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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 (19th April 2024): Accepting New Submissions
(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, and 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 their 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 specialists who worked to revise and perfect my PA school application essay.
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.
Deanna 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.
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.
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.
To 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 to 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 have set up two options that I hope will offer everyone a chance to participate:
- One-of-a-kind, confidential, paid personal statement review service
- A collaborative, free one (in the comments section)
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.
- It is 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 hundreds 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.
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:
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 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.
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!
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:
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.
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
Justin T says
Hello! I have revised this a billion times and would love whatever advice you could provide. Thank you!!
I was shaken awake. “Justin! I think she’s gone.” The first memories I have of that moment are the rain pelting the window and the gentle breeze of the fan brushing against my skin. The clock read 3:45 am. I saw my brother’s face as he stared at me with impuissance. When I finally came to, I looked over and there she was, laying next to me motionless. Her skin was unusually cold and clammy. I sat up, grasped her stiff hand and gently kissed where her veins protruded as if not to hurt her. The cancer had finally won. Full of emotion, my brother pleaded that I bring her back. Though I am the youngest, I had to carry the weight for the both of us. I was prepared, though. My entire life, I watched this beautifully selfless woman navigate the world alone. Now it was my turn. I gave myself a few minutes to gather my thoughts and told myself, “It begins now; the first day of the rest of your life. Nothing will be the same.” I was right. In a split second, my life changed forever.
I have always had a curiosity for sciences, but also found a creative outlet in music. Growing up, I was both academically and musically motivated. Wanting to explore all of my interests in college, I initially began as a biology/music double major not entirely sure of my direction. After winning a seat as one of the youngest members of the regional orchestra, I was encouraged to pursue my musical talents in a more serious manner. Ambivalently, I ended up setting down my health interests for the viola. I pursued music through the rest of my bachelor’s career and went on to get a master’s degree. I had my entire life planned. That was until my mom called with that fearful phrase, “Honey, I’m sick.” I had no other option but to leave school to care for her. Whether assisting with bathing and hygiene, changing dressings, draining fluid from her lungs, or providing comfort in the hospital or at home with hospice, I learned not only what it meant to be a caretaker but also how to give back to something greater than myself. Instilled in me was the passion to provide for others, new meaning for my life, and, as much as I hated what cancer was doing to my mother, new fascination of the disease.
After a tremendous fight, she passed and I returned to Chicago to finish school. Struggling to get back into it, I was no longer as focused on music. I needed more. After graduating, I obtained a position with a consulting firm, which provided more stability. I did well but still questioned my direction as I was losing that meaningful perspective I cherished. Even though I knew it would be a long road, I finally made the decision to uproot and pursue healthcare. Hope restored and suddenly the dark clouds of uncertainty parted setting fire to the rain!
I currently work as a Patient Care Technician throughout three hospitals. I have experience in various specialties and work with diverse populations. Though it can be intense, each moment teaches me more about humanity. I have had patients die in my arms and have brought individuals back to life. A specific moment I will always remember was with a patient suffering from end stage cirrhosis. As I was getting her bathed, I turned her to her side and she began making a gurgling sound. I quickly called for help frantic that she was choking. Several nurses answered the call confirming that this was part of the process. She had specific advanced directives so there was not much I could do but hold her as she took last breath in my arms. Not even a minute after, her husband entered the room and, adrenaline flowing; I had to switch off my own shock to comfort him. He hugged me and through his tears, he thanked me for being there for her. This moment added fuel to my fire birthing an intense desire to provide an even higher level of care for my patients.
I have had the privilege of working alongside all types of providers but it was a physician assistant who left the greatest impression on me solidifying my interest in the profession. He took exquisite care of each patient showing patience and empathy that I believe are foundations to building a solid patient-provider relationship. He was incredibly versatile and had a ton of knowledge answering each question with precision and understanding. When asked about his experiences, he spoke highly of the flexibility and multifaceted nature of being a PA and how he gets to treat and diagnose a variety of illnesses. All of his experiences in different specialties have made him a stronger, more well rounded and sought after healthcare provider; one I hope to emulate.
Ultimately, being a PA would be the best of all worlds. I would get to expand my knowledge on, diagnose, and treat disease states, continue to impact patient lives through compassionate one-on-one care all while fulfilling my need to give back to my community. No matter what, I believe my experiences, drive, and motivation for the care of people in my community would make me a fantastic physician assistant.
Leanne Edson says
“They never gave me my medication and I am still itching!” exclaimed an elderly woman living in a nursing home, transported back and forth to the dermatology clinic monthly and looking for assistance in managing her condition. Ms. Stone was a patient with a chronic dermatitis being treated with systemic and topical medications and requiring consistent re-evaluation and monitoring. While it appeared that she aimed to follow her treatment regimen, there was often miscommunication or disregard by others surrounding her treatment. As a medical assistant, I attempted to clarify her treatment plan personally in addition to following up with her nursing home. Working on this case it became apparent that while some patients have full control in managing their health, others do not have the access or education to accomplish this task. I hope that as a provider I am able to advocate for my patients and ensure proper communication with patients and their support systems.
From a young age, I have always been drawn towards helping others. As soon as I could I memorized the Girl Scout Law; instilling important principles such as being friendly and helpful, being considerate and caring, and helping to make the world a better place. I have lived my life with these values in mind. In high school I worked at a retirement home serving dinner to the residents. These individuals experienced long, prosperous lives and I was fortunate enough to be able to learn about their passions and achievements. While I felt honored to help them with their daily meals, I also felt disconnected because I wanted to do more: to be a part of their lives in a more meaningful way.
Fast-forwarding to my undergraduate career, I had no doubt in my mind that I was going to become a physician. After a summer of shadowing my own pediatrician, countless National Honors Society meetings and events in the name of service, and years of watching Grey’s Anatomy, my passion for the biological sciences combined with my desire to serve others set me on the path towards becoming Dr. Edson. During these 4 years I was able to serve my community through Alpha Phi Omega, a National Service Fraternity, and to develop a base of scientific knowledge that only enhanced my motivation to achieve my goal. Despite alternative teaching styles and external life factors that inhibited my ability to consistently perform to my fullest academic potential, I was able to overcome these circumstances and persevere.
After graduating with an Honors degree in Biology, I knew I neither had the life experience nor the emotional maturity to be responsible for the well being of others. After researching potential next steps, I embarked on the journey toward becoming an EMT. The excitement ensued when I began to learn more about the physiology of the human body and how emergency interventions aimed to regulate our homeostasis. The path to becoming and volunteering as an EMT-B was stimulating and enlightening, however I still had the feeling that something was missing. I found myself pondering over the outcomes of the patients that we transferred to Emergency Rooms. I learned that my future as a healthcare professional would require ongoing patient interactions enabling me to form lasting relationships with my patients.
A serendipitous encounter with a college friend ultimately resulted in my current position as a Medical Assistant and in this setting I learned about the Physician Assistant profession. After a few weeks of training, I was released to work alongside a Physician Assistant that had walked in my footsteps. She graduated from a PA program the previous year and already had her own routine of skin cancer surveillance and patient care. I experienced firsthand the dedicated patient centered care that a PA can provide. I witnessed the breadth of her anatomical and physiological knowledge and participated in the individualized medical care for each and every patient, thus inspiring me to revise my own professional goals.
My experience as a Medical Assistant has provided me with both challenging and rewarding patients. Every interaction is unique and enlightening with the comforting knowledge that I am helping someone. There is no replacement for that expression of gratitude or the knowledge that I have made a difference in my patient’s life. My experience of 12 years in the service industry further demonstrates my desire to be there for people and anticipate their needs. Whether I am serving a Bloomin’ Onion at Outback Steakhouse or reassuring a 16-year-old as I perform his first blood draw, I put the needs of others before my own and genuinely care about how I can impact their experience.
For over a year I have worked closely with another PA who has confirmed my passion for the profession. She works tirelessly every day to provide patients with necessary care in addition to educating them about preventative measures. In addition to providing dermatological care, she also ensures that they have the tools they need to ensure general wellness. She evaluates each patient’s Review of Systems and clarifies any abnormalities that arise. I have also seen firsthand the consultations and discussions of differentials for complicated rashes and biologic medication management, making evident the teamwork and collaboration between physicians and PAs required to provide optimal care. I frequently picture myself in her position and yearn to be a provider making a difference in my patients’ lives with the prospect of being one that people can confide in and trust to handle their medical care.
Shadowing on the Duke Medical Oncology Floor, I was able to observe a PA in a different setting. Her interaction with patients and their families was inspiring and heartwarming, even in the dimmest of conditions. When delivering news to a patient’s family that they had exhausted all treatment options, she sympathetically and compassionately answered all of their inquiries. My experiences thus far have equipped me with the interpersonal and professional skills to provide this exceptional care.
My desire to provide optimal care through dedication, compassion, and commitment to teamwork and communication only strengthens with every patient I encounter. I am inspired to gain more knowledge daily, contemplating how I can surpass patient expectations and establish confidence in my actions and intentions.
Taylor says
When I sat down and began to think about writing this essay, it took some time for me to gather my thoughts about what has brought me to this point, who has gotten me here, how I made it here. What I have realized is that I don’t have one single pin pointed “AH HA” moment of why I want to become a physician assistant, but rather it is a collection of moments that has brought me here to where I am today.
