Sarah Schuetz '16

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Name: Sarah Schuetz

Graduating Class: 2016

Major: Biology; Minor: Coaching

Story:

I came in to Gustavus knowing that healthcare was right for me but initially was Pre-Med. After looking into other careers within health care, I found the PA profession and was immediately hooked. The short timeframe of school, ability to change specialities, and work-life balance were all huge selling points for me (and still are!).

I set my sights on PA school, found a CNA job, and did a January Interim Career Exploration. My shadowing only further cemented my choice of PA and I applied following my senior year. I knew my science GPA was on the lower end but I was hoping that my personality and passion for the field could shine through in an interview as well as the other portions of my application.

I worked at a part-time job as a medical scribe and continued working as a CNA part-time during my year off, to continue building up patient care hours.  This ended being up SUCH a great job and really helped during my interviews because I had specific medical knowledge and stories to tell of PA’s in the field

The application and interview process was arduous, and I am so glad I applied all over the country to cast a wider net of school possibilities. Ultimately after 12 applications, several interviews, and several acceptance letters, I chose to go to South College in Knoxville, TN for Physician Assistant Studies.  It was all worth it!

Top Five Activities/Experiences:

  1. Gustavus Volleyball
  2. Habitat for Humanity
  3. Class Officers Program
  4. Nicaragua service trip
  5. January Interim Career Exploration

Advice:.

  1. Write down your experiences early and often, keep a story log in google docs! Patient encounters, particularly memorable cases, volunteer stories, etc. Anything can be used for your application, personal essay, or even in interview questions. These stories are what set you apart!
  2. SHADOW SHADOW SHADOW- in lots of different areas. Explore your options. This is a big life decision.! Take your time and don’t be afraid to change your path if you find something else you love, it will be worth it in the end.
  3. There are lots of factors that go into admission decisions: grades, personal statement, health care experience, volunteer hours, GRE/ MCAT/ DAT/ etc. score, research experience, application essay responses, and ultimately your personality/ answers during an interview. Review your strengths and weaknesses, understand what you need to work on and play up your strengths. You aren’t a cookie-cutter candidate and that’s okay… they are looking for REAL people with REAL passion.

Future Plans:

I start at South College in Knoxville, TN for Physician Assistant studies in mid-September 2017 and get married in January! I’ll graduate as a PA in December of 2019.

                                                                                                                                                                   Updated 4/25/2017 TN