Undergraduate education: BS from University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Major: Neuroscience.
Overall GPA: 3.7
Science GPA: 3.4
GRE: 150 verbal. Quant 150. Writing 4.0
Total HCE hours: 5504
Total PCE hours: 4992 (all the schools I applied validated my Certified Medical Interpreter as PCE).
Shadowing hours: 59
Other volunteer hours: 819
LORs: one family medicine MD, one college professor (organic chemistry), one local hospital president (Methodist Hospital).
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 32
Gender: female
How many programs did you apply to? 3
How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes?
3 interview invites, two acceptances. I attended two interviews and declined the third interview because I was accepted into my top choice school.
Where will you be attending? UNMC (University of Nebraska Medical Center).
Any red flags on your application? A W grade in one class. I dropped because of a high risk pregnancy. I’m currently retaking it as my last pre- requisite class (Biochemistry of Metabolism).
Anything you found surprising about interviews?
They were both very different. One interview was classic PA school interview and the other one was MMI interview style.
Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process?
The Pre-PA club podcast with Savanna Perry.
My PA resource (used for my personal statement).
Followed lots of current PA students social media accounts and blogs and followed their advice/tips.
Book: “How to Ace the Physician Assistant school interview” by Andrew Rodican, PA-C.
The PA platform website.
Any other advice for other pre-PA students?
“Studying doesn’t suck as much as failing”. Believe in yourself, if you’ve made it this far, you can reach your goal!.
For mom students out there, don’t feel guilty, just spend “quality time” with your kids, away from your phone. Our kids are watching us and learning that hard work pays off!. Don’t disappoint them, be your best version!
Where can we find you? (website, instagram, etc)
Instagram @keylasanchezm
