She Got a D in Biology… Here’s How We’d Explain It in a PA Interview 👀

All righty. Ready? >> Yes. >> Let's go. Professional face on. Okay. Uh Brenda, it's great to meet you. We're very excited to learn more about you as an applicant. >> It's really nice to meet you. I just wanted to take this opportunity and say thank you so much for taking the time to have me interview your program. Really excited to be here. >> Absolutely. Happy to have you here, especially as another UC Davis alum. Uh so first question I have for you is does your academic record contain any challenges? >> I definitely think I had some challenges when I first started college. So I know that on my transcript there was a class where I did receive a DN. That was my first uh quarter in college. And I think the reason why that happened was because I brought in study skills with me from high school that I thought would be applicable to my courses uh in college. And I soon found out that the way I was studying in high school was not the way that I should be studying in college. And I ultimately failed that class. But from filling my class and continuing on to taking other courses in college, I was able to figure out kind of the best way for me to study for my courses. And it came with a lot of just figuring out what resources were available to me at college. As a first generation student, I didn't know about all the resources such as um office hours where I could go and talk to my professors and get help from them if I needed. So that was a big thing for me, just learning to go to my professors when I needed any help with courses. figuring out that there were different ways of studying such as uh for some courses, especially when it comes to things that I need to recall, it's always so much easier to come back from those lectures and writing down notes immediately after or reviewing those lecture slides immediately after because that really kind of helps me retain the information. And another big thing for me uh was that I from transitioning actually from in-person classes to Zoom, I was able to figure out another way of studying that really worked for me, which was consulting with my classmates, meeting over Zoom, and going over some of the lecture materials and content and just studying together and bouncing ideas off each other. So, all of those really helped me um do better in the uh my college courses going forward. And so after retaking that uh class, I was able to do a little better and I did end up getting a um better grade in that course. So I think for me it's a lot of it was just figuring out what study habits worked best for me and being able to utilize that depending on which classes required which type of study methods. >> Yeah, I see what you're talking about. Uh freshman year looks like there was a D in basic bio. >> Yeah. Uh and then another thing just on review of the transcript is you definitely did better. You're right. Uh but there was a B minus in anatomy lab senior year. What happened there? >> Yeah. So at the um so anatomy is notorious notoriously one of the most difficult courses at UC Davis and everyone is like really scared of that course. So I remember I had to to um take it alone. So it was a lecture component and a lab component. And for the lecture, I felt like the way I was studying was really good. Again, like I mentioned, what I did was after every lecture, it was a lot of information. So I would go home and re uh re rerun through all the lectures, re-watch the lecture videos, and take as many notes as I can. So for me, that active recall, making flashcards was useful for the class itself. But the lab portion it was very hands-on identifying the muscles, tendons, you know, we were working with cadaavvers and we only had a a few hours in lab during the week and on the weekends we would have open lab where the lab would be open the entire day and I'd be able to go in there and get more practice with identifying the muscles and whatnot on the cadaavvers. But during that last um quarter, I had a lot of stuff going on at home in my personal life. And because I was really close to Davis, I was about two hours away. I would just basically in two places at once going from home to back to school, home, back to school. So I honestly didn't get a lot of practice or a lot of time in open lab with the cadaavvers. And so when finals came around and when midterms came around, I did have some difficulties with identifying just the um parts on the cadaabver because I didn't get a lot of practice with that. So for the anatomy course itself, I was able to study that on my own, but because I wasn't in person for a lot of the um cadabra lab portion, I didn't didn't do well in the lab itself. And I know it's not a reflection of how I am as a student. I know that if I was fully present in that course, I definitely would have done better. But unfortunately, during that time, I did have some family emergencies going on at home. So, I just had to be in two places at once, and I wasn't able to fully be present for the lab portion. >> Okay. Uh, and so I'm sure you're aware, I'm actually not sure about Davis's exact rules, but every PA school has a minimum grade and minimum GPA that you have to maintain during [clears throat] dactic year. In my program, it was a B and a 3.0. So, a B minus would have either put you on academic probation, made you remediate something, and or just kicked out of the program. How can you assure me that you won't have a B minus again in PA school, you know, barring any family emergency or anything else that might happen? >> Yeah. So, I know PA school is going to be really rigorous. It's intensive and there are moments where I feel like I would have to give up a lot because becoming a PA is my dream. It's something that I've been working towards for such a long time. And I know that with PA school, the studying is going to be intense. I am going to have to give up the things that I like to do some for um some [clears throat] time. But I feel like I've developed a really good study habits from my undergrad, which I'm sure I will have to tweak again going into PA school because classes are going to be different. I'm going to have to come up with different ways to study. Um, I do have a really good support system at home with my friends and family as well. Um, they're just a phone call away or I can go visit them whenever I need the support. I've developed really good time management skills where I'm able to get everything done efficiently. Setting aside time for what really matters, which is school, and setting aside time to just decompress and de-stress, which I've also found really good ways to just decompress and de-stress from just rigors of school and stressors in life in general. So, I think all of that combined, I without a doubt, I'm sure I will be able to succeed in PA school and be able to do well in my classes because becoming a PA has always been a dream of mine and it's something that um I am willing to put things aside for. >> Okay. And have you ever considered a career that is not physician assistance? I definitely have. I growing up I never really knew well I knew that I wanted to work in healthcare but I