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You are here: Home / Pre-Physician Assistant / CASPA Application / The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative

The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative

September 6, 2013 By Stephen Pasquini PA-C 2,334 Comments

Are you ready to get started? Choose your package, and we will begin today!

Single Edit One-on-one Service Supplemental Essays

Your success is our passion. (See just some of our 100's of testimonials and comments below). We are ready to help. Our current PA school essay editing service status (14th August 2022): Accepting New Submissions

How-to-Write-an-Essay-copy

(Photo: Me circa 1987 just thinking about my future PA School Essay)

  • Are you struggling to write your physician assistant personal statement?
  • Are you out of ideas, or just need a second opinion?
  • Do you want an essay that expresses who you truly are and grabs the reader's attention in the required 5,000-character limit?

We are here to help perfect your PA school essay

I have written countless times on this blog about the importance of your personal statement in the PA school application process. Beyond the well-established metrics (GPA, HCE/PCE hours, requisite coursework, etc.), the personal statement is the most crucial aspect of your application.

This is your time to express yourself, show your creativity, skills, background, and make a memorable impression in seconds. This will be your only chance, so you must get it right the first time.

For some time, I had been dreaming about starting a physician assistant personal statement collaborative.

A place where PA school applicants like yourself can post your PA school essays and receive honest, constructive feedback followed by an acceptance letter to the PA school of your choice!

I have been reviewing a ton of essays recently, so many in fact that I can no longer do this on my own.

To solve this problem, I have assembled a team of professional writers, editors, and PA school admissions specilists that worked to revise and perfect my PA school application essay.

Sarah Schultz honed her writing and editing skills as a professional grant writer for nonprofit healthcare and education organizations. She gained a solid foundation in interviewing and decision-making through her role in academic admissions. A true word nerd, she holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in English Literature from Murray State University, where she was a Jesse Stuart Fellow. She is the author of seven comedic plays and had her first novel published in 2018. For the past few years, she has worked as the Team Leader for The Physician Assistant Life, where she dedicates herself to helping pre-PAs achieve their goals.

Here is what some of our clients have to say about working with Sarah
“Sarah is phenomenal! I can tell she spent a great deal of time working on my essay because the edits are above and beyond. Would recommend her and this service to everyone!” – Danielle, Pre-PA

“Sarah did such an excellent job editing my personal statement that I wanted her expertise for my supplemental essays. I’ve had multiple interview invites so far. I’m so glad I used this service, and I’m so glad I had Sarah’s help! She really took my essays to a whole new level and had good suggestions. I’m recommending her to my peers.” – Emily Crenshaw, Pre-PA

“Sarah is awesome! I am so glad I made the decision to have my essay edited with this service. Money well spent! She made my essay flawless and gave me more confidence in my essay. Thank you so much!” – Annabelle, Pre-PA

“Thank you so much for editing my essay and for your kind words. Your edits have definitely made it a stronger PS and I am proud to have it as a part of my application. Thank you for alleviating my stress on arguably the most nerve-wracking part of the CASPA app. You are incredibly talented and well-spoken, and any person that has you edit their essays is incredibly lucky! I will let you know if I have any questions, but I think each one of your edits are meaningful and super clear. I appreciate you shortening it and making it flow better. Thank you again!!!” – Karina Kapani, Pre-PA

“Sarah was the best thing to happen to my personal statement. I write pretty well but after her polishing method, all my ideas flowed a lot smoother. She was very accommodating to all my suggestions and was prompt in her responses. I will most definitely recommend my friends to take advantage of this service as well as request Sarah for their needs.” – Saumil Shah, Pre-PA

“Sarah is simply nothing short of amazing. Her ability to distill the important thoughts and themes from the given drafts is a gift. Also, her knowledge of the application process, how to time/pace the essay, and editing skills are invaluable. Thank you so much!” – Taylor Phillips, Pre-PA

“Finding the right words for reviewing Sarah being assigned to my one-on-one editing service is quite a challenging task. Simply, since Sarah goes above and beyond her job. She has been the best help that could have been sent my way during the hardest part of the application process. Before I start about how she helped with my essay, I would like to say a few things about Sarah. She is a gem of a human. There are some people you don’t meet or need to meet, to sense that they are truly caring humans. Sarah really has been a coach throughout this process. She didn’t treat me like a business and understood how important this is to me. I must admit that while purchasing this service I thought I would be just another essay to edit. I thought I would have to beg to get my questions answered or constantly email to get my stuff back in before the deadline. I was so wrong! I wasn’t treated like just another number in the pile of essays to edit, I was really given the personal editing service and a whole lot of words of encouragement in between. There was never a time when Sarah didn’t say words of positivity to me. She understood how much I’m struggling to put the pieces of my essay, which made sense in my head, on paper. I have visited a lot of pa program open house sessions and every single one stressed the importance of a good personal statement. I guess that is why I was so stressed about the statement because I knew it played just as much of a factor with my GPA, hours, and GRE. I wanted to show why I want to be a PA, that I really love caring for people and I wanted to present my unique story in a way that makes sense. Keeping those things in mind, I came to Sarah with not even a complete draft. She helped me from beginning to end. She did whatever she could, whether those be emails or extra phone sessions, to ensure I could write exactly what I wanted to say. I cannot even imagine what I would have written without Sarah’s help. I was mentioning to Sarah that in addition to my healthcare experience, I have marine biology research experience and was going to mention that in my essay. I was going to relate my dissections on marine animals to my desire to be a PA. Now that would have been a fishy situation for anyone comprehending my dedication to being a PA. Thankfully, with Sarah’s help, I only wrote about my surgical patient care experiences and not the ones of the sea, Haha! I bought this service three weeks before the deadline, in a desperate attempt of seeking help. I wish I could go back in time and seek this help sooner and tell myself that I don’t have to be stuck all alone in this. In three weeks, Sarah took what wasn’t even a draft and helped me turn it into an essay that I know speaks volumes of my desire to be a future PA. Never once was I ever rushed, and I turned in everything before the deadline. Seeing the result of my personal statement, it was no doubt to me that I would be working with Sarah for my supplemental essays. To me Sarah is the real one saving lives here, she’s helping people like me get into PA school.  Best writing coach I ever had!” – Sabura Aleem, Pre-PA

Deanna Matzen HeadshotDeanna Matzen is an author with articles featured in Earth Letter, Health Beats, Northwest Science & Technology, and the Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. With an early career in environmental science, she developed a solid foundation in technical writing. Her communication skills were further honed by producing and editing content for a non-profit website, blog, and quarterly journal. Inspired to extend her craft, she obtained a certificate in literary fiction, which she draws on to build vibrant scenes that bring stories to life. Deanna loves working with pre-PAs who are on the cusp of new beginnings to find their unique story and tell it confidently.

Here is what some of our clients have to say about working with Deanna
“Deanna was an amazing editor and provided wonderful feedback to my personal statement. I was very hesitant and nervous prior to approaching the service, but I do not have any regrets. Deanna not only critiqued my personal statement but also gave guidance and reasoning behind her critiques. I now feel confident and excited to fully present myself on paper to admissions. I highly recommend her and the services provided for any future applicant. I hope to receive an interview and acceptance this year for next fall. Thank you!” – Alexis, Pre-PA

“Deanna was amazing! She really went above and beyond the single edit that I could afford. I consider myself a fairly good writer, but she helped me focus and ground my story without sacrificing the overall creativity of the original piece. All I can say is wow! If there ever was something worth the money, this service is it!” – John, Pre-PA

“I am two for two so far with interview invites even at a top program in the country. This is my second cycle. My first cycle had no interview invites with 11 applications submitted. Your service with just these interviews so far is easily worth the price. Thank you!” – Mary Arellano, Pre-PA

“This was an AMAZING edit, and I am highly satisfied with the level of service. 100% made it a worthwhile investment. I also used myPAresource as well and, although they were helpful, I found the PA Life to be a much higher quality evaluation of my personal statement. I highly recommend it to my peers!” – Jeremy, 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 Curtis, PrepPA

Carly Hallman is a professional writer and editor with a B.A. in English Writing and Rhetoric (summa cum laude) from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. She has worked as a curriculum developer, English teacher, and study abroad coordinator in Beijing, China, where she moved in 2011. In college, she was a Gilman Scholar and worked as a staff editor for her university's academic journal. Her first novel, Year of the Goose, was published in 2015, and her first memoir is forthcoming from Little A books. Her essays and creative writing have appeared in The L.A. Review of Books, The Guardian, LitHub, and Identity Theory, among other publications.

Here is what some of our clients have to say about working with Carly
“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.” – Andy, PA-S

“Carly’s edit was absolutely fantastic. When we began, my personal statement was mostly complete in content, but the flow was choppy, and there was some awkward phrasing. Her first edit transformed my essay into a smooth, compellingly clear piece of work, and I am enormously proud of it.” – Steven Montague, Pre-PA

“Carly was fantastic and provided excellent comments and revisions. The turnover was less than 24 hours which is amazing. Thank you so much, you conveyed what I was trying to say but couldn’t find the words to do so!” – Andrew, Pre-PA

“Carly did an amazing job of strengthening my essay while still keeping it mine. All of her advice was clear and left me with enough guidance to feel confident I could further edit/add to it on my own.” – Ariella, Pre-PA

Beth Eakman has taught college writing and worked as a professional writer and editor since the late 1990s. Her projects have involved a wide range of disciplines and media, from editing technical reports to scriptwriting for the PBS Kids show Super Why! Her writing has appeared in publications including Brain, Child Magazine, New York Family Magazine, and Austin Family Magazine. Beth lives with her family just outside Austin, Texas. She is driven to help each client tell the best version of their story and achieve their dream of becoming a physician assistant. 

Here is what some of our clients have to say about working with Beth
“I rarely give all “Excellent” ratings, but this was exceptional work. Beth was quick, personable, and transformed my essay beyond expectations. I banged my head against a wall for months and was still unhappy with the final product, but reading her edit, I felt like PA school was within reach. I’d absolutely recommend this service to anyone who wants a glow up for their personal statement. ” – Adam Johnson, PA-S

“Beth did an amazing job editing my essay and it was evident that she put effort into it. Last year, I used a different PA editing service, and The PA Life did a way better job this year! Thank you!” – Jeanie Nguyen, Pre-PA

“I have dreaded submitting my CASPA application due to a lack of confidence. My academic standing and patient care hours were great, but I was struggling with refining my personal statement. After going through the one-time edit process with Beth, I am EXCITED to hit submit button with confidence. My experience with Beth was beyond anything I could have expected. She was friendly, patient, well-organized, quick, and provided outstanding edits that gave my personal statement the oomph it needed. I cannot thank Beth and The PA Life enough for providing these services and making the PA application cycle less stressful. Thank you!” – Carlee, Pre-PA

“I have not submitted my application or personal statement yet, but my mom and I were delighted with the edits and revisions made to my personal statement. Brianna was very professional, and she found the perfect way to incorporate my struggles into my personal statement. I will recommend this service to everyone that wants to apply to PA school. Not only was Brianna fast, but she did a fantastic job on the edits and explaining her reasoning behind them. ” – Marier, Pre-PA

My reviewer was incredible! I reached out to The PA Life’s editing service after being disappointed by myparesources, whom I was referred to initially. My editor composed two alternate ways to structure my journey and allowed me to find a novel way to present my personal statement. After revision, I was able to flip my lens, utilize my introduction as my conclusion, and the rest of the paper began to fall into place. Very satisfied with the quality of the work, thank you so much, The PA Life!
I wanted to reach out and thank you for your help with my personal statement. I received compliments about my essay at every interview I had. I also wanted to let you know that I will be attending Duke’s PA Program – my top choice. Your help was amazing! Thank you so much again!
I just wanted to reach out and let you that I actually got into PA school this year! Out of the 10 programs I applied to, four offered me interviews. The first interview wound up being my top choice and they offered me a spot. I accept and declined all my other interviews. So I am absolutely overjoyed! I wanted to let you know though. Your editing and help, no doubt, helped me get through the initial phase. Thank you so much! I am truly grateful.
I just wanted to let you know I interviewed and got accepted to my top choice!! Thank you so much for your help with my essay this cycle, it obviously made a huge difference and I am so excited to start this journey. You do a great service, and I am so grateful for it!
I cannot even believe it, but they just called me with the acceptance offer to the * program!!! First, I would like to thank you for helping me along my journey!! I could not have done this without your help!
I just got accepted to one of my top three school choices!
This is money well spent because not only did I receive an interview from my top choice of Pace University, but I was just accepted into their program!
Just thought I would give you a quick update. I was accepted at * and *. I still have another interview coming up, so not certain just yet where I will be going. The good news is, I AM GOING SOMEWHERE!!!!!! Thank you again for all your help!
Hello, I wanted to let you know how this application season was going for me so far. I’ve had two interviews, still have at least three more scheduled, and I received my first acceptance last week. Thank you again for your help!
Hello, I just wanted to inform you that I got into the * Pa program! I will be starting in January. Thanks so much for your help with my essay. Definitely, money well spent.
I am so grateful I found The PA Life during my application process. Our collaboration allowed my personal essay to shine and truly exemplify my motivation, inspiration, and experiences that have paved my pathway and passion for becoming a PA. I highly recommend this service. In a sea of applications, it is crucial your essay stands out, Duke will accomplish this! I have received numerous interviews and several acceptances!
I wanted to let you know that I just got accepted into my 1st choice PA program. Thank you so much for your help with my essay. I’m sure it made my application stronger and helped me secure one of the seats!
My experience with the PA Life was absolutely amazing. My editor responded to me the day after I submitted my essay for review to inform me that they had received my essay and to ask a few additional questions. I had responded to her a few hours later, and she immediately responded to inform me my essay would be ready the next day with her suggestions and edits. With this being said less than 24 hours later, my editor emailed me an edited essay, comments and explanations about her edits, and a clean copy of my essay. I was amazed and extremely satisfied with the timeliness and with how helpful the edits were. I could not be happier, and I thank The PA Life (and my editor) so much for their time and effort. I would recommend this service to anyone applying to PA school that needs a little help with their PA statement.

