Although the physician assistant profession began as a male-dominated workforce, women now comprise over 72 percent of physician assistants (PAs) in the United States. In fact, in the 51 short years since our careers’ inception, it was only the first 20 that saw a male-led majority. In 1972, five years after the inaugural class of PAs […]
Search Results for: personal statement
The Top 5 Reasons People Choose to Become a PA: Put To The Test
What are the most important considerations for a career path after PA school for PA students and future PAs? Here are the top 5 reasons PA students give for choosing PA school Work-life balance Availability of jobs Stable, secure future Ability to pay off debt Relationship with supervising physician For those answering the most recent Physician […]
The 5 Steps to PA School
Learn the 5 essential steps to get into PA school, from prerequisite coursework and healthcare experience to crafting the perfect personal statement and securing strong letters of recommendation. Discover insider tips and strategies from a successful PA school applicant and admissions directors from top-ranking programs. Â
Sticker Shock Alert! This is The Real Cost of Applying to PA School in 2024
PA students will encounter a number of costs along the way to enrolling in physician assistant/associate (PA) school. Here’s a look at what these costs are and some ways you can save money on your PA school application.
Pre-PA Consulting and Advising
The PA Life Pre-PA Coaching and Consulting Services Our pre-PA coaching service consists of a one-hour Zoom consultation with a practicing PA who is a vetted Pre-PA coach. We will address your specific questions or concerns about becoming a PA and applying to PA school. Common themes addressed during these coaching sessions include: Here are […]
Going Midlevel Midlife: Michelle’s Story of Becoming a Physician Assistant in her 40’s
After 16 years of teaching high school wellness, Michelle Roush felt ready for a greater challenge to leverage her interest in health. After much planning and preparation, she is now studying to become a physician assistant, and loving the journey. Tell us a little about your background… I am a married, 41-year-old mother of two […]
Thanks for contacting me!
Your input and questions are extremely valuable to me. I will usually respond to all queries within 24-48 hours. In the meantime here are some resources to get you started Browse The PA Life archives Sample our newest book – How to Write Your PA School Personal Statement Take a free PANCE and PANRE Board Exam […]
Why Our Program? How to Answer This Common Supplemental Essay and Interview Question
Why our program? As you begin your PA school application process, one of the most common supplemental essay and interview questions you may encounter is, “Why our program?” This is an opportunity for you to explain why you are specifically interested in attending that particular college or university and why it is a good fit […]
3 Things Everyone Should Do Before Starting PA School
If you have three, four, or even five months until you start PA school, here are three things you can do right now to make sure you are prepared for when you walk in the door.
How to Bring Your Best on PA School Interview Day
The interview is the last milestone you reach before acceptance. It’s the final opportunity to showcase your best qualities and leave a strong impression on faculty members. With so much hard work leading up to the interview, we all want to be able to put our best face forward and be well-equipped with the tools […]
PA VS MD: The Life and Salary of a Military Trained Physician
As part of the ongoing MD vs. PA discussion, I like to feature comments on the blog from both PAs and MDs. It’s a chance to learn more about what life is really like working in the trenches. Today’s post comes from Doctor B. an active duty military internist. Dr. B. explains how he went […]
What is the Number One Regret People Have in Life?
