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You are here: Home / Pre-Physician Assistant / Essay and Personal Statement / How to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant School Application Essay

How to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant School Application Essay

July 26, 2012 By Stephen Pasquini PA-C 109 Comments

How to write the perfect PA school personal statementOver at Inside PA Training Paul wrote a wonderful blog post about the common pitfalls that many PA school applicants fall victim to while preparing their PA school essay.

Common Physician Assistant Essay Pitfalls

  1. Clichés
  2. Lack of specificity
  3. Weak conclusion
  4. No theme
  5. Boring introduction

This is an excellent list because several years ago while I was applying to PA school, I proved how adhering to each one of these elements was a guaranteed formula for failure.

I wrote a blog post a while back about how to get into the PA school of your choice. Part of my recommendation was to throw caution to the wind and apply with your heart and not your mind. This, as you know, is easier said than done.

Every one of the above pitfalls is what happens when you “think” too much.

The Six Hundred Words (or less) that Changed my Life

I applied to five PA schools in 2001 (prior to The Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).

First, I used an essay that I thought gave the review committee everything they would need to see that I was a stellar applicant. It showed my strengths, brown-nosed a bit, and proved that I had the pedigree to be a wonderful healthcare provider.

But, as you will see, it lacked heart, honesty, passion, and most of all . . .  grit.

I received my fourth rejection letter as I was completing my application for the University of Medicine and Dentistry (UMDNJ). I was demoralized.

That night I sat down at my computer and composed what would become the 600 words that changed my life forever. I had not read them for over 11 years until this morning.

I had never taken the time to go back and see what made the difference. What had made the essay I sent to UMDNJ different from the previous four flops? I was thinking about this list of essay pitfalls this morning and decided to go back and see if I could find my original essays. I was delighted to find all of them, they brought back strong feelings and wonderful memories.

I am going to share with you both essays. The one that worked, the one that didn't, and I want you to guess the winner. Avoid the urge to reveal the answer, reading through both essays will help you as you sit down to write your personal statement.

When I applied to UMDNJ (Rutgers) I was 0.1 points below the minimum GPA requirement to even consider sending an application. The fact that they opened my application and offered me an interview was a miracle. Yet, I was admitted just a week after my trip to New Jersey.

Where were those other 4.0 Ivy leaguers I met during my interview? They were placed on the waiting list.

I am not trying to gloat, but I want to point out that the essay may be the single most important thing you do. It is the reason I was accepted to PA school.

The most extraordinary stories come out of things grounded in the ordinaryClick To Tweet

Two PA School Applications Essays: Why Do You Want To Be a PA-C?

PA School Essay # 1

Why Do You Want to Be a Physician Assistant?

Every day is a gift to be embraced wholeheartedly.  It is our job to fill that day with a hopeful and meaningful purpose.  It has been said that “the most important thing in life is to live your life for something more important than your life” William James.  It is deeply rooted in this philosophy that I desire to become a physician assistant (PA).  I hope to provide quality healthcare to the underprivileged, an area of medicine, which I have noted to be dramatically underserved.

I became involved in health care four years ago to help finance my college education. I worked as a medical record clerk in the University of Washington health clinic.  In addition to delivering medical records, I assisted the hospital staff in a variety of activities.  I loved working with the staff and admired how well they operated as a team.  I desired more direct patient care and in January 1998, when a student position opened in the lab, I jumped at the opportunity.  In a few weeks, I was drawing blood, interacting with patients, and helping with a variety of technical procedures.  I loved what I was doing. The patients were often uneasy when facing a needle for the first time.  I was able to comfort them, help them to smile, and ease their nervous tensions.  My job required that I work throughout the various University hospitals.  This provided an opportunity to work within a variety of settings, and with people of all ages.  Whether it was doing morning rounds in labor and delivery or working in the campus health clinic, one thing always remained the same; I found great satisfaction in caring for patients and learning of their needs.  I felt a career in medicine was truly for me.

While working at the clinic I discovered the PA profession.  I have always enjoyed the complexities of science and have been fascinated by a career in medicine.  In pursuit of this goal, I decided to speak with one of the resident doctors in the clinic. She introduced me to the role of Physician Assistant.  After that, I immersed myself in research.  I was surprised to learn that many people with whom I worked were Physician Assistants.   I met with hospital staff, nurse practitioners, Physician Assistants, and physical therapists.  I regularly visited the PA at the clinic and admired his significant level of patient interaction and his ability to work both autonomously and alongside other physicians and nurses.  I admired the PA program’s flexibility and versatility, which would allow a change of specialties if I desired.  I began to focus my attention on becoming a PA.  Being an independent thinker, as well as a people-oriented individual; I feel that I am well suited, not just for a career in the medical field, but for a lifetime career as a Physician Assistant.

PA School Essay #2

Why Do You Want to Be a Physician Assistant?

As a child, every day, I would swing on the swing set in the backyard of my house. I would sit there for hours, without a care in the world simply singing songs and swinging back and forth. On that swing, I felt untouchable. Like a bird in flight, my only cares were that of the sky and the beauty of each adjoining minute. In the swing’s gentle motion, I was overcome with a sense of peace.

We wake one day and find that the swing no longer exists.  Our backyard has been rebuilt and the ground, which had once supported our youth, has been transcended.   We search again for the swing, longing to find a resemblance of that peace.  We hope to find it each day, as the product of our life and of our career.

A woman smiled at me one day, her name was Margaret.   The wrinkles on her face told a story and, in her hands, there played a motion picture.  She sat crouched in a wheelchair; I sat on a stool beside her.  I had been working as a phlebotomist in the University Clinic for two years.  I was a friend of Margaret’s because every Wednesday at six she would arrive at the clinic for her routine blood work.  Everybody liked Margaret; she used to tell us stories of her childhood and her husband who had given his life to the war.  She had grown especially fond of me because “I had freckles like her grandson.”  She used to come alone, but had grown weaker; this was the first time her daughter had accompanied her. Her daughter looked tired and spoke softly, “The best vein is in her hand” she explained, “it doesn’t hurt her there.”  I gently placed my hand on hers, and it was cold.  She looked to me and through the cold touch of her hand poured the warmth of her heart.   “It’s about time for dinner don’t you think mom”, said her daughter.  The clock rang six and I agreed.  “The medicines have been making her sick; she sometimes has troubles keeping her food down.” I looked closely at her face; it was thin and drooped to her chest. I realized that Margaret was unable to speak.   “Margaret, can you make a fist for me?”  “Just like last time.”  She clenched tightly. I withdrew the needle and collected a small sample of blood. She raised her head and with her frail hand, gently placed it on mine. I looked again to her eyes while placing a bandage on her hand.  It was warm now.  “Time for dinner mom”, replied her daughter. I smiled and waved goodbye “Margaret, I will see you again next week.”  She raised her head and smiled. Without a word, she made perfect sense.  I never saw Margaret again.

In the memory of Margaret and every patient who has individually touched my every day, I have regained a piece of the backyard swing that I loved so much as a child. I have been directly involved in health care for four years. Every day has brought great joy.  To be a part of a person’s day is a wonderful blessing. Certainly, there are many pleasures in life.  But, for me, none is greater than that which we find in the healing touch of another. As the eternal motion of the swing, it is in this that I find great peace.

Which essay is the one that got me an acceptance letter?

Click here to see the answer
Essay #2 of course!

The difference: One is written from the heart, the other is full of clichés, lacks specificity, has no theme, has a boring introduction, and a weak conclusion!

Final Thoughts

The personal statement is a great way for you to really expand upon who you are, why you are interested in being a PA, how you got to this point, and why you think you are a good fit. It is an excellent opportunity to really speak about the person you are. Be honest - write it yourself! We do read these very carefully. - Elissa Love, BCM PA Program in Houston

As you sit down to write your PA school application essay remember this example.

In life, almost nothing ever goes to those who try to blend into the crowd. Your PA School application essay should be different, reflect who you really are, and not pander to what you think other people want to hear. This is a rule of thumb not just for your essay and for applying to PA school but for life in general.

As you write dig deep, don't hold back, and believe in your words. Set your noisy mind aside and try to find that place inside your head where your heart resides. This is where you will separate yourself from the crowd, this is where your journey to PA both begins and ends!

Are you struggling to write your physician assistant personal statement? Are you dreading a second, third or fourth application cycle? Are you struggling to write your physician assistant personal statement? Are you dreading a second, third or fourth application cycle?
If so, we are here to help! Save time, money, and frustration. Write an essay that gets you an interview on the first try.  Sign up for the Physician Assistant Essay Collaborative

Bonus: PAEA Application Essay Do's and Don'ts 

Application-Essay-Dos-and-Donts-PAEA_compressedDownload
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About Stephen Pasquini PA-C

Stephen has been a family practice PA since 2004 and is the creator of The PA Life and Smarty PANCE Board Review 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 foster universal recognition/awareness of the PA profession. Read more about Stephen.

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Comments

  1. Luke Moran says

    August 9, 2020 at 9:49 am

    Dear Stephen PA-C,
    Please review and critique my PA essay draft for CASPA, and thank you in advance for your time.

