The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative

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1. Rylee says

   May 22, 2019 at 11:44 am

   My essay is almost 2000 characters over the limit, but I am not sure what to take out because I feel it is all vital to telling my story! Please help!
   It is a Tuesday at the University of Florida and I am sitting in an auditorium, crying. My class was watching a scene from the movie Patch Adams. In the scene, Robin Williams’ character is explaining why he was treating patients without a license. He talks about how important it is to remember patients are humans and that they need help. He says “when you treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you’ll win”. It was not the speech itself that caused me to cry. It is pathetic, but it was in that moment, in that sentence, I was assured of everything I was pursuing. I could feel it deep in my heart that I have to help others, I have to help heal them. I knew I was on the right path, the path to becoming a Physician Assistant.
   My journey to becoming a Physician Assistant has not been typical. In fact, it has been a little backwards. As I mentioned, I did not discover my true “why” for wanting to be a PA until I was already in the middle of my Health Science degree, already with the intent of becoming PA in the future. I have always known being a PA was the right job for me. I learned about the flexibility of the career, the ability to work in any medical field, the ability to practice almost completely independently, yet still have the support of a doctor, and I was sold. I knew I wanted to work in healthcare and I knew I could be a nurse, doctor, or a multitude of other things, but the only career that ever sounded right to me was a Physician Assistant. So, I started doing the necessary tasks to fulfil the requirements to apply to PA schools and along the way, I have learned invaluable lessons that have taught me why I truly want to become a PA and how I know I will be great provider in the future.
   Similar to finding my passion, my experience in school, has been abnormal. When viewing my transcripts, it could appear as though there were times I did not know what I was doing, but all along I had a plan. In high school, I dual enrolled and during this time, I was misled by advisors on which courses needed to be taken to apply to PA school. It was not until I transferred to UF that I was told I had essentially wasted hours in unneeded classes. I made the decision to continue work on my degree, while simultaneously completing the missing prerequisites. The problem was that the classes I needed were not offered at UF at times that corresponded with my program. So, I enrolled to three different colleges at once. It was taxing keeping up with it all, but I learned a lot about myself during that time. I learned how to improve my study habits, manage time, and most importantly I learned how to fail. When I finished Chemistry 2 with a D, I felt defeated. “No PA school will let me in with this grade”, I thought. I had to pick myself up and try again, I needed to solve what was holding me back. Amidst so many people saying, “why are you doing this?” and the often discouraging comments, every set back only pushed me forward. I realized I was willing to work extremely hard to become a Physician Assistant because I want so badly to become one.
   While pursuing my bachelor’s degree, I also took time to volunteer and work. What started out as steps taken in order to fulfill requirements became experiences I will forever cherish. I began working in healthcare as a CNA at a local hospital. It was not a job I enjoyed, but I learned a lot. I learned how hospitals and care teams work. I also gained respect for nurses and every other hard-working member of a care team. I later began working as a medical assistant at a pediatric office. Working hands on with patients and their families has flourished my desire to become a PA. As a medical assistant, I do not know, nor am I qualified, to answer many of the patients’ questions or to cure their ailments. But, when I am able to calm a child, reassure a nervous parent, relay pertinent information to a provider, or use knowledge I have acquired through my time there, I feel as though I am in the right place. I want to become a PA so I can answer the questions and, hopefully, provide cures, but until then, I feel this has been excellent preparation for my career as a PA in the future. I have also volunteered at the Ronald McDonald house, as well as an assisted living facility. Though both very different settings, I have learned a similar lesson through both. I have learned how to help people, how to lend an ear and communicate, and how a simple kind word can brighten someone’s day. I have also learned how grateful most people are to receive help and how often people desperately need it but will not ask.
   In my experiences leading up to PA school, I have come in contact with amazing people who have shown me what it means to be a great provider. My family physician inspired me to listen well to my patients. I had been having health issues and my doctor thoroughly listened to me and every wild idea I had about what it could be, before he calmed me and assured me we could find a solution. His kindness made me feel valued and I will never forget it. The PA I have shadowed has taught me how important it is to decipher necessary information from unnecessary, while ensuring the patient feels heard. I shadowed her in an Emergency Department and with the odd cases that often come in, she taught me how it is essential to look at the facts and not get caught up in everything going on. Lastly, one of the physicians I work with now is a model of how to be an outstanding provider and his practice is what I will shape my own after. He listens to his patients, he remains calm and always reassures the child’s parents, and he never over reacts. Too often in healthcare, it seems providers run away with diagnoses, overshooting the actual problem that could be a small fix. This doctor always tries to avoid this and look at the small things first, because he says typically that is where the issues stem from. In remaining calm, he is a reassuring figure to patients and their parents alike, and he is always happy to see them.
   While I have always known I wanted to be a PA, it was not until I was well into my journey that I discovered why. Through trying times in school, work experiences, and people met along the way, I have learned just how much I want to become a physician assistant. I want to have the knowledge to help others with their medical problems, I want to make patients and their families feel heard and cared for, and I want to be a calm, assuring presence to my patients in their times of trouble. Although there were times of difficulty, I am grateful my journey to becoming a pa was a little different than others’, because it taught me valuable life lessons and what I needed to learn to become an exceptional PA in the future.

