Undergraduate education: Microbiology at Brigham Young University
Overall GPA: 3.79
Science GPA: 3.68
Total HCE hours: 4,300
Shadowing hours: 65ish
Other Volunteer hours: 350ish
LORs: 4: 1 from a PA I showed for 40+ hours, 1 from a professor, 1 from a supervisor, and 1 from a co-worker
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 23
How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I was offered 8 interviews and I went to 4 of them. 2 acceptances, 1 waitlist, and I withdrew the final app after accepting my spot at my #1 pick.
Where will you be attending? University of Utah
Anything you found surprising about interviews? Everyone says it but honestly the interviewers really just want to know who you are as a person. They’ve seen you on paper and know you’re capable of succeeding in the program. Now they just want to see what your personality is like and if you mesh with their program philosophy. It’s okay to be nervous but don’t let the nerves over power how hard you’ve worked to be there!
Any other advice for other pre-PA students? It’s okay to slow down and enjoy the process! I zoomed through school while working full time and was super busy. I personally like that environment but it’s okay if it takes a little longer to graduate and accumulate hours to make your application stellar! The goal is to become a PA-C, it doesn’t matter how fast or long it takes!
Where can we find you? instagram - @talliealder
