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(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
Karina says
Sweat forms under the furrow of my brow as I pace back and forth in the kitchen, I feel useless. There was my mother, lying unconscious on the floor in front of her children and parents. “Mom? Mom! Can you hear me?” I yell as my sister rushes to call the ambulance. Millions of thoughts rush through my worrisome mind, yet, I cannot help her. Her own child does not know the first step in checking whether she is responsive or not. A sense of helplessness encapsulates me as I attempt to wake her up. After all the help she has provided to her family as a single mother, all of the hours of sleep she has lost from working two jobs to support us, no one in the room knew how to help her. I wish I could be of more help. I feel powerless.
I record a patient’s vitals and listen to his complaints: frequent urination, extreme thirst, tingling sensation in the feet. I know these symptoms all too well. 170/100 mm HG is his blood pressure. “How are you feeling today, sir?” I ask, anxiously rummaging through the cabinet trying to gather supplies to take a random finger stick reading. “I usually feel a little short of breath, but today it’s worse. Same with my vision, sometimes things get blurry, but it’s gotten worse recently. I can feel that there is something off with me” he replies. I look down at the glucose reader: “342 ml/dL” in big, bold print, ominously glares at me. I check his chart. Not on any current medications. No past medical history. Blood results show a fasting glucose reading of 220 mg/dL with a hemoglobin A1C of 13%. There is both protein and glucose in the urine. I suspect uncontrolled diabetes that needs immediate care. I record his vitals and complaints, and exit the room. As a medical assistant, these are the limitations to my role in providing the patient with care. I inform Niti, our PA, of all of my findings. She thanks me and goes into the room with the patient, shutting the door behind her. I wish I could be of more help. I feel powerless.
Though I contribute to the care of all of our patients, and my collaboration with Niti is vital to the total care of the patient, I am frustrated that I cannot do more. Working at this job for years, I know Niti’s exact duties and hope to one day be able to be the reason that my patients can access quality healthcare. From this moment onward, my eagerness to get involved in medicine as a PA was immeasurable, even the trivialities of the profession were compelling, there was no other goal I wanted to dedicate myself to.
It was later discovered that my mother had suffered from a pulmonary embolism, something that I feel like I could have played a role in preventing. “Avoid being stationary for long periods of time, avoid excess caffeine, and make sure to exercise regularly,” the cardiac PA, Lynn, had said. After a 10-hour long road trip to Canada without stopping and solely relying on coffee to keep her alert, my mother had understood the complications of her actions. As I stood next to the hospital bed, listening to Lynn answer our questions on preventative care in a comforting manner, I quickly realized how important of a role Lynn actually had. Not only did she counsel us on preventative care, but also devised a treatment plan for my mother’s diagnosis. Our interaction with Lynn made me realize that the needs of a patient can be met by PAs who leave remarkable impressions, inspiring them to live healthier lives, instilling in them a sense of optimism to move forward, and encouraging them along the way.
Andrea, a PA I shadowed in internal medicine, practiced at a clinic that mainly cared for the underserved community of Long Island including low-income families, the mentally disabled, veterans, group home residents, and more. As eye-opening it was to see the gratitude given to Andrea by her patients, this experience made it especially evident on the importance of having PAs to bridge the gap between quality healthcare and the shortage and poor distribution of providers. As more uninsured, underserved populations seek care, the demand for services increases, which may impact the quality of care. Having Andrea at the clinic eased this strain, while still ensuring patients were being given the most quality care. This realization further solidified my choice to pursue a career as a physician assistant, to be able to use my compassion and skill set to improve the lives of my patients while simultaneously improving the quality of American healthcare.
My desire of becoming a PA stems from the culmination of my life, work, and shadowing experiences. Although not every interaction in healthcare will be optimal, I intend to take those experiences as opportunities to learn and improve. I look forward to embarking on a path that combines my ambition for collaborative patient-centered care with my goal of being a lifelong learner. Medicine is constantly evolving, and I want to grow with it by continuously learning how to provide patients the utmost care and by contributing to improving the quality of healthcare as a PA. I intend to turn my powerlessness into powerfulness.
Whitney Prosperi says
Karina,
I can sense your desire to make a difference in patients’ lives.
I think your shadowing section is very effective.
I would expand on some of your work experience and clinical skills. Show some of what you have gained that will make you a stronger PA student. You also may want to mention collaboration with other providers since this is such an integral part of the PA’s role.
I wish you good luck throughout the process, Karina.
Sara says
My first day of hospital clinical for EMT school started rather uneventful. My group had arrived at the hospital, gotten a short tour of the trauma bay and emergency room, and then were sent off to practice our assessments. Shortly after we were released on our own, the overhead speaker announced an incoming trauma, our first of the day. I rushed to the trauma bay to meet with my instructor, curious as to what was going to roll through the doors of the ambulance bay. Suddenly, the hallway was flooded with a flurry of people. A man with three gunshot wounds was wheeled into the trauma room. Within seconds, the man was moved onto the hospital stretcher and everyone got to work. I stood in the corner, in awe of what was happening in front of me and disappointed that I lacked the skills needed to help. In what seemed like just a few moments, the man was assessed and prepped for surgery, then wheeled off to the operating room. Later, I found out that the first providers to enter the room were trauma surgery physician assistants, and my desire to be in their shoes had never been stronger.
My interest in healthcare started young and only grew as I got older and discovered all of the possible career choices ahead of me. In my freshman year of college, I was faced with a number of hurdles, including difficulty adjusting to being away from my family, struggling to find a solid study strategy, and the death of my grandmother. I took the summer to grieve and returned the next fall determined to overcome these challenges. Through revamping my study habits and becoming comfortable living on my own, I saw a drastic improvement in my grades. However, it wasn’t until my sophomore year of college that I learned of the physician assistant (PA) profession through a classmate. Finally, I had found a career that felt like a perfect fit for me. The ability to change specialties, reduced cost of education, team-centered approach, and shorter time spent in school all appealed to me in a way that medical school never could. Similarly, I am attracted to the level of autonomy PAs enjoy, which is beyond what is available to a nurse. Immediately, I began researching the steps needed to become a PA. This included joining my university’s pre-physician assistant club, where I was exposed to a wealth of information regarding the profession. I studied diligently, making the Dean’s List and President’s Honor Roll multiple semesters. During my senior year of college, I began volunteering at a local hospital to give back to a community that had given so much to me. It was around this time that I decided to gain patient care experience by attending an Emergency Medical Technician program following graduation.
Following completion of my EMT program, I accepted a position as an ER Tech at a hospital and was for the first time truly immersed in the world of healthcare. Finally, I was able to actually work one-on-one with patients. Here I was trained in a host of skills like intravenous catheter insertion, electrocardiograms, and splinting injuries, among other things. Besides all of the clinical skills I gained while in the ER, I also developed the interpersonal skills necessary to relate and empathize with people from all backgrounds. I became especially fond of working with patients with dementia and quickly became my unit’s go-to person for de-escalating a confused and agitated patient. I also participated in my first resuscitation effort in this role, which was one of the most terrifying, yet thrilling, experiences of my life. I learned how important it is to work as a team in healthcare, and saw this best when observing the collaboration between techs, nurses, PAs, and doctors in each patient’s care. My time in the ER encouraged me even more to follow my dream of becoming a PA, as I would often times find myself dissatisfied with the fact that I was only able to participate in a small portion of each patient’s care. I yearned for a continuity of care that my job description did not provide.
I believe that my academic success, coupled with my clinical experience in the emergency department, makes me an ideal candidate for PA school. I understand the rigor associated with challenging coursework, as well as have learned to thrive in a critical and fast-paced work environment. I look forward to one day being able to use my training as a PA to work with underserved populations, such as low-income families and the elderly. In particular, I would love to create or participate in a program that provides no-cost physicals to individuals who do not have regular access to primary care. I believe that I possess many of the traits required to be an excellent PA, such as dedication, compassion, a desire to learn, and an affinity for collaboration. If given the opportunity to pursue this dream, I know I will do everything in my power to succeed and be the best provider I can be.
Whitney Prosperi says
Sara,
I think you are off to a good start.
Your introduction is strong and you also do a good job of showing your interest in and development/path in medicine.
I would suggest moving the discussion about your grades to a separate paragraph that comes before your concluding paragraph. This allows you to set up the positive aspects of your journey first, and it is also where schools are accustomed to seeing this information.
I suggest adding a story about a patient who inspired you to increase your scope of medicine. Add a paragraph that shows you in action, caring for a patient on a personal level while performing some kind of clinical care. You want to show some of the traits you possess that will make you an effective PA.
Good luck to you, Sara!
Gabby says
My initial interest in medicine came in the form of unexpected news that had a profound effect on my life; my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. At 7 years old, I didn’t fully understand the extent of the situation, but I can now appreciate my mother’s resilience. Fortunately, my mom had access to a top oncologist in the area and successfully received a lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation. After 5 years she was deemed cancer free. I was in awe of medicine because I saw that my mom was consistently reassured by her medical team and never doubted that she was receiving compassionate and experienced care. My appreciation for medicine increased when my mom was tested for the BRCA gene which directly impacted my own odds of developing breast cancer. Through this intimate familial experience, I was immediately drawn to a career in healthcare because I wanted to care for patients in the same way that my mom was cared for. However, it wasn’t until much later that my goal of becoming a PA materialized.
Many aspects of becoming a PA appealed to me, including the collaborative nature of the profession. Growing up, I played team sports and thrived in an environment that fostered camaraderie and community. Working in collaboration with a physician and the entire healthcare team would equip me with a support system similar to the dynamic of a team sport. A good healthcare team ensures that each member is contributing to the goal of providing the best possible care for successful patient outcomes. I witnessed this environment when shadowing a PA in the emergency department. From the initial examination to listing differential diagnoses and making a decision on a final treatment I was able to witness the relationship between a PA and their supervising physician. One patient we saw had been involved in a motor vehicle crash and complained of severe back pain. After receiving the results of the patient’s CT, there was no conclusive injury to be seen and the PA and physician then collaborated on the most appropriate course of action to be taken regarding the patient’s treatment. We also saw an infant with pneumonia who was severely underweight. The PA and her physician collaborated with a social worker to ensure that after leaving the hospital, the patient would be cared for. This was a very insightful encounter as it was clear that the healthcare team worked as a united front on each case. The emergency department was fast paced with a plethora of diverse patients to be seen. It was an environment I could see myself working in and the cooperative work of the healthcare team solidified my plan to become a PA.