never really knew what I wanted to do exactly. I've weighed the option of becoming a doctor becoming a nurse practitioner. I'm always someone who has wanted to be a part of a patient's care team where I'm able to help diagnose, treat or evaluate them from start to finish. And um so I've always considered um the many options outside of a PA program and being a becoming a physician assistant, but >> [clears throat] >> um the one thing that really drew me to the PA profession was when I actually met uh a PA who was working on my dad's care team. She honest he was staying at the nursing home for quite a few years and I spent a lot of time getting to know her and she was always the person on his care team who answered all of the questions that my mom and I had. She took the most time out of all his providers to clearly address all of our needs. And I was pretty young at the time when I met her. I was I was um probably starting high school, middle of high school. And she took the most time to explain to me my dad's conditions and to address any of the concerns that I needed because and that was so important to me because I felt like I was so young at the time and I didn't feel like a lot of my dad's other providers were able to give me that um kind of attention. So that was so special to my mom and I and that's when I knew that I wanted to be a PA, someone like her who is able to make other patients feel even and their family members feel safe, heard and seen, especially at any age. So that's when I really started to research into the PA profession and there was a lot of things that really stood out to me. So the first is the length of training. So, from my time working as a medical assistant, I really enjoyed the hands-on aspect working with patients. I know that there is currently a shortage in primary care providers in California. And my one of my goals is actually to work in primary care as a physician assistant. And being able to get out there and just work as soon as possible after graduating from a PA program, getting my pants and a license to work in the state of California. I think that is something that's really appealing to me. And that's kind of also why I don't want to become a doctor because again the length of training would be a bit too long for me. And I've considered nurse practitioner but I currently do hold a degree of um a bachelor's in psychology. So looking into the nurse practitioner route I would have to go back and get my nursing degree and then work as a nurse for a few years and go back to NP school. And that length of training was also a bit too long for me as well. So I knew that uh the PA profession was perfect for me and even after shadowing a PA. Another thing that I really enjoyed about the PA profession was the lateral mobility aspect of it. So when I was shadowing a PA, her name was Karen. She was working in allergy and immunology, sleep medicine as well. And when I was shadowing her, there was a patient that came in and she wanted a consult on a certain material metal type that she was getting for a knee replacement surgery. and uh Karen discussed the allergy with her, but I was really surprised when Karen was also able to kind of touch base on the surgery part of um the knee replacement and I found out that Karen actually worked as an orthopedic PA before becoming an allergen in imanology PA. So that versatility was really impressive to me and that's also something that um [clears throat] I think I would enjoy because I am someone who has always had so many interests growing up. So just having that option open was really important. And so I think I've really been inspired by all of the PAs in my life. And there is also a PA worked that worked with me where I was her patient and she was a dermatology PA. And she was also really inspiring to me because I felt like every time I went to her office, I all of my needs were addressed and she took really took the time to understand my concerns. And every time I left her office for the past two years that I've seen her seen her, I always thought to myself, "Wow, I want to be the same provider that she is because she really made me feel so confident in the care that she was giving me." So again, like I've just been so inspired by all of the PAs in my life, and I just know that the PA profession is the perfect profession for me, um, academically, professionally, and personally. >> All right. And switching gears a little bit, uh, what do you think is the most important healthc care issue facing America today? I think one of the most important issues facing healthcare today would be >> [clears throat] >> um the I I I would say it's a that's a really good question. I think the biggest issue facing America today is the lack of providers who kind of um [clears throat] understand uh patients backgrounds. I think it's so important that every provider is able to um identify [clears throat] any barriers to care in every patient that they meet. being able to advocate for patients regardless of their background, regardless of their um culture, regardless of language. And um I think it's so important that patients are kind of met where they're at. And I think and in my own life as well growing up with immigrant parents, there's there has been so many instances where there was a delay in care for my mom or dad because they didn't speak English and we have to wait so long on the phone when they're calling insurance or so long um when they're in the emergency room because they had to find a translator. So, I think that's really it's so important that providers are educated to be able to advocate for their patients and kind of just meet their patients where they're at. >> Okay. And next question is, if you could invite three people to dinner, past, present, living, not living, doesn't matter, who would they be and why? I think the first person that comes to mind would probably be my dad. So he passed away in um [clears throat] 2020 was during pe p uh covid season and >> yeah thank you. Um yeah so I would definitely invite my dad. I miss him every day. Um I think about him a lot. He's also One of the main reasons why I'm sitting here today, it's because he gave me the opportunity to meet that PA that was working with him and kind of guide me into this career path. So, I'm so thankful for that. I would love to have dinner with my dad. Um, the second person would be Taylor Swift. I love her music. She I love her music. I love her new album. It's so good. She's been one of my favorite artists um growing up. She was probably the first artist that I listened to uh shortly after moving to the United States. I really liked her music, though I didn't understand it at the time, but I would definitely love to have dinner with her. And lastly, it would and lastly, it would be my maternal grandpa. So, growing up, we have always been super close. I remember being super close to him before moving to the United States. But since moving, I haven't gotten the chance to uh go back to Vietnam to see him before he passed away. So, I miss him every day as well. So, it would be really nice to be able to have dinner with my grandpa as well. >> All right. And so it looks like the majority