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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 2,473 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 (30th May 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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  • 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 […]
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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. Sally L says

    May 30, 2023 at 12:46 am

    Hi, I’ve finished my first draft of my PS, but am still 608 characters over. Any feedback would be helpful and much appreciated. Thanks

    Crash! The next thing I know, I am laying on the ground facing the sky with the sound of sirens next to me. On my first day of junior college, I had been in a head on bike collision. My bike was mangled and my glasses were flung across the road. The events that followed were a blur, but I clearly felt the throbbing pain in my head. I was brought to the school’s clinic where I was greeted by a doctor, Kris, who performed a myriad of physical and neurological tests. Her calm demeanor alleviated my anxious nerves and assured me that I was being taken care of. She determined that I was fine, but likely had a mild concussion. She advised me to take it easy and get plenty of rest. Two weeks later, she was happy to find that I was fine and continuing my studies. Unexpectedly, I saw her a few weeks later as a guest speaker at my pre-health club. To my surprise, Kris introduced herself as a PA, not a doctor. Her autonomy, extensive knowledge, and compassionate care had convinced me that she was a doctor. My encounter with Kris sparked my interest in being a PA..

    I had another pivotal encounter one night when I felt a sharp, persistent pain in my right lower abdomen. After five hours of nausea, vomiting, and holding the fetal position to no avail I went to the ER. I was seen by PA Mia, who thoroughly examined me and started me on painkillers. An ultrasound and CT scan later, Mia told me I had appendicitis and needed an appendectomy. Throughout the night, I awoke to a revolving door of doctors introducing themselves as the ones who would perform my surgery shortly. However, due to an unavailability of OR rooms, it wasn’t until the following afternoon that my appendix was removed and I was discharged. Mia was the one constant among the chaos that night. From beginning to end, she checked up on me every few hours, updated me on the situation, comforted me through my pain, addressed my concerns, and assured me that I would get the surgery I needed. She even got in contact with my mom, who was not allowed to be with me due to COVID restrictions, and let me speak to her. I am so grateful for and inspired by the intimate and personal care Mia provided. In my times of need, there was a PA at the forefront of my care, helping me get back on my feet, ultimately affirming my desire to become a PA.

    As an ophthalmology MA, I realized the importance of establishing a connection. Patients often felt uneasy coming in as they would undergo a variety of vision exams with the fear that their vision had deteriorated. By offering a listening ear and words of encouragement as I administered their exams, patients immediately felt at ease and gained a sense of confidence not only in their own abilities, but also in the care they are receiving. Through the relationships I forged with patients, I learned of their daily struggles due to impaired vision, but seeing how they left happier than they had arrived demonstrates the power of exceptional patient care through patience, compassion, and empathy.

    As a dermatology MA, I am exposed to a plethora of skin conditions, allowing me to seamlessly transition between situations. From botox injections to excising melanomas, I assist in a wide array of procedures which has prepared me to navigate the versatile landscape of specialties that PAs may encounter. During intake, I exercise autonomy by filtering through conversation and asking questions relevant to their condition to find pertinent information. Then, I hone my critical thinking skills as I present the case to the provider in a concise manner and propose a diagnosis and treatment plan. Being able to actively participate in the dialogue with providers has provided first hand experience into the complex thought processes involved in diagnosing and formulating appropriate treatment plans.

    “You changed my life,” “I can finally sleep,” “I forgot what it felt like to not be in pain,” and “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you” are only a few of the indelible sentiments I have heard patients tell their PAs. Working closely with PA Krystal, I’ve seen how much she has improved her patients’ daily lives through prescribing medications to manage acne or clear widespread psoriasis. Krystal’s dedication to her patients is shown through her passion to thoroughly educate them and her unrelenting drive to devise an effective treatment plan. I observed PA Gloria demonstrate the versatility and wide scope of a PA as she utilized and applied her vast knowledge to diagnose both psychological and physical conditions, perform examinations, prescribe medications, and send referrals to the appropriate specialties. Her patients are always grateful for the exceptional care they receive and leave confident in their treatment plan. Witnessing the positive impact of the PA’s I have assisted and shadowed continually inspires and motivates my aspirations to become a PA. Their ability to change a person’s life during their times of need and make a difference in their community signify a PA’s vital role in medicine.

