Application Workshop for future PA students

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Hi welcome, everyone, I just see everyone who's on here. We have Emily and Haley and then I also have Tyler here with me from at missions, so if you have any questions at anytime. I'm going to go ahead and go with through it, you can do the chat box and you'll be able to ask whatever questions you may have.

So the first part is just really getting to know what is Castle because Azure applying to pH school? What this is? Is this is the centralized application service for physician assistant and this is a really easy process for you to apply to all PA schools throughout the US.

So it's really important that you get to know Caspa and get you know the ends and outs because there are a lot of things that you should know an especially planning ahead of time because PA school is not the type of application that you can just submit in like 2 weeks and think everything is going to be completed so.

And the other thing to think about is that if you're not just applying to frame you. You're playing to multiple schools. They are also all going to have different requirements. So it's really important that you start as early as possible and completing your application and to know that there are different statuses that your application is going to be moving through within your application if caso.

So you start the application process you do have to research each program to know when their cycle of applications open because every program is different for ours. We always open up in the spring. We open up. Every April 27th. We always close. It August 1st so you always want to pay special attention to those cycle dates in deadline requirement.

Application fees evaluation requirements a minimum requirement minimum requirements that include the prerequisites standardized test scores like your GRE your supplemental applications foreign and foreign evaluations if that's what you have.

So, in then something you also need to be aware of is that all of your official transcript needs to be entered in your coursework within Caspa, an A lot of people may have taken coursework in high school and gotten credit for that. And so you will need to also request. Those transcripts because they're not going to be listed on like if you just went to LSU and you went to Baton Rouge Community College. You need to make sure that you.

Requesting both of those transcripts, you need to be also be contacting your potential evaluators to confirm their participation. So this would be for those individuals who you have asked to do a recommendation for you really want to be able to ask them questions at the beginning of that and that they would you highly recommend me would you recommend me because that's something that they're going to really look at they do look at all those letters of recommendations.

They take into account because there aren't they are practicing of some of them are practicing PS and so they can really see your work ethic and so in coaching them through to be able to say OK not only are you writing my letter. But you're also going to be writing me and you don't want to get someone. That's just going to say, Oh, I recommend this person, but then they say, Oh, she didn't do this, or he didn't do this and then you could have the opposite where they say, Oh, I highly recommend you but then whenever they click the box. They're putting their only putting.

I recommend this person even though they give you a glowing letter of recommendation and they say how wonderful you are, and everything that you would give back to the community and so being able to tell them it's a really big thing whenever either. They're giving those recommendations for you so when you also need to begin drafting your personal essay or your personal statement. So there's kind of just varies from person to person. This is really great way for you to tell your story.

He is a second career choice for many individuals and so we do with a lot of students.

Who have um not-so-good under graduate coursework and so if you are on that cost of a 30 'cause that is a minimum requirement. GPA this really gives an opportunity for you to tell your story as to why you receive those grades what have you done?

You address it and how your prerequisite coursework is going and now you're able to raise that GPA and also what you want to give back to the PA profession itself in so that's a really good way for them to review you and not just look at those grades because everyone who is extended an interview will be meeting. Armina mountain are minimum requirements. So you're competing with everyone else who has those jirari scores who has.

Those test test scores and just really excels academically so this is going to give you another opportunity to stand out.

And so if you have questions and you get confused about because the application itself. You can always email me and I'll be happy to walk you through it, and so that's why if you have questions or if you want to everything's in there and you just need someone to review it. Before, you hit some it. I'm happy to do so. I'm happy to help you with that.

So this is an application timeline of what it looks like to actually apply you're always wanting to apply at least 3 months prior to the deadline so first you create your account second. You complete the colleges attended and then 3, complete the evaluations section.

So I have to get a drink.

And then again, requesting all of your official school transcript to be sent directly to Caspa you're not sending it to fry and you. You're not sending it to any of those universities. You need to make sure that you're spending it directly to Caspa And if there are any holes on your account at the school. You need to resolve them to avoid delays in your transcript so people will say well. Why would I have a hold on my account at your call it at my previous institution.

