Balancing between pre-reqs and applying early

When I applied for school I had 2 pre-reqs in progress (Anatomy and Physiology II And Organic chemistry). I know there is a lot of emphases placed on applying as early as possible.


I submitted my CASPA in April (less than 2 weeks after the application opened) and I finished my two remaining classes in May. However, after my CASPA application was completed and verified it wasn't mailed to my designated programs until mid June! (This was the first mailing of applications for CASPA, as I contacted them and asked them when they were going to get mailed out).



Before I was accepted to Pacific University I did investigation as to why I was not considered at other schools for an interview. 


A.T. Still University in Mesa, AZ was my first rejection letter.   When I finished my remaining pre-reqs in May, I had sent the school my official transcripts with the final grades. It was my desire that they would at least see that the courses were completed in order to give me a better chance to get an interview. 


After receiving the rejection letter I wanted to get an Idea of how to make my application stronger if I needed to apply next year. when inquiring and how I could make my application better for next year, they said that they could not consider those transcripts I sent unless I was given an interview. (bummer) The committee also mentioned, besides the program being competitive, that if I had all of my pre-reqs completed I would have had a better chance of an interview! 

Each program is different and each acceptance committee looks for different important attributes from applicants. Its all about balance. If an applicant has an amazing application and fits what the program is looking for, but they have 2 pre-reqs in progress, they may easily consider this applicant. 


It is my opinion that one may have better chances of getting an interview if it shows on the CASPA that all pre-reqs are completed. The CASPA application process usually begins April 18th, and for those who are finishing pre-reqs in May it might be a good idea to wait 3 weeks or so and submit the CASPA with the pre-reqs completed, rather than 'in-progress'.  


Since the first mailing of CASPA applications are not sent out until the middle of June, this would be enough time to send CASPA transcripts and have the application submitted with the pre-reqs completed. 


This is not a perfect 'glove-fit' for everyone, not everyone's circumstances are the same. I was blessed, and lucky enough to get accepted with two pre-reqs 'in-progress' on my application. However, if there is anyway to have increased chances of getting an interview, I feel it would be worth considering. 

The first rejection letter...

I rushed to get my CASPA application completed as quickly as possible, in fact I wanted to be the first one done!... well it turns out thats not always the best situation to have. 

I had 2 pre-reqs that were considered as "in progress" on my CASPA because the actual grades didn't post until May, and CASPA opened the end of April. I would have had to wait until May, sent in my transcripts, and then when they were received by CASPA, submit my application... this would have put me like a month later than when I wanted to apply. So I figured it would be best to get my application IN than to have to wait for the 2 pre-reqs labeled as 'in-progress' to be changed to complete.

My first rejection letter I received from A.T. Still University (Arizona School of Health Sciences). The letter informed me (like most schools do) they were VERY competitive this year. They had a LOT of applicants... I think only 7% got interviews, which is not unusual for PA schools. The other reasoning for not being considered was because I had 2 per-requisite courses as 'in-progress' on my application. I think they leaned towards applicants who had everything completed, and they could because there were so many applicants. 

So my suggestion is to get all of your courses as 'completed' on your CASPA, even if it sets you back a few weeks, your more likely to get a better response from the schools you apply to. 

Just a quick note, even though CASPA opens the end of April, they didn't actually send any applications to the schools until the middle of June... even though I had everything completed at the beginning of May.

Pre-Reqless!

Now those who have their Bachelors degree and major in a science that includes most, if not all, the pre-reqs to apply to PA school, you are in a good spot. I, however, was not one of those... I had to do almost all of my science pre-reqs after my Bachelors degree, while working full-time as a Clinical Research Coordinator. This made it entirely difficult for me to get everything done in a timely manner. 

PVCC Life Sciences Building

 I signed up for night classes at Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) where I took A&P I and Microbiology for Fall semester. I went to work all day and then Mon-Thurs went to school well into the night. I honestly loved my classes though, I found them to be so interesting although they were a lot of work.

The spring semester I took A&P II and Organic Chemistry (which wasn't offered at PVCC) I actually had to go to Phoenix College to get that class... its confusing, needless to say I got it done and applied that April for PA school.