Read more client testimonials or purchase a revision

We Work as a Team

Our team of professional editors is wonderful at cutting out the "fluff" that makes an essay lose focus and sets people over the 5,000-character limit. Their advice is always spot-on.

Sue, Sarah, and Carly are amazingly creative writers who will take your "ordinary" and turn it into entirely extraordinary.

I mean it when I say this service is one-of-a-kind! We have spent countless hours interviewing PA School admissions directors and faculty from across the country to find out exactly what it is they are looking for in your personal statement.

We even wrote a book about it.

Edit ProcessTo collaborate, we use Google Drive.  Google Drive is free, has an intuitive interface with integrated live comments in the sidebar, the ability to have a real-time chat, to collaborate effortlessly, and compare, revise, or restore revisions on the fly.  Google Drive also has an excellent mobile app that will allow you to make edits on the go!

Our team has worked with hundreds of PA school applicants within the Google Drive environment, and we have had enormous success.

The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative

I finally have fantastic news. So first of all, in total, I was offered thirteen interviews. I was just offered a seat at Nova Orlando! I am finally going to be a PA and a big part of that was from all of your help with my personal statement. So, thank you very much for helping me succeed during this round.Jennifer. PA-S
I wanted to give a brief update: I have had 4 interviews, 2 acceptances, 1 waitlist, and waiting on one more. Right now, I have a deposit down at Univ. of Texas Medical Branch. Thanks for all your help. It really did make a difference, and I was even complimented on my narrative during a few interviews.Andrew S. PA-S
I am extremely pleased with this service. It is precisely 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

Read more client testimonials

I have set up two options that I hope will offer everyone a chance to participate:

  1. One of a kind, confidential, paid personal statement review service  
  2. A collaborative free one (in the comments section)

pototo-head-writes

Private, One-On-One Personal Statement Review Service

If you are interested in the paid service, you may choose your plan below.

The Personal Statement Review Service is:

  • Behind closed doors within a private secure network using Google Drive.
  • Completely interactive, meaning we will be able to provide real-time comments and corrections using the Google Drive interface.
  • Telephone consultations are included with all edits above the single edit level.  It’s often hard to communicate exactly what you want 100’s of miles away; for this reason, we offer the option to edit right along with us over the telephone while sharing in real-time over Google Drive.  This is an option available to all our paid clients who purchase above the single edit level.
  • We provide both revision and editing of all essays. What’s the difference? See below
  • We will provide feedback, advice, and help with brainstorming and topic creation if you would like.
  • We will help with a “final touch-up” before the big day just in case your essay needs a few minor changes.

The Physician Assistant Life Essay Collaborative Help Testimonials and Success Stories
Click Here to Read 89 Client Testimonials

Why Choose Our Service?

  • It’s not our opinion that matters. We have gone the extra step and personally interviewed PA school administrators from across the US to find out exactly what they think makes a personal statement exceptional.
  • We are a team of PAs and professional writers having worked over seven years with PA school applicants like yourself, providing countless hours of one-on-one editing and revision.
  • Our clients receive interviews, and many go on to receive acceptance into their PA School of choice.

Because we always give 100%, we will open the essay collaborative for a limited number of applicants each month and then close this depending on the amount of editing that needs to be done and the time that is available.

Our goal is not quantity, but quality. We want only serious applicants, who are serious about getting into PA school. 

Writing is not a tool like a piece of software, but more like how a photograph can capture your mood. It’s more like art. The process of developing a unique, memorable personal statement is time-intensive, and it takes hours to compose, edit, finalize, and personalize an essay.

As Antoinette Bosco once said:

Time isn’t a commodity, something you pass around like a cake. Time is the substance of life. When anyone asks you to give your time, they’re really asking for a chunk of your life.

And this is why I am charging for this service. We love helping people find stories that define their lives, and we love helping individuals who have the passion to achieve their dreams. It’s hard to describe the feeling I get when an applicant writes me back to tell me they were accepted into PA school.

There is no price tag I can place on this; it’s the feeling we get when we help another human being, it’s just like providing health care. But this takes time.

Interested? Choose your plan below.

I’ve been telling everybody that I come into contact with about the incredible value of your service and that I directly attribute your editing as a reason I got into two schools this academic cycle and received 8 invitations to interview. All the best!Jeremy Cohen, PA-S

I just wanted to take the time to comment on the services I received from the PA Life. I was extremely stressed out about writing my personal statement and finally decided to search the internet for advice and assistance. I came across the personal statement editing service on the PA Life and decided to give it a try. I received a response within a day and my stress was instantly relieved. I worked personally with The PA Life to edit my statement, and they are phenomenal writers. They didn’t change the content of my personal statement, but rather helped me tell my story in a way that is much more desirable! I cannot recommend this service enough to others seeking help on their personal statement. They are friendly, sincere, and experienced! I felt 100% confident in their editing abilities, and we worked together the entire time so that we were both pleased with the results! Thanks again, for all of your help!Chelsie, K.

Read more client testimonials.

Free Personal Statement Review

Post your essay in the comments section for a free critique

We want to make this opportunity available to everyone who would like help with their essay, and that is why we are offering free, limited feedback on the blog.

You post your essay in the comments section, and you will get our critique. It is that easy. We will try to give feedback to every single person who posts their COMPLETE essay here on this blog post in the comments section.

Also, by posting your comment, we reserve the right to use your essay.

We will provide feedback on essays that are complete and fit the CASPA requirements (View CASPA requirements here). We will not provide feedback on partial essays, or review opening or closing statements. Your essay will be on a public platform, which has both its benefits and some obvious drawbacks. The feedback is limited, but we will try to help in any way we can.

Note: Comment Rules: Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That’s how we’re gonna be — cool. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, I will delete your stuff.  Otherwise, have fun, and thanks for adding to the conversation! And this should go without saying if you feel the need to plagiarize someone else’s content you do not deserve to go to PA school.

* Also, depending on the time of year it may take me several weeks to reply!

We love working with PA school applicants, but don't just take our word for it!

Your editing and suggestions helped me out immensely!!! I cannot thank you enough for spending extra time to help make my essay really stand out, but I can tell you that it helped me land an interview with every program that I applied to and I was accepted into my top choice PA program! Jared Shaw, PA-S
I just wanted to reach out to you and say thank you again.  I was offered admissions to my number one school.  Who knows if this could’ve been possible without your help in revising my personal statement. Ashley, PA-S
Awesome service! My editor did a great job editing my personal statement and his feedback was top-notch. For the 2018 cycle, I applied to one school. I was selected for an interview and yesterday I received an offer of admission which I quickly accepted. I know my personal statement played a huge role in my success. I highly recommend this service. Read more client testimonials. Nikki Reynolds, 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
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. Not only am I grateful for your knowledge of writing and grammar (which were invaluable), but most importantly your kind words and motivation, which I needed so much at the time. You’re a great person!Alex Taylor, PA-S
I worked closely with The PA Life for the revisions on my personal statement. They must have edited my original version half a dozen times before they felt it was good enough to send off and never made it seem like an inconvenience. They always responded to my emails within a 24-hour time frame but usually got back to me within a few hours. I am very pleased with how my personal statement turned out thanks to all of their time, ideas, and direction. The service the PA Life provides is well worth the money spent! Michelle Murphy, Pre-PA
The PA Life helped me with my personal essay writing for PA school. My editor was very patient and helpful with me. I made lots of mistakes in my essay, but with their help, I was able to write a sensible essay that was good enough to get Interview calls. I highly recommend his service.Rajni, Pre-PA
I am incredibly happy with your service and would highly recommend it to any PA applicant. My editor 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. The editors took a lot of time explaining their way of thinking and understanding what I was trying to say. Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate what you are doing for others.Olga, Pre-PA
I was so glad that I chose to use the personal statement collaborative service.  The PA Life turned it (my essay) from long, rambling, and scattered to a much more concise, well-written essay. I really feel as though it represents me well! They always responded quickly, and I felt as though I got a lot of value for the money. Thank you! Jennifer, Pre-PA
I was extremely happy with this service and would recommend it to anyone applying for PA school! I am just waiting for the schools I applied to receive the final pieces of my applications.  Thank you so much for your help! Hailey, Pre-PA

How to submit your essay for the paid service

If you are serious and would like to have real, focused, and personalized help writing your personal statement please choose your level of service and submit your payment below.

After you have submitted your payment, you will be redirected to the submissions page where you can send us your essay as well as any special instructions.  We will contact you immediately upon receipt of your payment and essay so we may begin work right away.

Pricing is as follows:


One Time Edit: $135

The Personal Statement: One Time Edit

A one-time edit consists of so much more than a typical correction of grammar and spelling.

Not only do we correct those mistakes, but we also highlight issues such as the need for transitions and additional information, and identify awkward writing, flow, or theme problems.

To ensure your essay shines, we will illustrate ways to address all these issues. We may also request additional information before editing to offer suggestions to make your essay complete.

You may add additional edits at our discounted rate of $30-$50 per edit (depending on your requirements) or choose the one-on-one service that includes up to three 30-minute phone consultations and real-time collaboration.

Our goal is to help you make your essay unique.  We look forward to working with you.

FREE Bonus ($65 value): Everyone who purchases our service receives a free copy of How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement e-book, audiobook, and workbook + our brand-new book, 101 PA School Essays.


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One-On-One Editing Service: $345

1 On 1 Personal Statement Editing

One-on-one personal editing consists of a written edit and a series of personal discussions on the phone with our most experienced editors. Working from the essay you submit to us; you will get up to two thirty-minute calls and three rounds of edits. For the best result, we ask that you limit your submission to a maximum of 6,500 characters with spaces prior to sending your essay.

We will work with you to ensure that you (and your editor) believe your essay is polished enough to send to a PA school and give you a much better opportunity to get an interview. Read the reviews by many of our previous clients.

A one-time edit is extremely helpful, but nothing works better than reviewing your essay many times and making tweaks to improve it.

Here are the steps we follow:

  1. You will be assigned a professional editor.
  2. We read your essay the first time and cross out unnecessary words, phrases, and sentences as well as make suggestions and comments.
  3. We share the essay with you and have you rewrite it by following our suggestions and eliminating the crossed-out words, sentences, and phrases. The whole purpose is to get our first working copy. Google Docs keeps a history of everything we do so you don’t have to worry about losing any of your original essays.
  4. We will set up a time to meet; we’ll call you on the phone, and work on the essay together using Google Docs. We examine your new working copy of your essay one paragraph at a time. Your input is welcome throughout this process.  If we believe your essay is missing something, we will have you add it. Your answers make it possible for us to clarify items that may be vague or unclear to the PA essay readers and give us an opportunity to have you add to your essay if necessary. Our goal is always to make sure your essay remains yours and not ours.
  5. You revise the essay, and then we do the same thing all over again to ensure your essay is good enough to get you an interview. You get two 30-minute calls and three rounds of edits.

Our goal is to make your essay unique. We look forward to working with you.

FREE Bonus: Everyone who purchases our one-on-one service will get a free copy of How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement e-book, audiobook, and workbook + our latest book 101 PA School Essays a $65 value.


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Supplemental Essay: $49

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 in 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 to deviate from the question as the paragraph continues, you are not answering the question.

Find out what you want to tell the admissions team because you usually only have 300-500 words to explain yourself, although some schools may have higher word maximums.