This usually comes from outstanding fees, so you do have a balance and there's no way of getting around this so if you are someone who owes from 10 years ago, well is not gone. No, it's not gone to have to pay that to be able to enter in your coursework and then this is where you will start to begin entering your coursework passbook and this can be very tedious, so you need to make sure that you're lining up those courses incorrectly.

Me correctly so that's the way you're avoiding accidentally dragging in the wrong class.

This would be especially for people who have repeated coursework. So, your first time you took biology. You gotta see well. Then you need it very take it, you needed to get in a an sometimes, this is where you would draw you put in the wrong class and now you drug your class that you have to see but you really meant to put in a so you really need to be able to make sure that you pay attention to that you are actually putting everything in there correctly.

And then you do need to give yourself at least 6 to 8 weeks to submit and complete the application and go to the verification process whenever your application moves to the verification process. This is where an individual from Caspa is reviewing all of the work that you have done within your application and verifying OK. Yes, I can see the course work has been completed that you have completed your degree your GR.

He hasn't been submitted your official transcripts and they are your recommendations are all in their services. This then taking a second look at your application for you. They do not fix your errors that there is something that aired on you. It's always going to land on the student and then after you hit submit so you're going to continue to monitor it and then once it's verified status that whenever we will be notice. We will be notified that your application has moved.

To that verified status and mass whenever the program will start to take a look at your application and this is where I'd missions. This is where I would be removed from the picture. So I help you get to the application actually submitting the process and then from here. The PA faculty review your application with Encasa in make sure your meeting. Those minimum requirements and then they do. They review you and then from there, they meet as a faculty and review?

All applicants and then that's whenever they make their final decision to send out interviews last year. This was the first time that they did a different application time.

I want like a different uhm process and so will go over that in if you.

So going back over to the admissions requirements. This is a really huge part for everyone to.

Take their time and get to know.

Every PA program is a little bit different in so you can't just start your application and could say OK, you know what I'm going to do it for frame you. All were going to be the same. They're not the same. and I really encourage you to apply to multiple schools because for us. We only have 30 seats in we receive over 300 applications. Each year and we interview. Roughly 100 applicants each year, so make sure that you're not just putting.

Saying Don't put all your eggs in one basket applied to multiple schools and make sure you're hitting their requirements and then for us to be considered for admissions. You do have to have a Baccalaureate degree for my regionally accredited institution.

Um the following GPA requirements must be met. You have to have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0, the frame. You prereqs do you have to be at 3.0 in your cumulative undergraduate science has to be a 3.0 this is where a lot of students get very confused as to where the GPA team up in so.

Sorry aspect actually has a GPA Calculator.

And you can put in all your courses in there, so if you're like Heather. I can't find it, but email me and I'll be happy to send it to you.

So that's where you can plug in all of your prerequisite coursework on there. You do have to take human anatomy with lab human Physiology.

Some general microbiology organic chemistry, one into general psychology statistics genetics. Medical terminology and you do have to have a minimum of a C or higher in all prerequisite coursework.

B and amp is preferred looking at our past applicants. They typically have a 3.5 GPA so if you're an applicant who has a 2.9. You're not going to be extended an interview because that doesn't meet those minimum admissions requirements. You could even have a 2.99 they will not give you an interview. You have to have that 3.0 cutoff.

And then you also have to take your GRE you do have to have a minimum combined score of a 290 on the verbal and quantitative sections. You have to achieve a 3.5 on the analytical writing section and again this is not they won't.

You can't you can have a 289 and they will not give you an interview. It's a very, very, very strict with.

Those admissions requirements and they will not budg for anyone.

And again, you do have to submit those 3 letters of recommendations you have to submit your personal statement.

And whenever you submit it and then you, also get this notification that you have to complete a supplemental application. This is going to meet this will only apply to those who are extended an interview so once you hear from the PA program. And they say. Yes, we would like you to come to interview then. This is where the supplemental application will come into play this year. They may do something different. They may be doing what is called Casper?

And so we're kind of in the works of it, so there might be a change. So we're just going. I'm just going to go on past this is where the submit supplemental application has been but just know that there might be a change. But as of. Now they're not they haven't. But we're not they haven't opened up the application cycle.