    Luke Moran RRT

    My career path into medicine began as I lay staring up towards a blurry ceiling. As the surgeon placed the cornea flap back, I began to ponder a glorious future. The splendor of seeing winter tree branches, a television show while resting on a pillow, or even the difference between shampoo and conditioner in the shower was overwhelming and heartwarming. LASIK has been the catalyst for a future defined by purpose. My post-operative appointments showed uncontrolled increasing intraocular pressure, and both my corneas were so edematous it was like looking through a glass of milk. An emergency bilateral trabeculectomy surgery became the only option to save my vision. Due to the exquisite care from medical professionals, I decided to obtain a subsequent degree in applied medical science. I enrolled in Respiratory Therapy school to serve and help patients who succumb to genetic disposition and misfortune. This reason, coupled with my aspiration for further education, perpetuates me to become a great physician assistant.
    While in a respiratory therapy school rotation, I met a man with a tracheotomy on mechanical ventilation. Professionally, he was an ophthalmologist with no family history of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, yet still was diagnosed. While I cared for the doctor, it reminded me of how his profession brought me a new purpose. I wanted to do more for him than I presently could while focusing on pulmonary mechanics maintenance. As a result, I discovered the role of a physician assistant and became enthralled with the mentally rewarding challenges, leadership, and diversity of the profession.
    While obtaining my degree, I worked on multiple extracurricular challenges and spent my final year in a leadership role as class president for the respiratory therapy program. As a leader, I organized numerous fundraising events focusing on educating and involving community members on the benefits of cardiopulmonary health. I began working as the first respiratory therapy equipment Supply Coordinator at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Within a short time, my devote work ethic and commitment to learning were respected and rewarded with a preceptorship at the hospital respiratory therapy department. Although concerns of COVID19 canceled the internship, my role only became more valuable in the hospital. As physician assistants dedicate themselves to physicians and patients’ needs, I dedicated myself to my team of respiratory therapists to supply the equipment required to save as many lives as possible from a non-discriminatory disease.
    Being apart of COVID19 challenged my mental and physical stamina like I never conceived would happen long ago as a patient. The guidance and advantages of being given a second chance for a meaningful life have given me the ability to gift that same right back to the community. Beginning my medical career as a respiratory therapist, I am skilled in understanding the cardiopulmonary system and work with specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of many patients. While my role is a fundamental construct to the healthcare field, I want to do more. I want to be a physician assistant.

    Reply
  2. Juliana Hernandez says

    June 21, 2020 at 10:14 am

    Here’s my finished draft. Any type of feedback would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

    In a Greek hospital, on a warm summer day, completely dressed and prepped with scrubs and a mask, covered from head to toe, I am watching an open chest surgery. As I peek over the surgeon’s shoulder, I get my first glimpse ever of a beating human heart and I am stunned. As this miraculous organ is pulsating, I am besieged by many feelings coming at me at the same time. As I am completely covered and protected, I see a patient who is literally wide open and vulnerable under the surgeon’s hand. I am also amazed at how fragile humanity is and how medical personnel play a vital role in saving lives. In that frozen moment in time, I realize what my vocation is going to be. This human heart beating beneath me represents life, inspiration, passion, and resilience, all important elements in my decision to pursue a career as a physician assistant.

    Life is a series of vulnerable moments and mine has not been an exception. Throughout my childhood and high school years, I struggled with multiple medical issues and a personality that lent itself to indecision more often than not. In a relatively short period of time, I dealt with a tonsillectomy, two knee surgeries, a scratched cornea, and many serious infections in between. All of these medical issues sidetracked me with sports I was involved in and social events I was supposed to attend. Additionally, and especially because I like to weigh out all options, I tended to be indecisive and had no clear vision of which path to follow. I did not know who I was nor what I wanted to do. In the Greek hospital surgery room, something crystalized in my mind and I had a vision of what my professional life would look like. I would be involved in medicine somehow.

    Inspiration is a spark that happened during a difficult moment in my high school career. After my second knee surgery, I had plenty of time during rehab to discuss with Dr. McClure how he became a physician. I was impressed with how much he was helping with my recovery and the interest he took to get me back to playing volleyball as soon as it was medically safe to do so. Dr. McClure became a mentoring figure in my life and throughout our many discussions, he planted the seed of a possible career as a PA. He thought I would be a perfect candidate because he knew that I worked well with a team, was compassionate, and driven to make a difference while helping others.

    Passion is a strong desire that needs to be fulfilled. As a PA, there are three areas that I am interested in tackling because of the enthusiasm I felt throughout the last four years. They are, and in no particular order, athletic training, nutrition, and physical therapy. As an athletic training technician at the University of Arizona, I was lucky enough to work with different players that came from divergent situations and backgrounds. Their body shape was different, their caloric intake was unique, and their physical recovery was dependent on many factors. What I found so interesting is the challenge of figuring out what uniquely works for each athlete I helped. My reward at the end of each encounter was seeing the noticeable progress the athletes were making and knowing that my comprehensive plan of treatment was at least in part responsible for their success.

    Resilience is one of my core personality traits. Since I can remember, I have faced challenges with strength and overcame them with confidence. I arrived at U of A feeling so confident that I would ace my classes and felt falsely prepared from my high school education. Unfortunately, the first four semesters proved me wrong. I struggled with less than exemplary grades despite the fact that I was working harder and studying longer than ever before. After my sophomore year, I made a critical decision that would alter the rest of my college career. I decided to take a step back, refocus my goals, and work on a new strategy for studying. I was determined to overcome this challenge and I wanted to prove my capability and motivation. The results came quickly, and I saw better grades and a more confident self. During my last four semesters I raised my GPA from a 2.968 to a 3.417 at graduation.

    My decision to pursue a career as a PA came late in my college education. Although I will not have the best GPA, and certainly not the most comprehensive medical experience, I will be bringing the sum of all the vulnerable moments of my life and how I resolved them successfully to the classroom with me. I am looking forward to learning as much as possible and challenging myself to reach further. Becoming a PA will mean much more than helping patients with their health issues. I will be excited to hear each person’s story and figure out the puzzle of improving their conditions and struggles. The beating human heart I witnessed in Greece was a life changing moment and I want to bring what I felt in that surgery room on that warm sunny day to every patient I will have the privilege to work with.

    Reply
  3. Alex says

    June 2, 2020 at 10:17 am

    I took a deep breath, crouched in the starting block, and gazed over the tops of the hurdles. The crack of the starter pistol vibrated through my bones as if it were directly powering my every stride. First hurdle, cleared. Second hurdle, cleared. I checked my periphery and saw no competition in site. Third hurdle, cleared. My adrenaline and excitement peaked as I realized I could win the race. Then BAM, the fourth hurdle became intertwined with my legs. My knees and elbows scraped along the asphalt as I fell to the ground. As I gathered my bearings, I realized I had rolled off the track and into the grass. I was missing a shoe. Without hesitation, I rose and returned to the track. I quickly regained my momentum and finished the race. Though I finished dead last and was probably disqualified from leaving my lane, bowing out was not in my nature. Today, I realize this once embarrassing memory from my youth perfectly reflects my journey and desire to become a PA.

    During my first two years of college it seemed as though I was in perfect stride. I was clearing each hurdle with ease as I was academically successful in my courses. However, a transformative semester abroad proved to be a period of self-reliance that made me reflect on what I truly desired out of a career, and what academic fields equally challenged and piqued my interest. My Health Care in America and Introductory to Global Health courses left me energized and craving more medical education. Upon my return from abroad, I started a new academic journey as a pre-health student and explored the fields and careers of medicine in an EMT course.

    Similar to my fall on the fourth hurdle, my new journey presented obstacles that disrupted my stride. I had to retake organic chemistry and the addition of pre-requisites added a year to my post-baccalaureate timeline. However, my revamped schedule of science courses also stimulated me. This fascination and my desire to become a PA drove me to get back up and finish the race. After working as a Patient Care Technician (PCT) in a busy emergency room during the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, my commitment to this profession is now firmly cemented.

    COVID-19 has been an unexpected hurdle across the world and across our healthcare system. In order to act swiftly in moments of crisis and overcome the challenges presented by the pandemic, our ER has relied upon teamwork. The ER’s culture of collaborative problem-solving has strengthened my own ability to work independently while refining my communication skills with team members. These experiences will benefit me as a PA, as they have given me the confidence and motivation to provide care to those that need it the most. I am grateful to play my small role in helping our ER quickly and efficiently adapt to the pandemic. I believe the teamwork in our ER has allowed us to regain momentum and reach our ultimate goal of treating patients with the level of care they deserve.

    Working in the ER has exposed me to patients with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, and has shown me the privilege and responsibility that emanates from treating patients in their most vulnerable state. Helping patients through life-altering events has been humbling and valuable for the development of my clinical skills. Due to COVID-19, our ER has restricted patients from leaving their rooms unless absolutely necessary. During one of my shifts, a behavior health patient was refusing to return to her room and was hindering her nurse and I from tending to our other patients. With a warm and calm demeanor, I convinced the patient to sit down and talk with me in her room. After engaging in conversation about her family, friends, and beloved dogs, she thanked me for taking the time to talk to her and was cooperative moving forward. I was saddened to see her return to our ER a few weeks later, but our previous interaction helped establish a trusting relationship from the moment she arrived. I strive for my patients to feel valued and cared for, and this interaction taught me that patient-provider relationships will flourish when patients feel listened to by their providers.

    As I crossed the finish line that day as a teenager, I experienced a mix of emotions: embarrassment, sadness, and defeat. But within a few moments of reflection, I was overwhelmed with pride and dignity because I did not lose sight of my goal. Today, I feel the same way about my journey to become a PA which has resulted in my rewarding patient experiences. These experiences have taught me that it isn’t a perfect stride or even a complete set of shoes that are needed to overcome obstacles, rather it is perseverance, compassion, and collaboration that are essential to achieving goals and serving others. I believe that my dedication and resilience have primed me to become a compassionate and competent PA, one who will fight to provide my patients with the level of care they deserve.

    Reply
  4. Liz says

    December 15, 2019 at 10:16 am

    Hi, I would love some feedback on my Personal Statement.
    Thanks so much in advance!

