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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
View all posts in this series
  • How to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant School Application Essay
  • The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative
  • Do You Recognize These 7 Common Mistakes in Your Personal Statement?
  • Prerequisite Coursework: How to Design the Perfect Pre-PA School Curriculum
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  • PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 3, “She Smiled, Said “Gracias!” and Gave me a Big Hug”
  • PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 4, “I Have Gained so Much Experience by Working With Patients”
  • PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 5, “Then Reach, my Son, and Lift Your People up With You”
  • PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 6, “That First Day in Surgery was the First Day of the Rest of my Life”
  • PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 7, “I Want to Take People From Dying to Living, I Want to Get Them Down From the Cliff.”
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  • 5 Things I’ve Learned Going Into My Fourth Physician Assistant Application Cycle
  • 7 Tips for Addressing Shortcomings in Your PA School Personal Statement
  • The #1 Mistake PRE-PAs Make on Their Personal Statement
  • The Ultimate PA School Personal Statement Starter Kit
  • The Ultimate Guide to CASPA Character and Space Limits
  • The GRE and PA School: The Pre-PA Advisor Series
  • 10 Questions Every PA School Personal Statement Must Answer
  • 5 PA School Essays That Got These Pre-PAs Accepted Into PA School
  • 7 Questions to Ask Yourself While Writing Your PA School Personal Statement
  • 101 PA School Applicants Answer: What’s Your Greatest Strength?
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  • How to Write a Personal Statement Intro that Readers Want to Read
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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. Danielle says

    June 19, 2017 at 11:13 am

    I think your second essay is a much more sincere, mature and thought provoking essay. That being said, your inappropriate context of the word “weather” in your first essay could be a reason you were overlooked. Correct spelling, wrong context.

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      June 19, 2017 at 11:43 pm

      Hi, Danielle, you are absolutely right. In fact, there is more than one glaring error in that first essay. It took some willpower to avoid correcting these errors before I posted my essays online but I figured it was a good teaching point. I must say though I am impressed, after all the years I have had this post and these essays published online you are the first to ever mention the spelling/grammar mistakes. And they are so very important!!!

      If I was Willy Wonka, I would give you the golden ticket:-)

      Stephen

      Reply
  2. Sarah says

    May 14, 2017 at 7:33 pm

    I’m looking for feedback on what to cut out of my personal statement, its over 800 characters too long, but I felt like each paragraph was important. Thanks in advance!

    “Rummy!” He bellowed between labored breaths. Tom’s face was pale and beads of sweat lined his nasal cannula as he stifled back laughter. I was, once again, lost in the rules of yet another new card game Tom was teaching me. “You have got to be aware of the cards other people can have in their hand,” he reminded me, as he tallied up his points to pull ahead. A nurse snuck in the room between games to test Tom’s blood glucose and oxygen saturation. As I shuffled the cards I saw the look of concern on her face. “I think we can pick up where we are for next week Tom,”I suggested. “And hopefully I’ll be better at Rummy by then anyway”. Tom passed the following day, unknowingly leaving me with a lot more knowledge than how to play euchre or Texas hold ’em.
    I began volunteering with Southern Care Hospice with the expectation to learn more about palliative and end of life care; instead, I gained insight on primary care through a friendship with an Indiana farmer.Tom was dealt what he taught me in Texas Hold ‘em as the “poor farmer’s hand”. It was easy to look at Tom the first day and see an obese man who made lifestyle choices that led to his poor health, but with each week I learned more about the trials in his life that landed him in his hospice bed. Growing up in a small rural community, Tom lacked reliable access to medical care and often went without doctor’s visits. As a result, his diabetes was poorly treated and resulted in a cascade of medical complications.While I knew I couldn’t solve all of these issues for people like Tom, I strived to to help help those who fell into the healthcare disparity gap.
    Multiple times growing up, life only dealt my family wild cards. Job loss, followed by lack of insurance became a reoccurring game I was accustomed to losing. The norm quickly became visits to urgent cares and emergency departments for any of my medical needs. It was here that I was first introduced to the PA profession. What I once viewed as misfortune actually introduced me to the influential role of a physician assistant.
    I shuffled through the deck of healthcare professions before drawing the card for the PA route. Intrigued by medical doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, I began shadowing each to note the similarities yet distinct differences in each. Despite making the choice to become a PA early in my undergraduate career, my decision became clairvoyant as my senior year came to a close and I met a physician assistant named Julie, an interventional cardiologist at the hospital I worked at.
    A tiny, 90 year old woman sat upright in bed, squinting towards Julie and I as we walked in the door. Julie carefully and meticulously described the heart cath procedure the surgeon would be performing, patiently answering each question that arose. When the patient didn’t understand the anatomy of her coronary arteries, Julie pulled out a dry erase marker and began to sketch the left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries, adding a tiny stent within the vessel for example. Each time Julie entered a patient’s room, she went the extra inch—whether it was letting a patient hear their heart murmur through her stethoscope, or drawing out the anatomy of a heart cath procedure. Julie played an integral role in a team of cardiologists, filling in the gaps for busy doctors and working with nurses to ensure each procedure was smooth and flawless. Through Julie, I saw the level of responsibility, patience, and compassion required to practice as a PA, further cementing my desire to fulfill that role.
    I pursued a more tangible role in healthcare as a Rehabilitation Technician at IU Health Bloomington Hospital. Here, the intricacies of patient care surfaced as I saw the collaboration among all professions to provide a high standard of care. While I primarily assisted physical and occupational therapists, I frequently consulted with nurses about a patient’s status before a rehab session, or helped a doctor maneuver a patient out of bed for assessment. The patient’s overall physical and emotional health was impacted by the successful collaboration of the entire healthcare team. Even though I enjoyed being a part of that, I yearned for the responsibility to asses, diagnose, treat, and hold a level of autonomy for my patients.
    Overall, my undergraduate career provided me the insight on what defines a PA, but also geared me towards becoming a successful PA student. Juggling multiple jobs to cover the remaining costs of undergrad, I mastered multitasking and thrived in a stressful environment. I excelled in prerequisite coursework, eventually becoming an undergraduate teaching assistant for physiology. Although I enjoyed teaching physiology material, I cherished the opportunity to teach others about the PA profession. As Pre-PA Club President, I was able to advise, guide, and fuel my classmates desire to enter the field. My aspirations are to not only become a PA, but eventually utilize my proclivity to teach as a PA preceptor and educator one day.
    The decision to become a PA wasn’t instantaneous, but instead a premeditated journey over the last handful of years. This path taught me the integral role PAs can have on high-quality patient care in a system strained with primary care providers. It showed me the crucial and overlooked qualities of compassion and patience that the job demands. Teamwork in healthcare became not only enjoyable for me, but a necessity for putting my patient’s needs first. Looking back, I can’t imagine choosing another career route that didn’t lead me to these encompassing experiences. Lastly, this journey introduced me to Tom and how to play Rummy. If there’s one thing I’ve taken away, it’s that everyone is dealt a different hand of cards in life. The least I can do is be there for those who are dealt a bad hand.