So you do have to attend a personal interview and then those of you who have taken graduate coursework and may not have a strong undergraduate GPA no graduate coursework or medical school transfer credit will be awarded for the program so you do have to look at that undergraduate GPA and there are some circumstances that the committee may substitute previous graduate.

Horse work with that is a case by case basis only and you have to submit it to the faculty ahead of time and they have to review it and OK. It prior to use submitting the application so don't start your application and say, Oh well. Can I give it if that's how you start? It then they will not accept it?

So uhm additional admissions considerations. This is a really great place for those students who say I have the GPA. I'm not worried about my GPA. I have a 3.9 over 3.4. I meet all of your requirements. I have a great GRE score. I've did my letters of recommendation. Everyone highly recommends me and I just what else can I do to stick out well here are the other ways.

If you are a friend you graduate that will help you doesn't eliminate you if you're not afraid you graduate so don't worry hands on patient care experience. This is a really big one. A minimum of 80 hours is to be considered competitive going down the list of license health care worker shadowing one or more PS. They really like to know that you shadowed a PA so if there's some way that you could incorporate.

You shadowing a PA into your personal statement. This is a really great way for you to connect. Those 2 and it just let them know that you know what it's like to be a working PA in that you've researched the profession and you know what you're getting into military experiences. One work in professional experience, they'll make sure that you're putting the work experience into your Casper application. So if you've been working it's really important, but I suggest you do.

Is put it into an Excel form so that's the way? Whenever you're filling out your application within Castle that you can quickly.

You can measure tracking that your work hours and it's really easy for you to upload and you can put put those work hours and give your credit give yourself credit for that. And so Azure. Keeping your Excel sheet of your professional experience make sure that your listing.

The person your supervisor in their contact information, so that's the way it really to them. It looks good and it shows that you're you're very organized and then you can keep track of everything that you do.

Applicants from a medically underserved area, which is majority of Louisiana mission work and community service are also really great ways to show that you.

That you really are a good mission fit because we're very miss mission. Centric here at Fran. You and we want to be able to choose those individuals who are going to be serving those most in need, and during this program. You're going to really be exposed to giving back to the community in where you have service, learning hours and so, if you're a person who.

I don't enjoy giving back in service, you know community service is not my thing, then we're probably not the program for you. You would go crazy in our program and they will tell you that during the interview process that they incorporate that into their curriculum and so these students not only are they in the classroom and they're not allowed to work because it's such a rigorous program. But they are required to give back and they do community service.

So we commonly I frequently hear what's really good hands on patient care experience and so we've really tried to come up with.

A list of opportunities for you.

And according to the 32nd annual report, published by PA. The average number of patient contact towers in applicants applying to PA schools and nationally is 2875 and frame. You we require much less. However, the more the applicant has the more competitive, he or she is some examples of hands on patient care experience. It includes phlebotomy.

Which frame you does offer a certificate course of you are interested in taking that email me and I'll be happy to send you some information so you can get that certification. EKG Tech is certified nurses aid patient care technique technicians and even more value is placed on applicants with previous drove carrot license in certificates, such as respiratory therapy Clinton Lab Science, an rad tech.

Those are just a few to list here.

So we're not go on to something frequently asked questions that we get.

Do I need to send in the transcripts.

And I went over this. Yes, please make sure that you're submitting all official transcripts to Caspa.

Ascending official transcripts, there is a request form that you have to do there in that's all through Casper. Casper will help walk you through that there is one thing that I want to bring to your attention is that if you're graduating in May and you are on Top of your game and you are submitting an early application in April. Then you will need to make sure that you send us an updated transcript in once you submit that button of submitted your application has been verified then you can no longer.

Upload transcripts into Caspa in Substats whenever it would need to be sent to Fran you address to the admissions office.

Um.

And so I told you again, you can find that transcript request form within Casper.

And then Azure filling, it out. They're going to ask you what is my primary institution is what this is a good tracking purpose for us so that primary institution is where you're going to earn your degree from so wherever here, earning your bachelors degree from you transferred 3 times. It's at that end, so wherever you get your degree from is your primary institution and if you're an individual who has a lot of course, work and you're like do I really?

