One day while I was sitting at lunch on campus at the Patriot Cafe, eating quickly before I headed to work, my phone rang. I didnt recognize the number, which made me excited because I was expecting to hear from PA schools. I answered and found out it was a lady from Lincoln Memorial University! I was so excited to learn they wanted to bring me in for an interview! She gave me the choice of 3 dates of which I had to get back to her because I couldnt decided right then. I would have to plan out flights and when it was best to miss school. I returned her call the next week with my interview confirmation of Dec 3. I was so excited about this interview yet VERY nervous at the same time. My dad and I began looking at flights and where to stay and how to get around while I was there.
I flew out of DFW on Dec 2 at 12:30pm. Dylan dropped me off at the airport with a bittersweet attitude. He was sad to see me leave for a few days, but just as excited to see me get to start the interview stage of PA school. It was the first time I had flown by myself and I was a bit nervous. I had already checked in online and reserved my seat ( I made sure to get a single seat by a window)! So when I got into the check-in area, I didnt really know what to do. I managed to get a print out of my ticket and make it through security without any trouble. God was watching over me :) Once in, I had some time before I boarded, so I had lunch at chilis, by myself, like a loner. LOL. I moved to my gate and waited to board. It finally came time to board, and I made it to my seat. The flight was short and we made it without and problems in the air. When we began the descend, I could see the landscape of TN (it was my first time there). I was so impressed to see it looked straight out of the woods! There were trees everywhere! The airport was so small and very cute! The decorations represented to wooded scene of Knoxville and I was excited get out of the airport to see it all. My dad and I decided to rent a car to drive from the airport to the hotel. I follow directions to the rent-a-car place (of which I got a discount for being with LMU.. FTW). My assigned car was a new Jeep Cherokee with push start- very cool! The trip was supposed to take a little over an hour to make, but I made it in a little over 2 hours. The delay was because ALL the roads are like on winding mountains, I didnt know where I was going so went slow to not miss any road, and it was getting dark. When I finally made it to the hotel, I checked in, dropped my bag off and got out to find something to eat for dinner. I also needed to make a trip to walmart cause my purse didnt match my suit for the interview- gotta be in style for the first impression- LOL! The hotel was in Middlesboro, KY and it was so small there was not many restaurants. I ate some tacos, found the necessary purse, and went back to my room. I had a paper due the next day in a class I was missing back home, so I had to sit down and write it. Between paper writing and cramming for interview information, I went to sleep nervous/anxious/excited/prepared for the interview.
I did as much preparation the night before for getting ready as I could so that waking up and getting ready would be easier. The morning of Dec 3, I made the last minute preparations and headed down to put my bags in the jeep. I came back in to grab some breakfast. In the lobby, I noticed other students in suits and I knew then they were other people going to the interview! They were waiting to ride the shuttle to the interview. Although I shouldnt have started comparing myself to how 'smart' they looked (how I could tell that by their appearance, IDK), I did. It didnt make my nerves very calm. I followed the bus to the school, parked, and went to check in. In all there were 7 students there for the interview. We were led up to a meeting room and given a folder. The folder had contents about the school, profession, and schedule of the day. We sat through some presentations about the program and then the interviews began. I was VERY LAST to be called. Dont be worried, the order was preplanned and I knew I was going to be last from the beginning- made my nerves calm down even LESS! While waiting to be called, those not in the interview chatted and got to know one another. When I was called back, I met with the dean of the college and her assistant. It was much more laid back that I expected. Afterwards, I knew there were better ways I could have answered the questions, but it was over! I was DONE with my first INTERVIEW!!! I was so excited, much better than I thought! They werent trying to stump me or ask me questions I wouldnt know. They were more interested in myself rather than knowing I knew everything about the profession! After I had finished my interview, we were led to lunch where we were able to get to know the other interviewees better. We were then able to tour some of the student housing and the campus. After all that, we were taken back to the DO/PA building and allowed to leave. I got in the Jeep and called my parents, Claire, and Dylan to tell them I was headed back and how the day went. They were all very excited for me.
Back at the airport, after parking my rental car in the wrong return spot (woops), I got some food and waited to board. It was then the nerves of 'will they accept me??' started. Their website said a response will be given in 4-6 weeks. A PA 1st year student told us he got a call the monday after his friday interview. So from then until I got the call, I was on pins and needles not knowing when they were going to let me know. I landed back in Dallas and was picked up by Dylan and headed to Sherman to rest and relax from the stressful few days!
Best part about the whole interview process: the very impressive school, God delivering me through the interview, and meeting the other interviewees (esp Kelcye!!, who I have now talked to every day since then and is a highly potential roommate :D )
Here are some pics to help you get a better picture of this adventure
How cute are you! God is so faithful!
ReplyDeletethanks lanette! God is very faithful!
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