   My essay is almost 2000 characters over the limit, but I am not sure what to take out because I feel it is all vital to telling my story! Please help!

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2. Kristen Alexander says

   May 21, 2019 at 3:12 pm

   Hi, I would really appreciate any feedback on this essay. Thank you very much!
   ___
   The tone pierced the stagnant air that surrounded me. I held my breath and listened closely. The med flight crew gave report, “84-year-old male, intubated, resuscitated cardiac arrest, vitals stable, landing in 5”. The triage nurse looked at me, “there bringing him to trauma 2”. I just finished working my shift and was still in my EMT uniform, allowing me to camouflage in the corner of the trauma room. I heard the familiar sound of the stretcher wheels rotating against the tile hospital floors. “This is Mr. William Green” the woman in the blue med flight jumper began speaking as she entered the room. The PA called out, “does he have a significant cardiac history?” The nurse nodded in my direction knowing that it was my Papa wrapped in the Mylar blanket. It was in that moment that I felt so plagued by my inability to contribute any more than a snippet of medical history. I wanted to do more, know more, understand more, and simply help more.  

   Sometimes the most difficult thing is to trust someone else with the responsibility and health of our loved ones. This to me, is most humbling part of my work as an EMT, and why I want to become a PA. I am often the first to respond and treat someone that is ill and injured. I have learned that by showing empathy and compassion, I can ease the stress and tensions of my patients as well as their family and friends. I have seen how patients evolve into their disease or diagnosis but with empathetic care, that stigma is shed. One day while transferring a dialysis patient, he asked if we would take him the long way home, along the ocean coast. His eyes filled with tears as he told me about the memories he had as a child playing on that beach. It was in his eyes that I knew I was pursuing my calling.

   Working on an ambulance with limited equipment has taught me to think critically under pressure by assessing and treating patients in a time sensitive manner. Beginning my career in EMS taught me valuable lessons about patience and kindness in the face of chaos but I could not help but feel limited by my scope of practice, available equipment, and by the four corners of the ambulance. I constantly wondered if my short pre-hospital treatment made a difference. The transient nature of a job in EMS left me craving more from my quest to becoming a PA.

   I soon found myself on the receiving end of EMS, working as a nursing assistant in the Emergency Department of South Shore Hospital. My responsibility moved from one patient to upwards of twenty. Although the ED can be entirely chaotic, I feel at ease. I became proficient at juggling and triaging the needs of my patients while working closely with a diverse group of medical professionals. From preforming CPR and assisting in central lines, to obtaining EKGs and vitals, often the most important treatment I can provide is a listening ear, a warm blanket, or supportive words. A smile today gives me the strength to conquer CPR tomorrow. The fortitude I have gained by working in the Emergency Department has prepared me for the rigors of becoming a PA. I eagerly await the opportunity to expand my scope, quench my thirst for knowledge, and collaborate within a health care team as I learn to become a PA.

   Every day that I work in medicine I am reaffirmed that I am on the right path. As a scribe in the Emergency Department of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, I have seen the health care disparities caused by a geographically isolated community. The PAs serve as stewards for the islands health are vital in bridging the limited access to providers. I hope to emulate the PAs I work with whose sensitivity and compassion allow patients to feel heard while serving their community’s needs.

