The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative

Comments

1. Maya Kay Buhler says

   March 21, 2023 at 4:43 pm

   Hi! This will be my second cycle of applying; my first cycle I had 3 interviews out of 6 applications and was waitlisted for all 3 schools I interviewed for.

   Here’s my essay!

   When I had my first blood draw in 2005, I did not want stickers or toys as a reward. I craved Gatorade. My mother gave in to my request, and I chugged 32 ounces of Gatorade the second I got my hands on it. I recall the gravity of the situation when, on our drive home, a nurse called us and told us to turn around. When they retested my blood, my sugar was upwards of 1000. We could thank the Gatorade, and my newly diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes, for that. This story describes the first of my many personal experiences with the medical system. One of my biggest strengths as a Physician Assistant (PA) will be understanding what it’s like to be a patient. Additionally, I’m confident that becoming a PA is the right path for me because of my aptitude toward teamwork, volunteer experience, and clinical skills I’ve developed as a medical assistant (MA). As I continue my journey, I want to use my education to help underserved families and children in need.
   The first of my providers I connected with was a nurse practitioner. I loved working with her because she met me where I was at. She did not shame me, or tell me I needed to find the willpower to do better. She simply sat with me and listened to my frustrations, while still guiding me to take control of my health. She was the first provider to explain to me what hemoglobin A1C measured, which greatly increased my interest in my own disease. I aspire to communicate with patients the way she communicated with me. I kept seeing this provider into my late teenage years, and when I shared my PA aspirations with her, she told me I would make a great provider. This was all the fuel I needed to start my education and point myself toward the goal of becoming a PA.
   As I moved into college, I attended the University of Idaho for one year, and then Western Washington University for three years. At both schools I was on the track team. Being a student-athlete gave me a unique set of tools that I will continue to use for the rest of my life. One of those tools is the ability to work seamlessly with a team. I miss showing up to the track with friends that felt like family, all of us working tirelessly toward a common goal. When I shadowed a surgical PA, she told me her relationship with her team is saturated with a similar kind of teamwork. She described surgery as a coordinated dance with her supervising physician, always anticipating their next move and earning trust with each step she took. When I work in the Emergency Department (ED) as an MA, I experience a similar type of coordinated dance as I work with other members of the team. I am excited to lean into this teamwork more with physicians on the medical team.
   In my current work as an MA, I infuse a genuine feeling and relational aspect into my patient care. Being that I am commonly on the other side of the patient-provider interaction, I am well aware that each patient is more than just what is in their chart. Taking the time to sit down, look someone in the eye, and learn what makes them human will always be important to me. I take great joy in learning about a patient’s grandkids, what their favorite coffee is, or how their recent soccer game went. Currently, as an MA, I use that information to make the patient feel more seen, welcomed and comfortable. In the future, I may be able to personalize a care plan around someone’s hobbies or work habits. Furthermore, this type of relationship deepens patient-provider trust, which is incredibly important for a successful patient outcome.
   Because of my volunteer experiences, I have found that I am especially fond of advocating for children. Five years ago, I connected with a foster support organization. They operate a house that temporarily cares for neglected children before they are placed in long term care. I was a volunteer there for about three years, and I have recently taken a paid position with them. Each child that is placed in the home leaves a different impact on me. I have combed out hair teeming with lice and bathed toddlers with burns on their back from child abuse. Exposure to these things made me yearn for healing for those kids, both physical and emotional. Also, I yearn for healing within their families. When I shadowed a pediatrician, I was able to put the importance of preventative care into context. The goal is to prevent the terrible situations that foster kids get thrown into. Giving families resources, or sometimes just an attentive ear, can change the trajectory of a little one’s childhood. Being a PA, I’d have the resources to play that role.
   Even though there are times in medicine when you can change lives, things don’t always end like a fairytale. Being an emblem of safety and support in the rough spots is the most fulfilling part of working in medicine. As a PA, I’d have the tools at my disposal to be that safety net. I’d be able to listen and give patients time to process their diagnoses, as well as connect them to their care. My skills have grown through my time as a patient, a student-athlete, in the clinic, and working with disadvantaged children. These experiences make me confident that I want to be a PA to be there for my patients, like others were there for my family and I in our times of need.