From a very young age I was fascinated with the medical field. When we were in kindergarten, our teachers ask us the famous yearbook question “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. Children answer professions like President of the United States, a dancer, a firefighter, or a police officer. My answer, however, was a doctor.
Flash forward to junior year of high school, the year we took the career aptitude test. Taking this test, I thought I already knew what I planned on doing for the rest of my life, but to my surprise, one little result from the career aptitude test changed everything. The words “physician assistant” popped up on my screen as my number one result. Never seeing these words before, I dove into research about this profession and found myself intrigued by it. I was drawn to the wide variety of options for physician assistants and how they fit into the healthcare field. Before I knew it, I was searching for nearby colleges with a Pre- PA program and telling my parents about this exciting new idea. My parents fully supported me and with their blessing and after interviews, I was accepted to and entered the Pre- PA track and never looked back.
My years as a collegiate have only solidified that being a physician assistant is the right path for me. I have faced challenges while in my pre- PA program but it’s the triumphs of those obstacles that keep me going. During the second semester of my freshman year, I became very ill and became a regular visitor at my primary care physician clinic, but unfortunately I received no answers as to why I was sick. After many failed attempts to figure out what was wrong, I became very frustrated and my health continued to decline. I could barely get out of bed in the morning and attending classes and working was extremely difficult for me. I began to feel discouraged and had a very hard time keeping up with my challenging classes. I even thought about withdrawing from school because I was becoming more ill with no end in sight but I persisted because my dream of becoming a physician assistant was always in the back of my mind.
One day, I showed up to my primary care clinic for yet another appointment. “Unfortunately, your physician has moved practices and is no longer with us, so you will have to have a new provider,” the cheery receptionist said. “Dr. Belcastro is our new physician assistant and she is currently accepting new patients. Would you like to see her today?”. I was disappointed that my physician had moved practices but with the words of physician assistant, I excitingly became a patient of Dr. Belcastro.
It was this physician assistant who finally took the time to listen to me and dig deep into figuring out why I was so sick and why I was not getting any better. With one look at me, she said “Something is definitely wrong here. I would like to run some tests” and finally, the answers I had been looking for came. I was diagnosed with a severe case of mono and tonsillitis. Dr. Belcastro referred me to an ear, nose, and throat specialist and got me in to see the specialist that same day. I was so relieved that I finally knew what was wrong and I had a treatment plan. I was so thankful that my PA took the time to really listen to me and that she wanted to find an answer for why I was so sick just as badly as I did. Since then, she has been someone I have looked up to and aspired to care for patients as a PA just as she cared for me.
Looking back now, I know that kindergarten girl would be proud of where she ended up today. My passion and drive to be a dedicated member of the medical field have grown tremendously over the years and I know that being a physician assistant will allow me to explore these passions. I never want anyone to feel as frustrated and confused with their health as I was in my sophomore year and as a physician assistant I will do everything in my power to help those as my PA helped me. I am so thankful that I never gave up on my dream and that I persisted through the obstacles I faced because I know now that I can become a successful PA with a little heart and determination.
Linda Thi Nguyen says
Sitting on the white, fuzzy carpet by the warm, stone fireplace, I can remember listening to my grandfather’s stories about the Vietnam War. He was a Vietnamese Veteran who helped in the hospitals when casualties were brought in because they got caught in the crossfire of war. My siblings who sat beside me curled up in a ball and started to squeal and made gagging noises as the images were described in very great details. They even told grandfather to skip that part of the story, but for me, I wanted to hear about every injury he had witnessed during his time at the hospital. As my grandfather goes through case-by-case scenarios of each patient that he had helped, I can feel each patient’s pain and sadness that they have gone through. Especially, the story about Lynn, a 9-year-old little girl caught in the crossfire. The girl was lost in the forest for five days and nearly died until a medical evacuation team saved her. I couldn’t believe what I just heard. Arrogantly, I thought to myself, if I were apart of that medical team I would have saved her in no time.
After hearing numerous heroic stories from my grandfather, I aspire to be like him in hopes of one day I will also be in the medical field and treating patients of their illness and injuries. In order to achieve my goal of becoming a physician assistant, I spent many hours volunteering at health expositions, hospitals and doctor’s offices during my academic career.
Initially, I felt frustrated. Standing by generic doctor’s office posters stuck to the wall by duct tape and directing people to designated areas at the non-profit Family Health Exposition, I felt like I was not being used to the fullest, nor given a chance to be useful. However, later that day, one elderly gentleman slowly walked up to me and asked me to explain the poster to him, I finally felt relieved that someone was willing to talk to me. We sat down and I began learning about this gentlemen’s addiction to cigarette smoking. Sensitive to his circumstance, I calmly counseled the patient on the dangers of smoking cigarettes, and helped him prepare a plan towards smoking cessation. At the end of the session, he expressed gratefulness and for the first time I felt purpose and happiness in having impacted his health for the better, which provided more than enough confirmation that physician assistant was what I wanted to pursue.
Even though I was involved in a number of extracurricular activities, I felt most motivated by the involvement in this clinic, pushing myself to explore the medical field. I became involved in the lives of each patient, and if I were not knowledgeable, I would research the topic on my own time and follow-up with the patient. I felt the struggles that these patients were undergoing and wanted to give my utmost effort to help them achieve cigarette cessation and a healthier lifestyle, especially my father who is a cigarette addict for more than 40 years. If given the chance, I would want to do research on cigarette cessation and health prevention. Even though there are many ways that people can slowly stop using cigarettes it is hard for them because of the addiction. Even though I try to tell my father the dangers of cigarette smoking there is no way he will stop using it. I would like to research on the use of gene therapy for targeting specific genes that turns on when nicotine is in the body. Knowing this information, I would be able to come up with new medications that will help heal families from cigarette addiction.
Not only did I want to become like my grandfather, I wanted to have more experience in patient care. I am currently working at Tufts Medical Center as a Clinical Care Technician. Looking back on my first day at work, I remembered a mother, shocked, to have learned that her baby girl was diagnosed with leukemia, felt helplessness and burst into tears. I felt a heavy weight on my heart, as I could only image the pain and agony she felt when she heard that there was no cure. To ease her pain and provide her with comfort, I held her shaking hands and explained to her the possible treatment options. She thanked me for sitting with her and listening to her. I quickly realized that medicine has its limitations and that it holds the key to life and death. I aspire to take on the role of diagnosing and management of patients in order to provide them the best course of treatment. I understand the limitations in medicine, and hope to be a source of support and provide comfort to the patient and family.
As a former UMBC alumnus, one of the keywords that describe us is grit, or courage and resolve. I believe I can become a physician assistant with these traits along with my persistence, dedication to the field, and a new perspective to medicine. In my work as a Clinical Care Technician I am fortunate enough to change lives in similar ways as the PA I strive to be. Becoming a physician assistant is not a job but a career that I hope to be able to, one day, share my experiences to my grandchildren like my grandfather did.
gianelle says
In the beginning of my college career, I was a little shy of sixteen years of age. Lost in the adult world, my academic advisor recommended me to major in psychology. I enjoyed working with people and I found the mind, body and health interesting. I also expressed interest in working at hospitals or a medical setting. She thought it would be a good fit. I could be a clinical or counseling psychologist. I did not know what I wanted to be, so I took the suggestion and ran with it. My father suggested enrolling as a caregiver with In-Home Supportive Services to get experience with the people I will be working with in the future.
Shortly after, my parents separated. My mother, baby brother with special needs and I moved out. I had gained more responsibilities at the age of sixteen. I was now the head of household, the only wage earner in my household and a college student. This was an opportunity for me to challenge myself. Working, attending school, and dealing with my mother’s health problems, I gave it my all and dove in with enthusiasm. Throughout my academic years, my mother was in and out of hospital constantly for various reasons such as pneumonia, fainting that resulted in injuries, heat stroke, respiratory issues, chest pain and gastrointestinal infection. I did what I could to keep my grades from falling. Sadly, some courses required more attention than others and I could not provide the attention needed. It resulted in less than desired grades, repeated courses and withdrawals in some courses.
In my senior year, my mother’s health declined. I did not know what was wrong or what to do. All I could do for my mother was call emergency services. I did not know what was wrong, how to help her or what to say to the doctors about her condition. Each time she was hospitalized I felt more and more helpless. I felt that I was pursuing the wrong career. While my mom was in and out of the hospital, the physician assistants helped me understand what was going on with my mom. They left no questions unanswered. They impressed me with their dedication, hard work, and compassion. They always came into the room with a smile and a plan on what to do next.
In my graduating semester, my mother was hospitalized with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) brought on by her pneumonia. Being a caregiver, as rewarding as it was, had not prepared me for health or medical emergencies. Although I worked in the healthcare field, I realized I knew absolutely nothing. I felt extremely helpless and useless. I broke down in tears. The tending physician assistant calmly sat me down. She put one hand on my shoulder for a second and told me that ARDS was a serious respiratory disease. However, as serious as it was, my mother’s condition was not life threatening. My mom was unconscious but stable. She will need respiratory therapy but she will recover. Relieved, it suddenly hit me. I was pursuing the wrong career. I wanted to be a physician assistant.
After my graduation, I continued schooling to pursue my path as a physician assistant. I became a certified nurse assistant to gain patient care experience in a facility setting, and to work as a team with nurses and doctors. As a caregiver, I learned to establish trust and bond with the recipient. I learned to follow health plans designed to improve the recipient’s quality of life. As a certified nursing assistant, I learned to work independently and also as a team, monitor for changes in their cognition, behavior, speech, and health conditions, and work efficiently with multiple residents with different needs. I enjoy working as a certified nurse assistant and a caregiver; however, I want to provide a higher level of patient care as a physician assistant.