We offer one-of-a-kind supplemental essay editing and revision based on years of experience working with 100’s of PA school applicants like yourself.

We use a tiered pricing structure that is based on character and word count so that you pay only for what you need.


For supplemental essays, we use a tiered pricing structure



Choose your plan then click "Buy Now" to submit your essay and we will get started right away!

Every purchase includes a FREE digital copy of our new 100-page eBook How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement, Our 101 PA School Admission Essays e-book, the expert panel audiobook, and companion workbook. This is a $65 value included for free with your purchase.

All credit card payments are processed via PayPal over a secure HTTPS server. Once your payment is processed you will be immediately redirected back to the essay submission page. There you will submit your essay along with some biographical info and all suggestions or comments you choose to provide. You will receive immediate confirmation that your essay has been securely transmitted as well as your personal copy of "How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement." Contact [email protected] if you have any questions, comments, or problems - I am available 24/7.


Physician Assistant Life Personal Statement Collaborative



The hourly service includes your original edit and one-on-one time over Google Drive, it is simple to add more time if necessary, but you may be surprised at what a difference just a single edit can make. We find our four-hour service to be the most effective in terms of time for follow-up and full collaboration. We are open to reduced rate add-ons to suit your individual needs.

Writing and Revision

All writing benefits from rewriting when done well.

When you are in the process of writing a draft of an essay, you should be thinking first about revision, not editing.

What’s the difference?

Revision refers to the substantial changing of text.  For example, it may include re-organizing ideas and paragraphs, providing additional examples or information, and rewriting a conclusion for clarity.

Editing, on the other hand, refers to correcting mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

On all submissions, we perform both, revision, and editing.

How to submit your PA school essay for the FREE editing service

Follow the rules above and get to work below in the comments section. I look forward to reading all your essay submissions.

- Stephen Pasquini PA-C

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?
  • 7 Essays in 7 Days: PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 1, “A PA Changed My Life”
  • PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 2, “I Want to Move Towards the Forefront of Patient Care”
  • 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.”
  • Physician Assistant Personal Statement Workshop: “To say I was an accident-prone child is an understatement”
  • 9 Simple Steps to Avoid Silly Spelling and Grammar Goofs in Your PA School Personel Statement
  • 5 Tips to Get you Started on Your Personal Essay (and why you should do it now)
  • How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement The Book!
  • How to Write “Physician Assistant” The Definitive PA Grammar Guide
  • 101 PA School Admissions Essays: The Book!
  • 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
  • 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?
  • 12 Secrets to Writing an Irresistible PA School Personal Statement
  • 7 Rules You Must Follow While Writing Your PA School Essay
  • You Have 625 Words and 2.5 Minutes to Get Into PA School: Use Them Wisely
  • What’s Your #1 Personal Statement Struggle?
  • 31 (NEW) CASPA PA School Personal Statement Examples
  • How to Prepare for Your PA School Interview Day Essay
  • Should You Write Physician Associate or Physician Assistant on Your PA School Essay?
  • Meet the World’s Sexiest PA School Applicants
  • PA School Reapplicants: How to Rewrite Your PA School Essay for Guaranteed Success
  • How to Write a Personal Statement Intro that Readers Want to Read
  • PA School Reapplicant Personal Statement Checklist
  • How to Deal with Bad News in Your Personal Statement
  • Inside Out: How to use Pixar’s Rules of Storytelling to Improve your PA Personal Statement
  • Ratatouille: A Pixar Recipe for PA School Personal Statement Success
  • Personal Statement Panel Review (Replay)
  • Mind Mapping: A Tool for Personal Statements, Supplemental Essays, and Interviews
  • Start at the End: Advice for your PA School Personal Statement

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  • The #1 Mistake PRE-PAs Make on Their Personal StatementThe #1 Mistake PRE-PAs Make on Their Personal Statement What's the #1 one mistake that potential PAs and pre-physician assistant students make while drafting their PA school personal statement? A failure to outline and plan! Outlining your personal statement is like following a proven […]
  • How to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant School Application EssayHow to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant School Application EssayOver 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 Clichés Lack of […]
  • PA School Reapplicant Personal Statement ChecklistPA School Reapplicant Personal Statement Checklist Are you reapplying to PA school and wondering if you should update or rewrite your PA school essay? There are a few reasons to update your personal statement as a reapplicant.  For one, AdComs at the schools where you've […]
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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. Nicole says

    August 11, 2022 at 6:57 pm

    My passion for becoming a physician assistant began when I was a child visiting Peru during my summer break. As a daughter of a Peruvian immigrant mother, I had the privileges of traveling and learning about my Peruvian culture from a young age. With this experience, I was also exposed to child poverty, medically underserved communities, and awareness of privileges I never knew I had in the United States.

    From this point, my desire to work in the medical field grew, for I knew that I wanted to serve communities like those in Peru. My interest continued growing when my grandmother suffered her first stroke while I was in high school in the United States. I became one of her primary caregivers and helped her with medical adherence and wound care. I also served as her medical translator at appointments and hospital stays because resources for Spanish-speaking patients were rare were we lived. Seeing challenges that others faced in Peru, along with witnessing my grandmother’s adversities here in the US, propelled my desire to continue to become a healthcare provider.

    At the time, my knowledge of physician assistants was minimal, but as I learned more about the profession, and spoke to various healthcare providers, I felt that it was the right career path for me. I valued that a physician assistant worked as a team with their supervising physician, while still being able to treat and see patients of their own. I also found the ability to work in different specialties appealing, so that their services can be used where most needed, especially in underserved communities.

    I decided to pursue my education and earn a degree in Biology, hoping to be admitted into PA school. Regretfully, I was in a very unhealthy relationship that had a negative effect on my life and education. My grades suffered and this led to academic dismissal. This time in my life was one of my greatest hardships, but it also reinforced my desire to pursue my goal of becoming a physician assistant and taught me how resilient I am. Since that time, I returned to Valencia College, then attended USFSP and established an upward trend in my GPA. However, my own health would soon face its own set of obstacles that I would have to overcome.

    In Spring 2013, I had my first medical emergency and was taken to the ER. At the time staff were unsure of what happened, but only knew I had been unresponsive for a while and lacked a diagnosis. Unanswered questions and continued episodes related to my health led to a less than satisfactory GPA that semester. In Fall 2013, I was admitted to the hospital for seizures. During this period, I had many doctors’ appointments and could not drive or live on my own. I had to request medical withdrawal from classes for that term and returned to school in Spring 2014 and did well. In Fall 2014, I was hospitalized again and I, along with my advisors and medical team, felt it was best to take a break from school until I had recovered fully and medically withdraw from that term.

    I returned to USFSP and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. From there, I applied to PA school but was not accepted. I used this as an opportunity to take more college courses such as pharmacology and pathophysiology and obtain the critical HCE hours and PCE hours I needed to become a stronger applicant and overall better future physician assistant.

    In January 2018, I became a bilingual healthcare outreach advocate for CVS health, specializing in their bleeding disorders sector with emphasis on the Latin communities and other underserved areas. During my time there, much of which I spent traveling across the country, the challenges that I saw within rural America were eye opening. Many areas had very limited or no access to medical care, which inevitably led to poor medical adherence and sometimes risky self-treatment. I learned much during my time with CVS and was able to showcase my skills and knowledge within my role. I worked closely with our nurse educator and colleagues for patient home visits and met with patient’s healthcare providers and HTCs. I also helped with navigating their insurance and copay assistance programs to ensure our patients were getting the best care possible. My role also included presenting educational materials in Spanish alongside our nurse at local chapter events and educational seminars within different communities. Such experiences only reinforced my desire to reapply to become a physician assistant.

    Throughout these experiences and challenges, I learned more about myself and who I am as a person. I am compassionate, empathetic, a team player and resilient. I have seen those I care about most struggle with their health as well as dealing with my own health challenges. I have faced low points and obstacles in my academic career and have persevered through them all. Most of all, I continued to advance and challenge myself so that I may be the best version of myself and an outstanding future physician assistant.

    Reply
  2. TS says

    August 7, 2022 at 5:23 pm

    His hospital room had a revolving door. The days turned into a haze with so many people coming in and out: drawing blood, checking vitals, asking repetitive disengaged questions; until one person was able to stop the blur of chaos. A pa walked in, but instead of using medical jargon, staring at a computer with his back turned, he faced us and asked if he could step into our world. The pa sat down, quietly gathering his thoughts, knowing the following words were going to destroy the life we created together. I cannot recall his complete sentence, only, “stage four…metastatic…I am sorry.” It was silent for a moment as we sat there in disbelief. The pa sat with us, not rushing, only waiting to help. Our eyes were filled with tears, as we bombarded him with questions. He stayed calm and unwavering, giving honest answers, and became our rock throughout the storm. Despite the gravity of the situation, the pa saw my dad as a human and not just a diagnosis.

    I grew up in a single-parent household, moving often, at times living in a tent, motor home, and trailer parks. I was determined to break this cycle and become the first generation to go to college. When I was young my dad saw how captivated I was with an old medical book my grandma had and began telling me that I should go into the medical field. This thought was foreign to me, being from a low-income family, we were taught to avoid medical treatment due to cost. Confused by this notion, I focused on my ambition of graduating college. I majored in international business and although it was a gratifying achievement, something was missing. It was not until later, through the experience of my dad’s cancer, that I discovered my passion. I finally realized what my dad had told me growing up, the medical field is my true calling. When I told my dad this, he just smiled and said, “a dad always knows.”

    While taking care of my dad at home on hospice I enrolled in an accelerated EMT program and finished top of my class. A week later, he passed away. For the past seven years, in his memory, I have volunteered my time and services to the American Cancer Society: Relay for Life. The cancer diagnosis that shattered my world is what led to me finding my purpose. It allowed me to discover a career that complements my strengths and talents.

    I have been working as an emergency medical technician for over seven years. I worked two years in an ambulance and five years in the emergency department of a level two trauma hospital. With every shift, I became more enthralled with helping people find strength and understanding in their darkest times. I work side by side with medical professionals of varying specialties and have established that my strength and passion lie within the pa profession. While working both jobs, I went back to school to complete my prerequisites for pa school but was unable to maintain the necessary grades. I am determined to become a pa, so I made changes to help improve my GPA. I left the job in the ambulance and went part-time in the emergency department. This allowed me to focus on my grades while still gaining invaluable experience in the medical field.

    Working and shadowing with pas has provided me a great understanding of the pa role. The requirements to be a great pa extend past educational excellence, being an effective team member, and having unparalleled time management skills. A pa must also embody the very meaning of being human. We must be able to actively listen, convey compassion, build rapport, communicate effectively and advocate for all patients. Showing compassion by holding the hand of the confused elderly patient that fell out of bed and needs sutures. Building rapport with the psych patient that is paranoid about the paper towel dispenser in his room. Advocating for a repeat EKG for the man with constant chest pain to find a change in rhythm and taking him to Cath lab. Doing a manual heart massage on the teenage gunshot victim I had to pull out of the car. Reading the body language of the teenage girl brought in by her “father” multiple times this month to discover that she is a victim of sex trafficking. These examples are only a snapshot of my experiences that prove the strength in my abilities to become a pa.

    My decision to become a pa did not come on a whim. It was the many twists and turns through life that helped me find my path. For years I have strived tirelessly, doing research, shadowing, volunteering, and working with many different medical professionals to ensure this career is right for me. I will be the pa that unflinchingly guides patients through their diagnosis and treatment plans, addresses concerns in a comprehensible manner, and remains steadfast in the commitment to maintaining humanity in medicine. I am eager to advance my education through your program and become a great pa.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      August 8, 2022 at 8:12 am

      TS,
      I am so sorry about the loss of your father, and I know you will honor him through your compassionate care as a provider.
      I think you are off to a very good start. I would highlight some of the clinical skills you have gained along the way.
      Also, just so you know for future writing, it is PAs, not pas.
      I wish you good luck, TS.

