PAI 07: Grade Problems

Posted By: Kubin   |   The Physician Assistant Insider Podcast

PAI 10 - 06 PNGOkay, so one of the most popular posts we’ve ever done was an article called “Applying to Physician Assistant School With a Low Grade.” It addressed a specific problem, such as what to do if you bombed organic chemistry, or maybe you had a semester when all your grades dipped. Even worse, what if your entire GPA is weak?

All is not lost; listen in, and Paul will help you figure out what to do.

41 comments

  1. Hi Paul, I have a personal question for you. Could you let me know what kind of a chance do I have and getting accepted into a PA program. Please let me know if you received this email. That way I can send you a list of my credentials like gpa, healthcare exp. and other.

    1. Hi, Deanna – it’s very hard to tell anyone what their chances are. We generally shy away from making those kind of predictions. But if you are looking for more specific guidance, you might consider our pre-PA coaching, which can help you decide what part of your application needs the most work and how to get it done. To learn more, go the the menu bar, click Resources, and then Coaching Services.

  2. Hey Paul, I have so many questions about this programs. To start off let me tell you a little bit about myself, I’m currently at a Community College. Almost done, and about to get an Associates in General Science. I know I still have a long way to go before I’m even considered in the program. But my questions is how do you suggest that I proceed on? Would it be best if I go into 4yr University and go for a Biology major? Or maybe consider a Major into something else that will increase my chance of getting into the PA program?

  3. Hi Paul,
    I love this website and have found it very helpful. I just received my transcripts in the mail today and man they are way worse than I remember. What’s more… there’s 4 W’s on them that I don’t understand. I don’t know why they are on there. I enrolled in courses but dropped them before they even began so its very strange. I’m just wondering how bad a semester of W’s looks to a PA school. I have 2 more scattered on my transcripts. I took some time off after the W’s to work and when I returned to school I did very well. I have made the Dean’s list many times and have a very good GPA. Do you think all these W’s (6 total) are going to destroy my chances?

    1. It’s not great, but as long as they are Withdraw-passing and not Withdraw-failing, they will not factor into your calculated CASPA GPA. They will be visible by schools, but I suspect they won’t be the make or break factor.

  4. Hey Paul, I have a question regarding the GRE exam. I am not the best standardized test taker. However, I graduated from college last May with a 3.82 GPA and I am currently the head athletic trainer at a high school. I have done about 1,300 clinical hours as a student athletic trainer during undergrad and almost 1,000 during my first year at the high school. I am just finishing up my prerequisites and will be applying during the current cycle and I will be taking the GRE this coming Sunday. I am really concerned with how this test will go and what it will show to the schools I am applying to. I was preparing for it and then I had to deal with some family matters and I have not returned to preparing for it. I feel that I have a strong GPA, strong recommendations, and strong healthcare experience, but I am worried that schools will see my scores and dismiss my application. I was wondering how important the GREs are in comparison to the other aspects of the application.

    1. Hi, Jacquie – I would definitely say that the GRE is less important than your excellent GPA. You can retake the GRE too, so remember that if you aren’t happy with your score. I don’t remember if you can cancel and reschedule without paying a deposit. If so, a delay so you can get your head back in the game might be worth considering.

  5. Hello Paul! I haven’t done well in General Chemistry II and Biochemistry. I have received a C in both classes. I have one more semester left… should I retake one or both?

  6. Good Afternoon Paul,
    I have been wrestling with an issue regarding my situation and hopefully you can give me some advice on how to approach this. I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Biology, however I have a GPA of 2.6. While in school i had to photo copy pages upon pages on books I could not afford in order to make the grades I achieved. I knew I would need to bring my GPA up in order to apply to a PA program but with no money to take summer classes I had no option but to finish school in the time I was given which was 4 years. Right after Graduating college I began working as a Patient Care Technician for 2years and a 3 months where I acquired clinical patient experience working 12 hour shifts three days a week including weekends and holidays. I went back to school and retook classes that I had already passed to attempt to bring up my GPA. Now I am a United States Hospital Corpsman in the Navy is there an option for me in my pursuit of being accepted into PA school?

    1. Sure. You need to get some excellent grades to show them that you are (more recently) a better student. Then be prepared to tactfully explain what happened on your CASPA essay.

  7. What kind of job would you recommend having to gain experience prior to applying for PA school? I am now finishing my second year of college. Currently I am a CNA at a nursing/rehabilitation center, and would like to provide high levels of care. I am contemplating between medical assistant and EMT program.

    1. Scroll down the right side of our main page and click on the Topic “Health Care Experience.”

  8. Hi Paul,
    Ok, I’m a student who wasn’t focused at all in my under grad studies. I majored in biology with a 2.0 gpa and maybe a 2.1 science gpa. I thought I’d just get a degree and get a job.. .. I had no idea I’d want to go on. I am going to be a physician assistant though even if I have to redo my whole degree. I’m only 24 and am willing to do whatever it takes to be a physician assistant. My question is, what do I do now? Get a patient care job while taking pre requisites? Or apply to another university, transfer about half my credits in, and wait it out?? Please help me. Thanks.