Whether it was the answers to my questions, easy directions to follow after leaving the hospital or a simple touch, they helped ease so much of my pain and lessened my burden. It felt as if they were with me every step of the way. The physician assistants, who helped me through my time of need, inspired me to become just like them. I want be just as dedicated, comforting and compassionate. I want to inspire future generations to be physician assistants. I cannot imagine working in any other career. Even though I had previously decided on a different path, it did not feel like I had found who I was meant to be. Now, I have found myself. I am a physician assistant.
Sam M says
For as long as I can recollect, I have wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, but I was unsure of what exact career path to choose in the vast variety of options. I remember the numerous times my family, friends, and colleagues have approached me with what remedies and medications to take for their specific symptoms. Although Google is not the best at telling an individual what they have, I always did further research. I thoroughly searched through multiple articles and trustable websites to expand my knowledge before advising those around me. With this gain in wisdom, it was time to determine a career.
Completely black and bleeding as if it was painted is what my toe looked like after being crushed under a metal trash can. With my research, I knew the wound needed to be cleaned with an alcohol wipe. Then, ointment was smeared on my toe and the injury was wrapped to prevent infection as I continued to finish my work. Later, the pain and bleeding continued so we decided to pay a trip to the urgent care clinic. That is where it all changed for my toe and myself. I saw a physician and physician assistant working collaboratively, but there was something about the PA that really stuck out. I met the physician once or twice very briefly, but the PA was able to operate independently as well. It was the PA that was more personable, and I had majority of my interactions with her during that visit and follow-up visits. It was the PA that knew my whole story of how the injury occurred. She was the one that pierced a small hole into my toenail to drain the internal blood. She was the one that injected my toe with anesthesia, removed the toenail, and dressed the open skin tissue after ointment application. Through several visits, I was able to build a relationship with my PA as she remembered the entire incidence as soon as I was back. Through the multitude of interactions with her is when I knew I aspired to become a physician assistant.
I have always struggled in picking one favorite of anything. Because of this and through shadowing opportunities, I observed how a PA can experience various specialties over time. As a PA, I will be able to gain exposure to family medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and much more. This skillset keeps life and my career engaging, interesting, and open to countless interactions with patients in copious fields.
As life kept going, there were challenges with some harder to overcome. However, it was those instances that were going to prepare me to become a better PA. I lost a very close friend and numerous other church members who I shared connections with all in the same year. Losing a best friend right around finals time made life very tough and concentrating on studying was just difficult. However, I pushed forward and ended the year well. I was taught tenacity and stress-management which will greatly aid me in becoming a PA. In the medical profession, there are going to be many times when you lose a patient due to unforeseen circumstances. These are patients you have been treating for years and have built a cherishable relationship with. However, with the support of your family and peers, you push through these rough trials and persevere at being a PA much like what I had to do when losing close friends.
Right after that time, I decided to combine the two things I love, traveling and providing healthcare, and went on a trip to Ecuador. Through that experience is where I learned the most. The physicians and PAs were so insightful and allowed students to engage hands-on in the patient’s treatment. They taught me how to identify signs of parasites in the stomach from pushing on the abdomen. Furthermore, I recognized signs of wind burn on their cheeks from the cold air in the mountainous regions. They instructed me on how to write prescriptions with the proper terminology and abbreviations. From that one trip, I gained much more medical knowledge than from my other opportunities all while being able to travel and become more culturally diverse. In the future, I aspire to be one of the PAs that goes on these medical mission trips to help those underserved.
These moments and situations is what solidified my desire to become a PA. Whether it was my own one-on-one experience or what I have observed, the determination of becoming a PA has just evolved even more. I hope to one day be the driving force for another person that comes through my office or on a trip in another country. I truly believe I have the grit it takes to become a PA and being admitted would be just one step to lifelong learning and helping.
Alyssa Rehrer says
On August 15th, 2006, I woke up to an empty house. My dad came home hours later showing me a card with a picture of my newborn brother. Initially he was a healthy baby, however, on the second day he developed jaundice that persisted for months. Eventually, a specialist diagnosed my brother with Hereditary Spherocytosis. After the diagnosis, I spent many hours on the computer trying to figure out what HS entails. This disease that plagued a relatively healthy family fascinated me. At that moment, my interest in hematology and the medical field sparked. When people asked what I wanted to be in the future, I always said a hematology doctor. There was something in my head that I always thought if I could be a hematology doctor, I would be able to save my little brother’s life. My interest in the medical field started when I was nine years and has increased as the years have gone on. I decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology so I could open myself to many different medical careers. I didn’t find my passion in a certain career until my junior year when I attended a seminar by a PA.
The following summer I volunteered in the emergency room to get a better sense of what the career provided. While I only performed minor tasks, I was able to learn the specifics of a nurse, PA, and doctor, finding the PA to be more applicable to what I was looking for in a career. I enrolled in the specific classes and had to take classes during the summer at different colleges because the unavailability in my schedule during the school year. Additionally, I received my EMT-B certification during my junior spring. I was able to work ER shifts where I observed the duties of a PA while I was being certified. At 2am one shift, a desperate mother brought in her fever-stricken baby that was having problems breathing. The PA present had a warm, personable personality that was able to calm the mother down while still taking care of the baby. Even within a short couple of hours, the PA had developed a relationship with this family that will forever last in the mother’s mind. The PA worked in a community where she had relationships with other physicians allowing everyone to work together to solve the problem. Because sports have always been a part of my life, I want to find a job that will still give me a sense of community and team.
When I was looking into careers to pursue, I asked myself what I wasn’t looking for. With monotony, I could see myself falling into a routine that didn’t push me into reaching my full potential. As an EMT, you see people on the worst day of their lives. The unpredictability of the calls inspired me to become an EMT. From routine transports to psychological episodes, this job provides you with life lessons and experiences that you cannot get from a classroom. With each call, my medical knowledge and bedside manner expands allowing me to blossom as a patient care provider. The experiences and lessons I have learned as an EMT will give me better insight as a PA. The ability to stay calm during high stress situations and thinking quick on my feet will only help me in the future as a physician.
I spent the first 18 years of my life in seven different countries/states because of my dad’s job in the military. Moving from friends and extended family showed me how important family is. As a PA, there is a unique work life balance that seems odd in the medical field. The amount of additional PA schooling would allow me have my own family and enjoy the happiness that would bring. Many PAs that I have talked to mentioned that the availability and work hours make it possible to have a life outside of work.
In my junior year of high school, I attended a volleyball camp at the University of Pittsburgh where I spoke with a parent of one of the players, a doctor, who mentioned that I would not be able to juggle playing Division One volleyball and pursue a degree in Biology. My whole life I was able to juggle playing sports and getting high grades throughout high school so doing the same in college seemed like an easy feat. Playing a college sport, which required hours of attention a day, from practice, rehabilitation, games, workouts, and film, made focusing on grades extremely hard. For my first two years, I put volleyball as my top priority with school as a close second. My time management skills and balancing stress were poor therefore my grades suffered. After receiving my first C+, I changed my mindset and decided that my education needed to be my top priority. As the years went on, I was able to find a balance between sports and school allowing my grades to improve every semester eventually ending with a 4.0 my senior spring semester. During my last two years, I found pride in the amount I could balance and my drive for school increased. I decided to go through EMT school my junior spring semester, got an on-campus job, and coaching volleyball elementary JV and Varsity schoolgirls. I am hoping admissions boards will see past my GPA and allow me the chance to prove to them that I am capable of taking on this hard task.
Morgan says
“Ding!” The scent of meatloaf filled the house. As it crept to me and my twin’s bedroom, we screamed, “Meatloaf!”, and rushed upstairs to the dining room table. “What did you learn today?” My parents were science teachers and strongly instilled the importance of education. The dinner table was the setting to countless educational-based discussions. “Is our blood blue inside our body? Does it only turn red when it is exposed to oxygen outside of the body?” I have a vivid memory of this question arising as a result of a debate between our classmates earlier that day. I now know that this question does not make much sense, however, it is my earliest memory of being interested with the human body.
I began taking college courses at a community college my third year of high school, allowing me to graduate ahead of the game with a high school diploma and an associates degree. It was to my advantage that I was exposed to college-level courses during my teenage years as it exposed me to various upper-level courses. On the first day of human biology, my professor opened by saying, “The human body has an estimated 100 trillion cells”. I wanted to learn everything about them. The human body is complex and ever-changing so it is important that education be the same way. I continued my education at Cleveland State University where I began my degree in pre-physical therapy. During my senior year of undergrad, I had the incredible opportunity of working with cadavers in an anatomy lab. Upon holding the human heart, I realized my passion was to learn everything I could about the human body in its entirety. That is when the physician assistant career stuck out to me.
Growing up, I have always been surrounded by health dilemmas. I have seen multiple family members survive and pass away from illness. When I was young, my aunt had a permanent tracheostomy that eventually resolved, my great grandpa passed from prostate cancer, my grandma beat ovarian cancer, and my mom survived breast cancer. The most recent run in with poor health has been with my twin sister. She has been battling ovarian cysts and irritable bowel syndrome for the past few years. It has been extremely hard watching her go through the many hospital visits and medical procedures required of her. This has forced me to have health in the forefront of my mind. I have always been hyper-focused on medicine and health, especially after seeing my sister go through this. Not attaining the knowledge to help her, other than comforting her when she needed the support, was a driving force in immersing myself in a healthcare career. The ease of switching specialities and collaborating with other healthcare professionals allows for infinite learning. Becoming a physician assistant will allow me to constantly learn new things treat people like my family.