      Reply
  3. Carly says

    August 4, 2022 at 5:34 pm

    Volunteering in the Tenderloin neighborhood in San Francisco, California and the refugee camps in Greece was agonizing and heart-wrenching. During these trips, I observed people with identifiable skin lesions, yellowed eyes, arms bearing evidence of drug use, infected toes, and mental illnesses. These people were considered outcasts; they were, unhomed, tossed out, and with no one there to keep them stable or healthy. Serving the disadvantaged pulls at the corners of my heart. It aches for those living with no shelter, wearing shoes that are half their true size, or laying in their own urine. At first, serving these individuals brought a smile to my face. But as I dove deeper into their sufferings, the service brought inward sorrow. One day, I found myself emotionally torn down from a long day of carrying their concerns and poverty on my shoulders, and tears streamed down my sweaty face. I felt helpless; I was just a VOLUNTEER, as indicated on my name badge. I could not prescribe them antibiotics for their infections, or medications like suboxone to help manage their drug misuse. I was only authorized to provide them meals, wish them blessings, and hope for the best outcomes. Stubbornness and frustration was the theme of my outlook during these trips.I pondered, “How is one meal or one a Band-Aid going to help this drug user on the street?” I asked if we could hand out items such as contraceptives, sanitizing wipes, or nicotine patches. The programs responded with, “We are unable to provide funding in this region for these supplies.”
    These settings sparked my interest in public health, which grew into the pursuit of a Bachelors of Science in Public Health. This degree has allowed me to take into account not only the biology of populations but their overall environment, education, social status and lifestyle. I use this knowledge in work to understand health outcomes in undergoing care of a diverse population with varied social status, geography and education level.
    During college, I worked as an occupational therapy aide, where we slowly progressed the patient’s muscles giving them strength to continue their daily routines again. In guiding them through their exercises they found trust, peace and sympathy in me. The relationship that begins with each patient is a connection that demands empathy, compassion and intellect from the provider. Injuries and surgeries are events that no patient hopes for but providers must be there to pick up the pieces physically and emotionally. I felt honored to provide care to patients who had undergone surgery and trusted us to bring back their simple movements like picking up a pencil or their cell phone. The relationships that I built with the patients were rewarding and enticed me to continue on the track of becoming a PA.
    After working part time in a primary care clinic and graduating from Cal Poly, I secured a position as a medical assistant in a dermatology clinic working directly with a PA. Working in this busy clinic requires me to be at my best while scribing, discussing pathology results, removing sutures, performing wound care and assisting in surgery. Providing healing with medicine, interventions and manipulations of the body’s systems absolutely thrills me. Providers transverse into every sphere of the body during its most sensitive and private times. During these times, I have witnessed multiple providers calm patients’ anxiety just as I hope to do one day as a PA. I am able to do my part now by helping calm patients during procedures such as shave biopsies, cosmetic procedures, excisions and MOHS surgery. This experience has certainly showcased the importance of team based healthcare in treating threatening melanoma and other skin cancers. The PA I work with is instrumental in treating, prescribing, performing biopsies and other minor procedures prior to an excision from the proven skin cancer by the doctor. After surgery is complete, I am able to remove the sutures, perform wound care and communicate to the patient after care instructions. I am hopeful to become a more prominent player in the teamwork that occurs in healthcare.
    A Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies would enhance my value as a provider on a healthcare team. I would truly be able to contribute to individuals in this world with true compassion. I am eager to serve diverse communities with a knowledgeable mind and open heart making an ultimate impact in their lives. Strategizing and delivering permanent solutions is what I am driven to contribute to patient’s lives. While being a volunteer and medical assistant helped me build a foundation for interacting with different populations, I do not want to be limited by the scope of my role. Rather, I want to provide care as a medical professional, making important and long lasting impacts in the lives of those that need it most.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      August 8, 2022 at 8:00 am

      Carly,
      Your desire to make a lasting impact is woven throughout your essay.
      I think it would be impactful to add a patient care story that shows you in action connecting on a personal level with one of the patients you have served. You may want to use a story from your work as a medical assistant.
      I would also further spotlight some of the reasons that the PA profession appeals to you over another type of provider. What about working with this PA has confirmed your decision?
      I’m not saying you need this, but should you want more help, remember we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
      I wish you good luck, Carly.

      Reply
  4. Whitney Prosperi says

    August 3, 2022 at 12:49 pm

    Lekala,
    Your introduction does a great job of grabbing the reader’s attention and revealing some of your motivations to become a PA.
    I can sense that you have a passion to advocate for patients and expand care.
    I would suggest including a patient care story that shows you in action providing care of some kind while connecting with a patient on a personal level. You want to reveal some of your character traits that will make you an exceptional PA.
    You also may want to highlight some of the clinical skills and medical knowledge you have gained.
    I wish you good luck on your journey!

    Reply
  5. Maddie Z says

    August 2, 2022 at 2:55 pm

    I was pinned up against the door, my patient’s nails digging into my arm and her face inches from mine when I realized: I get to do this for the rest of my life. This patient was staying at the hospital because her memory was diminishing and her temperament was erratic. These changes were happening rapidly and her providers had no explanation as to why. She hated being in the hospital and didn’t understand why she was there, leading to her holding me hostage in her room begging me to let her leave. Normally, someone would see this as aggressive behavior from a patient and feel no sympathy towards them, but when I looked in her eyes I did not see anger or intentional aggression, I saw fear. I saw someone seeking comfort and help and she was communicating that in the only way her brain could reason how. When I saw that look I knew that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I wanted her to know that I could see her, I could understand her, and that I was there to help her.

    Caring for someone who previously attacked you is surely not for the faint of heart – in fact caring for another person in general is not for everyone – but I feel my LNA instructor put it best when she said “you don’t choose healthcare as a career, healthcare chooses you”, and she was absolutely right. I would like to say that I wanted to be a PA my whole life, but that’s simply not true. It wasn’t until I started going to physical therapy during my freshman year of high school that I realized I loved medicine. I loved learning about how and why the body works; how each part works as a team to complete a task. This love further grew as I looked into other healthcare positions, and I fell upon physician assistants. What caught my attention about PAs is the ability to work with independence, while also working as a team with other providers. I believe that patients get the best care when their situation is assessed from different angles, so it is important to have different people from varying backgrounds and experiences on their team to best meet their needs. What also drew me to the PA profession is that I can still do what I love as an LNA, becoming close with and caring for my patients, while also providing them with a much higher level of care than I can do now.

    I understand many of the challenges that come with becoming a PA, as the education is accelerated and it is an extremely competitive field, but I am no stranger to challenges. When I transferred to the University of Vermont from the University of New England I had to take a semester off, putting off my projected graduation date to the fall of 2021 instead of the spring. Instead of succumbing to this obstacle, I took classes full time over the summer and worked hard to keep my grades up so that I could graduate on time. During my senior year of college, I was working two part time jobs as an LNA and a nanny, planning my wedding, and caring for my father who had suffered a severe ischemic stroke and a transient ischemic stroke within two months of each other. Despite these challenges that continued to be thrown my way, I graduated on time and with good grades.

    When sharing with people that I want to be a PA, many people mention the necessary preparedness, not only for the academic challenges, but for the emotional challenges that come with it as well. The feeling of losing a patient, seeing your patient deteriorate, or knowing that there is nothing more that you can do. I feel that my experiences as an LNA have greatly prepared me for this obstacle. I have cared for patients’ bodies after they have passed, and assisted patients as they lose basic skills such as eating and walking, and sometimes even forgetting their own name. While this is always devastating and never easy, I find it helps to think about the difference I am making in my patients’ lives. How a man who was almost entirely paralyzed was able to crack a small smile when I remembered that he loves cop shows, or how I helped a bedbound patient learn to walk again alongside occupational therapists. It’s these small moments that draw me so deeply to be a PA, because there is no greater feeling than altruistically caring for another person, while also pursuing a passion for medicine.

    Through my experiences working as an LNA and alongside PAs, the exciting moments and the melancholy, I know wholeheartedly that treating patients as a PA is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I have learned so much about patient interaction, and I want to further my education so I can enhance the level of care that I can provide. I am ready for the challenges that await me and feel confident in my ability to succeed as a PA.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      August 3, 2022 at 1:15 pm

      Maddie,
      I can sense your passion to help patients woven throughout your essay.
      I would suggest adding some dialogue to your introduction that shows you calmly responding to this patient. You want to show some of those traits that will make you a strong PA who stays calm in chaos.
      I would also include more details about your work history, clinical skills and medical knowledge.
      If you have any shadowing experience, include that. Describe an interaction that solidified your decision to become a PA. (between PA/patient or PA/supervising physician)
      You may even want to refer back to your introduction in your conclusion.
      I wish you good luck, Maddie.

      Reply
  6. Jill says

    July 28, 2022 at 4:33 pm

    While at Union College, I participated in both cross country and track. Participating in both seasons, meant I never had an off-season. I would train year-round and more times than not, I would have two practices a day. One practice at six in the morning to complete my mileage and another practice at eight in the afternoon to lift weights for strength training. While running is not only a very physically strenuous sport, it also involves mental toughness to push yourself through up to thirteen miles at a time. Dedication to the sport is essential, if you miss a few practices your body is no longer at peak performance, and you will let yourself and your team down. The skills of dedication, determination, and just physical hard work will broadcast themselves in my work as a physician assistant. Aside from competing, I was nominated team captain by my fellow athletes and coaches. The skills I have learned by being a team captain will be essential to my work as a PA because I will oversee my patients’ care, and I will need to lead my nurses and techs to provide the most beneficial care possible. My time management and organization skills will help me to handle the patient load and use my time effectively at work to see and help the most patients possible. Being a collegiate athlete has prepared me in every way possible to become the best well-rounded individual I could be to succeed as a physician assistant.

    Reply
  7. Jill says

    July 28, 2022 at 2:19 pm

    On April 14th, ten years ago, a tragic accident that left me devastated also left a growing curiosity for medicine that inevitably made me into the curious and driven woman I am today. Every Saturday I would go to the job site with my grandpa who built houses for a living. As I finish up my beloved breakfast of a chicken biscuit and yoo-hoo, grandpa announces that he is going to move the loader down the hill to allow space for the concrete trucks to deliver. I watch as he starts the loader and proceeded down the hill when one of the tires hit a hole in the ground causing my grandpa to fall off the loader right under the tire. I drop my biscuit and yell for my dad while running to my grandpa. He is on the ground, tire tracks on his exposed abdominal organs. He tries to get up as I push him to the ground and hold pressure on his flattened stomach. He says, “just get me some Tylenol and I’ll be ready for this truck to come”. The ambulance comes and takes my grandpa and that was the last time I saw the face of my best friend.
    Many years later, my curiosity for the human body grows thinking back on grandpa’s accident and his inability to feel the pain of his injuries. I then immersed my curiosity into my volunteer work through TJ Samson Rehabilitation Services. At TJ Rehab, I work alongside physical, occupational, and speech therapists to provide therapy to children with autism, down syndrome, and developmental disabilities. By being involved in this program, I have come to realize that I am driven to be an advocate for undervalued populations. Through my volunteer work, I have organized walks, school programs, and even camps such as Camp TJ. These programs not only provide the critical resources needed for the children but also allows the children to have a sense of purpose and inclusion.
    When I received academic and athletic scholarships to Union College, I joined many highly regarded organizations such as student ambassadors, spiritual life internships, and peer tutoring. One of my pivotal points was when I was a spiritual life intern, it allowed me to volunteer and aid in community development for underserved populations. We would spend our time with the local churches holding food and clothes drives, health fairs, and community dinners. On top of the community development, I was working on, I was team captain of the Union College Cross Country and Track team. It requires great leadership and dedication to excel at my sport by being a leader and serving as a good example.
    When COVID-19 hit, I had to move back home to Glasgow, KY, and continue my education at Western Kentucky University. During my time at WKU, I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in biophysics and participated in the PA club and intermural sports. My first semester at WKU was a struggle for me academically, I was trying to adjust to not only a new school but Covid restrictions as well. Due to these unforeseen circumstances, my grades that semester dropped and even caused me to obtain a C in organic chemistry. I believe that if circumstances were different, I would have excelled in chemistry and obtained a higher grade. By my second semester at WKU, I understood what was needed to get the grades I desired.
    With the growing desire to be in the medical field, I started a job as a phlebotomist at Bowling Green Medical Center, in the emergency department. While responding to a trauma call, I rush to the trauma bay to obtain my blood sample for the lab when Jessica Strunk, PA-C comes into the trauma room and begins to call orders for the code. I was just staring up at her wondering who she was and how she handles the situation with such grace and urgency. After a few rounds of compressions and epinephrine being pushed, the doctor comes in and proceeds to let Jessica lead while he obtained an airway. Later that week, I asked Jessica if I could shadow her and see what all her job entails. I knew after the first day I shadowed her, I knew that being a PA is my life calling. While shadowing under her, I have been able to witness not only the qualities of an amazing PA but also the quality of having a good bedside manner and the assertiveness to maneuver the fast-paced work environment.
    My desire to practice as a physician assistant has slowly shaped and developed throughout my life in various ways. I believe that God has organized these events in my life to set me up for a career as a PA. From my witnessing a traumatic accident to my passion for serving undervalued and underserved populations and even my work as a phlebotomist, the best way for me to pursue my passion and answer my calling is by becoming a physician assistant.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      August 3, 2022 at 1:05 pm

      Jill,
      First of all, I am so sorry about the tragic loss of your grandpa. I cannot imagine how traumatic that must have been for you, and I trust that your legacy of service will honor his life.
      You have many strong elements in your essay. I would suggest adding a patient care story that shows you in action connecting with a patient on a personal level. You want to spotlight some of those personal skills you have that will make you an exceptional PA.
      I would also add in some more details about what specifically draws you to the PA profession as opposed to another type of provider. (more time/connection with patients, ability to switch specialties, expand access to care to underserved populations)
      I wish you good luck in the process, Jill.