Shortly after establishing my goal of becoming a PA I took classes to become a certified nurse aide. I have now worked as a CNA for one year in various long-term care facilities and it has been the most beneficial and motivational step taken on my pre-PA journey. The skills I have acquired do not only pertain to hands-on caretaking but also the emotional support required of healthcare workers. I learned how to assist in dressing, bathing, feeding and appropriately carrying out the specifics of a treatment plan, but I have also grown in my ability to be a compassionate provider. The encounters with residents that have had the greatest impact on me are the ones in which I can provide moral support and reassurance. One night I was answering a resident’s call light and noticed that she was not acting like herself. After conversing casually about her day, she confided in me that her father had just passed away. It had been her goal to complete rehabilitation at our facility and see her father again as he had been sick for some time and COVID-19 prevented her from seeing her loved ones. After listening to stories about her father and reciprocating with stories of my own father I left her room hopeful that our conversation had relieved at least some of her grief. The next time I saw her she expressed to me that our conversation had helped her accept his passing. Encounters like this have taught me that healthcare is much more than just diagnosing a patient and treating their illness. As a PA, I look forward to forming a strong patient-provider relationship so that together, we can achieve great health and wellbeing.
Although I have valued the chance to care for an underserved population and have honed my skills as a caretaker, I am eager to learn more and serve others as a PA. As a PA, I will advocate for my patients so that I instill confidence in those who have felt overlooked or failed by medicine. I will offer patients a cooperative experience so that they feel in control of their health, and to the profession I will be a benevolent and knowledgeable team player. In the years since realizing my ambition to become a PA, I have grown into a confident, sympathetic, and adaptable individual through education, service, and my professional endeavors. With these achievements under my belt I will make a great fit as a PA.
Whitney Prosperi says
Gabby,
You are off to a good start. You do a good job of describing what you admired in your shadowing experience. You also convey your ability to connect with patients on a personal level.
I would suggest adding a few more details about what else appeals to you about the PA profession. (more time with patients, ability to switch specialties?)
Also, in your conclusion you may want to even tie back to the story about your mom in some way.
I wish you good luck on your journey!
Addy Mehd says
My situation is completely different than all the Pre PA students you deal with. so i need serious help. I am a foreign physician, now applying for PA school here in the USA. i dont see any video, or help from any one, for some one in my situation. so here it goes. This is my personal statement. Please help me refine it. It is around 4600 characters with space. I appreciate the help
It was past midnight when a middle-aged man visibly anguished, rushed in with his teenage sister Ayesha, through the front hallway doors of the emergency dermatology unit I was working at. Her right side of face was suffering from partial thickness burns. Peshawar, the city I was born in and went to medical school in, borders Afghanistan and is no stranger to medical emergencies happening at any moment in time because of terrorist activities and domestic disputes. After finishing medical school, we were required to do one year in the hospital called House Job, a mandatory training of 12 months. This was my Dermatology rotation.
The girl had 2nd degree burns on her face because of a domestic dispute between her in-laws and her family and a pressure cooker blasted in her face, a deliberate act. I was the only Physician on duty, and this was the first time I was receiving a patient at that hour who needed urgent precise treatment to save herself from lifelong disfigurement. This was the first moment I discovered how dermatology and dermatological emergencies is something I liked to practice more than any other field of medicine. First, I made sure her airway was patent; breathing was normal and blood pressure was stable. Then, the rest of the night was filled with saline soaked gauzes, sterile dressings, a quick tetanus shot, pain killers and antiseptic ointments. In addition, a lot of emotional support and help. A few weeks later, Ayesha made a full recovery and sent me a home cooked meal as a thank you.
In that instant, I learned two important things about myself: what excites me and what I want to do in the future. I was 53rd out of 13,000 students applying to medical school in the year I applied and even long before that, I knew my life as a medical provider should be in the USA. Interestingly, it was not the medical superiority of this country that attracted me. It was the number of opportunities and the culture of appreciation around someone who works hard for what they want. This is the one country where persistent hard work and never giving up eventually pays off.
Despite many hurdles that I had to climb through, my pursuit was relentless. When I came to New York in 2015, my father had retired, and I was the sole breadwinner for my family. In order to get my foot in the door as an immigrant, I got a job as a Medical Assistant. The very first person who took me under her wing was a PA from Cornell University and this was the first time in my life I was introduced to the concept of Physician Assistant (PA). She was a Respiratory and Sleep Medicine PA who loved my work ethic and the fact that I already had a plethora of medical knowledge under my belt. This created a strong bond between us, and I learned everything about her PA school experience. I was inspired by her career choice and the flexibility of her hours. Most importantly, how happy as a person she was. This is the time of my life when I decided to become a PA.
Afterwards, I worked under the supervision of an MD and another PA at a Dermatology clinic in Manhattan. Just like my previous endeavors, my medical background came to my help here as well. My perseverance and persistence combined with medical knowledge helped me gain the respect of my supervising medical providers. Very quickly, I was given a lot of responsibilities in the clinic. This included but was not limited to history taking, assisting the providers with medical, surgical and cosmetic procedures, sending out samples to laboratories, making presentations for weekly meeting and prior authorizations. Without a doubt, this was the most interesting and exciting time of my medical career. I learned everyday about the job requirements of a PA and the responsibilities that come with it.
After that, I took a role as teaching students and I taught Pre-med students, PA students, Residents and Nurses for their respective boards. Something I do currently as well & did at a Caribbean medical school a few years back. I never knew how teaching something is the best to master that art.
I have spent the better part of my adult life learning and teaching, and in doing so, bettering myself as a candidate for PA school. I kept my grades high and ambitions higher throughout this process since I was aware that academic superiority is imperative for admissions. Lack of family in the USA was a challenge but everything worth having in life comes with challenges. I may not be the picture-perfect American success story yet but inviting me for an interview and talking to me in person would be the first step towards making that story happen.
Whitney Prosperi says
Addy,
Your perseverance and commitment to medicine is evident throughout your essay.
I also think your introduction does a good job of showing your ability to stay calm in an emergency, as well as spotlighting your clinical knowledge. You may want to condense this story a bit and also add one line showing how you connected with her on a personal level – maybe by sharing some of the reassuring words you likely said.
I would also mention your dedication to collaboration, maybe in the section about why you want to pursue the PA profession.
For your conclusion, I would concentrate less on speaking to the school and instead reiterate your commitment to patient care. You may also want to tie back to the incredible story in your introduction in some way.
I’m not saying you need this, but should you want more help, we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
Good luck to you!
Kelly says
I walked into the waiting room as I had done countless times that day and called back the next patient, Kathleen. The patient was wearing a low brim hat and she had tear stains down her cheeks. As I started to write down her chief complaint, she immediately broke down in tears. She removed her jacket to reveal a full body rash that had developed after taking Bactrim and it was clear she was in extreme discomfort. I went back and got Amanda, a PA in the office. Amanda listened to the patient’s history and calmly asked the patient questions while offering her tissues. After consulting one of the doctors on call, Amanda walked the patient through the treatment plan while I wrote everything down for her. Throughout the week I was assigned to check in on Kathleen to make sure the treatment was working and her symptoms were resolving. When she returned for a follow-up appointment the next week, she thanked Amanda and I for the compassion we showed her. Helping to treat Kathleen reiterated my passion for healthcare and desire to pursue the PA profession.
While I was always interested in healthcare, I wasn’t sure which role I wanted to take on. After shadowing several providers, the PA profession stuck with me for both the lateral mobility and the ability to care for patients as part of a team. While earning my bachelor’s degree, I continued to research the occupation while volunteering at a hospital and working as a physical therapy aide. After graduating, I moved back home and accepted a job as a medical assistant at a private clinic. Over the past year, I have worked directly under Amanda and have gained a solid understanding of her role as a PA. She has the autonomy to treat patients and prescribe medications while working as a cohesive team member to provide high quality patient care. I have been able to practice writing a strong SOAP note and diagnose skin cancers, while gaining skills such as suturing and injections. In the past year, I have also been able to shadow PAs in several specialties. While shadowing Beth, a cardiothoracic surgery PA, I got to see the role of a PA in a hospital setting. Beth communicated with surgeons, nurses, and PAs about the treatment of their mutual patients. She spoke with each patient before their surgery, answering any questions they had and reporting back to the surgeon so each treatment was a seamless operation. At the end of each surgery, Beth assisted the surgeon while they closed the patient’s chest. Working with Amanda and shadowing Beth and other PAs has opened my eyes to the vast opportunities I will have once I complete PA school. Although I enjoy my role as a medical assistant, I am eager to expand my knowledge and to be able to treat my own patients.
Aside from my job as a medical assistant, I have also been able to volunteer at a local hospital on the med-surg floor. During my shift, I visit with the patients and communicate with the nurses to make sure the patients’ concerns are addressed. Several of the patients are at the hospital for weeks at a time as they require IV antibiotics and close monitoring. The patients are often lonely and anxious, as visitors are strictly limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has created an intense environment for hospitals and as a volunteer, I am able to provide a level of comfort to these patients. I have spent a lot of time visiting with Barb, who has been at the hospital for over two months. During my first few visits with Barb, she talked about missing her family, who reside in Honduras, and how hard it was for her to get a good night’s rest away from them. At the end of one of our visits, I offered her an eye mask and extra blanket which she took graciously. The next week, she took the time to thank me for the items and my company. Every visit with Barb has shown me the power of compassion, which I believe is one of the core values of a healthcare provider.
A PA I worked under once gave me a card that read “Cure sometimes, relieve often, comfort always.” Patients like Kathleen and Barb have shown me that seemingly minor details in patient care, like offering tissues or an eye mask, can leave a lasting impression. They have shown me that being a provider is as much about listening to the patient’s concerns, as it is finding a diagnosis for the patient. Last year I applied to several PA programs and was placed on the waitlist for a few. Although I was disappointed to not be accepted during my first application cycle, the experiences I have gained since then have only reaffirmed my aspirations to pursue the PA profession. In the past year, I have continued to grow in confidence and I am certain this is the right path for me. As a PA, I will continue to aspire to provide a high level of compassionate medical care to all of my patients, while working as a cohesive team member with other healthcare professionals.