Have to enter in all of this course work. Yes, you must enter in all of your coursework into the transcript. Entry section of your application. However, there is one thing if you are like I don't want to do it. I don't want to mess it up. You can also opt to pay for a professional transcript entry. This is someone with in Casper, who will actually do all of that train script word for you and the cost is always going to be very.

It's going to be very by how many hours you have taken and so, if you have questions about that. You can go on to Caspa, an ask them. Some questions about it or I could help direct you to a link to get you to where you need to go to ask those questions because Caspa is a third party. We pay them to help us review these applications. I am not able to enter in those coursework, so that is strictly done by Caspa.

How do I list my repeated courses again? So this is this might be an individual where you gotta be and you wanted to really you need it that A and so cast the considered a course to be repeated. If you enrolled in the same course again at the same college or University so report. All attempts of repeated coursework and be sure to mark them as repeated during transcript entry into the number of credit hours attempted 4.

Each course, regardless of how many credits were actually earned.

And then another question that is really big that we get is why is my Castle GPA different from the GPA my transcript the difference? Is is that Castle a GPS?

They factor in all course were taken regardless of the college or University of any academic forgiveness policies so that means if you you organic chemistry and you got a C and you really needed that a so you repeated it. The next time in you gotten a Caspa is going to count every time that you take a class so except for your University they deleted out so it's kind of like a repeat an elite.

You'll hear that that's what that means and Casper does not do that, so all of your course work is going to be entered in this is especially hard for some of those individuals who are 2nd career choice as a PA may want to come back in and they have been working in the work field and they say you know what my under graduate work does not represent the type of person who I am I know I can do so much better, so I'm going back and I've been taking all my prerequisites and there is.

Huge difference and we see this like there is a huge difference with the students had that low GPA and then now they're coming in 4.0 students.

Again, we're going to be counting in all of that all of those GPA so it may take that type of individual a lot longer to bring up that GPA so if you're looking at it, looking at those application cycles. An you have over 150 credit hours and you're trying to get to that 3.0 cutoff.

You're going to be looking at taking a lot of classes to be able to bring that GPA.

And then if you're like, you know what I absolutely do not agree with the GPA how can I change it to calculate the Caspa GPS factor in all coursework taken regardless again, you can see how you calculate it and you would have to follow it up with Caspa to be able to say, well, I don't agree with it and then they can help review it with you to be able to come up with that determination of what your GPA is more than likely they have.

If they have a very calculated way of doing it and so the likelihood of an error on their side is very low.

So our applications cycled does open annually on April 27th so we will have.

In upcoming information session, so if you are wanting to still meet with some of the faculty to ask them questions, they will be having.

I information session on campus, it'll be at the end of the month on the last February. February 28th and it will be from 12 to one so if you wanted to come in and meet with the faculty so they just get a little bit 1. On one interaction with them. I will be emailing you guys that so that's why you have that.

In then am I gave you the link on here to the Caspa on line so that's where you can start in create that application.

Obviously, the applicant is responsible for all pass the application fees. The applicant is responsible for ensuring all application materials are received prior to the application deadline in order to be verified by Caspa. The PA program will not track nor notify individual applicants of any missing items, so this is huge so you can get your application in there an you think that everything is good to go because you have been verified.

And how does move to that verified status. The PA program does not track it and they will not notify you so you need to be very on Top of the application and making sure that everything is done correctly.

Any additional unrequested application documents provided by the applicant will not be considered for admissions or return to the applicant so if you come in. In your like I have a letter and this is from one of our senators. Can you please put this into my application so then we say OK we put it in there and you come back and you say Hey? Can I have that letter back? I want it back because it's sentimental to me and I should have kept the original 1 can have it. Unfortunately, we would not be able to give you.

Any of those documents back.

And again I want to preface it on that verified status, making sure that you moved from applied to verified before August 1st so if you start your application July 20th and you're like, I have enough time and if you're not by verified by August 1st. They will not take you into consideration and they will tell you to reapply for next year, so in once the application has been verified by cast the.

Feet that's whenever the admissions committee will start to review it and interviews are determined on how their review is going.