    Confused, I fluttered my eyes open to my concerned Mom looking over me. I would later find out that while she was combing through my knotted hair, I fainted. One stroke of the hairbrush caused my vision to go black, my ears to ring, and my muscles to go limp. Lying on the ground I was helpless and overcome with fear. This syncope episode would be the first of three that would occur in my childhood years. As a young girl, I was perplexed as to why my body would seemingly give-up on me. The doctors were perplexed as well so I was tested for seizures and given the diagnosis that I was experiencing syncope as a reaction to pain and only time would tell if these episodes would intensify or disappear. These thoughts haunted me as I competed in varsity sports and later became a division one pole vaulter. But as I grew, I realized that I couldn’t let fear rule my thoughts. With resiliency, I went from being the defenseless patient to recognizing my strengths and wanting to help others in my position, thus become a physician assistant.
    Throughout my time at university, I was surrounded by athletes who were injured. From muscle tears to stress fractures to mental disorders, I saw my teammates be holistically cared for by a team of healthcare professionals. Observing these interactions cemented my desire to become apart of this healthcare team. I want to have the skills to be a resource for a defenseless patient by providing stability, and tools for them to heal. I want to gain the knowledge and ability to turn a helpless human into a hopeful one; one who can achieve their dreams and conquer any obstacle in their way because of the care and support they received from astounding healthcare professionals.
    As if my healthcare experiences growing up weren’t enough to entice me to go into the medical field, I chose to gain more hands-on experience as a Home Care Aide, physical therapy assistant, and later serve as an Adolescent Health Promoter for the Peace Corps in Guyana, South America. Although all of my experiences have taught me something profoundly different, I have had the incredible experience of providing direct patient care to infants, adolescents, and pregnant mothers while working in Guyana. I have found so much fulfillment weighing and measuring newborn babies and counseling mothers to ensure adequate growth. Testing blood pressure and urine of pregnant mothers as well as advising patients on prescribed medication, alongside an amazing team of healthcare professionals, has taught me the value of healthcare and the need for caring and flexible professionals, especially in underserved communities that lack the resources and education.
    Now an adult and without fainting spells for 15 years, I dream about becoming a PA so that I can help others go from helpless to hopeful. In my experience of being treated by and working with many healthcare professionals, I have grown to realize the importance of patient empathy and communication. I feel that PA’s provide some of the best care and are able to have a more personal understanding of patients. In this way, PA’s can communicate well while providing diagnosis’s and treatments, with the benefits of working on a team. Working with underserved communities, including assisted living patients and rural communities in South America, have provided me with a unique perspective on patient care that is unparalleled to many others. Through this experience I have been molded, crafted and shaped into the woman I am today, fully confident that the PA school is the next step for me, so that I can continue serving those in underserved communities.
    I know that being a PA is the career for me but I want to acknowledge that my GPA may reflect a number lower than the competitive standard for your school. Rest assured, the number is lower than the standard I have for myself. Through college I struggled to find the balance between academics and pole vault. I started to realize that my passion in life was not to become a professional athlete, but to serve others as a Physician Assistant. During my last two years at University, I adjusted my study habits and began to manage my time more effectively, eventually making the Dean’s list senior year and achieving a Student Athlete Academic Award. I know that when I go through PA school, my focus will be solely on excelling in the classroom. I am completely committed to working in healthcare and being the best PA that I know I can be.

    Reply
  5. Mike says

    June 11, 2019 at 12:42 pm

    I would love some feedback!

    Peter – a grandfather of three and restaurant owner in his late-60s – looked scared to death. His cardiologist sent him to me for a nuclear stress test, having seen something odd on his EKG, but never fully explained what that meant to him. Peter was flustered, half-listening to my standard spiel about the test, worried about not having taken his diabetes medications.

    I injected the radioisotope into Peter’s IV after he was given Regadenoson (a stressing agent) as I had done a thousand times before, but I knew immediately that something was wrong. Peter’s blood pressure dropped even as his heart rate climbed. His face turned pale. I examined his EKG, and knew from my experience that Peter was having an adverse reaction to the Regadenoson, but not because he was experiencing vasovagal syncope or else his heart rate would be decreasing. Unfortunately, that was all I knew. I could not do more.

    As I watched, the physician assistant and nurses on staff sprang into action, quickly tilting Peter’s chair back, administering aminophylline, and delivering IV fluids to stabilize his vitals. It seemed that Peter’s adverse reaction was not an emergency by any means to the team. But in that moment, I felt extremely limited in my role as a nuclear medicine technician. I so wanted to help, but I could not.

    I chose a career in Nuclear Medicine because I was interested in the science of medical imaging, and because I have always loved patient care. I loved encouraging patients like Peter through every step of their procedures and ensuring that they were as comfortable as they could be. I also had the pleasure of learning about patients on a personal level. For Peter, I learned how excited he was to see his three grandchildren on Saturday, how proud he was to be a restaurant owner, and how we shared a love for food. I remembered seeing Peter’s genuine smile that lifted him momentarily out of his fear and anxiety. We had connected on a deeper, more human level than that of caregiver and patient. This was why I chose medicine.

    While I love that my role as a nuclear medicine technologist allows me to connect closely with patients, I have always wanted to learn more. In my career, there have been many situations like Peter’s, where I found myself frustrated because I did not know the significance or pathology of a particular imaging study, or because I could not appreciate how the information learned from an imaging study or stress test could be used as part of the patient’s overall treatment plan. I realized quickly that I wanted to upskill from being a technologist, so that I can treat patients more comprehensively, and so that I can leap in and help in moments of crisis, instead of always stepping aside and deferring to others. I realized the role I most wanted was that of a PA. As a PA, I would have the skills to treat patients broadly and independently. I would be able to unburden myself from the limitations that frustrated me as a technologist, but also continue to be able to care for patients directly.

    To get more hands-on experience with the profession, I began to shadow Anthony, the senior PA in cardiology at Lenox Hill Hospital, who became my mentor. Shadowing Anthony reaffirmed my confidence that becoming a PA was right for me. I saw firsthand how Anthony developed personal relationships with each patient he treated while being able to act as a general resource for them. Anthony constantly answered both broad and in-depth questions about patients’ immediate needs and overall treatment plans, which helped put patients at ease even during stressful situations. I was also intrigued by the interactions I saw between the PA and the physician. While Anthony was given latitude to work independently, he always maintained an open channel of communication with the physician, and they continuously discussed their different perspectives in order to determine the best way to treat the patient. Becoming a PA would allow me to combine my strength for communications with my passion for patient care, while allowing me to increase my medical knowledge to be able to treat patients more comprehensively.

    I do not regret that I chose nuclear medicine. Rather, I believe my experience as a technologist is a perfect stepping stone to becoming a PA. During my three years as a technologist, I have matured and learned to persevere despite challenges such as taking night classes while working full time and finding inventive ways to care for my patients despite not having vast medical knowledge. I also reaffirmed that no matter how difficult patients may be, I love every minute of caring directly for them. Although the test follows the same processes, each patient interaction is unique and calls on my ability to communicate and treat compassionately. The physician assistant program will allow me to continue to hone my medical skills, so that the next time I meet a patient like Peter, I will know how to help.

    Reply
  6. Alberto de Miguel says

    May 31, 2019 at 9:42 pm

    Hi Stephen,

    I’d love some feedback on my personal statement. Thank you very much for your work, it is truly appreciated!

    Alberto

    “Simplemente quisiera darle las gracias por lo que hizo por Sergio*.” As Lorena* mourned the death of her husband Sergio, she took the time to call me from their hometown in Mexico to thank me for what I had done for him. I met Sergio back in October when he came to the urology clinic where I worked. He seemed very confused and out of place as he was checking in. “He does not speak any English,” the receptionist said. As a native Spanish-speaker, I felt it was my responsibility to ensure Sergio had the best patient experience possible. I had been there. I knew what it felt like to nod and awkwardly smile because you have no clue what is being asked of you. I took Sergio back to a treatment room as he walked with his head down, looking very distressed. Once I started speaking Spanish, his body language completely shifted. The light in his eyes changed and his awkward smiles were now genuine. As I was obtaining his vital signs, we chatted about our home countries and our journeys to the United States. Sergio was a young seasonal forestry worker who loved playing soccer. This was the beginning of a small, but powerful connection. Sergio’s physician asked me to interpret for him during the appointment: “Please tell him that his imaging revealed metastatic testicular cancer and that he needs immediate treatment.” I froze for a second. Then I collected my thoughts and broke the news to him. After numerous conversations with Sergio, a couple visits to the imaging center, and multiple phone calls in Spanish to his wife and employer, we were able to develop a plan for him. A few days after his diagnosis was confirmed, Sergio returned to Mexico to receive chemotherapy.

    Over the last couple of years I have had the chance to work closely with patients from diverse backgrounds. While it may seem mundane to communicate with someone with whom you share a language, experiences, or background, it gains value through its infrequency. I have realized the energy that resides in the connections that I have been able to make with patients, whether they were facilitated by common language, life experiences or simply similar tastes. It is something truly powerful. Providing treatment to patients may stimulate the concept of purpose; but the true joy and fulfillment for me lies in the connections that develop with patients and peers. While working as a medical assistant and a physical therapy aide gave me a taste of these connections, I always felt limited in the time I was able to spend with patients or what my credentials allowed me to do. It was like a ceiling that did not allow me to reach my potential. My professional and personal growth inherently called for something bigger and more challenging.

