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

The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative

BY Stephen Pasquini PA-C 2,289 Comments

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

Single Edit One-on-one Service Supplemental Essays

Your success is our passion. (See just some of our 100's of testimonials and comments below). We are ready to help. Our current PA school essay editing service status (27th June 2022): Accepting New Submissions

How-to-Write-an-Essay-copy

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

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

We are here to help perfect your PA school essay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Deanna was an absolute joy to work with. Not only was she a wonderful writer and editor, but she helped me develop my thoughts and produce a personal statement I was proud to submit. She helped me refine my ideas, and concise my writing to illustrate my reasons for wanting this career. She was also very prompt in responding to my emails and questions. I am very happy with my personal statement and would recommend this service to anyone who is considering this service or feels stuck in their writing process.” – Maddie Curtis, PrepPA

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

Here is what some of our clients have to say about working with Carly
“I am mind-blown by my editor Carly’s work. My original essay is like an ill-fitting suit. She hemmed and adjusted it in all the right places and now it looks perfect. I don’t think I’m a bad writer, but I don’t write often, and I have spent the past 10 years of my life focused on health sciences. I may have never been able to do this on my own. Thank you, thank you, I consider this essay service a bargain.” – Andy, PA-S

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read more client testimonials or purchase a revision

We Work as a Team

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

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

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

We even wrote a book about it.

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

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

The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative

I finally have fantastic news. So first of all, in total, I was offered thirteen interviews. I was just offered a seat at Nova Orlando! I am finally going to be a PA and a big part of that was from all of your help with my personal statement. So, thank you very much for helping me succeed during this round.Jennifer. PA-S
I wanted to give a brief update: I have had 4 interviews, 2 acceptances, 1 waitlist, and waiting on one more. Right now, I have a deposit down at Univ. of Texas Medical Branch. Thanks for all your help. It really did make a difference, and I was even complimented on my narrative during a few interviews.Andrew S. PA-S
I am extremely pleased with this service. It is precisely the kind of constructive criticism I was hoping to receive. I had my essay reviewed by “myparesources” and was not very satisfied with their general comments. Sue put a lot of time and effort and gave me concrete examples of how to change my essay for the better. I WILL recommend this service over all others. Thank you so much!Joe. Pre-PA

Read more client testimonials

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

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

pototo-head-writes

Private, One-On-One Personal Statement Review Service

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

The Personal Statement Review Service is:

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

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

Why Choose Our Service?

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

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

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

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

As Antoinette Bosco once said:

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

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

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

Interested? Choose your plan below.

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

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

Read more client testimonials.

Free Personal Statement Review

Post your essay in the comments section for a free critique

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to submit your essay for the paid service

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

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

Pricing is as follows:


One Time Edit: $135

The Personal Statement: One Time Edit

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

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

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

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

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

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


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One-On-One Editing Service: $345

1 On 1 Personal Statement Editing

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

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

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

Here are the steps we follow:

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

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

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


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Supplemental Essay: $49

Supplemental applications are a gift to you as an applicant, and you should view them as an opportunity to showcase personal traits and life experiences that may have been omitted in your CASPA application.

Supplemental applications should not reflect anything in your CASPA application, and nothing should be repeated from your personal narrative. If you start to deviate from the question as the paragraph continues, you are not answering the question.

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

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

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


For supplemental essays, we use a tiered pricing structure



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

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

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


Physician Assistant Life Personal Statement Collaborative



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

Writing and Revision

All writing benefits from rewriting when done well.

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

What’s the difference?

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

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

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

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

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

- Stephen Pasquini PA-C

View all posts in this series
  • How to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant School Application Essay
  • The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative
  • Do You Recognize These 7 Common Mistakes in Your Personal Statement?
  • 7 Essays in 7 Days: PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 1, “A PA Changed My Life”
  • PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 2, “I Want to Move Towards the Forefront of Patient Care”
  • PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 3, “She Smiled, Said “Gracias!” and Gave me a Big Hug”
  • PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 4, “I Have Gained so Much Experience by Working With Patients”
  • PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 5, “Then Reach, my Son, and Lift Your People up With You”
  • PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 6, “That First Day in Surgery was the First Day of the Rest of my Life”
  • PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 7, “I Want to Take People From Dying to Living, I Want to Get Them Down From the Cliff.”
  • Physician Assistant Personal Statement Workshop: “To say I was an accident-prone child is an understatement”
  • 9 Simple Steps to Avoid Silly Spelling and Grammar Goofs in Your PA School Personel Statement
  • 5 Tips to Get you Started on Your Personal Essay (and why you should do it now)
  • How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement The Book!
  • How to Write “Physician Assistant” The Definitive PA Grammar Guide
  • 101 PA School Admissions Essays: The Book!
  • 5 Things I’ve Learned Going Into My Fourth Physician Assistant Application Cycle
  • 7 Tips for Addressing Shortcomings in Your PA School Personal Statement
  • The #1 Mistake PRE-PAs Make on Their Personal Statement
  • The Ultimate PA School Personal Statement Starter Kit
  • The Ultimate Guide to CASPA Character and Space Limits
  • 10 Questions Every PA School Personal Statement Must Answer
  • 5 PA School Essays That Got These Pre-PAs Accepted Into PA School
  • 7 Questions to Ask Yourself While Writing Your PA School Personal Statement
  • 101 PA School Applicants Answer: What’s Your Greatest Strength?
  • 12 Secrets to Writing an Irresistible PA School Personal Statement
  • 7 Rules You Must Follow While Writing Your PA School Essay
  • You Have 625 Words and 2.5 Minutes to Get Into PA School: Use Them Wisely
  • What’s Your #1 Personal Statement Struggle?
  • 31 (NEW) CASPA PA School Personal Statement Examples
  • How to Prepare for Your PA School Interview Day Essay
  • Should You Write Physician Associate or Physician Assistant on Your PA School Essay?
  • Meet the World’s Sexiest PA School Applicants
  • PA School Reapplicants: How to Rewrite Your PA School Essay for Guaranteed Success
  • How to Write a Personal Statement Intro that Readers Want to Read
  • PA School Reapplicant Personal Statement Checklist
  • How to Deal with Bad News in Your Personal Statement
  • Inside Out: How to use Pixar’s Rules of Storytelling to Improve your PA Personal Statement
  • Ratatouille: A Pixar Recipe for PA School Personal Statement Success
  • Personal Statement Panel Review (Replay)
  • Mind Mapping: A Tool for Personal Statements, Supplemental Essays, and Interviews

You may also like -

  • The #1 Mistake PRE-PAs Make on Their Personal StatementThe #1 Mistake PRE-PAs Make on Their Personal Statement What's the #1 one mistake that potential PAs and pre-physician assistant students make while drafting their PA school personal statement? A failure to outline and plan! Outlining your personal statement is like following a proven […]
  • How to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant School Application EssayHow to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant School Application EssayOver at Inside PA Training Paul wrote a wonderful blog post about the common pitfalls that many PA school applicants fall victim to while preparing their PA school essay. Common Physician Assistant Essay Pitfalls Clichés Lack of […]
  • PA School Reapplicant Personal Statement ChecklistPA School Reapplicant Personal Statement Checklist Are you reapplying to PA school and wondering if you should update or rewrite your PA school essay? There are a few reasons to update your personal statement as a reapplicant.  For one, AdComs at the schools where you've […]
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About Stephen Pasquini PA-C

A PA since 2004 and creator of The PA Life and Smarty PANCE Board Review websites. A National Health Service Corps Scholar and a graduate of The University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (Rutgers) PA Program and the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Stephen's goal is to provide one-of-a-kind online resources for those interested in or practicing in the PA profession, to promote better access to healthcare for all and foster universal recognition/awareness of the PA profession. Read more about Stephen.