      Reply
  8. Hannah G. says

    July 25, 2022 at 5:38 pm

    I am a fixer who found purpose in tragedy. Since I was a little girl, I’ve made it my personal purpose to fix everyone and everything. At 13, I was the confidant and relentless cheerleader for my homeless, drug addicted uncle. It wasn’t his fault, after being molested since he was 6, he’s known nothing but drugs to calm the voices in his head. I’d take phone calls night after night locked in my room thinking I could save him if I just took one more call. When I couldn’t, I turned to music, learned guitar, and I would sing and perform. I poured my soul into every song I sang and wrote. I made it my therapy; a way to show others they weren’t alone by giving a voice to the things everyone was afraid to talk about.

    Fast forward to 16. I wrote letters, made phone calls, tried to intervene, yearning to be the one that could save my dad from drowning in the alcohol he used to hide the PTSD lingering in the shadows left by what he has seen as a firefighter. Still, there was nothing I could do to help enough.

    Finally, after graduating college I felt I could make a real difference. I travelled to a new city and became a medical assistant. I dealt with a patient who has been shot 22 times and lived to tell the story. Irreversible neurological damage rendered him unable to speak and irreparably fearful of everyone and everything around him. I sat with him for as long as he needed me to for him to feel safe, helped him fill out forms, walked him through our new patient process step by step. He wrote notes to me to communicate. I still have the ones he wrote thanking me for being patient with him. And I remember beaming for the rest of the day, yet still left heartbroken wondering how there would be anyone who wouldn’t be patient with him.

    Now as a cardiac tech I’m faced with a military patient. Being seen for heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Eyes darting from side or side, fidgeting with his keys. After telling me about all the tours he’s done and accomplishments he has achieved, he can’t stop fidgeting. He became enraged when I asked him if he ever experienced anxiety. “I’m a marine, I don’t have anxiety. I came here for my heart”. And yet, after countless tests come back clean and clear, he looks at us angered and defeated. Saying he doesn’t understand. His pain was effecting so many parts of his health, and he didn’t even know it.

    This is what has brought me to healthcare. PTSD and emotional trauma has become such a forefront that continues to be misunderstood and misinterpreted. But each tribulation that I’ve lived through have further steadied my hands, sharpened my curiosity, widened my mind, and softened my compassion. I flourish in adversity and I believe this is what will make me a wonderful physician assistant. I realize through my interactions with patients that there is still so much work to be done, and I want to pave roads for healing. I want to educate patients. I want to create a medical environment that facilitates safety and through that safety, bears growth and healing. As a PA, the paths to doing so are endless. Emergency care, providing a calm and compassionate voice with immediate trauma. Primary care with the underserved, honoring voices that rarely get to be heard. Working with PTSD victim and veterans in psychiatry, introducing each patient to the intricacies of healing, creating plans and care team networks to guide them through the process. I didn’t know it as a little girl, but it couldn’t be clearer to me now. Every experience has molded me to become a provider for those who have not yet found their voice, and teaching them how to sing.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      August 3, 2022 at 12:58 pm

      Hannah,
      Your passion and ability to help others radiates through every word of your essay.
      I would suggest condensing where you can so that you have room to add in more essential elements of your journey.
      First, you will want to share what specifically appeals to you about the PA profession over another type of provider. (the ability to switch specialties? the opportunity to expand access to care for underserved patients? more time/contact with patients?)
      You also want to spotlight any clinical skills and medical knowledge you have gained along the way.
      Also, I would describe any shadowing experience you have. What about an interaction between PA/patient or PA/supervising physician solidified your decision?
      I wish you good luck, Hannah.
      I’m not saying you need this, but should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.

      Reply
  9. Lekala Moore says

    July 22, 2022 at 1:32 pm

    “Your daughter “possibly” has herpes.” These are the words a doctor says to a 16-year-old virgin as she sits across from her mother. The purpose of the visit was itching, but somehow this appointment ended up with a painful examination being performed. All while an innocent young girl is being judged by her mother all from the word “possibly”, told by a doctor. This caused judgmental stares from her mother and an ocean of tears and screams of “I don’t know” and “I’m innocent” on the car ride back home. Little did the 16-year-old girl know that this was just the start of a gynecologist misdiagnosing her and brushing off her pains. This 16-year-old is me and why I want to be a physician assistant.
    Growing up in a poverty-stricken home in rural North Carolina going to the doctor for annual wellness exams was never done. We relied upon over-the-counter drugs and rest to fix any ailments we may have had. This method had worked until I started feeling sharp pains in my lower abdomen. After countless days of sudden sharp pains and taking multiple Ibuprofen pills with no relief, I was scheduled for my first physical. With a wait time of two hours at the small health clinic, I was finally able to be seen by the doctor. It didn’t take long for the doctor to come in and say that I should get an ultrasound done and that I should be put on birth control. Again, there were the judgmental stares from my mother all from a doctors’ words. My mother quickly made the appointment for birth control and the ultrasound all while I was left still in pain and confusion. After being put on birth control and receiving the ultrasound I waited for a call from the health clinic for the results of the procedure but there was nothing. My family told me no news is good news, but I knew that was wrong. I still had the sharp pains that would cause me to leave school early and occasionally vomit from how much pain I was in. This consistent pain sparked my interest in healthcare I wanted to understand my body and why I was feeling the way I was.
    In high school, there was a health careers class that would teach you about the human body and what careers you could pursue in healthcare. With this class, I was able to truly fall in love with healthcare; I loved the idea of helping others just like me that were confused about medical jargon and who were scared to talk to their doctors. After taking the health career pathway in high school I applied to Winston-Salem State University to pursue a career in Healthcare Management. I loved the motto for the program, “A Mind for Business. A Heart for Healthcare, and a Degree for Both.” I know that to truly help a patient; it is important to understand the business aspects of healthcare. During my college career, I was still searching for a female gynecologist who would finally be able to help me get to the bottom of these random sharp pains I was experiencing. After many searches, I found a doctor who listened to my concerns and gave me an ultrasound the same day. With that ultrasound, I found out that I had ovarian cysts the size of golf balls on my ovaries. She quickly gave me progesterone shots and told me that the pains I was experiencing were coming from the cysts. I immediately broke down into tears from finally having the answer I had been searching for over the years. Talking to my doctor solidified my choice of becoming a healthcare provider.
    After college, I worked at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in the Office of Cancer Health Equity. Here I was able to see the social determinants that many cancer patients have. I was able to meet patients and hear their stories, work with the Patient Navigators to get the needed resources their patients might need, and lastly volunteer in the community to educate and inform community members about the importance of cancer screenings. While working in the office I had the opportunity to talk to a variety of healthcare professionals across the multidisciplinary team. I met a physician assistant intern who allowed me to ask her questions on the difference between being a doctor and a PA. She informed me that there wasn’t much difference, but she had much more time with her patients than most doctors had, and she was able to build a better bond with her patients. When hearing those words, I knew I wanted to become a physician assistant. My goal is to return to my rural, medically underserved community and help those who were confused just like me. I believe that every obstacle I went through helped me become the person I am today. From the traumatic experience at 16 to meeting my gynecologist, working in the Office of Cancer Health Equity, and finally meeting that PA who opened my eyes to this new goal. This is just the beginning of my journey and with your institution, I know you will help shape me into becoming a well-rounded physician assistant so I can help those around me.

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      August 2, 2022 at 5:05 pm

      Hi Lekala! I love your essay and would like to post it to our blog as an example of how an essay should be written. This essay is perfect. It is honest, vulnerable, and engaging!

      Warmly,

      Stephen Pasquini PA-C
      CEO/Founder
      http://www.smartypance.com
      http://www.thepalife.com
      http://www.paschoolfinder.com

      Join our free PA Life community at https://community.thepalife.com

      Reply
  10. Will H. says

    July 19, 2022 at 7:00 pm

    Thank you for your time and expertise! Please take the shotgun to it.

    The ER was my first exposure to physician assistants, and it was enthralling. I relished the lessons ranging from symptomology, interpretation of diagnostics, treatments, and other clinical pearls of wisdom. These PAs were experiencing their work as synchronized with who they were on a personal and emotional level. A sense of purpose, enthusiasm, and willingness to work harder to contribute was palpable. These were the people I aspire to become.
    For the first time, I found a crystal clear role which aligned with my calling. It embodied the intersection of the applied biological sciences, humanitarianism, and the fight for social justice. In collaboration with a physician, I, as a PA, would be a conduit to improving health through performing the physical examination, diagnosis, and treatment of disease by way of testing, therapeutics, and offering preventative education to patients. Likewise with these skills and expertise, I intend to fill some holes in our nation’s healthcare system by providing better access to society including the special needs population, BIPOC, veterans, immigrants, and refugees. I reason since our bodies are the only true possessions we have in our lifetimes; the unburdening of disease offers the potential for a person to live a fulfilling life and contribute something beneficial for the rest of humanity. For these reasons, I have spent the past 15 years clawing forward “reeducating” myself while gaining experience on the periphery of medicine. But this odyssey to answer the call has been anything BUT smooth.
    First step involved eliminating the fixed mindset I brought with me to college: no effort needed, I am smart, I deserved “A’s”. My intellect and sense of self-worth were inextricably tied to the external validation of a grade rather than what I had genuinely learned. This mindset influenced the strategies I used, which worked through high school. But coupled with poor prioritization skills, proved academically fatal in my undergraduate studies. I had adopted a laissez-faire attitude about my GPA and gave up. I still wince at the 2.58. A branding of my sin accompanied by a haunting feeling of failure.
    Years later after coming across psychologist Carol Dweck’s book, Mindset, I evolved. I swallowed the bitter pills, hit the reset button, and began taking classes. With time and renewed perseverance, I internalized the growth mindset espoused in her book by leaning into challenges. Mistakes were lessons, not judgments. While juggling postbaccalaureate courses I worked as a clinical care technician then an ER scribe. These positions supplemented with volunteering as an EMT on a local rescue squad. That haunting feeling began to dwindle.
    Then came a barrage of pitches. A curveball came in the form of breast cancer. My mom was ill, suffering from the stress and anguish of my original sin. Next came a literal fastball to my head. I had sustained a concussion while coaching my Special Olympics flag football team. To this day, I continue to have post concussive symptoms, but I stay the course.
    Last came the knucklecurve ball. I found mom lying in bed at 5:44pm on April 17th, 2020. My Spidey sense tingled immediately. She managed to moan of the “worst headache ever” and chills. The house was a comfortable 75 degrees and 2 thick blankets covered her. A quick examination revealed a GCS of 12-13, slight left facial droop, diminished left grip strength with arm drift, and slurred speech. Cincinnati positive, a likely stroke. Call to 911 at 5:47pm. While EMS was inbound, any possible obstacles which would hinder moving her to the ambulance moved. Paramedics arrived and confirmed my findings. At 6:03pm I watched the ambulance speed around the corner with my mom. Was this the last I would see my mom alive? I felt deeply alone.
    The experience was surreal as I encountered dozens of EMS calls and ER evaluations involving stroke patients, most of which did not end well. My stupor interrupted at 7:44pm by the anticipated phone. “Will, it’s Siama, Dr. Durrani,” she began, “you saved your mom’s life. You did good.” After relaying mom’s medical history, I inquired if I could come down to the ER. Her reply was, “of course, you are part of our family.”
    In the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, an aneurysm popped in my mom’s head causing a subarachnoid hemorrhage. To be frank, I do not believe I saved my mom’s life. I would have done the same for anyone. Right place, time, and experiences aligned at a critical moment. But Dr. Durrani’s sentiment continues to resonate with me. Each ordeal has not only reinforced my drive but fosters a deeper empathy and compassion I hope that as a PA, I extend to another member of the human family in their time of need when they feel afraid, abandoned, or alone.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      July 21, 2022 at 8:03 am

      Will,
      The story about your mom is incredible. You may consider moving that to become your introduction. Next, you could transition into your description of what appeals to you about the PA profession specifically. I would describe what exactly draws you to that role over other roles in healthcare.
      I also recommend describing your work experience and clinical skills gained along the way. I would include a patient care story that shows you in action connecting on a personal level while providing clinical care of some kind.
      If you have shadowing experience, describe any interactions you witnessed that solidified your decision. (between PA/patient or PA/supervising physician)
      I suggest moving the discussion about your grades to the paragraph before your conclusion. This allows you to establish the more positive aspects of your experience first.
      I’m not saying you need this, but should you want more help we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
      I wish you good luck, Will.