    I have been captivated by the PA profession since I was a sophomore in college. However, this enticement was solely based on internet research and conversations with professors or friends. There was nothing tangible about it yet. It was not until I started working with Justin at North Idaho Urology that I knew becoming a PA was everything I wanted in a career. On slow days Justin and I would chat in his office. My inquiring mind always wondered about his clinical decisions, so I fired a lot of questions his way. Whether it was the physiological dysfunctions of the upper urinary tract or the different roles of testosterone, he would always have a very well-rounded and thorough answer. “You’ll learn that in PA school” was the standard response to my often amazed face. Beyond the broad medical knowledge, it was the sharpness of his mind, the way he interacted with patients, and his ability to work as part of a team that inspired me. In a way, it reminded me of my experience on the Whitworth Men’s Basketball Team: each member plays a role in the success of the team that will only be achieved if everyone understands and executes their role. Justin perfectly understood his role, and so did I; and that is why we worked so well together. As much as I enjoyed being a medical assistant, I am ready to step up to a greater role on the team. Even though it was not for long, my experience with Justin was like a mirror in which I envisioned my future self. Through him, I saw a glimpse of what I truly believe will allow me to reach the professional fulfillment and joy that I am pursuing.

    My mother used to say that there are moments in life that will shift the course of your future, but that you cannot anticipate when they are going to come. Lorena’s call was one of those moments. For her to remember me in such a moment of grief and thank me for what I had done signified that I had touched Sergio just as much as he had touched me in a connection so powerful that it transcended countries. I will never forget Sergio. But similarly, I will never forget that feeling of helplessness I felt from hitting that ceiling and being unable to do more for him. With all these memories in my mind, the time has come to break through that ceiling.

    *Pseudonymes

    Reply
  7. Jordan says

    May 21, 2019 at 6:57 am

    My hands become bloody everyday. My fingertips callused. My arms, legs and stomach marked with fine bruises. Anxieties about how my body will react to what the day will bring fill my mind. Starbursts, juice boxes and needles fill my backpack, purse and work bag. The words, “can you eat sugar?” are imprinted in my head. These are attributes I never let define me since my diagnosis, at age nine, of Type 1 Diabetes. I do not have one defining moment of when I decided I wanted to be a pediatric physician assistant. Yet, I have a lifetime of deep experiences. These experiences made the goal to apply to PA school, achievable.

    In October of my sophomore year of college I became ill. I got two eye infections, two ear infections, a respiratory infection and a bacterial infection due to my weak immune system. I developed extreme anxiety and OCD behaviors through this period of constant illness. After twenty-three visits to the health center, I became frustrated with doctors. I found them to be more interested in treating my symptoms rather than finding the cause due to their caseload. For two months, doctors prescribed me many antibiotics. My grades slipped and I had become mentally fatigued. Until, a PA at the emergency room took the time to listen. She sat down and conversed with me about everything experienced. I talked for almost a hour. Through a physical exam, she located a lump on my neck. Mono! A diagnosis that could have been made much earlier. I realized the type of PA I wanted to be, someone the world needed more of. This PA spoke to me as if I was her colleague and family member at the same time. I will provide reassurance and faith in my patients after gaining knowledge in PA school.

    I entered college as a neuroscience major. I had a passion to break the stigma behind mental illness. I wanted to learn how the mental body of a human being affects the physical. I obtained my first internship at nineteen in a mental health clinic. I was an assistant therapist in a group therapy called Dino Club. Dino club therapy was treatment for children ages three to nine. These children suffer from anger problems, depression, PTSD (from abuse or neglect) and other disorders. Rather than trying to cure the children of their mental disorders, we taught them how to cope and thrive in a world with them. This treatment plan amazed me. Focus is usually put on curing the problem. Yet, in times when it is non-curable, education on how to live happily with long term disease should be the focus. Analyzing the emotional and mental states of patients will always be a priority of mine.

    I am most proud of my time as a school nurse in the Monroe County school district near Indiana University. Families entrusted me to treat their kids. I treated severe emergencies (seizures and diabetes care) to simple care (applying bandages). I gave children their prescribed daily medications. To receive their medications, the child had to answer questions about it. This verified that the medication they were about to take matched their order form. I worked hard to ensure I was treating the kids with compassion and effectiveness. I kept a communicative relationship with the families. The hardest part of my hands on job, was not being able to finish the job. I often said, “I am not sure, I cannot diagnose”. Typically, I often could predict the problem. Once, a child presented a rash going up his fingers and spread to his arm. It could have been an allergic reaction, a fever or poison ivy. I studied the child’s vital signs, watched his respiratory rate and the spread of rash. I knew it was not an urgent matter. However, the student came to the health office before for this problem. Both after lunch. It seemed to be reflective of something the child ate. Perhaps gluten? I began to ask the RN that I worked under, a lot of questions. I also began to keep a journal of questions to ask the few doctors I shadowed.. Since I only had minimal education, my only response could be “I am not sure, I cannot diagnose”. I assessed the present state and identified the problem to my best ability. A nurse provides exemplary treatment and care. However,I want to diagnose and stay loyal to the patient throughout their medical journey. PA school teaches disease-centered treatment. It can ensure that I would never have to turn away a patient and say, “I cannot diagnose”.

    As I said, I do not let type one diabetes define me as a person. I want to learn how to treat patients and ensure they do not feel defined by their medical obstacles. I worked hard during college to improve my GPA as I learned that chemistry was not a friend of mine. Yet, I excelled in my degree and core classes. My experiences in shadowing, research, volunteering and school nursing has taught me the importance of intuition and reliability. My drive to learn more has kept me passionate. In PA school, I will bring a sense of unity and benevolence to treat all with equality.

    Reply
  8. Melaina Salmon says

    January 20, 2019 at 8:28 pm

    I recently finished my first draft and would love some input!

    Passion. It is the simple, seven letter word that sums up a person’s goals, aspirations, who they are, and who they strive to be. I believe one’s life should revolve around what they are passionate about and those passions should drive them to happiness and success. As I walked into work that hot summer day, dental hygienist Stephanie explained to me why she regrets not following her dream of becoming a dentist. She told me, “dentistry is my passion.” I could see it in her eyes as she explained to me how much it means to her to be able to help her patients that she truly loves dentistry. Having wanted to be a dentist for the past 3 years of my life, it was a tough pill to swallow when I realized dentistry didn’t give me the same glow in my eyes as it did hers. I yearned to discover the career that would make my eyes light up the same way Stephanie’s lit up when she talked about dentistry.
    From the time I was a young girl I always had a smile on my face, was eager to learn, loved working as a team and running for leadership positions, and simply loved life. Whether I was working on my duties as student council and class president, participating in athletics, or volunteering at local blood drives, I’ve always had a drive to not only better myself, but share a smile everywhere I go in hopes of making even just one person’s day a little better. To this day, one of the most gratifying compliments I have ever received is that I have a smile that can light up a room and a personality that can’t be stopped. As I made my way through high school, I quickly realized how much I love working with people and was drawn to the medical field, but I wasn’t able to pinpoint a career field that exactly aligned with my interests and the lifestyle I wanted to live as an adult. In all honesty, I didn’t think I would ever come across a career that would peak all my interests and draw me in for the rest of my life.
    As the days of summer winded down, it was time to head off to UMKC’s Biology Bootcamp to kick off freshman year of college. While there, Kathy Ervie spoke about the PA profession, what a PA is, what they do, and laid it all out on the table. Considering I had never even heard about the PA profession, I had a lot to think about if I wanted to pursue a career as a PA. From then on I began doing my research, and it was not long before I was hooked on the profession, but knew I had to get in and shadow to confirm the PA profession would be right for me. This led me to PA Andrew Rendoff, who I had the privilege of shadowing for 50 hours over the course of two months. Through him, I learned the ins and outs of being a PA. In that short time I was captivated by the relationships he had with his patients and the physician, the role he played in the clinic and during surgery, the rush I got when I was able to experience surgery first hand in the operating room, and the autonomy a PA has while still working as a key member of a team.
    By the end of my freshman year of college, I was determined to start doing whatever it took to explore the medical field and get as much experience as possible, which led me to KC Phlebotomy where I took a course to become a certified phlebotomist. I was then connected with Doctors Paul Reicherter and Jessica Jellison and began working at Jellison Integrative MD as a medical office assistant (a title we totally made up not knowing what would be a good title for my role). My duties not only include completing office work and taking phone calls, but also working with patients and the doctors to give our patients the best care possible. On a daily basis, I am giving patients infusions, drawing blood for lab tests, performing a variety of tests on patients, and getting them checked in and out. It is at Jellison Integrative MD where I fell in love with patient care. I fell in love with the patient interaction, getting to work as part of a team, and seeing patients get better with each visit. I love seeing patient’s medical symptoms questionnaire results go from the hundreds down to single digits and being able to show when how far they have come.
    I am proud to be able to say I have finally found the glimmer in my eyes that I have been looking for for so long, and from here on out, I am dedicated to doing whatever it takes to turn my passions into a lifestyle. I want to be the best, most competent physician assistant I can be and help advance the PA profession in every way possible. With my experiences working at Jellison Integrative MD hands-on with patients as a part of a medical team, volunteering with Community Blood Center, and as a member and officer of UMKCs Pre-PA society, I have a lot to offer UMKC’s Physician Assistant program in helping achieve the program’s goals and living up to the mission statement by going into the PA profession with the ambition to achieve clinical excellence, the desire to serve, and dedication to the profession.

    Reply
  9. Stefani Hillrich says

    August 29, 2018 at 9:55 pm

    Hi Stephen,

    I am just finishing revising my personal statement for PA school. I made somem changes after reading yours and seeing what a difference it made. Would you be willing to read my draft?