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Comments

  1. Gigi says

    June 19, 2022 at 1:58 pm

    I was a sick kid. Pharyngitis was a grim quarterly ritual of my childhood, costing nearly 50 rounds of progressively stronger antibiotics by my freshman year. I caught mono, bronchitis, impetigo – you name it. When fever hit, my mom drove me 80 miles north to a clinic in Albuquerque due to inadequate healthcare in rural Socorro, NM. She made the same drive biweekly to the nearest oncologist when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, a privilege unavailable to most. Illness interfered with my highly active lifestyle, so I needed to understand why I got sick and how to get well faster. I admired how my medical team always had a plan, and I wanted to know answers like these for myself and for loved ones forced to put life on pause while sick.

    My family moved to New Zealand when I was 15. I thrived in the NZ education system, emphasizing balance between academics, sport, and art. As a country with publicly funded healthcare, the attitude around medicine is much different from the US: everyone has affordable access to preventative routine care. The physician assistant (PA) role is not well established despite general practitioner shortages.

    I remained in NZ alone to earn a BSc in medicinal chemistry because I wanted to develop new solutions for others like me with recurrent infections from behind the scenes. I revel challenges, diving into the difficult curriculum and new self-reliance gleefully. The detail of how biologic systems work fascinated me, and my interest nutrition and fitness blossomed as I applied concepts from science classes to my personal health habits. In 2015, I learned the hard way that top grades required consistent effort instead of cramming, so I improved my study habits and honed my discipline to prioritize school. As I began caring for myself with proper rest, fuel, and exercise, my chronic illnesses subsided. By 3rd year I knew my outgoing personality wasn’t suited to a reclusive academic life as a synthetic chemist, but I had no idea what else I could apply my skills towards.

    It occurred to me I could serve the front lines of healthcare four years into my first career in sales. Managing a vast portfolio of industrial chemicals at Silver Fern then healthcare data at IQVIA taught me the value of persistence, teamwork, and communicating with integrity to gain trust. Even though I served my clients well, I suspected the problems I solved were just making more money for millionaires. My disquiet amplified when COVID hit because I heard about heroic healthcare staff sacrificing everything to keep strangers alive while I was helplessly sheltering in place. It was the ultimate forced pause. Clearly the real issue was not a dearth of novel therapies, but a shortage of providers to give evidence-based, easy-to-understand care. Sales built my confidence and my hard-earned progress in the gym built my self-efficacy, so I was ready to emerge from the sidelines to help. I desperately wanted to share my passion for health using my unorthodox sales expertise and academic acumen.

    To ensure I had the emotional capacity to see patients, I began volunteering at Cottage Hospital. I fell in love with my simple transport role. Encouraged, I poured myself into learning more about different health specialties. A prescriber report I ran for an IQVIA client last May solidified my focus on a PA career, as I could clearly see how crucial they were to routine care by the disproportionately large share of scripts for everyday bugs. The autonomy to diagnose and treat, emphasis on collaboration, and flexibility to choose specialties appeals to my grit, curiosity, and adaptability. I knew I was making the right choice when I left my secure life behind to go all-in on becoming a PA.

    As a dermatology medical assistant (MA) and Mohs technician, I enjoy educating patients on the importance of consistent simple rituals like sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. My commitment to personal fitness gives me the energy required to be calm and focused under pressure, whether I’m cranking out perfect frozen sections or assisting with a 3-hour interpolation flap repair. I’m proud to be on a team that supports learning, but I know I can give more than my current scope allows. My eyes opened wider when I scored PA shadowing opportunities in urgent care and orthopedics after months of cold calling; the way the PAs took the time to thoroughly assess, communicate kindly, provide resources, collaborate with the doctor, and refer if needed resonated with the type of provider I envision myself as.

    I’m certain in my career choice to become a PA. Although I have worn diverse hats in my life, I believe each one prepared me in a unique way for the difficult path ahead. Overcoming my own illnesses gave me the maturity, tenacity, and confidence in myself to care for others. Tackling a rigorous PA program will be a thrilling challenge, and I’ll do whatever it takes to succeed for the privilege of guiding people to the healthy life they deserve.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      June 22, 2022 at 9:05 am

      Gigi,
      You do a good job of showing the journey that has brought you to this point.
      You could separate your paragraph discussing your current role as an MA from your shadowing paragraph and then elaborate in both paragraphs. (adding in more clinical skills you gained and some more insight into shadowing.)
      You may need to condense throughout your essay to make room for this.
      I wish you good luck, Gigi.

      Reply
  2. Hapuruchi Avugara says

    June 18, 2022 at 4:55 pm

    Possible title ?: Can’t think of any right now? Please suggest for me if you can.

    In two situations, the pain of being homeless would have caused me to fail in my career: a panic call from my father while I was at school. Hapuruchi, please come back home, Amaka left the faucet running, and I am drowning in the basement. Another possibility was a family of six sleeping when my mother smelled gas coming from the kitchen, with a slim chance of wiping out the entire family in a single night. “Wake up ooooo” She cried out as she saw my sister open all the gas furnaces with the fire, warming herself up from being cold when the heat was on. My family and I were oblivious to the warning signs of impending disaster that something was wrong with my sister for a long time, but when she was diagnosed with moderate learning disability and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

    Despite having a minor learning handicap and obsessive-compulsive condition, everyone liked Amaka. Her difficulties stemmed from a head injury sustained from a fall from the stairwells when she was younger. It was a challenge for everyone in the family at the time, but the care she received over the next few years during her recuperation taught me the value of professional physicians and physician assistants.She had grown particularly fond of me because I was her carer, and she would call me every day at 6:00 a.m. to remind me to come to a clinic for routine work. In my capacity, I was in charge of providing her with her bathing, eating, medication, and going to scheduled hospital appointments for her diagnosis. Amaka would smile at me as I walked her through her clinic routine. She would sit next to me on the couch and grasp my hands while I sat beside her, saying in a calm voice, “thank you, sister.”

    I became interested in biological sciences in a clinical and non-clinical environment to assist me in analytical and diagnostic skill set after feeling helpless with the desire to be there for her. Volunteering and shadowing took up a portion of my life, and my medical experience confirmed that there was no other job I desired more. Observing a team of doctors, physician assistants, nurses, and technicians collaborate to host homeless men and women at St. Francis House, a day shelter in Boston’s downtown area. Their collaboration and the medical assistant’s capacity to operate autonomously intrigued me. Through all of my study and experience, it appeared to me that my passion for medicine is so broad that it would be impossible for me to focus solely on one part of medicine. Having the potential to work in practically any specialization excites me, and having the ability to diagnose and cure instead of simply observing would be a dream come true.