At the time of discovering the physician assistant field, I was a senior in undergraduate school. I knew it was late to switch majors. With this is mind, my gut told me it was the right decision. I continued to research the career and I took an extra couple semesters to gain the prerequisites required for the physician assistant program. I also became a manager at the high-volume restaurant where I worked to gain leadership experience. To gain more knowledge, I shadowed and interviewed physician assistants in multiple fields including urgent care, the emergency department, gastroenterology, and inpatient internal medicine. I decided that I wanted to immerse myself even more in the healthcare field so I decided to become a patient care assistant in the ICU at a hospital nearby. Many of my patients in the ICU were very sick and elderly. It was hard seeing them so sick, however, they all had many stories and loved to share their knowledge. By helping patients when they could not help themselves, it humbled me and contributed to the importance of compassion in medicine. Volunteering at community meals around Cleveland also humbled me greatly. It was nice pausing my chaotic life to serve other people and see them eye-to-eye. These experiences made me realize I wanted to work with underserved communities and the geriatric population. The foundation of the physician assistant career is to help underserved populations so this only propelled me further into my desire for the field.
Although I gained valuable experience working as a patient care assistant, I wanted to broaden my healthcare knowledge. I took a job as a chiropractic assistant. I gained so many skills from this job as I have a new perspective of the healthcare field. Although the office was extremely high-volume, having an amazing team of chiropractic assistants and chiropractors made it a breeze. I was also able to get to know our patients very well by working closely with them to administer various therapies and curate exercise plans for qualifying patients. Even though I love my current job very much, I want to be even more involved in the treatment of my patients. Working as a chiropractic assistant has helped me approach my patients to educate them on their condition as well as help my chiropractic team treat them. I thoroughly enjoy working in the chiropractic office and am grateful to the skills I have learned, however, being a physician assistant will allow me to widen my scope of practice and treat extremely ill and underserved patients.
Although I have not known all of my life that I wanted to become a physician assistant, all of my life has been leading up to this opportunity. The opportunity to become a physician assistant will allow me to benefit myself and others at a higher degree and better the efficiency of the healthcare field by contributing to the rapidly growing physician assistant career. But, if I have learned anything from my experience in healthcare, it is that blood is never blue.
Zenia says
“Any available techs to Red” blared the intercom, and immediately I quickened my pace. I quickly finished labeling and sending the labs I collected, and ran over to the red zone, the trauma bay specifically. What I was met with was chaos. The best description of the flurry of activity was organized chaos. Everyone had their own role to perform and I jumped into the fray, helping transfer the patient, cutting clothes, getting vital signs, collecting equipment, and then proceeding to relieve the technician doing compressions. The adrenaline, the excitement, the fear, all of it is what makes working in the emergency room. There is something to appreciate after working a stressful code with a team of talented individuals, where we are literally keeping the patient alive through medications and artificial breaths and compressions, brings a whole new perspective to healthcare.
Working in an emergency room taught me about working with patients and their families in a clinical capacity which I would never have gotten in any other field. The best part is that you know you are making a difference in someone’s life, on the worst, most terrifying day in their life, by reassuring them, giving them a warm blanket, or having a happy disposition can make a profound difference in someone’s hospital visit. Through my experiences in the emergency room as a technician, I kept furthering myself to do the best at my level of practice. In doing so, it strives me to pursue further education and a career as a Physician Assistant.
I never thought I would want to work in healthcare when I first entered college, in fact, I was adamantly against anything with the label “pre-med”. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at the University of Massachusetts Amherst with the intention of pursuing a career in research but found something missing when working in a laboratory setting. I worked in an Entomology lab during school and while the technical research was interesting, the human connection was missing, with little interaction from the lab group.
After I graduated, I performed a year of community service with City Year. I worked in a school, as part of a team, working as peer mentors and teaching assistants in the classroom. I worked specifically in a tier 4 school in Dorchester which was going to be discontinued if the interventions were not successful over the course of the year. While there were stressful days at school, it was a very familiar setting for me. I have always worked within the school system, starting from my first job as a reading tutor to proctoring SATs occasionally at my old high school. Volunteering has taught me a great deal about myself throughout the year, and I grew significantly as a person in how I interact with people, but I wanted to be able to use my scientific background and do something different.
After my year in service, I began working at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) emergency room, as a patient observer. I learned how to interact with patients, comforting family members, and calming agitated patients, which can be a daunting task. While this was a good experience, it did not provide me with hands-on clinical experience. Consequently, I picked up a part-time technician job at my community hospital where I learned all the clinical skills necessary to assist in any situation within the emergency room. I worked both jobs working over 60 hour work weeks for about 9 months before getting promoted to be a technician. By this time, I decided to pursue a career as a physician assistant and had applied to schools with barely enough contact hours and my college prerequisites hoping to get into my program of choice. Instead, I received rejection after rejection, and while it was disheartening, I took time to reach out to prospective programs and got feedback on my application. Starting in January, I took as many classes that I could balance with my work schedule in order to raise my GPA and be a competitive applicant. I took pathophysiology, immunology, and organic chemistry in order to raise my GPA and learn something practical and new at the same time. I also gained more than 2000 hours of valuable patient care experience, allowing me to assist doctors with procedures, perform CPR, assist in traumas, and be exposed to a variety of scenarios. All of my experiences over the last three years since graduating college drives me to better myself and pursue a career as a Physician Assistant to provide high-quality care in a team of medical professionals.
Ashlan A says
Here is my essay! It is 4993 characters (with spaces). My friends suggested I edit the flow, but I wanted to make sure my opening paragraph had a hook. I’m not sure how to better connect my paragraphs from my patient experience to talking about my journey into healthcare and wanting to become a PA.
“I hate it here!” echoed down the halls of our clinic. Lauren glared at Nick, our physical therapy assistant, as she was struggling to do an exercise. I’d heard about Lauren before, but I hadn’t met her yet. I was still a new physical therapy aide at the time. My staff described Lauren as a difficult patient – she disliked most of our staff and hated physical therapy. Needless to say, I was anxious to set her up on ice after her exercises.
She eyed me somewhat suspiciously as I wrapped ice around both of her calves, and I noticed she was wearing a soccer club shirt. “Do you play soccer?” I asked her. Her face lit up. She replied, “Of course I do.” Her and I continued to talk about soccer until her appointment ended.
Her remaining appointments were during my shifts, and we would talk about our lives. Eventually she began to trust me enough to tell me about her hardships and injuries. She was a single mother who raised her son while she earned her college degree. She had been in two serious car accidents – they had damaged her frontal lobe and shattered both tibias. Therefore, she was in physical therapy. Of course she was angry. Not only could she not play soccer, but she had trouble moving and couldn’t drive in order to take care of her family.
I learned a lot from my experience with Lauren. I dared to ask a difficult patient a simple question. I wanted to get to know her and make her time at our clinic enjoyable for her. By talking with her, I expressed my compassion for everything she had been through. Eventually she was more talkative with our staff and smiled during her appointments. I loved spending time with her and helping her rehabilitate.
As a physical therapy aide, I learned that forming bonds with patients is so significant. Compassion and communication allowed me to establish trust with Lauren, which allowed us to help her rehabilitate, and for her to feel safe in our clinic. This bond I made with her and other patients is my favorite part of my job.
I didn’t always know I wanted to be a physician assistant. My freshman year of college my interest was in bioengineering, but once in that major, I knew I wanted a career where I could work more hands on with people. I withdrew from my bioengineering classes during sophomore year to save my family tuition money and figure out what I wanted to do. I had always enjoyed biology, medicine, and sports, so I decided to take steps towards becoming a physical therapist (PT). Even after becoming a physical therapy aide I wasn’t completely sold on the career of a physical therapist.
My senior year hit me hard, and I realized I had no idea what I wanted to pursue after I got my degree. I sunk into a deep depression. I couldn’t eat or sleep, and I broke out into a stress rash because of family issues, not knowing what I wanted to do, and fearful of letting everyone down.
It wasn’t until Machi, a PT in our clinic, talked to me that I began to feel some relief about my situation. It was the end of the day, and we were the last ones in the clinic. She asked me point blank, “Do you really see yourself becoming a PT?” I told her that I honestly didn’t. As a PT aide, I found myself enjoying the patient relationships I made rather than kinesiology or exercise science. I was more interested in medicine and diagnostics than coming up with rehabilitation plans. I felt so guilty admitting that to her—that was her career—and I didn’t want to insult her by saying I didn’t want it. Without skipping a beat, she said she understood and pointed out that I should look into becoming a PA. Looking back now, this was the best advice anyone could have given me.
Over the next year, with a new goal to pursue, my depression alleviated as I found healthy ways to deal with it and my family issues became more resolved. I poured myself into research on the PA career and spent time shadowing multiple PAs.
I shadowed Dana, a PA at an orthopedic surgery clinic, and saw firsthand the amount of patient contact he had, and how his communication skills easily soothed patients’ worries before and after surgery. I shadowed Michelle, a PA at a neurosurgery clinic, and learned how teamwork is crucial in being a successful PA after watching her joke around and ask questions about patients with other nurses, surgeons, and PAs. Every shadowing experience I had with PAs, I felt more relief in my decision to pursue becoming a PA. I was more confident about this than I ever was with bioengineering or PT. I had finally found a career that combined my passions and strengths.
