PA School Reapplicants: How to Rewrite Your PA School Essay for Guaranteed Success

Are you reapplying to PA school after not gaining acceptance last round?

What will you do with your old personal statement? Toss it completely? Change a few details and cross your fingers?

The answer is somewhere in the middle.

What should you do with your original PA school personal statement as a PA school reapplicant?

Never regret a day in your life. Good days give happiness, bad days give experience, the worst days give lessons, and the best days give memories. 

― Dr. Sukhraj Dhillon

The first step? Take an objective look at your personal statement

What's the first step to rewriting your PA school personal statement as a reapplicant? Take an objective look at your personal statement.

Start with having a trusted friend read it. Ask them to mark what stood out as strong and memorable. What answered that all-important question: Why do I want to become a PA?

Ask your reader to note what seems unnecessary or weak. Give this person permission to be brutally honest. These first impressions will show you what sections to keep as well as delete.

What do you want to communicate in this round of applications?

Next up: Ask yourself what you really want to convey in this round of applications.

You have likely expanded your clinical skills and passion for the PA profession. How can you highlight that growth, along with the personal history that brought you to the profession, to show that you deserve a coveted spot in PA school?

Rewrite your personal statement introduction

While you may have worked hard to make your past introduction shine, you will need to completely rewrite it. Many PA programs compare reapplicants’ essays from year to year and reworking your essay shows those programs you are serious about presenting an effective application each cycle.

What has happened in the last year that has reinforced your desire to become a PA?

Was there a patient who completely changed your approach? Or better yet, changed you?

If so, describe that encounter. This is your chance to ignite your readers’ interest, so carefully consider what you want to say and how you want to say it.

PRO TIP: Rewrite your PA school personal statement introduction.

Make sure to read:

Rewrite your patient care example from your previous personal statement

Now, look at the patient care example from your previous personal statement. You will also want to rewrite this.

Whether it is in your introduction or midway through your essay, resist the temptation to keep that same old story. This is often the most memorable part of your personal statement, so you will want to make it pop.

Describe yourself in action connecting with a patient on a human level. You will want to demonstrate your ability to serve with empathy and expertise. While you may be tempted to keep the theme from your last essay, in most cases you will want to update that as well.

PRO TIP: Rewrite the patient care example from your previous personal statement.

Revise the details that have changed since your last application

Next, revise the details that have changed since your last application.

You probably have gained shadowing hours, expanded clinical skills, and added more prerequisites. Note all these developments. This is the place you can show your commitment to growth and improvement.

If you have a new role, make sure you include that. Admissions committees want to see that you have moved forward toward your goal and leveraged the time to improve.

You bring one more year of patient interactions, personal and professional growth, and collaboration with coworkers as a candidate. Make sure you spotlight your enrichment.

Much of the information that has not changed can remain but...

Much of the information that has not changed can remain. Just make sure you vary your language so each sentence feels fresh.

Switch the opening lines of every paragraph and change the structure of some of your sentences so your essay reads differently. You may be tempted to skip this step but trust me—taking the time to evaluate each sentence will ensure a cohesive, compelling, and revitalized essay.

PRO TIP: You can keep the information that has not changed just make sure you vary your language, so each sentence feels fresh.

Write a new conclusion

Lastly, you will want to write a brand-new conclusion.

Tie back to your new introduction in some way and reiterate your essays’ theme as well as your commitment to becoming a PA. Also, restate your desire for expanded clinical responsibility for patients.

PRO TIP: Write a brand-new conclusion

"Your job as an artist is to write what's missing"

Most importantly, do not lose heart and don't let fear stand in the way of your art. Lin-Manuel Miranda famously said, "Your job as an artist is to write what's missing." Is there anything missing in your essay? Be honest, be authentic, and do your job as an artist… Find what's missing, then write it!

Many applicants find success after multiple application cycles. Maintain your resolve to become a PA and let it propel you toward your goal.

Some of the best PAs I know found that the extra year or two it took them to land a spot in PA school yielded more depth and fulfillment in their work.

You have gained skills and perspective in the last year, so grab a pen and show your dream program how these experiences will make you a more compassionate and effective PA.

Remember, if you need help along the way, our skilled editors can coach you through your rewrite. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are always here as you strive toward this worthy goal.

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