So applicants invited to an interview will be forwarded the supplemental application for completion via email on that is going to be done by their academic support coordinator. Her name is Lisa Ann once they decide to send out interviews. Then you will receive that supplemental application and last year. They did start doing interviews early, so instead of waiting until August September October.

They're actually going to be interviewing early as May and so would their hope to is to be able to get students earlier into the program and so by August 1st? What they would like to have is about half their class already full so the sooner. You fill out your application is definitely the better, so it's really important for you to start working on this now to have everything in place for you to start and submit and get verified.

Hum so that's why they can verify you and extend that interview early as possible.

Um they will not fill up their class by August 1st and so, if you're like, I just need a little bit more time. That's fine. They're not going to fill it up so don't feel pressured if you're just one of those who wants to get in and get their interview done and try to get that offer as soon as they can then I would really encourage you to do that.

And so how how would you be notified of the being interviewed you're always going to be?

Notified via email so if you are graduating in May and you're looking to be.

Invited for an interview make sure that your listing a good email so if you're going to LSU. I would ask when they discontinue those emails because this might be a really good time for you to start your professional email and use that one so that's the way as you graduate and you move on, you're still not using your student email so make sure that you watch that you do have to respond to the interview, so you have to say yes, please confirm me.

Individuals, who failed to respond to the RSVP will forfeit in the interview and your potential acceptance into the program.

Interviews are always going to be conducted in person on the frame. You campus in typically they do include program, faculty, staff, administrators alumni. Intercurrent students so this gives you a really good opportunity to interview us as well because what they like to say is that whenever you're being interviewed but it's almost like doing a dance. They want to make sure that you are the right fit for us in that.

You know that we are the right fit for you, um, it, he applicants who are traveling outside of the Baton Rouge area. You can contact the program regarding hotel in transportation options. Applicants are responsible for all costs associated with the interview, so if you're coming in you're having to fly or having to get an Uber and all of that you would be responsible for all of those.

Please.

Interviews are always going to be a non traditional format and are conducted in a mini multiple interview. It style so they call it the MSI style. This is like speed dating so you're going to go into a room all of your faculty who are going to be interviewing are going to be stationed at different tables. You're going to be given 8 minutes and every 8 minutes. You're going to get up in rotate and that MI style. This is where applicants will be assessed.

On their professionalism maturity critical thinking ethical decision. Making communication skills knowledge of healthcare filled in PA profession.

Applicants, who are Unfortunately, not extended an interview will also be sent a notification through Caspa.

So this just this gives you a really good face interviews if you are late for the interview.

Alright, you're you're in you're in big trouble because they don't like it when you're late does not look good, so make sure that you're planning enough time I will say Baton Rouge. Traffic is horrible and so you definitely need to make sure that you're giving yourself a plenty of time to get here early and it is quite a cumbersome day so I would plan for a good half that half of the day because once you get here in your being interviewed and you're going to rotate you'll be able to do your MMI.

You're going to meet with current students. You're going to do a campus tour and so this will be able to give you a good fuel? What is it like to be a current student and PA faculty and then we really like to invite our alumni and so then it gives you an opportunity to also ask them questions about what it's like to be a graduate from praying you just to give you a little insight on the program. 3 out of 5 of our faculty members are actually frame new graduates.

And so they are all members of frame you and actually have attended the program so it's really gives you a good feel that they're very much invested for this program.

And then I think that that really covers it so if you had any questions. Just let me know you can always reach out to me and you can send to it to admissions and then again, I have your link right there to the Castle.

Application and make sure again I'll preface it, you really need to give yourself a lot of time on this application. It can be very tedious and so the more accurate. You you like use Excel and being able to upload all of your stuff in just makes that whole application process a lot easier and.

Again, there's 30 accepts every year and so that's a 28 month program. This is a very rigorous program. And so they're not allowed to work while they're in the program. It is eligible for financial aid. And so you'll still be able to do your financial aid so that's something that I would start to do so. If you do get invited to an interview. Make sure that you start that fast for application so that's why you're a little bit ahead of the game.

And don't don't limit yourself so.

