Jens927

The best way to see if you're a good canidate is to call schools and find out what kind of people they accept. I did this and found that pt experience plus science grades counted the most. I would recommend working as a CNA or volunteering in a free clinic. While you're doing this, you can take pre-reqs if you have not already completed all of them and study for and take the GRE. I know its a lot to do all at once but it shows motivation and the pt experiences gives you a lot to write about in personal statements. Also, call all the programs you are interested in applying to and ask if they would meet with you and show you the campus. In my experience, less than half the programs I called were willing to do this, saying that they didn't have the staff availability or that its taken care of during open houses, etc. If so, go to the open houses (they write down who was there and it will be in your application folder- a big plus for you) If you meet with anyone or talk extensively with someone during an open house, collect their business card & send a thank you note. If you can only talk to an admission rep over the phone- ask about what they look for in a successful applicant: experience, GPA, GRE score, and what percent of applicants are admitted. Your status as a successful applicant will be clear after you talk to someone. If you're not where you want to be, take some classes and get experience. Good luck!!

Thanks for bringing up this point... it's a concern of mine as well. I heard a rumor from a classmate that it's difficult to find a job as an NP following graduation and many new grads settle for jobs as RNs. I've also heard that many drop out of NP programs after getting their RN licenses because of the pay. (I've heard RNs make more than NPs- which according to sallary.com is untrue) As far as job markets are concerned, I've seen more jobs posted for NPs in Massachusetts than for PAs who I know have excellent placement rates following graduation and many jobs posted for "mid-level practitioners" including either NP or PA. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!