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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 2,381 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 (3rd February 2023): 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 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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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gregory says

    January 26, 2023 at 6:50 am

    Hello and thank you so much for critiquing my first personal essay. Is it acceptable to resubmit my essay revision? I realize how valuable your time is and would not overextend my use of your services. I would completely understand if this is not allowed. So Appreciative of Your Time! Greg

    The distinctive stench of alcohol, sweat, and antiseptics permeated the air, triggering my senses and I’m firing on all cylinders; It was going to be a very busy night. As a clinical care technician (CCT), supportive yet crucial is my contribution to the mosaic of kinetic energy that is in the emergency room (ER). It is the essential trust, collaboration, and readiness for anything that rolls through the doors that really keeps me going. My CCT position provided me with direct patient interaction and additional clinical skills such as phlebotomy, performing EKGs, and other point-of-care testing while functioning in a more hands-on role. The various personalities, work styles, and dedication combine to create a truly unique and talented team and one in which the PA plays a crucial role. I observed how involved the PA was with the care team and how much the clinical staff relied on them for additional support throughout the day. One of the most fulfilling aspect of this position was when my supervisor asked me to teach the medical students’ phlebotomy techniques. I recalled how nervous I was initially learning phlebotomy; I implemented this mentorship with the patience, support, and encouragement necessary for a successful outcome. Being paid the ultimate compliment, my CCT coworkers also asked for my tips and demonstrations in drawing blood. My experiences working alongside the PAs in the ER fostered my desire to learn more and inspired me to shadow PAs in other specialties.

    It was in the Cardio-Thoracic unit ICU that I engaged in thoughtful and deep observation in the role of a PA. During morning rounds alongside the MD, Intensivist, and RN, I observed how involved the PA was with the care team and how much the clinical staff relied on them for additional support throughout the day. They would often encourage me to assist in bedside procedures, attend morning rounds as an observer, and review any questions I had. The nature of the ICU exemplified a genuinely collaborative working environment in which the PA played a significant role. Interpreting lab results, ordering diagnostic tests, conducting procedures at the bedside, or assisting in the OR presented itself as a most coveted career path for me. My shadowing of PAs immersed me in the collaborative workflow required of the care team and cemented my conviction to pursue the PA application process.

    To further balance and enrich my healthcare experience I secured a part-time position at the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program; a Boston-based non-profit clinic providing crucial healthcare services to Boston’s homeless population. This position amplified the need to practice the greatest compassion, honoring dignity, and reaffirming the humanity of those individuals usually invisible to us. While taking Molly’s vital signs, the struggles she lives revealed her story through her deeply wrinkled face and hands. Hello Molly, the warmth of my hands quickly drained into her cold and discolored fingertips. After completing her vitals when she was about to see the physician, here take these; I gave Molly my wool gloves. Is this all I can do? I felt frustrated and hollowed by my limited position. This lost-in-plain-sight population has exposed me to other areas of medicine that I intend to explore including street outreach, mobile clinics, and emergency relief. Attending a program committed to working with the underserved fosters my belief that I can play a part in gnawing away at healthcare inequities.

    Every experience I’ve had working alongside PAs since 2019, from behind the desk to bedside has enriched my knowledge of who they are, and what they do, and has directly cemented my decision to pursue this profession. Between my recent work and extensive shadowing experiences, I’ve confirmed much about myself; my flexibility, willingness to work long hours, strong teamwork, and devotion to compassionate care have shaped me into the PA I aspire to be.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      January 28, 2023 at 1:38 pm

      Gregory,
      We only provide this service once, but we are always taking essay submissions for our revision service should you want more help. I wish you the best.

      Reply
    • Gregory says

      January 31, 2023 at 5:15 am

      Understood, thank you so much for instilling some missing confidence. I’m obsessing
      over this now and will put it aside for just a bit. Again thanks for your time & critique, so so helpful! Greg

      Reply
  2. Ally says

    January 14, 2023 at 4:56 pm

    A 14 year old female comes into the ER unable to walk and in excruciating pain. Previously healthy and a competitive gymnast with no significant past medical history. She has a fever of 105 degrees with localized hip pain. She is taken for every test in the books to figure out what is causing this intense pain. It takes days in the hospital to figure it out and many determined health care workers who were all working tirelessly to figure out the cause.

    The 14 year old girl in the story is me. I had grown up being the most active kid in the room and never needing more than a yearly check up. I was unaware and uneducated about what the healthcare field was up until the day I was carried into the ER by my mother. I was feeling a level of pain I did not know was possible and even worse a level of fear and anxiety about what was happening to my once perfectly healthy body. Once I was bedded in the ER, I was hooked up to dozens of machines and transported from X-ray, to CT, to MRI, to ultrasound still in agonizing pain with no end in sight. I was eventually admitted to the hospital. Whenever a healthcare worker would enter the work all I could beg for was pain meds, “please make it stop” I would plead. Although everyone was kind, no one seemed to give me the answers my family and I wanted or could provide me with comfort that this would stop and I would go back to myself. That was true until I was introduced to my infectious disease PA who had found the source of my pain, and just in time so that I would not have to be cut in surgery open from hip to hip at 14 years old. I remember when he first entered, he came in cheery and with a sense of humor which was strange to me as I had been greeted with sympathy and sadness for the past four days. He explained that I had a staph infection that invaded my hip and SI joint, but he assured me that he had a plan to cure it as was starting me on the necessary treatment. He was the first person to provide me with relief, both physical and emotional.

    After the correct antibiotic treatment started and my pain slightly subsided, I became more aware and out of the dazed state of pain. I was on the pediatric floor surrounded by crying babies and I felt very out of place. There was a walker in my room and other equipment I had never seen before but was about to rely on. I reluctantly stood up using the walker for the first time and pain struck me yet again. I was coaxed out of the room by mom and began to slowly wander the hallways of my floor. I was entranced by the nurses, PAs, and physicians shuffling at the desk, passing meds and just helping people. I quickly became embarrassed thinking about people seeing me using a walker, something I previously had only seen my grandma using. I shuffled back to my room quietly and wanted to get back in bed. When the Physicians and PAs came by they were full of words of encouragement and tough love as they urged me to walk again. But again, it was my humorous and lighthearted infectious disease PA who impacted me again. He seemed to actually care about my well being, he had already done his job of diagnosing me and starting to treat me medically, but he wanted to help me further heal and took the time to talk to me and encourage me, which was not a part of his required job description. He seemed to go above and beyond for me and I can only imagine he does with every patient and to me that was a sign that he had real passion for what he was doing.
    My experience in the hospital and with countless health care workers ignited my desire to become a PA. As I have started diving into the world myself by shadowing and working as a patient care tech at a hospital, I have gotten a taste of what working in this field would mean for me as I connect with my patients and help them in ways that may seem minor to me, like getting out of bed or going to the bathroom, but are vital for them. Reaching my goal of becoming a PA would allow me to fully reach my aspirations as I will be able to provide the medical care they need but also connecting with them deeper and providing them with comfort or relief that I am able to heal them.
    From my shadowing experiences from the ER to a clinic setting, I have seen the direct impact PAs make on their patients, whether that is alleviating their ongoing pain, giving them an answer to their symptoms, calming their nerves or just providing some comfort during a stressful time. I have seen PAs be independent and confident in their work as they diagnose and treat even the hardest cases while still maintaining a close patient relationship and being a figure of hope for patients that are scared. Ever since I was blessed with a PA who offered me support and persevered in figuring out my difficult medical case. I have been waiting for the chance to do the same. I want to give people more than just medical treatment, but instead give them hope and their sense of self back.
    Although I have learned a lot about the healthcare world, how to care for patients, and how to work with other professionals, I am limited in my abilities as a patient tech to heal and support the way I have always dreamed of. Being a PA will allow me the autonomy to diagnose and alleviate a patient’s symptoms and medical concerns while also utilizing the patient care skills I have acquired from being a patient care tech. I will be an asset to my future patients because of my desire to relieve both physical and emotional pain that patient’s encounter as well as my determination and focus on solving problems, even in cases like mine where things seem to make no sense. Bringing a sense of hope, healing, and positivity is what I will bring into my patien’s lives as a Physician Assistant.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      January 15, 2023 at 5:55 pm

      Ally,
      What an incredible story of resilience!
      You do a good job of explaining why you are compelled to become a PA. I would suggest condensing where you can so that you can add some other elements into your essay.
      If you have a story of a patient interaction, I would include that. You want to reveal some of the qualities you possess that will make you an effective PA. I would also describe any clinical skills or medical knowledge you have gained throughout your work experience.
      Lastly, physician assistant doesn’t need to be capitalized unless it’s beginning a sentence. 🙂
      I wish you good luck, Ally.

      Reply
  3. Greg says

    January 13, 2023 at 7:53 am

    Thank You so much for your time & critique, Greg

    Drop by drop passing through the IV chamber: this seemingly innocuous clear fluid blared warnings of extreme caution on its bag. Watching my mom endure her chemotherapy treatment would be the most impactful hospitalization I experienced as a young adult. Having no control over her situation, acceptance was a major hurdle I had to deal with regarding this threat to my mom. Noticing how overwhelmed with apprehension my family members became, my instincts led me to comfort them as best as I could. During this moment of uncertainty, it was the positive interactions with the chemotherapy team that was so comforting. Honestly, my emotions were so conflicted because these caring, gentle, professionals were administering such a harsh treatment to my mom and yet their empathy became a powerful antidote to our fears. This enduring empathy became a characteristic I would embrace and adopt in my own interactions with others. As difficult as this experience was, I was captivated by the inner workings of the hospital; hundreds of people filtering in and out of the elevators, over eight floors of patients and providers! The hospital’s general buzz and palpable energy temporarily distracted me from my mom’s treatment and captured my interest in exploring a healthcare career. Fortunately, my mother did very well and continued treatment in the outpatient setting.

    Shortly after, reflecting back on my mom’s hospitalization, I took my first step into healthcare by accepting an entry-level position at a major Boston teaching hospital as a float unit coordinator. This experience exposed me to a variety of medical professions and would become the catalyst that amplified my motivation and desire to further investigate a physician assistant (PA) career. It was in the Cardio-Thoracic unit that I first observed the role of a PA. During morning rounds alongside the MD, Intensivist, and RN, I observed how involved the PA was with the care team and how much the clinical staff relied on him for additional support throughout the day. He would often encourage me to assist in bedside procedures, attend morning rounds as an observer, and review any questions I had. The nature of the ICU exemplified a genuinely collaborative working environment in which the PA played a significant role. Interpreting lab results, ordering diagnostic tests, conducting procedures at the bedside, or assisting in the OR presented itself as the most coveted career path for me. My shadowing of PAs immersed me in the collaborative workflow required of the care team and cemented my conviction to pursue the PA application process.

    By the summer of 2021, I started working full time in the Emergency Department as a clinical care technician (CCT). This position provided me with direct patient interaction and additional clinical skills such as phlebotomy, performing EKGs, and other point-of-care testing while functioning in a more direct hands-on role. The most fulfilling aspect of this position was when my supervisor asked me to teach the medical students phlebotomy techniques. I recalled how nervous I was initially learning phlebotomy; so I implemented this mentorship with the patience, support, and encouragement necessary for a successful outcome. It didn’t take long before my CCT coworkers also asked for my tips and demonstrations in drawing blood. The personalities, various work styles, and dedication combine to create a truly unique and talented team and one in which the PA plays a crucial role. Similar to the ICU, my experiences working alongside the PAs in the ER fostered my desire to learn more and inspired me to shadow PAs in other specialties. From the consenting of a patient for their total hip procedure to observing a triple coronary artery bypass graft with the Cardiac-Thoracic Surgery PA, my shadowing experiences were rich and diverse. Each demonstrated the vast scope of work PAs are responsible for throughout the hospital and how team dynamics change between each service.

