Final Grades

I have been eagerly awaiting my final grades to be posted so I can request a copy of my transcript from WSU, and they were finally posted today!  This means if I really, really wanted to, I could submit my CASPA application next month.  I am opting to wait until after my CNA class is finished and I start volunteering or working in order to get a few hours of health care experience on my app. Most schools have a "first come, first served" method to handing out interview invitations, but WSU's program is a little different.  They don't hand out the invitations until November, regardless of when you submitted your app (as long as it is before Oct. 1) and the actual interview isn't until January.  That is two whole months of waiting for the interview! Which is good I guess, because I will have plenty of time to prep for it.  :o)

Waiting until August to submit my application isn't going to affect my chances like it would other students applying to other schools - so don't do what I'm doing unless you have a good reason!  The general advice is submit "early," but make sure your application is solid; no errors, all your activities are accounted for, and most importantly! make sure your transcripts are up to date!  This is important because if you are taking required courses, like A&P and microbiology, and submit your application before the final grades are on your transcripts, CASPA will record them as "In Progress."  There are going to be a lot of other students out there that have final grades vs. "In Progress" on their transcripts and schools will look at them first, so be patient and wait a few more weeks to get that final grade and avoid the risk of getting that dreaded rejection letter.  Keep in mind CASPA doesn't send your application to schools until mid-June, so really, June would still be considered "early" even if it does open in April.

- In case anyone is on the edge of their seat with anticipation - I received A's in both of my classes!  I was a little worried about micro, but when I saw the attendance points added on I was able to let out a sigh of relief.  I really needed A's to help with my application to medical school, but now that I am applying to PA school my science GPA is a LOT higher, so there isn't as much pressure. I still want to get A's in my classes of course, but next semester is going to be a lot harder in terms of my schedule and I am a little worried I may not be able to maintain the A's.  I will be taking pathophysiology and statistics next semester, along with working full time at the Foundation and hopefully part time as a CNA.  I need about 10 hours a week to get at least 500 hours built up by next summer, which is doable if I can find the right place to work with me. 500 is the minimum number of hours needed and I would love to be able to do more than that, but it all depends on my schedule and how much homework I will have.  It's going to be a looong year.  :o)