Don’t Make This Critical PA School Interview Mistake!

Practice, practice, practice, for your PA school interview!

But whatever you do, don't sound rehearsed.

We all know how important practicing is before interview day, but make sure you remember that memorizing answers is the kiss of death!

In many ways, practicing is about confidence. When you've seen and heard the questions before, you've considered how your Pre-PA journey intersects with what the panel is asking.

You're also less likely to freeze. Or ramble. Or generalize.

By completing the mock interview I was able to gain the confidence I needed to perform well on my interview date. Throughout my interviews, I was complimented on my strong interviewing skills and I attribute that to the mock interview I completed. I have now received an offer from my dream school and I can't wait to start in August of next year! - Katie Rose, Pre-PA

So how do you interview without sounding rehearsed?

Practice but don't memorize answers.
Don't rush to reply. Take a minute to collect your thoughts.
If needed, clarify the question.
Resist the urge to ramble.
Aim to share one big idea.
Watch yourself practice. You can replay the recorded PA Life mock interviews as many times as you'd like.

In this mock interview, watch Pre-PA Kassidy Anthony answer questions in a prepared but natural tone.

Our interviewers know the top questions asked in a PA school interview. They walk you through a practice interview, coaching, and critiquing throughout the process. They point out details to build on or comments that could trip you up. They help you prepare to bring your best on interview day.

I had a mock interview with Sarah earlier this week- my true interview was this morning, and I really can't give Sarah enough praise. She was extremely helpful and made the mock interview very personalized to my specific background. She didn't feed me "good answers" - she instead gave me great insight into my own ideas and ways I could touch on them more effectively. I went into this morning feeling more confident than I would have without her help. I'm so thankful I did this! - Samantha Morgan, Pre-PA

To schedule a mock interview with one of our seasoned interviewers, visit us here. We'd love to help you polish and prepare for your interview day.

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Stephen Pasquini PA-C Physician Assistant

Stephen has been a family practice PA since 2004 and is the creator of The PA Life, Smarty PANCE Board Review, and PASchoolfinder websites. A National Health Service Corps Scholar and a graduate of The University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (Rutgers) PA Program and the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Stephen's goal is to provide one-of-a-kind online resources for those interested in or practicing in the PA profession, to promote better access to healthcare for all, and to foster universal recognition/awareness of the PA profession. Read more about Stephen.

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Physician Assistant Physician Associate CASPA Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) Physician Assistant National Recertifying Examination (PANRE) PA School Interviews PA School Admissions PA School Personal Statements

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Webinar: Crafting Your Best PA School Personal Statement

Hosted by Stephen Pasquini PA-C, Deanna Matzen

About this webinar Are you applying to PA school but worried about writing a compelling personal statement that will grab the admissions committee’s attention? Do you want to learn the secrets of crafting a PA school essay that stands out from the crowd and showcases your personality, motivation, and fit for PA school? If so, then you don’t want to miss our webinar on Crafting Your Best PA School Personal Statement. In this webinar, you will learn the following: What a personal statement is and how schools use them. You will understand the purpose and expectations of writing a personal statement and how schools use this information during the admission process. What to do before you start writing. You will learn how to prepare and organize your thoughts, research, and brainstorm your strengths and achievements. A successful structure for your personal statement. You will learn how to craft a clear, coherent, and compelling narrative that showcases your personality, motivation, and fit for their program. Common mistakes to avoid. You will learn how to polish your personal statement and avoid errors that could undermine your credibility or impact. By joining this webinar, you will gain valuable insights and tips on how to write a personal statement that increases your chances of admission to your desired PA school. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and get feedback from our experienced PA school coaches. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to write your best PA school personal statement. Register now and secure your spot for this webinar. You won’t regret it!