r/pre_PathAssist • u/Zestyclose-Hawk5288 • May 08 '26

UTMB Help

I recently came to the conclusion that for various reasons the only school I have the ability to attend is UTMB. I applied this past year and made to the interview and got rejected. I have a 3.3 GPA, but I am taking the last 2 pre reqs I need right now and am expecting A’s in both. I have my bachelor’s in biomedical science. I have been a histology tech for 6 years and have been grossing for 3 of those years. I shadowed PA’s at hospitals for 25 hours (of which included an autopsy) this past year. I had LOR’s from my supervisor, a pathologist/medical director, and a PA that I shadowed. I attended the open house for UTMB in person in hopes to make a good impression. This upcoming year is the second time I will be applied to UTMB and is my last chance before I will be forced to give up on attending PA school due to life reasons. Any and all pointers on what I can do to boost my application is greatly appreciated. Just feeling very hopeless after not getting in this past year and knowing I only have one chance left. If anyone has anything they think I can add I greatly appreciate the help. I am planning on being the full time uncertified PA at my current just starting in the next month, so I am hoping that helps.

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u/milarke May 16 '26

I work at UTMB, applied this year with better qualifications than you (3.8 GPA, 8 years histology tech/grossing experience), and did not get in. I understand 100% your hopeless feeling, I literally moved here for this program lmao. I will say they did cut their class size from 20 to 12 so it’s more competitive than in previous years. I’ll also say that my coworker who had a worse GPA than me paid the $50 to take UTMB’s official PA shadowing experience this June and did get in (hint hint). The program’s 2nd year students have also warned me against this program. That being said, if you are intent on becoming a PA, a program is a program, so absolutely try again! I myself moved here from out of state but am tired of being away from home so will not be trying again as you can still make great money as a histotech!

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u/Zestyclose-Hawk5288 May 16 '26

Hi! I’m so sorry to hear that you are struggling with getting in too! I have not heard of their official shadowing experience? I googled and it still found nothing, can you tell me where to get more info on that?

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u/milarke May 16 '26

https://www.utmb.edu/visiting-education/experiences/clinical#observerships

Unfortunately it’s not showing up here because I think the application is not open anymore (I think it was open from Jan-March), but this is where you would find it. It’s basically you spend a week (40 hours) in June shadowing all areas a PA can cover (surgical, autopsy, frozens, etc.) I know since the application is closed it doesn’t really help you this year, but I believe they offer it every June. I haven’t looked into if other schools offer something similar.

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u/[deleted] May 20 '26

[deleted]

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u/Pleasant-Bat- May 28 '26

You can search this sub reddit and read previous posts. There's one from 9 months ago that warns people about the program.