    I helped pack and sort everyday clothes and shoes at St. Francis House, a day shelter in the center of Boston, and it made a life-or-death difference. I started talking to the people who were the most forgotten. They felt acknowledged with a simple good morning, and how are you today, as I would say. I had no clue that this would show a deep interest in science and the difficulties of caregiving that I had not known I possessed. In my second community service work at the Greater Boston Food Bank. I sorted and packed food for those in need. My passion for physician assistant’s acme helped me to make a good influence. I got the opportunity to work with an instructional team to minimize hunger in Eastern Massachusetts while in this position. I also participated in varieties of extracurricular activities, such as marketing a $1,000 fundraising, purchasing gifts, and providing counseling to patients and their families.

    My desire to work as a physician assistant allows me to make a difference in the life of people. It began while I was a student at Pine Manor College and caring for my disabled sister. During my undergraduate career as a pre-med/biology major, I became interested in advanced science courses to supplement my formal classroom studies, pushed me outside of my comfort zone, and engaged in activities such as unsupervised laboratory performance, entrepreneurship, and participation in extracurricular activities. I had shadowed an ob-gyn, Dr. Cari, at Mount Auburn Hospital for about two and a half months. After a month of shadowed, I learned from Dr. Cari that building strong doctor-patient connections is crucial to gaining patient trust. Emergency room doctors, general practitioners, pregnant patients, and individuals with mild to severe menstruation irregularities were among the people I shadowed. I would go through fetal ultrasounds, fill out pregnancy papers, and listen to Dr. Cari give detailed advice and a booklet on how to deal with stress, eat healthily, and exercise regularly. I would see fetal ultrasounds, fill out pregnancy paperwork, and listen to Dr. Cari give thorough advice and a leaflet on how to handle stress, eat well, and exercise consistently. Women with more severe menstrual abnormalities due to polycystic ovarian syndrome and other conditions towards birth control help them menstruate.

    I understand that academic achievement is required to become a medical assistant, so I’d like to take the time to clarify the disparities in my transcript. As a result of my constant battles with Amaka’s difficulties. My best efforts to achieve academic greatness graded me with substandard marks in my freshman, and sophomore years. Even for college students, there are numerous delights in life when their loved ones become ill on occasion. None, however, compares to the comfort I get in another’s healing touch. My summers away from college were impactful in making strides to pursue a career in the future. My grades in the second and third years of my college experience reflect my active participation in the classroom. I had no clue that this encounter would lay the groundwork for my decision to pursue a career as a physician assistant.

    After graduation, I obtained full-time administrative employment as a radiology authorization specialist at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, where I worked via email with oncologists and their mid-level providers to handle insurance concerns regarding cancer patients’ imaging denials. My job became remote when the outbreak struck, and I didn’t have much time to do anything else. As a result, on Wednesday evenings, I devote my time to virtual shadowing with Heal Clinical Network. Dr. Robert Behringer of Heal Clinical Network organized a virtual shadowing session with presentations concentrating on real-life patient problems. I’ve learned to operate alone and as part of a team player in my patient care experiences. The patient with the most affection was one who had gonorrhea proctitis, a condition that produced excessive rectal bleeding and stomach agony. After ruling out various other options, we discovered that the patient had gonorrhea proctitis.

    These experiences showed me the importance of a team-based care system. Being an excellent care provider requires being a physician assistant with honor and embracing teamwork in the face of obstacles. Many others will benefit from the emotional and physical help I provide if I can transform my sister’s life and other experiences I’ve had as a caregiver. I realized that while I might not be carrying out my childhood goals of changing the world as a physician assistant, it would only be the beginning of my education in aiding the medically underserved over the course of my adult life to transform the lives of each of my patients. Each patient I’ve had the honor of caring for has taught me what it is to be fulfilled and have a reason to keep doing what I’m doing now that I’m on the verge of starting a career as a physician assistant.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      June 21, 2022 at 9:58 pm

      Hapuruchi,
      I know that your sister is lucky to have you as her advocate, and I can sense throughout your essay that you will be a compassionate and effective provider.
      I would suggest condensing where you can throughout your essay.
      Also, if you have gained any clinical skills in your roles, describe those.
      I’m not saying you need this, but should you want more help, we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
      I wish you good luck, Hapuruchi!

      Reply
  3. Maddie says

    June 17, 2022 at 9:38 am

    Thank you for your help!
    “How bad is it if a client’s dog has eaten a [insert double chocolate donut, teabag, jar of coconut oil, or pair of underwear here]?” All of these are questions that I have had to ask a veterinarian on staff in my work as a veterinary receptionist. Not one day went by in that position where I had all of the answers; instead, I was constantly turning to my superiors and my fellow co-workers with questions. As soon as I understood one thing, someone else called with a completely different problem. I learned to work in, and came to love, a collaborative medical environment where there were always new dilemmas to puzzle through, making the physician assistant (PA) career an ideal fit.
    My time spent virtually shadowing various PAs affirmed that the career is highly collaborative and comes with plenty of learning opportunities. Physician Assistant Michele Neskey, who works in oncology, spoke of a patient who had an allergic reaction to the solvent of her immunotherapy treatment, a phenomenon she had never seen in her fifteen years of practice. Savannah Perry, a dermatology PA, shared that she would often bring her physician in on a case not necessarily because she needs the help, but because she knows that all of the practitioners in her office like learning opportunities. Last but not least, Physician Assistant Gabriella De Vita, who works in family medicine, talked about a case where she referred her patient to the ER due to her fear of cholangitis. She conferred with another PA in the office to come to this conclusion, and together they likely saved that patient’s life. All three of these PAs highlighted the highly collaborative nature of their positions, and emphasized that there is always room for learning and growth. I welcome a career where I can continue to learn and where I can continue to turn to my fellow healthcare providers for support and guidance.
    In addition to the potential for constant learning experiences, I have been drawn to the medical field for years now because I would like a job where I can see the impact of my efforts daily. As a Certified Nursing Assistant in a rehabilitation and long-term care facility, my favorite part of my job was giving my residents their showers. Before I started there, I never would have guessed that I would enjoy a seemingly mundane task so much. But a meticulous, considerate shower allowed even the most confused or irritable resident to brighten and see that I cared for their well-being. It seemed to me that the shower, more so than many of the other facets of caregiving, gave them a sense of dignity, which is a very important thing to maintain in such a setting. There were certainly challenging days, but I learned to enjoy small moments such as these where I was satisfied because my patient felt taken care of and secure. I know that, likewise, there will be difficult days as a PA, days where it may be hard to believe that I have made any difference in the lives of my patients. I have learned, however, to hold onto and value those small instances where I know that I have. I can provide care to my patients with a wider scope of practice as a PA than as a CNA, and I look forward to seeing the instances when I have positively impacted the lives of my patients in bigger ways while still valuing the little ways as well.
    In light of my undergraduate experience and my professional experiences, I believe that I will be a capable PA student. Despite taking 18 credits nearly every semester of my undergraduate career, I have maintained both a strong overall GPA and a strong science GPA. As such, I believe that I can take on the rigorous academic load required of PA students. I have learned how to achieve balance despite my busy academic schedule, with leadership roles in multiple clubs and the campus’ women’s group. I have had multiple summers where I have balanced two part time jobs, learning the importance of professionalism and responsibility when working with my supervisors at each location. As a CNA, I learned the importance of care plans catered to the individual’s medical background and needs, and as a receptionist learned the importance of communication and teamwork.
    With my past experiences and efforts, I am confident that I will be a successful PA student. I believe I have the capacity to be academically successful despite the demanding course load, and I have learned so much in my professional life that I will carry with me through PA school and beyond as a practicing PA. I am sure there will still never be a day in school and in my career that I do not ask questions, but I am ready and willing to learn.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      June 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm

      Maddie,
      Your introduction grabs the reader’s attention while showing your commitment to learning and collaboration.
      I would mention some of the clinical skills and medical knowledge you have gained in your current or past roles.
      Through your description of caring for your patients’ shower needs I can sense that you will be a compassionate and effective provider. I wish you good luck on your journey, Maddie.

      Reply
  4. Maddie says

    June 17, 2022 at 9:34 am

    Thank you so much for your help everyone!
    “How bad is it if a client’s dog has eaten a [insert double chocolate donut, teabag, jar of coconut oil, or pair of underwear here]?” All of these are questions that I have had to ask a veterinarian on staff in my work as a veterinary receptionist. Not one day went by in that position where I had all of the answers; instead, I was constantly turning to my superiors and my fellow co-workers with questions. As soon as I understood one thing, someone else called with a completely different problem. I learned to work in, and came to love, a collaborative medical environment where there were always new dilemmas to puzzle through, making the physician assistant (PA) career an ideal fit.
    My time spent virtually shadowing various PAs affirmed that the career is highly collaborative and comes with plenty of learning opportunities. Physician Assistant Michele Neskey, who works in oncology, spoke of a patient who had an allergic reaction to the solvent of her immunotherapy treatment, a phenomenon she had never seen in her fifteen years of practice. Savannah Perry, a dermatology PA, shared that she would often bring her physician in on a case not necessarily because she needs the help, but because she knows that all of the practitioners in her office like learning opportunities. Last but not least, Physician Assistant Gabriella De Vita, who works in family medicine, talked about a case where she referred her patient to the ER due to her fear of cholangitis. She conferred with another PA in the office to come to this conclusion, and together they likely saved that patient’s life. All three of these PAs highlighted the highly collaborative nature of their positions, and emphasized that there is always room for learning and growth. I welcome a career where I can continue to learn and where I can continue to turn to my fellow healthcare providers for support and guidance.
    In addition to the potential for constant learning experiences, I have been drawn to the medical field for years now because I would like a job where I can see the impact of my efforts daily. As a Certified Nursing Assistant in a rehabilitation and long-term care facility, my favorite part of my job was giving my residents their showers. Before I started there, I never would have guessed that I would enjoy a seemingly mundane task so much. But a meticulous, considerate shower allowed even the most confused or irritable resident to brighten and see that I cared for their well-being. It seemed to me that the shower, more so than many of the other facets of caregiving, gave them a sense of dignity, which is a very important thing to maintain in such a setting. There were certainly challenging days, but I learned to enjoy small moments such as these where I was satisfied because my patient felt taken care of and secure. I know that, likewise, there will be difficult days as a PA, days where it may be hard to believe that I have made any difference in the lives of my patients. I have learned, however, to hold onto and value those small instances where I know that I have. I can provide care to my patients with a wider scope of practice as a PA than as a CNA, and I look forward to seeing the instances when I have positively impacted the lives of my patients in bigger ways while still valuing the little ways as well.
    In light of my undergraduate experience and my professional experiences, I believe that I will be a capable PA student. Despite taking 18 credits nearly every semester of my undergraduate career, I have maintained both a strong overall GPA and a strong science GPA. As such, I believe that I can take on the rigorous academic load required of PA students. I have learned how to achieve balance despite my busy academic schedule, with leadership roles in multiple clubs and the campus’ women’s group. I have had multiple summers where I have balanced two part time jobs, learning the importance of professionalism and responsibility when working with my supervisors at each location. As a CNA, I learned the importance of care plans catered to the individual’s medical background and needs, and as a receptionist learned the importance of communication and teamwork.

    With my past experiences and efforts, I am confident that I will be a successful PA student. I believe I have the capacity to be academically successful despite the demanding course load, and I have learned so much in my professional life that I will carry with me through PA school and beyond as a practicing PA. I am sure there will still never be a day in school and in my career that I do not ask questions, but I am ready and willing to learn.

    Reply
  5. Madison says

    June 16, 2022 at 10:24 am

    My timid footsteps came to a halt at the sentence, “Your mom should have died”. It was then that Friday, November 27th, 2015 became the scariest day of my life. It was the day after Thanksgiving, and my brother and I were waiting at home for my mom to get off of work, except she never came home. It was not until my grandfather showed up at the front door that we knew something was wrong. He rushed me and my brother to the hospital without saying a word. After many hours in the waiting room, a doctor emerged from the double doors asking for the family for Wunder. My stomach dropped in disbelief that I was the family for Wunder and we were finally going to find out what happened to my mom. She had a Triple-A, abdominal aortic aneurysm, the worst the hospital had seen anyone survive. As a fourteen-year-old, I had no idea what any of the big words meant that were being spoken to us. I remember the fear being written all over my face until one of the physician assistants (PAs) sat down with me and drew a sketch of what happened to my mom and how they repaired her aorta in surgery. It was only until I understood the situation that I could finally catch my breath and be grateful that my mom survived.

    I moved in with my grandfather for the two weeks that my mom was in the hospital. I visited every day and every day a member of her healthcare team reassured me that she was going to be okay. This was my first experience observing what it was like to work in a hospital. I watched the patient care technicians and nurses hustle to each room. I watched the physicians make their rounds. I watched the PAs do the same except they stayed in the rooms for a longer period of time. I felt safe when the PA came into the room because I knew they would stay with me for a few minutes and I wouldn’t feel so alone. In my eyes, that physician assistant was a leader and I realized I wanted to help others in the way they helped me.

    After this moment I became obsessed with everything related to healthcare. I bought books about holistic nutrition and studied medical terminology. Then in the summer of 2018, I volunteered at the University of Kentucky Medical Campus where I was able to observe a variety of healthcare providers caring for patients. My time volunteering confirmed that the PA profession was truly the right one for me. Before I started college, I knew I wanted to be on the Pre-PA track, so I tailored my education and extracurricular activities to match that goal. The summer between my senior year of high school and my first year of college, I earned my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and State Registered Nurse Aid (SRNA) license. At the time, I did not feel like I was doing enough to help my community, so I went down to the University of Kentucky campus and I enrolled in the Army ROTC program. Three years ago I realized the best way I can serve my community is by becoming a PA for the United States Army and I feel even more strongly about that today.

