eventually getting into PA school are greater than 0% despite my low GPA, lol. Wishing you much success on your journey through PA school! Thank you for sharing, James!
You seriously helped me out so much! Just seeing this is so uplifting. After graduating and not knowing what I want to do for last couple months, yet knowing I want to be in healthcare, this helps out so much! I'm going to need to take time to prepare for the GRE and build up hours like you did, but I'm giving myself a year to do so. Thank you, thank you, thank you! People like me appreciate this more than you could imagine, honestly! Thank you!
Dude you're amazing! It seems like you almost didn't make it, but I love the hustle because you balanced it all in the end and it worked, congrats man!
Truer words have not been spoken 😊 while I'm not pursuing a PA/med degree, I remember having a chat with my friend back in high school, when she didn't get into med school (in my country you go there straight out of school for 6 years). Half jokingly I told her she will be working for another 40+ years, so this one year, or even 3, won't matter in some time. She retook some exams and got in the next year. Another girl finished law and then went against everyone and decided to pursue medicine after that - didn't regret a thing. Another friend ditched med school midway through to be a part of the team who creates new medicine. He is now a doctor, but "just" with a PhD. And he loves what he does, they all do. Even if a lot of people told them they were crazy for dropping out midway through, close to the end or "wasting" time by not getting in immediately. What I see is determination and courage instead, because it takes balls not to settle. If you want it, go and work your butt off, stop making excuses. Not everything will happen the way we want to, sometimes it will be frustrating as well, but usually we are capable of more than we think. 😊
Thanks for sharing, James! One thing I've learned from PA school is that once you get in, the grades don't matter as much anymore. The focus is more on working together as a class to make sure everyone succeeds and (slowly but surely) gaining the confidence and skills to become a good clinician. There's no ego or competition in our class -- we're more like family! Plus, no matter what, we're all going to be PAs at the end of it. ;)
Yesssss it's all about collaboration once we are in PA school and I am very excited for the support system at my program. Have you been to Wilsonvillle at all? That is where I grew up :)
Nope, I haven't! Although I'm excited to explore more once it gets a bit warmer and we have a longer break. :) Anyways, you should definitely take advantage of this time before school starts to go traveling! I backpacked through Thailand and Japan and it was totally worth it.
Thanks for the motivation. I really needed to hear this because I have 3.2 Gpa and avg gre score and 300 HCE hrs and 200 PCE hours. I didn't get into any PA schools I've applied to last year, but I'm not giving up!! Tomorrow I have an interview for a Cna job and I'm hoping to get more hours. #notaquitter 😊
James im very happy you shared your GPA with us because i kinda was torchuring myself for not graduating with a high GPA to get into PT school. Your video definitely gave me hope to keep striving and not giving hope on myself. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for the positivity my dude. I used to be so set on PT school but I realize I'm not a strong math student, so I accepted the nagging voices in my life to explore PA school and I appreciate everything they do in the world of medicine. So here I am beginning and about to go on the journey of a long 2-3 years as a 24 year old with my not so stellar cumulative 3.0 GPA. I'm pumped!
Does PT school use a lot of math? I dont think they do any complicated math but yes i felt the same about wanting to explore and treat patients as a whole. Best of luck, you're still young!
Great video James! As a PA I can say that your humility and transparency are refreshing especially since there is a lot of ego in practicing medicine. Stay focused and get to the finish line... that's all that matters! Thanks for your insight!
Experience outranks everything I graduated with a 3.83 but getting to know the current PA students in the program I recently got accepted to I felt that their prior experiences play a huge role in their success and I know I still need a lot of work to succeed in PA school. Grades are important but health care experience and shadowing go a long way.
My gpa is very much like yours but you killed the GRE! I have a very hard time explaining why I didn't do well during undergraduate but what I know for sure is that my gpa doesn't define me or my capabilities. I've gained thousands of patient care And health care hours. I hope I will get a chance
James K, thank you for this video. We all appreciate the honesty and how difficult it is to share something so personal like GPA and scores...but in doing so it provided me with hope! thank you and keep up the amazing work you are doing..
Ahhhhh, GPA! This is what goes through my head as I applied to PA. Your videos are awesome and very positive. Keep that up, it will translate so well when you become a PA! Congrats! Now I will put your positive vibes into reapplying. :)
Hey Monica! Don't give up! Thank you so much for the support and kind words, it really means a lot :) Give me an email at jameskimlifestyle@gmail.com if you need any additional feedback with your application this upcoming cycle! Stay positive!