of your medical experience, your patient care experience is in a actually hold on let's cut it for a second because there is definitely a little bit of feedback. >> Uh how do you feel so far? We've done what? Four questions, five questions. One, two, three, four with some follow on. How do you feel so far? >> I think I ramble a lot. >> Okay. >> Not at all. >> Okay. And sometimes I feel like I talk too much and then I forget what I'm talking about and then I forget the question and then like what did he ask or >> so sometimes I that happens to me. But so far so good. I I was really stuck on the question about what issues um in healthcare does America face today. I think there are a lot of issues but it was really hard for me to pinpoint in my head exactly which one I want to talk about. >> Sure. >> And I was kind of questioning whether what I said was like appropriate. I >> I think it was appropriate. Uh that's yeah when I prepare people like I I have a whole you know interview prep worksheet and everything. One thing that I honestly feel like is missing from there is to have at least one like modern issue to be ready to talk about. >> You know even if this question doesn't come up it's a good thing to kind of segue into >> right like you're talking about an example talking about a question and then be like I'm super passionate about you know this. >> So it would be good to prepare an answer to that one and just be ready to kind of you know present it because that's definely a good one. Uh but overall, so first things first, good things. Uh you don't talk too fast, which is great. You're talking in like a very kind of like pleasant, professional, friendly tone. Like I would feel comfortable seeing you as a provider. >> Comforting. Very, very good. Probably just like that provider that inspired you, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I think I kind of like because of like how she spoke to me and like honestly all the peas I've met so far in my life have always been like very like what can I help you with? just very comforting. I think that's kind of where I adopted like the that >> that's the vibe I'm getting. So, that's good. >> So, those are all very good things. Uh there's a few times where you kind of like froze for a second, but you recovered quickly and you were honest. So, fine. Not a big deal at all. No stuttering. Everything's good. Uh so, those things are good. Uh overall, your answers are decent. Couple of things I would definitely do, like we'll we'll talk more about specifics, but a couple things I would definitely start changing right away. If you're giving context from something that's already in your essay, like your father's situation, anything else, don't assume the interviewers read your essay. Don't assume they even saw your application. >> Okay? >> Because a few things just because I read it, I know are from your essay and you kind of like referenced it assuming that I knew and I might not, >> you know, like for instance, uh let's see here. One sec. I wrote down notes already. I'm just asking you to be more specific. One second. Yeah, here it is. So, you were talking about what drew me to the PA profession was meeting a PA during my dad's care on his care team. Uh, she took time to address all of my needs. So, if I didn't read your essay, I have no idea why your dad even had a care team. >> Okay. So, you're just talking about about the background a little bit. >> Anything you bring up, >> okay, >> give the necessary context. you know, uh because again, if I didn't read your essay, I would not have known anything about that. >> If they did read your essay, fine. It's a nice little refresher. It's okay. [clears throat] But if they didn't, you could say, you know, my father had X, Y, and Z. He was in the hospital a lot. This one time I met this PA named Brandy who and then just go into all that. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> A little bit. It'll take five seconds. >> Okay. >> But then at least I know what you're talking about. >> Uh let's see. I always had interest growing up. Okay. Another thing is whenever you make a statement, especially like a personal share, you want to give it a little bit of context too. You want to give some examples or at least talk about it. So like in the same answer you said this was super important because this is YPA. You said you know PAS have the lateral mobility aspect. They can change specialties. Uh which is good for me because I had a lot of interest growing up. So related to switching specialties. So, I basically wrote down what interests and how does that relate to switching specialties, >> right? You just said I had interests growing up. Uh, and then I saw a PA who inspired me in dermatology. So, it would have been good to say like I was always interested in sports and music and I loved splitting my time between those things so I wouldn't get bored and I'd feel motivated and I just think learning different things kind of inspires you to, you know, enjoy life more. Uh, so I would love to spend more time in different specialties, learn all of them thoroughly during school and then apply knowledge that I learned maybe on a dermatology rotation to working in ortho. You know, I know we're here to see somebody for their knee replacement, but hey, there's a rash and by the way, I can also help you with that. >> Yeah, >> that kind of a thing. Like be more specific, right? >> Got it. >> And also just getting to know you. Like what interests? >> Okay. >> Violin. I played botchi ball. I don't know. Whatever it is. >> Okay. So more specific. Cool. Uh that that's one thing I like to say lately is less topics more deeply about each topic. >> Okay. >> Rather we bring up two topics and really explore them than five topics and not really say much about any of them. >> Uh let's see. Healthcare issue. Yeah, that was a very short answer. I would have definitely talked more about that. >> Uh yeah, don't be afraid to to expand more because your answer to YPA was really good length. It was a good like three, four, five minutes. Very detailed. Could have used more detail, but it was long. But then the healthc care issue and then the three people at the dinner were super short. >> Like you can talk more about it, >> right? Um like your dad you said uh he's one of the reasons I'm sitting here. I met a PA that got me into the career path and then that was it, right? Like I would have said more about it. She was super friendly. She was super helpful. I just inspired me to be just like her, right? Uh but either way, yes, my dad, I would want to talk to him. He died when I was 16. Uh, you know, I I think we would have his favorite meal. I think we'd probably talk about whatever sports he liked. You know, just more just just more. Just give me more. Okay. >> Uh, same with Taylor Swift. I like her music. The end. Like, what would you talk about? >> Okay. >> Why Taylor Swift? Like, the question itself doesn't really matter. No one really cares who you want to have dinner with, but we do care about like what characteristics about yourself you're trying to bring up. M okay. >> Does that make sense? Like you're not Don't treat it like a test where you're