    As a first generation college student and a child of immigrant parents, there’s a hierarchy of careers to aspire to. My mom criticized my choice to be a PA, scolding, “you went to college to be a doctor’s assistant? Not a doctor?” Although my efforts to defend the profession were in vain, I stand by my decision certain, unashamed, and proud of my unwavering resolve to be a PA. I want to provide others with the same exceptional care I have experienced. I am ready to help others in their time of need and change their lives for the better, one patient at a time.

    Reply
  2. Trenice Johnson says

    May 28, 2023 at 2:11 pm

    Ever since it was revealed that Micheal Jackson took propofol every night before bed, I assumed that propofol gave you great sleep and made you wake up feeling well rested. After 30 hours of labor and actively pushing for five of those hours, I was in desperate need of some rest. It was nothing like that; I felt like I blinked, and the surgery was over. I was confused, irritable, and in pain. The last thing I remember in the operation table was, “Let’s count backward from 10, 10…9…8….”.

    The birth of my daughter was my first experience witnessing the ACT model; Joe was my non-physician anesthetist. He was well-trained, compassionate, and a true team player. This experience planted a seed in my mind about the career of being an anesthesiologist assistant.

    As someone with the capacity for compassion and empathy, a teamwork mindset, and an eagerness to learn, I knew this profession would suit me well. Two other significant experiences led me to become an AA: my experience with Sofia, a patient I grew to understand as a CNA, and shadowing Lance Carter.

    Knowing how important it is to gain direct patient care experience for any medical profession, I opted to earn my CNA license and get a job at a long-term care facility. I enjoyed the relationships I built with my patients. The experience grew my capacity for compassion and empathy and taught me how building trust with patients makes you a better advocate for them. This is a lesson that I learned by interacting with my patient, Sofia.

    Sofia was a newly widowed woman whose daughter could not care for her alone, and I admitted her to my job for help. I described Sofia as very particular; she may have been suffering from undiagnosed OCD. To her, everything had a place, and everything needed to be in that place before she could go to sleep. Pink blanket at the foot of the bed, yellow blanket at the side of her, bedside table perpendicular to her bed to the right, and the top at a particular angle with her knees propped up with pillows. As you can imagine, this routine was entirely involved, but I made it my mission to study her so that she could feel comfortable in her new home,

    She got comfortable enough with me that I became an advocate for her on behalf of her family and other medical professionals. Making this extra effort to learn from and listen to her made her trust me. As her health declined, I was the one who informed her of the benefits of hospice care, enabling her to live out her last days comfortably.
    In my nine months of direct patient care, I have experienced countless moments, such as these with Sofia, that have inspired my career choice. I constantly spent time learning about my patients to gain trust and become a better advocate for them; There is no greater reward in life than to share your love and compassion with the world to make everyone else’s life just a little bit better.

    I learned PAs could only work in anesthesia after attending an informational meeting at UMKC. At this meeting, I realized that I did not want to be a PA; I wanted to be an AA. While lateral mobility is an aspect of being a physician assistant that entices many people, I was only ever interested in Anesthesia. I am a person who loves working with my hands, appreciates novelty in the workplace, and is intrigued by pharmacology. Although I was on the board of the Pre-PA Society at UMKC, I made the switch in this meeting. At this meeting is also where I met Lance Carter. Lance is a CAA whose passion for his career is evident in his speech. I was the only person there for the CAA portion of the presentation; he answered all of my questions, gave me his contact information, and encouraged me to reach out if I needed anything.

    During my gap years, Lance allowed me to watch him work at Liberty Hospital. While there, I witnessed three procedures: an extensive toe amputation. a biopsy of a mass near the aorta, a urologist did a tumor dissection.

    Lance gave me the whole AA student experience; he encouraged me to ask questions and gave me advice that would help me along my journey of becoming an AA. Under close supervision, he allowed me to draw up drugs and administer them via an IV. This shadowing experience got me even more excited than I already was and invigorated and motivated me to continue my journey.

    I struggled with my grades during undergrad; I would spread myself thinly across extracurricular activities that I was involved in and should have prioritized studying more highly. Since getting my undergraduate degree, I was diagnosed with ADHD and sought help from a therapist who has helped me find coping mechanisms and learn regimens that work for me. Since making these life changes, I retook 12 credit hours post-grad, shadowed, studied for the GRE, and earned a 4.0 GPA. My most recent grades are more of a representation of my passion and determination to be a good student as well as a practicing anesthesiologist assistant. The journey of adjusting my strategy and reapplying myself to reach my full potential has made me a more tenacious and persistent person. These two qualities will carry me through a challenging and rigorous MSA program.

