Wow...where to even begin...
I began college in 2007 with the sole decision to get my bachelors of science with a concentration in radiography (aka:x-rays). My mom had mentioned to me years prior that a physician assistant degree would be something rewarding to look into but I pretty much ignored her having never heard of the profession before. Now fast forward to 2009 when I am a sophomore in college and I realize how fascinating being a PA was when I started doing clinical rotations in my program. I instantly decided that I wanted to be more involved in my patient's care than I was and began to say that in the future I wanted to go to school to become a physician assistant.
I graduated undergrad in May of 2011 with that BS in radiography. I knew that I had all of my pre-reqs done for a masters program and that I had a year of working as an x-ray tech under my belt. I procrastinated a bit and applied a little later in the CASPA cycle than most seem to (mid-late July 2011). I was beyond excited to get my first interview invite about 4 weeks later from the school that is only 20 minutes away from my house (by far the closest one to me). The interview I thought was a little short (the actual interview, not the whole day) but I felt ok about it. I was waiting to hear back (which we were told would be about a month) when I received an invite to interview at another college in my state capital. A few days before the next interview I received my response letter from the first school saying I had been waitlisted. I was devastated since I felt like I basically had put my eggs all in one basket since it was so close to home and it was a reputable program.
I more or less lost motivation to interview at this next school but it actually worked to my advantage because I was not nervous at all going into the day. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the day and the attitude of the faculty/other interviewees. I really ended up enjoying the day and walked out feeling like I totally aced the interview. I interviewed on Friday, 9/30 and 3 days later (that Monday) I got a phone call saying I was one of their top candidates from my interview date and was offered a spot in their incoming class starting September 2012. It was so hard to keep my composure while continuing the conversation with the assistant program director. As soon as we said goodbye I starting having a party by myself in the kitchen! Jumping up and down and then went downstairs to tell me dad and then to tell my mom who were both more than excited for me as well :)
Two days ago, I got a call from the first school saying that I was next on the waitlist and a spot opened for me if I was still willing to take it. Mind you that this phone call is coming exactly 1 month prior to their orientation date. I had one day to decide if I wanted to start next month or next fall. After weighing the pros and cons with my family for about 2 hours, I had made my decision to go for it and take the plunge and start in 1 month instead of in another 8 months.
So, that leads us to now. In the past 2 days I have filled out my FAFSA, applied for student grad plus loans, received my immunization record from my old doctor, went to my new doctor to fill out the immunization sheet, get my TB test, get the necessary titters (blood work) to complete the health form, gone to my new school to pick up my welcome packet, met with a financial aide counselor at my school, filled out and sent in my enrollment form and deposit, completed parking forms, completed forms to receive my white coat and name tag on time for the white coat ceremony, and signed up for my BLS certification renewal. All of which is required prior to matriculation on January 6, 2012. Wow....talk about a busy past couple of days.
So now I write because I realized how much I have truly enjoyed reading other PA student blogs throughout the past 4 years while I have been a pre-PA dreaming of being in their position. I hope that with this blog I will not only be able to document the crazy next two years of my life so I can look back someday and see all that I achieved (which I am sure will be a blur by then); but also so other pre-PA students and PA students will have another source of information for what day to day life as a PA-S is like and to ask all the questions you want to get answered.
So welcome to my blog and I really look forward to this journey that we are all about to embark upon together!
No comments:
Post a Comment