Getting into PA school with a Low GPA | PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT EXPLAINS

How do you get into PA school with a low GPA? In this video I discuss what exactly is a "low" GPA for PA school and share five tips on how you can still get into a Physician Assistant Program despite a less than ideal Grade Point Average. A good undergraduate GPA is one of the key metrics that PA programs look for when deciding between applicants.

If you enjoy pre-PA content or PA school videos, consider subscribing to my channel! Also drop a like on the video if you found it useful or entertaining :)

_______________
Video Timeline:
00:00 - Introduction
00:55 - Defining Low GPA
03:09 - Low GPA Tip #1
04:11 - Low GPA Tip #2
06:31 - Low GPA Tip #3
07:25 - Low GPA Tip #4
08:39 - Low GPA Tip #5
10:05 - Conclusion

Low GPA PA School
Getting into PA school with a Low GPA

[JohnThePA]

The median PA undergraduate GPA is 3.6 with a median of 2, 634 hours of patient care experience according to the PAEA's 35th PA program report (released 2020).

[rummiii]

John just found your page and gosh all the info and transparency is totally appreciated !!! Okay especially since I’m a not a traditional applicant and changing careers.

[johnguillen]

That's crazy that 3.0-3.3 is consider low. This really is destroying my dreams of going into PA school. I am way below 3.0 and I can't afford to take more classes since it took me 5-6yrs to finish my BS part time. I'm 52yrs old and changing career was hard enough to begin with but to finally finish my BS was a huge hurdle. I'm hoping to get a high GRE and with my medical experiences hope to get recognized by some schools. Otherwise I don't know what to do.

[brooke_ibarra]

I finished undergrad with a 3.2 overall GPA. I have my MS in clinical nutrition and work professionally as a registered dietitian. Hoping to apply by the end of next year for a career change!

[cassiezbylut]

Hey John!

I just graduated from my undergraduate last year. I am in my gap year right now and decided to go back to do my pre reqs. My major has a GPA OF 3.8, minor of 3.7, but overall added to 3.265 because of some hard gen ed science classes I had. So I have 3-4 C’s for my gen ed classes. I plan to aim for a B average for all my pre reqs for pre-PA classes. So it is discouraging when I was young and struggling (working so much while being a full time student for personal family reasons) and didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life yet. How do you think the schools when it comes time to apply will view this? I’m not a perfect student and my path was not a straight line, but I would hate to apply and then get rejected. I need 5-6 courses then I’ll be ready to apply. Any advice?

[bgill]

Hey so this is my situation. I’m currently a senior in college and I graduate in December. I am most likely going to graduate with a 2.8-2.9 gpa with a bachelors in speech therapy. I took a few basic science classes like biology 1010, chem 1000, psychology. I took anatomy 1 last year and did really good and I am taking anatomy 2 next semester as well as medical terminology and intro to human diseases. I will be getting my phlebotomy certification this summer and I am planning on doing some shadowing and volunteering as well. I was also planning on taking some pre reqs at a community college next year and getting an emt cert. Do you think this is a good strategy and will this make me competitive applicant?

[Sarahh_]

I did a masters in biomed after my bachelors, do I have a chance of getting in despite my not so high masters gpa?

[nicokneemepls]

Hello John! I'm a junior in my undergrad at the moment and to be honest my GPA is in the trenches lol. Like I'm barely at a 2.8 and I'm kinda freaking out. Should I retake a few pre requisite classes or something? Keep in mind I haven't taken any bio electives or other pre reqs besides microbio, genetics, and anatomy yet, mainly just chemistry stuff.

[tiffanyableable]

So I have 2.9 gpa with my bachelors in business and recently decided to go back to school to eventually be a PA, I’m pretty much taking all the science prerequisite there is and getting A’s which is good but I’m concerned since I’m taking it at a community college. Will PA programs take that into account?

[ryanchristian]

Hi John,
I’m going to become a senior this incoming semester. I also plan on taking a gap year before applying to PA school.
My major concern in regards to grades is the D+ I made in Orgo 1. I retook the class and made a B+. However, I also took Orgo 2 and made an A in it. Another concern is the W I received in Physics, but I’m retaking that now at the moment (major required it). I also made straight Bs in Gen Bio and Gen Chem.
My cumulative Gpa is around a 3.61, while my science GPA is a 3.39. I plan on taking genetics and biochemistry later. Am I in “ok” shape?

[jasminegonzalez]

Hi John! Really appreciate the info/videos you put out on this channel! I'm about to finish my undergrad with a 3.4. I plan on taking more science classes to keep myself involved in studying and will be working as a phlebotomist (recently certified!) during my gap year. I plan on applying to PA programs in 2022. Although the extra classes will not contribute to my undergrad GPA, will PA schools still look at these grades especially if they're science-related courses?

[jaredkhan]

when u say gpa, do u mean science gpa or like overall gpa? because I was a music major before i switched to biology, and still take many music classes, so my overall gpa is SIGNIFICANTLY higher than my science gpa. Which do PA schools look at?

[noealecal]

Hello, What would you recommend for a 2.8 GPA? Currently, my last semester is summer 2021. Currently was thinking of doing EMT to get hours and more direct patient care and probably look into a pre-professional program that takes about a year and hopefully improves my GPA. Any suggestions?

[tornadowarning]

Hi. I’ve family & 3 kids. Came in as a refugee. My gpa is 2.9 but I’ve been working as a lab tech in my senior year for 1 year and even published 3 abstract with my mentor.
My reason for low gpa was poor life decision at my freshman and sophomore but my junior and senior year was B+ and A’s however it’s too late to bump my gpa. What do you think I should do going forward ??? I graduate in 6 months

[jen]

I'm 23 and I decided to drop out of highschool my senior year 🙄. I never got around to getting my GED because I was making decent wage because I was a GM for 2 years. I recently left and I'm doordashing now because I can make my own schedule and it's a nice break from working 60-80hrs. Since I'm dashing and I have more free time I've been thinking about getting my GED and going to school. Ive always liked the idea of nursing but then I stumbled across PA's and I've decided that this is what I'm supposed to be doing with my life. None of my family or friends went to college so I have nobody to help guide me lol would you recommend me after I get my GED would you recommend me going to a community college, transferring to a university and then PA school? Also, would I be able to work part time while in PA school without falling behind? I have a car payment and rent so it's not like I can't have an income. If there's any tips you can give me id greatly appreciate it💕

[jkc]

Hello! I would like to pursue PA school, but I do not know if I should do it since I am hard of hearing and my hearing will get worse in the future. Do you know any PA's who have HOH? If I did pursue PA school, which field/department/specialty should I go to?

[milagrosgranados]

Hello I am unsure if I want to become a PA because I am not the best at science although I do find it interesting. I don't have the best GPA but I found out 2 years ago I have a learning disability. I wish I would of known this earlier. I now understand why I was struggling so much in school. When I decided to go back to school I took Bio (I) and got a C and I took Bio (II) twice the first time I failed because I was overwhelmed with so many science classes but I retook it and got a C+. I was considering retaking Bio I and II again but I don't know if that would look bad on my transcript. Can you please give me some advice.

[marciasmiley]

Hi 👋 new subbie.. just have a question. I have a 3.0 GPA and I have a C in Ap2 .. should I retake this Ap2 closer to applying in a few years for PA school? Also, I am in nursing .. should I continue towards nursing..or finish with Health science as a major? Just wondering if you think nursing route would hinder my application??

[FwJT_]

If you failed a course and you retake it, will it repair your gpa if you get an a?

[barron]

what programs admissions qare more holistic?