   Reply

   • Whitney Prosperi says

     March 22, 2023 at 11:59 am

     Maya Kay,
     I can sense your passion to help patients woven throughout your essay.
     I would suggest condensing where you can so that you can add in some other elements to your essay.
     Include some of the clinical skills you have gained throughout your experience.
     Also, I would share a patient care story that shows you in action providing clinical care of some kind while connecting with a patient on a personal level.
     I would also include more detail about your shadowing experience. Was there an interaction between PA/supervising physician or PA/patient that solidified your decision?
     Remember that we are taking essay submissions for our revision service should you want more help.
     I wish you good luck.

     Reply

2. Carlee says

   March 19, 2023 at 3:00 pm

   I grew up in a small town outside of Rochester, Minnesota. Most people associate Rochester with the infamous Mayo Clinic. With both of my parents being active members of the health care team at the clinic I have always been exposed to the world of medicine. I knew from an early age that my path would lead me into medicine. I just wasn’t sure of how.
   I started volunteering at Mayo Clinic at the age of 15 and got my first healthcare job at the age of 17 with my CNA license. This led me to becoming a direct support professional at a local group home for those with disabilities. I started during the first few months of Covid-19, I remember being overwhelmed at first. But, I quickly came to love my job and looked forward to going to work and assisting the individuals. JoAnna, one of the individuals within the home came down with Covid-19 a few months after I had begun working. JoAnna had survived Covid-19 but after returning from the hospital, she started experiencing signs of C. diff. I was one of three support staff who assisted with JoAnna and worked with her frequently. Upon onset of symptoms we reached out to our nursing staff and expressed concern. These concerns were pushed to the side for weeks, until she got worse. JoAnna was taken to Mayo Clinic were she was admitted for dehydration and was given an IV and later sent home. Doctor’s sent her home with no real diagnosis or solution. The symptoms continued and us support staff continued to advocate for JoAnna, she did not have the ability to speak but her body language was telling us enough. Nurses once again took her to the hospital, but this time I attended. I sat in on the appointment where our nurse minimized our concerns, so I spoke up. I advocated for JoAnna when no one else would. The doctor took what the nurse said, but ran more tests after my testimony. JoAnna was sent home, and passed away a few days later. In the end, her test results showed C. Diff, which was never properly treated and thus caused her death. This experience showed me the flaws that are within the medical system. I am not naive enough to believe that I can fix the system, but if I can treat and diagnose patients in a way where people like JoAnna are advocated for, then I want to try. This was when I knew I wanted to be a physician assistant.
   I had first learned about the physician assistant career from my father. He worked side by side with several in the Emergency Department and mentioned it to me, knowing I was passionate about the medical field. I shadowed one and fell in love with the profession. Their ability to diagnose, treat, and work with all members of the health care team is what stood out most to me. I knew from this experience that I wanted to be an advanced practice provider, but also be able to work in a variety of settings and being a physician assistant would allow me to do that. I have since then shadowed various physician assistants, and each time I am more sure of my path. The wide range of patient care they are able to provide, the collaborative work they do, and the impact they can have on patients are just a few of the reasons I want to be a physician assistant over any other profession.
   Leadership and service have played a big role in my life. I strive to be an active member of my community and head several organizations within my college campus. Helping others in whatever ways I can has always been my passion. Volunteering in hospitals, my work in AmeriCorps, and medical volunteer trips have allowed me to combine my passion for medicine and helping others. Among, becoming a physican assiatnt (PA), I have have the goal of serving in the U.S Navy as a PA. Not only would this opportunity allow me to focus on schooling without the worry of financial aide but also to serve my country and continue to help others in a unique way and still do what I love, which is medicine.
   In the end, there are an immeasurable amount of moments that I have experienced within both patient care and life that have solidified my career choice. I am only twenty years old but I have experienced much more than others at my age. I will be a three year college graduate and have over three years of various healthcare experiences under my belt. I have worked in a variety of health care settings and have recently traveled to Tanzania to work in a community hospital. Through all these people, places, and experiences my goals have been the same. To advocate for those who can’t and to help as many people as I can. Becoming a physician assistant will help me to further exceed these goals for myself.