Whitney Prosperi says
Kelly,
I have no doubt that you are a compassionate and effective provider for every patient you encounter. The story about Barb and the eye mask shows your ability to see patients and connect and comfort them.
I would highlight some of the clinical skills and knowledge you have gained in your roles so we can see what you’ve experienced that will make you a stronger PA student. I’d be sure to mention collaboration with your partners, since collaboration is key to the PA role.
Good luck to you in the process, Kelly.
Zach Lichter says
My heart was pounding as I reluctantly strolled into a plain room the size of a large closet, filled with the pungent scent of formaldehyde. There before my very eyes was a cadaver who was somebody’s parent, sibling and loved one. My eyes widened as the professor retracted the skin on the cadavers upper arm to reveal an atrophied bicep. I was in awe as I stared at the muscle that was essential to one of my favorite sports, baseball. In that moment, I wanted to explore every muscle, bone and tissue in the human body. As a 17-year-old boy uninterested in all things academic, seeing a cadaver was not high up on my to-do list. I was simply thinking of when this would be over so I could go play basketball with my friends. I certainly did not expect that this would start a new chapter in my life. This experience sparked my passion for science, the medical field and inspired me to work harder to achieve my newfound dream.
In 2017, I joined the thermoregulatory and microvascular research laboratory at Pennsylvania State University and have worked here as a research assistant since. I have helped with and led a number of different exploratory and mechanistic human subject-based studies examining vascular function in health, aging, and disease. From taking and monitoring the blood pressure of the participants to setting up blood flow measurements, these hands-on procedures that I perform and observe have been crucial in shaping my passion to become a PA. One of the main focuses of our research is the kinesiology motto, “exercise is medicine”. Physical activity has shown to extend lifespan as well as prevent and treat nearly any disease and, as a PA, I would spread this knowledge with all of the patients I work with so they can live a longer, healthier life. Research has improved my teamwork skills through collaboration with other members of the lab and has taught me how much I value this in the workplace. I have experienced first-hand that synergy is the key to providing great health care and that is part of what motivates me to be a PA. These skills will transfer well into the PA profession, where teamwork is imperative and can save or cost a patient their life.
While it may be cliché, I want to be a PA to help people. I want to be there when patients receive good news and be there to help them through the bad. When I shadowed in the heart failure program at Penn Presbyterian with Dr. Zimmer, the first patient we saw was hooked up to a ventilator with his wife beside him, holding his hand. To say I was shocked is an understatement. Dr. Zimmer had to tell the wife that her husband had a massive heart attack and was left brain dead. The conversation he had with the wife was inspiring. It was clear that his sole intention was to be there for her as a person, consoling her when she needed a shoulder to lean on. This moment was pivotal for me in my understanding of not only the medical profession, but what kind of person it takes to be a successful PA. My experience with Dr. Zimmer showed me that forming a close relationship with the patient is essential to their treatment. I have since sought to improve my patient interaction skills through my shadowing, research, and extracurricular experience. I believe that happier, more comfortable patients have better clinical outcomes and I have made it my mission to work on these skills. Throughout college, I have always been told to treat the patient, not the disease. I take this lesson to heart and would make it my duty as a PA to employ it. All in all, I want to be a PA to help people, whether it be as simple as just having a conversation with them or improving their quality of life through medical care.
While my passion for the medical field has grown throughout my undergraduate career, my desire to contribute to the field as a PA was recently discovered. After graduation, I planned on applying to medical school during my gap year. However, a number of factors led me to the realization that PA school was the best fit for me. COVID-19 taught me the great value I place on family and friendship. Through consultations with physicians and PAs, I have learned that the work-life balance as a PA is more suited to my goals and desire to spend time with those I love. Lastly, I find the ability to switch between specialties within the PA occupation and the greater degree of patient contact to be particularly attractive to me.
The diversity of my experiences, combined with the knowledge I have gained from pre-medical course work, have made me a well-rounded student with a strong desire to be an effective PA. As a PA, I would share my knowledge and experience of the benefits of exercise and a healthy diet in the ongoing quest for a healthier, happier community. My passion for the medical field, treating patients and not symptoms, and physical activity all contribute to my intrinsic motivation for learning and self-improvement in the journey to become the best PA I can be.
Whitney Prosperi says
Zach,
You are off to a good start. You do a good job of showing how your interest in medicine developed and how you want to connect with patients.
If you have an example of some of that hands-on experience, I would include a patient care story. You will likely need to condense some other sections so you can include this paragraph. Show yourself in action performing some kind of clinical care while also connecting with your patient on a personal level. You want to spotlight your clinical expertise combined with your personal touch.
I would suggest omitting the part about medical school. Rather than using the characters on that, I would keep the focus on why you want to become a physician assistant.
For your conclusion, you may even want to tie back to that story in your introduction in some way.
Tray says
I remember seeing a bright flash of light followed by the feeling of a runny nose and the unmistakable taste of blood. The physical pain experienced paled in comparison to the heartbreak that I felt when I realized what had just happened. You see, my middle school summers and breaks were mostly spent working for my parents’ business where we picked up trash, cleaned properties, and built fences. I had become accustomed to being yelled at by my father while on the job site, but this was the first time that he had ever kicked me in the face withhis boots for not moving at a speed that he deemed to be satisfactory. I remember the argument that ensued between my mom and dad when we got home and how it eventually led to my father being admitted to a psychiatry clinic where he was diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder with manic depression and borderline schizophrenia.After he was admitted to the clinic and a diagnosis was reached, the doctor called us in towatch a video and discuss what was going on with my father. While I do not remember everything on the video, I do remember the how it felt to let all the anger go and to have the feeling of serenity wash over me as the doctor explained my father’s condition and how it was not my fault. That was the moment I realized how much of an impact one person could make in someone else’s life, that was the moment I knew that I wanted to help people. My father’s illness caused my parents to sell the business and eventually it cost us the home that we grew up in. During high school I became a lifeguard so that I could be there if /when someone needed help and I taught swim lessons to all ages. After high school I joined the Army and deployed to Iraq four times before I was medically retired for Crohn’s Disease. After I got out of the Army, Iwent through an ugly divorce which caused me and my three-year-old son to move back in with my parents.
I started college and continued to work full time in customer service until I graduated from dental hygiene school. Over the past six years I have learned so many new things about healthcare and the impact that a clinician can have on someone’s life. I love being able to meet new people and help either heal them or keep them healthy, but I want to be able to make a greater impact on a patient’s health and overall quality of life. I feel that the best way for me to accomplish this is to become a physician assistant (PA) because PAs get to regularly interact with patients and build trust and rapport while still having the flexibility to maintain a good work/personal life balance. Looking back at my life I can honestly say that the people who have made the greatest impact on me are the doctors, nurses, and PAs. I don’t know where me or my family would be today if it were not for the people who decided to become medical clinicians and place the patient’s needs first.That is the type of impact I want to be able to make on someone’s life. I have worked hard and persevered through many hardships because of my grit and my unwillingness to ever quit. I feel like I have the right amount of empathy to better understand the patient’s needs as well as the life experience to better prepare me to take on the responsibilities that come with meeting those needs. I know that I was put on this earth to help others and I feel like the best way for me to accomplish that is to become a physician assistant
Whitney Prosperi says
Tray,
First, I want to say thank you for your service to our country.
Throughout your essay, I can sense your grit, determination, and empathy.
I have no doubt that you will be a provider who gives exceptional care to all of your patients.
I suggest condensing where you can so you can add more details about your journey. First, I would add some more information about your military service, particularly the leadership you gained here. I would write a paragraph about how your experience has developed qualities that will benefit you as a PA. You may want to mention your training and collaboration.
Additionally, I would mention some of the clinical skills you have gained as a dental hygienist so we can indicate how this job as helped you grow and prepare for PA school. It would be great if you tied them to a personal encounter you’ve had with a patient that shows you in action as well as connecting on a personal level. The goal is to show your clinical skills and ability to support patients.
Lastly, I would add a paragraph that details your shadowing experiences. What did you learn from observing this PA? The physician? What did you admire about the interactions the PA had with patients and with the supervising physician? How did this experience affect your interest in the PA profession?
I wish you good luck on your journey, Tray.
Rachel says
Knitting is a hobby that sparks immense comfort and satisfaction. Having the ability to create an object so intricate out of my own two hands and investing the time and effort makes the process all worthwhile.
To knit a blanket the proper supplies are needed: knitting needles, yarn, and a game plan of how the blanket will be constructed. There needs to be a level of detailedness and meticulousness to guarantee no mistakes are made so the blanket comes exactly as intended. Now, just start. As the yarn is cast onto the needle, the parallelism between knitting and a PA is slowly unmasked.
Casting on each loop of yarn to the needle becomes casting on every experience piece by piece all contributing and preparing myself for when I practice as a PA. Every loop is consciously made because they’re specifically made to ensure that the overall design of the blanket is entailed. Similarly, each experience one has is all to gain exposure to benefit them for when they’re a PA. Volunteering at a hospital in high school allowed me to gain exposure into a field I actively wanted to practice in one day. Working at the student health center in college immensely aided me in developing the integrity needed in healthcare. I was exposed to my peers visiting for their health concerns, yet required to keep the principles in medicine and keep the conversation in the room. As a MA, I was able to refine my problem solving skills in various situations and grow my relationship with my patients. Throughout all these experiences I’ve been continuously able to develop my communication skills with my patients and team members.
As the details of the blanket are added, different techniques and patterns are incorporated. These diverse stitches correspond to the lateral mobility between various specialties as one practices as a PA and the variety of stitches merge to complete the blanket. The approach is to tackle the complexity calmly and not get thrown off guard as the details in the blanket combine to become more intricate. Comparably, a variety of specialties unite to develop a curated treatment plan to aid in the patient’s battle. You adjust accordingly to any circumstances that occur as numerous factors come into play, expanding the intricacy of the patient’s health and care plan. I’ve grown to recognize and have pride in my capabilities in a team setting where I’m able to showcase how harmoniously I adjust to a variety of situations. Supervisors are consistently impressed with how quickly I blend into different positions and environments like a chameleon. My volunteer supervisor was impressed and praised how efficient I am and swiftly I adapt to the unceasing alterations every week. At the clinic, I immediately adapt to the unpredictable fast paced environment and strategize how to prioritize tasks to complete them as efficiently as I can. Then and now, I’m continuously praised for the accuracy and speed I complete my tasks. Particularly in a medical setting I believe this is an important characteristic to have since one can’t predict what may happen and always need to be prepared for whatever that may be thrown at them.
