Also, we had our interviews towards the end of January. Needless to say I was nervous but the faculty made us feel comfortable and answered any questions we had before the interviews began. We were separated into groups of three and had two interviews. I can't give specifics on what questions we were asked but I was surprised and how easy some were and how difficult others were. For those of you who are working towards this goal, you need to keep one thing in mind...BE YOURSELF! The faculty want to know the kind of person you are. They aren't interested in hearing someone try to BS their way through the interview process. They want to know how you think, your personality, your values, etc. If you try to answer with what you think they want to hear, you won't make it. Trust me. I had one in my group and it was so glaringly obvious this was what he was trying to do. Needless to say, he didn't make it into the program.
After the interview process was over, we were given additional information about the program and a quick tour around the new medical campus. It is beautiful! I truly had the feeling this is where I was supposed to be. It is state-of-the-art. Everything we could ever need was right there for our studies was right there. That was it. The tour was over and if we didn't have any additional questions, we were free to leave. Overall, it was a great experience. I was tempted to not even go being I was so nervous. Thinking back, that was a ridiculous thought.
Prior to leaving, we were told we would receive notification on acceptance or denial in approximately two weeks. That was the longest two weeks of my life. I thought for sure I completely crumbled during the interview. Of course thinking I didn't tell them enough or seem confident enough for them to want me into their program. Same things I thought after my interview for paramedic school. I had to convince myself I did and said everything they needed for a competent decision to be made on their part.
Exactly two weeks had finally crept by. After checking the mailbox every day, there it was. A large envelope with my name on it from XXX PA Program. My gut told me I was in since it was such a large envelope but I couldn't open it right away. It sat on the kitchen table for over an hour. Finally, with shaky hands, I tore open the top and pulled out the packet. The first letter had what I had been waiting to read for so long..."Congratulations on your acceptance to XXX PA Program." My wife was right next to me when I read it. I can't begin to explain the feelings that rushed through me. So much stress and relief just ran out of me and at the same time, I knew there would be so much more stress to come.
Fast forward to now. We've been working on setting up our own health insurance coverage since I will no longer be working, have most of my books purchased, a new laptop (which, by the way, is my first brand new MacBook Pro with Retina Display), and have put in my notice at the hospital. I just finished up my last weekend and am on a two week vacation with the family. Not many plans other than leaving town starting July 4 until the weekend. I have a few things to tie up around the house, work my last 36 hour shift at work, and that's it folks. Orientation week is July 23 and classes start July 30. My goal is to keep you updated on what we are studying and how the days go. I've read other PA student blogs and they say it's a struggle to stay caught up due to so much school work. I'll try my best and if you have any comments or tips, please let me know.
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