3 Things to Do the Night Before Your PA School Interview

It’s one of the biggest moments you have been waiting for, your PA school interview.

Nerves, excitement, and curiosity are running through your head.

You have spent days, weeks, even months preparing for interviews, but what about the night before? You’ve prepped for the interview day but what about the night before jitters?

Here are three things to do the night before your PA school interview.

1. Get organized

3 Things to do the Night Before Your PA School Interview Get Organized

Whether or not your interview is in person or virtual, take some time to get everything together so you are not rushed the morning of your interview

Double-check the time of the interview. Put your resume, portfolio, notepad, and pen in your bag.

Get your outfit together the night before so you are not scrambling and stressed. This is a terrific opportunity to make sure your shoes and your clothes are wrinkle and stain-free.

If your interview is virtual- make sure your electronics are charged and everything is working properly. Also, make sure you know how to connect your video camera and audio to the streaming platform. Make sure the background is appropriate, and you are comfortable in that spot!

Perform a Zoom test here. Click "Join," and then you can modify your background, video, and settings during the test meeting.
Perform a Google Meet test here. Click new meeting => Start an instant meeting to test your settings.

If your interview is in person, remember to figure out where you are going and how you are getting there. Check Google Maps to make sure you know the timing and route to get there. Check your emails for important parking information or anything else to help you not run late the next day.

If you haven’t researched the program... Do so now!

If you spent all your time researching PA School interview questions and mock interviews, take a few minutes to look at the program and re-read the mission statement. If you do not have some questions prepared for your interviewers, write some down!

If you are interviewing at multiple schools, just do another read-through to make sure you have all the correct info for this program.

2. Read your personal statement again

3 Things to do the Night Before Your PA School Interview Reread your personal statement | The Physician Assistant Life

This might seem like a silly thing to mention. However, it has been a while since you have written your personal statement. You have been reading about all kinds of interview preparation.

Taking 2-3 minutes to skim through your personal statement the night before your interview will help remind you why you want to be a PA.

Your interviewers might ask you to elaborate on a story from your personal essay, so you want to have it fresh in your mind.

3. Prepare for the worst (so you can be your best)

3 Things to do the Night Before Your PA School Interview Prepare for the Worst | The Physician Assistant Life

Things do not always go as planned.

Sometimes it starts pouring rain on your walk, or there is an accident on your route, and your shirt rips.

Set that alarm on your phone, and pack that umbrella. Check your phone for last-minute changes. Do not eat any foods that will upset your stomach the next day.

These may sound silly, but it's best to be prepared for when things do go wrong. You want to feel your best, and being prepared means you can stay calm and collected on your big day.

Relax!

You have spent so much time preparing. Nerves are normal, but take some time to clear your mind of all the stressors. Get excited for the next day!

Go to bed early so you can get a good night's rest. Eat a good breakfast in the morning if they are not providing it.

Remember, you have gotten this far. You have people on the admissions committee that wanted you there! They just want to confirm their understanding of all your amazing qualities.

You can just focus on how to present your best asset, you!

#BePositive

Here are some additional tips from prior Pre-PA (turned PA extraordinaire) James Kim on what you can do the night before your PA school interview.

And take it from James, if you want to rock your PA school interview above all else, "Be Positive!" Really, I swear to you, your attitude will make all the difference!

Action Steps:

Here are three action steps to take the night before your PA school interview:

Get Organized: Ensure all necessary items, such as your resume, portfolio, notepad, and pen, are packed and ready. Assemble your outfit for the next day, checking for any wrinkles or stains. If your interview is virtual, ensure your electronics are charged and that your video and audio settings are properly configured. If your interview is in person, plan your route to the interview location, accounting for possible delays. Finally, take time to review the program's mission statement and prepare some questions for your interviewers.
Review Your Personal Statement: Re-read your personal statement to refresh your memory about your motivation to become a PA. This could help you answer questions about your personal experiences or motivations that might come up during the interview.
Prepare for the Worst: Set alarms, check your phone for last-minute changes, and avoid any foods that could upset your stomach. Pack any items that could help you handle unforeseen circumstances, like an umbrella for unexpected rain. Being prepared for any potential issues can help you stay calm and focused during your interview.

Related from The PA Life Blog:

The Top 46 Physician Assistant Applicant Interview Questions

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Fiona D'Agostino PA-C

Fiona D'Agostino is an internal medicine physician assistant. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a BS in Kinesiology and completed her master's degree in physician assistant studies in 2017 from Rosalind Franklin University of medicine and science. She has been working in primary care for the past 3 years and has worked in underserved areas and urban populations. Fiona has spent time in undergrad and graduate school mentoring pre-PA and current PA students through their journey. She is passionate about educating and helping others in the Pre PA journey! Read more articles by Fiona.

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