   Reply

   • Whitney Prosperi says

     March 22, 2023 at 11:45 am

     Carlee,
     Your story about Joanna shows your passion for helping patients. I do wonder if you would want to soften the language a bit here, so it does not appear you are being critical of coworkers. I realize this is a sensitive topic, but softening this somewhat may be wise.
     I would also include some of the clinical skills you have gained throughout your experience. Include some details about what your work in Tanzania entailed.
     Also, elaborate some on your shadowing experience. Was there a particular interaction that solidified your decision?
     I wish you good luck, Carlee.
     Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.

     Reply

3. Kate Craven says

   March 16, 2023 at 7:48 am

   Hello! I would really appreciate some feedback on my personal statement, I have been working on it for a while.

   Finding the passion for working in healthcare came to me at a relatively young age. I have connected more to the branches of mathematics and science since my elementary education. I particularly enjoyed applying objective facts in both subjects to achieve answers. Whether it was solving an algebraic equation or listing the cranial nerves, I have always enjoyed a puzzle with a definite solution.

   These puzzle-solving abilities were of assistance when applying to college. Being a first-generation healthcare professional, I took the initiative and conducted my research into the plethora of medical professions that are available. I then discovered the Medical Diagnostics (Pre-PA) degree from the University of Delaware. Captivation is the only appropriate word to describe the feeling I had. I learned the responsibilities of a PA are vast while still having ample face-to-face contact with patients. Due to my lack of information when initially applying to university, I made it a point to try and understand the entirety of the healthcare system by the time I attended PA school.

   To recognize how the healthcare system functions, I wanted to know what it was like before, during, and after a patient’s treatment. First, I began to volunteer in 2021 for my local ambulance corps. Being from a small town with several vital community aspects underfunded, volunteers were responsible for immediate assistance or quick hospital transportation. The EMTs were happy to educate each observer so we could be more involved with each call. Toward the end of my volunteer hours, I could assess, communicate, and immediately treat all patients with little to no assistance. Where patients needed immediate treatment, I learned to think on my feet and be aware of my surroundings to operate as quickly as possible. During transportation calls, I would soothe the patient before sending them with one of the healthcare professionals on duty. While the times I spent with the hospital staff were brief, these small interactions propelled me to continue my quest to understand the functionality of the healthcare system.

   I became a Medical Assistant at Kayal Orthopedics to comprehend what happens during care. I mainly operated under one physician assistant, Joel. One patient that provided much insight was Daniel. Daniel was a quiet new patient, and when he spoke, he had a severe stutter. He clarified that he had visited other facilities and did not receive the expected treatment. Knowing this, I took my time with him, letting him explain each symptom. I gathered all the relevant information I could think of and presented it to Joel. After diagnostic imaging, Joel presented the case to Daniel, allowing me to observe. Joel has always made it a point to avoid using medical jargon during his explanations to patients. I could tell this was effective as Daniel nodded after each sentence. After receiving all the information, Daniel looked at Joel and me directly and thanked us. After that, the soft-spoken individual I had met just a few minutes ago sat up straight and had a boost of confidence. “Okay, so what’s next?” He stated without a single stutter. The boost of confidence prepared him for treatment, and the trust he built with us from that first interaction lasted throughout his entire medical care. I hope to educate my patients on their conditions, turning their vulnerability into confidence, ultimately promoting healing.

   I couldn’t help but be curious about what happens to people like Daniel after they leave the first treatment center. Working as a chiropractic assistant gave me more insight than I ever expected. Being unfairly recognized as a “pseudo-science,” people often do not take chiropractors’ work seriously. However, they are a crucial component in the aftercare portion of medicine. Dr. Patel operates a one-physician chiropractic office. This intimate setting allows her to create a customized care plan catering to a patient’s needs. I saw how Dr. Patel built relationships with each of her patients, offering them a sense of comfort in an otherwise potentially grueling process. Building a relationship and providing ease of mind directly translates to how the body heals.