    Reply
  3. Zahra says

    May 27, 2023 at 10:56 am

    Hello! I’d appreciate any feedback on how to improve my statement!

    As I meticulously scraped the calluses off of the worn pads of Hannah’s feet, she looked down at me, her muscles beginning to relax, and smiled wistfully, “I miss feelin’ cared for like this.” A motherly, strong woman of 38, Hannah was one of our regular clients at the Women’s Clinic in Berkeley who struggled with poverty, intermittent homelessness, and racial discrimination as a single black mother with four children. As she said those words, a sense of trust radiated from the familiar warmth of her skin to mine.

    Through rolling up my sleeves, kneeling down to wash feet, and listening attentively each clinic night to appreciate women who have walked many miles, like Hannah, I discovered what Brett Feldman, PA-C, calls “radical humility.” Finding a brief respite in the bubbly, lavender-scented foot baths, our clients revealed a deeper need for connection, understanding, and acceptance—things all human beings require to thrive, but people who are too often othered for experiencing homelessness are least afforded. Hannah and I spent many clinic nights bonding over mutual experiences, from practically raising our younger siblings to translating for our mothers’ hospital visits in childhood. While commuting to college every day due to financial constraints initially gave me a sense of disconnection from the community, I felt at home sharing solidarity with other women and LGBTQ+ youth.

    I did not foresee that a global pandemic would render this my last interaction with Hannah, and I continued to think about the material and mental impacts of structural inequities on our most vulnerable populations. Knowing that I wanted a career in which I could make others feel safe and help them heal, but unsure exactly which path to take there, I exposed myself to patient advocacy early on in college through the UCSF Patient Support Corps. While providing patients recently diagnosed with breast cancer with educational resources and navigating them to Covid-19 testing and vaccination at the height of the pandemic were valuable experiences that instilled in me a model for patient-centered care through professionalism, empathy-based communication, and respect for patients’ preferences, I sought opportunities to be more involved and began exploring pre-health professions through student clubs.

    This was when I met two twin brothers and physician assistants (PAs), Eddie and Tony, who gave me the blueprint for a fulfilling career path. Sharing their unlikely journeys to medicine with first-generation students like myself, Eddie and Tony walked me through a day in their lives as hospital and street medicine PAs in San Bernardino and Sacramento, respectively. I learned that being PAs gave them the flexibility to work more closely with underserved populations in both clinical and non-clinical settings, which resonated with me. From there, I began to envision how I could combine my interests in community service and patient advocacy as a PA.

    Eager to get direct patient care experience and see PAs in action, I became a medical assistant at a busy ear, nose, and throat clinic, where I work in a team with a PA and supervising physician and have learned critical lessons in teamwork, multitasking and prioritization, and the difference that listening closely makes in patients’ lives.

    Mark came into our clinic with a sinus tumor presenting as unilateral nasal obstruction, pain, and bleeding. As I asked questions about his medical history, he revealed the depth of his anxiety and loneliness, as he recently moved away from his family to San Francisco for work, and his number of medical visits increased suddenly over the past month. Not long after, he was diagnosed with a rare case of malignant CD56-positive melanoma. Wendy, our PA, swiftly instructed me to send urgent referrals to medical and radiation oncology and order a PET CT. I listened intently as Wendy sensitively and thoroughly explained the diagnosis to Mark. When the PET CT was initially denied authorization, Wendy helped me support its medical necessity to his insurance with success. Then, as I finally relayed the treatment plan to Mark, he fought back tears and thanked me for taking the time to listen and advocate for him throughout this vulnerable process.

    While I did my best to ensure Mark was informed and felt supported, I longed for the medical knowledge and training to do more. I admired how Wendy kept calm and prioritized amidst a seemingly endless list of tasks, and how indispensable she was in bridging the knowledge gaps between all of the physicians, medical assistants, and patients. After several months working with Wendy and observing the positive patient outcomes resulting from her seamless dynamic with Dr. Johnson, I became sure of my desire to create synergy as the reliable PA on my own medical team one day.

