The average person’s reading speed is about 250 words per minute. The CASPA personal statement allows a 5,000-character count (about 625 words). Therefore, a full-length statement would take an average of 2.5 minutes to read. If a PA program received 1,000 applications meeting or exceeding minimum screening qualifications, reading all of these personal statements would […]
Pre-Physician Assistant
7 Rules You Must Follow While Writing Your PA School Essay
You know you’re in a war, right? PA school, once a bastion for rebels looking to buck the normal medical school model is now more competitive than ever. The CASPA application is full of standard metrics like GPA, GRE scores, prerequisite requirements, and college transcripts which make it hard to differentiate yourself from the pack. […]
12 Secrets to Writing an Irresistible PA School Personal Statement
In our book “How to write your PA School personal statement,” we interviewed twelve PA school administrators from twelve top-ranking PA programs across the country in search of answers to a simple question: What do PA school administrators want to see in your PA school essay? The results of this search, summarized in the first […]
Can the PA-CAT® Exam Predict PA School Success?
With over 1115,000 PAs actively working in the US and a projected increase of 37% through 2025, it is fair to say that the PA profession is growing. Along with a burgeoning clinician demand for PAs, there is an even more significant burden placed on PA academic programs to recognize those individuals best prepared for […]
The Worst PA School Interview Question Ever!
Picture yourself rocking through your PA school interview when one of the interviewers asks… The. Worst. Question. Ever. It’s been jokingly referred to as a buzzkill, but it can have serious adverse effects on an interview, undermining confidence and scattering coherent thoughts. What is it? Take a listen to Pre-PA Taylor Hill answer the question in a […]
The 5 Best Books for Aspiring Physician Assistants
Are you looking for the best books on how to get into PA school? The sheer number of books and resources for those interested in PA school or wishing to learn more about the PA Professions has grown in lockstep with the PA profession. While the timeless classic The Ultimate Guide to Getting Into Physician […]
Mastering Your PA School Interview: Tone Matters
In your PA school interview, there will inevitably be answers that tempt you to go negative. Don’t do it! Resist the urge to throw someone under the bus – no matter how much they may deserve it. There will be several questions where you’ll be inclined to be pessimistic. Describe a situation where your work […]
101 PA School Applicants Answer: What’s Your Greatest Strength?
What are your greatest strengths as a PA school applicant? What separates you from the pack? It’s a common PA school interview question, and it’s also an important step in outlining your PA school personal statement. After all, if you don’t tell the admissions team what makes you special, how will they ever know? Being […]
The Interview That Got This Pre-PA Into 5 PA Schools
The Mock PA School Interview That Got This Pre-Physician Assistant Into 5 PA Schools Have you been asking yourself the same question a Tolu? How do you prepare answers for your PA school interview without sounding rehearsed? How do you effectively talk about your weaknesses, or discuss your strengths without sounding like a braggart? Just […]
7 Questions to Ask Yourself While Writing Your PA School Personal Statement
Here are seven questions that you should ask yourself (and answer) while writing your PA school personal essay + FREE worksheet 1. What are you passionate about? You should be able to answer this question and if you’re not sure what you’re passionate about start thinking about it and make a list right now. Start […]
Top 5 Reasons NOT to Become a Physician Assistant
Here are the Top 5 Reasons NOT to Become a Physician Assistant (PA) 1. You are becoming a PA because it’s (enter your reason here) than becoming a doctor Examples include: It’s easier than becoming a doctor It’s more convenient than becoming a doctor It’s more practical than becoming a doctor It’s my backup plan […]
5 PA School Essays That Got These Pre-PAs Accepted Into PA School
Ever wonder what PA school admissions directors are really looking for in a winning PA school essay? Have you been searching the internet and physician assistant forums for samples of PA school applicant essays for reference? Have you ever thought that your personal statement might be a bit, well, boring? We’ve got your back. In […]
4 Skills Pre-PAs Must Develop Before PA School
It’s no secret that getting into PA school requires a lot of hard work and planning. It’s easy to become so overwhelmed by what you need to do to get into PA school that you lose sight of what you can be doing right now to prepare in advance for the rigors of being a physician […]
10 Questions Every PA School Personal Statement Must Answer
There’s no one right way to craft your PA personal statement. In fact, it should be as individual as you are. However, there are basic things to include, that together, answer the question: “Why do you want to be a PA?” Here are 10 questions every PA personal statement needs to answer What brings you […]
The GRE and PA School: The Pre-PA Advisor Series
The Pre-PA Advisor Series Welcome to the PA Advisors Series – a special series of posts where PA school applicants like yourself ask the tough questions and admissions directors from top-ranking PA schools provide the answers. Today We Will Discuss the GRE and Your PA School Application Here are some of the questions answered in this […]
