Start at the End: Advice for your PA School Personal Statement

Not sure what to include in your personal statement?

Start at the End!

The conclusion should summarize your entire essay. Consider the structure of an elevator pitch to write the conclusion of your PA school essay and guide the content of your personal statement!

Hi, I'm Deanna Matzen, an editor at the PA life and host of power up the PA life community.

I wanted to bring you a piece of advice that I give my editing clients frequently when I'm working on their personal statements. And that is to start at the end.

"If you are writing a movie, solve the climax first. If you're opening a restaurant, begin with the experience you want the diner to have when she walks in and enjoys a meal. Figure out where you want to go then work backward from there." - A little trick that Scorsese, Spielberg, and Disney use when making movies.

This advice is based on the four-step elevator pitch utilized by job seekers. And while you're not a job seeker, you are asking the admissions committee to invest in you - to invest in you as a future PA student and a future PA.

The four components of an elevator pitch:

Start by introducing yourself
Provide a summary of what you do
Explain what you want
Finish with a call to action

That's pretty close to a personal statement. I would make a couple of adjustments to the structure that I talk about in the video.

So, let's think about the conclusion that you write for your personal statement. If you were to use it as an elevator pitch, what would it look like? Well, it has four components.

The four components of the PA school personal statement

One is a connection to your introduction - that opening story you use to grab their attention and to illustrate why you want to be a PA.

And then in your essay, you should summarize somewhere what you would bring to the PA profession. You want to show them that you are not only qualified through your life experiences, your professional experiences, and your volunteer experiences but that you demonstrate qualities and attributes that are necessary to the PA profession.

You should also in your essay explain why you want to be a PA.

We encourage three core reasons, just kind of a nice round number, and those reasons should ideally be matched to your own qualities, your fit for the profession, but also the desire you have for your future career, and your aspirations.

This is a vision or mission statement, what you want to accomplish, what kind of care you want to provide to whom, and for what purpose.

And that purpose is really the outcomes for your patient.

Your call to action is what you want to accomplish as a future PA and the subtext without saying it directly is "I hope you'll see the value in investing in that and investing in me." But you're not going say that you're just going to show them the vision. It's all implied.

So, these are the four components that should be in your conclusion and the four components that should be in your essay, however you structure it.

There's a variety of ways to do this, but certainly, you should have an introduction, that if it doesn't tell a story, should set up a complex and interesting conflict that we want to see resolved.

Maybe it's an internal conflict you had as you were trying to decide on a career path or switching from a career path. Or it is a conflict within your own personal medical experience, and you wanted to help be part of the solution.

There are a lot of ways to proceed, but your opening should engage readers enough to keep them reading on to learn why you want to be a PA - The specific reasons how you learned about the PA profession to determine that you are a good fit.

Demonstrate your value, show your preparation through work, and then push it forward.

All right. I hope that's helpful for those of you who are feeling a little stuck on your personal statement. Not sure where to start, start at the end!

Still not sure where to start? We can help...

The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative

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Roman says

May 3, 2023 at 5:44 am

My 2nd cycle, wish me luck. Thank you so much for your critique.

The distinctive stench of alcohol, vomit, and antiseptics permeated the air, igniting my senses and I was firing on all cylinders; It was going to be a very busy night. As a clinical care technician (CCT), supportive yet crucial is my contribution to the mosaic of activity that is the ER. Not quite ready to start my shift, the transfer call from EMS alerted the team. The rhythmic pumping of the Lucas machine confirms the patient has arrived. I would feed off the energy of my coworkers; experiencing a co-adrenalin rush.

“One, two, three”, the medic commands as we move the patient off the gurney and onto the stretcher. Compressions start and I feel my own heart rate racing as I stay utmost focused on my tasks. I instinctively knew who to trust and where to double-check things, evaluating the needs of the team rapidly.
From this body of intense activity, I hear, “Roman you’re up”. Taking over compressions was not only exhilarating but actually an honor; a testament of confidence from the team. I was hyper-cognizant that I wasn’t just doing compressions on a patient with no pulse; I was doing compressions on a patient who had a full life. In my mind, my goal became more than just getting a heartbeat; it was getting a heartbeat and saving this life.

My CCT position provided me with direct patient interaction and additional clinical skills such as phlebotomy, performing EKGs, and point-of-care testing while functioning in a more hands-on role. I observed how involved the PA was with the care team and how much the clinical staff relied on them for additional support throughout the day. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my position was when my supervisor asked me to teach the medical students phlebotomy techniques. I implemented this mentorship with the patience, support, and encouragement I appreciated when learning a new skill. Several of my coworkers also asked for my tips and demonstrations in drawing blood. My experiences working alongside the PAs in the ER fostered my characteristics of efficiency, precise communication, focus, empathy, and the ability to multitask. As stimulating as the ER is, I want to explore more and shadow PAs in many other specialties.

It was in the Cardio-Thoracic ICU that I engaged in thoughtful and deep observation in the role of a PA. During morning rounds alongside the MD, Intensivist, and RN, I observed how involved the PA was with the care team and how crucial their attention to detail enhanced the patient outcome.
They often encouraged me to assist in bedside procedures, attend morning rounds, and review any questions I had. It was amazing how much learning was taking place while shadowing PAs; I researched procedures, diagnoses, and care plans nightly.
The nature of the ICU exemplified a genuinely collaborative working environment in which the PA played a significant role. Interpreting lab results, ordering diagnostic tests, conducting procedures at the bedside, or assisting in the OR presented itself as the most coveted career path for me. My shadowing of PAs immersed me in the collaborative workflow required of the care team and cemented my conviction to pursue the PA application process.