    1. Well, your GPA is definitely going to make it tough to get in. I think if I were in your shoes I would take the prerequisites while working in health care in some capacity. If you don’t get in, then you can consider a post baccalaureate degree that will help demonstrate that you are now a better student.

  9. Hello Paul,

    I have a few bad grades in required science courses; 2 of which I already took over and didn’t do any better. I also took 2 other courses over which brought my gpa back up. How bad does the constant retaking of classes look? also I have one more year to finish my undergrad hopefully , how can I increase my chances into getting into a pa program during this important year?

    1. I’m not gonna lie: it doesn’t look good. Why would they take a chance on an applicant who hasn’t — after many attempts — been able to do well in subject matter that is DIRECTLY related to the subject matter that they will need to teach you?

      I’m sympathetic. But maybe medicine isn’t for you. OR, maybe you need to take some time off from school to get some space, reorganize, prepare yourself, etc. so that you can return ready to conquer that subject matter. Give it some thought.

  10. Hey, Paul, I’m 22 years old and beginning my pre requisites for Respiratory Therapy at my school, I currently have 3.0 GPA, I have A@P, micro, and chemistry to finish up before the RT program next year. My focus is on my GPA for RT and especially later down the road at 25-27 for PA, When should I consider studying or looking at the GRE? Is there any advice you think would be helpful for me and my plan? Sincerely,

    1. Hi James!

      RT is actually a great pass to PA. I wouldn’t worry about the GRE at all at this point. It’s one of the last things you will do before you apply to PA school. I actually don’t think it’s particularly important in the application process, although it is one of the hoops that most people have to jump through. Study hard and do your best and RT. Learn everything you can and when you’re ready to start PA school you will have all the tools needed. Some of the best PAs that I’ve met were respiratory therapist before hand.

  11. Rosha Reynolds says:

    I am retaking anatomy for the second time (I withdrew last semester), it’s a six week summer class. I currently have a C but I am worried that I may not pass the final. How badly would it affect my chances of getting into a PA program if they see that I’ve taken a class like anatomy 3 times?

    1. Well, it really wouldn’t be great. I usually don’t recommend people to take abbreviated versions of anatomy and physiology. These courses pack so much information in as it is, that when you make the course shorter there next to impossible. Also, the retention you get from them is usually pretty poor. If you can withdraw now before the final, you might consider doing that and retaking a full semester version of the class. Then, if you got asked why you took the class of their time you could say I finally learned that this is really not the kind of subject matter you should be working on in a six-week class. Two withdraws passing and an A is a whole lot better than one withdraw passing and a C.

  12. Hello Paul,

    Currently I am in the last year of my biology undergraduate degree. Due to family illnesses my GPA definitely took a hit ( Overall GPA 2.45), but now that I have the ability to better focus on my courses I would like to know what you would recommend I should do. I am aware that my situation isn’t ideal, but I am willing to do whatever is needed to improve my chances. I will also be working as a scribe to get further exposure to the field.

    Thank you for your time!

    1. Hi, Kary!

      You’re probably not unlike my advice: if your grades have taken a hit, you really shouldn’t be doing any kind of work outside of school. There is no bigger factor hands down than your grades. Once your degree is completed, they will be recorded in perpetuity. This means this is your last chance to do well on your undergrad grades. Sure, there are people who take post baccalaureate classes, but this is usually in an attempt to correct mistakes they have made in their undergraduate classes. Since you haven’t graduated yet, you have a terrific opportunity to avoid that path!

      Put your job on hold, pour yourself into your classes, and show them what an awesome student you can be. That would really impressed me if I were on admissions committee.

  13. Hello Paul,
    I am currently applying for PA school for fall 2015. I have HCE (2 years) as Medical Lab technologist, my GPA is 3.8 but I did not do good in my GRE verbal part. How much diffrence does GRE score make? Do you think I should take it again.

    Sincerely.

    1. If you are over the 50% for that section I suggest you retake it. You should know that your medical lab technologist will not be counted as HCE by most schools. You’ll get some credit for it, but it won’t be considered the all-important “patient care hours.”

  14. Hi Paul,
    I have a low GPA due to not caring when I was 18. I took 7 year hiatus and over the 2.5 years I’ve been back in school I have maintained a 3.5 (some semesters higher, some lower) as well as a 3.8 in my PA-Prerequisites. However, my caspa shows an overall GPA of 3.2. Is this damaging? Or should I feel confident that my GPA since my return to school and prerequisite GPA are high?

    1. Many schools will not look into your GPA in detail enough to “give you credit.” But some will. You can force them to consider your circumstances by writing about it in your essay, being sure to focus on how well you have performed more recently. They don’t require you to be perfect; they just want to know that you are a good student now, who won’t have academic problems if they admit you. So reassure them. That’s all you can do until you interview.