    To further balance and enrich my healthcare experience I secured a part time position at the Boston Homeless Healthcare Project; a Boston-based non-profit providing crucial healthcare services to Boston’s homeless population. This position amplified the need to practice the greatest compassion and acceptance of all those truly less fortunate. Not only providing care but also honoring the dignity of the homeless strengthened my resolve in the care for this population. Coming from the bright and well-equipped ER bays of the hospital to the dull and in desperate need of updating exam rooms of the health center profoundly affected me and seeded my commitment to the promotion of equality in healthcare. Working with this population has exposed me to other areas of medicine that I intend to explore including street outreach and emergency relief. Attending a program committed to working with the underserved, fosters my belief that I can play a part in gnawing away at healthcare inequities.

    Every experience I’ve had working alongside PAs since 2019, from behind the desk to bedside, has enriched my knowledge of who they are, what they do, and has directly cemented my decision to pursue this profession. Between my recent work and extensive shadowing experiences I’ve learned much about myself; my flexibility, willingness to work long hours and devotion to compassionate care have shaped me into the PA I aspire to be. What began as just a memory of visiting my mom in the hospital, naturally unfolded into the story of how I began plotting my journey to become a PA.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      January 13, 2023 at 3:30 pm

      Greg,
      You are off to a very strong start. You do a good job of describing what about the PA profession speaks to you. I would suggest adding in some details about a patient encounter that show you in action connecting on a personal level. You want to show some of the qualities that will make you an effective PA. I wish you good luck on your journey, Greg

      Reply
      • Gregory says

        January 14, 2023 at 6:03 am

        Thank you so much for your comments. I realize how many revisions it may take before I am truly comfortable submitting my essay. This service is so invaluable! I am so appreciative of your time & critique. All My Best, fingers crossed, Greg

        Reply
  4. Jaci P. says

    January 11, 2023 at 2:15 pm

    One late night, a patient was taken into surgery to treat his cellulitis when the OR staff called to inform us that he had a severe case of necrotizing fasciitis. The devastated daughter who stayed behind gathered their belongings and made her way to the ICU. I watched the daughter struggle onto the elevator as the nurse simply told her, “Good luck.” I rushed after her, helping her to her car to unload their bags while she called the patient’s family. The woman was extremely grateful for such a small and humane act of kindness. This is the type of situation you see working in a hospital every day, and the interpersonal relationships formed are the main reason I am inspired to become a physician assistant.
    As a full time undergraduate student, it can be quite difficult to find a job in patient care while being able to afford the cost of living. However, my experiences as a unit secretary on a Med-Surg/Orthopedic floor helped develop my professionalism and communication skills in a medical setting. While my job description did not entail direct patient care, I have been able to assist in tasks such as transporting patients, helping immobilized patients become more comfortable, or anything else I can possibly do to aid the understaffed hospital. Most of my time on the floor is spent communicating to nurses, doctors, and PAs which has allowed me to grasp the importance of each individual job and has given me the opportunity to learn an abundance about patient care plans and confirmed my ambitions to be a greater part of this process. Every person involved has a unique and equally important role; however, hearing doctors talk about the important role their physician assistants play when performing surgery or in clinics has caused this position to reside with me. The educational courses offered through the hospital have instilled an understanding of how to manage patients’ needs, expanded my medical knowledge, and impressed upon me the importance of patient satisfaction, empathy, and inclusion, all of which I believe have shaped me into an exemplary physician assistant applicant.
    My time shadowing a physician assistant demonstrated the clinical aspects of the profession which only solidified my desires. While many patients were reluctant to see a physician assistant over the medical doctor, it was very enlightening to see these patients be awestruck by the altruistic effort the PA took to ensure complete patient understanding. I was given the opportunity to enter the OR to see the full range of skills a PA possesses in orthopedics. The patience, dedication, and passion I observed are aspects of this profession that showed me this is what I want to do and implement as a professional. These experiences serve as the motivation for my future development as a PA.
    Outside of a healthcare setting, I have had influential experiences from my time spent at Second Harvest Food Bank. My time volunteering has shown me the importance of supporting and being involved in one’s community; seeing individuals work together for something greater while receiving gratitude from those that are under-resourced has promoted integrity and diversity into my qualifications. This has amplified my desire to practice medicine in underserved areas and further developed my leadership, community, and interpersonal skills.
    To expand my interests in biological sciences, I completed interdisciplinary research in a developmental science lab, DSL, which has greatly influenced my decision to become a physician assistant. I joined the lab after deciding to produce a Baccalaureate thesis on adverse childhood experiences and the manifestation of somatic symptoms. My time in DSL has exponentially developed my leadership capabilities as I have led fellow members in developing their research skills in preparation for conferences. More importantly, this research has provided me with a different approach to medicine that one would not typically achieve by simply completing a biology degree. The secondary analysis projects that I have completed all conclude with the idea that childhood trauma has a main effect of the onset of somatic complaints in adulthood. This offers a diagnosis to adults struggling from medically unexplained symptoms and has motivated me to become a physician assistant to put this research into medical practice.
    In consideration of my undergraduate experiences, I am confident that this profession would satisfy my desires to continue to serve and bring back to my community by means of physical and mental health care. Becoming a PA would give me the opportunity to work with children and adults who have experienced the situations I have researched, fulfilling my passions that have led me thus far. The dedication I have spent learning about this occupation, gaining confidence in my abilities as a professional, and my intrinsic aspirations for learning will undoubtedly lead me to be a successful physician assistant.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      January 12, 2023 at 9:18 am

      Jaci,
      I can sense your passion to make a difference for patient outcomes and outlooks.
      I would suggest elaborating on other aspects of the PA profession that appeal to you. You want to show why you are pursuing PA over another type of provider.
      Also, you never want to appear critical of another provider so you may want to soften the part about the nurse saying, “good luck.” Here, I would add in a small sentence of dialogue that shows you connecting with and comforting this family member.
      Lastly, if there was an interaction between PA/patient or PA/supervising physician that solidified your decision to pursue the PA path, describe that.
      Should you need more help, we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. I wish you good luck!

      Reply
  5. Damaris says

    January 4, 2023 at 11:10 am

    I would appreciate any feedback! Thank you!

    In my first months as a nursing assistant (NA), I had been caring for a 95-year-old man on the oncology med-surg unit, who was almost ready to return to his long-term living facility. Due to his old age, this patient struggled with his mobility, not being able to feed himself at times. As the NA, it was my job to feed and ensure he was clean and comfortable. Through various 12-hour shifts, I noticed he would receive phone calls, but he did not have visitors. While having dinner one night, he received a phone call from a close friend that made the patient become sentimental and cry. It was to this that he confided in me and began telling me his life story, sharing that he was all alone since his wife had passed and did not have kids. He was the first patient to tug on my heart strings and make me reflect on the care I was providing to patients. Up until that point, I had been treating patients as their medical illness, not realizing that they were all humans with real stories and experiences and who needed a friend in the intimidating clinical setting. After this experience with the elderly patient, I continued to practice patient care with compassion, understanding, and heart.

    As a NA, I have gained invaluable experience in medicine and patient care. Working closely with nursing staff, Advanced Practice Providers, and physicians, I see the daily interactions of medical staff with patients and with each other. I recognize the importance of communication and collaboration in providing the best quality care. In many instances, quality of care is challenged in the presence of a language barrier. As a Spanish-speaker, one of my main goals is to assure that Spanish-speaking patients have their needs met and their stories are considered when in our care. It is important for me to offer my language skills to make patients feel more comfortable, especially after receiving the validation from patients that they appreciate the opportunity to speak their native language in the hospital. Aside from the clinical experience gained through being a NA, I have also experienced a different side of medicine by shadowing Physician Assistants (PA) in the hospital. I have seen PAs interact with families, grant the patient’s wishes, and have tough conversations with patients. Through these experiences, I have become more secure in my decision to pursue a career as a PA.

    Beyond working as a NA and shadowing PAs in the hospital, I have gained experience through volunteering in the outpatient laboratory and in the emergency department. In my role as a volunteer, I support the medical staff by providing organization and supplies. In these environments I am still able to learn from the medical professionals and encounter diverse medical cases. Outside of medicine, I volunteer through campus organizations as a peer mentor and to benefit local non-profits, most recently working with Habitat for Humanity. I can collaborate, be flexible and adaptable, and have good time management skills.

    Through all my experience in and out of the hospital, I know that the PA career is the one for me. As a PA, I will connect with and comfort patients with compassion and patience as I have seen other PAs do. I will treat my patients as humans, just like my PAs have treated my family and me. I will communicate with physicians and nursing staff to ensure quality care for all my patients, as I have seen in the hospital system. Most importantly, I wish to provide care for those in Spanish-speaking communities. I have seen the ignorance to medicine and health when a family’s priority is survival, and I believe health should be both accessible and prioritized. Like I did with the elderly patient, I wish to offer resources and help not only for a healthy life, but also a happy life. Working in the clinical setting now, it is important for me to be able to practice medicine well and soon, both of which I will be able to do upon completing PA school. With PAs, I also appreciate the flexibility between specialties as I am a very active and curious learner. For many reasons, the PA career is right for me.

    In reflection of my elderly patient who changed my outlook on medicine and all the medical professionals I have worked with, I strive to be the best contributor to a team of health care providers. The experiences I have had over the years have allowed me to see the level of care provided by all on a team and have made me more appreciative of all participating. I have learned the importance of working collaboratively, being attentive to detail, showing compassion, and communicating effectively. Having clinical knowledge, interpersonal skills, and dedication toward the PA profession, I pledge to provide exemplary care for someone else’s loved ones. I do believe I would be an excellent PA candidate with my strong work ethic, my skills and knowledge, and my willingness to take the time to sit at a patient’s bedside and listen to their story.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      January 6, 2023 at 9:22 am

      Damaris,
      You are off to a good start. I would elaborate some on the clinical skills and medical knowledge you have gained through your different roles. I would also give your elderly patient a pseudo name to make your story flow a bit more. Adding in some more details about your care and some dialog would also make your story pop. Also, you may want to provide more detail about what in your shadowing experience made you choose PA over another type of provider. I’m not saying you need this, but should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. Good luck, Damaris.