The ward was bleak. Always eerily quiet. A clinical world where clock ticks seemed to scream and that vile smell attacked more than the air, the walls, and the floors. It attached itself to the people themselves as if they, too, had been harshly scrubbed down with disinfectant. The worst part was the uncertainty. You never […]
How to Find The Direct Patient Care Experience You Need to Become a Physician Assistant
Read on: But you may also be interested in my newest post Healthcare Experience Required for PA School: The Ultimate Guide I could probably summarize this entire blog post with the following sentence: “THE MORE HANDS-ON PATIENT CAREÂ EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE, THE STRONGER YOU WILL BE AS A PA SCHOOL CANDIDATE.” How many healthcare experience hours […]
Overcoming Obstacles on Your Path to Becoming a Physician Assistant
Life is full of obstacles. They can be as simple as getting out of bed in the morning or as arduous as writing the perfect PA school application essay. Most of the time, the biggest obstacle is ourselves (affiliate link). The excuses that we create to avoid doing the things that matter most. This is […]
The Ultimate PA School Applicant Cheat Sheet With 7 Quick Tips for Getting into PA School
Here is my ultimate PA school applicant cheat sheet with 7 quick tips for getting into PA school. Do these seven things for the best chance of getting into PA school and becoming a physician assistant! 1. Shadowing: Get one hundred hours of shadowing experience across various specialties. 2. GRE: Aim for a score of 300 + (150 + […]
The PA Life Mock Interview Reviews, Testimonials, and Successes
A Message from Stephen Pasquini PA-C The best way to prepare for your PA school interview is to practice, practice, practice…with a PA school admissions expert who understands the system and who will give you honest feedback and guidance throughout the process. You also want to know that your practice is paying off. We have […]
How Clay Aiken and Reality TV Helped Me Ace My PA School Interview
 am embarrassed to admit: I am a big fan of reality TV. I don’t watch much TV but when it comes time for a new season of Survivor, So You Think You Can Dance, or dare I say The Bachelor (I can’t believe I just admitted that) I can’t stop myself. I justify this to […]
How to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant Cover Letter
Whether you are applying to PA school, to your first PA job, or you are a seasoned PA interested in an exciting new career possibility, you are likely worried most about constructing an effective resume. But, one of the most overlooked and underrated components of the application is the cover letter. Like the PA school […]
My PA School Interview Preparation Strategy
Do these 4 things to set yourself up for PA school interview day success! As summer comes to a screeching halt and application deadlines are looming, we are shifting into full-swing interview season. Since many programs adhere to a rolling admissions format, interviews are conducted as early as June and as late as April, right […]
The Ultimate PA School Applicant Logbook – Track HCE, PCE, Volunteer Hours, Schools, Costs (and more!)
As applicants to PA school, we have a lot on our plate. Between prerequisite coursework, health care experience requirements, shadowing, volunteering, and more – it’s a lot to keep track of! This is where The Ultimate PA School Applicant Logbook comes in. This logbook was designed by PA school applicants (who know the process intimately!) […]
187 US PA Programs That Accept International Students
🌎 Click here for information on where PAs can work internationally. The good news is that if you are a foreign student interested in attending a US PA school, you have a range of options. Currently, 187 of the 303 active PA programs in the United States open their doors to international applicants. Ninety-nine of […]
How to Study for Your PANCE: Podcast Episode 79
If you can’t see the audio player click here to listen to the full episode. Podcast Episode 79: How to Study for Your PANCE Welcome to episode 79 of the Audio PANCE and PANRE PA Board Review Podcast. In this episode 35-year PA veteran and PANCE/PANRE board review expert Joe Gilboy PA-C shares his top […]
How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement: The Workbook
Download The Expert Panel Companion Workbook Twelve PA school admissions directors interviews and twelve rules to writing your physician assistant personal statement Learning what Admissions Directors and PA school faculty want in your personal statement is only the first step! We have created this accompanying workbook to help you put this advice into action. Twelve interactive workbook chapters […]
How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement: Expert Panel Audiobook
Download The Expert Panel mp3 Audiobook Companion The Expert Panel Audiobook Twelve experts and PA school administrators from across the country share their secrets on writing the physician assistant personal statement. What they hope to see, what they wished they’d never see, and tips to make your essay shine! If you’re like me you […]
One-On-One Personal Statement Editing and Revision
Hi, and welcome to the PA school personal statement collaborative essay revision service We are the original PA school essay editing service, and unlike other revision services, we differentiate ourselves by offering a team of highly skilled professional writers with years of experience working directly with PA school applicants like yourself. We have edited 1000’s […]
One-Time Personal Statement Editing and Revision
Hi, and welcome to the PA school personal statement collaborative essay revision service We are the original PA school essay editing service, and unlike other revision services, we differentiate ourselves by offering a team of highly skilled professional writers with years of experience working directly with PA school applicants like yourself. We have edited 1000’s […]
PA School Prerequisites: Admissions Directors Answer Your Burning Questions
As you probably know by now, if you want to get into PA school, you must complete the necessary prerequisite coursework. I have discussed this in detail in a previous post Prerequisite Coursework: How to Design the Perfect Pre-PA School Curriculum. Today, we are going a step further by giving you answers to some of the […]
Supplemental Essay Editing and Revision
Supplemental applications are a gift to you as an applicant, and you should view them as an opportunity to showcase personal traits and life experiences that may have been omitted your CASPA application. Supplemental applications should not reflect anything in your CASPA application and nothing should be repeated from your personal narrative. If you start […]
The PA School Essay Booster 48 Hour Webinar Attendee Discount
Hi, and Welcome Attendees of the PA school Essay Booster Webinar! As a special gift for the next 48 hours, you can use the code “essaybooster” at checkout for 10% OFF any of our PA school essay editing services. To apply this coupon code chose the editing service you wish to purchase, add it to […]