Knowing that I'm finally counting down my final year before PA school makes me so happy. Depending on where I end up going, I might start in June or I might start in August, but either way, I plan to take at least a month off from work and "life" before it all begins. These programs are so rigorous that students practically have to ask permission to take a shower, let alone have a day off, so I want to make sure my "relaxation tank" is as full as it can be before I embark on that particular journey. And although I really like my job, I'm also really ready to feel like I'm "moving forward" again. I made the decision to go to PA school in January 2007, so I've been in "pre-PA" limbo ever since -- doing prerequisite courses, finding jobs to rack up medical experience, researching various programs, taking note of deadlines, writing essays, and so forth. This will have been a three-and-a-half-year "layover", and I'm ready for my next flight to arrive.

Anyway, so either April or June 2010 will be my last full month at work. As I said, Duke (which starts in August) pretty much has to be my number-one choice -- if they take me, I'd be insane to turn them down -- and I really think I meet or exceed all their expectations, judging by the website. My GPA and amount of medical experience are around the 75th percentile of their usual class makeup, and my GRE scores are even higher. That would mean an August start... but if Duke doesn't pan out, a June start would probably be more likely. No way to predict at this point.

July - submit MUSC application and Duke supplemental application

August - buy new laptop (*cue heavenly music*!!!)

September - interview at UF (if I'm lucky) and start final prerequisite course (Orgo I)

October - final deadline for all application materials to be submitted

November - interview at Duke, Pacific, and MUSC (again, if I'm lucky)

December - finish Orgo I

January - interview at ECU

February - final decisions issued (although hopefully I'll have already heard something)

March - final deadline for application decisions

April - last month at work

May - take a month OFF

June - START PA SCHOOL, if I go to Pacific or UF or Medical

or, depending on the school:

(July - take my month off)

(August - START PA SCHOOL, if I go to Duke or ECU)

Anyway, there's obviously still a long way to go. But knowing that this will definitely be my "last July" at my current job, that there is less than a year to go, is a big morale boost. The image in my head is that of a pie graph with a small slice taken out of it, which will grow larger as the days, weeks, and months roll by. Again, I truly like my current job and I've been very, very lucky to have it -- but I don't want to work for $13 an hour for the rest of my life, always being the "support player", never getting to diagnose and treat. Pardon my arrogance -- but I'm better than that. And I can't wait to prove it.