      Reply
  6. Beth says

    December 29, 2022 at 8:05 pm

    The feeling of defeat rose to my chest as I sat anxiously waiting in a stale patient room for my third appointment with a new neurologist attempting to manage my chronic migraines at eight years old. I dishearteningly began to convince myself that I would simply have to wait out the debilitating pain that occurred once or twice a week each time it unpredictably struck. However, as my new doctor entered the room, I knew this experience would have a different outcome. Paired with his inquisitiveness, humility, and empathy, his diligence in teaching me how to identify, treat, and prevent my migraines sparked my curiosity regarding the causes and effects that occur all throughout the body as well as my interest in providing the same healing for other people.
    Due to my introduction to the world of neurology at a young age, I feel an especially deep sense of purpose to cater to the needs of those with cognitive disorders and disabilities. Working as a summer camp counselor for special needs adults taught me the art and reward of selfless caretaking, as well as the power in simply making a person feel welcomed and appreciated. My yearning to connect with others and sense of duty translated well in my work as a medical assistant in family medicine, which highlights my desire to adapt to patients’ needs and ability to thrive in nuanced situations. Alongside the chance to respond to a wide array of complicated medical histories and effectively delegate tasks among my team, my dream of becoming a physician assistant is affirmed when I recall interactions I have experienced such as watching a deaf patient’s face light up when I introduce myself in Sign Language, hearing the sigh of relief that comes from being able to hear again after completing an ear wash, or feeling a struggling patient’s burden lighten through offering a hug or word of encouragement.
    I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, but due to my upbringing in a small town with limited opportunity, I did not know about the physician assistant profession until I went to college, where I was humbled and refined in many ways. In my hometown, I strived to make the most of every opportunity and carried this attitude into adulthood. Unfortunately, with my good intentions, I overapplied myself my freshman year and learned to adapt to the elevated challenge of attending the prestigious Texas A&M University. My achievements in making the Dean’s list, which is a more rigorous accomplishment at my college compared to other schools’ requirements, and earning multiple 4.0 semesters are a testament to my efforts to hone my skills in prioritization and time management which reflects my dedication to continual advancement in my capabilities.
    Through my shadowing experience, a common trait I admire about physician assistants aside from the clear benefit of getting more time dedicated to patient care is their dedication to the wellbeing of their community. While doctors and nurses are extended this opportunity as well, the structure of the physician assistant profession allows for more dedication to causes outside of work which is especially important to me so I can set an example and be a mentor to those who grew up in an environment similar to my own.
    Alleviation or eradication of a health condition is not guaranteed for each person. Nevertheless, through my work as a physician assistant, my patients will benefit from my help in finding hope through a difficult diagnosis, discovering purpose in taking care of themselves, and celebrating improvement. *WHY you are passionate about PA-summarize/connect the main points* *show how you’re mature & prepared for the next steps*

    ^i really need help making a solid ending statement! thank you!

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      December 31, 2022 at 12:23 pm

      Beth,
      You are off to a good start. I would include some details about your work as an MA. Describe a patient care story that reveals you in action connecting on a personal level. You want to show some of those qualities that will make you an effective PA. I would also elaborate some on what about the PA profession appeals to you. Describe some more of what in your shadowing experience solidified your decision. Should you need more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. I wish you good luck in the process, Beth.

      Reply
  7. Emily says

    December 20, 2022 at 4:42 am

    Please be critical! I have already applied one cycle with this PS so I am going to need to make some changes for next time. Should I scrap the idea and start over?

    They say curiosity killed the cat. Maybe, but not this one. As a child, I wedged myself into every adult conversation I could, seeking answers. I perked up at the sound of medical talk between my parents. What are they saying about their patients? What does that diagnosis and treatment plan mean? My mother is an OB-GYN physician, my father is a family physician, and I am the daughter with the questions. My curiosity has persisted and now I aspire to learn the curing profession through becoming a physician assistant.

    Overtime, my inquisitiveness fostered compassion and perspective. Early on, my drive for answers was sometimes too incisive; as my friends told stories, I found the holes in their narratives. At times, this came across contentious, despite benign motives. I desired to be perceived correctly, so I reassessed my interpersonal style and shaped my analytical mind into a favorable characteristic. I traded a sharp tongue for a caring ear and cultivated an empathetic approach toward interactions. Now, my entry point to the art of medicine is my ability to make others feel understood. I harbor no illusions about the tenacity required for the road ahead but my empathy and proclivity for answers will propel this journey.

    After college, I joined a clinical research team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) conducting anesthesia and post-operative pain research. I relished direct patient interactions alongside my principal investigator, Dr. Kristin Schreiber, MD, PhD. The finesse and skill she brought to the bedside was inspiring. Dr. Schreiber put patients at ease—a key component of restoring health. I had many responsibilities as a clinical research assistant including daily post-operative interviews with breast and spine surgery patients. Outcomes showed our involvement to have a statistically meaningful impact on recovery, demonstrating the importance of provider engagement. I have a drive to carry this critical finding forward into my clinical practice, and I am confident PA school is the place to learn how.

    This position also taught me to stay abreast of the latest advancements in medicine. Research is not the best-suited track for me, yet it revealed the importance of exercising curiosity as a clinician. As a PA, I intend to stay informed on the most current medical research. My background in primary research will allow me to see beyond algorithms and checklists. Instead, I will look toward a deeper understanding of clinical rationales.

    My patient care experience at BWH made the decision to pursue clinical medicine clear. I was overjoyed at my acceptance to the Post-bacc, Pre-med programs at Berkeley and Harvard, among others. Harvard’s program met my highest expectations and as I progressed, my determination for clinical medicine gelled. I reassessed my goals, and it became clear that a PA career, rather than MD, most aligns with my life pursuits.

    To gain further clarity, I shadowed both a dermatology and a general surgery PA. While shadowing the surgical PA, we accompanied the attending physician on rounds. Observing these clinicians in parallel illustrated just how comparable the care the PA provided was to the medical doctor’s. However, the PA had more time to directly educate and address patient concerns. Due to the collaborative yet autonomous role of a PA that was exhibited to me, shadowing these PAs further cemented my pursuit of this profession. Though the MD route is honorable, the path of a PA is fitting for me because I am eager to begin providing care.

    Alongside the start of my job at BWH, I also began another life changing experience. I became a Big Sister Mentor to my Little Sister, Gabi, through Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). My relationship with Gabi and her mother Nijha is enriching. Gabi has a sparkling spirit that further brings out my curious nature. Time with her family has broadened my awareness of those in underserved communities. I have learned it takes firsthand engagement to fully comprehend the life of others. BBBS has provided this opportunity, further highlighting we are all entitled to security and proper health care, despite socioeconomic status.

    I want to take the lessons I have learned through my time with BBBS as well as my future PA training to underserved populations. Communities like Gabi’s are historically disenfranchised, especially within medicine. Trust in providers is weak, but fortunately, the medical paradigm is evolving at a rapid pace. The demand for PAs provides an opportunity for remedy. I am passionate in bringing the cultural competency I learn in PA school to those with long-standing limited access to health care.

    Though my questions have evolved over time, I have never swayed from my elemental investigative spirit. I am inspired to apply my curiosity for health, wellness, and people to becoming a PA. Curiosity has not killed the cat. Rather, it is the curiosity that will fuel the necessary dedication to excel in PA school and beyond.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      December 23, 2022 at 3:10 pm

      Emily,
      Your desire to learn and use that knowledge to help others is evident throughout every paragraph.
      I would suggest condensing where you can so that you can spotlight some more of the clinical skills you have gained along the way.
      Also, include a patient care story that shows you in action connecting with a patient in a meaningful way. You want to highlight some of those traits that will make you an outstanding PA.
      Also, “over time” is two words.
      Should you need more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. Good luck, Emily!

      Reply
  8. Hayley says

    December 14, 2022 at 9:01 am

    Please provide feedback!!
    Career aptitude tests in sixth grade do not mean much to most people. However, that is when I knew I would have a career in healthcare. In the sixth grade, my components for a perfect job listed “solving problems,” “working in a group,” and “helping others.” From then on, I searched for a career with those main components. To master these components and combine my passion for interpersonal relationships with my love for science, I chose to major in psychology and minor in biology. As I continued my education, my courses emphasized that we must have a career that fulfills us to find professional happiness. It became increasingly clear that healthcare was that field for me.
    In high school, I had an opportunity to shadow an interventional radiologist. There I learned what medical school entailed, the daily life of a medical doctor, and the work-life balance. I was grateful for that experience, and it reiterated my passion for healthcare. However, I knew I needed to search for another healthcare career. I continued to search for a job that allowed for a more generalized education and a more flexible work-life balance to continue serving my community and volunteering. To gain more medical experience, I worked as a medical scribe at an urgent care facility during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the first person, a patient seen during a terrifying time in the world, I only had moments to establish a connection and provide a comforting atmosphere. During this time, I also volunteered with a program called Brighten A Day. During the pandemic, many patients were facing extreme loneliness. I was able to send handwritten cards and video calls with patients confined to their hospital room or nursing home room to boost their spirits.
    Serving underprivileged communities has always been important to me as it was instilled in me as a child to help my community. I volunteer with my church in various ways. I assist in fundraising; I assist in my church’s soup kitchen to provide hot meals to those who do not have food. I also traveled with my church to Mexico to provide bare necessities and wound care to an underprivileged community. I have also volunteered as a tutor since I was in high school. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I had to spend extra hours to help students in my community adapt to virtual learning. I used skills learned with my psychology degree to assist those feeling lonely and provide a sense of community. These experiences confirmed my desire to support vulnerable populations by practicing medicine in their communities.
    To understand a PA’s role, I have shadowed PAs in emergency medicine and pain management to observe how to obtain and critically analyze a patient’s medical history. The PAs invited me into their thoughts as they scrutinized chief complaints, past prescriptions, and known allergies to formulate the best treatment plan. Additionally, the PAs educated patients on their conditions. Many patients left their appointments grateful for new knowledge about their bodies. The education required to explain a medical condition fully exemplifies the advanced training needed to be a successful PA.
    I am a first-generation college graduate. Although nobody in my family pursued higher education in the past, I was motivated and supported throughout my educational career. I took a medical leave of absence during my junior year in college. I was physically assaulted on my college campus and suffered injuries that inhibited my ability to continue my education for one year. When I returned to college, I had to slowly reenter a rigorous course schedule and alter my study habits due to my severe concussion. My grades significantly improved after my medical. After seeking help, I graduated with an upward-trending GPA and valuable lessons in perseverance. To excel in my PA prerequisites, I participated in a Growth Mindset workshop that rewired my doubts about my academic capabilities and learned excellent study skills. With every chemistry and biology class, I took, I understood more deeply how each scientific discipline plays a role in treating patients. My appreciation for the application of physical science and the human body led to my earning a high science GPA.
    My journey to achieving the perfect career has been challenging, yet each obstacle ensured my appreciation for the PA profession. As a result of my versatile experiences. I can interact with patients from any background, though my passion lies with the underserved. While volunteering has partially sustained me, establishing a solid connection and using the humanistic and scientific aspects of medicine to treat and educate abandoned populations will be the ultimate fulfillment.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      December 19, 2022 at 8:19 am

      Hayley,
      I can sense your resilience and determination to make a difference throughout your essay. You do a good job showing how you arrived at the PA path. I would include a patient care story that shows you connecting with a patient on a personal level. You may just want to expand on that section about Covid and recount a time where you offered comfort to an anxious patient. Show yourself in action so that you reveal some of those qualities that will make you an excellent PA. I wish you good luck in the process, Hayley. Remember that if you should want more essay help, we are taking submissions for our revision service.