    Volunteer efforts in a public hospital, shadowing experience in a private orthopedic clinic, and my healthcare career as a state registered nurse aid have allowed me to witness the role of PAs in public and private sectors of healthcare. In both settings PAs have the fortunate role of working closely will all members of the healthcare team. As a future PA, I plan to use this to my advantage to strengthen the bridge between healthcare and public health to prevent chronic diseases before it reaches the stage that my mother’s disease did. I believe it takes a leader to connect this bridge and that is exactly what a PA’s role is in the healthcare system.

    As a cadet in an Army ROTC program, I have learned what being a leader entails. Throughout my ROTC career, I have been tested on a foundational list of leader competencies which include leadership, development, and achievement. These characteristics not only developed my interpersonal skills but also showed me what it takes to influence others. In ROTC I have been selected to be platoon sergeant, company commander, and officer in charge (OIC) of multiple events. It is through these positions that I have gained experience as a leader within my battalion. I wish to use this knowledge of leadership to make medicine more personable as a PA. I desire that one day every member of our community has the information they need to live a healthful life. A PA was there to comfort me on the worst day of my life, and I truly hope I am awarded the opportunity to serve my community in the same way.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      June 21, 2022 at 9:29 pm

      Madison,
      First of all, thank you for your service. Also, I am so glad that your mother was okay.
      I think you do a great job of grabbing the reader’s attention while also showing how you first learned about the PA profession.
      I would elaborate on any clinical skills and medical knowledge that you have gained in your roles.
      Also, if you have a patient care story that you can share that reveals you in action providing clinical care of some kind while connecting on a personal level, include that.
      You could also add more details about your shadowing experience.
      I wish you good luck on your journey, Madison.

      Reply
  6. abby says

    June 14, 2022 at 8:52 am

    Here’s my draft. Thank you!

    I was the pharmacy student rounding with the ICU team that Wednesday. A nurse came over to us, anxious, stating that our patient in room 101 had a drastic drop in blood pressure to 40/20 during dialysis. The physician, PA, and resident frantically began a beside ultrasound and ordered vasopressors, while the pharmacist and I ensured the appropriate vasopressors and doses were ordered. As we watched the process, I couldn’t deny the desire I had to be in that room, performing and reading the ultrasound and providing hands-on care. And it was a feeling I couldn’t shake throughout all 4 years of school.

    I went to pharmacy school to be a highly accessible healthcare professional that could provide reliable information to anyone who walked through the pharmacy doors, regardless of insurance status, socioeconomic class, or any other barriers. Through experiences volunteering in disadvantaged communities, I had seen a gap in knowledge between receiving a diagnosis from a provider and understanding how to treat and manage the condition with their medications. It has been rewarding to use my pharmacotherapy knowledge to ease the fears of a patient with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes by teaching them about insulin, or educating a provider that semaglutide is the most effective GLP-1 agonist for weight loss and then further helping the patient attain it affordably. But going through the program, I realized providing quality care to fill in gaps in our healthcare system is what drew me to medicine as a whole and not just pharmacy, and that I desired to do it in a capacity that touched on more aspects of patient care than just medication. As I worked with a team of physicians, NPs, and PAs during my rotations, it became clear that the PA profession embodied the type of care I had always desired to provide—hands-on, autonomous but collaborative, and with a broad scope of practice to expand care.

    Shadowing orthopedic surgery PA, John Lignore, and surgical staff PA, Miranda Warunek, exposed me to a new and exciting side of medicine. I was fascinated by John’s ability to assist in a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty and provide pre and post-operative care outside of the OR, all while having a per diem job in the Emergency Department. I saw Miranda respond to a trauma alert in the ED where she efficiently assessed the patient and skillfully performed an eFAST exam before handing the case off to the ED attending. Learning from John and Miranda about the versatility of the PA training model and seeing that I would have the ability to care for patients in this way as a PA solidified my desire even more.

    As a fourth year pharmacy student whose goal was now to become a PA, I focused on selecting clinical rotations that would make me a stronger prescriber. I set up an out of network rotation with the Indian Health Service in New Mexico, where pharmacists function as providers through collaborative practice agreements for disease states within their scope of practice. Two days into the rotation I was assigned to the pain clinic, where I saw a patient who was on 90 morphine milliequivalents daily for her chronic back pain—the highest dose in the entire facility. When we suggested tapering her off opioids given the greater risk than benefit, she began crying, stating that her pain was under control at this dose and she could finally take care of her kids, and that at least if she got the opioids safely from us she might not seek them elsewhere and overdose like her relatives had. The challenge of improving her health in the context of the issues the native community faces again confirmed I wanted to be a provider who had the ability to make these difficult and meaningful decisions, but someone who also had the ability to provide more holistic care, including non-pharmacologic treatment options and diagnostic and physical assessments. I knew I needed to learn areas of medicine that were out of the pharmacist’s scope of practice.

    In my current role I see myself as a corner piece of a patient’s puzzle, touching strongly on a few aspects of their medical care. I want to change my shape to a middle piece as a PA, influencing more aspects, carrying the values that inspired me to pursue pharmacy into the profession, and combining my existing knowledge with additional medical training to extend the delivery of quality healthcare.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      June 21, 2022 at 2:52 pm

      Abby,
      You are off to a strong start. You do a good job of showing how your desire for advanced responsibility for patients’ care has expanded.
      In your story about the woman tapering off opioids, you may want to add short dialog that reveals you educating and encouraging her.
      Also, if you have gained any clinical skills in your rotations, spotlight those.
      I wish you good luck on your journey, Abby!

      Reply
  7. Blade Crutchfield says

    June 13, 2022 at 8:27 pm

    One of the miracles in life I have gotten to be a part of is my mom’s fertility journey. I was the first of six children. My mother and father started having fertility issues after I was born, which lead them to attempt IVF. Four years after me, my twin brothers Stone and Drake were born. Low and behold, three years later, my brother Sai was born. The last to be born were my two sisters, Ireland, and Kia. I was about 13 years old when my mother explained to me how Stone, Drake, and Sai were created. I wish she had recorded my reaction when she said something like, “We had eggs combined in a dish and then implanted inside me.” I never really thought about IVF again until one day it was mentioned in my high school biology class. I was utterly amazed by the fact that a human being or beings could be created by simply combining eggs from a male and female in a dish. I realized then that because of advancements made in medicine, I get to be a big brother to five awesome siblings. This is what first piqued my interest in science and medicine.

    I decided to go to college and major in biology, knowing I wanted to eventually pursue medicine and provide health care. I obtained a four-year degree in biology and then a master’s degree. I struggled in my first few years of college but later strived to better my GPA. I knew if I wanted to get serious about ever working in medicine, I would have to make better grades. I achieved this by changing my study habits and putting in the work I knew I was capable of.

    While I have shadowed and studied a variety of different types of health care providers, PA is one profession that has always really stood out to me. A PA can work in essentially any medical setting as well as specialty. They can diagnose and treat patients. What makes the career of PA special to me is the way that they approach patient care. Being a PA would allow me to serve others and provide them with needed care and knowledge. A PA must know how to work in a team and collaborate with others, something I feel I have gained by having a large family and in my current role.