   I plan to implement Joel and Dr. Patel’s ideals in my future career as a physician assistant. Learning from each different phase of healthcare has provided me with so much information. I am looking forward to building on that information during PA school. I will be a successful PA with the proper education and my innate puzzle-solving ability.

   Reply

   • Whitney Prosperi says

     March 22, 2023 at 11:34 am

     Kate,
     You are off to a good start. Your story about Daniel showed your patience and ability to make a patient feel seen and valued.
     If you have any official shadowing experience, I would include that. Describe an interaction between PA/patient or PA/supervising physician that helped solidify you decision.
     You may want to include some more aspects of what appeals to you about the PA profession. (ability to expand care to underserved populations or the chance to switch specialties)
     Also, include any clinical skills you have gained throughout your experience.
     Should you need more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. I wish you good luck, Kate.

     Reply

4. Mimi says

   March 13, 2023 at 4:28 pm

   Hello! I have been working on my personal statement for about 2 weeks now and feel like I am getting close to a final draft, but need help nailing out some details.

   To many, Myanmar is an unfamiliar country. To me, it is my home and where my grandfather tragically passed away due to wrongful medication administration, leaving him alone in his final moments. In 2001, my family and I left Myanmar to pursue the American dream. Even in a first-world country, health disparities continued to plague my family. The grim reality of health disparities hit me at age 15 when I watched my aunt lose her battle with chronic hepatitis C in the Kaiser ICU. When my mother’s dormant hepatitis C became active one year later, I became restless. What could I possibly do to make a difference? I began accompanying my mother to appointments, where I became increasingly curious about the complexities of medicine and the intricacies of the human body. Driven by my desire to make a difference, I embarked on a journey to earn a degree in public health. Eventually, three experiences solidified my choice to become a physician assistant (PA): shadowing a PA, my time as a scribe in the Stanford Clinical Observation and Medical Transcription Fellowship (COMET), and working as a medical assistant (MA) in cardiology.
   Shadowing Sharon, a PA at Stanford Radiation Oncology clinic, was an unexpectedly inspiring experience. Before this, I had heard of PAs but had yet to understand their role in a healthcare team. Witnessing her expertise and professionalism in action, I was captivated. I stood in awe of Sharon’s every move in the operating room as she methodically prepped a frail 75-year-old Chinese man with stage 1 prostate cancer for his first round of brachytherapy. I admired how the collaborating physician and Sharon worked together like a well-conducted duet. Despite the 12-hour day, Sharon displayed kindness and efficiency while seeing patients, meeting with other providers, performing procedures, or giving orders. This particular moment served as a catalyst for me to delve deeper into the PA profession. Eager to learn more, I shadowed three more PAs in express care, cardiology, and family medicine. My love for medicine was broad, and I was eager to study multiple medical specialties. Shadowing reaffirmed my career objectives aligned with this profession.
   During my two years of direct patient care, countless inspiring moments have cemented my career choice. As the sole Burmese-speaking COMET scribe, I conducted advance care planning discussions with several Burmese-speaking patients in primary care. I recall one patient who refrained from submitting an advanced directive for 50 years due to the need for language-congruent providers. She expressed her gratitude with tears at the end of our discussion. Witnessing such a profound impact on a patient deeply moved me. Culturally competent care is a vital aspect of meeting the need of diverse populations. As a future PA, I am committed to bridging language barrier care gaps by honing this crucial skill as a trilingual provider.
   Providing compassionate care has been my guiding principle as an MA in an underserved area of San Jose. It is said that “A single act of kindness creates an endless ripple.” Thus, I strive to establish a connection and understand each patient’s background to provide the best possible care. For two years, I have found purpose in explaining medical procedures, tests, medications, and follow-up plans to patients. Nothing compares to the satisfaction of improving a patient’s life, and I wish to dedicate my life to this purpose. However, I aim to have a bigger impact by advancing my training. As a PA, I plan to continue providing compassionate care while diagnosing and treating patients and making critical medical decisions.
   As a first-generation Burmese American and the first member of my family to obtain a graduate degree, I overcommitted myself to a rigorous course load, extracurricular activities, and a job during undergrad. The pressure to succeed and relieve my family’s financial strain became a lot to bear as a teenager. Consequently, anxiety crept in, affecting my academic performance. Initially, I coped with binge eating but soon realized it was not sustainable, so I sought guidance from advisors and health professionals. In the following semesters, I reduced my course load to prioritize my mental and physical well-being. Since then, my academic performance has consistently trended upward. In preparation for admission to PA school, I have displayed the ability to succeed professionally and personally while managing two jobs, volunteering on the weekends, actively participating in research, and completing several prerequisite courses with As.
   Shadowing, scribing in primary care, and working as an MA have made me passionate and eager to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals from all walks of life. Given the opportunity, I will uphold the responsibilities of a PA by providing high-quality care, regardless of one’s background or circumstances, and narrowing the divide in healthcare disparities.