    Through my experiences working with people from various walks of life—homeless, queer, or otherwise—I have learned that when we are willing to risk our own comfort to subvert power dynamics and do the deeper work of listening and connecting, we build trust and plant the seeds for positive health outcomes in our communities. As a PA, I will take the time to listen and think holistically to meet people’s physical and emotional needs, both within and beyond clinic walls.

    Reply
  4. Rom Zukauskas says

    May 25, 2023 at 11:26 am

    Phewww, this is my 2nd cycle and I’m trying to “wow” admissions with my essay; I am on the lower end of the GPA requirements. Thank You so much for your time and critique! I will take your advice and I find this service invaluable. Thanks again, Rom

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      May 27, 2023 at 11:18 am

      Rom,
      You’re very welcome! Good luck to you!

      Reply
  5. Rom says

    May 23, 2023 at 2:30 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      May 25, 2023 at 8:47 am

      Rom,
      Your introduction grabs the reader’s attention immediately. You also do a good job of showing what appeals to you about the PA profession and how you are suited for that role. I would suggest elaborating on additional clinical skills and medical knowledge you have gained. Good luck to you in the process.

      Reply
  6. Matt says

    May 22, 2023 at 9:56 am

    As tears streamed down my face, fear began to take over my body. Trying to stay calm, I took a deep breath and dialed 911. My grandfather, my hero, was having a medical emergency and there was nothing I could do. I watched as ambulance lights flooded the street and EMS personnel rushed into the house. They carted my grandfather out on a stretcher and drove off. That would be the last time I would see my hero. He had a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and died on the way to the hospital. It was a crushing moment of vulnerability and helplessness. A moment that has been seared into my memory forever. The persistent feeling of wanting to be able to do more is what led to my interest in medicine.

    I knew that I wanted to be a part of the medical field, but the path to get there wasn’t as clear as I would’ve liked. My early years of college were challenging. I lacked focus and it reflected in my grades. It was time to make a major change. Following my grandfather’s footsteps, I enlisted in the United States Navy as a corpsman, where I found the discipline and direction that I needed to be successful.

    After boot camp I was sent to Corpsman A-School and was thrown into the medical world that I admired so much—I was hooked. We got a crash course in vital signs, CPR, phlebotomy, IV administration, basic nursing, EMT skills, and tactical combat casualty care. I was consumed by my studies, but I craved more. How could I continue to broaden my knowledge and grow as a medical professional? I received that answer when I was selected for the Navy’s medical laboratory technician school. It was a challenging, fast paced program, but it gave me an opportunity to take a deeper dive into another level of the human body and healthcare.

    Upon graduating lab school I was assigned to Balboa Hospital in San Diego, where an 8 year old patient named Lucy and her PA reminded me of the importance of compassion in healthcare. Lucy was having a bone marrow biopsy and she was nervous. I knelt down next to her, held my hand out, and she squeezed it tight. I talked to her through the entire procedure and watched that fear turn into bravery; she never let go of my hand. The next day I checked in on Lucy and was greeted with an ear to ear smile and a hug. She was in the middle of a follow up with her PA who pulled me aside to thank me and said something that still resonates with me, “At the end of the day we treat people, not patients. Those people just want to be heard and cared for.”

    After doing some research, physician assistant sounded like the perfect way to build on the foundation that was laid out for me as a corpsman. I wanted to be a versatile caregiver, a jack of all trades. I was enamored with the idea of working in multiple specialties and utilizing a diverse set of skills and knowledge to care for patients. Camaraderie and communication are things that I value highly, both of which are vital to the success of a medical team. The prospect of working alongside a doctor and other like-minded medical professionals in a team environment has further grown my desire to become a PA.

    I will always be proud of my military service, but it was time to bid farewell to the Navy. I moved back home and really hit my stride as a student. With my sights set on PA school, I was ready to make an impact on my community. I accepted a job as a phlebotomist at a local hospital, where I worked through some of the worst parts of the pandemic. Going in and out of isolation rooms, responding to code blues, and drawing blood from patients on ventilators was an eye opening experience and shined a light on the critical need for healthcare providers. However, it was an experience that cemented my decision in pursuing a career as a PA.