These shadowing experiences showed me how my strengths could benefit me in the career. The compassion, trust, teamwork, and communication I had learned and achieved with my patients at the physical therapy clinic I could apply in being a PA. These traits are what embody the PA profession, and I will strive to continue to implement all of these into my future studies and career as a PA.
Jay Vyas says
Hello, I recently made changed on my personal statement and would like an opinion on the newer version (I posted the old version a few days ago so please disregard it). This one has 4,885 characters. Please let me know what edits I need to make. Thank you so much!!
“In the joy of others, lies our own.” This quote by my guru P. Pramukh Swami never made sense to me. How can making someone else happy, make me happy? With today’s society, most people desire something with monetary value. Why would I be happy about losing money? I placed these thoughts in the back of my mind and focused on finding my happiness by exploring my interests. Growing up, I frequented doctors’ offices for various sports-related injuries. These visits spiked my interest in medicine and with the life of medical providers. In 10th grade, I decided to get involved with healthcare.
I was forced to put on a blue apron with a big badge labeled “VOLUNTEER”. Adorned with the duty to observe, the most I did was assist the attending nurses with patients in stable conditions. One patient, Mary, lived with type II diabetes and was bedridden due to severe obesity, causing muscular atrophy. All I could offer her melancholy life were words and she appreciated every conversation because it gave her a few minutes to forget her current situation. One cold and cloudy morning, the nurse asks, “Can you help us bag a body?” I never knew that saying yes would lead to a pivotal change in my life.
My heart dropped as I walked into the room to see that the patient was Mary. Her naked body was completely cold to the touch. I stood there frozen, immersed in sorrow and her memory. The nurse shook me awake and instructed me to prepare her extra-large body bag. I noticed the doctor and his team were busy performing medical checks and preparing the body without a second of hesitation. Although they felt remorse, they were professionals at compartmentalizing their emotions and thoroughly perform their task. That day, my life changed as I realized how thrilling and tough the job of a healthcare professional is.
“Why did she pass away? Why didn’t the doctor and his team prevent this? How were they so calm?” Questions flooded my mind and lead me to pursue a career in medicine. I didn’t know what medical professional I wanted to be, but it all became clear when I was the vulnerable patient in need of help.
I sat in the examination room of the gastroenterology office with a heavy heart and all kinds of questions racing through my mind. The physician walks in and takes a seat in front of me. He begins to explain my diagnosis and my heart drops. Tears fill my eyes as the physician explains that I have chronic ulcerative colitis. After my diagnosis, I had multiple checkup visits in which I interacted with Mike, a physician assistant. He spent more time with me thoroughly explaining the answers to all my questions and reassuring me that I would be okay. Although it said assistant on his badge, he performed my physical exam, interpreted my lab results, gave me great medical care, and prescribed medication. He was an expert at having a genuine human interaction with me while being a proactive critical thinker. Mike didn’t seem any different than a doctor, yet his profession was a physician assistant. I spent time researching the profession at home and my interest turned into passion when I learned this profession gives me lateral mobility and the ability to interact with patients at a primary diagnostic level.
I was fully convinced from my research and experience with Mike that I wanted to become a physician assistant; however, I wanted to experience the life of a certified PA to learn more about the profession. I started to attentively shadow an orthopedic physician assistant during her rounds. Stephanie reassured me that what I learned was accurate and I felt goosebumps watching her patient interactions. I became captivated by her primary level of patient care and impact on each patient’s life. In one occasion, I watched Stephanie use an ultrasound machine to help carefully perform a cortisone injection into a patient’s right shoulder. In another, I witnessed her drain 120 mL of excess fluid from a patient’s knee. Stephanie compassionately examined, diagnosed, and treated her patients; qualities that I aspire to exhibit as a medical provider. Soon, I was shadowing as often as possible because I was devoted and reassured that I wanted this job to be my career.
“In the joy of others, lies our own.” At first, I didn’t know what this meant until I worked with patients like Mary. These patients come in at their most vulnerable state and look to healthcare providers for physical and mental support. Throughout my patient experiences, I strived to give them emotional happiness and, in doing so, I realized that gave me joy to see them smile. Through working with Mike and Stephanie, I saw how they provided great medical care while being a beacon of positivity that patients latched onto. I truly believe that as a physician assistant, my happiness will come from assisting my patients to live a physically and mentally stable lifestyle.
SARAH says
There are many types of discomfort. One familiar to me was the extreme humidity I experienced during my Global Brigades trip to Ghana. Unlike the discomfort I felt, the patients in Ghana experienced far more discomfort due to poverty and lack of access to healthcare. It was at the medical clinics in Narkwa and Egyankwa where I met 8-year-old Mayflower, who blew kisses at me as I was leaving, and 4-year-old Ruth who danced while brushing her teeth. My interaction with these girls, plus my experience working with the patients, doctors and nurses at the clinics and villages, had a profound impact on my life and solidified my interest in healthcare. Most importantly, the experience showed me that even the most extreme discomfort can be alleviated with the help of a dedicated healthcare team and compassionate caregivers.
As a pharmacy technician, I saw first-hand the importance of teamwork in healthcare. One day a frantic mother came in for her son, who was in excruciating pain after surgery. She had left her insurance card at home and could not afford the cash price of the medication. With help from the pharmacist and the insurance company, we managed to delay billing so we could prescribe his medication immediately. In this case, teamwork was instrumental for the comfort of our patient. Also, at the pharmacy, I realized the importance of effective communication, such as simplifying directions, using visual descriptions, and less technical language. I also learned to be more patient, which served me well during extended phone calls with insurance companies advocating for patients. Most importantly working at the pharmacy sparked my curiosity; I found myself wanting to know more and thinking from the perspective of the health care provider, dreaming of the day I would be prescribing the medication printed on the label. My patience, my ability to communicate effectively, and my curiosity will help me become an effective Physician’s Assistant (PA).
When I started volunteering at Columbia’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital, I was unsure what impact a single person could have. As an officer of an organization called Pascale’s Pals, which provides support to children and their families on the pediatric floor, I was gratified that simple tasks like getting water, books, or watching a movie had such an impact on their day. Volunteering showed me how interdependent the medical field is; my presence on the floor set in motion a snowball effect that impacted not only the patients, but their families and the entire healthcare team.
My shadowing experiences have allowed me to witness different kinds of health care providers and these experiences were instrumental in determining my career path. I became interested in medicine after taking Anatomy in high school. I chose a Biology major because a solid science background was important to me and it would prepare me for the medical field. During my first significant shadowing experience I watched a surgeon remove a lung tumor and then he let me hold the tumor. It was exciting and I was hooked. I thought then that I wanted to be a surgeon. However, after many other clinical experiences my goals changed and I saw medicine in a new light. Now I see myself as a member of a team, giving and receiving, working together to solve problems. This is what drew me towards the PA path. One meaningful experience I had was watching PA-C Lara Steck tell a 23-year-old Congolese’s women with sickle cell anemia that she had miscarried. I was impressed with the ease and compassion the heart-breaking news was delivered. She helped me appreciate the importance of balance in delivering news and the need to explain medical information in ways patients can fully understand. Lara also provided me with insight into her career – five years in a burn unit, three years as first assistant in surgery, and two years in the ER. The relative flexibility, versatility, and work-life balance that the PA position allows is what attracts me most to the career.
Overall my experiences in the healthcare field have shown me that medicine encompasses much more than hard science and it is not as glamorous as I once thought. It is not always about saving lives; rather, curing a patient is often not immediate, nor guaranteed. Across my volunteer and clinical experiences, what has been the most impactful is the compassion I developed for the people I served. Furthermore, I have realized there are many ways to serve, such as treating patients’ physical needs, working on a medical team, being able to communicate with patients and family members, or leaving my comfort zone to encourage health promotion in Africa. These perspectives, coupled with my fascination with the human body’ complexities, leave no doubt that PA school, and a future career as a PA, is how I should use my abilities to make a positive holistic impact on peoples’ lives.
Jay Vyas says
I am 410 characters above the limit, but I don’t know what I can take out. Thank you for your help!!
As an Indian who immigrated to America, I slowly became exposed to the uncertainties of life and realized it wasn’t so “cookie-cutter” after-all. Through the process of acclimating to a new country with a different environment, I relied on my family and culture to keep me rooted. My guru, P. Pramukh Swami, said, “In the joy of others, lies our own.” I never understood how making others happy led to my happiness until I got the chance to interact with patients in healthcare.
In my first experience to health care, I was forced to put on a blue apron with a badge labeled “VOLUNTEER” in size 32 font. Adorned with the duty to observe, the most I did was assist the attending nurses with patients in temporally stable living conditions. One patient, Mary, lived with type II diabetes and was bedridden due to severe obesity, causing muscular atrophy. Although all I could offer her melancholy life were words, she appreciated every conversation because it gave her a few minutes to forget her current situation. One cold and cloudy morning, the nurse asks, “Can you help us bag a body?” I never knew that saying yes would lead to a pivotal change in my life.