    Thank you,
    Stefani Hillrich

    Reply
  10. Heidi Kendeigh says

    July 6, 2018 at 2:15 pm

    The sun was beating down on a hot afternoon in the middle of the sugarcane field where a small concrete structure was standing without any A/C, fans or electricity. A line stretched out the door with more people trying to come inside. For one week, I was able to help out at a free medical clinic in the Dominican Republic. Throughout the week, I was able to help people by transporting them from triage rooms, giving them anti-parasite tablets as well as assisting and shadowing the physicians treating the patients. Seeing over 300 people in the clinic and treating conditions ranging from hypertension to meningitis was an incredibly fulfilling experience. I loved being able to see so many patients in such little time with a large diversity of cases. As all of the volunteers packed up and left the Dominican Republic, we rewarded ourselves with a nice dinner out. Due to this, all but three members of the group contracted parasites and we had to take the same anti-parasite pills that we had previously given the clinic patients. Even with this unfortunate circumstance, I realized that the reward of being able to care for others was absolutely worth the risk of possibly getting sick myself.
    I came back to Illinois and decided to take a class while still in high school to become a certified nursing assistant. At 17, I was able to obtain my licensure and at 18 I landed my first professional job in the medical field as a CNA in an assisted living facility. While in this facility, I was placed in the Hospice, Alzheimer’s and Dementia wing where I met many wonderful people. By the time I resigned from this position 2.5 years later, all but 1 of the patients that I began with had unfortunately passed away. I became so close to some of the patients and their families that I went to many of their funerals and grieved alongside their loved ones. This job taught me about the cycle of life and the reality of death that I would have to face if I wanted to continue in the medical field.
    While in college, I learned about a great new opportunity that would give me a new experience with physicians in a completely new setting. After meeting with a representative that visited my college, I became a scribe in the emergency room at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois. This is where I got to experience a fast paced environment where anything and everything could happen. I learned how different physicians faced each complicated issue and how they could utilize the resources of the hospital and others around them to help their patients. I also learned about the role of a physician assistant, and how they interacted with the physicians and medical staff within the emergency room.
    Once I transferred hospitals and was promoted to the role of chief scribe at Rush University Medical Center, I was tasked with the need to know who each employee was and what their job entailed. Each time I would train a new scribe coming in, I would need to introduce them to the other employees and inform them about the different roles they play in the emergency room. Due to this, I became very close with several physician assistants who were my constant supporters. I noticed that the physician assistants were extremely personable and had a love for their job without much burden. I frequently asked the PAs questions about their job and how I could begin a career as a PA, since I always wanted to work in the medical field, but did not know which position I was most interested in. Every time I learned more about the physician assistants that I worked with, I felt as though it would be the perfect career for me.
    After 16 years of schooling, it only took me 2 years working with PAs to figure out the many benefits and opportunities that a career in the field would provide me and my family. My love for medicine, my dedication, and my hard work are all excellent foundations to a career as a PA. Working in several different facilities, in different roles, and with a variety of diverse patients helped me to realize what an impact I could have on my patients and the field of medicine as a Physician Assistant.

    Reply
  11. Madison M. says

    May 3, 2018 at 7:31 am

    Hi Stephen,

    I appreciate the fact that you posted this. The first and second drafts of my personal statement was very similar to yours in terms of structure and content. I read the PA School Essay #2 and made quite a few changes to my personal statement as a result.

    Would you be willing to read my revised draft?

    Thanks in advance,

    Madison M.

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      May 3, 2018 at 10:48 am

      Hi Madison, would you mind posting it here so I can give you a critique in the comments section?

      Stephen

      Reply
      • Madison M. says

        May 9, 2018 at 4:07 am

        During my sophomore year of college, my grandmother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Despite what seemed to be an impending doom, my grandmother, who had already endured excruciating chemotherapy treatments years earlier secondary to colon cancer, emitted optimism as she laid in the hospital bed. Her eyes glistened as she recounted stories of my grandfather who had passed away years before I had been born, her smile radiating as if it were yesterday.
        As the weeks progressed, the oncologist informed my family and I that the cancer metastasized to her liver. In a matter of days, my grandmother’s stories were replaced with silence as she lay, her once glistening eyes flooding with tears as the nurse collected routine blood samples.
        She contracted nosocomial pneumonia at the end of her battle and I remember my last moment with her; the only audible noise was the whistling from the ventilator. I grasped her cold hands, staring at them the same way I did as a child. When I was younger, I always wondered why her fingers looked as though they were pushed toward the little finger, not realizing that she had ulnar deviation secondary to rheumatoid arthritis. I would push my fingers in the same direction so that my hand could resemble hers.
        In that moment, I understood that it would be the last time I would ever hold my grandmother’s hand. I understood that, in the recesses of my soul, there would be an absence.
        The woman smiled as she handed me her clipboard at the front desk; the Shepherd’s Hope patient registration form revealed that her name was Maria. She walked back to her seat in the waiting room, trying to calm her children as she waited for a consultation with the clinic’s eligibility specialist. She looked tired, but was patient, simply holding a finger to her lips as the children restlessly waited with her.
        The printer rolled off Maria’s prescriptions, signifying that it was time to gather her discharge paperwork. I organized her laboratory and radiology requests and walked over to her seat in the waiting room. Her daughter and son were resting now as Maria read a book. It was not until then that I realized wrinkles covered her forehead; they made me wonder if the boy and girl who accompanied her were actually her grandchildren. I discussed with Maria her treatment plan and she simply smiled, shaking her head intermittently. As I handed her the stack of papers, I noticed a cross pendant necklace dangling from Maria’s neck. The necklace closely resembled the one my grandmother gave me shortly before she was admitted to the hospital for the last time. I smiled to her and said, “Un gusto hablar con usted.” Maria looked at me, placing her hand onto mine as she replied, “También fue un gusto hablar con usted.”
        I may have lost my grandmother to cancer, but I feel her spirit through my involvement in healthcare. Whether it is through the warmth of a hand gently resting upon my own, or through a simple “It was a pleasure speaking with you, too,” the absence that manifested in my soul fills with the gratitude from the patients whom I interact with.

        Comments:
        I began this “new version” a few days ago, so I know that I still have to iron out the edges—particularly the transitions and the final paragraph. The most important that I would like to ask you, though, is this: do you feel that this essay answers the prompt? I recognize that I do not even address the words “physician assistant” in this draft of my personal statement. This draft also lacks any mention of the experiences that I have had shadowing or working as a medical scribe. Nonetheless, I feel that, through expanding on my volunteering experience, this version has more heart in comparison to the my other draft.
        My other draft is very similar to your PA School Essay # 1; it basically outlines everything that has led me to want to pursue a career as a PA.

        Reply
      • Madison M. says

        May 9, 2018 at 6:30 pm

        Stephen, I apologize as my previous post is a variation of this draft that I am not as confident with. Please read this draft instead.

        During my sophomore year of college, my grandmother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Despite what seemed to be an impending doom, my grandmother, who had already endured excruciating chemotherapy treatments years earlier secondary to colon cancer, emitted optimism. Her eyes glistened as she recounted stories of my late grandfather, her smile radiating as if it were yesterday. As the weeks progressed, the cancer metastasized to her liver and my grandmother’s stories were replaced with silence.
        She contracted nosocomial pneumonia at the end of her battle and I recall my last moment with her; the only audible noise was the whistling from the ventilator. I grasped her cold hands, staring at them the same way I did as a child. I was always fascinated by the orientation of her fingers, wondering how they were able to stay pointed toward her little finger, not realizing that she had ulnar deviation—a consequence of rheumatoid arthritis.
        In that moment, I understood that it would be the last time I would ever hold my grandmother’s hand. I understood that, in the recesses of my soul, there would be an absence.
        During this time of grief, I remembered a statement made by my former karate instructor Sensei Mike. “Each time you step into this dojo, you are dedicating your time to something greater than your individual self. You become a part of a team, a family.” His words reminded me that my grandmother would not want me to wallow in despair, but rather devote myself to something that could better the lives of others.
        The woman smiled as she handed me her clipboard at the front desk; the Shepherd’s Hope patient registration form revealed that her name was Maria. She walked back to her seat in the waiting room. She looked tired, but was patient, simply holding a finger to her lips as her children restlessly waited with her.
        The printer rolled off Maria’s prescriptions, signifying that it was time for me to gather her discharge paperwork. I organized her laboratory and radiology requests and walked over to her seat in the waiting room. Her daughter and son were resting now as Maria read a book. It was not until then that I realized wrinkles covered Maria’s forehead; the lines made me wonder if the boy and girl who accompanied her were actually her grandchildren. I discussed with Maria her treatment plan and she simply smiled, shaking her head intermittently. As I handed her the stack of papers, I noticed a cross pendant necklace dangling from Maria’s neck. The necklace closely resembled the one my grandmother gave me shortly before she was admitted to the hospital for the last time. I smiled to her and said, “Un gusto hablar con usted.” Maria looked at me directly in the eyes, and she shared a story. A story of perseverance and strength. She placed her hand onto mine as she replied, “También fue un gusto hablar con usted.”
        I may have lost my grandmother to cancer, but I feel her spirit through my involvement in healthcare. Whether it is through the warmth of a hand gently resting upon my own, or through a simple “It was a pleasure speaking with you, too,” the absence that manifested in my soul fills with the gratitude from the patients whom I interact with. And that could be enough—volunteering at a health center for uninsured, low-income patients—but I would like to extend my hand further. I would like to see each patient not just as they enter and exit through the clinic door, but throughout their entire healthcare journey.
        My experience as a medical scribe in the Florida Hospital Lake Mary emergency department has elucidated that the perfect marriage of patient-provider interaction and clinical medicine can be achieved through the PA profession. Kerfala Fofana, PA-C was one of the first providers whom I worked with as a newly hired scribe and exemplified this balance of sciences and personal interaction. Kerf’s exuberance was contagious; upon entering each patient’s room, Kerf would greet the patient as if he were greeting a long-lost family member. He openly consulted the attending physician, whether it was with regards to recommendations on an antibiotic or on admitting a patient to the ICU. Unfortunately, Kerf’s mother became ill, so Kerf traveled to his home in Africa to monitor her and has not returned to the Lake Mary emergency room since. While I lament the lack of time I spent with Kerf, I appreciate his dedication to his patients, notably one of his newest—his mother. Kerf has shown me that sentiment cannot be sacrificed, not matter how full the waiting room becomes.