    My path now is clearer than it ever has been. I no longer feel helpless. Becoming a PA would give me the opportunity to use the valuable skills I gained from the Navy. I have been through the rigors of fast, demanding academic programs and am looking forward to the next challenge. I’m confident that the teamwork, communication, and leadership qualities I have developed will help me be successful as a healthcare provider. My passion for patient care and my community will allow me to continue serving others in an impactful way.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      May 25, 2023 at 8:31 am

      Matt,
      I trust that you will be a compassionate provider who will honor the memory of your beloved grandfather.
      I suggest moving your comments about grades to the paragraph before your conclusion. This will give you the opportunity to set up the positive aspects of your journey first. It is best to briefly mention what happened that resulted in the lower grades and then explain what tactics you used to raise them.
      If you have any shadowing experience, I would also include a paragraph that describes that.
      I wish you good luck. Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.

      Reply
  7. Hannah says

    May 22, 2023 at 7:13 am

    I was 17 when I first found the tumor. Dread filled me as my fingers settled on the hard mass beneath my skin. I was 17 and alone in my bathroom, trying to assess the situation. I was 17 and alone, wishing I could undiscover the tumor in my left breast. “Is it possible to have breast cancer at 17?” Yes, according to the Internet, it was. I spent a few too many days stewing in fear of the situation until I eventually told my mom. Before I knew it, we were in the waiting room for an ultrasound of the tumor.
    Both my mom and I had been nervous about the ultrasound, but it went by much faster than I expected. Soon after the visit, the physician was in the room with us to discuss the results. She explained that the tumor wasn’t something to be concerned about, unless it were to change size or shape. Tumors like mine can sometimes occur in girls my age for a number of reasons, but to be sure the tumor was benign, the physician had to order a biopsy.She asked me if I knew what a biopsy was or if I had ever had one before. I said no for both. She explained that they needed to perform the biopsy to analyze the tissue and see if the cells were cancerous or not. During the actual biopsy, I don’t think I could’ve been more scared. I didn’t know what to expect, even when the attending provider came into the room to go through the procedure. It wasn’t until the physician assistant (PA) entered that I started to calm down. The PA introduced herself and immediately began to set up the equipment. She explained what everything was for, and told me to look away if I needed to. Once we started, the needle hurt more than I thought it would, but the PA distracted me from the pain and discomfort.
    She gave me her hand at the start of the biopsy and told me to squeeze as hard as I needed to. She let me hold her hand the entire time, all while using her free hand to assist with everything that was needed of her during the procedure. She started talking about her daughters, and then asked me questions about school. She asked me about college and about what I wanted to be when I got older. I wasn’t able to tell her then, but if I could now, I’d tell her that I want to be like her. I don’t think I would have made it out of the biopsy emotionally intact if it had not been for her. She distracted me from the pain, but she also distracted my mom from watching me go through it alone. She made me feel like I was no longer alone, like how I felt when I first found the tumor. Not only that, but she gave us the knowledge and support that my mom and I needed in a time of uncertainty. She reassured me that I would be okay, and that I was in good hands. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to work in medicine.
    Shadowing PAs solidified my desire to work in medicine. The first time I shadowed was during an open heart surgery. Moments before the procedure, the PA I observed said a few words to the patient and his family, reassuring him that he was in good hands. I was immediately reminded of my biopsy. Surely, it wasn’t as scary as an open heart surgery, but the procedure still carried an uncertainty for me and my loved ones. Just like the PA who helped me through my biopsy, the PA assisting with the heart surgery made it her priority to care for her patient and his family during a scary time. Weeks after this, I shadowed in neurology and observed a nerve block being performed on a young patient with a traumatic brain injury. He was about the age I had been during my biopsy, with his mom in the room. I knew his condition was painful, and I could recognize the anxiety on their faces. However, as the attending physician performed the nerve block, the PA I was shadowing constantly reassured the patient that he was doing a great job. After the procedure, I then watched as she reached for his hand to tell him one last time that he had been great.
    These PAs have all been inspiring to me during my journey to be like them. What they all have in common is that they deeply care about medicine, but they also care about their patients on a level that far exceeds diagnosis and treatment. They see their patients as people first, and they all recognize how medicine has effects far beyond the patient alone. What I see in the PAs that have guided me are people who always look for silver linings. What I see in them is something I hope to see in myself someday. Through all of my experiences, I have learned that I want nothing more than to be a PA as compassionate as those I have come to know and shadow. Everyday as I get closer and closer to this goal, I know I will always cherish the positive experiences I have had and use them to be a provider that cares about medicine, but also the ups and downs that come with it.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      May 22, 2023 at 10:14 am