just answering the question correctly. [clears throat] >> Use it to say things about you. >> I like Taylor because she's an inspiration to a lot of girls. >> Yeah. That's how I want to be, you know, once I'm in this like position of authority. Want to go to schools. I want to go to colleges and like inspire girls to be like me. >> That kind of thing. You see what I'm saying? >> Yeah. >> Just give me more. >> All right. Uh, and I think yeah, we have plenty more questions to go, but that's the main thing is give context where necessary and just feel free to express more, share more about yourself, just more. >> Okay. Yeah, >> you're not talking too long. I promise. Not even close. Uh, any questions or you want to do a few more? >> Um, I'm I could do a few more. >> Your feedback makes sense? >> Yes. >> All right, let's go. All right, professional faces on. All right, so next question. Your name is Okay, Brenda. That's right. Brenda, next question is going to be uh so it looks like all of your patient care experience comes from two different medical assistant roles. One for about 2,000 hours, one volunteer for 500. Looks like a very good experience. Uh from that experience, can you tell me what kinds of patients are particularly difficult for you to work with? Yeah. So I think from working as a medical assistant in two very different clinical settings though they were both in primary care. One was where I was working primarily with the undership community and the other one I was working with um a different group of patients. I think the one the patients that are kind of difficult for me to work with are just the ones that kind of get a bit angry and agitated easier than others. And the reason why I say this is um during my time working as a medical assistant, we had a patient come in who was upset because he couldn't reach our office to confirm an appointment that he had. And the day before it was actually Memorial Day, so we were closed. But he said he kept trying to call and he didn't understand why we didn't pick up the phone. He left messages. But when he came in screaming at us the next day, it was when we first opened. So it was around 9:00 and there were already a few patients sitting in the lobby and he just came in screaming at us asking why we didn't pick up the phone, why he left so many messages, why didn't we get back to him? And at the moment I will admit that I was a little bit takenback by what was happening. and the patients uh there were kids in the lobby as well so they also looked a bit scared. So what I did was I brought him back into one of our patient rooms and I sat him down and asked him around what time did he leave the messages just trying to get more information out of him just so that I can kind of address the situation at hand and he said to me that he left a message uh yesterday Memorial Day I explained to him that we were closed. He didn't really understand the concept because he was actually uh he just moved here from China. So, it was there. He said that he expected everything to be like uh responded back to in a timely manner. And I I did reassure him that typically we do get back to patients pretty quickly, but because we were closed on Memorial Day and we just opened this morning, we didn't have enough time to get back to all the patients, but we did we do always guarantee about a 24 to 40 hours for returning voicemails. And he was still really frustrated and he was talking about how his legs really hurt. He's been waiting so long for this appointment and he was really disappointed that he couldn't uh reach us to confirm the appointment slot and I was also having a hard time kind of communicating with him as well as he was getting really frustrated. So um and obviously I didn't speak the language so I felt like there was a kind of a barrier in my communication with him as well. So what I did was I went outside and asked one of our nurses who spoke Mandarin to come in and help me translate the conversation and I felt that time while I was able to explain to him what has happened and I really am sorry that we weren't able to get back to him. Uh she translated that conversation and he seemed to kind of calm down and kind of apologize for coming in and creating such commotion. But at the end of the day, I think there are going to be difficult patients that I would have to work with. And I think it all really stems down to these patients be being really anxious and scared about seeing a doctor, seeing a provider because I mean, we've we've all been there where I I get so anxious waiting for a doctor to come into the room or I get really anxious to know what my diagnosis is. I get anxious all the time. >> [clears throat] >> um when I have like a certain condition, I just wanted to get solved. So, I really understood where he was coming from. End of the day, we're all human. We all have these needs that we would like to be addressed. So, I think it's so important that um we're able to work with these difficult patients and just kind of um giving them the care that they need, but making sure that at the end of the day that we're also um hearing them out and kind of addressing their concerns as well. All right, next question is, what qualities do you possess that set you apart from other PA school candidates? >> I think I bring quite a unique perspective to um the PA profession and to the PA PA programs in general. And what I mean by that is as someone who does come from a low-income background with immigrant parents and having experience volunteering at a primary care clinic where we did primarily work with the underserved community, I have witnessed firsthand the effects of socioeconomic factors such as a lack of providers, a lack of uh providers who spoke a certain language or even a lack of resources and other social or cultural impacts on healthcare. And as APA, I would like to and I'm really passionate about working with the underserved community and being able to identify barriers, address those barriers to make sure that every single patient has the most optimal form of healthcare and to to PA programs. I hope to bring my knowledge um and my experiences to have conversations with other students about the socioeconomic effect uh impacts on healthcare. That's why I'm so passionate about attending UC Davis because UC Davis is really big on cultural ability and and equitable healthcare and there are courses on social and behavioral [clears throat] cultural determinance of health and I'm really excited to be able to bring my experiences and my voice to those conversations and UCS also has rotations um required rotations in some rural areas as well. So I'm really excited to be able to work in that aspect as well. And another thing about me is I feel like I am pretty optimistic. So I have really never been discouraged by any setback, my life motto has always been it'll all work out in the end. So that's been a really big motiv motivator for me and I know that going into the PA profession and healthcare in general there there will be hard days there there will be days where things will get difficult but just having that mindset will really help me get me through those hard days. And I know