      Reply
  9. Makayla Sorensen says

    December 12, 2022 at 3:19 pm

    I would love help on my essay! Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

    The stands are shaking at maximum capacity. My once-clear thoughts are now crowded with the booming sounds of feet stomping, voices yelling, and hands striking together. Over the intercom, I hear my name. At the drop of a hat, twenty thousand eyes are sharply on me. I wave into a sea of supporters for the opposing team, unable to recognize a single face. Before the first serve of the game, I channel my nerves by utilizing the tools I have gathered from playing division 1 volleyball. First, stay present. Second, focus on the next best action. And third, have confidence.
    I can confidently say that being a student athlete has been one of the hardest things I have ever experienced. There have been countless times where it was appealing and easy to quit. I am glad I didn’t, however, because my sport has taught me soft skills that will enable success in my future career. Commitment, sincerity, honesty, leadership, and motivation are amongst the most important.
    Although all of those skills are valuable, I will argue that motivation trumps all others. Without a purpose, I would have given up. Without a “why”, I would not have had a reason to push through those mentally grueling four years. I was lucky enough to know my motivation right away, which was giving back to my parents who sacrificed so much to get me to this point. The importance of motivation does not only apply to sports, but to career paths as well.
    My motivation for becoming a PA was sparked during my childhood. I vividly remember intense stories that my grandmother would tell me about being a labor and delivery nurse for less fortunate communities/medically underserved areas. I listened in awe, yearning for that feeling of potentially saving a human life. I thought she was a real-life superhero. This spark progressed into an internal calling that I have been testing throughout my life. Volunteering in the labor and delivery department, obtaining my CNA license, PA shadowing, eagerly observing my parents work as radiology technicians at the hospital and clinic, and working as a respiratory therapy apprentice at one of the largest hospitals in Utah has solidified that feeling. My job allows me to work independently, which forces me to exercise critical thinking, problem solving, and time management. My interaction with the healthcare team portrays my maturity, communication, and teamwork skills. As I spend endless hours in the hospital setting watching physician assistants work, I know that becoming a PA is the path I wish to follow.
    Before my college career, I would have crumpled at the thought of immense pressure being placed on my shoulders. I would have never imagined being voted captain and being trusted to lead the group. Now, I am assertive and poised when piloting the ship. I know that I can accomplish anything, as long as I have purpose and grit. My desire to become a PA is burning brighter than ever, and it is something I will not stop working for until I succeed.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      December 13, 2022 at 2:16 pm

      Makayla,
      I can sense the passion to help others that was passed down from your grandmother.
      I would condense somewhat throughout your essay so you can include some crucial elements.
      Add a paragraph that describes specifically what about the PA profession appeals to you. (ability to switch specialties, more time/contact with patients, etc.)
      I would also include a patient care story that shows you in action connecting with a patient on a personal level. You want to reveal some of the characteristics that will make you an effective PA.
      Also, elaborate on some of the clinical skills you have gained along the way.
      I would describe your shadowing experience. What interaction between PA/patient or PA/supervising physician solidified your decision?
      I wish you good luck, Makayla.

      Reply
  10. Ben says

    November 20, 2022 at 10:06 am

    Hi! I would love some feedback on my essay. Thank you!

    Why, at almost 30 years old, do I want to make the decision to return to school? Why do I find the urge to pursue a career and a field that will require further debt, delay experiences with my family, and additional sacrifice? The answer is simple, in my opinion at least. It is to provide high quality, efficient healthcare to those who are in need. I have spent six and a half years practicing healthcare as a certified Athletic Trainer and to be frank, I felt like I was only scratching the surface of treating patients. As an Athletic Trainer, I was involved in every step of the injury process with each athlete. From injury to evaluation to treatment, I was able to utilize my knowledge of anatomy to efficiently treat my patient population. However, there were times when further medical expertise was required. This included evaluation by our team’s orthopedic doctor or Physician Assistant. Oftentimes, we would see the PA for pre/post surgical appointments and initial/follow up exams. It was during these office sessions that my interest in the field began to blossom. Understanding why the Physician Assistant profession was founded aligns directly with my desire to pursue this new direction; to improve and expand healthcare to my community. Being accepted into a program that provides licensed clinicians the ability to practice medicine in every specialty and setting will help me to accomplish the goals of improving the healthcare of my community.

    As I began looking into the profession, I had the opportunity to shadow the Physician Assistant that worked in our partnering orthopedic office. He helped to provide a real time view into the day to day operations of an orthopedic PA. I spent two days with him in the office evaluating patients, treating patients with injectable medication and helping them make decisions about how to proceed with their injuries. I spent the following two days in the operating room with him. He walked me through how to trim and prep an ACL graft for implantation, explained the surgical process from start to finish and allowed me to have a real time view of assisting in joint arthroplasty. Although I had been in an operating room in the past, this opportunity allowed me to truly appreciate how much impact a Physician Assistant can have in the care of patients.

    With this first hand observation in mind, there is still a plethora of settings PA’s practice in outside of orthopedics. Outside of my observation experience, I had multiple personal experiences with Physician Assistants, mainly in the hospital setting. Following my grandfather’s hospitalization for a collapsed saphenous vein, he was quickly admitted to the ICU and subsequently underwent an amputation. During his stay in the hospital he was cared for with such compassion by medical staff assigned to his care. In another instance, my mother was admitted to the hospital for bilateral mastectomy to remove breast cancerous tissue. Similar to my grandfather’s case, she was treated with the utmost compassion by her plastic surgeons and their PA’s.

    Recently, I left my role as a collegiate Athletic Trainer and entered the corporate world of healthcare where I began a role with Arthrex, inc. My role focuses on teaching technology consultants on our medical devices to help surgeons treat their patients better. This role puts me in a different section of the healthcare profession. After holding a position on the patient side and now the educational side, I have concluded pursuing this route will allow me to have the best of both. I would have the opportunity to help patients recover from their injury or illness and educate them on how to maintain their health and wellness. Regardless of speciality, becoming a Physician Assistant means I can help improve the health and lives of hundreds of members of my community.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      December 2, 2022 at 3:25 pm

      Ben,
      I can sense your desire to help patients throughout your essay. I would include a story from your time as an athletic trainer. Show yourself in action connecting with a patient on a personal level while providing training. You want to show some of the qualities you possess that will make you an effective PA.
      Also, include some of the reasons you are drawn to the PA role specifically. Is it the opportunity for more time/contact with patients? The ability to switch specialties?
      Also, remember that it is PAs and not PA’s.
      I wish you good luck, Ben. Should you need more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.

      Reply
  11. Alex Estrada says

    November 6, 2022 at 10:03 am

    Hello all! I greatly appreciate any Feedback!

    Given how intrigued I am by the variety that the PA profession offers, I picture myself graduating from PA school and specializing in either cardiology or dermatology over the next 5-10 years. With a specialty in cardiology or dermatology, I envision myself being able to have a positive and meaningful influence on the lives of patients who suffer from cardiac issues or skin conditions. Regardless of whether my enthusiasm for medicine grows dramatically over the next 5-10 years, my dedication to helping the less fortunate members of the community will undoubtedly expand. I intend to apply what I learned in my Physician Assistant studies, through exposure to many various aspects of medicine, to help those in need in underrepresented areas on a daily basis, particularly in a hospital that serves people from underserved communities. Considering my enjoyment of volunteering at a nearby hospital, the experience has allowed me to observe the necessity of clinically trained providers in underserved areas, despite the appeal for medical volunteers. As a result, I foresee devoting significant productive time and effort over the next 5-10 years to participating in and raising funds for medical mission trips going to third-world countries. I also visualize myself pursuing a leadership role within the hospital where I practice in order to contribute insight into providing egalitarian treatment to patients regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic background. I intend to be a constructive voice for individuals in underserved/diverse communities that lack similar access to healthcare services and/or are unfamiliar with the healthcare delivery system. Furthermore, as a leader in the hospital, I see myself conducting research on current topics such as health equity concerns and sharing that research to hopefully provide insight into how programs may be designed to address the high cost of health care, which negatively affects patients’ ability to access proper medical treatment.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      November 9, 2022 at 8:07 am

      Alex,
      I suggest including some of the clinical skills and medical knowledge you have gained along the way.
      Also, I would describe your shadowing experience. What have you witnessed from interactions with PAs that confirmed your decision to pursue this path.
      If you have a patient care story, include that. You want to show some of your character qualities that will make you an effective PA. Show yourself in action providing clinical care of some kind while connecting on a personal level.
      I wish you good luck, Alex.

      Reply
  12. Maria says

    October 30, 2022 at 1:47 pm

    With the opportunity to work at a rehab & nursing care center as a scribe/wound care assistant, I was able to observe the role of a PA. What surprised me was how independent a PA could be. The PA was making her rounds in wound care. She wasn’t trailing behind a doctor. She was diagnosing and acting on her own, deciding on treatment, and reviewing with the doctor when uncertain. Being someone who enjoys autonomy yet also values supervision, this made me look forward to performing freely while simultaneously having a doctor to collaborate with as a PA. My job was mostly scribing but overtime my role became more hands on. The first time I was ordered to assist, I felt a nervousness I hadn’t experienced since my high school marching band competitions. I darted to the wound care cart and clumsily collected the topical benzocaine and silver nitrate sticks, sprayed the patient’s leg and cauterized his wound. While a small action, I felt the rush and thrill. I was eager to have a larger role and got to observe and assist with unstageable pressure ulcers, amputations, necrotic wounds, etc. Soon I was able to guess what treatment would be ordered. The NP I often worked with trusted me to treat “simpler” wounds such as venous ulcers, stage 2 pressure ulcers, and skin tears by myself. I gained confidence and became proactive. I even did some debridement and suture removal. Because I was also a scribe, I learned to write progress notes. Many residents had the same ailments and treatments which also taught me about which medications were often ordered for certain conditions and why.
    The nursing home gave me opportunities to obtain skills and sharpen those I’ve already had before. Here, I felt the varying levels of emotions experienced in healthcare (ex. a life changing or ending) which enforced in me that these patients are people not just cases. They’ve lived entire lives before, some were healthcare workers themselves! Others were not as alert and oriented. These residents were sometimes combative, which made it a challenge to provide care. In rare occasions, family members posed hurdles towards care. For example, the daughter of a resident who demanded her mother be seen by only a doctor although she was informed a delay in treatment could result as he was only in twice a week while PAs and NPs were available everyday and therefore spent more time with the same patients. This instance encouraged me to want to educate the community on the role and quality of care provided by PAs. Observing the way medical staff handled events with residents and families taught me how to assist and adapt to certain situations. Overtime, I wanted more direct patient care and so I took upon the role as a medical assistant.
    As an MA, I work closely with a PA for a school-based health care center at my former high school. Every day I take vital signs, perform phlebotomy, physical exams, fingersticks, spirometry and urine testing. ECGs are not as common. While I enjoy my current role, just like the PA, I want to provide a higher level of care. I want to have a bigger say in the decision-making process. I want to keep track on my patient’s progress. When a patient returns for a follow-up, I may not be the same MA who assists them. For example, we had a patient who came in due to a wound formed after an at-home botfly larvae removal. He was new to the country and uninsured. The family was unsure how to navigate the healthcare system. They were relieved to know all our services were free, we helped with insurance, and I spoke Spanish which created trust and made the transition easier for them. In fact, many of our patients are underinsured, new to the country, and have lower health literacy. I’ve observed the way my PA has educated patients on vaccines, birth control/STDs, lab results, and on their ailments. But other than patient understanding, learning to take cues and making a patient feel heard and comfortable is important too. There were several instances where a PA and I have spoken to patients who’ve divulged sensitive information they wouldn’t have revealed had they not felt a friendly open atmosphere. Some had to involve CPS. I sometimes reflect back and wish I could have done more in terms of their care and I wonder what happened to them afterwards too.
    For many years, I was a retail worker trying to gain financial stability. The exposure to a fast-paced, busy environment helped me gain creative problem-solving and customer service skills that I still feel lurk in my current job. Having been involved in different healthcare roles from geriatric to pediatric populations with different physical/intellectual abilities, backgrounds, and diagnoses have given me an understanding of a PA’s role and routine work. Knowing I’ll be able to switch specialties as a PA excites me. All these experiences have uniquely prepared me clinically and socially and I can’t wait to expand my scope of practice as a physician assistant.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      November 5, 2022 at 6:43 pm

      Maria,
      I can sense your desire to help patients and your ability to problem solve in a fast-paced environment.
      I would include a patient care story that shows you in action providing care for an anxious patient. You may even want to highlight how you helped a patient that only spoke Spanish. Here, show some of the qualities that will make you an effective PA.
      One note, “over time” is two words – not one. 🙂
      I wish you good luck in the process, Maria.