   Seeing my Papa in the trauma room that day reassured me of my path to becoming a PA. His death, soon followed by my father being diagnosed with lung cancer while I was working full-time, and taking two courses challenged my priorities. My pursuit to becoming a PA is steadfast and I received As in my classes. I no longer want to be spectator or limited by scope of practice. I want the responsibility to assess, treat, and diagnose patients. I want to spend time with them, learn about them, and grow as a PA as my patients transition through their health care experiences. I plan to establish relationships built on trust and open communication by treating each patient with the utmost respect and empathy. I crave to be a part of a health care team where I have the freedom for both collaboration and autonomy. I am ready to exchange my EMT uniform for a Physician Assistant white coat.

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3. Maddie Mandula says

   May 21, 2019 at 7:04 am

   I have attended three different universities and have gained unique experiences and insights from each. My college journey began as the top freshman recruit for the University of Indianapolis Women’s Lacrosse Team. After getting settled that fall, in a matter of weeks, I began to experience severe health issues. The weeks following, I became a frequent visitor to the emergency room, was poked, prodded and examined by many doctors and devices, yet not one could seem to reveal the issue. After enduring this undiagnosable pain with no end in sight, I made the toughest decision of my life: quit my dream of playing collegiate lacrosse after earning my spot through skill and a scholarship and go home to Georgia to uncover what was holding me back. Little did I know that my new dream was awaiting my arrival: becoming a PA.
   The more knowledge and experiences I gain through my involvement in the medical field while shadowing and working as a medical assistant, the deeper appreciation I have for medicine and its providers. I began college as a Biology major but quickly realized it was not my path. Delving into a world of “what if’s” and theory did not excite me like hands-on experience did. Being a kinesthetic learner, strict lecture- and book-based learning was not enough for me. As my grades reflected the interest I lacked in my chosen studies, something had to change, so I began to pursue other interests. My major became Exercise Science, an ideal field for a kinesthetic learner. Since then, I have gained immense knowledge and experience through labs and hands-on fieldwork. Outside of the classroom, the learning moments that have stuck with me most have come from being a medical assistant. Whether taking patient vitals, administering injections, or recording patient histories, I have fallen in love with medicine and everything the field has to offer – the people, the relationships, the hardship, the joy, and the community. Although taking detailed histories is a vital role in patient care, becoming a PA will fulfill my desires to be more involved by treating and diagnosing patients rather than standing in the background observing.
   Through my unique experiences, I have gained a deeper understanding of my admiration for specialties in medicine as well as working as a team. My interest in orthopedics began in high school as a student athletic trainer for football and men’s basketball. As an Exercise Science major, I am studying how meticulous the anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics of our bodies are made and how they function separately yet always together. Another area of interest is surgery. During my time in a veterinary clinic, I had the opportunity to assist in emergency lifesaving procedures. I recall one afternoon a lost dog was brought into the clinic with a front paw pad, barely still attached to its body, that had maggots burrowed deep in the exposed flesh. I assisted the doctor in the removal of all the maggots and wrapped up the paw to begin the healing process. During this emergency, I remained calm, collected, and the main thought I had going through my head was “How can we help this dog?” Similarly, while shadowing and working, my first thought after meeting a patient is “How can we best help this person?”
   As a compassionate and driven young woman, I strive to help people whenever and wherever possible. As a future PA, I look forward to helping patients by discovering not only what is wrong with them, but why, and mapping the best healing pathway. To help often means to teach. As the youngest in a family of five, I was always being taught important lessons by my parents and sisters, whether it was learning addition or subtraction, how to throw a lacrosse ball or tips for raising my dog. My goal is to give that gift of knowledge back to my patients while encouraging them to not only learn and understand how to get better but also learn how to keep themselves healthy going forward. The PA I shadow once said, “You do not have to be the smartest, just be thorough.” These words have stuck with me these past few months, and although I may not yet know even a fraction of all there is to know about medicine, people or the world, I am confident in my ability to communicate information and administer advice well enough to share a bit of knowledge with those I aim to help.
   After transferring to two different colleges, I had a difficult time adjusting to my new environment, social life and academia. My grades in my first two semesters at Kennesaw State University reflect the difficulties I faced while not only struggling academically, but also struggling with the thought of “Where do I fit in here?” After wrestling with this for months, the answer became clear: become a PA. Not only do I love medicine and all it has to offer – new ideas, innovations, hope – but I also love people. I can think of nothing more joyful and fulfilling than having the privilege of coming home after a long day’s work of taking care of my patients and feeling as though I truly made a difference in their lives.