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I loved this service!!

Madeleine Zeichner, Pre-PA

The suggestions are great! My essay sounds better already and I’ve just started editing it. The edits are nicely explained and make sense, and I like that there are also comments about what sounds particularly good in my original draft, too. I like that, although you said I already had a very good start, there were still significant changes you suggested that, as I’ve heard others who used this service say, “elevated my work to a whole other level.”

Phong, Pre-PA

Sarah is absolutely amazing and really helped transform my essay into the best version it could have possibly been!

Shannon B. Pre-PA

This service was very helpful. My essay was edited and returned to me within a few days of me submitting it. The feedback was thorough and detailed. I am already planning on sending my essay for a second edit!

Sabrina, Pre-PA

Sarah was absolutely wonderful. She not only helped take my personal statement to the best level, but she also made it easy to understand why certain changes were better. In the end, she went through and used a highlighting method to show how we connected things to PA and skills that were good. This made it easier to visualize everything. I’d recommend Sarah to anyone applying to PA school that needs that extra push on their personal statements.

Taylor, Pre-PA

Sue was awesome and ensured I received my edited version of the essay in a timely manner. The editing was above exceptional and exceeded my expectations. Thanks so much!! You guys are awesome!

HK, Pre-PA

I can’t begin to explain how thrilled I am to have stumbled on this service. Like many other PA applicants, I was unsure of whether I was on the right track with my personal narrative. Reading Stephen’s two different PA school application essays showed me how to come up with something unique and creative, but the private personal statement review really made my essay shine.

Duke was so kind and helpful in helping me understand what admissions committees look for in a strong essay. Our phone conversations were so thorough, as we read through and discussed every word in my essay. Sue’s guidance helped me cut out the fluff to reach the character limit.

Melissa T. Pre-PA

I really felt the person who edited my essay, Sue Edmondson, took the time to get to know me as a person because she wanted my essay to reflect exactly who I am. I couldn’t have been more impressed with the edits and revisions she has given me along with the reasoning behind each revision.

Nicala, Pre-PA

Really helpful! Makes me feel confident.

Qui T. Pre-PA

Even at the busiest time of the year for applications, they got me my edit in a matter of days. They did a great job with grammar, punctuation and suggestions. I am very satisfied with the draft I got back from Sue.

Andrew, Pre-PA

Your service was able to help me figure out exactly what I needed to include, what did not belong and helped me display my experiences the best way possible to form a great essay. Carly was able to help me create my best essay by just editing the order and grammar without changing much of any of my written work. I am very happy with how my essay turned out. Definitely worth the money, thank you for all your help!

Nicolas, Pre-PA

It’s very clear that Deanna, my editor, put a good amount of time and thought into this. She FAR exceeded my expectations, even providing me with two different possible drafts (my original copy was 1500 characters too long). After paying for two separate editing services, I was initially disappointed to find that the first had not provided anywhere close to the level of feedback/review/editing that I had hoped for. I thought I was on my own again with my personal statement and did not have high hopes for any additional edits at the time that I’d received the review from Deanna, of thePAlife. The first service I’d used provided reviews that were neither thoughtful, in-depth, nor helpful, but Deanna’s edits were each of those! My hopes had been shot down by the first service but were immediately uplifted after I received Deanna’s edits. Her feedback was timely, thorough, thoughtful, critical, and even supportive! She provided an exceptional service, and I would highly recommend her to anyone

Cierra, Pre-PA

Deanna has helped me so much with my essay. I will definitely be reaching out for additional editing help and am so thankful this service is available. My editor was impeccably prompt, communicated her role, suggestions, and time frame which was great.

Morgan, Pre-PA

I’m emailing you to let you know that I received an acceptance call yesterday! It’s my first cycle applying so I’m still in shock. This may sound weird to say, but you have been a part of my journey since the beginning when I was trying to figure out how to write my personal statement, to practicing for the interview that led to my acceptance. I genuinely believe that I would not have been accepted into the program if it weren’t for you.

Anthony, PA-S

This was an extremely helpful process! I still have work to do on my essay but Sue was very helpful by giving me criticism I needed to hear from an unbiased source as well as being very fast responding! I think this will help me moving forward and having a strong application!

Morgan Rial, Pre-PA

Sarah was so helpful, accommodating my needs, and I would highly recommend her to a friend/peer. I love this company and the people that work here!

Erin Felter, Pre-PA

I love Deanna! She was incredibly helpful and encouraging. I liked the way she constructively gave me feedback and I liked her ability to really strengthen my own ideas instead of dismissing them like other services. She is amazing at seeing things from different angles and that way rearrange and enhance my narrative. I did get an interview from the top choice and an offer a week later. Thank you so much and I will definitely recommend ThePALife to future prePAs.

Klam, Pre-PA

Susan did a fantastic job of editing my essay! She guided me and gave me suggestions for strengthening certain sections and equally took out weak parts. After I followed her recommendations, I really felt like I had an essay where every sentence mattered and reflected who I was. Thank you so much Susan for your help. I feel that I have a stronger essay because of your honest feedback and your help!

Amanda, Pre-PA

Just wanted to drop you a quick line to let you know that I got accepted to UC Davis, and have accepted their offer. I can’t thank you enough for your help through this process. I owe much credit to you and your amazing editing skills in helping me get in. With endless appreciation!

Jolene Duthie

Susan did a fantastic job of editing my essay! She guided me and gave me suggestions for strengthening certain sections and equally took out weak parts. After I followed her recommendations, I really felt like I had an essay where every sentence mattered and reflected who I was. Thank you so much Susan for your help. I feel that I have a stronger essay because of your honest feedback and your help!

Patrick, Pre-PA

I read my personal statement again today and got the chills. I am so happy with it and just wanted to thank you for all your help with my PA school essay!

Mikaela, Pre-PA

The edits I received were extremely helpful and insightful. I think they really brought my essay to the next level, and I am thrilled with the outcome. Thank you!!

Kelsey, Pre-PA

I am so pleased with the review Carly provided me. Her responses were thoughtful and edits helped me in a lot of places where I felt totally stuck. So excited to be so close to a final draft with my personal statement. Thank you! TBD on the interview (fingers crossed)

Georgia Flynn, Pre-PA

I wanted you to know about my acceptance into Elizabethtown College’s PA program. I am incredibly excited – I loved the school, the program and thought the staff was incredible, especially the director. I know my personal statement was a key component of getting an interview with them, and I am so thankful for your help in getting my statement polished!

Steve, PA-S

Excellent service! The editor did a great job of working with me to write my personal statement as I wanted. They also provide some pointers and tips on how to write which is good for supplemental essays and writing prompts.

Ryan, Pre-PA

We worked on my essays back in summer and oh, how much work it was! But it all paid off because I just got accepted into the school of my first choice! Thank you so much for your time and dedication to my success. I will also be glad to recommend your services to other pre-PA students at my school!

Jennifer, H Pre-PA

Duke went above and beyond to help me. I so appreciate his help and would recommend this service to anyone!

Jessica H. Pre-PA

Carly was excellent! She was very quick to provide edits and did a thorough job. She really helped me with the flow of my essay. I will be sure to let you know if I receive any interview invitations. Well worth the money! I feel confident in my essay.

Casey, Pre-PA

After receiving two edits from Carly I feel extremely confident in my personal statement. She not only fixed grammatical error and syntax, but helped me better organize my thoughts into a competitive essay. To other Pre-PAs looking to submit their essays: I know it’s a bit of an investment but the peace of mind, comfortability, and confidentiality is so worth it! Thank you The PA Life!

Elizabeth, Pre-PA

I am mind-blown by my editor Carly’s work. My original essay is like an ill-fitting suit. She hemmed and adjusted it in all the right places and now it looks perfect. I don’t think I’m a bad writer, but I don’t write often and I have spent the past 10 years of my life focused on health sciences. I may have never been able to do this on my own. Thank you thank you, I consider this essay service a bargain.

Rebecca, Pre-PA

Sue was amazing! She was very quick at replying to my emails and looking over my paper and application. She was so helpful and has a way with words. I know I will continue to use her services throughout my application process!

Miranda, Pre-PA

I wanted to reach out and thank you for your help with my personal statement. I received compliments about my essay at every interview I had. I also wanted to let you know that I will be attending Duke’s PA Program – my top choice. Your help was amazing! Thank you so much again!

Kelli Tseng, PA-S

I just want to thank you again so much for being so awesome and helping me perfect my statement. I promised you that I would let you know if I got into any programs, and I was offered interviews at all the five universities I applied to. And I got offered positions at my top two school choices shortly after I interviewed. I am so ecstatic to say that I will be going to my number one school choice. I know multiple factors contributed to this opportunity being offered to me and the personal statement was surely a big one. Thank you so much for all that you do. It was really a great investment to have you edit my paper. I hope you have a fantastic rest of your day!