that PA school is so rigorous and I hope to bring that optimism and positive mindset into a PA cohort and being able to lift up the spirits of my classmates. Whether it be just sending cute messages through our group chats to lift up everybody's spirits or preparing little goodie bags when it comes to exams. Those things really make me happy and I would also like to bring that into um APA [clears throat] program as well. And you touched on this a little bit in your previous response, but why are you choosing this program to apply to? >> Yeah. So, like I mentioned, I believe I well, first of all, UC Davis is definitely my top choice and I feel like I closely align with the program's mission and focus on cultural and equitable healthcare. Coming from a low-inccome background, like I mentioned, um I do truly understand the effects of socioeconomic factors on healthcare. And as someone who speaks a second language, Vietnamese, I hope to be able to bring my skill as a Vietnamese speaker to the table. And from my experience working as a medical assistant, it's been so rewarding to be able to translate for these pat a handful of patients who didn't speak language. It felt so rewarding for me when they called into the clinic and asked for me specifically by name because they knew that, you know, there's this girl working on my clinic who I'm able to speak to, address all of my concerns and not be afraid that my um concerns or my needs would be lost in translation when, you know, speaking to the doctor. So, I think that's so rewarding and attending a school like UC Davis where there is a big focus on cultural humility will give me that um expertise and that training as a PA to bring back to my community in San Jose where there is such a big population of underserved community and Vietnamese immigrants and just being able to bridge any gaps in healthcare and language there. And another thing is I really appreciate UC Davis's studentr run clinic. So UC Davis gives students opportunity to on their first year volunteer at these student run clinics where it's um it's for the community. There are a few from my undergrad experience I know there are a few student run clinics that um we were able to participate in as students and as PA students were able to volunteer and that it's really exciting for me because I love working hands-on with patients. I just love getting out there and give and not having to wait the full two years to work with patient is something that's really appealing to me. So, that's another reason why I'm really excited about the UCSPA program. And lastly, I've been able to research a lot into the program and I was able to meet with uh alumni and speak with current students. And everybody seemed to rave about the faculty support, the amazing faculty support that they had received from UC Davis. And that's so important to me because during my undergrad, I knew the big thing was being able to go to my professors, my TAs to get the support that I need, whether it be emotionally or academically. And UCIS had such an amazing wellness center. And they I know that you guys also provide um first year students with online learning assistance, which I believe are alumni from the program just to help tutor the students. And I'm sure that speaks on why UC Davis has such a high graduation rate and high enhanced pass rate as well. So, I have no doubt that I would be able to succeed in a program like UC Davis's PA program. And it's just it just really aligns with my personal goals and my academic goals as a PA student. >> All right. And then this is me as the interviewer, not me as myself. Uh, do you have any questions for us? >> Yeah. So the first question I would like to ask is do you feel like in the past few years your cohorts have been more competitive or collaborative? And my second question would be what is something that you're most proud of about the program? And if they're a professor I would proudly ask what made you choose to come to UCI and to teach here. >> All right. And we're definitely running a little short on time. Did you want to do a uh scenario question, too? >> Yes. So, I know for so from what I've seen on um Reddit and the forums, I know that it's like a group discussion where uh they would put students into like a room and we'd discuss like a topic that they give us. So, more so I think advice on that. >> Yeah. I'm not quite sure what the contents would actually be. >> How about we do this? Um, just in the interest of time, so I'm not explaining all this to you, I'll just copy a little paragraph for you. >> Uh, just one sec. I'm literally get to a different Google doc here. I'm literally writing a book on interviewing >> and I'll just copy over the entire portion on groups. >> Okay, got it. >> So, that'll save us some time and give you all the guidance you need so we can spend the rest of our time doing feedback. >> But it's it's quite simple uh to do the group thing here. Just one sec. So, it's in chapter seven. Nope. Chapter two, types of interviews. Sorry, one sec. I just want to make sure I give this to you. >> Yeah, no rush. >> Cool. Uh, let's see. Group >> group interview. Perfect. There we go. Uh, so this is going to be a group activity, right? >> Yeah, it's the activity. Yeah. >> Okay. So, let's see here. Good. All right. So, I'm literally just copying over my entire portion of the chapter on group activities. Uh, and I'll put it at the very front of your document that I'm sharing with you. >> Okay. >> Say regarding group interviews, activities, misspelled activities, which is okay. >> It happens. >> It does. Uh, here, let me share my screen with you just so you can see that. Okay, let's full screen this bad boy. All right, so I'm going to share this document with you real quick or Brenda. Okay, so this document has all the questions I just asked you. A few more questions to practice with. >> Yeah. >> And at the Oh man, I really screwed up the spelling. Activities. There we go. Uh, so at the very front of the document, I'm just putting a whole blurb about what to do with group activities and group interviews. >> Okay, [clears throat] thank you. >> You got it. Okay. And then next is just some notes I took down about your application. Just things I wanted to ask you, stuff that stuck out to me. And then here's your questions. All the questions I asked you, and then a few more to practice with. [clears throat] Okay. All right. So, let's see if there's any that I really had some feedback on. Uh, is there anything that you felt you could have done better or anything that you want to do for feedback before I give you any of mine? >> I think not. I don't have anything that I I'm pretty sure there are things that I struggle with and I could have done better. I don't really know how to identify those. So, if you could help me. >> Yeah. So, I think you took my feedback in stride. You definitely gave more examples. I think you that was really good. Uh let's just go question by question because instead of like writing down comments at the very end trying to remember them, I just as soon as something came up, I typed it down. >> These little stars. That's the real time feedback I gave you. >> So for this