My heart dropped as I walked into the room to see that the patient was Mary. Her naked body was completely morbid and cold to the touch. I stood there frozen, immersed in sorrow and her memory. The nurse shook me awake and instructed me to prepare her extra-large body bag. I noticed the doctor and his medical team were busy performing medical checks and preparing the body without a second of hesitation. Although they felt remorse, they were professionals at compartmentalizing their emotions and thoroughly perform their task. They were experts at having a genuine human interaction while being proactive critical. That day, I left feeling amazed at the job of a healthcare professional and desiring more hands-on patient interaction.
I set my goal to become a medical professional and sought more patient interaction by getting involved in an internship at my undergraduate university’s sports medicine department. I quickly learned the knowledge to perform hands-on therapeutic treatment on athletes with injuries spanning from torn ligaments to muscle spasms. It felt great to work closely with patients helping them recover from post-operation to full athletic condition, but I still craved more primary interaction with a patients treatment and diagnosis. Ironically, I didn’t realize that a devastating diagnosis to me would lead to finding my perfect medical profession.
I sat in the examination room of the gastroenterology office with a heavy heart and all kinds of questions racing through my mind. The physician walks in and takes a seat in front of me. He begins to explain my diagnosis and my heart drops. Tears fill my eyes as the physician explains that I have chronic ulcerative colitis. After my diagnosis, I had multiple checkup visits in which I interacted with Mike, a physician assistant. He spent more time with me thoroughly explaining the answers to all my questions and reassuring me that I would be okay. Although it said assistant on his badge, he performed my physical exam, interpreted my lab results, gave me great medical care, and prescribed me medication. Mike didn’t seem any different than a doctor, yet his profession was a physician assistant. I asked him to describe the job of a physician assistant and his enthusiastic explanation spiked my interested. I spent time researching at home and my interest turned into a passion because this profession gives me lateral mobility and the ability to interact with patients at a primary diagnostic level.
I was fully convinced from my research and experience with Mike that I wanted to become a physician assistant; however, I wanted to experience the life of a certified PA to learn more about the profession. I started to attentively shadow an orthopedic physician assistant during her rounds. On my first day, Stephanie reassured me that what I had learned about being a physician assistant was accurate and I felt goosebumps watching her go through her patient interactions. I became captivated by her primary level of patient care and the impact she made on each patient’s life. In one occasion, I watched Stephanie use an ultrasound machine to help her carefully perform a cortisone injection into a patient’s right shoulder. In another, I witnessed her drain 120 mL of excess fluid from a patient’s knee. Stephanie compassionately examined, diagnosed, and treated her patients; qualities that I desire as a medical provider. Soon, I was shadowing as often as possible because I was devoted and reassured that I wanted this job to be my career.
“In the joy of others, lies our own.” At first, I didn’t know what this meant until I worked with patients like Mary. These patients come in at their most vulnerable state and look to healthcare providers for physical and mental support. Throughout my patient experiences, I strived to give them emotional happiness and, in doing so, I realized that gave me joy to see them smile. Through working with Mike and Stephanie, I saw how they provided physical support through their medical knowledge while also being a beacon of positivity that patients latched onto. I truly believe that as a physician assistant, my happiness will come from assisting my patients to live a physically and mentally stable lifestyle.
Rylee says
My essay is almost 2000 characters over the limit, but I am not sure what to take out because I feel it is all vital to telling my story! Please help!
It is a Tuesday at the University of Florida and I am sitting in an auditorium, crying. My class was watching a scene from the movie Patch Adams. In the scene, Robin Williams’ character is explaining why he was treating patients without a license. He talks about how important it is to remember patients are humans and that they need help. He says “when you treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you’ll win”. It was not the speech itself that caused me to cry. It is pathetic, but it was in that moment, in that sentence, I was assured of everything I was pursuing. I could feel it deep in my heart that I have to help others, I have to help heal them. I knew I was on the right path, the path to becoming a Physician Assistant.
My journey to becoming a Physician Assistant has not been typical. In fact, it has been a little backwards. As I mentioned, I did not discover my true “why” for wanting to be a PA until I was already in the middle of my Health Science degree, already with the intent of becoming PA in the future. I have always known being a PA was the right job for me. I learned about the flexibility of the career, the ability to work in any medical field, the ability to practice almost completely independently, yet still have the support of a doctor, and I was sold. I knew I wanted to work in healthcare and I knew I could be a nurse, doctor, or a multitude of other things, but the only career that ever sounded right to me was a Physician Assistant. So, I started doing the necessary tasks to fulfil the requirements to apply to PA schools and along the way, I have learned invaluable lessons that have taught me why I truly want to become a PA and how I know I will be great provider in the future.
Similar to finding my passion, my experience in school, has been abnormal. When viewing my transcripts, it could appear as though there were times I did not know what I was doing, but all along I had a plan. In high school, I dual enrolled and during this time, I was misled by advisors on which courses needed to be taken to apply to PA school. It was not until I transferred to UF that I was told I had essentially wasted hours in unneeded classes. I made the decision to continue work on my degree, while simultaneously completing the missing prerequisites. The problem was that the classes I needed were not offered at UF at times that corresponded with my program. So, I enrolled to three different colleges at once. It was taxing keeping up with it all, but I learned a lot about myself during that time. I learned how to improve my study habits, manage time, and most importantly I learned how to fail. When I finished Chemistry 2 with a D, I felt defeated. “No PA school will let me in with this grade”, I thought. I had to pick myself up and try again, I needed to solve what was holding me back. Amidst so many people saying, “why are you doing this?” and the often discouraging comments, every set back only pushed me forward. I realized I was willing to work extremely hard to become a Physician Assistant because I want so badly to become one.
While pursuing my bachelor’s degree, I also took time to volunteer and work. What started out as steps taken in order to fulfill requirements became experiences I will forever cherish. I began working in healthcare as a CNA at a local hospital. It was not a job I enjoyed, but I learned a lot. I learned how hospitals and care teams work. I also gained respect for nurses and every other hard-working member of a care team. I later began working as a medical assistant at a pediatric office. Working hands on with patients and their families has flourished my desire to become a PA. As a medical assistant, I do not know, nor am I qualified, to answer many of the patients’ questions or to cure their ailments. But, when I am able to calm a child, reassure a nervous parent, relay pertinent information to a provider, or use knowledge I have acquired through my time there, I feel as though I am in the right place. I want to become a PA so I can answer the questions and, hopefully, provide cures, but until then, I feel this has been excellent preparation for my career as a PA in the future. I have also volunteered at the Ronald McDonald house, as well as an assisted living facility. Though both very different settings, I have learned a similar lesson through both. I have learned how to help people, how to lend an ear and communicate, and how a simple kind word can brighten someone’s day. I have also learned how grateful most people are to receive help and how often people desperately need it but will not ask.
In my experiences leading up to PA school, I have come in contact with amazing people who have shown me what it means to be a great provider. My family physician inspired me to listen well to my patients. I had been having health issues and my doctor thoroughly listened to me and every wild idea I had about what it could be, before he calmed me and assured me we could find a solution. His kindness made me feel valued and I will never forget it. The PA I have shadowed has taught me how important it is to decipher necessary information from unnecessary, while ensuring the patient feels heard. I shadowed her in an Emergency Department and with the odd cases that often come in, she taught me how it is essential to look at the facts and not get caught up in everything going on. Lastly, one of the physicians I work with now is a model of how to be an outstanding provider and his practice is what I will shape my own after. He listens to his patients, he remains calm and always reassures the child’s parents, and he never over reacts. Too often in healthcare, it seems providers run away with diagnoses, overshooting the actual problem that could be a small fix. This doctor always tries to avoid this and look at the small things first, because he says typically that is where the issues stem from. In remaining calm, he is a reassuring figure to patients and their parents alike, and he is always happy to see them.
While I have always known I wanted to be a PA, it was not until I was well into my journey that I discovered why. Through trying times in school, work experiences, and people met along the way, I have learned just how much I want to become a physician assistant. I want to have the knowledge to help others with their medical problems, I want to make patients and their families feel heard and cared for, and I want to be a calm, assuring presence to my patients in their times of trouble. Although there were times of difficulty, I am grateful my journey to becoming a pa was a little different than others’, because it taught me valuable life lessons and what I needed to learn to become an exceptional PA in the future.
My essay is almost 2000 characters over the limit, but I am not sure what to take out because I feel it is all vital to telling my story! Please help!
Kristen Alexander says
Hi, I would really appreciate any feedback on this essay. Thank you very much!
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The tone pierced the stagnant air that surrounded me. I held my breath and listened closely. The med flight crew gave report, “84-year-old male, intubated, resuscitated cardiac arrest, vitals stable, landing in 5”. The triage nurse looked at me, “there bringing him to trauma 2”. I just finished working my shift and was still in my EMT uniform, allowing me to camouflage in the corner of the trauma room. I heard the familiar sound of the stretcher wheels rotating against the tile hospital floors. “This is Mr. William Green” the woman in the blue med flight jumper began speaking as she entered the room. The PA called out, “does he have a significant cardiac history?” The nurse nodded in my direction knowing that it was my Papa wrapped in the Mylar blanket. It was in that moment that I felt so plagued by my inability to contribute any more than a snippet of medical history. I wanted to do more, know more, understand more, and simply help more.
Sometimes the most difficult thing is to trust someone else with the responsibility and health of our loved ones. This to me, is most humbling part of my work as an EMT, and why I want to become a PA. I am often the first to respond and treat someone that is ill and injured. I have learned that by showing empathy and compassion, I can ease the stress and tensions of my patients as well as their family and friends. I have seen how patients evolve into their disease or diagnosis but with empathetic care, that stigma is shed. One day while transferring a dialysis patient, he asked if we would take him the long way home, along the ocean coast. His eyes filled with tears as he told me about the memories he had as a child playing on that beach. It was in his eyes that I knew I was pursuing my calling.
