Jan 21, 2020 | Uncategorized
Look No Further. Get Started Today. 888-839-9997 info@admissionshelpers.com 20 Minutes Free Consultation PA School Shadowing and Direct Patient Care Experience Requirements Patient care experience and PA shadowing are two important components of a PA school application. Many PA schools require and others highly recommend that applicants gain direct patient care experience and shadow a PA before applying or matriculating into PA school. By working in the healthcare setting in a capacity that involves interacting with patients, applicants can gain a better understanding of what being a PA involves and make a more informed decision about entering this profession. PA shadowing is also a great opportunity to learn more about the PA profession and confirm that you are interested in the PA field. The requirements for patient care experience and shadowing can vary greatly from school to school. It is a good idea for applicants to research the programs they are interested in and ensure they fulfill each school’s patient care and shadowing requirements. Some programs may not require any direct patient care experience while others require more than a thousand hours. Similarly, some programs would not consider an application complete if the applicant has not shadowed a PA while others would. When it comes to clinical experiences working with patients, CASPA categorizes these into two broad areas: patient care experience and healthcare experience. According to CASPA, patient care experience is a type of activity where the individual is directly involved in providing care for patients while healthcare experience is an activity in which you are interacting with patients but not responsible for their care. When completing the CASPA... read more
Oct 24, 2019 | Uncategorized
Look No Further. Get Started Today. 888-839-9997 info@admissionshelpers.com 20 Minutes Free Consultation Getting into PA school with a low GPA There are many PA schools across the country and each one has its own requirements. One of the areas where many PA schools have a minimum standard is the GPA. This is a cause for concern among applicants who want to get into PA school with a low GPA. Of course, one of the best ways to overcome a low GPA is to take additional courses and to get good grades in these courses. But if this is not possible, an applicant with a low GPA should not be totally disheartened. There are PA programs with lower or less stringent minimum GPA requirements. Applicants to PA school should take the time to carefully research PA schools and find out each school’s minimum GPA requirements before applying. This way, individuals with low GPAs can ensure that they do not waste their time applying to a program that has strict minimum GPA requirements higher than their GPA. If you plan to apply to PA school but your GPA is low, try to find programs which have minimum GPA requirements lower than your GPA. If you find programs that have higher requirements than your GPA to which you are interested in applying, it may be worthwhile finding out whether these programs are lenient on their minimum GPA requirement. For example, some programs may not have an absolute minimum but a preferred minimum GPA. Other programs may take into account improvements, paying attention to the GPA in more recent academic courses (for example... read more
Dec 21, 2018 | Uncategorized
Look No Further. Get Started Today. 888-839-9997 20 Minutes Free Consultation Entry level master’s programs in nursing Demand for nurses has been increasing over the course of the last few years. According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics, employment for registered nurses will increase by 15% from 2016 to 2026. This is greater than the average increase for various occupations. Nursing is a popular field because it affords a rewarding career and financial security. For those who opt to pursue a career in nursing, there are various educational routes. If you have already completed your undergraduate education in another field, it’s not too late to switch to nursing. Many students pursue their nursing education after finishing their bachelor’s degree in another discipline. Traditionally, these individuals return to school to get a second bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). While this is still a good option, an alternative that is becoming popular is an entry level master’s program in nursing. These programs are designed specifically for individuals without a nursing bachelor’s degree, allowing prospective nurses to begin their nursing education at the master’s level. We have seen students enter these programs from a variety of diverse backgrounds, ranging from engineering to the arts to biology. After completing virtually any of the entry level master’s programs in nursing, an individual can sit for the NCLEX exam and subsequently obtain their licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). Most of these programs also provide individuals with the credentials required to pursue further graduate training. After finishing the entry level master’s program, many continue their education in a master’s level nurse practitioner program or... read more
Dec 13, 2018 | Uncategorized