    Reply
  3. Erica says

    May 10, 2017 at 3:22 pm

    “You are such an old soul” is something I hear quite often from friends, family, and acquaintances. This perception from so many is in fact a product of valuable life experiences that begun at a very young age. “Mommy, are you going to die?” I asked my mother who was becoming more frail from treatments from stage 2 breast cancer. At seven, I was trying to understand many things, such as why we moved into my grandparents’ house, why my father was moving somewhere else, but most importantly why my mother, who was the most important person to me, was losing all of her hair and becoming too weak to care for me as she once had. My grandparents picked up the responsibilities for my mom while she underwent six months of chemotherapy treatments and 36 radiation treatments. My grandfather became my biggest support during this hard time, and stepped up when I needed him the most.
    My grandfather was my male role model during those formidable years of my parents’ divorce and my mother, his daughter, was fighting cancer. Grandpop picked me up every day after school, helped me with my homework, and teased me until I couldn’t take it anymore. I cherished every moment I had with him. I was only nine when my grandfather suffered from a serious stroke that left him without his speech, loss of strength, and issues with coordination. He was devastated and I watched him become more and more frustrated while seeking out different treatments to aid in his healing process. Watching him try to recover from the stroke was difficult. I just wanted to help him, and understand why he could no longer speak or why he stopped teasing me relentlessly. As the years went on, my grandfather never fully recovered and he forever lost his ability to speak, but I watched him fight every day to live as normal of a life as he could. He passed away when I was sixteen and although I was not able to help my grandpop, observing the difficulties he went through has made me more determined than ever to choose a career that will allow me to care for others as I had wanted to with my grandfather.
    James and I clicked right away while I was working as a rehab technician for an inpatient rehab facility. I was supporting him while we practiced gait with the walker, we discussed many topics that reminded me of my grandfather. As our session ended, I took him back up to his room and told him I would see him next week, but little did I know it would be weeks before I saw him again. As I was walking through the gym just a few short weeks later, I noticed a man sitting in a wheelchair looking sad, in pain, and uncomfortable. As I walked closer to the gray looking man, I noticed it was James. I lit up with joy and asked how he was doing. He looked at me with a frown and could only grunt in response, and it was then I realized he had suffered a stroke. I started to talk with him about all the things he loved such as fishing, and the beach. He started to smile, and this encouraged him to keep going even though he was frustrated and in pain. Every shift I would stop by to talk to James and ask how he and his wife were doing. I would stay and talk with him for a while knowing he would appreciate it. So often many people would not know what to say to him because he could not respond back appropriately. One day his wife acknowledged how well I worked with him, and how appreciative she was of me. With tears filling up my eyes, I told her the story of my grandfather, and how he also suffered a stroke that left him without his speech. I told her that although at times things were difficult for my grandfather, he was always strong and learned to live with the diagnosis for many years to come. James regained his strength and was able to be discharged, and on his last day I went up to his room to say one last goodbye, I gave him a hug, and as I pulled away he looked at me and muttered thank you to the best of his capabilities. I smiled back and told him to take care of himself, and that I would miss him. Before I left, I thanked him and told him how thankful I was to be a part of his journey, and how he helped me grow stronger as a healthcare professional.
    Being an old soul can mean many different things to different people, but to me it means experience. When people hear my story of my childhood they are very sympathetic. Often I have to explain that even though it was hard, there was many things I gained from my experiences. They say you have to experience sadness to enjoy happiness, and my happiness was being able to see my very strong mother beat breast cancer and be in remission for the past sixteen years. My happiness is being able to have a close bond to my grandparents that some grandchildren can’t say they have. My experiences at a young age from my mother and grandfather being sick to my experiences as a rehab tech have guided me on an amazing journey of finding out who I want to be as a grow older, and that dream would to be a physician assistant.