Moving down the yarn and making each knot, everything slowly comes together and becomes further intertwined and connected. The knots added are like the relationships formed as a PA as a team member and provider. While working as an MA, I’ve been able to capture a glimpse of the teamwork involved to treat a patient. Along with my doctor, I’ve been able to assist in organizing and coordinating with other specialists to create a specialized care plan for each of our patients. The knots that are continuously added emulates the growing relationship I have with my patients as I grow to be a provider who can provide comfort and support. As a MA, I’ve had the opportunity to refine and develop my capacity to empathize with my patients and become a figure of support during one of their most vulnerable moments. Having immigrant parents, I’ve been exposed from a young age to the situations not only my parents but my patients experience like language, cultural, and financial barriers. To have a multitude of barriers and uncertainty in a community you’re unfamiliar with can only add further doubt. Witnessing situations of these nature is one of my central motivations to be the physical link in the healthcare system for a community so close to me and offer ease and support.
The completed blanket is one that’s meticulously made and becomes an object that can bring warmth and comfort. The details that made the blanket so unique are all interconnected and this web of relationships becomes a network that I equally create as a PA. It’s a relationship I can build with other providers and my team, furthermore a relationship I’m able to harvest with my patients. I’m able to achieve a quality of care where I can form relationships with my patients as I provide care for them. I’m put in a position to be part of the team that not only heals them physically but emotionally as well during one of their most vulnerable and weakest moments.
Emily Koloski says
“60% oxygen! Blood pressure is dropping. Diminished to no pulse. Someone grab the crash cart!”, one of the nurses shouted down the hall. Gowned and masked up, I ran to the gathering crowd of medical practitioners to see what I could do to help with this code. Quickly I realized that I had taken care of this patient in the past- a sweet elderly lady who had been fighting tirelessly against CV-19. After 30 minutes of CPR, the patient was intubated and expedited to the ICU. Even though I’ve seen several codes, each one leaves me feeling shocked, scared, and heartbroken. Later, I discovered after weeks in the ICU, she unfortunately did not survive. This was incredibly hard for me to hear, but after seeing the care she was given from medical providers, I knew I wanted to be a physician assistant (PA). I have shadowed various physicians and advanced practice providers (APP) and the care, treatment, and teamwork that these providers are involved in solidifies my goal of working in medicine. Becoming a PA is the next step in my career so instead of solely observing, I can diagnose patients, administer medicine, treat illnesses, make life or death decisions, make relationships with patients, and be there for a patient in need.
My personal journey in healthcare started at a young age, but more recently has consisted of shadowing different specialities and gaining hands-on patient care experience as a CNA and medical scribe. I’ve been fortunate enough to have shadowed both physicians and APPs in various specialities- family medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics & gynecology, orthopaedics, radiology, and pain management. One unique aspect that struck me in these various specialities was how cohesively the team, the supervising MD and the APP, worked together. This showed me as a PA, I can have autonomy, flexibility, and work as a team player, all while doing what I love- taking care of patients. These aspects of the PA profession are incredibly unique and are some of the reasons I wanted to pursue this work. With autonomy, I can form deep connections with patients to make them feel comfortable during a visit. With flexibility as a PA, I initially envision myself working in an ED to gain an understanding of various medical conditions and later in my career focus my knowledge in a specialty, such as pediatrics. I have witnessed incredible teamwork between physicians and PAs in order to save patients’ lives and believe this is vital to be successful in medicine. My experiences have led me to gain a better understanding of the duties of a PA and after shadowing and working with different providers, I know that this profession is the right path for me.
As a CNA on a Progressive Care Unit, I utilized what some may view as mundane tasks, such as bathing, cleaning, and feeding patients, with such reward. I befriended patients whose family never came to visit, a helping hand for the young person who just came out of surgery, and a shoulder to cry on for a family who just lost their loved one. Furthermore, I accurately took vitals, learned basic wound care techniques, and assisted with small procedures. As a medical scribe in the Emergency Department, I gained immense knowledge of medical terminology and how to navigate through an EMR system. I’ve become proficient at documenting HPI’s, ROS’s and have been lucky enough to work with physicians and APPs to help mold their assessment and review their treatment plan. As a medical scribe, I’ve seen such a vast range of medical diagnoses and procedures- fractures, lacerations, cardiac arrests and so on. Through my experiences in hospitals, I am comfortable with the environment and enjoy working at the quick pace that is required. Shadowing and working in hospital settings has also allowed me to comprehend the hard work and commitment that healthcare workers have and I know this is something that I am equipped for.
As I put my scrubs on and leave for work, I think about the sweet lady who coded. My goal as a PA is to not only honor her life, but work hard so that someday I can save someone like her. The providers I have shadowed, the nurses I have worked with, and the patients I have interacted with have led me to know the PA career is what I am meant to do. I understand the effort and determination it takes to make it in medicine and the knowledge needed to treat patients. I shadowed a variety of APPs, volunteered, finished prerequisites, and re-took classes to show that I am academically prepared and passionate about this profession. I am prepared for the work required over the next few years and know I am capable of the journey ahead. Not only do I have the grit and inspiration to become a physician assistant, I also have an innate passion for helping people. I will be an excellent addition to your program and I am certain that I will succeed during the didactic and clinical year training, but more importantly, after as a physician assistant.
Whitney Prosperi says
Emily,
I can sense your passion for patient care throughout your essay.
You do a good job of showing why the PA profession is a good fit for you.
I think it would be a good idea to add a story of a patient encounter that shows you in action providing clinical care of some kind while making a human connection. You may just want to expand on one of those interactions that you mentioned, giving some details that make the story come alive.
Also, in regards to your shadowing experience, I would add some details about what you witnessed from shadowing PAs specifically. Describe an interaction that affirmed your decision.
You may have to condense some throughout your essay so that you can add in these elements.
I wish you good luck on your journey.
Sara says
n life, some moments alter the trajectory of one’s future, as I reflect on my past I question whether fate or free will lead me to this moment. Long before I committed to becoming a physician assistant, I knew my future lay in science. My path became apparent once I received an internship at Monell Chemical Senses Center. I became fascinated with the relationship between clinical medicine and scientific research under Dr. Pamela Dalton’s tutelage. My time as a lab assistant helped me realize how much I valued seeing the people who were impacted by the work we did. This feeling amplified when I attended an event about STEM careers. A physician assistant who had 20 plus years of experience spoke passionately about her career and the impact she had on her patients and her community. Her story included moments that could have produced a different outcome, but she credited her resilience and determination as to the key to her success. Seeing a black woman speak with such conviction and authority inspired me to dream bigger. This experience sparked an intellectual curiosity for medicine that has only burned brighter as time progressed.
By the time I got to college, I was committed to a career in medicine but still unsure of which route to take. Like many others before me, I experienced both victories and losses as I muscled my way through college. Some of those losses came early and were defining moments within my collegiate journey. Within the first few weeks of my first semester, I learned two relatives who served as role models throughout my life passed away. My excitement and determination dwindled as the semester progressed, and my grades suffered because of it. With the help of family, friends, and my peer mentor, I developed a new sense of purpose. I vowed to push myself to exceed the expectations my relatives and support system saw within me and cope with grief in ways that would benefit my future. The years that followed contained both academic and leadership successes. I used the lessons from my freshman year to guide the remainder of my collegiate experience.
Reinvention and self-discovery defined my sophomore year of college. Focused on improving my academic performance, I changed my major to health science in hopes it would help me commit to a career path. By the end of the year, I knew I wanted to become a physician assistant. With my career goals set, I applied for the Vira I Heinz scholarship to study abroad in Costa Rica to gain a more in-depth insight into the world of healthcare. The experience changed my worldview and further affirmed my career choice. After visiting hospitals, speaking with healthcare professionals, and participating in a health fair where we performed biometric screening tests, I knew I was on the right path. Upon returning to the United States, I began an internship with the Department of Sports Medicine at my university. I spent countless hours learning from athletic trainers, physical therapists, and physicians who worked with the athletes. I absorbed all the information they were willing to give; rushing from evening classes every Monday to shadow the visiting physician, and spending nights and weekends on the sidelines watching athletes receive treatment after an in-game injury. The experience provided a front-row seat to patient care and allowed me to see what it took to build the trust needed to help the athletes reach the best version of themselves.
Knowing I would be graduating a semester later than I anticipated, I believed I was behind schedule. I spent my last semester searching for the “perfect” job to fulfill my need for patient care experience. As graduation approached, I began losing faith in my readiness to apply to PA school this cycle because I had yet to secure a job. Shortly after Christmas, I received an opportunity to interview for the medical scribe position I applied to months earlier. It was then that I knew my dream would come to fruition regardless of the plan I had. Once I started working for ScribeAmerica, I felt at home in the hospital, working with Dr. Bailey and the team. In the time we had known each other, I developed a deep respect for him because of how he treated his patients. He always made them feel welcomed and heard. He addressed every patient with the same enthusiasm and dedication to their care. Those moments provided a clearer picture of what it means to be a healthcare provider.
My love for science served as a foundation for which my passion for medicine now stands. I have witnessed tenured professionals excel, providing me the wisdom needed to continue pursuing this dream amidst self-doubt and societal obstacles. My experiences affirmed my drive to become a physician assistant. My life’s goal is to impact those in my community and inspire young girls’ life myself to dream bigger. I know this career path allows me to do just that. The outcome may be fate, but the decisions that lead me here are free will.
Whitney Prosperi says
Sara,
In your introduction, you do a good job of showing your early love for science as well as your first exposure to the PA profession.
I suggest you condense/trim where you can so that you can add some more critical elements that explain your healthcare journey.
First, I would add a paragraph that addresses the question of why PA specifically. What are some of the things that appeal to you about PA, rather than another type of provider? You want to explain why this is a good fit for you and what you have to offer patients as a future PA.
I would also add a paragraph that describes any shadowing experience you have of PAs. What stood out to you in the interactions between PA/supervising physician or PA/patient? How did this confirm your decision?
Lastly, I think it would be helpful to show yourself interacting with a patient that motivated you to increase your scope of practice. You may want to describe yourself calming an anxious patient while showing how you connected on a personal level.
Spotlight any clinical skills you have gained through your work experience.