one, academic challenges. I mean, this was obvious a D in intro to bio and then the B minus. So here I told you be more specific, right? You said study skills from high school. What kind of study skills did you do in high school? Right? >> I figured out resources. You were just a little too general here, right? [clears throat] >> And then you didn't mention this, >> which concerning >> So, I would have definitely talked about this, too. Like, I had a rough start. I got better. Here's how. And then, you know, I had another unfortunate grade senior year. Here's what happened. Right. >> Yeah. >> Just explain that. >> Was that explanation? Um, okay. I that's exactly what happened. But I >> I honestly I don't think so. I don't think it was sufficient because you basically just said I had a lot going on and I couldn't be two places at once. >> But I mean that explanation is not going to fly in PA school. If you get that B minus in the class, you're either decelerated or possibly even released, right? >> That so that's not going to work. It needs to be a better explanation. >> Like not necessarily a better explanation for what happened, better [clears throat] explanation for how in PA school you won't let it happen. basically just said like I had a personal difficulty. I live two hours away. I couldn't be in the lab. I mean, you you kind of had to be, >> you know. Um not sure if you feel comfortable talking about what actually happened. >> Mhm. during that time. Uh but at least like explore some other options like if it was something you absolutely couldn't miss, >> consider maybe taking a leave of absence or something in that course to not to fail it. [clears throat] >> You know, something because like failing it or even a B minus is really not an option in PA school. [clears throat] >> Got it. >> So that's why I said, you know, convince me that won't happen again. >> And you said, well, basically it's important to me so it won't. I need a little more than that. [clears throat] >> You know, uh for instance, like if I realized that I had such a family emergency that I actually could not be there, I would communicate with my professor, here's what's going on. Uh can I make this up somehow? Can I take this week to be with my family or this next two weeks? And then make this up on the back end, maybe make it up a little bit later or just even something like a leave of absence pass fail or, you know, a withdraw from it even beyond the deadline. and here's what happened. You know, like that kind of thing. Just some options, right? >> So, just um talking about how like if this were to happen again, what would I do >> if this happens in PA school? >> Okay, >> definitely need to include if this happened in PA school, family emergency, illness, anything keeping you from succeeding in school? What would what I would do such as communicating with the professor early, considering a leave of absence or making up the class work tests in one to two weeks, etc. Right? [clears throat] >> Let's communicate. So that's what I would have done. And then here you said something about decompressing. It would have been good to like say I like going for a jog. I like reading. I like doing whatever. I prioritize half an hour of this before bed. Like something, right? >> Specifics. But this this is a big one right here. You really need to make sure that we just feel good about you not doing this in PA school. >> Um Okay. Don't want to beat a dead horse, but that is super important. >> Okay. >> This is basically this was very good. You went into YPA. I told you like why not PA? And you were like YPA. So this is good. >> This is a really good response. Uh the things that I added here. Yeah, we talked about this already, right? Like, >> yeah, [clears throat] context. >> Add the context. We talked about that. Uh, specifics like what interest did you have? >> Yeah. And this last one where you had the dermatology guy example essentially was the same point as the one who took care of your dad. So, I probably could have done without that one. >> Okay. >> Like, if you're making a different point with him as an example, cool. But you're making the same point. He was >> kind and compassionate, right? Like that was it. >> So, I probably could have done without that and spent more time here. Got it. Okay. So, probably just taking that last part out if there's nothing uh like different >> remove the part about the germ PA since it's making the same point of the previous one or use that example to make a different point for a different reason why you want to be a what did I do? My hands are too big for this laptop to be a PA. So, like you want to be kind and compassionate. Listen, that's definitely true. You want to do lateral mobility, shorter course of training. Um I don't know, he's able to work part-time, he's able to moonlight in different clinics, >> you know, whatever it may be. Uh or just remove that. >> Okay, >> cool. Uh this one. Okay, definitely prepare a longer, more detailed, more personal response to this one. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, definitely think about it a little bit more. I know that this is important to you, so you can certainly bring up some more examples. >> Okay. >> Like here, >> would that be just a good foundation for like an issue that I think is important? >> Very. >> Okay. >> Yeah, absolutely. And again, like even if they don't ask you specifically this, >> even if it's part of like why PA or part of like motivates you to be a PA or what value do you bring to a program, you could use that for any of those. >> Okay? >> Right. So like here definitely a good question or a good example here like mom and dad didn't speak English. There were delays in care. We waited forever on insurance. a little bit more like >> you know mom ended up with pneumonia because she couldn't explain that her cough had been going on for a long time and she was getting worse like something you know [clears throat] >> more of a more personal >> just see how short this is compared to like this one >> cool >> yeah I kind of didn't know really what to say wasn't something that I thought about a lot but >> but now you will >> yeah now I will for sure >> yeah this is a really good length just for reference like your answer to this one was a very good length. It was very detailed, >> you know, more details of course, but like this is good. This is kind of quick. This is also super quick. >> Um, yeah, I like that. Like when it was a fun question, you kind of like smiled and laughed like that was good. Like he didn't seem nervous. He seemed personable. Uh, so I'm going to say expand much more on about this. not about answering a question but rather using the questions to share important information things about you >> would for each of these would I would you recommend that I tie it back to like YPA or just expand about myself in general >> no this isn't so much YPA this is more of like a tell me about yourself kind of question >> like my dad was important to me because this this and that he taught me these values And family is super important. Like that's the point you're making. >> Yeah. >> Taylor Swift, you know, I want to be a mentor. I want