    Thank you for your help!

    Reply
  4. Michael says

    September 25, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    I want you to meet Donna*. She has been through so much. Four back surgeries. Physical therapy. Countless injections. Long-term opioids. Ten years of constant pain. Unfortunately, Donna is my typical patient, and we are nearing the end of the road. There are very few options left for Donna if this treatment does not work.

    Today is Donna’s procedure. When I met her at the office, she was draped in turquoise jewelry and a floral print dress, undoubtedly a free-spirit of the 60’s. Now, she is wearing a paper gown, and she seems alone and anxious. I make an effort to be warm and confident as we discuss the procedure, hoping to put her at ease. She has post-laminectomy syndrome. Twenty-four hours a day, Donna has intense low back pain that radiates down both legs. She has trouble sleeping, walking, and cannot play with her grandchildren. I review the procedure with her and what we hope to accomplish for her. “I just want to get off the pills,” Donna proclaims, a little forlorn. “We are going to do our best,” I promise her and grasp her hand before leaving her room. I hope we can deliver.

    Donna is here today for a spinal cord stimulator trial and I am her clinical specialist. At one time, her physician could manage her chronic pain with opioids and injections, but after a decade their efficacy has waned and the opioids leave her hazy and lethargic. If the spinal cord stimulator does not work, she will likely remain on opioids for the remainder of her life. During the procedure, the physician and I work as a team to deliver an electrical stimulation to the nerves carrying the pain signal to the brain. The procedure sounds simple, but is often wrought with challenges that must be overcome in order to produce a successful outcome. In Donna’s case, she has significant fibrosis in the epidural space from her previous back surgeries which means the physician is unable to place the leads in an ideal position. By examining the fluoroscopic imaging and using Donna’s feed back, I am able to generate a field which provides Donna with the desired therapy. Donna will return on Friday to have the trial system removed and assess the pain relief she experienced.

    * * *

    My love of science began with the ocean. As a child, our spent every available hour at the beach. Playing in the waves, digging holes and dams in the sand, watching the coastal flora and fauna interact in their environment fed my curiosity of the natural world. As I began my education, I enjoyed history and literature, but the sciences always peaked a special interest. In elementary school, our yearly field trip to the aquarium was my favorite day of the year. In middle school I won the science fair with my analysis of fire-retardant baby clothing. In my sophomore year of high school, I met the teacher who influenced my the most, Dr. Price, my AP Biology teacher. I knew I wanted to succeed in AP Biology but Dr. Price refused to hold anyone’s hand. My success or failure would be my own. At the end of the year, we all took the AP exam. I still vividly remember opening the results and seeing the “5.” It gave me the confidence that I could pursue a career in the sciences. As I began courses at the University of California – Santa Cruz, I decided to study biochemistry because it would provide me with a deep understanding of biological systems. Our biochemistry program was rigorous, working full-time made it more so. After graduating, I considered research and volunteered in a marine biology laboratory. The subject matter was fascinating but found the daily operation uninspiring and inert. I always considered a career in medicine, so when I was offered a position as a clinical specialist I jumped at the opportunity.

    The two years as a clinical specialist were the toughest and most rewarding of my life. The role of CS was multi-faceted. I was a member of a collaborative surgical team, where I learned to think critically in stressful situations. I was responsible for educating clinicians on new technologies, which taught me the importance of lifelong learning in medicine. I worked closely with patients, which taught me compassion is as important as clinical skill. I learned I loved working with patients. The long hours, challenging surgeries, and tough programmings were made worthwhile when I saw a patient transformed into the vibrant person they once were. I was ecstatic to help my patients, but I wanted to offer them more. I decided to explore other careers in healthcare and saw PA as a perfect fit. A career as a PA would provide me the opportunity to expand my clinical skills and focus on treating patients like Donna.

    Donna’s trial was successful. She was implanted two years ago. Her pain has decreased 80% and she rarely needs pain medication. We stay in touch. I send her photos of my infant son and she tells me to enjoy this rare time with him. And she tells me how much fun it is playing with her grandchildren.

    *name has been changed

    Reply
  5. Anisa says

    September 5, 2016 at 8:04 pm

    It was summer time and all the kids were off school. I was only 12-years old and that day I was in charge of looking after my little sister and cousins. They started playing with my fathers old concrete making machine and, at one point,I heard my sister screaming from inside the house. Two of her left hand fingers were caught in the machinery and were cut very badly.
    My family is known for being afraid of blood. They freeze and almost faint when they see blood; especially my mother. Good thing she was not there at that moment because she would scream more than my sister.
    As soon as I saw my sister’s hand, I got her inside the house. I cleaned her hand and ran to the cabinet where we had a few medications and got the iodine bottle and some compresses. I poured some iodine on her fingers and wrapped them very quickly.
    The reaction to my sister’s accident was the first push for me towards medical school, but, at that moment, I did not put much thought into it.

    As a child raised in Albania, I come from a small and poor family, but it never stopped my parents from making school the priority for me and my little sister.They worked very hard so they could afford our education. When I finished high school, I had the opportunity to go to nursing school in Albania for a few months. I will always remember the time when my parents found out that I was accepted to nursing school. I could see their happiness and how proud they felt.