      Hannah,
      You do a good job telling your story and how you found the PA profession. I trust that you will be a calming influence for your own patients one day.
      I suggest tightening up your essay where you can so you can include more details from your journey.
      Describe any work experience, clinical skills, and medical knowledge you have gained along the way. Also, if you have a patient care story, include that. You want to show some of the qualities that will make you an effective PA.
      I would also elaborate on what exactly appeals to you about the PA profession over another type of provider. (more time with patients, ability to switch specialties, collaboration with a healthcare team, expanding access to more patients?
      Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
      I wish you good luck, Hannah.

      Reply
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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

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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!

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I received an early acceptance! I just wanted to thank you so much for all your help. You are a pro and I’m so thankful for you! You helped me more than you’ll ever know! I’m so excited! You saved me!!!!

Shelly K. Pre-PA

I just want to let you know I got into the pa program! I want to give you a huge thank you for helping me nail the interview and make a great essay. Thank you, x 100,000!

Rachel J, 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’m so happy with the amount of time and attention that Duke and Sue put into helping perfect my essay. I’m extremely fortunate to have come across Stephen’s page and this opportunity- I would have sent in an essay that unknown to me at the time, had issues and needed many improvements. I’m almost to the point where I’m going to submit my application, and will definitely update the team on prospective interviews. I cannot thank you guys enough for having this essay review service available, you definitely make it worth every dollar and more.

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I was so glad that I chose to have Duke look over my essay, he turned it from long, rambling, and scattered to a much more concise, well written essay. I really feel as though it represents me well! Duke always responded quickly and I felt as though I got a lot of value for the money. Thank you!

Jennifer B. Pre-PA

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

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

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

Cierra, Pre-PA

Carly took the time to listen to my concerns about my personal statement and apply them to what I had already written. I was so appreciative as I wasn’t sure where my personal statement stood before submitting it. I now feel more confident in my statement!

Chelsea, Pre-PA

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 Duke to edit my statement, and he is a phenomenal writer. He didn’t change the content of my 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. Duke was friendly, sincere, and definitely experienced! I felt 100% confident in his editing abilities, and we worked together the entire time so that we were both pleased with the results! Thanks again, Duke, for all of your help!

Chelsie W. Pre-PA

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

Jessica D. PRE-PA

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

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

Really helpful! Makes me feel confident.

Qui T. Pre-PA

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!

M.S, Pre-PA

My editor with The PA Life was amazing! I am so thankful for her attention to detail and wonderful editing skills. I am thrilled with how my personal statement turned out and can’t thank you enough for all of your help.

Olivia, Pre-PA

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

Mina, Pre-PA

Thank you so much for helping me with my physician assistant program application essays and interview! I am so excited to let you know that I received multiple PA school acceptances and have decided that I will be attending Cornell University’s PA Program in New York City. The program begins in February 2019 and I cannot wait to begin!  I truly appreciate all your help and encouragement throughout my PA application process.

Christine Chen, PA-S

I just wanted to give you an update! So far I have had two interviews and been accepted to both! I have three more interviews scheduled as of right now, and still waiting to hear from a handful of schools. Thank you so much for all of your help with my essay!

Jennifer Bidwell, PA-S

Carly did more than help revise my grammatical errors and flow. She was able to show me the strengths and weaknesses of the concepts of my essay. She was able to tell me what it was missing as well as praise me for what I did correctly. It gave me confidence in my writing, and I truly believe it will make an impact on the way PA programs view me.

Sherry, Pre-PA

I just wanted to share that I got into USC! Woohoo!!! They just called me to share the good news. I’m feeling pretty shocked since that interview did not go as well in my head. I can’t believe I got into school during my first round of applications. This would not have been possible without you, and I really appreciate all the support you gave me throughout this process. ?

Tiffany, PA-S

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

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Diana, Pre-PA

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

Jeff, Pre-PA

I 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

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

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

Ryan, Pre-PA

Carly is absolutely amazing, and I would recommend her to everyone. She was very helpful and supportive with her edits and why she recommended certain changes. She is amazing, and she helped me tell my story.

