Over two years ago, my life was quite stable, but stability can be dangerous. I had a full-time, well-paying job. I was a homeowner. I was engaged, even. I eventually gave up all three of those things. I realized I wasn’t where I wanted to be, at all. I took a huge risk and decided to quit my job and move back in with my parents in order to pursue a career in medicine. I became a full-time post-bac student at Thomas Jefferson University and thus began the two most challenging years of my life.
Today, over two years later, I received a call from the Physician Assistant Program at DeSales University, where I interviewed just 8 days ago, informing me that I had been accepted to the program.
I’m in many ways speechless. I truly feel that I am a strong candidate, but I’ve spent the last 8 days overthinking every aspect of the interview day. Did I sit in the best seat during the group sessions? Did I participate enough during the class observation? Did I participate too much? Did I send enough thank you emails? Should I have written what I wrote during the ethical writing sample? Rest assured, whatever I did and said worked. I feel like my experience over the past 11 years speaks for itself. I am a non-traditional candidate in most definitions of the word and I sincerely think that worked to my benefit.
It’s such a strange feeling. First off, I plan to see if I receive any other interviews at other programs. However, what I’ve seen at DeSales has blown me away. Their pass rates, statistics, facilities, faculty, and everything in between are wonderful. I can truly see myself being a student there. I’m considering moving closer to campus, finally getting the other part of college experience I never got since I commuted for undergrad (with no regrets there, by the way). Returning to school, though, gives me a chance to get the best of both worlds. Just thinking about such a massive life change, going away to grad school, makes me so unbelievably excited about the future. I have 13 months until I would start the program and I know it’s going to absolutely fly by. Unfortunately, all of this joy is underscored by my father’s brain injury. Two months ago, he suffered a cardiac arrest and is currently recovering in rehab. His long-term prognosis is unknown at this time but I am remaining hopeful. I know he would be amazingly proud of me.
Here’s to the future. Here’s to never settling. Here’s to my Mom and Dad and my family for always supporting me (and for allowing me to move back in at the ripe age of 30). Here’s to the wonderful world of healthcare, namely Abington Hospital which has been my home away from home for the better part of 11 years. I’ve learned so much from those within those walls and hope to one day give that all back as a PA. Much more to come. I’ll see you on the other side.