    During the time that I applied for nursing school in Albania, I also completed an application for coming to the United States as an international student. A couple months after I started nursing school, I received a confirmation that I was accepted. It was a great achievement and a privilege for me. Once I came to United States, I began English as a Second Language courses at Cuyahoga Community College in Parma.
    One year after I had entered the U.S., I met my husband. Not too long after we met we moved in together. We were both very young and both full-time students.
    In order to afford a living and to continue our studies, we both had to work very hard. We continued to be full-time students, as well as worked full-time and part-time jobs. It has been hard and sometimes it felt impossible, but we have tried to do our best. Soon, the time for studying was shrinking and we were having a hard time to keep up with good grades and trying to survive with the rest of our living expenses. The struggle we had in our personal life affected my grades and, as a result, my GPA; but it did not make me stop and give up on my studies.
    
My interest was still science and the medical field. Like the first time I came to the U.S., I still wanted to continue onto medical school. During the time that I was taking science classes, a family friend pointed me towards the physician assistant career path. Once I had heard of it, I decided to talk to one of the advisors at school and learn more. The advisor encouraged me to shadow a physician assistant and see the type of responsibility they had compared to physicians.
    I started shadowing a physician assistant at Kaiser Permanente hospital in the emergency room for few hours a week, for about two months. Within the first hour of shadowing the physician assistant, I was amazed with her work. The way she interacted with patients, along with the way she worked with doctors, nurses, and the rest of the team was amazing.
    During the time I was shadowing the pa, a patient came in with an epidermoid cyst on the scalp that was leaking and causing the patient a lot of pain.
    The pa asked me to assist her at that moment and I jumped at the chance and was ready for whatever would happen. I assisted her as she cleaned the wound and medicated it delicately, trying not to hurt the patient. Once the pa was finished with the patient’s wound, she made sure the patient was feeling better and recommended for the lady to follow up with a doctor. Minutes later, the patient left feeling better and that was as a result of not only the great work pa did, but also as a result of a warm, personable, and reassuring attitude of the pa. Since that day, I have admired the work they do and the way they care for patients.
    
A career in medical field is not easy and it requires a lot of work, patience, passion and dedication. Throughout the years I have been in U.S. and worked; I have been noticed and I have proved that I am a very hard working person and very dedicated.
    It is true that my GPA is not where it should be, but that is not what defines me.
    I hope that Admissions will see past my mediocre GPA and give me the chance I deserve. Give me the chance to join the great team of physician assistants and help patient’s feel better.

    Reply
  6. Sheri He says

    September 5, 2016 at 4:24 pm

    Hello Stephen,

    I was wondering if you could help with these questions. I came up with some answers but I wanted a PAs point of view. Please add on if you have any idea.

    Q16.
    What potential challenges do you see associated with the future of the PA profession? How would you address these challenges? (you will be limited to 2000 characters—about 300 words)
    Where do most PAs go after school. Family medicine So what about other subspeciaties?
    Increase number of people, training program match attending not in other hospital settings, More subspeciality training
    Broaden their knowledge – short time period with limited pt interaction

    Knowing the boundaries of each PA’s scope of practice
    Education and experience- continue medical experience
    State law- most states now allow the detail of each PA’s scope of practice to be decided at the practice level
    Policies and employers and facilities
    Needs of the patients and practice

    Physician Assistant name

    Q17. If you could pass a law that would help PAs, what would it be? Briefly tell us why you would pass the law. (you will be limited to 2000 characters—about 300 words)

    Increase the number of seats in each class
    Pay increase

    Thanks,

    Sheri He

    Reply
  7. Drew says

    August 26, 2016 at 5:31 am

    As the patient began choking, the knowledge of the appropriate response rushed in on a wave of adrenaline. The decision to wait and make sure her airway was completely obstructed felt paradoxical to the urge to act immediately. As her coughs ceased and she became unable to vocalize a response to my inquiry of whether she could speak, it became clear that the Heimlich maneuver was necessary. I instructed the other patients to clear the immediate area and wrapped my arms around her waist as I had learned, thumb side in above the navel. I began abdominal thrusts—one, two, three thrusts before the object dislodged. In the moment, I was simply relieved that the patient was safe. Upon reflection, I was mystified by my ability to take charge of a situation and employ a technique that had only ever been presented to me hypothetically. Seeing her recover and realizing firsthand that life can evaporate in a few brief energetic moments, I realized something important about the core of my purpose in life: helping people with direct action is the only thing that makes me feel alive. The experience solidified my resolve to attain the knowledge I need to be a leader in critical situations.
    As a child, I wanted to be a healthcare professional. Even with a lack of understanding of the intricacies of what that entails, I imagined what it must be like to have people rely on you in their times of greatest need and to actually be able to meet those standards. Striving for academic achievement and involvement in high school revealed its worth when I received full tuition to the University of Southern Mississippi. I entered with premed path in line with what I had desired for years. However, with my education fully funded, I decided it would be beneficial to diversify my focus and ensure that my desire for a healthcare career was more than a prescribed fantasy that I had claimed without considering alternatives. I enrolled in business and journalism classes to quickly find that, while interesting, these subjects did not inspire any sort of passion. I then pursued psychology and fell in love. As an introspective person, gaining a framework for analyzing cognition and behavior was immediately appealing. I worked hard in my courses and wrote an undergraduate thesis about adolescent narcissism’s relation to motivation. And yet, as much as I enjoyed the subject matter, the intrigue of the medical field had not subsided.
    Researching healthcare careers that related to psychology, I found occupational therapy as a prospect. Having completed anatomy and physiology courses, I began shadowing occupational therapists at Wesley Medical Clinic to understand what it really meant to be an occupational therapist. Though interesting and respectable, I realized that this path strayed too far from my interest in human abnormal behavior. It would not satisfy my desire to analyze mental illness and help those suffering from it both psychologically and physiologically. Not long after, I spoke to a physician assistant about her profession. I then spoke to others and all vocalized career satisfaction in almost every aspect I could imagine. Through research and conversations and my experiences at South Mississippi State Hospital, I understood with clarity that my search for a career that fit my values and interests was not in vain. I would do whatever it took to become a psychiatric physician assistant.