Working on an ambulance with limited equipment has taught me to think critically under pressure by assessing and treating patients in a time sensitive manner. Beginning my career in EMS taught me valuable lessons about patience and kindness in the face of chaos but I could not help but feel limited by my scope of practice, available equipment, and by the four corners of the ambulance. I constantly wondered if my short pre-hospital treatment made a difference. The transient nature of a job in EMS left me craving more from my quest to becoming a PA.
I soon found myself on the receiving end of EMS, working as a nursing assistant in the Emergency Department of South Shore Hospital. My responsibility moved from one patient to upwards of twenty. Although the ED can be entirely chaotic, I feel at ease. I became proficient at juggling and triaging the needs of my patients while working closely with a diverse group of medical professionals. From preforming CPR and assisting in central lines, to obtaining EKGs and vitals, often the most important treatment I can provide is a listening ear, a warm blanket, or supportive words. A smile today gives me the strength to conquer CPR tomorrow. The fortitude I have gained by working in the Emergency Department has prepared me for the rigors of becoming a PA. I eagerly await the opportunity to expand my scope, quench my thirst for knowledge, and collaborate within a health care team as I learn to become a PA.
Every day that I work in medicine I am reaffirmed that I am on the right path. As a scribe in the Emergency Department of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, I have seen the health care disparities caused by a geographically isolated community. The PAs serve as stewards for the islands health are vital in bridging the limited access to providers. I hope to emulate the PAs I work with whose sensitivity and compassion allow patients to feel heard while serving their community’s needs.
Seeing my Papa in the trauma room that day reassured me of my path to becoming a PA. His death, soon followed by my father being diagnosed with lung cancer while I was working full-time, and taking two courses challenged my priorities. My pursuit to becoming a PA is steadfast and I received As in my classes. I no longer want to be spectator or limited by scope of practice. I want the responsibility to assess, treat, and diagnose patients. I want to spend time with them, learn about them, and grow as a PA as my patients transition through their health care experiences. I plan to establish relationships built on trust and open communication by treating each patient with the utmost respect and empathy. I crave to be a part of a health care team where I have the freedom for both collaboration and autonomy. I am ready to exchange my EMT uniform for a Physician Assistant white coat.
Maddie Mandula says
I have attended three different universities and have gained unique experiences and insights from each. My college journey began as the top freshman recruit for the University of Indianapolis Women’s Lacrosse Team. After getting settled that fall, in a matter of weeks, I began to experience severe health issues. The weeks following, I became a frequent visitor to the emergency room, was poked, prodded and examined by many doctors and devices, yet not one could seem to reveal the issue. After enduring this undiagnosable pain with no end in sight, I made the toughest decision of my life: quit my dream of playing collegiate lacrosse after earning my spot through skill and a scholarship and go home to Georgia to uncover what was holding me back. Little did I know that my new dream was awaiting my arrival: becoming a PA.
The more knowledge and experiences I gain through my involvement in the medical field while shadowing and working as a medical assistant, the deeper appreciation I have for medicine and its providers. I began college as a Biology major but quickly realized it was not my path. Delving into a world of “what if’s” and theory did not excite me like hands-on experience did. Being a kinesthetic learner, strict lecture- and book-based learning was not enough for me. As my grades reflected the interest I lacked in my chosen studies, something had to change, so I began to pursue other interests. My major became Exercise Science, an ideal field for a kinesthetic learner. Since then, I have gained immense knowledge and experience through labs and hands-on fieldwork. Outside of the classroom, the learning moments that have stuck with me most have come from being a medical assistant. Whether taking patient vitals, administering injections, or recording patient histories, I have fallen in love with medicine and everything the field has to offer – the people, the relationships, the hardship, the joy, and the community. Although taking detailed histories is a vital role in patient care, becoming a PA will fulfill my desires to be more involved by treating and diagnosing patients rather than standing in the background observing.
Through my unique experiences, I have gained a deeper understanding of my admiration for specialties in medicine as well as working as a team. My interest in orthopedics began in high school as a student athletic trainer for football and men’s basketball. As an Exercise Science major, I am studying how meticulous the anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics of our bodies are made and how they function separately yet always together. Another area of interest is surgery. During my time in a veterinary clinic, I had the opportunity to assist in emergency lifesaving procedures. I recall one afternoon a lost dog was brought into the clinic with a front paw pad, barely still attached to its body, that had maggots burrowed deep in the exposed flesh. I assisted the doctor in the removal of all the maggots and wrapped up the paw to begin the healing process. During this emergency, I remained calm, collected, and the main thought I had going through my head was “How can we help this dog?” Similarly, while shadowing and working, my first thought after meeting a patient is “How can we best help this person?”
As a compassionate and driven young woman, I strive to help people whenever and wherever possible. As a future PA, I look forward to helping patients by discovering not only what is wrong with them, but why, and mapping the best healing pathway. To help often means to teach. As the youngest in a family of five, I was always being taught important lessons by my parents and sisters, whether it was learning addition or subtraction, how to throw a lacrosse ball or tips for raising my dog. My goal is to give that gift of knowledge back to my patients while encouraging them to not only learn and understand how to get better but also learn how to keep themselves healthy going forward. The PA I shadow once said, “You do not have to be the smartest, just be thorough.” These words have stuck with me these past few months, and although I may not yet know even a fraction of all there is to know about medicine, people or the world, I am confident in my ability to communicate information and administer advice well enough to share a bit of knowledge with those I aim to help.
After transferring to two different colleges, I had a difficult time adjusting to my new environment, social life and academia. My grades in my first two semesters at Kennesaw State University reflect the difficulties I faced while not only struggling academically, but also struggling with the thought of “Where do I fit in here?” After wrestling with this for months, the answer became clear: become a PA. Not only do I love medicine and all it has to offer – new ideas, innovations, hope – but I also love people. I can think of nothing more joyful and fulfilling than having the privilege of coming home after a long day’s work of taking care of my patients and feeling as though I truly made a difference in their lives.
Lyndi Bagley says
The fascination of the sciences is not something that I have always maintained. In fact, until my later high school years, I hated the idea of studying science. What changed for me is a teacher who showed increasing interest in my academic success and my ability to thoughtfully apply the principles of biology to real life. A year later, I was attending the College of St. Scholastica, where I enjoyed and experienced the legacy of athletics, quality in scholarship, and the tradition of inclusive excellence. A year after that, I had transferred from the college where I began my post secondary educational journey, and landed at the University of Northwestern, St. Paul.
My educational experiences at both St. Scholastica and the University of Northwestern sparked a natural curiosity as I took on coursework in counseling, abnormal psychology, pathophysiology, genetics, human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology. These courses efficaciously provided me with the challenge of truly applying my education to my future goals. In both microbiology and genetics, we teamed with Tiny Earth research to evaluate the problem of antibiotic resistance. I also found myself enjoying the complexity of chemistry I and II, in addition to organic chemistry and biochemistry. The goal of becoming a physician assistant made the coursework enjoyable and the journey to strive exciting.
It was at the University of Northwestern that my fascination with life sciences and the human body immediately began to cultivate. At the University of Northwestern, I met a professor who introduced me to the profession of physician assistant studies. Later, that same professor would encourage me to pursue a health sciences internship to make myself familiar with the aspect of working in a clinic and to experience what healthcare providers undergo while working in a Federally Qualified Health Center.
It was at NorthLakes Community Clinic that I began to learn exactly how critical it is that primary care providers are available to rural, underserved communities, and to those that would have otherwise not received care. I am from the rural community of Iron River, WI. During my internship, I saw how NorthLakes impacted the lives of those in Hayward, WI and Iron River. The individuals who work for this organization were truly striving to better the lives of those that they serve, regardless of their circumstances. At NorthLakes, I shadowed a PA, nurse practitioners, lab technicians, and even patient service representatives. With the providers, I had the opportunity to work hands on through scribing and in the lab, I was able to run lab tests and enter data for the lab technicians. This experience showed me that it is not only the medical advice that matters, but the personal interactions that ensue each hospital visit.
Being at NorthLakes caused me to research another underserved community to which I have been exposed, the American Indians in our country. I think of the times I have gone to visit my grandmother on the reservation for the Fon Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa people. Ever since I was a child, I have utilized the health services of the Center for American Indian Resources (CAIR) in Duluth, MN. Within the walls of CAIR, you will see posters for providing help with Diabetes prevention, birth control, substance abuse, heart disease, and many other rattling conditions. After doing research, I became aware of the staggering numbers of infirmities that afflict the Native American people. The sobering statistics are what have made it concrete to me that I must play my role in the medical community as a physician assistant.
I currently serve as a direct care professional (DCP) at ACR Homes. I assist residents with daily living tasks and administer daily medications and therapeutic treatments. I have found that these residents have taught me both patience and loving care while equipping them with what is needed to live as fulfilling of a life as possible. In addition to being a DCP, I also serve as a residential supervisor assistant, where check and reorder weekly medications. I also serve as a mentor for new hires, to help engage them in the unfamiliarity of becoming a DCP at ACR Homes. My time at ACR has been a humbling experience that causes me to truly have appreciation for the simple things in life.