Peter, Pre-PA

Sarah helped to condense my detailed thoughts into a powerful essay. Over the phone, she was careful to collaborate with me before making any changes so that the piece remained under my control and in my voice. She served as a guide and insured the essay brought out my strengths and reasons for pursuing the PA profession. Overall, I’m incredibly happy with the service!

Julie, Pre-PA

I just wanted to let you know that I got accepted into the RFU PA program! Thank you for all your help and support during the application process. Couldn’t have done it without you!

Zakira, PA-S

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

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

Thank you once again for your help in reviewing and editing my personal statement for PA school. Yesterday morning, I had the pleasure of accepting a position in the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Physician Assistant Program. The class begins in July 2022, and I am excited to begin this next chapter of entering the PA profession. I have no doubt that your invaluable assistance helped me produce a personal statement that promoted my application and paved the way for my successful interview, and I am sincerely grateful.

Angela, PA-S

I am so glad I did this! Sarah was absolutely amazing, and she did such a great job of helping put my words together in a way that sounded professional and made the most sense! She was a true hero and made me feel so much more confident in my personal statement!

Kalley, Pre-PA

I just wanted to let you know that I was accepted into PA school.  I start at Albany Medical College in January!  Thank you again for doing such an amazing job helping me with my essay…I think in the end it really carried my application.

Lindsey Porubcan PA-S

Carly was so helpful and encouraging! I truly felt like I was in good hands, and I know my personal statement is much stronger now because of her!

Chloe, Pre-PA

I read my personal statement again today and got the chills. I am so happy with it and just wanted to thank you for all your help with my PA school essay!

Mikaela, 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

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

Sarah is the best! She gets me and puts all her efforts for my message to come across in a clear and concise way. Obviously, her editing skills are superb! But she also has a very sweet and pleasant way of being. I highly recommend Sarah and the PA Life Personal Statement Collaborative. I have not yet received an interview, but keeping my fingers crossed!

Raquel Poliwoda Pre-PA

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

Rachael Thomas, PA-S

My editor knew exactly what kind of edits I was looking for and addressed all of my questions/concerns I had about my essay. I will definitely be recommending this service to my club members and friends.

Stephanie, 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 owe you a lot! Thank you so much for helping me in this important process. God bless you.

Catalina, Pre-PA

I am very pleased with the services provided! I received an email almost immediately upon submitting my essay for review, and within 24 hours my essay review was completed. I would definitely recommend this service to any PA school applicant before they submit their essay to CASPA! Thank you for your help!

Hannah Watson, Pre-PA

After receiving two edits from Carly I feel extremely confident in my personal statement. She not only fixed grammatical error and syntax, but helped me better organize my thoughts into a competitive essay. To other Pre-PAs looking to submit their essays: I know it’s a bit of an investment but the peace of mind, comfortability, and confidentiality is so worth it! Thank you The PA Life!

Elizabeth, 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

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

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

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

My editor was amazing! She took everything I asked and did editing that was above and beyond. She was also great at communicating and taking my comments/opinions into consideration. 10/10 would recommend!

Ravee, 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 and, although they were helpful, I found the PA Life to be a much higher quality evaluation of my personal statement. I will highly recommend it to my peers!

Jeremy, Pre-PA

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

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

I really felt the person who edited my essay, Sue Edmondson, took the time to get to know me as a person because she wanted my essay to reflect exactly who I am. I couldn’t have been more impressed with the edits and revisions she has given me along with the reasoning behind each revision.

Nicala, Pre-PA

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

Tyler J. Pre-PA

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

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

Casey, Pre-PA

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

Austin, Pre-PA

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

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

Jessica H. Pre-PA

I thought that the service was very helpful in helping me with my personal statement. Duke was always prompt with responding to emails and made himself very available throughout the process. He was also good and helping, but also making sure that I was the one doing the writing. I think that the structure of the service helped me put in enough time to come out with a very good finished product.

David H. 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

My reviewer was Deanna Matzen who was incredible. I reached out to The PA Life’s editing service after being disappointed by myparesource, whom I was referred to initially. Deanna 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 her work, thank you so much, Deanna!

Steven, Pre-PA

Sue did an amazing job editing my personal statement. She included all the aspects that I wanted in the statement and made it flow so much better. Thank You! Thank You!