Look No Further. Get Started Today. 888-839-9997 20 Minutes Free Consultation International dentists who seek admission into advanced standing programs in the United States must demonstrate strong academic backgrounds and readiness to pursue dental education in this country. Schools evaluate applicants to advanced standing programs in a number of ways including based on their standardized test scores. Most if not all advanced standing programs require applicants to pass the National Board of Dental Examiners part 1 before applying to their programs. Many also require part 2 of this exam and some recommend it. As a result, to be able to cast a wide net and have many options when applying, it is always a good idea for applicants to consider taking and passing both of these examinations. But in addition to these exams, the TOEFL is also an important aspect of a successful application to advanced standing dental programs. The TOEFL tells programs whether an applicant has the English language proficiency to excel in dental school. Since the board exams are not scored and are only pass/fail, some schools place great emphasis on the TOEFL examination and look for applicants with high scores. In addition, the Advanced Dental Admissions Test is becoming more popular as a way of assessing applicants. While virtually none of the advanced standing programs require this exam, some do recommend it. Doing well on this exam is a good way for applicants to distinguish themselves from the crowd, especially at those programs that recommend this examination. Applying to advanced standing requires careful strategic planning and part of that planning should focus on which exams... read more
Oct 27, 2018 | Uncategorized
Look No Further. Get Started Today. 888-839-9997 20 Minutes Free Consultation Dental Experience – Pre-dental Short Courses Dental schools are looking for applicants who have had exposure to the dental field. One of the greatest ways to get this kind of experience is to work in clinical dental environments. Beyond this, many dental schools offer short courses that give students the chance to spend any where from a day to several weeks learning more about the dental profession. These structured programs may offer the opportunity to shadow or volunteer with dentists. Some offer DAT preparation and others even provide guidance on the dental school application process. Almost all of them also provide an opportunity for applicants to participate in simulation labs in dentistry. These labs are a great opportunity to practice manual dexterity, learn to work with dental instruments, and get a better sense of what the manual work of a dentist entails. These courses can serve as a great opportunity to learn more about the dental profession and demonstrate commitment to the field. Below is a list of programs that offer short courses for pre-dental students. Note that the information provided her is subject to change. For the most up to date information, we encourage applicants to contact the school directly. University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham, AL Link to course: The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) Course duration: 6 weeks Course fee: Free. Stipend $600 What’s covered in the course: A combination of clinical exposure, shadowing, and interprofessional experiences. Participation in weekly preceptorship pairings with health professionals in the field as well as... read more
Sep 25, 2018 | Uncategorized
Look No Further. Get Started Today. 888-839-9997 20 Minutes Free Consultation PA School GRE Requirements There are a number of factors that PA schools use to evaluate applicants. Most if not all schools look at an applicant’s grade point average and clinical experience. In addition, a large proportion of schools examine an applicant’s performance on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The good news for PA applicants is that the GRE is not required by every school. Applicants who do not have time to take the GRE prior to applying or those who are concerned about not performing well on this exam, have the option of applying to the various schools that do not require the test. We encourage applicants to get an early start on deciding whether they will be applying to programs that require the GRE or not, so they can begin preparing for the exam in a timely fashion. Beyond looking at whether a school requires the GRE or not, it is also advised that applicants review each school’s minimum GRE requirements and the average GRE score of admitted students. This information can help applicants assess how competitive they are for each program and whether they meet the minimum requirements of each program. Interestingly, some PA schools accept the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) instead of the GRE. In addition, many programs want GRE scores that are no older than 5 years and some even want scores less than 3 years old. If you are trying to figure out which schools are appropriate for you based on GRE requirements, the list below may be a helpful... read more
Aug 7, 2018 | Uncategorized
Look No Further. Get Started Today. 888-839-9997 20 Minutes Free Consultation Tips for impressing your medical school interviewers By Daisy Kim, MD Phew… you let out a sigh of relief. After all those hours of MCAT and application prep, you are thrilled to realize you have somehow reached the final round. After a short while of euphoria, you find yourself growing anxious about the interview day. “What exactly are they looking for?” You wonder. “I guess they have some faith in me (on paper), but how do I convince them I am worthy of their investment amongst a sea of applicants?” Well say no more – here come some tips from someone who has been on both sides of the interviewing table. Do: relax and smile. As cliché as this sounds, it is true. Positive aura is infectious, and you can work the halo effect to your advantage. It is obvious from even the initial exchange of hellos how comfortable you appear, and this quite powerfully affects the mood of your interviewer during interview, better yet when they type up your evaluation. The most pleasantly memorable applicants are always the ones who are engaged in the conversations all the while keeping their cool. Showing that you can remain relaxed in this high stress situation is a strength. Of course, don’t be too comfortable – no slouching on the chair or using overly casual language. If you find yourself nervous during the interview, and maybe even making some verbal mistakes, it is actually okay to say “sorry, I am nervous!” When I heard this confession from some applicants, I thought... read more