Being a PA goes beyond the reach of medical advice. While this is an important aspect of the job, it is not the primary reason why I wish to be a PA. In my exposure to this field, I have seen one important detail, underserved communities. I want to be a PA because there needs to be more individuals stepping into Federally Qualified Health Centers, reservation health centers, and work with the mentally and physically disabled. I want to be a PA because I see the mission field in the job that extends into provider-patient relations.
Joshua says
Recently, a military friend of mine told me about the way they do memos and reports using an approach called BLUF, which stands for Bottom Line Up Front. I love this idea; it gets straight to the point. Since this is probably the thousandth personal statement you are reading, please indulge this non-traditional approach from a non-traditional applicant. The BLUF is this: My current profession, chiropractic, has a limited scope of practice. I want to be a PA because I want to better meet the healthcare needs of the underserved with an expanded scope of practice, including primary care. With me, you get a proven practitioner with a drive to fill a healthcare need for competent, knowledgeable providers willing to serve in underserved areas.
After 10 years of practicing chiropractic, I have concluded that it’s time to expand my scope of practice. I’ve had too many patients that needed more than what I can provide as a chiropractor. There’s Ken, age 68, with a calcified abdominal aorta who needs better imaging than x-ray and continued monitoring more than just the occasional muscle work for his low back pain. Linda, age 57, is a morbidly obese diabetic teacher who needs more than just manipulation, lab monitoring, and dietary advice I provide within my current scope. She needs updates on her medications, and a specialist follow up for her diabetic neuropathy. Chiropractic just isn’t enough.
Not only do I desire an expanded scope of practice, but I also have a strong desire to focus on underserved populations both locally and abroad. John, a minimum wage tire factory worker, living in rural Franklin County, needs more than just relief from low back pain. He needs affordable primary healthcare near him and a practitioner who will collaborate with other providers on his behalf. One of the most frustrating limitations I have experienced is the inability to provide care during medical missions and after natural disasters. A patient of mine takes a group to Haiti several times a year. He asked me to go one year looking for medical help, but after hearing how limited my scope is we decided to save that spot for a nurse. Those orphans in Haiti don’t need an adjustment; they need antibiotics and vaccines. Last year, the victims of Hurricane Michael didn’t need manipulation and muscle work; they needed emergency care and medication. I can do so much more as a PA for so many more people.
As you can see, I have a real heart for the underserved. That’s what makes this move such a mutually beneficial endeavor. As a PA, I will be able to find true fulfillment serving those in need. I will be able to get away from the small business of running a private practice. And the PA profession will get an experienced, mature, professional practitioner that can be plugged in to fill a significant need in healthcare. Our healthcare system needs competent PAs that are willing to serve in rural and poor communities. Specifically, in North Carolina we have 80 rural counties, compared to only 6 urban counties. I have spoken with medical doctors, nurses, and PAs and have come to understand that when a practitioner works in rural areas, they don’t have the luxury and convenience of having a lot of specialists nearby. Therefore they must be more knowledgeable and more responsible. That’s one reason it’s so difficult to get quality care in those areas. Turn around is high in those positions as well. That is where the biggest need is and where I want to be. I am convinced the last 10 years of chiropractic has prepared me to handle such responsibility; all I need is the additional education.
I would be remiss if I didn’t address a few things for the committee. My undergrad GPA was a product of immaturity, lack of focus, and foolishness. I coasted through undergrad and then through the first years of my chiropractic education until a difficult personal loss (which I can go into in detail in my interview) gave me the wake-up call I needed. My GPA, the last year and a half of chiropractic school, was much higher even with the addition of clinicals and 4 parts of national board testing. I excelled in the practical application in the student clinic, graduating to clinical rounds ahead of many of my classmates. Another concern for some may be that it’s been a while since I have taken prereqs. However, please understand that I apply the material in a real-world setting in my current profession.
I bring to the PA profession experience, proven success, and a deep desire to serve those in greatest need. I can do this job well. I look forward to going back to school with the laser focus and wisdom that only real-life experience can bring. Most of all, I look forward to joining my colleagues as a PA.
Kate says
I think I need to put some work in to make it flow a little better, but here’s my first draft. Thanks!
She looked so small in the hospital bed, covered in a jungle of IV lines and wires. Brown eyes swollen, cheeks red, hands hot as summer pavement. I was frozen at her bedside, not sure if I was unable or unwilling to move. My cousin Molly was about to take her last breath as her sweet sixteen body succumbed to an illness that would be summarized as “autopsy results inconclusive.” It took eleven hours for a lifetime of plans to shatter into pieces that could never be put back together. But it has been through these broken bits of life that I discovered my affinity for healthcare, passion for helping others, and ability to relate to patients in a unique way.
It was Tuesday, blue bandana day. I combed the few remaining wisps of silver hair while a shaking hand brought a spoonful of ice chips to her dry lips. This was Ms. E’s third blue bandana Tuesday in the hospital; pancreatic cancer left her body frail and mind broken, yet her youthful spirit remained strong. Unable to speak she smiled weakly as I laid the bandana on her head, tying it into a bow above her neck. Her husband stood by the window, gazing at his wife with crossed arms and tired eyes. “You look beautiful sweetheart,” and her weak smile transformed into a toothy grin. “It snowed last night, let’s try and walk to the window today so you can see it.” The smile was replaced with sadness – a mistake in a recent surgery had tethered her to the hospital bed, jeopardizing her freedom and ability to move on her own. I looked into her eyes, so full of fear, and touched her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you.”
I slipped my hand under Ms. E’s left arm as a physical therapist did the same to her right. We guided her hands to the walker in front of us while the floor’s physician assistant supported her back. “One step at a time, left foot first,” the physical therapist muttered. Her frail body was shaking, translucent skin stretched across bone that would easily break if our hands failed to support her. Slowly she lifted her left foot, and then her right, and then her left again. Each step was slow, like fighting through mud that became deeper the closer we got to the window. But we kept going, one step at a time like the physical therapist said. We approached the window and sunlight reflected tears on her face, beaming as she lifted her hand from the walker and placed it on the frosted glass. Her blue bandana was saturated with sweat and I thought of Molly, who loved the color blue. I smiled to be a part of such a special moment, blessed with a little reminder of the person who inspired me to be there.
The pieces of my life that shattered after Molly died have been picked up by patients like Ms. E. The still-jagged edges do not fit together like before, but have instead taken on a new and beautiful form that would not have existed without losing my best friend, and I am grateful for that. It is a wonderful blessing to witness the strides my patients take during recovery, and a privilege to offer comfort when they need it. As a physician assistant I will have the unique opportunity to be present as my patients take those first steps, while simultaneously be a member of the diagnostic team that provides the medicine to get them there. In memory of Molly, Ms. E, and all of the patients who shaped me I will spend my life as a physician assistant exemplifying compassion, empathy, patience, and provide the best possible care I can give.
Jasmin Pimentel says
This is a program specific supplementary essay. You may find the prompt after the essay.
Although there are hundreds of physician assistant programs throughout the United States, there are few where I find my expectations match the school’s mission and efforts. The perfect PA program would have a presence in their community, whether this is through free health clinics or mentorship programs. Furthermore, the program would enhance their community by taking strides towards sustainability, explicitly using the resources efficiently and making a conscious effort as a large institution to inspire their community to do the same. Additionally, the program would help students become culturally competent—focusing on both the individual and external factors that contribute to their health.
Emory’s push towards sustainability, reflected in their LEED silver University Hospital, shows the attention the university places to healing both the patient and their environment. Air quality, water purification, and general resources directly correlate with public health. As an Environmental club member and speaker of SGA, I was fortunate to bridge the organizations to initiate Earth Week at Florida Tech with an initiative to motivate the campus community to make small changes to decrease their footprint. Countless beach and campus cleanups made a dent, but I longed to do more. Spending much of my undergraduate career, making sustainable choices and inspiring others to do the same makes me appreciate the efforts of large institutions who can change much more.
Under separate note, as a mentor in my high school and undergraduate years, I have seen first hand the importance of supporting younger generations to pursue their desires particularly in STEM and medical-related careers. As an assistant teacher with GEMs Explorers, my classroom was full of classically inattentive and “difficult” students. These same students, when motivated with a hands-on approach, picked up basic thermodynamics and algebra like never before. After one of my last lessons, I was shocked to see the program director calling me. She informed me of a formal complaint on the program—one set of parents wanted to know precisely why I was leaving and where I was going. Their seven-year-old son, who was never able to do homework on his own, became unforeseeably independent. That is when I realized teaching is about so much more than the material. A good teacher instills the willingness to learn and grow in its students. Looking into the 2017 PA class and the efforts they made towards mentoring young teens in their community and inspiring them to pursue their desires in STEM and medicine draws me to the school more so.
Lastly, an Emory education has an emphasis on professional development just as much as medical knowledge. Throughout my work with medical professionals, those who stand out are those who observe the whole individual in front of them and subsequently draw conclusions. They do not preconceive a plan before fully listening to the patient or examining them. Emory’s four-part course is meant to ensure comprehensiveness in each of their students, which they may carry into clinical rotations. The cohesiveness of the whole community and camaraderie reported by Emory students draws me even more so to the program and gives me confidence that Emory’s program is the perfect program to groom me into the PA I hope to become.
* How have your activities and life choices prepared you to become an Emory PA?
* What do you bring to the Emory PA Program that will help the Program meet its mission?
* What does the Emory PA Program offer you?