Lastly, I suggest moving the section about your grades to the paragraph before your conclusion. This is where schools are accustomed to seeing this information. Also, describe any improvement you achieved and how you will continue that upward trend in PA school.
Good luck to you!!
Rachel says
Knitting is a hobby that sparks immense comfort and satisfaction. Having the ability to create an object so intricate out of my own two hands and investing the time and effort makes the process all worthwhile.
To knit a blanket the proper supplies are needed: knitting needles, yarn, and a game plan of how the blanket will be constructed. There needs to be a level of detailedness and meticulousness to guarantee no mistakes are made so the blanket comes exactly as intended. Now, just start. As the yarn is cast onto the needle, the parallelism between knitting and a PA is slowly unmasked.
Casting on each loop of yarn to the needle becomes casting on every experience piece by piece all contributing and preparing myself for when I practice as a PA. Every loop is consciously made because they’re specifically made to ensure that the overall design of the blanket is entailed. Similarly, each experience one has is all to gain exposure to benefit them for when they’re a PA. Volunteering at a hospital in high school allowed me to gain exposure into a field I actively wanted to practice in one day. Working at the student health center in college immensely aided me in developing the integrity needed in healthcare. I was exposed to my peers visiting for their health concerns, yet required to keep the principles in medicine and keep the conversation in the room. As a MA, I was able to refine my problem solving skills in various situations and grow my relationship with my patients. Throughout all these experiences I’ve been continuously able to develop my communication skills with my patients and team members.
As the details of the blanket are added, different techniques and patterns are incorporated. These diverse stitches correspond to the lateral mobility between various specialities as one practices as a PA and the variety of stitches merge to complete the blanket. The approach is to tackle the complexity calmly and not get thrown off guard as the details in the blanket combine to become more intricate. Comparably, a variety of specialties unite to develop a curated treatment plan to aid in the patient’s battle. You adjust accordingly to any circumstances that occur as numerous factors come into play, expanding the intricacy of the patient’s health and care plan. I’ve grown to recognize and have pride in my capabilities in a team setting where I’m able to showcase how harmoniously I adjust to a variety of situations. Supervisors are consistently impressed with how quickly I blend into different positions and environments like a chameleon. My volunteer supervisor was impressed and praised how efficient I am and swiftly I adapt to the unceasing alterations every week. At the clinic, I immediately adapt to the unpredictable fast paced environment and strategize how to prioritize tasks to complete them as efficiently as I can. Then and now, I’m continuously praised for the accuracy and speed I complete my tasks. Particularly in a medical setting I believe this is an important characteristic to have since one can’t predict what may happen and always need to be prepared for whatever that may be thrown at them.
Moving down the yarn and making each knot, everything slowly comes together and becomes further intertwined and connected. The knots added are like the relationships formed as a PA as a team member and provider. While working as an MA, I’ve been able to capture a glimpse of the teamwork involved to treat a patient. Along with my doctor, I’ve been able to assist in organizing and coordinating with other specialists to create a specialized care plan for each of our patients. The knots that are continuously added emulates the growing relationship I have with my patients as I grow to be a provider who can provide comfort and support. As a MA, I’ve had the opportunity to refine and develop my capacity to empathize with my patients and become a figure of support during one of their most vulnerable moments. Having immigrant parents, I’ve been exposed from a young age to the situations not only my parents but my patients experience like language, cultural, and financial barriers. To have a multitude of barriers and uncertainty in a community you’re unfamiliar with can only add further doubt. Witnessing situations of these nature is one of my central motivations to be the physical link in the healthcare system for a community so close to me and offer ease and support.
The completed blanket is one that’s meticulously made and becomes an object that can bring warmth and comfort. The details that made the blanket so unique are all interconnected and this web of relationships becomes a network that I equally create as a PA. It’s a relationship I can build with other providers and my team, furthermore a relationship I’m able to harvest with my patients. I’m able to achieve a quality of care where I can form relationships with my patients as I provide care for them. I’m put in a position to be part of the team that not only heals them physically but emotionally as well during one of their most vulnerable and weakest moments.
Whitney Prosperi says
Rachel,
You provide descriptive and beautiful imagery of your work.
I also like how much thought you put into the art of medicine compared with your creations.
I would suggest condensing where you can to leave some room to describe more of your healthcare journey.
Some of those things should include: How did you become interested in medicine and the PA path? Was there a specific instance that led to your decision? What specifics about the PA profession appeal to you?
Also, describe how your healthcare journey evolved. I would describe some of your work experience and clinical skills.
If you have any experience shadowing PAs describe that. What about the interactions between PA/supervising physician or PA/patient confirmed your decision.
I would also elaborate on how you are seeking more clinical skills and advanced responsibility to care for patients.
I’m not saying you need this, but should you like additional help we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
Good luck to you, Rachel!
Sohil Patel says
“Talent wins games but teamwork and intelligence wins championships,” these were the words of wisdom by basketball superstar, Michael Jordan. Hence was the mantra the girls varsity softball team in Ridgeland, SC were taught to play by their coach Mr. Ronnie. As a result, their team had qualified for its first state championship game in over a decade. The much-awaited event had finally arrived for the team to put their coaching to test and make one final push to lift the championship trophy. Since this was the last game of the season, the school had organized a pregame ceremony for the seniors. For which Mr. Ronnie left his house early that day to get to the ballpark to help with the event. Little did he know that the next 20-minute car ride to the stadium was going to change his life forever.
“Help! Someone for the love of god please help, I can’t feel my arms!” Those were the shrieking cries of Mr. Ronnie as he was laying in a pool of blood and debris, trapped under the side of his truck. He was t-boned by an oncoming car which had failed to stop at an intersection due to distraction. Mr. Ronnie had vague memories of people running to his aid along with EMS personnel prying him free from the entrapment of his totaled pickup truck. At this point he must have had massive amounts of blood loss which led him to being completely unconscious. Mr. Ronnie was immediately airlifted to the nearest Level-1 trauma center in the area to Memorial hospital in Savannah. Soon upon his arrival at the hospital a team of trauma surgeons assessed his condition to declare Mr. Ronnie’s left arm had the least survivability. This required a rapid method of restoring blood flow to his arm otherwise he may need complete amputation due to necrosis.
It was approximately 8 p.m. on a Friday when my phone rang informing of a hand trauma case being prepared to start in an hour. Dr. Buchanan, plastics/hand trauma specialist, and I, his surgical tech/assist, were on-call for the weekend. We were called in to perform soft tissue, muscles, and nerves reconstruction post trauma stabilization. We began by simply irrigating the wound in order to better visualize the mangled tissue. Which indicated that dorsum of hand and forearm had irreparable damage with major tissue loss. Therefore, to compensate for the damaged soft tissue of the arm we performed a procedure called the inguinal flap and bury. Where the damaged portion is sutured underneath the superficial inguinal tissue for 3 weeks and then detached to detect any neovascularization and granulation of healthy soft tissue. The odds were against Mr. Ronnie’s due to the severity of the injury, but to much amusement the results of highly favorable. The reconstructive surgery led to a viable arm. However, the job was only half done since he was going to require strenuous hand therapy with top quality post-surgical care to prevent infection.
There onwards, I saw Mr. Ronnie twice a week for 4 months to monitor his surgical site and perform routine dressing changes. During his visits, I came to know he was a retired veteran. He shared his experiences of critical conditions during their missions, and how he was trained to overcome them with mind over matter mentality. Hence, the evaluation on his most recent clinic visit was indicative of his military training. He had gained about 80% range of motion of his hand with full pincer grasp. This would allow him to perform most fine motor activities required for his daily function. Seeing Mr. Ronnie achieving this feat over the course of a year was a humbling and vastly gratifying experience.
This journey to recovery with Mr. Ronnie thoroughly challenged my patient care skills and medical knowledge. At times it forced me to think beyond my training in terms of wound care, but luckily, I had Dr. Buchanan for guidance when needed. This setup of personalized patient to provider relationship with additional guidance is what I consider optimal for quality patient care. Which is why I strongly believe Physician Assistant is my calling to fulfill this desire. I shadowed multiple PAs in variety of specialties to comprehend how they were independently diagnosing, generating treatment plans, and prescribing medications yet utilizing physician expertise when indicated. Additionally, to further strengthen my credentials towards becoming a PA, I completed over 65 credit hours of rigorous medically oriented post-baccalaureate courses with 4.0 GPA. Which in my opinion portrays recent academic growth and maturity contrary to undergraduate years.
Ultimately, we were able to save Mr. Ronnie’s hand by talent in performing the unique surgery. But won the championship with teamwork and intelligence by regaining mobility of hand. Similarly, as a PA I plan to fully utilize the team-based approach in treating patients along with individual autonomy and expertise to generate best possible outcome for the patient. I strongly believe my diverse health care experience along with academic inclination will serve as the foundation of success in PA program.
Whitney Prosperi says
Sohil,
What an incredible story about Mr. Ronnie!
I think you are off to a good start but suggest condensing where you can so you can allow some more room to round out your essay with more details from your healthcare journey.
I would give some more detail about why you are a good fit for the PA profession. What aspects of it speak to you? (more time with patients? the ability to work with a team and also autonomously? ability to switch specialties?) Explain a bit more about why you will be a good fit for this profession.
Also, I would describe an interaction you witnessed from your shadowing that confirmed your decision.
Lastly, I would give some more details about how you built your experience. Do you have any other medical experience/clinical skills you can mention?
I’m not saying you need this, but remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service should you need more help.
Good luck to you, Sohil!
Elizabeth Anne says
Senior year of high school I joined the softball team. Unfortunately, I used my newly learned sliding skills too early, resulting in a high ankle sprain. What seemed like a simple injury turned into a nerve-racking experience for me. I just turned 18 and could no longer go to my pediatrician. I needed a new provider and it was my first time going alone. The doctor was very patient, calming and reassuring. She respected that sports were important to me and helped work on my return to sports rehabilitation. I left that appointment relieved and excited to start the recovery process. After that moment, I made it a goal to become a provider that treats patients with empathy, understanding, and respect.
In college, I had a paid internship at Boston Children’s Hospital. There, I observe a cardiac catheterization procedure. After which, I discovered that one of the main providers involved was a PA. After speaking with him about the role and his experiences transferring from emergency medicine to cardiology, I became interested in the PA career. To learn more about the profession I became a medical scribe in an emergency room (ER) staffed primarily by PAs. As a scribe, I began learning how to think like a provider. After recording the patient’s history of present illness and physical exam, I was responsible for using this information to put in orders and assign five differential diagnoses. I became adept at anticipating the PAs’ needs, which increased the efficiency of care and allowed us to see more patients.