      Reply
  13. Jessica says

    October 28, 2022 at 2:04 pm

    Thank you for any feedback!

    Myra is a single mother who works two jobs to care for her three girls. She has been experiencing shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and a burning sensation while urinating for a few months. After two primary care visits and a trip to the emergency department, Myra was diagnosed with pleurisy post-COVID and a bladder infection. But something still didn’t feel right to her. The shortness of breath went away while lying down, and her urinalysis came back clear. One night, Myra was in so much pain she went to a different emergency department. She explained to the physician assistant her symptoms and previous diagnoses. The physician assistant ordered an MRI and finally found the source of Myra’s suffering: a softball-sized tumor encompassing her left ovary and fallopian tube. After surgery to remove the tumor, a PET scan, and various other tests, Myra would go on to be diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer with metastases of the liver, lungs, and bone. She has a five-year survival rate of 17%.

    Myra is not only my patient; she is my coworker and friend. As a medical laboratory scientist, I have been drawing and running her labs throughout this process. Over my seven years of experience in the laboratory, I have developed a solid foundation in developing analytical and diagnostic skills. While the laboratory has provided me with many career opportunities, I have reached a plateau in my learning. In Myra’s case, imaging and more substantial knowledge of disease and diagnosis were necessary. As a physician assistant, I want to provide patients with the highest quality care possible. While physician assistants care about finding the correct diagnosis, they also look to the future to figure out treatment plans to help their patients. I want to concentrate on moving forward and being a part of the solution.

    As a traveling medical laboratory scientist for the past six years and working in other healthcare roles for the past decade, I have spent much of my time advancing my communication skills. I have worked at many hospitals all over the country with coworkers and patients with different backgrounds, cultures, and personalities than myself. Moving every three to six months has prepared me to work interdependently with physicians and other healthcare staff. I have had to learn to work in a team with new people in a short amount of time. Being slightly older than the average physician assistant applicant has allowed me to become confident in who I am and how to connect with others effectively.

    There are many advantages to being a non-traditional student. My time spent working in the healthcare field after graduation has given me insight into how healthcare functions and the role each profession plays in providing patient care. An excellent physician assistant in today’s world must be well-versed in many different areas of diagnosis and therapeutics. This variety is the perfect foundation for me to succeed at my ultimate career goal of becoming a primary care provider. Primary care allows physician assistants to work in underserved communities with diverse populations, treat various illnesses, and provide patients with a chance to avoid hospital admissions.

    An education in physician assistant studies can build on my laboratory training and time spent as a healthcare traveler. I have the prior knowledge and experience to excel as a physician assistant. I want to learn the treatments and therapeutic plans needed to help care for my patients. As a physician assistant, I could work independently as a provider while learning and collaborating with physicians to provide the best possible outcome for my patients. My goal is to build professional relationships with my patients and be able to provide care for disadvantaged populations. I owe it to myself, Myra, and ultimately the patients yet to come to continue my education. Now is the time for me to become a physician assistant.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      November 5, 2022 at 6:36 pm

      Jessica,
      You are off to a great start! You do a good job of showing some of the reasons you will be an effective PA.
      I would suggest spotlighting some of the clinical skills you have gained in your different roles. Also, if you have any shadowing experience, include that. Was there an interaction you witnessed that absolutely solidified your decision?
      I wish you good luck, Jessica!

      Reply
  14. Jenny says

    September 28, 2022 at 6:22 pm

    Endless paperwork from the nurse, but the only section I could fill out was my father’s identification. Listening to the doctors, words went through one ear and out the other. My father was brought to the emergency room because of his chest pain, and I was there to translate for the family. However, having been in the United States for only four years, I struggled to understand the doctor regarding my father’s health condition. So, the hospital provided our family with a virtual Vietnamese translator. We discovered that my father had suffered a heart attack and was admitted for surgery. Throughout our stay at the hospital, we could only communicate with the medical team indirectly, which created a barrier between us. Every question we wanted to ask must have waited until a translator was put on the phone. Every single day, our mind was not only filled with worries for my father but also frustration in communication. I was concerned that words would get lost in the translation and hinder our understanding of my father’s treatment plan. Unfortunately, my father passed away before receiving surgery.
    My father was always aware of his heart condition before we came to America. Due to the language barrier and the lack of knowledge in the American healthcare system, we hesitated to seek medical care. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, non-native English speakers, immigrants, and individuals with limited English proficiency have a lower health literacy. Similar to my father, these individuals are less likely to have established care with a doctor because of the disconnection between language and cultural differences. After my father’s death, I want to be a physician assistant and use my knowledge to serve not only the Vietnamese community but also other underserved communities in the future. According to the census in 2020, there are approximately 83,000 Vietnamese residents in Florida. I want to prevent my community from going through a similar situation to my family.
    With this purpose, I began working at Publix pharmacy to better my knowledge of medicine. During my time at the pharmacy, I witnessed many patients struggle with the language barrier, just like my family. For example, I first met Mr. Tran, a geriatric patient, when he franticly came up to the pharmacy counter, waving an inhaler around. The pharmacist approached Mr. Tran and asked questions about the inhaler. But the only answer the pharmacist received was “not work.” Upon seeing the confusion and worry on the patient’s face, I knew from my experience that look of a language barrier. I decided to assist the pharmacist by asking Mr. Tran questions in Vietnamese. The patient was relieved and delighted to communicate in his native language. After some inquiries, we discovered the inhaler was broken due to improper usage. Thus, I replaced the inhaler and demonstrated to Mr. Tran the proper technique to avoid breakage and side effects, such as oral thrush. Since then, seeing Mr. Tran at the pharmacy regularly, he was always grateful that he could rely on me for guidance because not many healthcare workers knew his native language. Being able to assist Mr. Tran has solidified my passion to be a part of the healthcare field to break the language barrier in the Vietnamese community.
    After a couple of years at the pharmacy, I yearned for a more patient contact experience and involvement in the treatment. This led me to become an allergy technician at Florida ENT and Allergy. The job reminded me of the importance of health literacy in making an informed decision. For instance, Jake, an eight-year-old patient, received an order from the physician for an allergy test to find the cause of his chronic symptoms. On the day of the appointment, after reading through the consent form about the procedure and side effects, Jake’s mother was hesitant and wanted to forgo the test. She was worried about Jake’s safety and uncertain how the test would be performed. Thus, I decided to bring Jake and his mother to the exam room to address the concerns and questions. I illustrated to them the equipment I would use, the technique, and the medical treatment in the event of adverse reactions to the test. I made sure to use layman’s terms in my explanation and answers. In the end, Jake’s mother was appeased and felt confident in her decision to proceed with the test. This interaction also showed me how direct communication helps built trust between the patient and the provider and diminishes the hesitance in receiving medical care.
    From my youth and experiences in healthcare, I realized that the issue of the language barrier and health literacy could be overcome through a deep patient-provider relationship. With the focus on patient care, I strive to become a PA because the profession offers more time and contact with patients, consequently creating the opportunity to delve deeper into patient education. I hope to improve the diversity and representation of Vietnamese and underserved communities in medicine.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      October 5, 2022 at 7:50 pm

      Jenny,
      I am sorry about the loss of your father. I trust that your concern and compassion for patients will honor his legacy.
      You do a great job of showing how you want to alleviate the language barrier for patients. I suggest adding in your reasons for choosing the PA profession over another type of provider. What appeals to you? Is it more time/contact with patients? Or the ability to switch specialties? The collaborative approach to care?
      If you have any shadowing experience, I would describe that. What about an interaction you witnessed between PA/patient or PA/supervising physician appealed to you?
      I wish you good luck on your journey, Jenny.

      Reply
  15. Morgan says

    September 15, 2022 at 8:14 am

    Hey guys!
    I would love some feedback on my essay. I’m honestly horrible at putting what I want to say into words. Thanks!

    Throughout my career as a paramedic, I have witnessed a multitude of medical and traumatic emergencies. While often repetitive, exhausting, and trying, the one thing I cannot say about the profession is that it is boring. There is always something new to learn or experience, even on the third UTI patient for the day. But even though I love the profession, there are some drawbacks. It is very rare that I get to know what happens to my patients after they leave my care, so I’m often left wondering what happened to them after. I have treated many patients and yet, despite knowing I did everything I could for them, I knew they needed more.

    One patient sticks out in my memory as the last push I needed to decide I wanted to become a PA. During one of my shifts just after Christmas, my unit was called for a fall victim. A man was on a ladder attempting to take his Christmas lights down and ice caused it to slip, knocking him off. When I arrived I knew it was grim. My patient was unresponsive and posturing, and the family was sitting on the ground next to him completely at a loss of what to do. My partner and I packaged him up, and just prior to leaving our medical director arrived on scene. He offered to ride with us to the trauma center, which I was incredibly grateful for. Throughout the half hour transport there was very little we were able to do for him, aside from supporting his airway and vitals. I was feeling horrible for his family, knowing that they likely lost their father and husband just a few days after christmas, but I was also incredibly intrigued. Throughout the transport I watched as my patient developed Cushing’s triad; I watched his heart rate drop, his pulse pressure widen, and his breathing yo-yo between tachypnea and near apnea. This was something I learned about in school and hadn’t heard mention of since, and despite the grimness of the situation I was excited I was able to witness the process first-hand. In the end we dropped him off at the trauma center and, unfortunately, I never found out if he made any kind of recovery.

    While certainly the most memorable, this wasn’t the first time I felt concerned for my patients and at the same time intrigued. Every time I get to experience a new disease process, a new treatment, or even a new perspective on an old case, I’m like a kid in a candy store. This is one of the things that finally made me choose to become a physician assistant; I like the flexibility it offers; that I would have the opportunity to experience all different fields. I also like that, unlike most of my patients, I would have the opportunity to be with my patients from beginning to end. I would be able to help them through the entire process and actually know how they are doing through it all. As a paramedic I’ve worked with medical professionals of all kinds, from doctors and PAs, to respiratory therapists and radiology techs. I’ve been a part of a team that, while we all have different training and backgrounds, can come together to save one person’s life. I’m excited to have the opportunity to step into the physician assistant role in that team to more greatly help my patients.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      September 19, 2022 at 5:06 pm

      Morgan,
      I can sense your passion to help patients woven throughout your essay. I would suggest adding in more details about some of the clinical skills and medical knowledge you have gained throughout your work experience. I would also include some of the details from your shadowing experience. If you shadowed PAs was there an interaction between PA/patient that solidified your decision? Also, in your conclusion I would tie back to your introduction in some way. I wish you good luck in the process, Morgan. Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.