      Reply
      • Will H. says

        July 21, 2022 at 9:54 am

        Thank you for the feedback Miss Prosperi. It is truly truly appreciated. To be frank I am more of a scientific prose > poetry. So this first draft was cognitively draining. I will take the suggestions into account and likely acquire the revision services.

        Reply
  11. Zakiya Scott says

    July 14, 2022 at 3:04 pm

    Imagine laying in bed for 9 months with an IV stuck in your arm, wondering if you would ever gain use of your left hand again. There is swelling starting from the tips of your fingers, down through to your forearm. Your hand is black, peeling, and infected with yellow pus oozing out of it. It is scary to look at and makes you feel ashamed to show your hand in public. Then due to the prolonged swelling, you have lost the full use of that hand, which also means that you are unable to work. Can you believe this started as a small rash after a family vacation? A week of fun with the family had a vicious ending.

    This was the reality my mother dealt with while caring for five children. It took more than 5 months for the doctors to diagnose her. This was only after prescribing her a multitude of creams and treatments. These treatments caused her rash to become severely infected. After many different referrals, a doctor was finally able to get her proper testing, only to discover she had Lyme disease. Seeing my mother go through this pain and stress at the tender age of 8, was traumatic for me. I couldn’t understand why no one knew what was wrong with her or why none of the treatments were working. She was bedridden for almost a year and had to undergo physical therapy before she was able to fully use her hand again. This is the first event that sparked my interest in Healthcare.

    At a routine physical exam, I had an impactful conversation with my doctor. Dr. Conde spoke to me about her experiences in healthcare in our hometown, recently renamed “Little Caribbean” in Brooklyn, New York. She told me that in an area that was predominantly populated by people of color, we were not being adequately represented in health care. She worked at a local hospital after medical school and was the only black woman in her department. She wanted to inspire other people of color to go into health care and give back to the communities they grew up in. She motivated me even more, to pursue healthcare. I have always been passionate about helping others and her experiences resonated with me.

    At an early age, I was pushing myself to become as well-rounded as possible. I studied hard and it paid off when I was given the opportunity to skip the seventh grade. I could see this lifted some financial pressure off of my parents who both worked two jobs to send me to private school and I was happy to make them proud. In high school, I was chosen to join an early college program that allowed me to get my Associate’s degree by the age of 16. This was very difficult as I was enrolled as a full-time student while taking high school classes and being captain of the track and field team. I did not back down from the challenge but instead embraced this experience as a test in leadership and discipline. I am grateful for the preparation and insight it gave me before starting my undergraduate career.

    In May 2022, I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences with a focus in Medical Microbiology. To expand my leadership and teaching skills, I worked as an undergraduate teaching assistant in a microbiology laboratory. This allowed me to familiarize myself with laboratory techniques and gain teaching experience. In the summer of 2021, I worked on a research project focused on identifying components involved in the sensory pathways of Hydra, practicing in-situ hybridization, and confocal microscopy. These experiences taught me valuable lessons in presenting, showed me how to work with others, and helped me explain complex topics in ways that the general population may understand. I also became the president of the Black student union. This enhanced my leadership skills and taught me about administration, planning, and management. I worked to use this platform to spread knowledge on human rights, sexual health, and mental health throughout my campus, three factors that heavily affect college students. Which I found to be especially important in a culture where sexual and mental health has been so stigmatized. After graduation, I began working as a physical therapist aide helping people through their injuries and encouraging their progress. This job helped with my communication skills and ability to explain the importance of treatment plans to patients.
    Growing up in Brooklyn has played a large role in my passion. My parents have high blood pressure. One of my grandmothers had diabetes and the other battled breast cancer twice. Similar scenarios are true for many in low-income communities who are more likely to be affected by chronic diseases. Access to adequate health care services should be available to everyone. My goal is to break down the walls that hinder the well-being of every single community. In the end, I want to be able to educate others, foster learning, and give access to the necessities that can aid in keeping people healthy. The role I want to play in this battle starts with becoming a Physician’s Assistant.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      July 21, 2022 at 7:38 am

      Zakiya,
      What an ordeal for your mother and your family. I know you are grateful for her full recovery.
      I would add in some more details about what appeals to you about the PA profession. You do a good job of explaining your desire to expand access, but what other aspects draw you to this role? (ability to switch specialties, collaboration with a supervising physician and healthcare team?)
      I would also add a patient care story that shows you in action connecting with a patient on a personal level while providing care. You want to show some of the traits that will make you an effective and compassionate PA.
      I would describe any clinical skills you have gained along the way through your different roles. Also, if you have shadowing experience, describe how this confirmed your decision to pursue the PA profession.
      I wish you good luck, Zakiya.

      Reply
  12. Kimberly Rebecca says

    July 13, 2022 at 9:33 am

    At the age of six, one storming evening, I went to carry my dog, when all of a sudden, he bit deeply into my chin. Immediately, I screamed from the instant sharpness of pain I felt and my mom rushed me to the hospital as she saw blood rapidly dripping from my face. Once we arrived, I didn’t have to wait long before a couple doctors and nurses walked in to assess my wound. I felt a rush of fear enter my stomach, as I never enjoyed doctor appointments, however one doctor noticed the fear in my face and walked away. When she came back, in her hand was a watermelon flavored lollipop that made my tears subside. Throughout my time in the ER, she was extremely attentive and while explaining what was happening to my mom, she also did her best to speak to me in a way that was understandable and relatable. It was the first experience that sparked my interest in the healthcare field and would create my passion to comfort my patients’ during times of fear by creating a connection on a personal level, the same way this doctor did for me.
    In high school, I began to research and explore the different aspects and roles of healthcare. I took the initiative during my sophomore year to join the Pre-Med/Medical Explorers after school club. This extracurricular gave me the opportunity to connect and interact with other peers who shared my same interest for medicine. One of my first observing experiences happened in a local community hospital near my school and as a group we were able to spend time shadowing different providers who shared their experiences. Being able to observe healthcare providers interact with patients and be educated on the foundation of their medical career solidified my decision and interest for medicine.
    I decided to take a big leap into applying for my first healthcare job at the end of my freshman year of college, which was as a medical receptionist intern. One of the biggest skills I learned was adaptability, this allowed me to thrive in a medical office setting, because I learned to communicate more effectively with the providers, staff, and patients and acclimate to the diverse cultures I encountered daily. Shortly after, I yearned to gain more experience and became a certified phlebotomy technician and worked as an phlebotomy intern. I gained an extensive amount of knowledge about the human body, how to provide care for patients and expand on my medical terminology. The patient volume in this practice was much higher, and working in a fast-paced environment taught me how to be efficient in a timely manner, while still providing excellent patient care. I learned how to manage stressful situations to ensure that I avoided feeling overwhelmed and instead have a calmer approach.
    One day, there was a young patient who came in for an annual physical and needed to have blood drawn and from the beginning, the patient’s mother expressed how he does not do well with needles. I immediately began to comfort and assure him; we engaged in small conversation to focus his mind away from the venipuncture and before he knew it, I was already done. At the end of his visit, I made sure to catch him on his way out with a lollipop and voice that he did great.
    I have a come a long way from that little six year old girl who received stitches from a dog bite. I have increased my experience in healthcare that has not only encouraged me to grow as person but to further develop my passion for medicine. Working in different medical offices I had the opportunity to speak with both physicians and physician assistants as I began to narrow my decision with becoming a PA. Although, both groups of providers talked highly of their profession, my future goals aligned closely with those of a PA. An aspect to highlight is their level of autonomy as a provider, their ability to easily switch specialties as they choose to do so and their overall job satisfaction. One physician assistant that I shadowed was named Suzanne, and one aspect of her job that I admired was her level of compassion and empathy that she expressed, even when they came in with a medical mystery puzzle. I admired her role to act how she saw fit for her patients but also have the flexibility to speak with her supervising physician for input and feedback. It gave me reassurance that I am able to care for patients while also have a team that are there for my support if necessary.
    I have invested lots of dedicated time to learning about the PA profession and what contributions I can make as a future PA. The different roles that I have held has given me access to appreciate the team aspect of working in healthcare. I have learned how important it is to communicate clearly and effectively with both physicians, staff and patients, to ensure that the patient has a pleasurable experience and that as a team we work collaboratively, to be efficient, detailed, compassionate with our patients to ensure outstanding care, and when possible offer a lollipop to ease any fear.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      July 21, 2022 at 7:23 am

      Kimberly,
      You are off to a good start. I would suggest elaborating on relevant work experience and any other clinical skills you have gained along the way.
      You also may want to add in some dialogue to your patient care story. Show yourself in action providing care while saying calming words to this anxious patient.
      You may even want to move your line about how far you’ve come from your six-year-old self down to the start of your concluding paragraph. I would make the discussion about what appeals to you about the PA profession and what you witnessed from shadowing their own paragraphs.
      I wish you good luck, Kimberly.

      Reply
  13. Alli D says

    July 10, 2022 at 12:44 pm

    There is a family member who helped me finally decide to start my journey into becoming a Physician Assistant (PA). That person is my grandmother. For the majority of her life, she was a very healthy and independent woman. Then, one day she was showering, she had slipped and fallen in the bathtub. In doing so, she had suffered a deep wound to her inner thigh as well as a spinal cord injury in her cervical spine. Watching her struggle through her recovery and coming to terms with being totally dependent on other people for basic needs breaks my heart. I have always dreamed of working in healthcare, but this event is what made me want to take on a role that has more of a leadership role within the field.
    Since graduating from college, I have worked in two settings in healthcare. This first was an outpatient physical therapy office as an aide. While I loved interacting with patients, I always felt like I was missing out on something. I wanted to have some control as to what the patients were doing throughout their treatment. One day, a therapist called next door to the clinical side of the office to have a PA look at a patient’s leg in concern for a blood clot. Ultimately the PA decided to send that patient for a doppler. I took the opportunity to talk with the PA while they explained their role. They proceeded to explain that although they have a supervising physician, they make decisions on their own and are responsible for their plan of care.
    After understanding a bit more about the PA role, I decided to switch jobs to experience a different domain within healthcare. I currently work at a primary care office as a medical assistant under three doctors and a PA. At this office, I am more involved in working alongside the doctors and PA so I get to see what they do in the room with a patient- an aspect that I did not get to see at my previous job. Seeing that there were very little differences in how a PA and doctor interacts with patients directly is important to me. The PA sees her own regular patients and maintains their care and follows up with them when necessary. Ultimately this is what got me attracted me to the role of a PA. I like to have the ability to make decisions on my own and I like taking responsibility for those decisions.
    Once I graduated college, I was unsure what role I wanted to pursue. After hearing patients talk about how their care under a PA has been and seeing how knowledgeable the PAs that I have had the pleasure of shadowing and working with are, I was set on becoming one myself. It is great to see the relationships that the PA, Erica, has with her patients. She never leaves the room without reviewing the plan of care with the patient to ensure that everyone is on the same page. While I got the opportunity to sit down and talk with and ask questions to Erica, she explained that although she really enjoys primary care, she has always had an interest in neurology and specifically treating migraines. If at any point she decides that she wants to switch to a different specialty, she can. This is something that was important to consider when deciding whether to go to PA school or med school. I love the freedom a PA has without needing to choose one specialty for the rest of their career.
    Physician Assistants must manage a bunch of different things at once. Between seeing patients, charting, addressing concerns from patients throughout the day, and a variety of more tasks, they do a lot throughout their workday. In addition to the workday, they have personal lives to live outside of their career. This is something that I have been working on, myself. Throughout college, I worked part-time while maintaining a full-time student status. Now, I work full-time and maintain my grades in a few classes that I have been taking. I believe that this lifestyle is preparing me to be able to undergo PA school as well as become an established PA in the future. Throughout undergrad, graduate courses, and pre-requisite courses, I have maintained a strong science GPA as well as a strong overall GPA. My experiences while being employed in healthcare and shadowing opportunities have provided me with a better understanding of medicine and the PA profession itself.
    Overall, throughout this journey of applying to PA school, I have found myself to be very confident in my application and my ability to succeed in PA school. Due to the amount of healthcare experience and my shadowing hours, I am certain this is the profession that I am made to become. I know that I will be successful both in the classroom and in clinical settings. Rather than jumping straight into PA school, I took a few years off from school to develop my passion and decide what exactly it is that I want to do. I am sure that I will become a well-respected PA and I believe your program can help me reach that goal.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      July 14, 2022 at 7:57 am

      Alli,
      I recommend including a patient care story in your essay that shows you in action connecting with a patient on a personal level. You want to highlight some of the character traits that will make you an effective PA.
      Additionally, include some more details about relevant work experience, clinical skills, and medical knowledge that you have gained along the way.
      Lastly, in your conclusion, I would include a sentence that ties back to your introduction.
      I wish you good luck, Alli.