    I currently work as a monitor technician. In this role, I have learned to read heart rhythms, apply Holter monitors, and a variety of other tasks. I have watched hearts start and unfortunately stop. I have performed EKGs on newborn babies. This job has allowed me to experience one on one patient care with a vast range of ages. While my role as a monitor technician is a respectable job, I feel like I have more of myself to offer to patients. I want to be on the frontlines diagnosing and treating patients. I want to be helping others at their most vulnerable times. I want to be in a career that can give me abilities like bringing life into the world and bringing people the joy of having siblings. I want to impact lives, and that is why I believe the PA profession is for me.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      June 21, 2022 at 2:41 pm

      Blade,
      What an incredible miracle story about your family!
      I suggest moving your discussion about your grades to the paragraph before your conclusion. You are wise to address this, but that is usually the best spot for this information as it allows you to lead with your strengths before addressing grades.
      I would also suggest including a paragraph that describes you in action with your current role. You want to show yourself providing care while connecting on a personal level. In your story, spotlight some of your character traits that will make you an effective and compassionate PA.
      Also, I would include a paragraph that details an experience shadowing a PA. What about an interaction between PA/patient or PA/supervising physician solidified your decision?
      I wish you good luck, Blade.

      Reply
  8. Blade Crutchfield says

    June 13, 2022 at 8:20 pm

    Any help would be appreciated in editing my personal statement. Thanks a ton!

    One of the miracles in life I have gotten to be a part of is my mom’s fertility journey. I was the first of six children. My mother and father started having fertility issues after I was born, which lead them to attempt IVF. Four years after me, my twin brothers Stone and Drake were born. Low and behold, three years later, my brother Sai was born. The last to be born were my two sisters, Ireland, and Kia. I was about 13 years old when my mother explained to me how Stone, Drake, and Sai were created. I wish she had recorded my reaction when she said something like, “We had eggs combined in a dish and then implanted inside me.” I never really thought about IVF again until one day it was mentioned in my high school biology class. I was utterly amazed by the fact that a human being or beings could be created by simply combining eggs from a male and female in a dish. I realized then that because of advancements made in medicine, I get to be a big brother to five awesome siblings. This is what first piqued my interest in science and medicine.

    I decided to go to college and major in biology, knowing I wanted to eventually pursue medicine and provide health care. I obtained a four-year degree in biology and then a master’s degree. I struggled in my first few years of college but later strived to better my GPA. I knew if I wanted to get serious about ever working in medicine, I would have to make better grades. I achieved this by changing my study habits and putting in the work I knew I was capable of.

    While I have shadowed and studied a variety of different types of health care providers, PA is one profession that has always really stood out to me. A PA can work in essentially any medical setting as well as specialty. They can diagnose and treat patients. What makes the career of PA special to me is the way that they approach patient care. Being a PA would allow me to serve others and provide them with needed care and knowledge. A PA must know how to work in a team and collaborate with others, something I feel I have gained by having a large family and in my current role.

    I currently work as a monitor technician. In this role, I have learned to read heart rhythms, apply Holter monitors, and a variety of other tasks. I have watched hearts start and unfortunately stop. I have performed EKGs on newborn babies. This job has allowed me to experience one on one patient care with a vast range of ages. While my role as a monitor technician is a respectable job, I feel like I have more of myself to offer to patients. I want to be on the frontlines diagnosing and treating patients. I want to be helping others at their most vulnerable times. I want to be in a career that can give me abilities like bringing life into the world and bringing people the joy of having siblings. I want to impact lives, and that is why I believe the PA profession is for me.

    Reply
  9. Sam Nelson says

    June 13, 2022 at 1:55 pm

    Thank you for your help!

    For as long as we have had the farm, we always bought our hay from Dave. Every month or two, we throw ropes in the pickup and head to the border between Berks and Lancaster County, out where the horse buggies are as common as the cars. I toss the bales down from the barn loft and Dave wedges them into the flatbed.
    But this time as I climb down, I see Dave bent over, his hands resting heavily on his knees. He is breathing too hard for someone used to hard work. We exchange a look, but he waves me off. I let it go but leave uneasy. A month later, I drive back to the barn, hoping to see him back to normal. His son is there instead.
    “Where’s Dave?” I ask.
    “Well…” his son replies, “He’s been in hospital since last week. The doctors found a lump in his lungs.”
    My heart sinks. I saw Dave’s illness a month ago and did nothing. Then again, if I pushed him, would it have changed anything? Dave was not the type to go into the city for a slew of medical tests. He was a “rub some dirt on it” kind of a guy, which describes our corner of Berks County. Like everyone short on time and finances, he pressed through the discomfort. I spend the day mulling over how I could have made things better for Dave.
    * * *
    I remember the first time I put a Band-Aid on my kid sister. “All better?” I asked, watching her pain melt away. I was hooked. Nothing has ever given me more satisfaction than caring for others. I began doing all I could to explore the medical field.
    My first medical experience was with a local ambulance service as an emergency medical technician. A month in, my partner and I were transporting Jared, a 14-year-old boy, from our local hospital to a facility with more specialized care. As always, we introduced ourselves, and without responding, he got up, walked to the stretcher, and climbed in, covering his face with a blanket. We gently buckled him in and wheeled him into the vehicle. I got in the back.
    I had become well acquainted with silent rides. I gave Jared space, and half an hour into the ride, he pulled down the blanket and looked around.
    “Have you been in an ambulance before?” I asked, trying to sound casual. He shook his head.
    “Well, anything you want to know about?”
    There was a long pause, and then he pointed to the oxygen tank. “What’s the green tube?”
    We eagerly conversed about the ambulance and when that topic ran dry, we discussed our other interests. An hour into the trip, Jared admitted how nervous he was about the new hospital and his treatment. Despite feeling underqualified to address his fears specifically, I knew I could listen. In the following hour, I saw that just letting him feel heard was as powerful as any medicine I could have given him. I was providing more than just treatment. I was giving care. As we pulled up to the ambulance bay, Jared smiled at me and said, “Thanks. Talking helped.”
    * * *
    A year later, I took a position as a nurse’s aide at the hospital near my school. Once again, this let me see how important it is to build trust and rapport. But as fulfilling as it was to listen to people, I knew that emotional care was not enough to fully impact my patients’ health. I needed to find a balance between medical and emotional care.
    One day, I was helping Betty, an 80-year-old patient of mine, sit up in bed when a physician assistant (PA) came to discuss the plan of care. I finished helping Betty and left to complete other tasks. An hour passed, and I came back to check-in only to find her and the PA still talking. As I entered, I heard the PA say, “you don’t need to worry about me. I can answer as many questions as you like. My co-workers will cover for me.”
    This was the balance I was looking for. A PA has enough knowledge to develop a care plan, manage problems flexibly, and summarize all the data that accumulate over 24 hours in a hospital. Moreover, with the help of their colleagues, they can take the time to address patients’ emotional needs as well.
    The more I research the PA role, the more confident I become that it is the best fit for me in the spectrum of providing care. I am drawn to the ability to change specialties, which will allow me to find the best fit for my abilities over time. It is meaningful to me that I can decide if a field is right after working in it for months or even years, rather than a brief rotation.
    * * *
    Six months later, as I listen to Dave’s son talk about his father’s treatment, I consider how I could help. As a PA, I want to use my abilities to help those in rural communities gain easier access to healthcare. I want to be someone who has earned their trust by listening to their needs. If Dave had easy access to his provider, he might have been seen and diagnosed sooner. My goal is to be part of a team that brings care directly to rural communities. Whether it is by telemedicine, a mobile clinic, or even house calls. I feel a duty to reduce the disparity in delivering healthcare to rural populations. Dave deserves that. We all do.