   Reply

   • Whitney Prosperi says

     March 18, 2023 at 11:00 am

     Mimi,
     Your desire to alleviate suffering comes through every paragraph of your essay.
     I would suggest adding more detail in your patient care story. You may want to give the patient a name and also add more actions that reveal some of the qualities you possess that will make you a compassionate and effective PA.
     Also, elaborate on some of the clinical skills and medical experience you have gained throughout your work.
     I would also add in some more detail about what exactly about the PA profession appeals to you.
     Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
     I wish you good luck, Mimi.

     Reply

5. Tsega Haileyes says

   March 6, 2023 at 7:10 pm

   There is always a place where everybody belongs and where they call home. My home was Asmara, Eritrea, where I felt sheltered and protected. It was also a place where I got sick often. My childhood was wonderful, but most of it was spent going to clinics and hospitals due to a certain sickness I endured. Eritrea is a developing country and was not gifted with the luxury of a well-developed healthcare system. Despite the circumstances, I was fortunate enough to have had caring and compassionate healthcare workers taking care of me during those hard times. No matter what the working conditions were, the doctors and nurses delivered their best care and bedside manner to their patients. It made me realize the importance of having a comforting and compassionate provider, and that I too hoped to have that same impact on a patient’s life someday.
   A few years later, I immigrated to America with my family. Although transitioning from one country to another was a difficult experience, I was motivated by my dream to one day work in the healthcare field. I dedicated myself to participating in school organizations throughout the years, through which I learned more about different healthcare professions. It was not until I joined the Pre-Physician Assistant Society in college that I gained a greater insight into the role of a physician assistant. This organization allowed me to partake in trips to visit different PA programs, through which I learned useful and engaging information about the PA profession. I also had the opportunity to meet physician assistants who shared their professional journeys. What intrigued me the most was how much PAs appreciated the flexibility of their jobs. The idea of working in different contexts within healthcare and learning different specialties further inspired me to explore and expand my knowledge of the PA profession. As I learned more about the profession, I became more confident that this was the career I wanted to pursue.

   Furthermore, I had the opportunity to shadow two different pediatric physician assistants, which was an amazing experience that offered me a better understanding of what a PA’s role entails. It gave me insight into how PAs interact with other healthcare providers and the respect they are able to earn. I was also able to witness the relationship between the PA and their supervising physician and how important communication was between them. I was fortunate enough to have a PA that involved me in their patient care and allowed me to participate in the process of caring for the patients. I gained medical knowledge as well as learned how to approach patients with different backgrounds and circumstances. I learned to also handle stressful situations by witnessing the PA accommodate and communicate with their patients. One of the intriguing parts of my shadowing was observing what a typical surgery day looked like for a PA. Observing the physician assistant communicate and work alongside other healthcare providers during surgery was interesting to see. Moments that stuck with me were when I saw families coming in worried and distressed about their child’s health issues and leaving the clinic with huge smiles plastered on their faces. During my time shadowing, I had the chance to witness a PA student progress through their clinical rotation. Observing them and seeing them learn from the supervising PA was also an inspiring experience for me.