      Reply
  14. Courtney says

    July 9, 2022 at 2:39 am

    I am really close to my character limit and would like some advice on the conclusions, thanks!

    My olfactory senses memorized the sticky must that filled the atmosphere of the Dominican Republic (DR). As we walked about 1 mile from the local clinic, I recognized how many folks that I met carried the aroma of layers of dirt and sweat. I assumed that their scent reflected a laborious day. During my time in the DR, I learned that my assumption was partially correct – the odor was related to hard work – but even more a reflection of their impoverished circumstances.

    I walked alongside Dr. Brendaliz, an MD born and raised in the DR, who committed her degree to providing medical care to her community. We came to a dirt yard with a man who had his right leg propped up on a bucket; his lower leg was wrapped in a deteriorating bandage, gnats buzzing around the extremity. Dr. Brendaliz examined the patient and explained that we needed to remove the old bandage, clean his wounds, and replace the wrapping. We began removing the battered bandage and not only did I see multiple open, festering wounds but also a great deal of swelling that signified a fracture. At that moment, I realized that this scent, of which followed around the members of the community, indicated need.

    We gently rinsed, treated, and rewrapped the man’s leg. Words of gratitude were exchanged for the service that we provided. As I walked away, Dr. Brendaliz explained that the man had fractured his ankle in a motorcycle accident; he was unable to afford any treatment and developed wounds from the inability to keep his splint clean and dry. The man was no longer able to work on the local farms and was searching for a way to provide for his family. I experienced a feeling far from disgust or pity, but instead, of concern for the medical opportunities and education accessible for those all over the world. I am inspired to become a physician assistant (PA), for this very reason – to be a beacon of light for those in impoverished communities, who are desperate for medical care and education.

    My chemoreceptors have allowed me to keep this memory throughout my medical experiences. While working in the Emergency Department (ED) as a medical scribe, I caught whiffs of the same potent stench that was prevalent in the third world countries that I visited. These smells encouraged compassion for those who were enveloped by it, for those whose circumstances I simply could not understand. Working as a scribe broadened my understanding of the variety of patients that I could encounter, teaching me that everyone deserves adequate treatment and kindness, regardless of their appearance, scent, economic status, or any other factor.

    My experience as a scribe is what propelled my desire to become a PA. While scribing for many PAs, I learned the dynamic of the profession, in an ED setting. I became attracted to their humble nature of working as a team with other providers to give the highest level of medical care. I grew up playing competitive softball and soccer which taught me that teamwork is essential for success. I yearned for that same style of teamwork throughout undergrad and EMT school, always preferring to study in groups, bounce ideas off of each other, and help point out what others can not always see. I understand a PA’s responsibility to independently analyze and educate patients in laboratory work, radiology results, aftercare instructions, etc; however, the unity of PA and MD is where, in my opinion, the profession soars. I witnessed how patients felt cared for and understood due to the presence of multiple providers. I believe that I have and continue to cultivate the humility and desire for teamwork that is required of a PA.

    I continued learning what it means to work in a medical environment when I obtained the position of an ED technician. I returned to the medically underserved community where I was raised and concentrated on learning hands-on care. My olfactory memory was enlivened in this environment, but this time I was required to clean the patients that brought these scents. My limits were pushed as I was faced with many incontinent, bug infested, and vomit soaked patients. My compassion was challenged. However, I have learned how important it is for underserved communities to have proper care and education.

    The first patient on which I performed chest compressions taught me more. As I rhythmically pressed my weight onto this patient’s sternum, feeling ribs break under my force, I watched other medical staff play their roles and I felt important. I, of course, was consumed with compassion for the patient struggling to live beneath my hands, but I was also given my first sense of value in the team work of saving lives. During my undergraduate time, I struggled to find my rhythm and drive, which is reflected in many grades, but I found my stride in my final years and have continued to learn. My experiences have made me empathetic, compassionate, team oriented, and ready to become a PA so I can serve and educate medically underserved communities.

    Reply
  15. Ann says

    July 7, 2022 at 9:06 am

    “Are all of these people waiting for the train too?” One of my residents, Bridget, asks me while we are doing the afternoon activity. Bridget was the sweetest 90-year-old woman you could ever meet, and her Irish brogue can convince you to do just about anything for her. Bridget suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and often forgets the names of her sons that would visit every week; yet, she could tell you just about everything about her 40 years as a bedside nurse.
    As a CNA, I try to make a special connection with all of the people I take care of, but Bridget is one resident from the nursing home that will always hold a particular place in my heart. Bridget reminded me of my mom, who also left Ireland in search of a nursing job. My mom has worked as a nurse for 30 years and has loved every second of it. As a single mom of three, my mom would come home from a tough 12-hour shift each day happily ready to make Shepard’s pie for my brothers and me. My mom is my role model, and she is why I am pursuing a career in healthcare as a physician assistant today.
    “I found a lump.” This is probably the worst text I have ever received while walking into my 9 am organic chemistry class last fall. At the end of 2021, my mom was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer that spread to her bone cells. My introduction to the physician assistant profession was through an experience visiting the lab my mom worked in when I was in high school, but her diagnosis only made my ambition to pursue my career stronger. During the week we were dissecting the brain in the gross anatomy lab, I got a call from my mom saying that her most recent scans showed a 4 cm in diameter meningioma that was pressing on her lateral ventricle. This news was horrifying, but even more daunting when I had just witnessed a craniotomy that Tuesday.
    It took three months of my mom requesting a head and neck MRI to get her oncologist to order it. Given the size of her tumor, if my mom was not an advocate for herself, she might not still be here today. My mom’s journey with cancer has solidified why I am going into the career of being a physician assistant. I want to be an advocate for the people that may not know how. I want to connect with patients on a deeper level than the physician may not have time for. I want to take a more medical approach to diagnosing and treating than nurses do.
    After working on the general medicine floor as a patient care technician in a hospital and a CNA in a nursing home, I have developed my own worldview on what it means to be a healthcare professional. Although the positions I currently hold may often go overlooked, I have found that they are the best positions to really connect with a patient. The duties of a PCT such as feeding, bathing, and assisting with mobility may be everyday activities, but they are crucial to a patient’s health and quality of life. I have found that as a PCT, I am able to get to know the patients I take care of on a personal level because I get to spend the most time with them when I am helping them with activities of daily living. This allows me the opportunity to get to know them better and to make them feel more comfortable in a setting that may be scary or strange to them. Being a CNA and PCT have been very rewarding experiences, and these opportunities have shown me the importance of the patient-provider connection that I want to continue in my profession as a physician assistant.
    My healthcare and shadowing experiences have reinforced that being a physician assistant is the position I strive to hold in the medical field. As a PCT, one of my roles is to collaborate with a care team, and I have seen the crucial role physician assistants play in interprofessional collaboration with the supervising physician and other providers to administrate the best care. During my shadowing experience with a gastroenterology PA, I saw firsthand how the physician assistant was able to develop a treatment plan for her patient experiencing dysphagia from esophageal cancer. I valued the time she took to understand the patient’s needs and saw how she determined that the best plan of action was esophageal dilation after consulting the supervising physician.
    Though I have faced challenges this year with my mom’s illness that have put a strain on my academic performance in the past two semesters, I know that I have the drive to achieve my dream of becoming a physician assistant. I want to continue the same respect for humanity that my mom exemplified every day when she worked as a nurse, and to take time to show compassion when I am providing care. I chose the physician assistant path because I want to be an advocate for patients that may not feel heard in the healthcare setting, and work with a team of professionals to deliver them the best care in order to meet their needs not only medically, but on all levels of mind, body, and development.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      July 9, 2022 at 8:33 am

      Ann,
      You are off to a good start and have many effective elements in your essay.
      Also, I am so glad that your mom is okay- she sounds amazing.
      I would include more details about what specifically about the PA profession appeals to you. (ability to switch specialties, expanding care to underserved communities, etc.)
      Also, elaborate on any clinical skills you have gained in your various roles. You want to show how you are prepared to take the next step toward PA school.
      Your description of what you observed during shadowing is strong.
      I wish you good luck, Ann.

      Reply
  16. Michele says

    July 5, 2022 at 12:20 pm

    I would really appreciate some help making my personal statement more fluid and cohesive! Any suggestions would be amazing.

    One of the most difficult experiences a person can have is being confronted with a life-threatening diagnosis. When I was nine years old, I came home from school to find out that my six year old brother was being admitted to the Children’s Hospital. He was promptly diagnosed with aplastic anemia and told he was extremely lucky it was caught in that moment. His battle was long and stressful for our family, with countless rounds of radiation and chemotherapy, dozens of blood and platelet transfusions, as well as two bone marrow transplants. As a young child, I did not understand much of what was going on, but I do remember feeling terrified and helpless. His team of healthcare professionals was constantly trying to explain what was happening, but the only person who truly made me feel better was one of his physician assistants. It was this experience that made me want to work as a healthcare professional, and it was my brother’s PA that made me begin to consider a career as a physician assistant.

    Ever since my brother’s diagnosis, I have been learning about the importance of perseverance. Although his battle helped me begin to develop this trait, I have faced many other obstacles that have helped me to further develop it. I have realized that one of the most important abilities in life is to be able to face challenges, work through them, and not give up on the things that matter to me. This has been very useful over the past two years in my current position as a Resident Care Assistant on a Memory Support unit. Working with residents with dementia has allowed me to grow in many ways. I have strengthened my communication and teamwork skills greatly, as it is essential to be able to communicate any changes in condition to the appropriate parties and work with others to provide excellent care to each resident. This experience has also helped me to develop patience and compassion. The majority of my residents do not understand where they are or why they are in the facility. At times, it can cause them great deals of stress. I have learned the importance of taking extra time to talk to them, get to know them, and explain how I can help them. By doing so, I not only ease their nerves, but also show them that I care about them and will do anything in my power to help them.

    My experience with Memory Support residents has been very rewarding, but it has also been extremely challenging. At times, residents become agitated or aggressive and it can be difficult to help them through their emotions. Over time, I have learned strategies for helping a resident who is struggling, and I have also learned when to give them a moment and re-approach them at a later time. Despite the difficulties of working with residents with dementia, the lessons I have learned about perseverance have allowed me to continue to come back and assist them. This has not only made me a stronger person, but I believe it has also made me more successful in my current role and will continue to benefit me throughout my life.

    A career as a physician assistant will empower me to apply the many lessons I have learned about patience, compassion, and perseverance in a work setting. Like my brother’s PA, I want to be the person who can help ease the nerves of my patients and their families while simultaneously explaining what their situation may mean. A career as a PA will allow me to get to know my patients and spend quality time with them, not only learning about their needs and preferences, but also about the things that make them who they are. Additionally, I want to apply the lessons I have learned about perseverance to my daily life. Although a career as a PA is not easy, it is very rewarding. Encountering challenges and working to overcome them is an amazing opportunity to grow as both a healthcare professional and as a person, and I believe that it will set me up for success in my career. I will not back down from a challenge and I want to ensure that everyone is taken care of, no matter what difficulties I may face along the way.

    While I have gained insight into the importance of perseverance through my life and work experiences, I believe a career as a physician assistant will help me continue to develop this trait. The role will challenge me, giving me the opportunity to grow and learn not only as a healthcare professional, but also as a person. I look forward to being part of a team of professionals that can work together, solve problems, and provide high-quality care to patients.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      July 9, 2022 at 8:24 am

      Michele,
      Your introduction does a great job of showing how you discovered that the PA role was for you.
      I would suggest changing up some of your discussion about your work in memory care to include more of a patient care story. You could show some of the same skills and traits you have developed in your work by showing yourself in action calming an anxious resident.
      Also, I would include more detail about what appeals to you about the PA profession. (ability to switch specialties, expand care to underserved patients, etc.)
      Lastly, include any clinical skills and medical knowledge you have gained that have prepared you for PA school.
      I wish you good luck on your journey, Michele!

      Reply
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Deanna (my editor at The PA Life) is the GOAT. She went so far above and beyond all my expectations. My jaw was on the floor reading my personal statement after she worked on it.

Austin, 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

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

Sue was very quick to edit my essay and give feedback. Any questions were answered very promptly. I am very pleased with the service provided.

Brandon, 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

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

I wanted to reach out and thank you for your help in editing my personal statement this application cycle. I have been accepted to the University of Utah and I was lucky enough to get a number of interviews! I know that your help with my statement definitely made a difference and I am so thankful! Thank you so much!