      Reply
  16. Whitney Prosperi says

    September 14, 2022 at 9:32 am

    Hannah,
    Your introduction does a great job of grabbing the reader’s attention and also showing your ability to connect with patients.
    I would suggest adding more details describing your work/clinical experience. Also, elaborate more on what about the PA profession appeals to you. (the ability to switch specialties, more time/contact with patients, opportunity to expand access to care)
    I wish you good luck in the process, Hannah.

    Reply
  17. Anna says

    August 30, 2022 at 1:36 pm

    Just looking for any advice I can to make this a better essay! May need help with organization and anything I can add or cut. Thanks in advance

    4:30am read the clock when I arrived at my first job in healthcare. Unsure how the day would go, I headed into the clinic to get my day started. Dialysis was something I had heard of before but did not know much about. Never had I experienced it firsthand and never had I known anyone that was on dialysis, so the entirety of this job was new to me. From that day forward, I would see my patients three times a week for about of four or five hours each time. Each patient is unique in their own way. Some would watch TV during treatment, some would sleep, and some would work. The diversity among my patients while all being there for one common reason excited me the most.
    As we go through school and get older, a common question that tends to arise repeatedly is “what do you want to be when you grow up?” For many, they have an answer, even if it may be to be a princess. I, on the other hand, was never truly sure as to what I wanted to do when I got older. It was not until seventh grade, when my friend had told me that her father was a pediatric neurologist, that I had any idea of what I wanted to be when I grew up. From then on, I had always said that I would do something along those lines, but I had never pinpointed what exactly I wanted to pursue. Fast forward to sophomore year in college, I had been having back pain for many years, which in turn held me back when it came to my sport, softball. I had played since I was six, and was lucky enough to play in college, but it came to a point where even standing for periods of time would cause my back pain to increase, let alone run. I had decided to take myself to a see a doctor to simply get a diagnosis. When I arrived at my appointment, I expected to see the doctor, but I never did. The physician assistant was the one who provided all of my care. I had many appointments and saw the doctor three times, which were for procedures only. The physician assistant was the one I had a connection with. It was then, that I had decided what I wanted to be when I grew up.
    After this realization, I played softball one more year until my injury would not allow me to play my final year in college. On the other hand, it allowed me the time to start taking those steps forward to my future. I shadowed at a family practice, in which they saw patients who were uninsured or underinsured in a rural community. During this time, I was able to witness a broad spectrum of patient diagnoses and concerns. The broad spectrum ranged from a drug seeking adult male who accused the clinic of refusal of treatment to a sports physical for a young girl who was to start 5th grade and wanted to play basketball, volleyball, and softball. These experiences made me want to be the one who was directly serving the patients, which is how I ended up in my car at 4:30am at my first real job in healthcare as a dialysis patient care technician.
    Working in a dialysis clinic has become one of the most rewarding things I have done, and luckily, I get to do it multiple times a week. I say that it is rewarding in the sense that I am making them feel better sometimes instantly and seeing them feel relieved of their shortness of breath and other complaints, makes me feel good as well. Seeing the same patients three times a week for multiple hours at a time draws people together, ultimately making them an extension of family. Each patient comes from a different background, making them all different in various ways. For example, the ambulation and ability for each patient is different. Some patients would rather do everything on their own, but for others the technician would have to. Each patient bleeds for different lengths of time, so a technician may be holding one person’s sites for 20 minutes. In this time, what else is there to do but talk to them. One day, I was holding one of my nonambulatory patient’s sites at the end of treatment and we were just chatting away when she states, “I am so glad I met you.” I had only been in that clinic for 2 days, and she barely knew me. After she stated this, I knew that direct patient care was what I needed to be doing. From then on, I had many patients exclaim how happy they were that I was in the clinic working, which only made me want to be able to do more for them, and everyone. I want to be the one with the personal connection to each of my future patients.
    As a physician assistant, the focus on patient care is what drew me to this specific profession. Throughout my personal experiences, along with other family member’s experiences, the physician assistant was the primary provider. From my time as a dialysis technician, I have found that I enjoy the direct care. Along with this, the versatility that comes with being a physician assistant is appealing as well. The ability to switch specialties provides the opportunity to keep me on my toes mentally and physically to broaden my skill set for many years.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      September 14, 2022 at 10:35 am

      Anna,
      I can sense your desire to impact patients’ lives woven throughout your essay.
      I would suggest condensing where you can so that you have some room to add in more elements of your journey.
      You may want to elaborate some on your healthcare journey. Describe some of your clinical skills and work experience.
      Also, in your shadowing paragraph, describe an interaction between PA/patient or PA/supervising physician that solidified your decision to pursue this path.
      Lastly, I would write a more formal conclusion. Here, reiterate your desire to have greater responsibility for patient care and tie back to your introduction in some way.
      I wish you good luck on your journey, Anna.

      Reply
  18. Parker says

    August 30, 2022 at 11:24 am

    Hey all! I would appreciate some feedback.

    Aloha, I’m Parker and I want to be a Physician’s Assistant. Years ago, I would never have believed that I would aspire to a career as challenging and as great as this. There have been so many moments leading to this point and I’m excited express my desire to be a PA and show why I would be a great fit for a program.
    When I was younger, I lacked confidence and school wasn’t my focus. I spent years working at Sonic learning to work hard, but I felt like I needed more. I decided to serve a mission for my church. After saving the necessary $10,000 to participate, I left my family for 2 years with minimal contact. I moved to San Jose, California where I focused on learning the Chinese language and volunteering with Chinese Americans in many capacities. It was here where I realized that serving other people gave life meaning and I started building more confidence in myself.
    When I returned from my mission, I decided to continue my education and was accepted and enrolled in brigham young university. Still unsure what to study I went ahead with my general classes needed for a degree. With more maturity and experience I found school came a lot easier to me. This was another boost in my confidence that I needed to seek out the right career. I had heard of the PA profession from a friend who was in the field and was intrigued. He encouraged me to work in healthcare before I fully committed to the path to ensure that it was right for me. My wife was graduating at the time and we decided to move to Texas with a job offer she had received. While there, I worked as a medical scribe and started a program to be trained as a medical assistant.
    After graduating I found a job at a small family practice. Working as a medical assistant taught me so much. I learned I’m not squeamish, and that I love the body. I learned I have a passion for general health and helping others be aware of healthy choices. I learned how much people’s health effects their life and wellbeing. I loved developing a relationship with the patients, co-workers, and the heathcare providers. I realized that I have a calm temperament and can diffuse tension and bad moods both in my office and with patients.
    Around this time, I started shadowing PA’s and I loved what I saw. I liked that the PA’s got to spend more time with their patients and I was surprised at how independently they were allowed to work. They seemed less stressed than the doctors I was working with. Every PA I have shadowed has been able to take time with me to answer my questions. They all loved their jobs and further convinced me that this was the right choice.
    My wife found out she was pregnant early in 2020, while we were in lockdown for Covid. When we began testing for covid I was required to suit up in full PPE to go out to the parking lot to swab. I was scared of bringing the virus home to my wife, but also excited to be able to do something for people and be at the front lines.
    When my wife hit 25 weeks with her pregnancy, she had to be hospitalized for a month to avoid pre-term delivery. I spent the month in the hospital supporting my wife as well as working when I could. We were surrounded by so many health-care workers and were really taken care of. It was interesting being on the other side of healthcare and how personal it was for me that we were getting the care we needed. I want to be a PA and help take care of people and their family members when they are in a time of need.
    I got a in a discussion with one healthcare providers about why they go into healthcare and they mentioned a program called international medical aid. I kept this in the back on my mind and after the baby was born and life was back to normal I decided to attend this program.

    I had already decided to be a physician assistant before the program but my time in on this internship really solidified my choice. It was such a shocking difference in care that my wife had received in Texas verse what was provided in Kenya. I will never forget that feeling being surrounded by people who were in desperate need of care and me not being able to do anything substantial to help them. I never want to feel like that again. I have to get more medical training so I can help others.
    I think that’s what intrigues me so much about PA’s. They were created as a solution to the healthcare system shortage of doctors. Is that they were created to fill a need. I love that and I really want to be a part of it.
    Since returning from my internship in Kenya I decided to continue working on my degree and pre-reqs. I transferred to BYU-H and have loved the science pre-req classes that I have taken. They have flown by, being much easier than I anticipated and I cannot get enough. I’ve enjoyed the long hours of studying and knowledge I’ve gained in the different biology, and chemistry classes. I only have a couple more semesters left in my degree and its very clear to me that I’m not ready for school to end.
    With every step towards PA school, I feel more and more passionate about becoming a PA. I want to challenge myself. I want a job that has a combination of mental challenge but also has real effects on peoples’ daily life.
    I hope to one day be able to say, Aloha, I am Parker a Physicians Assistant.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      September 14, 2022 at 9:42 am

      Parker,
      I can sense your desire to help others woven throughout your essay.
      You may want to start your introduction with the story about your time in California helping Chinese Americans.
      I would also elaborate on some of the clinical skills you have gained throughout your different roles.
      Another important element would be a patient care story. You want to show yourself in action providing clinical care of some kind while connecting with a patient on a personal level.
      To add these elements, you may need to condense throughout your essay.
      I’m not saying you need this, but should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
      I wish you good luck, Parker!

      Reply
  19. Hannah says

    August 29, 2022 at 12:21 pm

    I could not help but move towards the soft whimpering. It was as if someone was trying to hold back tears by smothering their face into a pillow. It was only my second week at the long-term care facility, so I was still getting used to the various noises of people, alarms, and machines that filled each room. As I walked in, one of the newer residents quickly pulled the sheets over her head, yelling at me to leave. The last thing I wanted was to make her uncomfortable and invade her privacy, so I communicated, “My name is Hannah. I’m a nursing assistant, and I want to help you if you’d let me.” After weighing her options, she allowed me to grab a basin and some washcloths to clean up her bowel incontinence. I then left to find fresh linens, but my coworker stopped me and questioned who they were for. Apparently, this particular resident has not let anyone assist her with anything since she was placed at the facility a week ago. It was then that I realized healthcare is more than just knowledge; it is about developing relationships with patients to build trust.

    My observation of a physician assistant (PA) named Joshua at a walk-in clinic solidified the importance of a patient-caregiver connection. Being in a rural area, most of his patients did not have a primary care physician, so he diagnosed and treated distinct problems. One of the patients we observed came in frequently due to his back pain. He insisted that this PA was the only one he would see because, in his words, he is “the only one I trust.” The PA recommended that he should get a CT scan in an attempt to find the underlying cause of his pain. Although the patient was reluctant, he eventually was willing to do it. In an unforeseen occurrence, the CT scan unveiled that the patient had lung cancer that had metastasized to his spine. Fortunately, the patient is now being treated, but if he did not trust the PA the way that he did, he most likely would never have been diagnosed.

    Establishing a person’s trust in a healthcare setting is something I hastily grew confident in, and I know it will greatly benefit me in my future career. Although school limited my time at the long-term care facility, I enjoyed my small role in improving my residents’ days. This position built my passion for healthcare. I often listened to my residents about their diagnoses and treatment plans while my head spun its gears to form my care plan for them. My role as a nursing assistant was rewarding, but I aspired to further my education and play a greater role in the medical aspect of patient care.