I that could that wraps it all up so I thank you. I hope you all enjoyed it and if you have any questions, please. Feel free to reach out and then I will be also be sending the link. So if you would like to come on campus to see our facilities. The PA information session with in Irwin, who is a faculty member.

Teaches.

The OK so I'm gonna hop back on here there are a couple of questions so.

Um Kali I'm going to approve your question, we don't use cadaver labs.

I don't know him.

It's OK.

We're doing here, so um. No, we don't have cadaver labs. We will always use our anatomists tables in those tables.

Not really are great better. We think that there are better experience for the students and they'll.

So now we will never have had our labs. We also have a plasticized cadavers and so you're able to learn anatomy and Physiology just a different way.

For the other LSU question about substituting you could send it to me and I will. I will send it to the PA faculty into review because I'm not able to make those decisions. It does have to be sent to the faculty and they will be able to approve it.

Uh we have another really good question here. How long will students have to accept their seats. Once they find out that they are accepted to the PA program. Usually, we try to give the students about a week. There is a $500 deposit that goes along with that. That is non refundable so it's typically always a week and they always email. The student everything is sent via email. And so this year. We're actually hoping to change that to where we could help.

Then do that and then you could actually work with me on doing those acceptance letters and also being able to give the deposit so if you will have a week and hopefully this year will change it and I'll be able to help collect all of that information form for you.

I'm feeling good.

Answer the other question was discussed in the plus minus rating system, OK, so just Casper use a plus minus grading system.

I don't believe it is like their GPA that they how they calculate they don't end so LSU. They switched to that plus minus in we they don't use that so it be is a B&A. As in a Even so, it's always really good to go and get that Calculator from Casper to be able to do it. People like you might have the question of well. Why don't you? Why don't you know this you should know this you're helping me with your application will cast?

Does all of those calculations for us in because we receive over 400 applications for one program? I can't manage doing 500 and so that's why we have cast but do that and then they'll be able to help work with you using their GPA Calculator and I think it's really important for you to use them because if we were to make any errors on that. It's just an error that I would hate to make because I really want to see everyone.

Have that 3.0 GPA and make sure that those people are meeting those requirements.

The other one is my grades from LSU are also on my friend. You transcribed do I need to include my LSU class rings twice since they are both transcripts. So yes, if you attended 2 institutions. You always have to include both transcript. So you would you transfer you went to LSU and then you transfer Zofran you even though frame you has that coursework that's for our purposes. Castle will require you to send in both transcripts so the same thing.

Like if you were a student in high school and he went to be RCC and then you went to LSU. Then came trying. You you would need 3 transcripts. You would need at B RCC. You need that LSU and you would need that frame you.

Are there?

OK and scholarships that's a great question. I'm so going into grad. School is where you really see a very a shift in what financial 8 looks like you're no longer eligible for grants. So you would still fill out your Fasa. You would be eligible for subsidized loans and unsubsidized loans scholarships. They do have one scholarship that is from the sisters in that is, it's kind of an annual basis.

So if there is money that is given to the PA program what they like to do is they like to save it until the very last semester of PA school in so that last semester. They're working on becoming credentialed by then, they've route typically received 2 or 3 job offers so there waiting to.

Not only are you waiting for your degree be converted from frame you but then you also have to take your pants tests and we have 100% pants pass rate the past 2 years. The once you receive that certificate is whenever you get the P AC and then you're also licensed through the state of Louisiana and that can take a while as well. So what we like to do is we know that those students can't work. You essentially can't work. You can't practice 'cause you don't you're not credentialed.

So we give them like a $3000 scholarship at the end to help subsidized them until they were able to get in the word gift working again so but other than that. That is so far. That's the only one scholarship that is available. Hopefully will see this in the future change. But if you I would just say to research on to CPAYA is a really great resource for students to go on and start reviewing.

About the profession itself and so sometimes there are additional scholarships that might be through them that I would do your research through PA to see what they have to offer they can help point you in the right direction.

Alright well, I'm if you have any other questions. You can go ahead and type them in now. Hopefully, that was a lot. You guys asked really great questions so I appreciate it.

If you have any other questions. I'll give you like one more minute and then we'll cut you off but I thank you. Guys very much and hope you all have a good day.

Alright there are no other questions coming through.