Nicole, Pre-PA

Ms. Edmondson was incredible! She provided great feedback and answered all of my follow up questions. I will keep in touch as to my interview offers.

Ashley, 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

Really great service, definitely worth the money! I am very pleased with the amount of work that went into editing my paper and giving reasons as to why sentences or paragraphs were changed around. Carly did an amazing job!

Christina, Pre-PA

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

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

Carly was helpful and gave insightful comments while helping me to create more impact within my sentences. I feel confident and at ease knowing that my supplemental application has been reviewed in a thorough manner. Thank you for all your help!

Mina, Pre-PA

Deanna’s edits and feedback were stunningly thorough and exact, and her revision was more than I could have hoped for! I am very grateful for her patience and encouragement. I cannot recommend her service highly enough in return for her help and support.

Angela, Pre-PA

Working with Sarah felt like working with an old friend. Her thoughtful insight made the revision process easy. She had great advice for improvements to make while remaining within that difficult 5,000 character limit. Thanks, Sarah, you helped a ton!

Ryan, 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

This is my third time applying to PA programs. With my first two attempts, I only had close friends, family, and peers help me with my personal statement. I never even thought about going through a professional personal statement review service until after I had failed to get into PA programs my second time around. My prerequisites are expiring soon and the thought of going through the entire process of applying a fourth time terrifies me. I was hesitant to purchase the one-on-one service but after going through it, I am so glad that I did. Sarah was my editor and she is incredible. She genuinely understands how frustrating yet exciting this process is. I submitted my initial personal statement to her and within a day, she had already gotten back to me with detailed feedback. She even goes as far as telling you how many characters she wants you to add in different parts of your essay – this was extremely helpful for me because I tend to be a little wordy sometimes rather than succinct. Sarah helped me to highlight my strengths, experiences, and reasons for why I have spent so many years pursuing the PA career. This is an incredible service and I highly recommend that you take advantage of it! I am still in the process of completing my supplemental applications but I am more confident now than I have been with my first two attempts!

Christian S. Pre-PA

During our first one-on-one session, my editor Sarah had the chance to understand who I am as a person before even editing. This was remarkably helpful in terms of making my voice stand out in my personal statement. I especially appreciated how thorough her comments were regarding the aspects of my essay that needed fine-tuning.

Austin, Pre-PA

Duke went above and beyond to help me. I so appreciate his help and would recommend this service to anyone!

Jessica H. Pre-PA

Excellent service! The editor did a great job of working with me to write my personal statement as I wanted. They also provide some pointers and tips on how to write which is good for supplemental essays and writing prompts.

Ryan, Pre-PA

I love Deanna! She was incredibly helpful and encouraging. I liked the way she constructively gave me feedback and I liked her ability to really strengthen my own ideas instead of dismissing them like other services. She is amazing at seeing things from different angles and that way rearrange and enhance my narrative. I did get an interview from the top choice and an offer a week later. Thank you so much and I will definitely recommend ThePALife to future prePAs.

Klam, Pre-PA

Duke helped me with my essay and he was great! He really helped me fine tune my essay so it’s ready for submission and answered all of the question I had about small details in my essay. He was also great about responding to emails in a timely manner. I definitely recommend this personal statement review service to anyone who’s applying to PA school…even if it’s just as a final read-through before submitting it on their application.

Tyler J. Pre-PA

I hope this email finds you well. I would like to thank you for your help with my PA school personal statement. I’m glad to share that I did get into my top choice – Drexel!

Ashley, Pre-PA

I just wanted to email you and let you know that 3 weeks post-interview with Gannon, I was accepted into the class of 2023! I am so excited and thrilled and I know that your help, helped me. So, thank you!

Cailin, PA-S

Carly did a great job helping my personal statement flow from paragraph to paragraph. She truly helped me show throughout the essay why I wanted to become a PA. What I really appreciated was she explained why each change was made; comments and reasons which not only helped with this one time essay but for all my future essays as well. Definitely was worth it!

Kathleen, Pre-PA

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

Sarah was fantastic to work with. She is excellent at her crafted skill and can help any thought or sentence come to life, fast!

Jessica D. PRE-PA

I had an overall great experience working with Duke. He was open to my suggestions and provided great feedback on my essay. So far I haven’t gotten any interviews yet, but it is still early in the process. I will keep you updated when I get interviews. Steve

Steve Koehler, PA-S

I wanted you to know about my acceptance into Elizabethtown College’s PA program. I am incredibly excited – I loved the school, the program and thought the staff was incredible, especially the director. I know my personal statement was a key component of getting an interview with them, and I am so thankful for your help in getting my statement polished!

Steve, PA-S

It’s very clear that Deanna, my editor, put a good amount of time and thought into this. She FAR exceeded my expectations, even providing me with two different possible drafts (my original copy was 1500 characters too long). After paying for two separate editing services, I was initially disappointed to find that the first had not provided anywhere close to the level of feedback/review/editing that I had hoped for. I thought I was on my own again with my personal statement and did not have high hopes for any additional edits at the time that I’d received the review from Deanna, of thePAlife. The first service I’d used provided reviews that were neither thoughtful, in-depth, nor helpful, but Deanna’s edits were each of those! My hopes had been shot down by the first service but were immediately uplifted after I received Deanna’s edits. Her feedback was timely, thorough, thoughtful, critical, and even supportive! She provided an exceptional service, and I would highly recommend her to anyone

Cierra, Pre-PA

Your services have eased the stress and anxiety that results from guessing whether or not your essay contains the content that many PA programs are looking for. Your services were prompt and genuine. It is clear that you have the applicants success at heart. Thank you!

Madison Holtz

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

Sue is so incredibly kind! I needed so much help on cleaning up my personal statement and overall flow of the writing. She provided great insights and explanation.

Laila, Pre-PA

I have used The PA Life services throughout my application process this year and I am 100% satisfied! Sarah helped me with my personal statement and mock interviewing. As a second time applicant, she really helped me strengthen my statement to convey my story of why I wanted to be a PA. I felt very confident in submitting my statement thanks to her review and was later invited for my first interview! The mock interview service was EXTREMELY helpful. Sarah provided excellent feedback during our session on how I could better rephrase my responses to make them stronger, but still, sound natural and true to myself. The session eased a lot of the interview nerves I had that come interview day I felt pretty confident. I’m proud to say that after my first interview, I was accepted! Thank you, Sarah, for all of your help throughout my PA journey!

Amanda B, Pre-PA

Duke helped me with my personal essay writing for PA school. He was very patient and helpful with me. I made lots of mistake on my Essay, but with Duke’s help I was able to write a sensible essay which was good enough to get Interview calls. I highly recommend his service.

Rajni M, Pre PA

I submitted my application this morning so I am not able to answer if I received an interview yet but I am THRILLED that I found this service. Sarah has been such a blessing working on my personal statement with me. She took my ideas and mediocre paper and turned it into a beautifully written story about my life. She helped me write exactly what I wanted to say and guided me with how to say it. I would recommend, without reservation, this service to anyone who is applying to PA school. I am one hundred times more confident about applying knowing my personal statement is exactly where it needs to be. Instead of feeling stressed and overwhelmed when I submitted my application this morning, I had complete peace. Thank you, for being a shining light full of kindness to applicants like myself.

Savannah, Pre-PA

I wanted to reach out and thank you for your help with my personal statement. I received compliments about my essay at every interview I had. I also wanted to let you know that I will be attending Duke’s PA Program – my top choice. Your help was amazing! Thank you so much again!

Kelli Tseng, PA-S

Sue was great to work with. Very prompt in responding to my submission. Asked good questions and incorporated my responses into my essay nicely. I appreciate the work.

Mary Peterson, Pre-PA

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

Duke and I worked really well together. Seeing my first draft in comparison to my final draft was like night and day. I really appreciate all the help!

Kenzi H. 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

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

I loved this service!!

Madeleine Zeichner, Pre-PA

I just wanted to reach out an let you that I actually got into PA school this year! Out of the 10 programs I applied to, 4 offered me interviews. The first interview wound up being my top choice and they offered me a spot. I accept and declined all my other interviews. So I am absolutely overjoyed!! I wanted to let you know though. Your editing and help, no doubt, helped me get through the initial phase. Thank you so much! I am truly grateful.

Deanna, Pre-PA

Carly was excellent! She was very quick to provide edits and did a thorough job. She really helped me with the flow of my essay. I will be sure to let you know if I receive any interview invitations. Well worth the money! I feel confident in my essay.

Casey, Pre-PA

I want to let you know that I got accepted into Misericordia University PA program starting the Summer of 2021. So far, I have had two interviews, one rejection and one acceptance. I have two more interviews coming up, and other schools are still reviewing applications. You have been a huge part of my application process, and I just want to appreciate your time and efforts you put in during my application. Thank you, and God bless

Jani, PA-S

I just wanted to reach out to you and let you know that I got accepted into PA School and wanted to thank you so much for all of your help throughout this journey. I truly could not have done it without your help! Thank you again so much.

Emily Sharpe, Pre-PA

I used your service for my personal statement and my top school secondary. I feel this is an amazing service and have recommended it to many of my friends who are currently applying to PA school.

Jeff, 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

Awesome service. Duke did a great job editing my personal statement – his feedback was top-notch. For the 2014-2015 cycle, I applied to one school. I was selected for an interview and yesterday I received an offer of admission … which I quickly accepted. I know my Personal Statement played a huge role in my success. I highly recommend this service.

Nikki, Pre-PA

This is just a great service overall, because not only is it an editing service, it is specific to the PA personal statement. Sue did a wonderful job editing my essay, and pointed out important flaws in it that I otherwise might not have noticed. Her edits highlighted the main points that I was trying to get across in a much better way than I had originally written. Overall, very satisfied with the results, and will have to keep you updated about the interviews. Thanks so much!

Sabrina L. Pre-PA

I just wanted to let you know I was accepted to Mercy College’s PA Program last night! To say I’m ecstatic is an understatement! I wanted to thank you once again for all of your help with my essays and my interview. You helped me so much with everything and I couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you for everything.

Anna Mantikas, PA-S

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

Deanna was professional, prompt, and easy to talk to. I truly enjoyed working with her one-on-one for my personal statement. Her suggestions elevated my writing, and I appreciate all the work she put in my essay.

Jamie, Pre-PA

The feedback that I received through The PA Life editing service was more detailed than I expected! It gave me a clear idea of what direction I need to take in regard to my personal statement. I absolutely loved the edits!

Crystal, Pre-PA

A couple of months ago you worked with me on improving my personal statement. I wanted to reach out and let you know that it worked out! I got 5 interviews and so far have been accepted to 2. I am so so thankful for all your help as I don’t think it would have worked out without your amazing editing skills. Thank you for all you do! Not just me but for all the applicants you helped get accepted this year!

Matthew B. PA-S

Thank you for taking the time to edit my paper! The feedback was constructive and very helpful. I liked how you highlighted all the strong points in my essay. It made me feel reassured that my essay was heading in the right direction. I also liked how you told me exactly what I needed to add to make it stronger.

Juliana, Pre-PA

I wanted to let you know I got accepted into the PA program at Mercy College and have another interview at Pace University PA program next week. Thank you so much for guiding me through this process. I just want you to know I really appreciate the time you put into working with me.

Alex (Future PA)

My editor did an amazing job of quickly getting my rough draft back to me. I paid for your service very late in the game, yet The PA Life worked with my timeline and was very thorough in the editing process. I am very impressed with how eloquent I sound in the personal statement. I can not recommend your service enough!!

Katie, Pre-PA

Just wanted to let you know I got into UC Davis! I can not thank you enough for all your help!

Rachael Thomas, PA-S

I really appreciated Carly’s attentiveness to my writing style and working to keep my message and content but working it in a way that reads easier. I appreciate her turnaround time, as well as priority deadlines for programs, are quickly approaching!

Jacob, Pre-PA

Hi, I am beyond words to express how I feel, I got accepted, contingent on background check which I think is a formality. I want to say boldly that I am going to be a PA, thanks to you. You will be always blessed for the wonderful service you provide.  You were very kind and worked beyond what I thought could be offered. Thanks again!

Pavithra, Pre-PA

Sarah was so helpful, accommodating my needs, and I would highly recommend her to a friend/peer. I love this company and the people that work here!

Erin Felter, Pre-PA

Very helpful. I needed help figuring out what to cut and Sue was great at showing me what could go without sacrificing what I was trying to convey.

Dave, Pre-PA

Very prompt response and turnaround time. While I did not speak with Duke over the phone, his team’s edits were thorough, clear and very helpful. Highly recommended.

Dave H. 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 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

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