    Collaboration is a skill that is often forgotten in medical professions, and it is something that proved difficult for me at the start of my undergraduate education. Throughout my first year at The Pennsylvania State University, I was content with sitting by myself in lectures and doing my work without the insight of my peers. However, I realized that my grades poorly reflected the time and effort I put into studying for my classes. As my classes narrowed the following year, I met people in my major with similar plans for their future which evolved into study groups. We worked on explaining the material to each other and making connections between different topics, allowing for a much deeper understanding of the information.

    Although my grades improved, it wasn’t until I sought a position that would more closely mimic the role of a professional degree that I realized the importance of collaboration. I found myself as a nursing assistant in the medical-surgical unit of a hospital. I observed nurses, doctors, PAs, and therapists discussing and exchanging viewpoints about the patient’s needs and wishes to provide the most successful patient-centered care. Although I struggled with collaboration amongst peers, I quickly grew out of that mindset and learned from my mistakes. I am confident that this evolution in my abilities will benefit me as a future PA.

    All my interactions with patients and other healthcare providers have shaped me into the PA I aspire to be. I am excited to use the skills of communication with patients and collaboration amongst peers that I have developed and will continue to enhance until one day I can meet a patient and say, “My name is Hannah. I’m a physician assistant, and I’d love to help you if you’d let me.”

    Reply
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Working with Sarah was a wonderful experience. She was prompt, attentive, and incredibly supportive throughout the process. Sarah never deviated from the authenticity of my essay. Even after she made vast changes, the essay still felt true to what I wanted to express. Thank you, Sarah! I would recommend this service to anyone applying to PA school.

Ashley, Pre-PA

This was the most amazing experience! I felt so confident about my topic and essay after our meeting. Duke got back to me quickly and worked around my crazy schedule. The editing of the essay was professional and gave me insight I could not have received any other way. I only applied to one school because it is really the one I would like to go to the most and I got an interview!!! Thank you so much for all of your help!

Kathryn R, PA-S

I just wanted to share some amazing news with you! I have been accepted into the MEDEX PA program in Seattle!!! I can’t thank you enough for all your help!! I am beyond excited and still can’t believe it is actually happening! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!!!!! 😀

Pavitra, PA-S

I just wanted to let you know I accepted a spot at the University of Dubuque’s PA program! I want to thank you for all your help and support in this process and for all the positivity you brought my way. Thanks for all you do and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with you! I would recommend you highly to anyone.

Meghna, PA-S

Holy cow! I wanted to let you know I have been accepted to PA school.  I will be attending the Franklin Pierce Physician Assistant Program, Class of 2019 in West Lebanon, NH. I cannot thank you enough for being part of my journey.

If you are reading this you might have been like me skeptical and trying to find a way to write a stellar essay for your PA application.  I want to share with you my exceptional experience using this service.  First, do yourself a favor and BUY the eBook, “How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement.”  I read it twice. Once before I started my essay draft and then again during.  I cannot stress how helpful the book was in clearly stating what the Admissions Directors are looking for in an application essay.  Next, the book reviews how to formulate a proper essay with clear instructions, easy reminders of the writing process, and excellent examples of good and bad writing choices.  After several drafts of my essay, I made an appointment to work with Duke Pasquini, one of the authors of the guide, through the internet and via phone to help with editing and my length issue.  Duke’s professional experience and kind and straight forward demeanor allowed me to create a winning essay that was an authentic representation of me.  Not only did I receive an interview from my top choice of PA school I was accepted a week later into their Physician Assistant Program, Class of 2019.  Thank you, “PA Life” for being a part of my journey.

Michele Williams, 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

My editor thoroughly went through my essay and provided exactly what I was looking for to bring my essay to the next level.

Matthew, 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 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

This was just what my essay needed. I am confident that I have answered all the questions without sounding too “braggy”.

Kelsey, Pre-PA

I am extremely pleased with this service. It is exactly 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

Carly did an absolutely amazing job editing my essays. From my personal statement to my supplementals, she was thorough and methodically made them into stronger essays. I am glad I was able to work with her. With her edits, I am more confident about the essays I am submitting. I would gladly recommend her to anyone!

Jacob, PRE-PA

This was an extremely helpful process! I still have work to do on my essay but Sue was very helpful by giving me criticism I needed to hear from an unbiased source as well as being very fast responding! I think this will help me moving forward and having a strong application!

Morgan Rial, Pre-PA

I absolutely love the way my essay sounds! I truly appreciate all of your help. I will definitely recommend prospective PA students your way! It’s been a pleasure.

Natalie, Pre-PA

Sue was great! She edited my essay in a short time frame and the comments and feedback were very informative. She helped link all of my main ideas and gave great advice regarding appropriate information for the essay. I highly recommend this service.

Michelle, 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 had a great experience with The PA Life essay revision service. They were very professional and made revisions in a timely manner. My editor was very understanding about my schedule and when it would take me longer to reply to emails. I would recommend this service to any new grad PAs!

Sandy, Pre-PA

Great feedback and turn around time. Utilizing this feature gave me even more confidence that I was trying my best to be the top candidate.

Kristopher, 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

I was accepted into PA last cycle and am currently in my second semester! I am a part of the inaugural class at Keck Graduate Institute. Your services really helped me during the application process. I enjoyed working with Sarah on my personal statement. She helped me view my experiences from a different perspective, making my personal statement more unique and stand out amongst other applicants. The mock interview was also very helpful and prepared me for my one and only interview. I was given great pointers and feedback on how to refine my answers. Thank you again for your services!

Michelle Chen, PA-S

The edit that I received from Sue was exactly what I was hoping for. She was able to tighten up my draft beyond my personal skill level and made edits that I was would have never thought to make. She has definitely made my personal statement stronger. Thank you, Sue!

Ethan, Pre-PA

I LOVED the suggestions Carly made for my essay. Not only was she thorough with her edits, but she also provided a lot of quality feedback that really made my essay shine. Carly took my unedited, messy essay and helped me better convey what I was trying to say. I have nothing but positive things to say about this experience and feel this service was worth every penny.

Rachel, Pre-PA

I am happy to provide an update. I received 5 acceptances for this cycle and will be attending Rush University PA Program starting in May 2022. Of course, I definitely have Sarah Schultz and Deanna Matzen from The PA Life to thank for their incredible help with my personal statement, instilling confidence in my ability to interview, and providing me with a lot of advice in this very difficult cycle.

Bristi (Future PA)

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

Susan did a fantastic job of editing my essay! She guided me and gave me suggestions for strengthening certain sections and equally took out weak parts. After I followed her recommendations, I really felt like I had an essay where every sentence mattered and reflected who I was. Thank you so much Susan for your help. I feel that I have a stronger essay because of your honest feedback and your help!

Amanda, Pre-PA

This past June, you helped me formulate my personal statement for my PA school applications. After our video chat and countless hours editing my CASPA information, I submitted my application and was then given the opportunity to interview at five PA programs. To prepare for my interviews, I would read my personal statement over and over again to remind myself of why I wanted to be a PA. This helped me succeed in my interviews. I was accepted to a few schools, but have I have made my final decision to matriculate into the University of Texas Medical Branch PA program in July! I wanted to follow up after I made my final decision to thank you for helping me with an important step to achieve this amazing life goal. Several of my friends are applying this upcoming cycle, and I will definitely be passing along your information. Again, thank you so much!

Kylie, Pre-PA

Sarah was super helpful and flexible in my schedule. Her editing really turned my essay around, and made me a much more confident applicant! I am so glad I utilized this service. I will keep you updated on my results for this round 🙂

Mollie, Pre-PA

I wanted to tell you that I interviewed with MEDEX on Friday, got the call yesterday that I’m accepted! I also interviewed with Pacific University on and I felt that went VERY well too. I should hear from them any day now. I will keep you in the loop. I appreciate all your help and support!

Norah, PA-S

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

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

Sue was amazing! She was very quick at replying to my emails and looking over my paper and application. She was so helpful and has a way with words. I know I will continue to use her services throughout my application process!

Miranda, Pre-PA

I just wanted to send you a quick email, letting you know that I finally got accepted into PA school! I will be attending Sacred Heart University in Connecticut and will be starting this fall. I could not have made it this far without your help! This was my third time applying and during my first two cycles, I didn’t think that I needed outside help. But this time around, I decided that I needed to change my tactic and I am so freaking happy that I did. Your guidance and advice on my personal statement absolutely made a difference. I had 6 interviews and got accepted into 4! You have helped changed my life and I am forever grateful. I have several friends who will be applying this cycle so I will be referring them to you!

Christian, Pre-PA

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

I am amazed by what Deanna was able to do in helping me get my supplemental essays in shape. I had hit a serious roadblock and she was able, and in an incredibly quick manner, help me remove those blocks. I am very grateful!

Lily, Pre-PA

My editor was Beth, and she blew my expectations out of the water. She got back to me within 24 hours of submitting my request for edits and helped me so much with the edits she made. If I receive an interview, I am excited to use PA Life to help me with mock interviews.

Haley, Pre-PA

Deanna was very opening to helping me with my essay. Although I had the material, the way she edited gave it a very nice and easy flow for the reader. She gave me her critical suggestions and comments that I would have otherwise missed. I am so glad I chose The PA Life revision services for my personal statement for PA school.

Yana, Pre-PA

I am so happy to have gone through this editing process! I did not think you would take so much time to not only give me great feedback but also to edit and revise my paper like you did. I am so happy with my new revised paper and will definitely tell my friends!

Eric, Pre-PA

I absolutely loved working with Sarah! I could not be any happier with how my personal statement turned out. She was incredibly encouraging, sensitive to my needs, and insightful. There is not enough praise that I could give her for the amazing work she did for me.

Vanessa, 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

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 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 just wanted to update you that I got waitlisted for Drexel but accept to Dominican University of California. I still have other interviews coming up. Thank you for your help!

Karmen Wu, 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

This service was very helpful. My essay was edited and returned to me within a few days of me submitting it. The feedback was thorough and detailed. I am already planning on sending my essay for a second edit!

Sabrina, Pre-PA

Thank you so much for your assistance with perfecting my personal statement. This service is truly helpful. They were able to easily edit and help to convey exactly what was in my heart onto paper. I was accepted to my first choice PA program this week!!

Vincent, PA-S

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

Sarah was absolutely wonderful. She not only helped take my personal statement to the best level, but she also made it easy to understand why certain changes were better. In the end, she went through and used a highlighting method to show how we connected things to PA and skills that were good. This made it easier to visualize everything. I’d recommend Sarah to anyone applying to PA school that needs that extra push on their personal statements.

Taylor, Pre-PA

Sue was a huge help with my essay. Her edits made my essay sound much better grammatically and she pointed out some content problems I completely missed. She prompted me to write a few more paragraphs before her edit and added the information into my essay. That made a big difference. She was very knowledgable about what PA programs were looking for. I am really happy with your service. Worth every penny, THANKS!

Megan Stephenson, Pre-PA

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

It was wonderful to work with The PA Life once again. I appreciated all of my editors’ feedback and creative writing style which was needed to keep the essay within the allowable character limit. I also appreciated how my editor, Sarah, took the time to discover more about me and worked to show those parts which I was unable to reflect myself. With Sarah’s help, the essay really came to life and was a true reflection of my work, personality, and aspiring goals. I’m grateful for all the work she put into helping me with this project!