Working as a scribe in an urban ER was eye-opening. Many patients we saw were non-English speaking, had no insurance, and few healthcare resources, including preventative care. Observing the challenges these patients faced is when I first began to understand how context and environment influence healthcare. One of the PAs I worked with was excellent at navigating these challenges. He spoke to patients with compassion and found ways to improve their care. He understood that they might not be able to afford physical therapy or follow up care. He took the time to fully explain the diagnosis and answer any questions the patient might have so they left prepared. I learned that being creative can improve the likelihood of compliance and improve patient outcomes. For example, finding an exercise program from a website with patient education available in different languages. My experiences working in the ER with the PAs fueled my passion for the profession. I set my sight on becoming a PA, so that one day I could provide the same kind of compassionate care.
After graduating college, I took my current position as a medical assistant (MA) and scribe in an orthopedic office where we work as teams with a physician, Dr. Jones, and a PA, Jess. This experience has solidified my dream of becoming a PA, as I have learned the integral role that PAs play in team based medical care. Jess is an excellent teacher and helps assist the staff and support the physician, working closely with both to improve patient access and care. I have come to admire her relationship with Dr. Jones, as they often bounce ideas off of each other and how Jess operates independently and when she involves Dr. Jones. Furthermore, working as an MA has improved my clinical skills. More specifically, working hands on with patients has helped me learn soft skills such as bedside manner, ways to speak to patients and to establish rapport. Oftentimes, patients come in scared for suture or cast removal. I take pride in helping them through this experience by knowing what kind of support they need. For example, one girl was shaking. She was so nervous, so I distracted her by asking about her tennis season and before she knew it I was done removing her sutures.
I have worked hard to gain experiences to develop my understanding of the profession and prepare me to become a PA. I believe that I am prepared to take on this endeavour and succeed in this profession, which has the right balance of autonomy, teamwork, and mobility with opportunities to learn, teach and grow. My clinical experiences have advanced my patient care skills and medical decision making. Additionally, I have the time management and critical thinking skills to succeed in PA school. My time as a varsity collegiate athlete and captain at Williams college forced me to develop strong leadership, time management, prioritization skills, all of which have transferred well to the clinical setting. I have always loved to challenge and further educate myself. Currently, I am successfully working full time while earning my master’s degree in public health. I believe these experiences have prepared me to succeed in PA school and will help me become an intelligent and skilled PA. I look forward to the day when I can provide compassionate, understanding and respectful care and inspire someone else to pursue this profession.
Whitney Prosperi says
Elizabeth,
You are off to a good start!
You show how your initial interest in healthcare was sparked and why you have come to admire the PA profession. I also like how you spotlight PAs’ role in strengthening the healthcare system. Good job here.
I would suggest adding in some of the clinical skills you have gained along the way.
In your conclusion, you may even want to tie back to your introduction in some way.
Good luck to you.
Taylor says
To be quite honest, I cannot recall one specific moment in my childhood that fueled my interest to establish a career in healthcare. However, I do know that I have always been drawn to science and the healthcare field. It was not until I grew older and more mature that I realized becoming a doctor like I had always imagined did not satisfy the life I had envisioned for myself. I was initially introduced to the physician assistant (PA) profession through a career workshop during my time as an undergraduate student.
Once I decided I was going to pursue working towards becoming a PA, I decided to start working as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and gain hands-on field experience. One of my very first calls, I was dispatched for a “sick person”. On scene, the patient presented with hypertension, pale and diaphoretic skin, and severe left-sided weakness. Although it is beyond my scope as an EMT to diagnose patients, after performing a stroke assessment along with the symptoms the patient was presenting with, all signs lead to a code stroke. Being a new EMT, I was hesitant in my assumption. However once we arrived at the hospital and the CT scan confirmed an ischemic stroke. An overwhelming sense of assurance and confidence quickly turned into curiosity. At the time, I did not know that there were different kinds of strokes. The patient was given tPA and we were called for another emergency. When we returned to the hospital, the patient was coherent and oriented with no major deficits. I was fascinated by what seemed like a “miracle drug” to me at that moment. The paramedic that was on the call later explained the medicine and indications for tPA to me. The most rewarding part of the day was the patient and his wife thanking EMS for remaining professional and calm in a situation that was one of the most stressful for them. Still, I wished that I could have done more for him, like the team at the hospital. As I have gained more experience in different situations as an EMT, my confidence and desire to become a PA has only been solidified, but that specific case has continued to stick with me. Not only was eager to diagnose and provide treatment for the patient beyond my allowed scope of practice, but I was just as curious in learning the medicine involved. Looking back on that call that seems like forever ago, I realize how much I have grown
from a shy EMT nervous to talk on the radio to being the first one to respond to calls.
Now more than ever, working through the pandemic, I have an itch to help patients and their families, which is one of the many reasons the PA career is the perfect career for me. During my time shadowing PAs, I was able to see the relationship between the physicians and PAs as well as the relationship PAs have with the patient and their families. I remember the physician reviewing patient scans with his PAs to identify lung masses and work together to discuss the best course of treatment before the patient consultation. The continuous learning and collaborative care with the physician to diagnose and treat patients that I was able to witness during my time shadowing only further excited me to become a PA. I was able to spend the morning surgery watching two robotic hernia repairs and then spend the afternoon in follow-up appointments.
I am eager to become a PA one day, but am ready to be a PA student at this moment. My time as an undergraduate student taught me how to successfully handle tough semesters with multiple science courses as well as effective time management. I truly believe that having a passion for medicine and desire to help others is what drives the PA profession. I cannot see another career being as well of a fit for myself and be an essential part of a medical team focused on patient care, while gaining a further understanding of medicine.
Whitney Prosperi says
Taylor,
You are off to a good start.
I think it would be good to omit your first sentence and then just begin your essay discussing your love for science. You may even want to open your essay with an example from your childhood about your love for science. (you loved to dissect, read science books, etc.)
I would also suggest you omit your comments about your initial plan to become a doctor. Instead, I would dedicate a paragraph about why you want to become a PA. Discuss why the profession is right for you. What first drew you to the profession? What aspects of it really speak to you? (the potential for more time/contact with patients? the balance between autonomous responsibility for patients and working with a physician and other members of a team?)
I would also elaborate on some of the clinical skills and experience you have gained. Show some of the things that will make you a strong PA. Here, you could mention your desire to collaborate with your team since collaboration is key to the PA’s role.
Good luck to you!
Colin Cortado says
I believe that you only need three things to get yourself anywhere in life: hard work, a purpose and a tough spirit. When you combine all of these characteristics you create a successful person. Katherine Johnson, Bill Gates, and Michael Jordan are all well known names because they worked hard, had a why, and persevered when times were tough. Physician assistants (PAs), although less famous, contain these virtues. In order to obtain these traits myself, I had to overcome hardships in my studies and professional life.
My journey started at the gym, where I was first introduced to human body mechanics, which absolutely fascinated me. From here I began my research on how muscles relate to the kinetics of human movement. This interest drove me to pursue a career that focused on muscles and led me to physical therapy. After shadowing an inpatient physical therapist, I realized that I wanted to explore the different specialties and opportunities of healthcare.
Upon discovering the PA profession my academic outlook completely changed. I became more motivated and dedicated to my studies, compared to my earlier years. Especially in my post-bac classes, did I hit my stride and learn the value of motivation and preparing a study schedule. I found myself learning the material easier, faster and developed new study methods tailored to each class. It was time consuming, and difficult, but I found value in the learning process. While working full time and taking full time classes, I learned just how precious time is and the importance of time management. Making time for work as well as three science classes per quarter was a daunting challenge, but a necessary battle because it made me a stronger student and worker.
A life goal of mine is to be well versed and knowledgeable in many things. The ability to switch between specialties would allow me to achieve my goal. As a PA, it is important to be capable of being a leader and a team player. As community service chairman in my fraternity, I directed a group of about one-hundred men for a year. I spoke with many community leaders and set up many events through them. As a CNA I have taken on the role as a team player by helping nurses carry out orders and assisting patients with daily life activities. I always try and be there for my team whether that be helping with new admissions transfers, helping out other patients or assisting the nurses.
Shadowing Katrina, a family medicine PA showed me just how fulfilling this career is. She demonstrated a strong provider-patient relationship by taking great care of patients, as well as acts of leadership and teamwork skills when collaborating with providers and team members. As Katrina saw patients, she explained everything she was doing and was very compassionate about her work. Cooperating with other providers and medical assistants to get the job done. Seeing how well she filled the role of a provider inspired me even more to pursue a career as a PA. Virtual shadowing of PAs has also given me insight into the different specialties such as emergency medicine, surgery, oncology and many more.
Working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) provided me many invaluable experiences from a skilled nursing facility, a local hospital, and also a volunteer position at a free walk-in clinic. As one of my hospital shifts began, a patient of mine’s husband ended up passing away, only a floor above us on the cardiac monitoring unit after half an hour of CPR. This news was devastating and I knew that she needed someone to be there for her. As the night went on, I made sure to check in on her and be present with her. Having someone there just to talk to was relieving for her. I could see that having someone care so much meant a lot and put her at ease knowing she was in caring hands.
Each shift I interacted with patients from all different walks of life, I follow personal commandments to ensure the best patient care. When interacting with patients, I treat them with respect, diligence, effective communication, and attention. I treat all the patients on the floor as my own patients because I know that is the right thing to do. I pride myself that my patients often praise me on my work ethic and my bedside manner.
As I started my first round of vitals, I found one of my patients completely out of it. Her breathing was abnormal, oxygen was low, and she seemed very different from the day before. The respiratory therapist (RT) came to evaluate and suction a lot out of her. After RT finished the doctor came to see her. The doctor ended up bringing to the ICU against the advice of the seasoned RT when she wanted her intubated. In this moment the doctor seemed to not value the advice and brushed it off as it not being as important. It made me think, what would I be doing in that situation if I was the provider. Healthcare providers are part of a team, and it is important to take into account what the team is saying. If I was the provider, I would not shut out her advice.
Hard work, tough spirit, and a reason is what I have gained from this process. Working 12-hour night shifts then full time classes in the day was no easy feat. My work ethic has improved significantly by dedicating tailored study methods to each class and taking out times of the day to study. With a track record since college of helping out my community, I hope to one day be able to provide care back to my community as a provider to those that are less fortunate.