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4. Lyndi Bagley says

   May 20, 2019 at 5:16 pm

   The fascination of the sciences is not something that I have always maintained. In fact, until my later high school years, I hated the idea of studying science. What changed for me is a teacher who showed increasing interest in my academic success and my ability to thoughtfully apply the principles of biology to real life. A year later, I was attending the College of St. Scholastica, where I enjoyed and experienced the legacy of athletics, quality in scholarship, and the tradition of inclusive excellence. A year after that, I had transferred from the college where I began my post secondary educational journey, and landed at the University of Northwestern, St. Paul.
   My educational experiences at both St. Scholastica and the University of Northwestern sparked a natural curiosity as I took on coursework in counseling, abnormal psychology, pathophysiology, genetics, human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology. These courses efficaciously provided me with the challenge of truly applying my education to my future goals. In both microbiology and genetics, we teamed with Tiny Earth research to evaluate the problem of antibiotic resistance. I also found myself enjoying the complexity of chemistry I and II, in addition to organic chemistry and biochemistry. The goal of becoming a physician assistant made the coursework enjoyable and the journey to strive exciting.
   It was at the University of Northwestern that my fascination with life sciences and the human body immediately began to cultivate. At the University of Northwestern, I met a professor who introduced me to the profession of physician assistant studies. Later, that same professor would encourage me to pursue a health sciences internship to make myself familiar with the aspect of working in a clinic and to experience what healthcare providers undergo while working in a Federally Qualified Health Center.
   It was at NorthLakes Community Clinic that I began to learn exactly how critical it is that primary care providers are available to rural, underserved communities, and to those that would have otherwise not received care. I am from the rural community of Iron River, WI. During my internship, I saw how NorthLakes impacted the lives of those in Hayward, WI and Iron River. The individuals who work for this organization were truly striving to better the lives of those that they serve, regardless of their circumstances. At NorthLakes, I shadowed a PA, nurse practitioners, lab technicians, and even patient service representatives. With the providers, I had the opportunity to work hands on through scribing and in the lab, I was able to run lab tests and enter data for the lab technicians. This experience showed me that it is not only the medical advice that matters, but the personal interactions that ensue each hospital visit.
   Being at NorthLakes caused me to research another underserved community to which I have been exposed, the American Indians in our country. I think of the times I have gone to visit my grandmother on the reservation for the Fon Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa people. Ever since I was a child, I have utilized the health services of the Center for American Indian Resources (CAIR) in Duluth, MN. Within the walls of CAIR, you will see posters for providing help with Diabetes prevention, birth control, substance abuse, heart disease, and many other rattling conditions. After doing research, I became aware of the staggering numbers of infirmities that afflict the Native American people. The sobering statistics are what have made it concrete to me that I must play my role in the medical community as a physician assistant.
   I currently serve as a direct care professional (DCP) at ACR Homes. I assist residents with daily living tasks and administer daily medications and therapeutic treatments. I have found that these residents have taught me both patience and loving care while equipping them with what is needed to live as fulfilling of a life as possible. In addition to being a DCP, I also serve as a residential supervisor assistant, where check and reorder weekly medications. I also serve as a mentor for new hires, to help engage them in the unfamiliarity of becoming a DCP at ACR Homes. My time at ACR has been a humbling experience that causes me to truly have appreciation for the simple things in life.
   Being a PA goes beyond the reach of medical advice. While this is an important aspect of the job, it is not the primary reason why I wish to be a PA. In my exposure to this field, I have seen one important detail, underserved communities. I want to be a PA because there needs to be more individuals stepping into Federally Qualified Health Centers, reservation health centers, and work with the mentally and physically disabled. I want to be a PA because I see the mission field in the job that extends into provider-patient relations.

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5. Joshua says

   May 19, 2019 at 6:58 pm

   Recently, a military friend of mine told me about the way they do memos and reports using an approach called BLUF, which stands for Bottom Line Up Front. I love this idea; it gets straight to the point. Since this is probably the thousandth personal statement you are reading, please indulge this non-traditional approach from a non-traditional applicant. The BLUF is this: My current profession, chiropractic, has a limited scope of practice. I want to be a PA because I want to better meet the healthcare needs of the underserved with an expanded scope of practice, including primary care. With me, you get a proven practitioner with a drive to fill a healthcare need for competent, knowledgeable providers willing to serve in underserved areas.

