Do you have any IPAP application tips for better recognition?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 16:32:10 -0400

Hello all,

Quick question. I have been reading all sorts of blogs regarding the IPAP and application process. Great information out there with some very thorough answers. I wanted to pose a more specific question though.
I am currently in the process of putting together my application. I have all the prerequisites and have done everything listed so far on the IPAP website.
What I'm looking for is more information about what kind of items I can add to my packet to make me stand out. I know the standard list of items and I know i cannot add extra stuff to the packet but what sort of things can I do that would be included in the packet that make me look like a better applicant.
Thank you for any response, it is much appreciated.

SGT Agne

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2015 8:51 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 08:51:25 -0400

I might be giving you the answer you don't want, but here we go.
1. SAT scores, take them more than once to get the best score possible. They choose applicants based on the whole picture, but sometimes they use SATs as a simple deciding point if they are on the fence. (I heard that one once from an instructor).
2. Be a good soldier. Simple military things such as high PT tests, solid NCOERs and awards can make a difference. If you are a consistent 1,1 and score 290 or higher, you will be considered a better applicant than the guy who doesn't.
3. Shadow more than you have to. Get solid recommendations from PAs who are in the business who know the program.
4. Write an authentic LOI. They know you want to get in the program (shoot, the packet is enough to prove you're committed). But the LOI is your chance to put your voice, your story into that pile of paper.
5. Take some extra classes. Take some biochem, organic chemistry, microbio, maybe an art class. Widen your view. The first three (and others like them) will make Phase I a bit easier, the last ones (and the ones like it) help you see the wider picture of human nature and might make you a better provider.
6. Prep yourself to have to do it all again. Not everyone makes it first time. One of my friends in phase II now applied several times over 10 years and even failed her first semester and got recycled. She's now the one other students hate to follow because she makes such an impression on all of our preceptors. She didn't stop and she's proving her worth every day.

I can only really say that 1, 2, and 6 are solid pieces of advice from people who are instructors in phase I. The rest is a solid guess based on the packet and graduating from the program. Good luck.

Josh Randles

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2015 6:54 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 06:54:19 -0500

Letters of recommendation from PAs who went through IPAP. It's a smaller Corp than people realize and a letter from someone who knows what that program takes means something.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2016 1:11 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 01:11:04 -0400

Agreed with Randles.
Also if you are Guard or Reserve and have some time, don't quit at the prerequisites. Take the rest of what you need to finish the degree. If you don't know what you want to major in, then major in biology. Take the hard/important bio classes (Biochem, immunology, micro, parasitology, O. chem, genetics, etc.) If you get good grades then it helps in the over all packet. Having these classes, while not required to pass IPAP, sure made some of the basic science courses in IPAP a lot easier and less stressful for me. Already knowing the cranial nerves, basic genetics, and basic O. Chem really helped me.

Response by CPT Douglas Griffith made Aug 15 at 2016 1:34 PM

CPT Douglas Griffith — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 13:34:48 -0400

Max everything.