This video is amazing! I am a biology major (junior) undergrad. This semester has been brutal for me. I have questioned and doubted my capibilities and often times have felt inadequate. Currently a PT aide as well! People like you give me a lot of hope. Thank you for being so open.
I just love how you discuss personal/debatable/information topics on your channel as I like listening to other people's insights. This channel is everything right now haha, keep up the good work!!
This gives me so much motivation to pursue PA school! Graduated with a public health degree and I’m thinking of going back to school. Thank you for sharing!!!
Thanks james for sharing your gpa and experiences. I was really dwelled on my past beginning of college years and was little hesitant to apply for PA schools and thinking if I wasn’t good enough for it bc of low gpa compare to other pple. It’s great video!
Thank you so much for posting this, it gives me great hope for applying to PA school. My GPA isn't looking very good but hopefully over the next few years I can make it decent! Subscribed :')
I've never understood the whole GPA thing. A low GPA doesn't mean you aren't smart, a hardworker, or won't be a good PA. Congrats with all you've done and you'll be a great PA.
Oh my god thank you so much for this video. Literally going to blaze through your videos since I'm applying this upcoming cycle. All the positive vibes to you !
Thank you for making this video! I am getting ready to apply for PA this year and just hearing a little more reassurance like this makes me a bit more hopeful! I am a 23 turning 24 this year so I can definitely relate, thank you again!
Omg you are such an INSPIRATION!! Please never stop being an amazing role model for all aspiring PA's or any other health care professions out there. Thank you for what you do and giving me a great insight of the field!! This video just proves how it's never too late to succeed in life, just as long as you love what you do and never give up. So brave of you dude to expose your gpa just to boost our confidence level 😂❤️ New sub :)
Thank you for posting this video. I feel like there is such a notorious stigma behind low GPA's. We all know that asking "what is your GPA?' is like asking "how much do you weigh?", you just do not ask that question lol. I am so happy you posted this video because those that are and were in you foot steps, like myself, can relate and its makes us feel hopeful. Thanks for being so open and sharing wih the public.
Hey Adriana! Thanks for the sweet words! Definitely had to build up some courage to post it but glad I did as well :) Keep being you and stay positive! :)
Man, I hope you are doing well in PA school. Your scores and age are similar to mine. I often feel like I will not be able to get in and then I watch this video and feel like I can still chase my dream.
Thanks for sharing and being transparent! I so needed to this just took a Chem test and a little on the downside. This video helped me put things into perspective and courage to press on. Thanks a lot!
Omg thank you for this video!!! I'm in the same boat. I have three more science classes to take but I'm scared I'm going to fail because my science gpa.. is not that great. So I also have to do well in all three classes. Glad I can relate to someone
I found this video super helpful and motivational. There really is no timeline when it comes to academics. Here's to all of us trying to reach our goals 👐🏼👐🏼
I’m looking into applying to PA school in 1.5 years, after finishing my BIO degree. My current GPA is a 2.97 and my science GPA is a 3.4 , I have over 4,000+ pce hrs and I still feel like I’m not going to be good enough but after watching your video i have sooo much hope. I will not give up my dreams of becoming a PA! Thanks James
hey ty for posting this!! really goes to show how gpa is important, but it isn't everything. so thanks for showing that there's still hope! hope you have a good last few months before you start pa school
Not a medical student but I'm Australian and never even thought about my gpa until these videos kept coming up on my RU-vid. I graduated 10 years ago and pulled out the paperwork. Mine is a 3.0. I failed one class and had a sister die in the middle of my degree. I did terribly in high school. When I saw that 3.0, I thought "wow. Imagine if I tried harder." I studied criminal justice but anyway my point is, you can do anything if you try a little harder. I was more concerned with the lifestyle of uni, making friends and going out on the weekends and cramming on exams. The one thing that university doesn't teach you is how to study. They don't actually teach you HOW TO LEARN. I wish I knew all of the study tips I know now. Good luck to you all. (I failed a subject because I went to Japan for 2 weeks and handed an essay in 2 weeks late and the teacher had discretion as to whether to fail me or not and she decided to fail me for the whole subject). I dont regret it. Japan was rad lol.
We have almost the exact same experiences, the same GPA and trends, and I'm currently waiting for my MCAT score. I don't know if I'm 100% set on medical school and I might need to do a post-bacc, so I'm considering taking some time to shadow a PA. Your videos are so helpful and I see a lot of myself in the sentiments you express.