    Reply
  10. Sam Nelson says

    June 13, 2022 at 7:38 am

    Here is my personal statement. Thank you so much for your help!

    For as long as we have had the farm, we always bought our hay from Dave. Every month or two, we throw ropes in the pickup and head to the border between Berks and Lancaster County, out where the horse buggies are as common as the cars. I toss the bales down from the barn loft and Dave wedges them into the flatbed.
    But this time as I climb down, I see Dave bent over, his hands resting heavily on his knees. He is breathing too hard for someone used to hard work. We exchange a look, but he waves me off. I let it go but leave uneasy. A month later, I drive back to the barn, hoping to see him back to normal. His son is there instead.
    “Where’s Dave?” I ask.
    “Well…” his son replies, “He’s been in hospital since last week. The doctors found a lump in his lungs.”
    My heart sinks. I saw Dave’s illness a month ago and did nothing. Then again, if I pushed him, would it have changed anything? Dave was not the type to go into the city for a slew of medical tests. He was a “rub some dirt on it” kind of a guy, which describes our corner of Berks County. Like everyone short on time and finances, he pressed through the discomfort. I spend the day mulling over how I could have made things better for Dave.
    * * *
    I remember the first time I put a Band-Aid on my kid sister. “All better?” I asked, watching her pain melt away. I was hooked. Nothing has ever given me more satisfaction than caring for others. I began doing all I could to explore the medical field.
    My first medical experience was with a local ambulance service as an emergency medical technician. A month in, my partner and I were transporting Jared, a 14-year-old boy, from our local hospital to a facility with more specialized care. As always, we introduced ourselves, and without responding, he got up, walked to the stretcher, and climbed in, covering his face with a blanket. We gently buckled him in and wheeled him into the vehicle. I got in the back.
    I had become well acquainted with silent rides. I gave Jared space, and half an hour into the ride, he pulled down the blanket and looked around.
    “Have you been in an ambulance before?” I asked, trying to sound casual. He shook his head.
    “Well, anything you want to know about?”
    There was a long pause, and then he pointed to the oxygen tank. “What’s the green tube?”
    We eagerly conversed about the ambulance and when that topic ran dry, we discussed our other interests. An hour into the trip, Jared admitted how nervous he was about the new hospital and his treatment. Despite feeling underqualified to address his fears specifically, I knew I could listen. In the following hour, I saw that just letting him feel heard was as powerful as any medicine I could have given him. I was providing more than just treatment. I was giving care. As we pulled up to the ambulance bay, Jared smiled at me and said, “Thanks. Talking helped.”
    * * *
    A year later, I took a position as a nurse’s aide at the hospital near my school. Once again, this let me see how important it is to build trust and rapport. But as fulfilling as it was to listen to people, I knew that emotional care was not enough to fully impact my patients’ health. I needed to find a balance between medical and emotional care.
    One day, I was helping Betty, an 80-year-old patient of mine, sit up in bed when a physician assistant (PA) came to discuss the plan of care. I finished helping Betty and left to complete other tasks. An hour passed, and I came back to check-in only to find her and the PA still talking. As I entered, I heard the PA say, “you don’t need to worry about me. I can answer as many questions as you like. My co-workers will cover for me.”
    This was the balance I was looking for. A PA has enough knowledge to develop a care plan, manage problems flexibly, and summarize all the data that accumulate over 24 hours in a hospital. Moreover, with the help of their colleagues, they can take the time to address patients’ emotional needs as well.
    The more I research the PA role, the more confident I become that it is the best fit for me in the spectrum of providing care. I am drawn to the ability to change specialties, which will allow me to find the best fit for my abilities over time. It is meaningful to me that I can decide if a field is right after working in it for months or even years, rather than a brief rotation.
    * * *
    Six months later, as I listen to Dave’s son talk about his father’s treatment, I consider how I could help. As a PA, I want to use my abilities to help those in rural communities gain easier access to healthcare. I want to be someone who has earned their trust by listening to their needs. If Dave had easy access to his provider, he might have been seen and diagnosed sooner. My goal is to be part of a team that brings care directly to rural communities. Whether it is by telemedicine, a mobile clinic, or even house calls. I feel a duty to reduce the disparity in delivering healthcare to rural populations. Dave deserves that. We all do.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      June 21, 2022 at 2:31 pm

      Sam,
      You are off to a strong start. You show your early interest in helping others and making a difference. You also do a good job of showing the reasons why the PA profession appeals to you.
      I would include more details about any clinical experience and medical knowledge gained through your various roles.
      Also, if you have any shadowing experience, you could include some details about how that further solidified your decision to become a PA.
      I wish you good luck on your journey, Sam.

      Reply
  11. Dee says

    June 9, 2022 at 9:25 pm

    A million concerns ran through my mind as I stood by my mom’s bedside with silent tears. After two years of battling stage IV breast cancer, my mom was reaching her end when she was diagnosed with leptomeningeal disease and encephalopathy. I was going to lose my mom and there was nothing that would relieve the pain circulating my body; that was until I saw my mom’s soft smile and followed her line of sight to the hand on top of hers. Through this simple touch, our physician assistant (PA), Patricia, eased the heaviness and pain in our hearts. Without a word, she consoled us with the compassion that she carried for us. Despite my mom’s difficulty with forming coherent sentences, she managed to tell us how grateful she was for Patricia. A few days later, my mom passed, but I will always cherish the comfort that Patricia brought to my mom in her last days.

    Throughout my mom’s battle, she always complimented the care and attentiveness she received from Patricia. Each hospital visit was increasingly exhausting, but Patricia ensured that my mom was comfortable and properly cared for. With any trouble that arose, she immediately coordinated with other health care professionals on how to effectively care for my mom. Rather than waiting for the oncologist, our concerns were quickly and thoroughly addressed by Patricia. Seeing Patricia’s positive impact on my mom and my family inspires me to do the same for others. My desire to positively influence my community led me to healthcare, but I never knew which role I would fit into until I met Patricia.

    My initial interest in healthcare began through my desire to improve access to public health education. Through Team KiPow and Student Health Outreach, I educated students about various health topics, such as managing healthy eating and sexual health. I saw an absence of health education in the younger generations as many students admitted to being uninformed about what we taught. I connected with this as I also grew up in a community where the importance of one’s health was not emphasized. Without a strong foundation, these students were lost on how to navigate their own health, thus demonstrating the necessity of proper health education. I am motivated to be a PA as I will be in a position where I can advocate for proper health care management and disease prevention to ensure that patients develop a solid foundation for managing their personal health.