Whitney Prosperi says
Colin,
I can sense your compassion for your patients in the stories you share.
You may want to elaborate some on your patient care story as a CNA. Giving the patient a name personalizes the story and allows the reader to connect more. Also, you could give a few more details of how you served this patient.
(Be careful to not exceed your character limit.)
You also may want to condense some throughout your essay so you can elaborate on some of the clinical skills you have gained from your work.
I think you do a good job in your shadowing section.
Lastly, on the story you tell about the doctor not listening to the team, you want to be careful here. You don’t want your words to come across as a slight to another health care provider, so you may want to soften this language somewhat.
Good luck to you in the process.
I’m not saying you need this, but remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service should you need more help.
Megan says
I didn’t grow up wanting to be a physician assistant, I wasn’t the kid to raise their hand in class even though I knew the answer and I would never volunteer to present the project I’d get an A on first. I worked endlessly to be the best but wouldn’t give myself the credit when I got there. I finally hit my wall. I spent so long trying to make everyone else happy and give them something to be proud of, I forgot about my own happiness. It took me a long time to find my voice. I went to Clarkson University because it’s what I knew, I chose biology because I was good at it in high school. It was time to create my own happiness and find out what I actually wanted to become of myself. I needed to learn to help myself before I could help others.
I was on my journey to find my purpose, not the purpose my parents wanted for me or the purpose my older sisters had that I was going to follow. I was doing research, taking those online quizzes about careers, googling “what to do with a biology degree”. Eventually I was led to a link regarding physician assistants. While reading that job description and seeing what the career entails it was the first time I actually felt passionate about a possible profession. I quickly felt discouraged after realizing I was half way through my sophomore year without any healthcare experience. I couldn’t stop thinking about the excitement I felt when imagining being a PA one day.
United Helpers in Canton NY has a great program where they train you to be a NYS certified nursing assistant and hire you after passing the exam. I signed up for the first available class June 1, 2020. In one year I logged — hours. My time at United Helpers turned into much more than getting as many hours as possible. This job was terrifying to me, I had spent my past 3 years making food at Subway to washing, changing, feeding and providing care to residents. Not to mention I didn’t have much of a relationship with my two surviving grandparents and felt uncomfortable around this older generation. I was fortunate enough to experience every department United Helpers offered. My summer was spent in the dementia unit, my favorite part was what we called “joining the journey” no matter who the resident thought they were or where they were we went along with it. One day this even meant letting a resident give me a shower while I was fully clothed just so I could give her a shower after. Most of the time they don’t know what happened yesterday or what will happen tomorrow but that’s the best part about living in the moment, you don’t need to.
The remainder of my time at this facility was spent in senior care and rehabilitation. They taught me life is long and there is a lot of living to do so don’t dwell on what you can’t change and don’t worry too much because it all works out the way it is supposed to. However life is also short and don’t spend it struggling alone. Rehab was full of people who were caring for themself at home one day and laying in one of our beds with a broken hip the next. It felt ironic I was caring for residents who did not think they needed help even though they were struggling, one short year ago I had the same mindset.
Every department I was working in “please” and “thank yous” were scarce some days but it didn’t matter seeing the smile when you remembered which tea they liked, hand washed their favorite sweater or took the 15 extra minutes to paint their nails it made it all worth it. Seeing a resident that was wheeled in from their double knee replacement walk out 3 months later made it worth it. I will admit I didn’t understand the need for so much patient care experience but I had no idea the life lesson I’d learn, the friends I’d make and the extra medical knowledge I’d get to learn from the nursing team and of course working during a global pandemic. My “college experience” was not what you’d typically expect. Mine consisted of finding myself and my passion. I know who I am and the physician I want to be.
Whitney Prosperi says
Megan,
I can sense your desire to make a difference. I think it would be best to begin your essay with an introduction that reveals a clear picture of how you arrived at this decision. It needs to grab the reader’s attention and show the spark that began your journey toward becoming a PA. Maybe there was a lightening-bolt moment with your patients, or it may have been when your initial love for science was sparked.
I also think it would be helpful to learn more about why the PA profession is right for you. (as opposed to NP or MD) What aspects of it really speak to you? (the potential for more time/contact with patients? the balance between autonomous responsibility for patients and working with a physician and other members of a team? your desire for collaboration?)
Also, include any details about your shadowing experience. If you don’t have this, include what you have observed from working with a PA. What did you admire about the interactions between PA/patient or PA/supervising MD that confirmed your decision.
Also, I think it would be good to describe a patient care story where you are in action providing clinical care of some kind. Express your desire to have more responsibility for a patient’s medical care. Here, you want to show some of the traits you possess that will make you an effective PA.
Lastly, for your conclusion, I would tie back to that introduction in some way. Connect your strengths, your interest in caring for patients directly, and why you will excel at combining clinical expertise with a personal touch to support patients.
I wish you good luck in the process.
Remember, should you need more help, we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
Megan says
(First draft, I feel like I talk too much about my experience.)
I didn’t grow up wanting to be a physician assistant, I wasn’t the kid to raise their hand in class even though I knew the answer and I would never volunteer to present the project I’d get an A on first. I worked endlessly to be the best but wouldn’t give myself the credit when I got there. I finally hit my wall. I spent so long trying to make everyone else happy and give them something to be proud of, I forgot about my own happiness. It took me a long time to find my voice. I went to Clarkson University because it’s what I knew, I chose biology because I was good at it in high school. It was time to create my own happiness and find out what I actually wanted to become of myself. I needed to learn to help myself before I could help others.
I was on my journey to find my purpose, not the purpose my parents wanted for me or the purpose my older sisters had that I was going to follow. I was doing research, taking those online quizzes about careers, googling “what to do with a biology degree”. Eventually I was led to a link regarding physician assistants. While reading that job description and seeing what the career entails it was the first time I actually felt passionate about a possible profession. I quickly felt discouraged after realizing I was half way through my sophomore year without any healthcare experience. I couldn’t stop thinking about the excitement I felt when imagining being a PA one day.
United Helpers in Canton NY has a great program where they train you to be a NYS certified nursing assistant and hire you after passing the exam. I signed up for the first available class June 1, 2020. In one year I logged — hours. My time at United Helpers turned into much more than getting as many hours as possible. This job was terrifying to me, I had spent my past 3 years making food at Subway to washing, changing, feeding and providing care to residents. Not to mention I didn’t have much of a relationship with my two surviving grandparents and felt uncomfortable around this older generation. I was fortunate enough to experience every department United Helpers offered. My summer was spent in the dementia unit, my favorite part was what we called “joining the journey” no matter who the resident thought they were or where they were we went along with it. One day this even meant letting a resident give me a shower while I was fully clothed just so I could give her a shower after. Most of the time they don’t know what happened yesterday or what will happen tomorrow but that’s the best part about living in the moment, you don’t need to.
The remainder of my time at this facility was spent in senior care and rehabilitation. They taught me life is long and there is a lot of living to do so don’t dwell on what you can’t change and don’t worry too much because it all works out the way it is supposed to. However life is also short and don’t spend it struggling alone. Rehab was full of people who were caring for themself at home one day and laying in one of our beds with a broken hip the next. It felt ironic I was caring for residents who did not think they needed help even though they were struggling, one short year ago I had the same mindset.
Every department I was working in “please” and “thank yous” were scarce some days but it didn’t matter seeing the smile when you remembered which tea they liked, hand washed their favorite sweater or took the 15 extra minutes to paint their nails it made it all worth it. Seeing a resident that was wheeled in from their double knee replacement walk out 3 months later made it worth it. I will admit I didn’t understand the need for so much patient care experience but I had no idea the life lesson I’d learn, the friends I’d make and the extra medical knowledge I’d get to learn from the nursing team and of course working during a global pandemic. My “college experience” was not what you’d typically expect. Mine consisted of finding myself and my passion. I know who I am and the physician I want to be.
Taylor DeRubeis says
As I lay on the hospital bed scrolling through Snapchat stories of all my classmates enjoying what was supposed to be MY high school graduation party, I felt defeated. My appendix ruptured on what felt like the most exciting day of my life. I tried bargaining with my medical team into letting me get the appendectomy in the morning, but they strongly advised otherwise. My teenage angst took over, and I was miserable, both in pain from my appendix but also due to the sheer FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) I was experiencing. It wasn’t until the physician assistant came in to talk to me that I started to feel better. He asked me what my college plans were, and I responded by saying that I was interested in the health care field and was leaning towards becoming a nurse. He stopped me mid-sentence and, without hesitation, said, “No, don’t become a nurse, become a physician assistant instead.” His response was unexpected because I didn’t even know what physician assistant was. I never had anyone, let alone a medical professional, be so abrupt and honest with me about anything. His honesty and straightforwardness lead me to consider every word that came out of his mouth carefully. He explained how nurses are more frontline on direct care with the patients, while physician assistants take on more of the diagnostic and treatment side, which I was most interested in doing. This conversation is where my journey began, and the minute I left that hospital, I started my research on becoming a physician assistant.
To explore more about what precisely a physician assistant does and not just basing my entire career on what some person once told me, I contacted multiple physician assistants to shadow them. I had the privilege of shadowing physician assistants from the emergency, pediatric emergency, and neurosurgery departments at a couple of different hospitals. The emergency department and neurosurgery physician assistants’ daily roles differed slightly, but what remained the same was how they all treated their patients. They all formed connections with their patients and kept them informed on their diagnosis and treatment plans.
The recurring question I asked all the physician assistants was why they chose their careers. The common theme all their answers shared was the flexibility that their job gives them. The physician assistant career comes with a lot of flexibility and mobility. It is a profession that allows you to switch specialties with ease and no further education, which you don’t get with becoming a nurse practitioner or doctor. I would consider myself a lifelong learner, so the thought of going into one job and having to stay there the rest of my working life is both daunting and terrifying. I like knowing that I’ll have the possibility of challenging myself with new specialties if I choose to do so, which allows me to breathe a bit.
Along with shadowing, I began my patient care experience journey by receiving my CNA license. I started my CNA career in nursing homes, specifically in the dementia units. This experience taught me a lot about having compassion and empathy towards patients. These qualities were important when treating these patients because their whole demeanor could change entirely in seconds. These patients didn’t view me as an employee but rather a caring friend. This disconnection for them was a revelation for me because it shows how important it is for patients to have a good relationship with their care team to improve their experience.