   Volunteering at a hospital during the pandemic was also an eye-opening experience. I was able to witness the essential role of healthcare workers when attending to patients’ basic needs. Being able to make patients smile by interacting with them during their hardest times was a warm experience that made my volunteering worthwhile. I was also blessed enough to work as an ophthalmic technician and scribe. I was able to gain patient care experience while also learning and growing within the job. This position further allowed me to develop relationships with physicians and gain insight into different types of bedside manners.
   My eagerness to be a physician assistant continues to grow, as I envision my younger self back in Eritrea. The little girl, who was inspired to be in the medical field because of the compassion and empathy shown towards her while she was sick, is willing to do just the same for those in her care. I hope to one day provide for and serve the underserved community in Eritrea and in other disadvantaged countries around the world. I hope to earn the opportunity to learn, grow, and become one of the brightest physician assistants to complete your program.

   Reply

   • Whitney Prosperi says

     March 8, 2023 at 11:23 am

     Tsega,
     You are off to a good start.
     I would suggest elaborating on your clinical experience. Spotlight some of the clinical skills and medical knowledge you gained in your jobs.
     Also, I would include a patient care story. You want to show yourself in action providing clinical care of some kind while connecting with a patient on a personal level. You want to show some of those attributes you possess that will make you an effective PA.
     Should you want more help remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
     Good luck, Tsega.

     Reply

6. Riley says

   February 28, 2023 at 4:25 am

   Here is my personal statement. Let me know what you think!
   On a warm, sunny day in August, I was at daycare with my friends, and we were playing outside like we always did after lunch. The inner daredevil in me tried to hang from the monkey bars upside down. My legs didn’t have the strength to hold me up and before I knew it, I was lying flat on the ground, crying in agonizing pain. My mom was called and rushed me to urgent care as I had suffered an injury to my arm. My 10-year-old self was horrified, thinking they would have to cut my arm off. At the urgent care facility, the healthcare provider was quick to recognize my fear, immediately trying to comfort me and assure me that everything was going to be just fine. This interaction played a significant role in sparking my interest in the field of healthcare and as I grew older, I knew that pursuing a career as a Physician Assistant (PA) would allow me to fulfill my aspirations.
   Trying to immerse myself in medicine, I began working as a Patient Care Technician. This allowed me to work hands-on with a diverse group of patients, teaching me how to effectively communicate with them and other staff. I got to see cases of all types, from broken backs to severe head trauma. Getting to talk to these patients gave me an insight on how debilitating their severe injuries were to everyday life, teaching me how to become more compassionate and empathetic with them. On one occasion, I had been assigned to a patient who had suffered severe brain damage after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. His mother visited frequently and was emotionally distressed, worried that her son would not make a full recovery. I did my best to comfort her so she would feel supported during this troubling time. After some time, her son recovered, and she extended her gratitude towards me and the care I offered to them. This time I was able to be the one providing comfort to someone in need. I have found that PAs have a greater focus on direct patient care, allowing them to build strong patient-provider relationships with everyone they treat. I want to be the provider that can spend more time with patients, comforting them like the healthcare provider did for me many years ago. This, along with a balance of collaboration and autonomy, make it clear that being a PA is what I want to do.
   ​Exploring the medical field through shadowing allowed me to further understand the crucial role of a PA on a healthcare team. The PA worked independently for a majority of the shift while also getting to collaborate with the supervising physician. This allowed the PA to make a well-rounded diagnosis and take on a multidisciplinary approach. From shadowing both PAs and MDs, I have witnessed first-hand how well both practitioners work together to deliver the best patient care possible. The PA role, however, I believe better aligns with my interests. The PAs I observed treated their patients in a similar manner to the MD but had more time with the patient to educate them and address their concerns. This type of patient engagement is what drives me to want to become a PA. I also like that there is always someone available to collaborate with and ask questions if needed. From my shadowing I realized that the patient receives the greatest benefit when providers work together. I have always enjoyed being a team player, and as a PA I would be able to work with others to give patients the best treatment possible, leading to an improved experience and better outcomes.
   My variety of experiences have helped me develop essential skills for the PA career. As a tutor, I have obtained leadership skills that allow me to effectively communicate with others and educate them on specific topics to help them excel in school. As a chair member in my school’s Helping Everyone Reach Optimal Health club, I am responsible for holding events and educating students about the importance of maintaining proper physical and mental health. From this I have learned how to further develop my leadership and communication skills, both of which are crucial in the PA role. Being a mentor for local underserved youth allowed me to positively impact the lives of others. I help them with everyday problems, from school to their home life. I also get to take them out for various activities, such as bowling or going to a movie. I hope to be able to continually make a positive impact on others. As a PA, I would be able to do that by treating and educating patients when they need it most. Many different volunteering opportunities, such as serving at food banks, my church, and The Banquet where we distribute warm meals to the homeless has helped expose me to people of all ethnicities and backgrounds, enriching my understanding of the world we live in. My mentoring and volunteering experiences have strengthened my desire to support vulnerable populations. PAs play a vital role in bridging the gap in healthcare, providing service to patients of all types. I want to be a PA because it would allow me to reduce those gaps and help underserved groups where healthcare is needed most.
   ​From the 10-year-old boy that broke his arm up until now, I have had many different experiences that have honed my communication and teamwork skills, as well as the ability to work with patients of all backgrounds. After much due diligence, engaging in different jobs, volunteering opportunities, and shadowing different healthcare careers, it has been made clear being a PA would be the ultimate fulfillment for me. Getting to provide direct patient care and education, establish strong connections with a team, and work collaboratively with others is what I want to do, and becoming a PA would allow me to do all of that and much more. With the constantly changing medical field, PAs are life-long learners and I look forward to continually being able to further my education in healthcare. I believe this career would allow me to capitalize on all the strengths and skills I have developed to be an exemplary PA, now I just need you to give me the chance to prove it!