    Reply
  8. Irene Fenswick says

    July 27, 2016 at 11:21 pm

    Stephen, your second essay is awesome! Unfortunately, physician assistants essays are as a rule full of clichés and a weak introduction and conclusion. Sometimes It seems that people do it on purpose as they think that it should be like that. I loved this article as you have provided two samples and the reader can compare and decide which one would work for them. Great job!

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      July 28, 2016 at 12:35 pm

      Hi Irene,

      You hit the nail on the head with your comment. I think people do what feels safe (myself included). Sometimes this works out, and we are rewarded for our efforts – especially if you have an application that shines in other places. Sometimes (possibly) PA schools like “safe”. But “safe” (as it was in my case) can leave you with a stack of rejection letters. The personal statement is the only chance we get to reveal our personalities, so it should be used wisely.

      I have read and helped edit over 1300 essays through our editing service. It is awesome to see the variety and diversity of essays we receive. I used to think that it would be like music, you can only come up with so many rhythms until suddenly you have heard them all. But just like music, you can take a common rhythm, with a 4/4 beat and add your voice, your own unique sound. And when the admissions committee presses play, it is music to their ears 🙂

      Take care and thanks for the wonderful comment!

      Stephen

      Reply
  9. Callie Munson says

    July 25, 2016 at 11:27 am

    My personal statement is the most challenging writing assignment I have ever had. It is forcing me to reflect on my motivations, my strengths, and my weaknesses. My academic history, volunteer work, and job experiences only tell what I have done, not who I am. So, how do I convince you that I warrant an interview? In my daydreams, it is with a perfect personal statement which would flow from my fingertips harmoniously. Instead I wrote 800 word drafts and deleted them. “Please explain why you are interested in being a PA” played like a broken records in my thoughts. I could not grasp the right story. But, I was writing narratives, not an exposition. I want share with potential colleagues why I believe in my aspiration to become a PA.
    As a medical assistant of North Bend Medical Center (NBMC) in Coos Bay Oregon, I am exposed to several aspects of health care. Collaboration of clinical and non-clinical healthcare members is crucial in meeting those needs. My observations of physicians, mid-level practitioners, care coordination, quality control, and clinic staff forming committees to address barriers to care supports this.
    I am one of those members on a committee to meet standards of care for the Patient Center Primary Care Home Program (PCPCH). PCPCH’s standards of care are accessibility, accountability, comprehensiveness, continuity, coordination and integration, and patient and family centered care. Currently, my committee role is to provide feedback on certified workflows in the office.
    I want to fulfill these standards of care a NBMC by returning as a primary care PA. This model is team based and PA’s assume a leadership role. I value collaboration and work well in this environment. My employment background as a medical assistant in Coos County will provide unique insight in the community specific needs for patient care. For example, my current provider and I are piloting a contraception use questionnaire to determine women’s reproductive needs and providing the appropriate resources depending on her stage of life.
    Physician assistants improve access to care and provide comprehensive and accountable care. Providing accountable care requires understanding pathophysiology, pharmacology, and the art of diagnosis. My background in biology provided me with a basic foundation, but I am ready to expand my scope of practice. Instead of phoning results to patients or scheduling an appointment, I want to complete a work up and create a treatment plan with patients. We must provide patients with accurate information about their health.
    This profession offers me an opportunity to engage in lifelong learning by means of collaboration with a supervising physician and other team members, exposure to patient population needs, and access to CME. My current scope of practice contains these same elements: I collaborate with various members of the healthcare team, implement change for results, and want to pursue further education. These skills will serve me well as physician assistant.

    Requesting comments on my personal statement draft. Thanks!

    Reply
  10. Maryam says

    April 20, 2016 at 12:11 am

    Stephen, your second essay made me cry. I love it. What comes from heart goes to heart. Thank you for sharing your essays.

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      April 26, 2016 at 10:56 pm

      Hi Maryam, thank you for taking the time to leave such a kind and thoughtful comment!

      – Stephen

      Reply
  11. David says

    April 14, 2016 at 9:30 am

    I am glad to see validation for my instinctive reaction regarding the application process—particularly the essay. I certainly wouldn’t want to present yet another cookie-cutter essay that only stands out from the crowd because the dice just happened to come up in my favor.

    Off-the-cuff writing is my forté, and while I certainly appreciate the ability to write a polished essay, I find that as I’ve gotten older I would rather communicate in a more conversational and relaxed tone. That’s certainly the type of doctor I would like to be, and to which I am drawn. People are not spell-checked in the real world.

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      April 14, 2016 at 10:30 pm

      Hi David, I think a good example of this is the now famous “Costco Essay” by high-school senior Brittany Stinson. It combines a polished essay with not necessarily “off-the-cuff” writing, but may more what I would call “balls-out” writing. It seems like it takes courage to stray from the status quo, but in fact it is the path of least resistance!