to be a role model. That's probably the point you're making. >> Uh who else was there? There was grandpa, which is kind of the same point as dad. >> Uh maybe cultural. You can bring in the cultural thing with grandpa. >> Anything. But yeah. All right. What kind of patients are particularly difficult? Uh let's see. So when you said the guy got angry and agitated easier than others, I probably would have said that a little bit differently, >> you know, uh, and I would have also led with empathy, but we'll talk about that in a second. Also, okay, so here I said way too many details. So you're explaining the situation >> for this much time and then even actually more. You're explaining the situation for this much time >> and here's how much empathy you showed. Mhm. [clears throat] >> I Well, I guess here's so much empathy. I would have liked you to flip these and not necessarily order, but to spend about this much time talking about the details >> and then that much time being empathetic to the person [clears throat] >> and then that much time, you know, like being responsible. So, I have a whole little prepared response for that one because it's a very common one I like to train people on. And that is conflict. One second. Interperson Oh, personal statement. Crap. One second. It needs to be um One sec. Copy and paste. There we go. So, anytime there's interpersonal conflict conflict, like whenever there's tension, someone's being an a-hole, it's a comment or it's a question that's like, you know, who can you not work with? Who's stressful for you to work with? When did you feel judged? When did you feel, you know, unfair? Anything like with people, tension with people. >> Lead with empathy. Always empathy first. Right? Very brief context. Here the situation then but of course I understand I'm putting myself in their shoes. >> That's first then I either this is what I did to make the situation better which is what you told me or this is what I could have done better or something >> you know so a little bit of context super empathy super responsibility. That's what you want >> you know whereas you saw you see here it's way more details and then a little bit of empathy. >> Cool. >> Yeah. >> All right. It's like imagine, you know, someone's talking about a friend or a family member of yours in the hospital. Uh, you know, you over hear the nurses talking and they're talking about like how they were yelling and how the kids in the lobby were scared and how, you know, he said in China he guaranteed a phone call and he didn't understand what Memorial Day was and like there was all these details. >> Yeah. >> About how angry he was instead of like, you know, this guy got a little frustrated with us, but of course I understand he's, you know, there's a language barrier. He doesn't understand what's going on. There's a cultural barrier. you didn't understand that we were closed or why, you know, totally understandable. I'd be really pissed off, too, if I was in that much pain and I couldn't get the help I needed from the people I'm supposed to trust. >> If you heard someone talking that way, you'd be like, "Okay, cool. I like them taking care of my family member." >> If they were just complaining for that long, you'd be like, "I don't like this." >> Yeah. Good example. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, that's kind of the the context. Any tension, you want to be super empathetic. >> Uh qualities do you possess? This is kind of good. See, come from Yeah. your your unique background. Good. Seen firsthand. Good. Uh so I would have loved for you to explain more here. Would have been great to expand much more on your background, what you saw, how it gave you perspective, right? Before talking about as a PA what you want to do. >> Yeah. >> Like more on this. This is definitely good to talk about. Um, discouraged that. Good, good, good, good. Hope to bring positive mindset. I love this. Love the positive mindset part. Love positive mindset part. Goodie bags is cute. Uh, group chats. That's all excellent. Could have expanded more on your unique perspective things you saw. and how that will translate to being a PA and student like you just kind of said it will but I would have loved to see how a little bit more but otherwise this was really really good. I like this a lot. >> Uh why this program? This was great. Uh I said would have been more good to do more details about what um in oh in undergrad how you uh got support from professors emotionally and professionally. Mhm. >> What does that look like? >> You know, like when I was freaking out over a test, even though I was ready, my professor, Dr. Smith, sat me down and said, "Look, you just got to focus on one question at a time and breathe and blah blah blah." And that just made me feel better, whatever it was. >> Yeah. >> You know, >> and more on what I told you otherwise. Excellent. Very good answer. Otherwise, uh, this is okay. These questions are pretty common. They're they're good questions, but they're a little common. >> Uh, let's see. Collaborative or competitive? Uh, I mean, you could add that. I feel like everybody asks that. Um, I don't know if it was on like a TikTok or something, but lately everyone's been asking that one. >> And it's almost always collaborative, so I don't really see the point in asking it. [clears throat] >> Um, yeah. I don't know. That's just it's been asked so many times. Uh, what are you most proud of about the program? It's kind of open-ended in general. It's a good question. I would have, if you want to ask this, I'd probably make it more specific, >> like the class that just graduated. Um, you know, what are you most proud of them for? Or what specialties do you find, has anyone who just graduated, you know, in 2025, um, do you know of anyone who got a really unique specialty or most people kind of going into primary care, emergency medicine? >> That's a good one. Are most people staying around the area like I would like to or are a lot of people kind of jetting off to different areas of California? >> You know, more specific. These are kind of general. >> These questions are good, though. Pretty general and very common. Being more specific would be helpful. Um, making the question less open-ended and easier to answer would be good. All right. And then there's scenarios. >> Uh, how do I get this out of here? Okay. Questions? >> I think just overall, so I really appreciate all the feedback. I think it's really good. It's definitely things that I have to tweak and incorporate, but overall I think I'm really glad I did this because it really gives me kind of insight into what like a real interview would look like and what they're really looking for. >> Okay. >> So, I don't think I have like any questions, but if you have any like just general feedback or general advice in general. >> Yeah, I mean general feedback, I think I told you the the vibe is very good. Uh, you know, you seem pretty confident. You're very friendly, very approachable. That's good. Uh I did notice you started talking really quick towards the end. I think maybe because it was like material that you had already presented, like you'd already prepared. >> I think when