After two years in nursing homes, I knew that I needed to attain patient care outside of long-term facilities, so I got a job on an inpatient Neurosurgery floor at Massachusetts General Hospital. This job was the crescendo of my patient care experience because it finally exposed me to what life is like when working in medicine. This job gave me responsibilities that the nursing homes didn’t like taking vital signs, blood sugars, phlebotomy, and assisting with discharges. With more obligations came the importance of time management, teamwork, and communication among all the staff. These skills are essential when working in a high-intensity environment and will stick with me as I transition into becoming a physician assistant.
If it wasn’t for my emergency appendectomy and that straightforward physician assistant back in 2016, I’m not sure where I would be in terms of my future career. I am forever grateful for him and his honesty. Discovering what the physician assistant profession is has solidified my desire to work in the medical field, all while giving me the excitement to learn and practice multiple specialties. I am eager for the day where I walk into my patient’s rooms, knowing I have the education and experience to assess and treat them properly. I know I will be as confident as that physician assistant was to tell everyone that becoming a physician assistant is a perfect choice.
Whitney Prosperi says
Taylor,
Your introduction is a great example of how sometimes a bad circumstance can bring a good result. I think you do a great job of showing how you were introduced to the PA profession here.
I also like your conclusion and how you tie it all together.
In the section on shadowing I would briefly describe an interaction you witnessed that further confirmed your PA decision.
Also, I would add a story that shows you caring for a patient that really increased your desire to do more for patients. Show yourself in action connecting with a patient on a personal level while also performing clinical care of some kind. You want to show what you have to offer as a future PA.
I wish you good luck in the process.
Katelyn says
The date was June 22nd, 2011, and it was the last day I would see my grandma alive. Her battle with lung cancer was ending as her condition was worsening throughout the week. Family gathered at the hospital, surrounding her with as much company as possible, when there was a knock at the door. When the doctor walked in, he promptly stated “I am going to have to ask your family to step out for a minute”. My grandma, being the woman she was, snapped back with, “…they are my family, if you are going to tell me they can hear it too”. The air felt heavy when the doctor paused for a moment, took a breath, and said “I am sorry, but your heart is stopping and there is nothing we can do about it”.
Something within me was sparked that day, something that I will never be able to shake. I was eleven years old when the doctor told her that her heart was stopping, and he gave no clear reason behind it. I was not the only child in the room, my younger sister was there too, and a part of me still wishes the doctor would have phrased his sentence another way. It will be forever etched in my mind. Despite those wishes, this statement alone has gotten me to where I am today.
Today, I have the same compassion and drive for my own patients as I did for my grandmother ten years ago; once the pandemic started, I knew I had to do something to help. I took the online course to get a temporary certification as a nurse’s aide, and I began working at one of the largest nursing homes in Pennsylvania. Under the current circumstances and it being the facility that it was, I knew I could encounter physical and emotional adversity. I quickly noticed that patients were angry, lonely, overwhelmed and confused because they did not understand the severity of the coronavirus. I walked into a situation where the patients were lonelier than they had ever been, right after they were all confined to their rooms with no social interactions other than what they would experience daily with their aides, so it was my duty to be the constant for them, to step in as their family at times.
During my first week as a nurse’s aide, I witnessed many things that could be detrimental to the resident’s health, such as, workers ignoring call bells, supervising aides being rough on frail patients, and each aide getting assigned over twenty patients. On my fifth day, I was placed on a unit under the impression that I would still be supervised, but I was left without any other medical personnel on the floor. I had no proper training but was responsible for patients on the unit that required oxygen tanks, colostomy bags, a trach patient, and multiple bariatric patients. I have encountered not only obvious mistreatment of elders, but I have seen how people are only in it for the money. The other aides would work until they were fully exhausted, and then ended up taking out their aggressions on their residents. I have always imagined my patients as if they were my grandma, and I have always tried to treat them that way even if they were unpleasant, so when I see patients getting treated poorly, I take it personally.
This experience, while only for a couple months, solidified the fact that I want to be the change in healthcare. As a physician assistant, I will have a more powerful voice in the medical field. I would have the flexibility to move between specialties and influence further aspects of the profession, which in turn would allow me to use my knowledge to leave a positive mark on the world. I will have the freedom to focus greatly on patient care, and when I imagine my future as a PA, I feel as if I am doing my grandmother justice. I would be able to connect with my patients in ways others may not. I have always admired how PA’s are seen from the patient’s point of view, and how different their reactions are from visiting a medical doctor. My grandmother may have passed away fearful without knowing why her heart was stopping, but I want to be the person to protect others from that same feeling. I will always strive to be that source of security for my patients; a welcoming face with the knowledge to protect, inform, and relate to them.
“When we shift our perception, our experience changes”. Growth is inevitable; I am and am not the same girl I was when I was in the room with my grandma. This quote by Lindsay Wagner speaks to me because I have built a foundation on that moment, and I continue to be molded into the person I aspire to be. Between my grandmother and working as a TNA, my perception has shifted many times, which built upon my goal of becoming a physician assistant. I aspire to be the person that others look up to, a person that not only does their job, but truly cares for their patients. Each patient has shifted my perception, and I will continue to be influenced by each patient I meet, from all walks of life. It is not always the patient that needs the PA, but sometimes the PA that needs the patient to push them to reach their greatest potential.
Whitney Prosperi says
Katelyn,
I am so sorry about the treatment your grandmother received. I can see how this motivates you to become a compassionate provider one day.
While I know this part of your story compels you and will fuel you in every interaction, I would advise you to temper your comments somewhat so that it doesn’t appear you are being critical of other healthcare workers. (physicians or others with whom you have worked.) I do think you can use this story in your introduction as the catalyst that propelled you toward medicine, but do temper the tone.
I would also elaborate on your work experience and clinical skills. Describe some of the skills you have gained and how they will prepare you to be comfortable in PA school.
Also, you touched on this, but elaborate more on why the PA profession is a good fit for you.
If you have a patient care story, include that. It would be helpful to see you interacting with a patient who motivated you to increase your scope of practice. You want to show what kind of PA you will be someday.
Include a paragraph that describes your shadowing experience as well. What about the interactions you witnessed confirmed your decision?
For your conclusion, tie back to that introduction and reiterate your desire to care for patients with clinical expertise and a personal touch.
Nilah says
Ever since I was 15 years old, I knew that my career path was to become a doctor, and more specifically, a pediatrician. I made an outline of what it would take to get into medical school. I majored in biology, started taking my prerequisites, shadowed my pediatrician, got some research experience under my belt, and joined pre-med clubs.
However, as time went on and my junior year came, the pressure of becoming an MD started to weigh on me. I began to question if this was the right path. I didn’t know if I wanted to spend all those years in school just to specialize in one particular branch of medicine. Even though my plan of becoming an MD began to change, I still had a heart to serve people.
During this time, I had an opportunity to go to the Dominican Republic for a medical mission trip. I served a small community in Jaraboca. We set up clinics around each area and helped the doctors with HPI, triaging, and administering medication. We also shadowed the providers and learned that this particular community experienced many chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. On one day of the trip, we went to the countryside to teach children the importance of personal hygiene and healthy eating habits. Here is where I realized that I might want to continue a career in the healthcare field. As my trip came to a close, I had a conversation with the volunteer staff regarding their career aspirations. Most of them were saying they wanted to become physician assistants. I knew about the profession because my aunt was one, but it did not pique my interest until after this trip.
When I returned from the Dominican Republic, I began to do further research on the PA profession. The more I learned, the more I felt like this would be a better career path for me. I appreciated the fact that PAs provide the same services as primary care physicians and can practice in every state and in every medical setting and specialty, improving healthcare access and quality.
During my senior year, I began to take prerequisites that I would need for PA school. I also joined pre-PA clubs. I stayed an extra year just to make sure I had everything I needed academically for PA school. After graduating from college, I shadowed a PA to gain a better understanding of what the day-to-day life of a PA is like. In particular, I enjoyed seeing their relationship with their supervising physician. For example, there was a 45-year-old patient who was complaining of right knee pain three months after a knee replacement surgery. The PA physically examined the knee and noticed swelling and tenderness upon palpation. The PA then ordered an x-ray. The x-ray results showed that the patient had a joint replacement infection. The PA consulted the MD, and they agreed for the patient to be scheduled for surgery. Two months later, the patient returned for a follow-up visit and was delighted that he could resume his regular activities. I really admired the collaboration between the MD and PA. It made me realize the importance of having a second opinion, especially because I know that there will be times as a PA when I will have to consult another provider regarding a patient.
Now, as a current medical scribe, I’ve been given the opportunity to collaborate with other providers with dictation. I see patients from all different backgrounds, including underrepresented ones, and I work alongside their medical team to provide access to quality healthcare. I also learn from providers through their interaction with their patients about the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders, mental disorders, and communicable and non-communicable diseases. Although my time working as a scribe has been rewarding, I desire to play a more clinical role in patient care. As a PA, I could diagnose and treat my own patients, while simultaneously collaborating with physicians and other members of the health care team to provide high quality care.
If I could talk to my 15-year-old self, I would tell her that the title in your name does not define your ability to care for patients. All that matters is that you’re compassionate about serving others. My journey to find this career path was a long one, but it was well worth it. The compassion I have for others, especially individuals in underserved communities, and the intellectual curiosity I have for medicine no matter the field of study or specialty leads me to believe the PA path is exactly where I need to be.
Whitney Prosperi says
Nilah,
You are off to a good start.
I think you should remove the discussion about your early desire to become a physician. This uses valuable characters that could describe why you want to become a PA. Instead, for your opening, discuss your early love for medicine and then how you discovered that you wanted to pursue the PA path. Describing that trip where your eyes were open to the many needs might be a nice angle here.
I would also focus more on what aspects of the PA profession really speak to you.
You do a good job of describing your shadowing experience and an interaction that confirmed your decision.
Where you can, describe more of your work experience, and if you’ve had the chance to develop any clinical skills, expand on those.
I would also suggest adding a patient care story that shows you interacting with a patient on a personal level. You want to elaborate some more on your interest in caring for patients directly while describing more of what you have to offer as a future PA.
I’m not saying you need this, but remember we are taking submissions for our essay revision service should you need more help.
Good luck to you.