Heather Goff '15
Name: Heather Goff
Graduating Class: 2015
Major: Biology
Your Story:
I graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in May 2015 with a B.A. in Biology. I was very active at school, most notably as a 4-year started on the Women’s Soccer team, and a member of S.A.V.E. I also worked part time while at school, and was able to study abroad twice, first for an entire semester and then during a January Interim. I graduated from Eagan High School in 2011 with no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up but with an interest in science and an aptitude for healthcare related professions. I went on a pre-med track, but decided after sophomore year I didn’t want to be a doctor. Junior year was an exploratory year, and I realized before senior year that I wanted to be a physician assistant and my studies and efforts began to reflect that. After graduation, I took a gap year and worked as a CNA to continue to accrue direct patient contact hours. I was accepted to the University of Dubuque’s Master in Physician Assistant studies program.
Top Five Activities/Experiences: (in no particular order)
- Study Abroad- Semester in Malaysia
- Study Abroad- January in Tanzania
- Women’s Varsity Soccer
- Student Athlete Volunteer Educators (S.A.V.E)
- Shiloh’s Hope- Group home work experience
Advice:
- Take a variety of classes while at Gustavus, not just science classes or ones related to healthcare.
- Start to get Patient contact hours early if this is something that will be needed on your application.
- Shadow all kinds of healthcare workers! Chiropractors, doctors of all kinds, Physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers in the hospital, etc. This gives you a much better sense of what you like and don’t like.
Future Plans: Attending the University of Dubuque in Iowa , start Fall 2016
Updated: 5/18/2016 HB