      – Stephen

      Reply
      • olivia fair says

        November 24, 2016 at 2:20 pm

        College admissions essays definitely do not need to be so fraught or serious. The (fairly elite) college I went to accepted me with an essay about the hardships of finding a prom date when you attend an all-girls’ high school and are a huge dork. Another student in my year–allegedly–wrote his essay on a sneaker. I worked high school admissions for a few years and I can tell you it can be super boring looking over the same cookie cutter applications. A little humor–as long as it’s well written–can go a long long way.

        Reply
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Sue did a wonderful job. I know this is an extremely busy time of year as CASPA is accepting applications and Sue was great about responding to my initial submission and getting back to me. She provided thoughtful feedback and quality editing. Fingers crossed for an acceptance to PA school!

Jo Lynn, Pre-PA

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 just wanted to share that I got into USC! Woohoo!!! They just called me to share the good news. I’m feeling pretty shocked since that interview did not go as well in my head. I can’t believe I got into school during my first round of applications. This would not have been possible without you, and I really appreciate all the support you gave me throughout this process. ?

Tiffany, PA-S

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

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

I felt our mock interview was an absolute necessity to prepare for the Academic and Personal interviews from Yale School of Medicine PA Program Online. I felt the calibre of questions you had asked me, in addition to the coaching and post-question feedback, really helped me understand what an ideal response looks like and gave me time to reflect and prepare my responses for the formal interview just two days later.

During my interviews I was asked plenty of questions I didn’t have a prepared response to (and I had combed through tons especially in the days following our mock interview!) I can say that I answered each question genuinely, authentically, and showed both interviewers the best version of myself. I didn’t stammer or lose my place, and I felt confident in my words and expressions. I don’t think I would have been as comfortable, calm, or confident without having accepted your guidance and feedback and learned from our time together.

Gratitude for your words, encouragement, and support is an understatement. Thank you, Sarah!

Best Regards,
Jacob

Jacob, 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

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

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

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

I just wanted to let you know I accepted a spot at the University of Dubuque’s PA program! I want to thank you for all your help and support in this process and for all the positivity you brought my way. Thanks for all you do and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with you! I would recommend you highly to anyone.

Meghna, PA-S

I am writing this because I wanted to share with you that I have been accepted to the University of Iowa PA program.  I would like to once again thank you for your insight and guidance while writing my personal statement, it came at just the right time.

Eugene V.PA-S

Sarah was beyond amazing, she was always on time with my essay edits, took the time needed to really listen to what I had to say. Sarah pretty much transformed my essay form caveman style to an easy, awesome flow good content easy and fun to read essay. I am very thankful for her collaboration, I could not have done anything that resembles her quality of work. Thanks a million!!!!

Jerry C, Pre-PA

An amazing experience. Glad to have worked with Duke. He did his best, and it was very enjoyable.

Anand T. 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

I used the personal statement editing service with Deanna Matzen (April/May 2021) and the mock interview service with Mary Jones (June 2021). Both were exceptional to work with and helped me to achieve my goal. I applied to three schools and received interview invites from all three (I’m a first-time applicant). I was waitlisted at one in June and later accepted in November, received early acceptance to my top choice in November (UTSW), and I chose to decline my third interview scheduled in December. Thank you for your services!

Rachelle, Pre-PA

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for helping me with my personal statement. I have been accepted at Cornell, and will most likely be entering their program in March 2017. I have also received interview offers from Wake Forest, Duke, Pitt, Quinnipiac, Oregon Health Sciences, and Chatham so far. I am happy to share my success up to this point, because I would not be in this position without your guidance, wisdom, and talent.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with you, and I am profoundly grateful for your help. I wish you all the best in the future.

Stephanie Dwyer, PA-S

I’m not sure if you remember me but you helped me a couple of months ago on my PA personal statement. Just wanted to let you know — I got accepted into University of Pacific’s PA program! I’m overjoyed!

Thank you so much for all your help and encouragement! I really appreciate it.

Jennifer MurphyPRE-PA

Sue’s comments were very helpful. Her quick turnaround time is very impressive. She responded to my concerns and questions promptly. She clearly knows what to present to the PA school admissions team. I am very happy with her work.

Kitti, Pre-PA

Great feedback and turn around time. Utilizing this feature gave me even more confidence that I was trying my best to be the top candidate.

Kristopher, Pre-PA

Thank you so much for making the personal statement process less stressful! Although I had been planning and brainstorming for months, the process of writing my journey in 5,000 characters was just daunting and overwhelming. Thank you so much for your kindness, flexibility, and your patience that helped me through this process. I appreciate how you listened and incorporated my feedback to make my personal statement a work of art that is truly representative of ME! I would highly recommend your services to any aspiring PA students who feel lost or overwhelmed by the process. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Cintia, Pre-PA

Sarah Schultz was a great editor and was easy to communicate with. She answered my emails very promptly and made great suggestions while also helping me cut down and condense my essay to be in the character limit. She made me feel more confident in my work and helped me develop an essay that I am proud of. I would definitely use this service again!

Katie, Pre-PA

Duke is great! I had such a great time with him editing my personal statement. So glad I found this site!

Melissa Nicole Aguilera, Pre-PA

I owe you a lot! Thank you so much for helping me in this important process. God bless you.