   Reply

   • Whitney Prosperi says

     March 3, 2023 at 8:54 am

     Riley,
     Your passion to connect with patients and collaborate with a team are evident throughout your essay. You do a good job of showing what about the PA profession speaks to you.
     I suggest spotlighting any clinical skills and work experience you have gained along the way. You want to show how these roles have set you up to take the next step along your journey.
     Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
     Good luck, Riley!

     Reply

7. Jasmine says

   February 18, 2023 at 11:37 pm

   Almost seven years ago and I still remember the day as if it happened yesterday. Every Friday night after work my mother would make her way to the grocery store whether it was to pick up a few things or go a full grocery shopping.One Friday night my mother made her regularly grocery trip, upon her arrival home she looked the same as you did any other day. It was not until she made it half way into the kitchen did she end up flat on her face. My brother ran to my unresponsive mother as I dialed nine one one all while running up the stairs to inform my father on what was going on. Shortly after she was rushed to the emergency department my family and I received a call from my father informing us that she was bleeding in her brain and was being rushed to Hartford Hospital to have surgery.I have never been more scared and confused in my life than I was in that moment. I had so much questions, Did the bleeding happen because of the fall? am I going to lose my mother? Will she be the same after having brain surgery? I soon learned that my mother had a ruptured brain aneurysm. For two weeks after her surgery my mother was in a coma and spent a total of two months in the hospital. My father would spend all day at the hospital then make his way home to pick my sibling and I up after school then drive another forty five minutes back to the hospital. Being in the hospital for many hours for two months watching day in and day out the many healthcare worked that came together as a team and helped nurture my mother back to life is what sparked my interest in the healthcare field.
   After spending two months in the hospital, I knew that working in a collaborative environment to improve and provide adequate patient care was something I could see myself doing for years. Junior year my high school was offering a certified nurse assistant course for seniors only, so I registered for the course to get my foot into the healthcare field. It was not until my sophomore year of college after many meetings with my advisor and research of my own did I decided on physician assistant. As a physician assistant I am given the opportunity for growth outside of clinical practice. Being able to do what I enjoy while still having time for myself is what I know is best for me, allowing me to pour into myself so that I can be a better provider for my patients and a better worker for my team. Physician assist allows for independency when it comes to treating and caring for patients while still having the collaborative aspect to the job, the best of both world. Pa school also allows me to gain my education at a much lower cost.
   Being a caregiver, certified nursing assistant, and a patient care tech has helped me become the type of provider I have always known I could become.. I have always been an introvert growing up but through years of experience I’ve learned how to communicate, adapt to many things going on all while being efficient, confident.. I enjoy building relationships with my patients, allowing them to be comfortable and know that they matter, their feelings matter, their concerns matter. Building relationships with my patients allows me to perform my job better because I listen to their needs, making sure that the right steps are taken to provide adequate care. Which brings me to an experience I will always remember. My second month being a patient care technician I was doing my rounds and noticed that my patient did not look too well. He looked very pale, sweaty, and only replied with sounds. I knew something was wrong, so I notified his nurse while staying at the bedside. I was quickly ordered to do an ekg which was my first one during an