Connor Olson '19

Name: Connor Olson

Graduation Year: 2019

Major: Athletic Training with a Coaching minor

Your Story: I grew up in Altoona, WI – a tiny town that nobody has heard of adjacent to Eau
Claire. My graduating class was 87 students, so I knew that I wanted to attend a
smaller college where I could really connect with my peers and professors, and
Gustavus was just the right size. I have known for as long as I can remember that I
wanted to end up in the medical field, and Gustavus has a strong science and pre-
health reputation, so it was the perfect fit.

I also knew going into college that I wanted to major in Athletic Training because of
my passion for healthcare and interest in sports. Gustavus has a phenomenal
Athletic Training program with excellent professors and preceptors. I feel that my
Athletic Training education has prepared me for healthcare better than any Biology
or Chemistry major every could (no offense to my Bio/Chem friends). I loved the
hands-on patient care experience during my clinical rotations, I learned so much
about how to interact with patients and built up a great base of patient
communication skills.

After graduating from Gustavus I took a job working for TRIA Orthopedics in their
Orthopedic Urgent Care. I felt very prepared for the quick jump into the real world
and caught onto the hustle and bustle of a walk-in clinic quickly. During my year
working I interviewed for a few Physician’s Assistant (PA) programs and was wait-
listed at three of the four programs. I was preparing to re-apply for the upcoming cycle when I got
an email from Carroll University that they wanted to interview me via video (due to
COVID-19) for a spot in their program. I was accepted into the program and am
currently preparing to transition from work back to school.

Top Five Activities/Experiences: (in no particular order)
1. January Interim term Astronomy of the Southern Skies study-abroad in New Zealand/Australia

2. January Interim Career Exploration shadowing an Orthopedic Surgeon

3. Potlucks in the Athletic Training Room!

4. Intramural basketball, volleyball, and flag football

5. Spending time with my lifelong friends that I met at GAC

Advice:

1. APPLY EARLY. My first application cycle I thought that as long as I got my
application in by the deadline, I was alright. I quickly learned that the earlier
you apply for your program the better your chance of being accepted.

2. Do not give up. I applied for two cycles, and I was resigned to the fact that I
was going to have to re-apply for a third time. I was bummed out about all
the application fees and whatnot and then I heard from Carroll a week before
the new cycle opened.

3. Spend quality time with your friends now while you can. Graduation comes
sooner that you’d think, and you will miss your time on the hill immensely.
After college, life comes at you quick, so cherish your time with your GAC
friends now.

Future Plans:
I begin PA school at Carroll in May 2020. Due to COVID-19 there is a lot of
uncertainty about when we will be able to attend classes in person, but for now the
plan is to do online education until early July and then meet on campus for the
remainder of the summer semester. I am preparing for a very intense and rigorous
two years, but I am excited to see where this will take me. Best of luck to all of you!

Updated 4/30/2020 HB