Catalina, Pre-PA

Sarah was a pleasure to work with the entire time. I felt very overwhelmed when I was working on my personal statement on my own, but once I started working with Sarah, she made me feel at ease while getting my personal statement to look its best. Sarah is very knowledgeable, understanding, and professional. One of the things I loved the most about working with her is that no matter the time of the day she was always available and got back to you in a timely manner. The whole time we worked on my personal statement she made sure I felt comfortable with changes that had to be made and I appreciated this as well. Sarah is excellent at what she does and I would recommend her and this one on one service to anyone that needs it.

Odilia, Pre-PA

Thank you for all of your help with my essay. You used my content, but refined it and made it more relatable. I believe due to your help I gained three interviews this cycle! I was accepted to two of the three schools and I will be going to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston this May. Again, thank you for all of your help, it has definitely changed my life.

Lauren Clewley, PA-S

I wanted to give you an update and thank you. I just received my first acceptance and at the interview, they commented on how well written my personal statement was. I appreciate your hard work and working with me to create such an awesome piece! Hopefully, this won’t be the last time we talk- maybe our paths will cross again one day!

Janne Kim, Pre-PA

Deanna was so amazing! She was really thorough and strengthened my essay in one edit! I feel so confident submitting my essay and I have high hopes for interviews! Thank you for providing these services to those of us with stories that need help being told. I would definitely recommend this service to everyone who wants to apply to PA school!

Valeria, Pre-PA

Thank you once again for your help in reviewing and editing my personal statement for PA school. Yesterday morning, I had the pleasure of accepting a position in the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Physician Assistant Program. The class begins in July 2022, and I am excited to begin this next chapter of entering the PA profession. I have no doubt that your invaluable assistance helped me produce a personal statement that promoted my application and paved the way for my successful interview, and I am sincerely grateful.

Angela, 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 have never used a service like this before. All I can say is that I wish I had discovered it sooner 😀

Rebecca G. PA-S

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

Carly blew away all my expectations. She not only suggested edits to refine the content, but she also made grammatical and structural changes that fine-tuned my essay and allowed it to flow. I came into the editing process feeling hopeless about my personal statement, but with her edits, I feel confident that it will stand out. On top of all that, Carly was very timely in editing and returning my essay – I got it back within a few days! I’m very pleased with her service and recommend it to anyone out there who needs a fresh, professional set of eyes on their personal statement.

Stephanie, Pre-PA

Well worth the money. I consider myself a decent writer but found I was stuck on a few key points of my personal statement. After a few edits on my own and with a few people I trust, I decided to submit my essay for editing through ThePALife to make sure I was really on the right track. I am supremely satisfied. The essay I wrote turned out to be a solid base, but Sarah went to work, and every change and suggestion had a logical place. She polished it up and made it shine. Thank you so much!

Conor K. 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

Hope everything is going well! I just wanted to let you know I’m 2/2 so far with receiving interviews. I know your help with my essays has played a huge part. I just wanted to update you and tell you how grateful I am for all of your help!

John, Pre-PA

I am very happy with your service and would highly recommend it to any PA applicant. Duke helped me to put my thoughts in order and to make significant changes. My personal statement sounds great and seems easy and interesting to read now.  He took a lot of time to explain his way of thinking and to understand what I am trying to say. Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate what you are doing for others.

Olga N. Pre-PA

I loved this service! Not only did my editor transform my essay, she helped me feel more confident in my application moving forward. She was extremely personable and efficient. I love my essay and now I’m even more excited about applying for school because of the help I received from The PA Life! Highly recommend!!

Aubrey, Pre-PA

I had such a great time working with Carly. She is very prompt, understanding, and reliable. She made my personal statement very easy to read and helped me convey my words the way I intended it. I’m couldn’t be happier with my final essay and I really appreciated Carly’s effort to edit and re-edit until we were pleased with the result. I’m so glad that I worked with Carly and I thank her for what she did with my PS!!!

Zulhumar, Pre-PA

I wanted to send you a quick life update and another BIG thank you! I received my acceptance at the University of Utah’s PA Program on Monday and couldn’t be happier. Thank you for all your help with my essay and interview prep. Both of these services that you provided were so helpful in my success. I will highly recommend you to any future PA student.

Lily, Pre-PA

Sarah did such a great job editing my personal statement! She was receptive to my concerns and had awesome ideas to make my essay stand out. I am very happy with how it turned out and I am excited to submit it. Thank you!!

Hannah, Pre-PA

Just found your site today while trying to update my resume. Also, I have to recertify next year so your tests are great for a refresher course. I was in a specialty area of medicine so I now realize how much I forgot in the past 5 years. Thank you very much and I will pass on to other PAs.

Pattie Solomon PA-CNorTh Miami Florida

You helped me revise my personal statement for PA school admissions earlier this year, and I wanted to let you know how much you helped me. I got eight interviews and five admissions this cycle! I’ll be attending Pacific University this May. Multiple interviewers commented on how much they liked my personal statement. They described it as “eloquent” and “genuine.” I cannot thank you enough for your help earlier this year; I feel that it was a big part of my success this cycle.

Monica Harris, PA-S

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

The edit that I received from Sue was exactly what I was hoping for. She was able to tighten up my draft beyond my personal skill level and made edits that I was would have never thought to make. She has definitely made my personal statement stronger. Thank you, Sue!