Kendra Perkey, 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

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

Deanna was an amazing editor and provided wonderful feedback to my personal statement. I was very hesitant and nervous prior to approaching an editing 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 my self 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

I wanted to let you know I’ve been accepted into FSU!!!! I got the call Friday!!! I’m thrilled and I owe a lot of it to you! Thank you so much for your help and support along this journey! I could have not done it without you!

Shayna, PA-S

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

I got in!! I got into PA school and I can’t thank you enough for your hand in helping me with this process. I received 7 interviews out of 12 applications, I was waitlisted at Jefferson, Salus, and Chatham. And I was accepted at Drexel and Stony Brook. I will be starting PA school in June! Thank you so very much!!

Natalie, Pre-PA

Sarah was amazing! She was able to help me organize my thoughts and put my thoughts in words better than I ever could! She was prompt with her editing and helped stretch my comfort zone in writing. I really appreciate her creativity! I’d highly recommend Sarah and The PA Life editing service, as thier feedback was very helpful and encouraging at the same time. Thank you so much!

Elaine, 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

I’m not sure if you remember me but you helped me a couple of months ago on my PA personal statement. Just wanted to let you know — I got accepted into University of Pacific’s PA program! I’m overjoyed!

Thank you so much for all your help and encouragement! I really appreciate it.

Jennifer MurphyPRE-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 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

Sarah from The PA Life was an incredible resource for editing my personal statement. Her edits took into account the big picture of the message of the statement and helped guide me when writing additional content my statement was lacking. Her edits and responses were both prompt and thorough, and I truly feel that she made a huge positive impact on my personal statement.

Travis, Pre-PA

Sarah is absolutely amazing and really helped transform my essay into the best version it could have possibly been!

Shannon B. 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

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

Sarah was a pleasure to work with the entire time. I felt very overwhelmed when I was working on my personal statement on my own, but once I started working with Sarah, she made me feel at ease while getting my personal statement to look its best. Sarah is very knowledgeable, understanding, and professional. One of the things I loved the most about working with her is that no matter the time of the day she was always available and got back to you in a timely manner. The whole time we worked on my personal statement she made sure I felt comfortable with changes that had to be made and I appreciated this as well. Sarah is excellent at what she does and I would recommend her and this one on one service to anyone that needs it.

Odilia, Pre-PA

Sue’s comments were very helpful. Her quick turnaround time is very impressive. She responded to my concerns and questions promptly. She clearly knows what to present to the PA school admissions team. I am very happy with her work.

Kitti, Pre-PA

Sarah was a joy to work with! She was extremely helpful and patient with any questions I had for her! 10/10 recommend using this service!

Lori, Pre-PA

You helped me revise my personal statement for PA school admissions earlier this year, and I wanted to let you know how much you helped me. I got eight interviews and five admissions this cycle! I’ll be attending Pacific University this May. Multiple interviewers commented on how much they liked my personal statement. They described it as “eloquent” and “genuine.” I cannot thank you enough for your help earlier this year; I feel that it was a big part of my success this cycle.

Monica Harris, PA-S

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

Sue did a wonderful job. I know this is an extremely busy time of year as CASPA is accepting applications and Sue was great about responding to my initial submission and getting back to me. She provided thoughtful feedback and quality editing. Fingers crossed for an acceptance to PA school!

Jo Lynn, Pre-PA

Duke is great! I had such a great time with him editing my personal statement. So glad I found this site!

Melissa Nicole Aguilera, Pre-PA

I loved this service!!

Madeleine Zeichner, 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 wanted to update you and say I’ve been accepted into two programs (waiting for two more responses) with Jefferson University (my program of choice) being one of them. Thank you for all your help and your tips and for making this a genuinely joyful 2022!

Yejin (Future 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 got into my first choice program University of Southern California (USC)!!!!  Thank you so much for your help this cycle. I’m forever grateful.

Lanisha Cole, PA-S

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

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)

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

Thank you so much for your help with my personal statement. The process was everything I could have wanted and more. You were wonderful to work with and I appreciate very much how you were able to connect to my personal experiences and combine that with the traits that you know make a statement successful. I have applied to my first two PA schools and I owe a big part of that to you! Once again, Thank you very much!

Louis T. Pre-PA

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

Katie, Pre-PA

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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