   After 10 years of practicing chiropractic, I have concluded that it’s time to expand my scope of practice. I’ve had too many patients that needed more than what I can provide as a chiropractor. There’s Ken, age 68, with a calcified abdominal aorta who needs better imaging than x-ray and continued monitoring more than just the occasional muscle work for his low back pain. Linda, age 57, is a morbidly obese diabetic teacher who needs more than just manipulation, lab monitoring, and dietary advice I provide within my current scope. She needs updates on her medications, and a specialist follow up for her diabetic neuropathy. Chiropractic just isn’t enough.

   Not only do I desire an expanded scope of practice, but I also have a strong desire to focus on underserved populations both locally and abroad. John, a minimum wage tire factory worker, living in rural Franklin County, needs more than just relief from low back pain. He needs affordable primary healthcare near him and a practitioner who will collaborate with other providers on his behalf. One of the most frustrating limitations I have experienced is the inability to provide care during medical missions and after natural disasters. A patient of mine takes a group to Haiti several times a year. He asked me to go one year looking for medical help, but after hearing how limited my scope is we decided to save that spot for a nurse. Those orphans in Haiti don’t need an adjustment; they need antibiotics and vaccines. Last year, the victims of Hurricane Michael didn’t need manipulation and muscle work; they needed emergency care and medication. I can do so much more as a PA for so many more people.

   As you can see, I have a real heart for the underserved. That’s what makes this move such a mutually beneficial endeavor. As a PA, I will be able to find true fulfillment serving those in need. I will be able to get away from the small business of running a private practice. And the PA profession will get an experienced, mature, professional practitioner that can be plugged in to fill a significant need in healthcare. Our healthcare system needs competent PAs that are willing to serve in rural and poor communities. Specifically, in North Carolina we have 80 rural counties, compared to only 6 urban counties. I have spoken with medical doctors, nurses, and PAs and have come to understand that when a practitioner works in rural areas, they don’t have the luxury and convenience of having a lot of specialists nearby. Therefore they must be more knowledgeable and more responsible. That’s one reason it’s so difficult to get quality care in those areas. Turn around is high in those positions as well. That is where the biggest need is and where I want to be. I am convinced the last 10 years of chiropractic has prepared me to handle such responsibility; all I need is the additional education.

   I would be remiss if I didn’t address a few things for the committee. My undergrad GPA was a product of immaturity, lack of focus, and foolishness. I coasted through undergrad and then through the first years of my chiropractic education until a difficult personal loss (which I can go into in detail in my interview) gave me the wake-up call I needed. My GPA, the last year and a half of chiropractic school, was much higher even with the addition of clinicals and 4 parts of national board testing. I excelled in the practical application in the student clinic, graduating to clinical rounds ahead of many of my classmates. Another concern for some may be that it’s been a while since I have taken prereqs. However, please understand that I apply the material in a real-world setting in my current profession.

   I bring to the PA profession experience, proven success, and a deep desire to serve those in greatest need. I can do this job well. I look forward to going back to school with the laser focus and wisdom that only real-life experience can bring. Most of all, I look forward to joining my colleagues as a PA.

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6. Kate says

   May 19, 2019 at 3:10 pm

   I think I need to put some work in to make it flow a little better, but here’s my first draft. Thanks!

   She looked so small in the hospital bed, covered in a jungle of IV lines and wires. Brown eyes swollen, cheeks red, hands hot as summer pavement. I was frozen at her bedside, not sure if I was unable or unwilling to move. My cousin Molly was about to take her last breath as her sweet sixteen body succumbed to an illness that would be summarized as “autopsy results inconclusive.” It took eleven hours for a lifetime of plans to shatter into pieces that could never be put back together. But it has been through these broken bits of life that I discovered my affinity for healthcare, passion for helping others, and ability to relate to patients in a unique way.

   It was Tuesday, blue bandana day. I combed the few remaining wisps of silver hair while a shaking hand brought a spoonful of ice chips to her dry lips. This was Ms. E’s third blue bandana Tuesday in the hospital; pancreatic cancer left her body frail and mind broken, yet her youthful spirit remained strong. Unable to speak she smiled weakly as I laid the bandana on her head, tying it into a bow above her neck. Her husband stood by the window, gazing at his wife with crossed arms and tired eyes. “You look beautiful sweetheart,” and her weak smile transformed into a toothy grin. “It snowed last night, let’s try and walk to the window today so you can see it.” The smile was replaced with sadness – a mistake in a recent surgery had tethered her to the hospital bed, jeopardizing her freedom and ability to move on her own. I looked into her eyes, so full of fear, and touched her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you.”

