Several years ago, I published a blog post titled 31 Physician Assistant Personal Statement Examples, which has been viewed over half a million times. The chance to read other people’s PA school essays proved so enticing that we even wrote a book about it. It’s called 101 CASPA PA school personal statement examples and is […]
Pre-Physician Assistant
What are Three Things You Wish You Could Say to Your Pre-PA Self?
Life is full of regrets because life is full of choice. I have collected a few regrets over the years, and if I were a betting man, I would guess you have some as well? Regrets come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it’s insignificant like choosing the wrong entree at a restaurant. Sometimes it’s […]
What’s Your #1 Personal Statement Struggle?
Are you struggling to write your PA School personal statement? Are you afraid your essay doesn’t stand out, it’s over the character count, or worse yet, it doesn’t even answer the simple question: “Why do I want to be a PA? Well, you are not alone! This year, as part of our PA school collaborative […]
How to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant Cover Letter
Whether you are applying to PA school, to your first PA job, or you are a seasoned PA interested in an exciting new career possibility, you are likely worried most about constructing an effective resume. But, one of the most overlooked and underrated components of the application is the cover letter. Like the PA school […]
You Have 625 Words and 2.5 Minutes to Get Into PA School: Use Them Wisely
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 […]
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 […]