    My interest in counseling further developed through my time with GREEN-MPNA, in which I worked with medical students and doctors to learn about the medical approach to counseling patients. Practicing with patient cases, I saw the thought process behind the diagnosis and treatment of patients. It was interesting to see these students apply their scientific knowledge to connect symptoms with potential diseases. This experience affirmed my decision to become a PA because I enjoyed the medical model of treating patients.

    As a clinical cardiology assistant, I read EKG’s in order to analyze data on Holter monitors and oversee treadmill stress tests. Through this, I have a better understanding of how to interpret results and connect symptoms to underlying heart conditions. While I am trusted to interpret EKG’s independently, I enjoy working with and seeking advice from the doctors when I need guidance. In addition to these skills, I have learned about the patience and understanding that is necessary in this field. Working primarily with geriatric patients is difficult as many of them have trouble recalling their medical history and get upset or flustered as a result. I learned to calmly and kindly guide patients to gather the most accurate information possible. Overall, I gained the necessary skills to cooperate with a medical team in order to create a supporting environment where patients feel comfortable entrusting their health to me and the team.

    Volunteering at a non-profit clinic located in a Health Professional Shortage Area showed me the struggles that patients face in seeing primary care providers and specialists. In addition to language barriers and transportation and financial issues, patients have delayed access to treatment because of the lack of providers. With the extensive training in various fields that PA’s receive, I would have the flexibility to move between different specialties and fill in gaps where providers are needed. Being a PA provides me the opportunity to reach a broader scope of patients, thus alleviating the issue I see many patients at the clinic face.

    Having experienced the indescribable pain of losing a loved one, I am determined to save lives and advocate for preventative healthcare. My mom was the strongest person I knew, but the fear in her eyes as she treaded through the unknown paths of her sickness and health is permanently with me. As a PA, my goal is for patients to never feel alone. I want to be a guiding light and help patients navigate through their health. With everything I have learned and gained from these experiences, there is no doubt that I want to pursue a career as a PA and make a positive impact on the health of my community.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      June 17, 2022 at 12:44 am

      Dee,
      First of all, I am so sorry for your loss.
      Patricia sounds like an amazing provider, and I trust that you will help patients in much the same way as her.
      If you have a patient care story (maybe about a patient receiving an EKG) I would include details about that, showing you in action while connecting on a human level.
      Also, if you have any shadowing experience, describe that. How did this confirm your decision to pursue the PA path?
      I wish you good luck, Dee.

      Reply
  12. Abyal Padhi says

    June 6, 2022 at 7:07 pm

    I have been editing and working on this a lot. Any feedback is appreciated.
    —–
    Meliorism is trusting that the world can become a better place; faith that humans can better the world. An idea that I shared with my first ever friend, my Ba (grandmother). She had known me my whole life, so I will never forget feeling gutted the first time she failed to recognize me. It took months of uncertainty and heartache before our family found some respite after just one visit with Philippe André, PA-C.

    In 2015, Ba was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and we were in unknown territory. PA André was essential in guiding us through her condition and helping us best care for her. Four years later, my Ba passed away. That is still the scariest night of my life. I was with her as she took her last breaths, I called 911 and performed chest compressions, and then I translated for my parents when they took us to a private room and delivered the news. Days later, I remember thinking about how I never wanted to feel such panic ever again when I happened to see an old photograph of my Ba laughing. In that moment, I reminisced how she had last laughed because of PA André – that was the first time I felt a spark of passion for the PA profession.

    Captivated by the PA profession, I joined healthcare groups and volunteered at a hospital, even earning a scholarship for my dedication. However, the impact PA André had on me brought forth my initiative to pursue hands-on patient care opportunities. Said opportunity came in the form of a patient care technician at Fresenius Medical Care.

    Seeing a patient three times a week helps develop a significant bond with them, and being trilingual in Gujarati and Hindi, I overcame certain hurdles when it came to communicating with some of my patients and their loved ones. I also used my limited Spanish skills to understand and communicate with our native Spanish-speaking patients, who always smiled at my attempts. In the future, I aim to develop these skills further, specifically in medical terminology, so that I may make healthcare more transparent. I covet the ability to make someone feel at ease regardless of language barriers, to make their appointments memorable instead of unnerving. PA school will provide me with the education and experience to utilize my skills in direct patient care.

    I thrived in a great team that strived daily to improve our patients’ quality of life. Nonetheless, I wanted more. During weekly rounds, I observed the personalized care that the advanced practice providers, specifically PAs, provided the patients. They built relationships during the preliminary diagnosis before the patient even set foot in our clinic. Then, they continued to follow up with a patient who received a kidney transplant or can discontinue treatment. I crave to be a part of the diagnosis, plan of care, and follow-ups for all my patients. This sentiment is strengthened every time my patients ask for me.

    PAs are an integral part of a healthcare team, and over time my encounters reaffirmed my decision to become a PA. As a medical assistant at a pulmonary clinic, I had the opportunity to work with a PA during my training. I witnessed them maneuver between autonomy and collaboration with an attending physician. I felt that while the PA had the attending physician to rely on, they could be more autonomous because of their hands-on training and clinical rotations during PA school. In my current MA role, I have had the chance to assist a couple of visiting PAs and inquire about their journeys. I decided that I want to learn from a PA educational model as it provides a better scope of medical knowledge and has the benefit of lateral mobility to explore a myriad of specialties as I have always seen myself as a lifelong learner.

    The road to becoming a PA has not been without challenges. As an immigrant daughter, I struggled with my academic aspirations and my responsibility to my family. As a result, I made judgment errors that led to my academic failure. In retrospect, that was the shock I needed to undergo to learn to manage my time, prioritize my duties, and avoid overextending myself. With some trial and error, I came to realize my full potential. From here, I established a strong, upward trajectory in my grades. The self-discipline I acquired allowed me to handle working full-time while taking five classes. As a reapplicant, I have gained additional quality healthcare experience as a MA, taken additional classes, shadowed, and volunteered which has prepared me to succeed in a rigorous PA program.

    I now realize my passions are greater than my fears. None of us is infallible. Alone I faced struggles, but with a support system, I prospered. I will carry my academic and healthcare experiences with me to succeed as a PA student. As a team, we can provide our patients with better and more comprehensive medical care. I desire to become better and improve the world through healthcare. After all, healthcare, like humanity, is linked.

    Reply
    • Whitney Prosperi says

      June 17, 2022 at 12:33 am

      Abyal,
      I can sense your desire to help patients throughout every section of your essay.
      I trust that you will become a PA who honors your grandmother’s life through every patient you interact with.
      I think you do a good job of explaining why the PA path is for you.
      If you have a patient care story that shows you in action connecting with a patient on a personal level, I would include that. You want to show some of the qualities that will make you a compassionate and effective PA.
      Also, spotlight any medical knowledge and clinical skills you have gained along the way.
      I wish you good luck, Abyal.

      Reply
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