   I slipped my hand under Ms. E’s left arm as a physical therapist did the same to her right. We guided her hands to the walker in front of us while the floor’s physician assistant supported her back. “One step at a time, left foot first,” the physical therapist muttered. Her frail body was shaking, translucent skin stretched across bone that would easily break if our hands failed to support her. Slowly she lifted her left foot, and then her right, and then her left again. Each step was slow, like fighting through mud that became deeper the closer we got to the window. But we kept going, one step at a time like the physical therapist said. We approached the window and sunlight reflected tears on her face, beaming as she lifted her hand from the walker and placed it on the frosted glass. Her blue bandana was saturated with sweat and I thought of Molly, who loved the color blue. I smiled to be a part of such a special moment, blessed with a little reminder of the person who inspired me to be there.

   The pieces of my life that shattered after Molly died have been picked up by patients like Ms. E. The still-jagged edges do not fit together like before, but have instead taken on a new and beautiful form that would not have existed without losing my best friend, and I am grateful for that. It is a wonderful blessing to witness the strides my patients take during recovery, and a privilege to offer comfort when they need it. As a physician assistant I will have the unique opportunity to be present as my patients take those first steps, while simultaneously be a member of the diagnostic team that provides the medicine to get them there. In memory of Molly, Ms. E, and all of the patients who shaped me I will spend my life as a physician assistant exemplifying compassion, empathy, patience, and provide the best possible care I can give.

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7. Jasmin Pimentel says

   May 17, 2019 at 3:11 pm

   This is a program specific supplementary essay. You may find the prompt after the essay.

   Although there are hundreds of physician assistant programs throughout the United States, there are few where I find my expectations match the school’s mission and efforts. The perfect PA program would have a presence in their community, whether this is through free health clinics or mentorship programs. Furthermore, the program would enhance their community by taking strides towards sustainability, explicitly using the resources efficiently and making a conscious effort as a large institution to inspire their community to do the same. Additionally, the program would help students become culturally competent—focusing on both the individual and external factors that contribute to their health.

   Emory’s push towards sustainability, reflected in their LEED silver University Hospital, shows the attention the university places to healing both the patient and their environment. Air quality, water purification, and general resources directly correlate with public health. As an Environmental club member and speaker of SGA, I was fortunate to bridge the organizations to initiate Earth Week at Florida Tech with an initiative to motivate the campus community to make small changes to decrease their footprint. Countless beach and campus cleanups made a dent, but I longed to do more. Spending much of my undergraduate career, making sustainable choices and inspiring others to do the same makes me appreciate the efforts of large institutions who can change much more.

   Under separate note, as a mentor in my high school and undergraduate years, I have seen first hand the importance of supporting younger generations to pursue their desires particularly in STEM and medical-related careers. As an assistant teacher with GEMs Explorers, my classroom was full of classically inattentive and “difficult” students. These same students, when motivated with a hands-on approach, picked up basic thermodynamics and algebra like never before. After one of my last lessons, I was shocked to see the program director calling me. She informed me of a formal complaint on the program—one set of parents wanted to know precisely why I was leaving and where I was going. Their seven-year-old son, who was never able to do homework on his own, became unforeseeably independent. That is when I realized teaching is about so much more than the material. A good teacher instills the willingness to learn and grow in its students. Looking into the 2017 PA class and the efforts they made towards mentoring young teens in their community and inspiring them to pursue their desires in STEM and medicine draws me to the school more so.

   Lastly, an Emory education has an emphasis on professional development just as much as medical knowledge. Throughout my work with medical professionals, those who stand out are those who observe the whole individual in front of them and subsequently draw conclusions. They do not preconceive a plan before fully listening to the patient or examining them. Emory’s four-part course is meant to ensure comprehensiveness in each of their students, which they may carry into clinical rotations. The cohesiveness of the whole community and camaraderie reported by Emory students draws me even more so to the program and gives me confidence that Emory’s program is the perfect program to groom me into the PA I hope to become.

   * How have your activities and life choices prepared you to become an Emory PA?
   * What do you bring to the Emory PA Program that will help the Program meet its mission?
   * What does the Emory PA Program offer you?

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