Elisa, PA-S

I am so happy to have gone through this editing process! I did not think you would take so much time to not only give me great feedback but also to edit and revise my paper like you did. I am so happy with my new revised paper and will definitely tell my friends!

Eric, Pre-PA

My editor knew exactly what kind of edits I was looking for and addressed all of my questions/concerns I had about my essay. I will definitely be recommending this service to my club members and friends.

Stephanie, Pre-PA

Carly is absolutely amazing, and I would recommend her to everyone. She was very helpful and supportive with her edits and why she recommended certain changes. She is amazing, and she helped me tell my story.

Peter, Pre-PA

I want to let you know that I got accepted into Misericordia University PA program starting the Summer of 2021. So far, I have had two interviews, one rejection and one acceptance. I have two more interviews coming up, and other schools are still reviewing applications. You have been a huge part of my application process, and I just want to appreciate your time and efforts you put in during my application. Thank you, and God bless

Jani, PA-S

AMAZING EDITS. Really opened my eyes to a new perspective of what a personal statement should really be like!

Jasmine, Pre-PA

A couple of months ago you worked with me on improving my personal statement. I wanted to reach out and let you know that it worked out! I got 5 interviews and so far have been accepted to 2. I am so so thankful for all your help as I don’t think it would have worked out without your amazing editing skills. Thank you for all you do! Not just me but for all the applicants you helped get accepted this year!

Matthew B. PA-S

Sarah was amazing and so helpful with thoroughly explaining her edits! I was so impressed with the first edit. She really took my theme to the next level and really helped tighten the flow of my essay. During our first phone call, I was amazed by how quickly she incorporated my new ideas/suggestions. Sarah is extremely clever with re-wording and cutting down unnecessary words, allowing you to elaborate more on important things. I can’t say enough good things about Sarah! I am so thrilled with my result!

Khanhi, Pre-PA

Sarah was a tremendous help to me and provided me with thoughtful edits that really made my personal statement stand out from the crowd. She was very easy to work with and really seems to care about each of her clients. I really enjoyed working with her and highly recommend her as an editor. As of today, I have 3 interviews scheduled, including one at my top choice school! Thank you!

Andrew, Pre-PA

I absolutely loved working with Sarah! She provided the best feedback to my personal statement, while also being sensitive to the details regarding personal family trauma. At the end of our sessions, I always felt confident in the statement and knew that Sarah would help me best articulate into words what I wanted to say. My statement now is something I can be completely confident in, and know that Sarah has been able to help me achieve a statement that prospective schools will pay attention to. Thank you, Sarah (and The PA Life) for everything!

Elizabeth, Pre-PA

Sarah did such an excellent job editing my personal statement that I wanted her expertise for my supplemental essays. I’ve had multiple interview invites so far. I’m so glad I used this service, and I’m so glad I had Sarah’s help! She really took my essays to a whole new level and had good suggestions. I’m recommending her to my peers.

Emily Crenshaw, Pre-PA

Thank you so much for helping me with my physician assistant program application essays and interview! I am so excited to let you know that I received multiple PA school acceptances and have decided that I will be attending Cornell University’s PA Program in New York City. The program begins in February 2019 and I cannot wait to begin!  I truly appreciate all your help and encouragement throughout my PA application process.

Christine Chen, PA-S

I just wanted to update you that I got waitlisted for Drexel but accept to Dominican University of California. I still have other interviews coming up. Thank you for your help!

Karmen Wu, Pre-PA

I have been accepted to my first-choice program!! UC Denver, I don’t have to move! I have also received three other interviews so far. Thank you so much for your help with my personal statement. You eloquently helped me state my desires and strengths for the career. I am beyond thrilled and thankful.

Nika (Future PA)

I was accepted into PA last cycle and am currently in my second semester! I am a part of the inaugural class at Keck Graduate Institute. Your services really helped me during the application process. I enjoyed working with Sarah on my personal statement. She helped me view my experiences from a different perspective, making my personal statement more unique and stand out amongst other applicants. The mock interview was also very helpful and prepared me for my one and only interview. I was given great pointers and feedback on how to refine my answers. Thank you again for your services!

Michelle Chen, PA-S

I just wanted to let you know that I was accepted in the UW MEDEX program at my home campus in Anchorage, AK. After the long journey I’ve had, I finally was accepted to my top choice! It still seems surreal and I couldn’t be more excited! Thank you so much for the help and insight you gave me. I truly believe it helped prepare me and not be as nervous. I will definitely recommend you to anyone I know who is applying in the future.

Melanie, PA-S

I have recently been accepted to a program that was one of my top choices, and I also was waitlisted with two other schools. I wanted to thank you again for all your help Duke.  Not only am I grateful for your knowledge of writing and grammar (which were invaluable), but most importantly your kind word and motivation, which I needed so much at the time.  You’re a great person!

Alex Taylor, PA-S

I finally have amazing news. So first of all, in total, I was offered 13 interviews. I was just offered a seat at Nova Orlando! I am finally going to be a PA and a big part of that was from all of your help with my personal statement. So thank you very much for helping me succeed during this round.

Jennifer, PA-S

Loved this service and working with Sarah. She was super helpful and easy to talk with. Will definitely recommend this service to others.

Diana, Pre-PA

I just wanted to email you and let you know that 3 weeks post-interview with Gannon, I was accepted into the class of 2023! I am so excited and thrilled and I know that your help, helped me. So, thank you!

Cailin, PA-S

The service provided was excellent. I really appreciate Duke taking the time and reviewing my essay multiple times and at that same time, making sure I am comfortable with the wording. Thank you for all your help!

Foram Patel, Pre-PA

I am pleased to tell you that I have been accepted to PA school, starting in 2-weeks.? I appreciate everything you have done for me, from helping with my personal statement to preparing me for interviews. You have been with me since the beginning of the application process and I really wanted to thank you.

Shane, Pre-PA

I truly appreciate the ideas and comments Deanna provided for my personal statement. Without her expertise in having an understanding of what PA programs are looking for in a personal statement, I would have gone in a completely different and possibly wrong direction. I highly recommend this service!

Victoria, Pre-PA

Carly was excellent! Not only did she make my essay much more compelling, but she understood the deadlines I wanted to reach and helped me do that! 10/10!!

Jesse Cordova, Pre-PA

Sarah helped to condense my detailed thoughts into a powerful essay. Over the phone, she was careful to collaborate with me before making any changes so that the piece remained under my control and in my voice. She served as a guide and insured the essay brought out my strengths and reasons for pursuing the PA profession. Overall, I’m incredibly happy with the service!

Julie, Pre-PA

Carly did a great job helping my personal statement flow from paragraph to paragraph. She truly helped me show throughout the essay why I wanted to become a PA. What I really appreciated was she explained why each change was made; comments and reasons which not only helped with this one time essay but for all my future essays as well. Definitely was worth it!

Kathleen, Pre-PA

Very helpful. I needed help figuring out what to cut and Sue was great at showing me what could go without sacrificing what I was trying to convey.

Dave, Pre-PA

Sarah Morris Schultz was my PA statement editor and she was absolutely fabulous! She helped to shave my original 4-page long, winding PA statement down to a 2 page impactful, poignant, moving statement that lead me to get accepted to a Doctor of Medical Science program in Physician Assistant Studies. She has such a gift for writing and knowing how to say things in just the right way and use the right words! One of the DMS PA program committee members started off my video conference online interview by stating that my PA statement was the best he ever read, not “one of the best” but THE BEST statement. My heart leapt. My PA statement years ago had caused me NOT to get accepted to the school that I had hoped. I did get accepted to a good PA school, got my degree, and started practicing in this field that I love. However, this time I decided to humble myself and get help writing a good statement. Praise God, it paid off. I am so grateful for the PA Life service and fee for the one-on-one service is worth every penny! I recommend everyone get Sarah Morris Schultz. She’s the bomb.com! I love you, Sarah 🙂

Sonja D. PA-S

Sarah from The PA Life was an incredible resource for editing my personal statement. Her edits took into account the big picture of the message of the statement and helped guide me when writing additional content my statement was lacking. Her edits and responses were both prompt and thorough, and I truly feel that she made a huge positive impact on my personal statement.

Travis, Pre-PA

I’ve had several people look at my essay in an effort to gauge whether the content was strong and to help clean it up and cut characters – none were as helpful as Carly. Carly’s editing truly helped make a difference in the quality of the essay, and while there’s still quite a bit of character cutting I have to do, I am more prepared now than I was before. I am so happy I chose to work with The PA Life.

Kristen, Pre-PA

Sue was extremely prompt and thoughtful in providing her comments, edits, and revisions. My essay had a good start but she helped me write it with admissions committees in mind. I will keep you updated on if I get interview invitations.

Kirsten, Pre-PA

I received an acceptance call from USC! I’m going to be a PA! ??‍⚕️ I’m so overfilled with joy and gratitude!! All of my experiences led to this, and I can’t help but feel immense gratitude for every single person that was part of this journey. You were a huge component of this journey, and I am so appreciative of all of your help. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Cintia Chávez, PA-S

I just wanted to share some amazing news with you! I have been accepted into the MEDEX PA program in Seattle!!! I can’t thank you enough for all your help!! I am beyond excited and still can’t believe it is actually happening! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!!!!! 😀

Pavitra, PA-S

I was so glad that I chose to have Duke look over my essay, he turned it from long, rambling, and scattered to a much more concise, well written essay. I really feel as though it represents me well! Duke always responded quickly and I felt as though I got a lot of value for the money. Thank you!

Jennifer B. Pre-PA

Sue Edmonson has been a great help in ensuring my personal statement made sense and fit what information I was trying to convey. Her ability to find the pertinent parts in an essay and gain more information about me to make the essay seem relative to my pursuits was truly a Godsend. Would recommend her and your company to others. Thanks!