Apr 5, 2018 | Uncategorized
Call us today for a free 20 minute consultation! 888-839-9997 You’ve spent the whole semester studying long nights in the library and acing those exams. Now, finally – finally! – You’ve made it to break. Winter break, spring break, summer break, and long weekends all present an opportunity for you to both work hard and play hard. How can you maximize your time off from your pre-dental studies while having a good time? Check out our four top tips to make the most of your school breaks to have fun and to benefit you on your journey to dental school. Make a list of goals Create a prioritized list of goals you want to accomplish over your break. Lists will keep you accountable and organized. Plan a specific deadline to complete each task and stick to your deadlines. You may find yourself working more efficiently by setting goals with a deadline. It can feel incredibly satisfying to complete goals on your list, one-by-one. Keep checking your list throughout break to stay on track. Make sure you balance your work with things that are fun and important to you, too, like resting or spending time with your family and friends. You’ll feel satisfied at the end of your break after you’ve accomplished most, even maybe all, of your goals. Travel Extended school breaks are opportunities to travel domestically or even internationally. Decide where you would like to travel based on your time and budget. Consider opportunities through your university, student groups, or local organizations. Your university may have study abroad programs. Make sure to start planning weeks in advance... read more
Mar 31, 2018 | Uncategorized
Call us today for a free 20 minute consultation! 888-839-9997 It always feels like a struggle to find the time to study, volunteer, eat well, exercise, have a social life, and the million other things you want to get done during the school year. Winter break, spring break, summer break, and long weekends are all times to take a deep breath. Breaks are also a unique time to improve your dental school application in ways that you can’t during the school year. Check out our top five tips to make the most of your school breaks to benefit you on your journey to dental school. Learn more about specific dental schools Breaks can allow you to explore what dental schools you want to attend. Reach out to admissions offices at schools to see if they offer open house events or tours. If they don’t, ask the admissions office if you could schedule an unofficial visit to see the school or if they could connect you with current dental students or alumni. Learning about dental schools will help you choose which schools you want to apply to. Connect with dental students and dentists Once you’ve determined a few schools you’re interested in, try to reach out to dental students through the admissions office or find local dentists that attended those schools. Dental students and dentists may have more time to chat with you over breaks and holidays. Set up informational interviews with dental students and dentists in-person or over the phone to discuss their path to dentistry and what advice they have for you. Shadowing dentists is challenging when... read more
Nov 20, 2017 | Uncategorized
Applying to health professional school can be daunting. There are pre-requisite courses, standardized tests, essay questions, and of course – interviews. It can be easy to forget what health professional school is really all about: gaining expertise in a subject area, and becoming a professional. Throughout all of this, one of the most important skills you’ll develop along the way is the ability to learn. Traditional programs can be thought of in two parts: didactic years and practical years. In medicine, didactic years are the first two years of classwork, spent learning about anatomy and complex pathophysiology. These are followed by practical years, two years in the clinic learning the practical application of your knowledge from the first two years. The skills you need to succeed in both environments – academic, and practical – are very different. Didactic years test your ability to absorb vast amounts of information, and demonstrate your knowledge on a multiple-choice exam. Practical years test your ability to build rapport with your team, and your ability to contextualize the information you’ve absorbed. Both sets of skills are important, but once you graduate, what do you really need to succeed in your future career? It comes down to your ability to learn independently. Times change, our understanding of complex pathophysiology deepens, legal precedents are set and broken. Your team, and your role on that team, will change – even the fundamental organizational structure of a hospital can change. Staying ahead of the curve won’t be easy, but it will be a part of your job. To become a leader in your field, you need to first... read more