To further balance and enrich my healthcare experience I secured a part-time position at the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program; a Boston- based non-profit clinic providing crucial healthcare services to Boston’s homeless population. This position amplified the need to practice the greatest compassion, honoring the dignity and reaffirming the humanity of those individuals usually invisible to us. While taking Molly’s vital signs, the struggles she lives revealed her story through her deeply wrinkled face and rough hands. “Hello Molly”, the warmth of my touch quickly relieved her cold and discolored fingertips. After completing her vitals when she was about to see the physician, “Here take these;” I gave Molly my wool gloves. Is this all I can do? I absolutely treasured the emotional rewards however I felt frustrated and empty for being unable to do more clinically. Attending a program committed to working with the underserved fosters my belief that I can play a part in gnawing away at healthcare inequities of a diverse, and constantly changing population.

Every experience I’ve had working alongside PAs since 2019, from desk to bedside, has enriched my knowledge of who they are, what they do, and has directly cemented my decision to pursue this profession. Between my recent work and extensive shadowing experiences, I’ve confirmed much about myself; my ability to multitask, remain calm, be efficient, and be empathetic, all while working incredibly long shifts with few breaks. These characteristics have shaped me into the PA I aspire to be.

Comments

Roman says

May 3, 2023 at 5:44 am

My 2nd cycle, wish me luck. Thank you so much for your critique.

The distinctive stench of alcohol, vomit, and antiseptics permeated the air, igniting my senses and I was firing on all cylinders; It was going to be a very busy night. As a clinical care technician (CCT), supportive yet crucial is my contribution to the mosaic of activity that is the ER. Not quite ready to start my shift, the transfer call from EMS alerted the team. The rhythmic pumping of the Lucas machine confirms the patient has arrived. I would feed off the energy of my coworkers; experiencing a co-adrenalin rush.

“One, two, three”, the medic commands as we move the patient off the gurney and onto the stretcher. Compressions start and I feel my own heart rate racing as I stay utmost focused on my tasks. I instinctively knew who to trust and where to double-check things, evaluating the needs of the team rapidly.
From this body of intense activity, I hear, “Roman you’re up”. Taking over compressions was not only exhilarating but actually an honor; a testament of confidence from the team. I was hyper-cognizant that I wasn’t just doing compressions on a patient with no pulse; I was doing compressions on a patient who had a full life. In my mind, my goal became more than just getting a heartbeat; it was getting a heartbeat and saving this life.

My CCT position provided me with direct patient interaction and additional clinical skills such as phlebotomy, performing EKGs, and point-of-care testing while functioning in a more hands-on role. I observed how involved the PA was with the care team and how much the clinical staff relied on them for additional support throughout the day. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my position was when my supervisor asked me to teach the medical students phlebotomy techniques. I implemented this mentorship with the patience, support, and encouragement I appreciated when learning a new skill. Several of my coworkers also asked for my tips and demonstrations in drawing blood. My experiences working alongside the PAs in the ER fostered my characteristics of efficiency, precise communication, focus, empathy, and the ability to multitask. As stimulating as the ER is, I want to explore more and shadow PAs in many other specialties.

It was in the Cardio-Thoracic ICU that I engaged in thoughtful and deep observation in the role of a PA. During morning rounds alongside the MD, Intensivist, and RN, I observed how involved the PA was with the care team and how crucial their attention to detail enhanced the patient outcome.
They often encouraged me to assist in bedside procedures, attend morning rounds, and review any questions I had. It was amazing how much learning was taking place while shadowing PAs; I researched procedures, diagnoses, and care plans nightly.
The nature of the ICU exemplified a genuinely collaborative working environment in which the PA played a significant role. Interpreting lab results, ordering diagnostic tests, conducting procedures at the bedside, or assisting in the OR presented itself as the most coveted career path for me. My shadowing of PAs immersed me in the collaborative workflow required of the care team and cemented my conviction to pursue the PA application process.

To further balance and enrich my healthcare experience I secured a part-time position at the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program; a Boston- based non-profit clinic providing crucial healthcare services to Boston’s homeless population. This position amplified the need to practice the greatest compassion, honoring the dignity and reaffirming the humanity of those individuals usually invisible to us. While taking Molly’s vital signs, the struggles she lives revealed her story through her deeply wrinkled face and rough hands. “Hello Molly”, the warmth of my touch quickly relieved her cold and discolored fingertips. After completing her vitals when she was about to see the physician, “Here take these;” I gave Molly my wool gloves. Is this all I can do? I absolutely treasured the emotional rewards however I felt frustrated and empty for being unable to do more clinically. Attending a program committed to working with the underserved fosters my belief that I can play a part in gnawing away at healthcare inequities of a diverse, and constantly changing population.

Every experience I’ve had working alongside PAs since 2019, from desk to bedside, has enriched my knowledge of who they are, what they do, and has directly cemented my decision to pursue this profession. Between my recent work and extensive shadowing experiences, I’ve confirmed much about myself; my ability to multitask, remain calm, be efficient, and be empathetic, all while working incredibly long shifts with few breaks. These characteristics have shaped me into the PA I aspire to be.