Jacob, Pre-PA

Duke made some important modifications to my essay and offered several helpful suggestions. I appreciated his insight and a keen eye.

Ilina K. Pre-PA

I just want to thank you again so much for being so awesome and helping me perfect my statement. I promised you that I would let you know if I got into any programs, and I was offered interviews at all the five universities I applied to. And I got offered positions at my top two school choices shortly after I interviewed. I am so ecstatic to say that I will be going to my number one school choice. I know multiple factors contributed to this opportunity being offered to me and the personal statement was surely a big one. Thank you so much for all that you do. It was really a great investment to have you edit my paper. I hope you have a fantastic rest of your day!

Elisa, PA-S

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

I just want to follow up and let you know that I have been so fortunate enough to have conducted 3 interviews and received 3 acceptances, and I have decided to continue my educational journey at the OHSU PA program. I can’t thank you enough for all the help you’ve provided me, from helping me with my personal statement to mock interviews. I couldn’t have done this without your help, thank you.

Yomiyu Gafesu, PA-S

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

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

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

We worked on my essays back in summer and oh, how much work it was! But it all paid off because I just got accepted into the school of my first choice! Thank you so much for your time and dedication to my success. I will also be glad to recommend your services to other pre-PA students at my school!

Jennifer, H Pre-PA

I came into this with a half written personal statement and not a lot of time left. I am beyond pleased with the work Sarah and I were able to accomplish together, and I’m so grateful to have gotten the chance to work with her. She has helped me so much with getting my writing to where I wanted it to be, and has instilled in me a great sense of confidence in myself and my abilities. I highly recommend this service to anyone going through the stress of applying! Keeping my fingers crossed as I submit my applications!

Celine, 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

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for helping me with my personal statement. I have been accepted at Cornell, and will most likely be entering their program in March 2017. I have also received interview offers from Wake Forest, Duke, Pitt, Quinnipiac, Oregon Health Sciences, and Chatham so far. I am happy to share my success up to this point, because I would not be in this position without your guidance, wisdom, and talent.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with you, and I am profoundly grateful for your help. I wish you all the best in the future.

Stephanie Dwyer, PA-S

I had an excellent experience with this service. Deanna was thorough, attentive to my essay, and very easy to contact. She did a great job and I would highly recommend this service to anyone.

Grant, Pre-PA

Sue Edmonson has been a great help in ensuring my personal statement made sense and fit what information I was trying to convey. Her ability to find the pertinent parts in an essay and gain more information about me to make the essay seem relative to my pursuits was truly a Godsend. Would recommend her and your company to others. Thanks!

Christopher Ohsie, Pre-PA

I am so happy with the service Sarah provided! My personal statement turned out exactly how I was hoping it would!

Jennifer, Pre-PA

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

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

I just wanted to let you know that the majority of my interviews have gone really well! So far, I’ve received six interview invites and have interviewed for five schools. Midwestern (AZ) just got back to me a bit ago, and they sent me an acceptance email! I am beyond thrilled! I just wanted to thank you so much for your help! Your mock interview gave me a lot of confidence that I was able to carry into my interviews! I appreciated having the opportunity to practice my interview skills with you. I wanted to let you know just how much you’ve helped me with my application process (with my interviews, personal statement, and just my confidence in general)! Thank you so much for all of the advice over the past few months!

Sneh, PA-S

Carly did a fantastic job helping my personal statement create fluid and concise writing to help convey my experience! I highly recommend using this service even if you think your statement is solid because they will help make it better than you could have imagined! Thank you for everything.

Kelsey, Pre-PA

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.

Rebecca, Pre-PA

The ease, frequency, and promptness of communication were some of the best aspects of this service. I found the review and revisions to be very thoughtful and explained in a way where I knew exactly how to apply them to my essay. I would 100% recommend the PA Life PS review to any applicant, and especially enjoyed working with Carly. I am hopeful my personal statement will gain the attention of PA programs I am applying to.

Charlie, 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

Just found your site today while trying to update my resume. Also, I have to recertify next year so your tests are great for a refresher course. I was in a specialty area of medicine so I now realize how much I forgot in the past 5 years. Thank you very much and I will pass on to other PAs.

Pattie Solomon PA-CNorTh Miami Florida

So far, I’ve received 3 interview invites from Chapman, Drexel, and Tufts!!! I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to Sarah for polishing my PS, supplemental essays and giving me lots of awesome tips for my upcoming interviews!!!

Audrey, Pre-PA

This review is long overdue, but my gratitude for how much The PA Life has helped me will never fade. Ms. Schultz went above and beyond to help me tailor my personal statement to my unique stories and qualities. She was open to my suggestions and often thought from my perspective instead of imposing her thoughts on my essay. I appreciate the time she took to help me create a personal statement that expressed my thoughts clearly and concisely. I am happy to report that I have been invited to interviews, and I’m on the waitlist for one of my top schools. If I don’t get in this cycle, I will be using the editing services again. Big shout out to Ms. Schultz!! Thank you for all your encouragement, patience, and support! I am honored to have the chance to work with you. 🙂

Amy, 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

Kelly M. provided an exceptional experience with detailed recommendations. I am upset that I did not find The PA Life editing service sooner! I will be referring anyone I know applying to pa school to this platform!

Manny, 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

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

Carly was extremely prompt and helpful! She helped edit my personal statement into something that I am extremely confident applying with!

Danielle, Pre-PA

I want to say thank you, first off for providing such a service. It was difficult having to write a personal statement and then have others critique it, when there is not a clear rubric to follow. I think having to write a personal statement is such an emotional process, and then having others edit it, can be a very harsh pill to swallow. Thank you for your edits, I have no doubt that this process will make my personal statement more compelling and hopefully a more competitive applicant.

Stephanie, Pre-PA

It was an absolute pleasure working with Sarah. She was prompt to respond, professional, and kind. Sarah is an excellent writer. I was consistently impressed with her edits and suggestions for my personal statement. After working with Sarah I feel confident that my final essay will be well-received schools and help me stand out as a candidate.

Leah, Pre-PA

Sue was extremely prompt and thoughtful in providing her comments, edits, and revisions. My essay had a good start but she helped me write it with admissions committees in mind. I will keep you updated on if I get interview invitations.

Kirsten, Pre-PA

I am so thankful that this editing service exists. The personal statement is incredibly important which is why I was so nervous about it. It took me two weeks to even get started because I was so nervous about writing the wrong thing. After Carly helped me with my essay, I am now so much more confident in it. Her edits were very thorough and showed that she had a really good understanding of what is important for a PA personal statement. Her email detailing her overall impression of my essay also showed she understood every single point I was trying to make and what kind of feeling I was trying to give to people reading my essay. This has been the most reassuring thing.

Angela, Pre-PA

Thanks to the PA life and Deanna I was accepted to ECU PA program this cycle. I’m starting my program next fall. I have been part of the PA life community and a member of the leadership team at the virtual pre-PA club with Deanna and others. I’m preparing a video presentation about how to become a PA for IMG. I’m a nontraditional app and abnormally normal applicant 😆. The video will be posted on the IMG space of the community. I’m so happy to share my experience and help pre-PA like me.

Shynar Johnson, PA-S

I was very pleased with this service. Writing has never been my strongest area. While I had the ideas that I wanted to convey I wasn’t able to articulate them as well as I’d hoped. Carly provided comments and suggestions without altering my central thesis. Any questions that I had were answered quickly and thoroughly. Any grammatical mistakes were also addressed which put my mind at ease. I would recommend The PA Life personal statement essay revision service to anyone applying.

Keith G, Pre-PA

I can’t begin to explain how thrilled I am to have stumbled on this service. Like many other PA applicants, I was unsure of whether I was on the right track with my personal narrative. Reading Stephen’s two different PA school application essays showed me how to come up with something unique and creative, but the private personal statement review really made my essay shine.

Duke was so kind and helpful in helping me understand what admissions committees look for in a strong essay. Our phone conversations were so thorough, as we read through and discussed every word in my essay. Sue’s guidance helped me cut out the fluff to reach the character limit.

Melissa T. 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

Mr. Pasquini was very patient, accommodating and direct in his editing/advice. He was honest, in a way that I needed due to the importance of the letter. I even picked up a few tips to enhance my writing from our meetings. Great experience and will definitely recommend him to others!

Alana P. 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 really pushed me to write from the heart and explore my true reasons for applying to PA school.  I was very pleased with the outcome.  I haven’t yet received an interview, but my fingers are crossed!

Emily P. Pre-PA

Sarah is amaaaaaaaaaaazing!! She is super kind and helpful. My original essay was very long at about 9,000 characters and I had no idea how to trim it down. Sarah helped me decide what to include and eliminate from my personal statement while correcting many of my grammatical errors. She was a complete professional and very easy to work with. I would recommend Sarah and The PA Life personal statement revision service to everyone, they are absolutely wonderful!

Fariha, Pre-PA

Having my essay edited proved extremely helpful. I was having trouble connecting my thoughts, and the edit helped so much. I haven’t found out about acceptance yet. I’m just now about to submit my application!

Amber, Pre-PA

I worked closely with Duke and Sue 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 e-mails 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!

Personal Statement Collaborative

Michelle Murphy, 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

My experience with the PA Life personal statement collaborative was simply remarkable. My editor did an outstanding job making sure that my personal statement reflected my BEST work and addressed all of my concerns regarding the essay and other questions I had about my application. I can’t thank you enough for all the help I received during this process. Thank you!

Erika, Pre-PA

I wanted to share exciting news with you – I got accepted to UT Health San Antonio’s Physician Assistant program!!! I am so thankful for ALL of your work and talent that was put into my personal statement and supplemental essays. I could not have gotten through this process without you. I extend a thank you from my mother, Tammy, as well. We were so blessed to be paired with you. Your hard work and dedication to helping me as a Pre-PA student-led to success during the application process. I hope 2021 is treating you well and you have a blessed year!

Aubrey, PA-S

Carly blew away all my expectations. She not only suggested edits to refine the content, but she also made grammatical and structural changes that fine-tuned my essay and allowed it to flow. I came into the editing process feeling hopeless about my personal statement, but with her edits, I feel confident that it will stand out. On top of all that, Carly was very timely in editing and returning my essay – I got it back within a few days! I’m very pleased with her service and recommend it to anyone out there who needs a fresh, professional set of eyes on their personal statement.

Stephanie, Pre-PA

I am pleased to tell you that I have been accepted to PA school, starting in 2-weeks.? I appreciate everything you have done for me, from helping with my personal statement to preparing me for interviews. You have been with me since the beginning of the application process and I really wanted to thank you.

Shane, Pre-PA

This was my third time applying to PA school and I wanted it to be my last so I figured getting help with the essay would make a difference in my application. Paying for the one on one service was the best idea I’ve had to date. Sarah was great in that she literally combined three different essays I had written into one phenomenal essay! I literally have no idea how she did it. Sarah helped me focus all of my thoughts and experience down into one concise, yet personal essay. I truly think this will help me get into PA school!

Anna M. PRE-PA

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101 PA School Admission Essays

Admissions Directors Know What They Want. Shouldn't You? You’re slaving away at your personal statement, but can’t help wondering if anyone will read past the first line. A troubling thought, isn’t…

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How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement

What Makes This Book Unique? We have worked with 1000’s of applicants through our Personal Statement and Essay Collaborative and have interviewed PA school faculty and Admissions Directors from 12…

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