Literally was in the same boat as you with very similar stats. Thank you for this very positive video and message. This definitely would've provided me much motivation during my PA application process. Congrats on getting into PA school - it definitely paid off!
Thank you so so so much!! My story is almost exactly like yours. Applying next year.. Thank you so much for sharing. Thank you for the hope and positivity! Love your perspective. 100% intelligence is not defined by GPA. Not at all. Nor is passion or capability. Way to live a well rounded life and to encourage others to do the same!
Wow! Your video came literally at the most perfect time for me. I was calculating my GPA how CASPA would calculate it, and I was feeling discouraged because of my GPA being lower too (compared to stats)! I appreciate the transparency, this motivated me a lot (going to be applying this year now (: )!
Hi James 😀 I'm not sure if you still check your channel, but I wanted to thank you for sharing this. It's gutsy to put this out there for the world to see, but super helpful for anyone who is considering this pathway. If you don't mind me asking, I was wondering what your major was for undergrad? Was it related to science/pre-med or something completely different?
Thanks for this! I'm B Positive, too!!! PA school has been on my mind for years now. I'm lacking in the health care experience part... In my current job, I'm an intake specialist and work in a call center. We help patients get into addiction treatment for opioid use disorder. We complete assessments with them and give them information on our services, but it isn't the kind of hands- on care like a CNA or EMT would have that schools look for. I'm in Texas and our schools don't require a set number of these hours, but it's strongly recommended to have them to be more competitive. I guess at this point I can either volunteer or change my current job to something more direct. Struggling to figure it all right now, but hopefully I can turn everything around. You're awesome and best wishes!
This is so helpful I will have a cumulative of 3.08 gpa. Didn’t do so grade my first year of college back in 2012-2013. I didn’t choose PA until I was already a CMA but I have an overall of 9,000+ PCE. I hope I get a good score on my GRE to balance it out! Thanks for giving me some hope!
I looooove your videos! They're so helpful, I'm majoring in biology and I'm feeling quite lost. Watching your videos are a huge motivation THANK YOU!!!!
:] Thank you so much for this. I hope to acquire more of your positive personality! I've let my gpa define my capabilities and my career trajectory for a while, but content like yours has expanded my notion of what is possible
You're very welcome Monica :) It just takes little steps every day to be more positive - smiling more, treating others with kindness, and paying it forward. Go out and experience what you might be passionate about and let your heart and hard work lead you there! I'm rooting for you :)
Yeahh I definitely don't regret having the college experience. I've always wanted to explore that side of me during high school and finally got around to it in college. With all the messages society surrounds us with that you're in your prime in your early 20s, that you're the best looking and most biologically robust you'll ever be, that you only live once and how Greek life is only available during college, I don't regret it. I got to live my life and experience the fun that society experiences, and I got to experience life changing events and had amazing memories with certain people, I got to see what all the fuss was about and got to be a part of it. I don't regret it, it's a part of me and now that I've done it, I get the chance to say, okay, now that I've done that, it's time to focus on other things. I won't look back on my life wishing I had more fun since I got to enjoy just that when I was younger
Thank you for sharing your stats! This makes me more confident as a future applicant! Can you please make a video about how you prepared for the GRE and how long you studied for the exam?
Congrats on the acceptance (by now you are probably almost done)! I graduated with an undergrad of 2.1. I had moved home to take care of my mom who had Stage IV breast cancer and ended up passing away while i was in college. Yea huge stressor - but I also was a shitty student who was miserable and didn't allocate enough energy for school. In the end it is my fault. Anyway...I went back to school full time for a year. I have a 3.6 science gpa, a 3.8 last 45 hour GPA, but still a cumulative 2.69. Some schools will look at science and last 45/60 hour over the cumulative ( have about 12 schools like that I am applying to). I have a 310 on the GRE (eh math, great verbal, 4.5 writing). I have 4000 HCE hours, and 80 PA shadow. What would you say my chances are of acceptance with these stats? the cumulative GPA is the only thing that totally screws me.
Hey there. I messed up quite a bit in college and I didn’t not realize that PA schools considered repeats in there calculations. This screwed me severally as I didn’t find this out until after I went back to school to take prerequisites. Can you give me any tips you’ve learned? We’re you able to get in?
Thank you for this! I just started my CASPA and due to grades from years ago I don't think my overall with be very high. I'm applying to about 10 schools so hopefully I will be accepted to at least one of them. 🙏🏻😋
Thank you so much, I appreciate it :) My parents are the best support system I could ask for so I think I've made them pretty proud so far (I would like to think haha)