  15. Hey Paul,

    I currently have an overall GPA of 3.5 and a science GPA of 3.3. I had a 3.8 up until I transferred to a private college and joined the golf team. The first semester I was there I had a C and the rest Bs. I’m worried that it will look negatively because my grades dropped a little. I still have 3 semesters left so I’m hoping I can prove that it was just a one semester thing. Sorry for the rant, but what I’m asking is if I keep my GPA at that would that be competitive or should I really work on increasing it?

    1. I’m sorry Ali, but it’s really hard to answer? That with so little information on you. They’re just so many factors involved with the admissions process. Your GPA is in bad, but it really is can make a big difference with the rest of your application looks like. My usual recommendation in situations like yours is to apply and let them decide.

  16. Paul,
    Im currntly a medical techologist looking to presue PA school in the near future. My concern is that i have an over all GPA of 2.9 for my undergrad. I am looking to go back to school to try to bring up my gpa but do not know if i should take new classes or retake old ones. Also i have not yet started to study for the GRE. I just dont know where i should start.I am also currently shadowing in a doctors office and have 2 years experience with patients hand on (previous job pysch tech).Any adive is much appreciated.

    1. Start with retaking the science prerequisites in which you received less than a B-. These are critical courses in which to demonstrate proficiency. Make sure that you get A’s in whatever you take – you will be trying to convince them that your RECENT academic coursework is more representative of you as a student that your OVERALL coursework. That means you need to convince them that you are a different student that you once were. Don’t worry about the GRE until near the end of the process, when you have most of your ducks in a row. Do be sure to save a few months to study for it though. We recommend at least 3.

      1. Paul ,
        Thank you for all the valuable information one more question I had was that does it really matter or make that much of a difference when I retake classes or new courses whether they’re out of community college rather than A four-year university. I’m going to be paying these classes out of pocket so I just want to make sure I make the right choice where I spend my money.

        Thank you
        Elias

  17. Gabrielle says:

    Hi Paul,
    I was so happy to come across your website I’ve found it very informative and am thrilled to see you respond back to questions-extremely nice of you. My undergrad GPA is a 3.0 (bio major) and I have somewhere around a 300 combined GRE score and perfect essay score. Although I know my GPA isn’t competitive and I’m trying to make myself a worthy applicant by gaining more HCE as a volunteer EMT, I’m thinking it may be time to take some more upper level science courses to get that GPA up. I was wondering if taking these courses at county college would be acceptable or if I would have to apply to a post bach program at a traditional 4 year university? Thank you in advance,
    Gabbi

    1. Community college is fine. I don’t recommend another degree unless your first one was terrible (less than 2.0).

  18. Paul ,
    Thank you for all the valuable information one more question I had was that does it really matter or make that much of a difference when I retake classes or new courses whether they’re out of community college rather than A four-year university. I’m going to be paying these classes out of pocket so I just want to make sure I make the right choice where I spend my money.

    Thank you
    Elias

    .

  19. Hi Paul,

    I’m a, transferred, now soon to be graduate student for a bachelors in Kinesiology at my current school. I made the decision of being a PA over a PT very late in my major (a little over a semester ago), but my graduating gpa will be around a 2.7. In prior institutes I’ve taken and received good grades in bio, and now considering retaking my A&P II course, where I received a C. However when re-evaluating my curriculum, I realized that the major does not include any of the other core courses I would need for PA school (chemistry, microbio, etc). Do I just retake the one course, and try for a post bacculturate degree for the others… all while I began the process of obtaining my HCE through the cardiology technician route? I know I have some work ahead of me just trying to find the smoothest route, and hoping that I’m at least in the right direction.

    1. You probably don’t need a postbacc degree. That’s a lot of coursework that’s not necessarily related. I suggest you start with A&PII and get an A. Then take the prerequisite science coursework at a community college. You will need all A’s from here forward. Your low GPA is a major factor that will make getting in difficult. I suggest you work with a coach on your essay and application. If you still aren’t able to get in, you might consider a post bacc degree, but there’s no guarantee that that will get you in. You mainly just want to show that you from here on consistently get excellent grades so you can reassure them that you’re not the student you once were. Take some time off from school to make sure this is what you want, and to get yourself ready to do the best coursework you’ve ever done.

  20. hey paul,
    I currently have a 2.8 overall gpa, with 3 semesters remaining of my undergrad studies. I still need to complete a few prereqs, have I completely blown my chances of PA school or do you recommend I retake the classes I got below a B- in a community college once I graduate. I’ve decided that regardless of the outcome I will be taking a gap year to gain some clinical experience as a CNA. Thank you

  21. Hello, I just finished my pre-req’s for the PA Program but I retook 2 science classes and got a 2.0 gpa. Will repeating course affect my application process?

    1. Not exactly sure I understand your situation. You retook 2 pre-reqs. Did you get a 2.0 in those courses that you retook? Or your overall after taking them? Repeating courses is adviseable if you got a C+ or less on a required science course AS LONG AS YOU MAKE SURE TO DO MUCH BETTER ON IT THE SECOND TIME AROUND (READ: A). Know that the retake grade won’t REPLACE your original grade — they will average out. But you will have proven that you have mastered that important material.

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