Christopher Ohsie, Pre-PA

Deanna (my editor at The PA Life) is the GOAT. She went so far above and beyond all my expectations. My jaw was on the floor reading my personal statement after she worked on it.

Austin, Pre-PA

I am so happy with the service Sarah provided! My personal statement turned out exactly how I was hoping it would!

Jennifer, Pre-PA

Working with Sarah felt like working with an old friend. Her thoughtful insight made the revision process easy. She had great advice for improvements to make while remaining within that difficult 5,000 character limit. Thanks, Sarah, you helped a ton!

Ryan, Pre-PA

Mr. Pasquini was very patient, accommodating and direct in his editing/advice. He was honest, in a way that I needed due to the importance of the letter. I even picked up a few tips to enhance my writing from our meetings. Great experience and will definitely recommend him to others!

Alana P. Pre-PA

I was extremely stressed out about writing my personal statement, and finally decided to search the internet for advice and assistance. I came across the personal statement editing service on the PA Life, and decided to give it a try. I received a response within a day, and my stress was instantly relieved. I worked personally with Duke to edit my statement, and he is a phenomenal writer. He didn’t change the content of my statement, but rather helped me tell my story in a way that is much more desirable! I cannot recommend this service enough to others seeking help on their personal statement. Duke was friendly, sincere, and definitely experienced! I felt 100% confident in his editing abilities, and we worked together the entire time so that we were both pleased with the results! Thanks again, Duke, for all of your help!

Chelsie W. Pre-PA

I came into this with a half written personal statement and not a lot of time left. I am beyond pleased with the work Sarah and I were able to accomplish together, and I’m so grateful to have gotten the chance to work with her. She has helped me so much with getting my writing to where I wanted it to be, and has instilled in me a great sense of confidence in myself and my abilities. I highly recommend this service to anyone going through the stress of applying! Keeping my fingers crossed as I submit my applications!

Celine, PRE-PA

Deanna was professional, prompt, and easy to talk to. I truly enjoyed working with her one-on-one for my personal statement. Her suggestions elevated my writing, and I appreciate all the work she put in my essay.

Jamie, Pre-PA

My experience with the PA Life personal statement collaborative was simply remarkable. My editor did an outstanding job making sure that my personal statement reflected my BEST work and addressed all of my concerns regarding the essay and other questions I had about my application. I can’t thank you enough for all the help I received during this process. Thank you!

Erika, Pre-PA

I used the personal statement editing service through The PA Life, and I worked with Sarah. She was AMAZING and made such a difference in both the quality of my personal statement and in my confidence as an applicant. That said, I’m so grateful to say I’ve been accepted into two out of the three programs I applied to and have an interview with the third on Friday of this week. I couldn’t be more excited!

Nikki, PA-S

Sue is so incredibly kind! I needed so much help on cleaning up my personal statement and overall flow of the writing. She provided great insights and explanation.

Laila, Pre-PA

Duke helped me with my essay and he was great! He really helped me fine tune my essay so it’s ready for submission and answered all of the question I had about small details in my essay. He was also great about responding to emails in a timely manner. I definitely recommend this personal statement review service to anyone who’s applying to PA school…even if it’s just as a final read-through before submitting it on their application.

Tyler J. Pre-PA

I really appreciated Carly’s attentiveness to my writing style and working to keep my message and content but working it in a way that reads easier. I appreciate her turnaround time, as well as priority deadlines for programs, are quickly approaching!

Jacob, Pre-PA

Carly was helpful and gave insightful comments while helping me to create more impact within my sentences. I feel confident and at ease knowing that my supplemental application has been reviewed in a thorough manner. Thank you for all your help!

Mina, Pre-PA

Awesome editing service! Everything was detailed, and I could tell that my editor really cared about helping me produce a great personal statement.

Ashanna, Pre-PA

Sue Edmondson was VERY thorough in her editing of my essay, as well as the promptness of her responses to me. She not only took the time to edit the grammar of my essay but helped me remove a large portion of it to focus on the important aspects of it and draw in more details. Overall, a fantastic service!

Megan Hunstad, Pre-PA

Sarah Schultz is such a gifted and talented writer. She is super sweet and is a joy to work with. I could not have asked for a better editor. She was able to articulate all of my ideas and thoughts seamlessly and effortlessly. Although challenging at times, her suggestions and edits were very insightful and necessary into creating a spectacular essay. I am extremely pleased with the outcome. It is now a true work of art. I am so grateful to Sarah for offering her time to helping individuals like myself to write the best possible personal statement. I would not have been able to write such a cohesive and smooth flowing essay without her help. Thank you so much!! I would unhesitatingly recommend The PA Life Essay Collaborative and Sarah Schultz.

Patrick, PRE-PA

I just wanted to give you an update! So far I have had two interviews and been accepted to both! I have three more interviews scheduled as of right now, and still waiting to hear from a handful of schools. Thank you so much for all of your help with my essay!

Jennifer Bidwell, PA-S

I just want to follow up and let you know that I have been so fortunate enough to have conducted 3 interviews and received 3 acceptances, and I have decided to continue my educational journey at the OHSU PA program. I can’t thank you enough for all the help you’ve provided me, from helping me with my personal statement to mock interviews. I couldn’t have done this without your help, thank you.

Yomiyu Gafesu, PA-S

My editor was amazing! She took everything I asked and did editing that was above and beyond. She was also great at communicating and taking my comments/opinions into consideration. 10/10 would recommend!

Ravee, Pre-PA

I was very pleased working with Duke on my personal statement. I’m currently in the middle of applying to PA school, so I haven’t heard back from the programs. I’m looking forward to the experience though.

John R. Pre-PA

I’m so happy with the amount of time and attention that Duke and Sue put into helping perfect my essay. I’m extremely fortunate to have come across Stephen’s page and this opportunity- I would have sent in an essay that unknown to me at the time, had issues and needed many improvements. I’m almost to the point where I’m going to submit my application, and will definitely update the team on prospective interviews. I cannot thank you guys enough for having this essay review service available, you definitely make it worth every dollar and more.

Tiffany Ly, Pre-PA

Your services have eased the stress and anxiety that results from guessing whether or not your essay contains the content that many PA programs are looking for. Your services were prompt and genuine. It is clear that you have the applicant’s success at heart. Thank you!

Madison Pre-PA

I just wanted to let you know that the majority of my interviews have gone really well! So far, I’ve received six interview invites and have interviewed for five schools. Midwestern (AZ) just got back to me a bit ago, and they sent me an acceptance email! I am beyond thrilled! I just wanted to thank you so much for your help! Your mock interview gave me a lot of confidence that I was able to carry into my interviews! I appreciated having the opportunity to practice my interview skills with you. I wanted to let you know just how much you’ve helped me with my application process (with my interviews, personal statement, and just my confidence in general)! Thank you so much for all of the advice over the past few months!

Sneh, PA-S

This experience was great. They took my essay and gave great constructive comments that made it an even better essay. Very fast and efficient process.

Gabby, Pre-PA

Deanna was amazing! She really went above and beyond the single-edit that I could afford. I consider myself a pretty good writer, but she helped me focus and ground my story without sacrificing the overall creativity of the original piece. All I can say is wow! If there ever was something worth the money, this service is it!

John S. Pre-PA

Deanna was an absolute joy to work with. Not only was she a wonderful writer and editor, but she helped me develop my thoughts and produce a personal statement I was proud to submit. She helped me refine my ideas, and concise my writing to illustrate my reasons for wanting this career. She was also very prompt in responding to my emails and questions. I am very happy with my personal statement and would recommend this service to anyone who is considering this service or feels stuck in their writing process.

Maddie, Pre-PA

Sarah is an amazing writer. She helped clarify my thoughts and encouraged me on this journey. When/ if I get an interview, it will be because of her amazing writing skills.

Araceli, Pre-PA

I just wanted to let you know that I got accepted into the RFU PA program! Thank you for all your help and support during the application process. Couldn’t have done it without you!

Zakira, PA-S

Ms. Edmondson was incredible! She provided great feedback and answered all of my follow up questions. I will keep in touch as to my interview offers.

Ashley, Pre-PA

I LOVED the suggestions Carly made for my essay. Not only was she thorough with her edits, but she also provided a lot of quality feedback that really made my essay shine. Carly took my unedited, messy essay and helped me better convey what I was trying to say. I have nothing but positive things to say about this experience and feel this service was worth every penny.

Rachel, Pre-PA

I was very pleased with this service. Writing has never been my strongest area. While I had the ideas that I wanted to convey I wasn’t able to articulate them as well as I’d hoped. Carly provided comments and suggestions without altering my central thesis. Any questions that I had were answered quickly and thoroughly. Any grammatical mistakes were also addressed which put my mind at ease. I would recommend The PA Life personal statement essay revision service to anyone applying.

Keith G, Pre-PA

Duke helped me write a great personal statement. I won’t know if I’ve been accepted to the program until Christmas/New Year’s, but I feel that it was worth every penny!

Alicia C. Pre-PA

Very prompt response and turnaround time. While I did not speak with Duke over the phone, his team’s edits were thorough, clear and very helpful. Highly recommended.

Dave H. Pre-PA

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101 PA School Admission Essays

Admissions Directors Know What They Want. Shouldn't You? You’re slaving away at your personal statement, but can’t help wondering if anyone will read past the first line. A troubling thought, isn’t…

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How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement

What Makes This Book Unique? We have worked with 1000’s of applicants through our Personal Statement and Essay Collaborative and have interviewed PA school faculty and Admissions Directors from 12…

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