Orientation

This is my last week of freedom before all the hard work starts. Orientation was a blast, it was procedures and policies for some, but we had a good introduction to what PA school will be like for the next 2 years. We also got fitted for our white coats and got our medical equipment package. I honestly feel so cool with all this equipment, even though I don't know how to fully use all of it yet...

My wife and I also got a chance to ride a tram this week that gave us a birds eye view of portland. It was a lot of fun, and it only cost us $4 so we couldn't complain.

During orientation we went over our schedule and all I can say is that it will be VERY full. This first week we are starting off with an Anatomy overview. Class is from 9am-12pm and 1pm-5pm. I'll keep everyone updated on how everything turns out, I can't wait to get started!

The fun before the storm.

So this week has been full of my wife and I enjoying Portland, and getting used to our surroundings. I also went on a hike with about 16 of my fellow classmates as a 'get to know you' type of gathering, which was a lot of fun. The weather in Portland has been sunny and nice for the first few weeks here in portland, it has since become rainy and cloudy the last few days, but i'm enjoying it all. 

Shopping for school furniture

Riding my bike on the light rail

I was intrigued by the name, I had to try one

Honestly SOOO good, not the healthiest of course... but still awesome!

Beautiful rose at the International Rose Test garden

China Town

A good view of Portland

Of course Voodoo Donut a famous donut shop

This is the line we had to wait in for some donuts... about 30-40 min

Of course I had to get a picture of this sign...

School orientation starts tomorrow... today I meet at the main campus to review immunization records and I can honestly say I am 
excited, scared, and ready to get things moving forward! 

Moving... PA school awaits me!

Sorry for not posting sooner, it has been a long time... however in my defense I did want to wait until I had enough to write about. So lets get started shall we?!

Moving

Let me first say that I do not recommend moving at all... It honestly didn't take us very long to pack up and move, but living out of boxes  before we actually left was not fun. Needless to say, we made the long 1300 mile drive up to Oregon and the scenery was amazing. Here is a picture of Mt. Shasta in Northern California, we went right around it. 

The weather here is VERY nice compared to the heat of Arizona. We have experienced nothing but sunshine for the last week, and we are enjoying it while it lasts. We know the rain will return... 


Our apartment looks amazing, the location is perfect and its much bigger than we anticipated. We are still trying to get everything unpacked and to arrange the house to make it look like home, but that won't take us but a few more days. 

Pacific University Forest Grove Campus

School starts next week and after driving by my campus and walking around the Forest Grove campus it got me even more excited for classes to start! By the way if I failed to mention, my wife got accepted to Pacific University for Speech Therapy and found out about a month ago, this means we will both be attending the same school and we will both graduate around the same time. Talk about perfect timing!


I will continue to put as much information about my experiences here for others to read about. Orientation next week is the next step, I am anxious and excited for things to get started, but I will enjoy my little break and continue to prepare for my Medical Terminology exam the first week of class! 

Books, Financial Aid, and Gadgets!

I have had a lot of experiences since my last post. Getting ready for PA school to start has been a lot of busy work. I got most of the 'required' books for this first semester and it turns out there are about 17... Now I've heard that one shouldn't buy every book, because not all of them will end up being used, it just depends on the student and their learning style. 

I honestly can't say that I have a definite 'learning style' yet, because I've never had such a demanding course load as I will have in PA school. I've been told to find ways that work for me, and then stick with them. I do know however that working with a group will be a must, I have received this instruction more than once. I'm sure a few individuals can circumnavigate around this, however I know that I thrive in a group setting.

I also got an iPad! (for school of course...) I had to justify this to my wife in some way. I have read around and learned of a lot of little tools that PA student have used. None have compared to what can be done with this one device. Plus I already love everything Apple, so it wasn't hard to sell me on it! I bought an app called 'Notability' which has been really amazing. I have included a few screen shots from their website. I can upload power points or PDF's and write, mark, highlight directly on them. I also allows me to write free hand on lined paper and take written notes. This app also allows me to record lectures while taking notes, which I can review while going over my notes. I can also take a picture and place it right on my notes, and mark/write directly on it. These can easily be saved right to my computer and easily shared with other classmates if needed. 

This is the stylus that I bought, it really feels great in your hand and feels closer to a pen than any other stylus I've used. 

I recently received a financial aid award letter in the mail, and it really is exciting to know that its all falling into place. When getting my Titers (showing I am immune to chicken pox and Hep B) I found out that I am no longer immune to Hepatitis B... I got these shots in grade school, but now I have to get the 3 shot series again. I have one more shot to get in April, then I have to get the last of the series in September (while I'm in school) and another Titer showing I am immune. So for those who are planning on getting into PA school, make sure your immunizations are up to date, you will need them! 

We found a place to live in Oregon and have put down the required amount for our deposit. I have not seen the place in person (which would have been nice) its just too expensive and not completely necessary to fly up just to see the place. I have seen pictures, and also had a fellow student (who is also from Arizona) check out the apartments when she was up there looking for a place. I can't wait for the move, and can't wait to get started! 

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.