we were talking about like maybe underserved kind of stuff, you started like going really quick as if you already already like memorized it. >> So I So those questions I definitely practice like the you know the big questions about like why our program, why um PA, why you know tell me about yourself. I've definitely practiced those. I I don't want to come off as like rehearsed. >> The like I do have points that I want to address and I think I I think I'm just someone who like speaks pretty fast in general and if I get nervous I speak pretty fast but but from honestly yes those questions I have prepared beforehand. >> Well the YPA one you weren't like that. You were good. But it was just like the last two questions you started talking really quick and I didn't understand why >> because you hadn't before. >> Yeah. I'm not quite sure. I wasn't aware that I was like >> Yeah. You never are. It's like because you get nervous and you naturally start talking faster. >> I think so. Yeah. Or if like Yeah. I think when I get nervous I speak super fast. >> Why did you get nervous at the end and not at the beginning? I think at the end Oh, I I think it's because I prepared a question for why UC Davis, but I didn't expect myself for you to ask a previous question. Uh I forget what the question was, but I also had to talk about like a part of like why UC Davis Oh, why would be a good um why would I stand out from other >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, I'm like, "Oh, no." Oh, like I have to like kind of separate these two answers and make it work for this question and like also have enough for that the next question that you asked. >> I think that's where I got like pretty like tripped up and nervous. >> Okay. Yeah. Did you feel that you were a little nervous? >> Definitely. Yes, I did feel nervous. >> Okay. >> About that. Yeah. >> So, it's like the hardest thing in the world to do, but when you do feel nervous, like you know what it feels like, >> focus on slowing way down. Mhm. >> Like focus on talking uncomfortably slow. >> Okay. >> My one friend calls it the stoner vibe. >> Like like But the thing is when you're nervous, when you do stoner vibe, it turns into just being normal. >> When you're not nervous and you're just doing it on purpose, then it turns into being painfully slow. >> Truly. >> Yeah. >> So either way, just focus on, especially when you're nervous, just focus on slowing down more than you even want to. [clears throat] >> Okay. because that was like you just started really really speed talking. I was like what the heck? She hasn't done this like the whole time. Why? >> But I didn't notice. Yeah. >> Yeah, that makes sense. When you watch it back, you'll see up. >> Uh so that's the first general feedback. Just try to focus on slowing down when you're nervous. >> Two, uh trying to give context for everything. Either an example or at least like if you make a statement, back it up. Don't just make another statement after that. You know, like the professors were there for me professionally and emotionally. Okay, before you move on, what do you mean? >> Just like imagine me being there and going like, what do you mean? >> You mean [clears throat] follow on question, right? >> Uh, so you'll see that. Uh, and then definitely practice the low grades one. That's a big one. >> And the interpersonal conflict one, just leading with empathy. >> Otherwise, I think you got it. I mean, overall quite good. You know, if you did this without my feedback whatsoever, I think you'd still be okay. But, you know, you're paying me for feedback. I'm going to find something. >> Yeah. This is great. Yeah. >> Right. There's going to be something that everyone can improve, right? >> Yeah. >> And I think those are just the things you can improve. But overall, quite good. >> That's good to hear. >> Uh, any other questions? Anything else you need to talk about or you're okay? >> I think I should be good. Um I know that so I watched one of your videos on like just group interviews and scenarios. >> I know you said that just like identifying the what role I need to take on in >> interviews. So >> yeah I I think for me would would you have any other general advice on that or is it all in the doc that you >> uh but the basic feedback there was one did you see any of my videos on the four-step method for scenario questions? >> Yes. um just kind of repeating this what the scenario was, thinking out loud, identifying the um possibilities or like what I could do and then picking one and then further elaborating on that. >> Yeah. Uh step two is going to be uh getting more information. >> So like that you probably can't really get more information, but you can make assumptions or you could at least voice what you would want to know. >> You know, like scenario is X, Y, and Z. Okay, before making a decision, I would really want to know this. >> If it's this, I would go this way. If it's this, I'd go that way. Right? >> So, those four steps, just have those constantly in your head and just try to think during the group discussion like, all right, what's been covered? What's missing? What can I do? >> And always, you know, include the other group members. Uh, someone's quiet, include them. Try to talk first. If not first, then certainly make sure you're heard. >> Uh, always try to organize them. If like two or three people have talked and you're nowhere near the prompt, organize everyone. be like, "Okay, hold on." So, step one here, this is what we were asked to do. Uh, Jamie, I heard what you said. Alex, I heard what you said. Here's what I think. By the way, step three, here's what I do. >> You know what I'm saying? Just like constantly be like the anchor. Be the organizer because everyone's going to be like all over the place. >> Yeah. >> So, if you're the one who's steady and organizing everyone, that's the provider's job. >> You know, the front desk is saying people are calling her and yelling. The security guard is saying someone's trying to like, I don't know, fight him. the patients are coming out of room saying, "How long is it going to be?" Uh, your medical assistants are telling you about three different patients. You're the one keeping it all together. >> Yeah. >> So, be that person in the interview. Just like constantly like redirect everyone, get everyone organized. >> You know, that would be good. Or if someone's already doing that, just piggy back off them. Oh, Jamie, great job. Like, uh, I'm really glad that you brought us back to that. Uh, I totally agree. By the way, here's what I would do. >> Cool. >> And it's always okay. Is it okay to like say, "Oh, that's a really good idea." Like just other people's ideas. Or >> of course, why not? >> Okay. >> Yeah. You're not competing. I mean, you are, but >> on the surface, you're not. [clears throat] >> Yeah. >> Collaborative. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Absolutely. [clears throat] >> Yeah. They're doing those things. I mean, you're going to stand out for most people. >> Okay. >> And also that Yeah. It's all in the dock, but that's that's the chest. >> Okay. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you so much for taking the time to help me out.