Ethan, Pre-PA

Susan did a fantastic job 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

The comments and edits made by Sue are exceptional! They’ve helped a lot in terms of helping me express my thoughts more clearly and effectively. It felt as if she was there with me, reading my thoughts and helping me with the entire process in person!

Amy, Pre-PA

I received an early acceptance! I just wanted to thank you so much for all your help. You are a pro and I’m so thankful for you! You helped me more than you’ll ever know! I’m so excited! You saved me!!!!

Shelly K. Pre-PA

Carly took the time to listen to my concerns about my personal statement and apply them to what I had already written. I was so appreciative as I wasn’t sure where my personal statement stood before submitting it. I now feel more confident in my statement!

Chelsea, 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 want to let you know I got into the pa program! I want to give you a huge thank you for helping me nail the interview and make a great essay. Thank you, x 100,000!

Rachel J, Pre-PA

I had an excellent experience with this service. Deanna was thorough, attentive to my essay, and very easy to contact. She did a great job and I would highly recommend this service to anyone.

Grant, Pre-PA

Beth did great at editing my personal statement. I feel that she corrected a lot of my grammar and made my personal statement very well-spoken while not changing what I wanted to convey. She gave me additional thoughts to consider if I wanted to edit the essay again afterward, but I feel quite content! Thank you, PA Life!

Audrey, Pre-PA

I just wanted to send you a quick email, letting you know that I finally got accepted into PA school! I will be attending Sacred Heart University in Connecticut and will be starting this fall. I could not have made it this far without your help! This was my third time applying and during my first two cycles, I didn’t think that I needed outside help. But this time around, I decided that I needed to change my tactic and I am so freaking happy that I did. Your guidance and advice on my personal statement absolutely made a difference. I had 6 interviews and got accepted into 4! You have helped changed my life and I am forever grateful. I have several friends who will be applying this cycle so I will be referring them to you!

Christian, Pre-PA

I am extremely pleased with this service. It is exactly the kind of constructive criticism I was hoping to receive. I had my essay reviewed by “myparesources” and was not very satisfied with their general comments. Sue put a lot of time and effort and gave me concrete examples of how to change my essay for the better. I WILL recommend this service over all others. Thank you so much!

Joe, Pre-PA

This is Tyler. I hope you remember helping me with my essay back in May. As promised, I wanted to update you with news of my PA school journey and I am excited to tell you that I was accepted to Stony Brook’s PA program!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH for helping me write an essay that was truly reflective of who I am as a candidate and as a person! It played a pivotal role in this whole nerve-racking process and has helped me achieve a major life goal. You are a godsend to Pre-PA students.

Tyler, PA-S

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

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

I was at a point where I kept reading my essay over and over again and not knowing what to change. After Sue looked over and thoroughly edited the essay, I had a completely new focus! I knew exactly what to tweak and her service really cleared up any uncertainty I had with my essay. I’m now much more confident as I finish up my CASPA applications!

Julia Spalding, Pre-PA

I can not speak highly enough of Sarah. She was extremely helpful and easy to work with. I think she did an especially admirable job packaging the message I was trying to get across in my essay in a concise format that flows smoothly. Thank you again!

Ian, Pre-PA

Carly Hallman did an amazing job helping me with my personal statement! I was feeling conflicted and uncertain about my own personal statement, but she helped set my mind at ease! I now have peace of mind regarding my personal statement. She was so helpful in correcting any grammar errors and also informed me of what I could add to my essay. I knew I was missing something in my essay, but could not quite put my finger on it. Carly identified what was missing so I could make those changes to my essay. I’m so thankful for her help because I do not think I could have figured out that “missing piece” had it not been for her. I now feel confident about my essay and I am extremely happy with it! 🙂 Thank you so much!!!

Ramsha, 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 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 did more than help revise my grammatical errors and flow. She was able to show me the strengths and weaknesses of the concepts of my essay. She was able to tell me what it was missing as well as praise me for what I did correctly. It gave me confidence in my writing, and I truly believe it will make an impact on the way PA programs view me.

Sherry, Pre-PA

It was an absolute pleasure working with Sarah. She was prompt to respond, professional, and kind. Sarah is an excellent writer. I was consistently impressed with her edits and suggestions for my personal statement. After working with Sarah I feel confident that my final essay will be well-received schools and help me stand out as a candidate.

Leah, 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

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

I got in!! I got into PA school and I can’t thank you enough for your hand in helping me with this process. I received 7 interviews out of 12 applications, I was waitlisted at Jefferson, Salus, and Chatham. And I was accepted at Drexel and Stony Brook. I will be starting PA school in June! Thank you so very much!!

Natalie, Pre-PA

Carly edited my essay, providing a generous amount of comments on why she believes that her changes make for a stronger essay. She gave amazing advice and I know that my personal statement is much more well written than before the edits were made. Definitely worth the money!

Alexa, Pre-PA

Thanks to the PA life and Deanna I was accepted to ECU PA program this cycle. I’m starting my program next fall. I have been part of the PA life community and a member of the leadership team at the virtual pre-PA club with Deanna and others. I’m preparing a video presentation about how to become a PA for IMG. I’m a nontraditional app and abnormally normal applicant 😆. The video will be posted on the IMG space of the community. I’m so happy to share my experience and help pre-PA like me.

Shynar Johnson, PA-S

My editor with The PA Life was amazing! I will definitely suggest these services to anyone else applying to PA school. Thank you for everything!

Margarita, Pre-PA

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