emergency with three other nurses in the room. Shortly after the ekg a code was called, with the help of respiratory, nurse supervisor, and the floor nurses they were able to get the situation under control. If I had just turned down the heat assuming that he was maybe just hot the situation could have ended differently but because I listened to my patient through his body language and my own judgment the situation was able to be handled before it got out of hands. Being a PCT has allowed me to work on my patience, in the hospital I come across many people, inmates, CIWA patients, impulsive patients, to name a few. Having patients of those sort has allowed me to not take anything personally from their behavior to the thing they say.
   My freshman year I transferred to a four year university. It was all so new to me and the advisor that I was given was no help. I had a full class schedule all will driving home ever weekend to work at my cna job. It was all getting too much but I kept on pushing causing me to fail a class for the first time ever. The following semester, spring twenty nineteen, I was still going home every weekend to work as a cna and to top it off I lost my best friend, my grandma, the same week of finals but yet again I kept on pushing. I know that physician assistant school requires intelligence, resistance, and determination to be successful in the program. I have no doubt that with my dedication and experience that I will be successful within this program. I hope that the discrepancies of my grade point average does not stop me from pressuring my career as a physician assistant.

   Reply

   • Whitney Prosperi says

     February 21, 2023 at 1:06 pm

     Jasmine,
     What an incredible story about your mother’s aneurysm and recovery.
     I can sense your desire to impact and help patients throughout their healing journeys. I would elaborate on a few more elements that appeal to you about the PA profession and also eliminate the language about more time to focus on yourself.
     Also, spotlight some of the clinical skills you have gained along the way.
     If you have any shadowing experience, include a paragraph about that as well. If there was an interaction between PA/patient or PA/supervising physician that solidified your decision, describe that.
     You are wise to include discussion about your grades, however, I would briefly address that without including the comment about your advisor not helping you. Then write a separate conclusion reiterating your desire to collaborate with a healthcare team to care for patients.
     I wish you good luck in the process, Jasmine.
     Remember that should you want more help, we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.

     Reply

8. Shelby says

   February 8, 2023 at 8:47 am

   Hello! I’ve been working on this essay for a bit and have gotten stuck so I would really appreciate some feedback. Thank you!

   It happened so fast. Before I could process what was happening, my frail grandpa was lying on the solid concrete. One day, as I played outside, my grandpa shuffled up and down the driveway to complete his daily walk. Suddenly, he tripped and fell to the ground, and I ran to him but felt helpless. When I was 9 years old, my grandpa received a diagnosis of lymphoma that later metastasized. As a result, he and my grandma moved into our home, so I took part in his intensive care and appointments. Through this, I gained insight into the medical field and saw the progression of stage IV cancer. These moments sparked my desire to pursue a medical career to help people like my grandpa.

   Although my family inspired me to work in healthcare, my devotion to helping others achieve wellness propels me. As a child, my family enjoyed a Christmas tradition every year. We volunteered at a toy drive and served breakfast to homeless families. Connecting with the community and seeing the children’s smiles fostered my advocacy for marginalized groups.

   In high school, I joined a health academy to study anatomy, medical terminology, and different healthcare pathways. At the time, I wanted to become a pediatrician, so I pursued a pre-med degree and worked at a childcare center. Since I moved away from home for college, I had difficulty adjusting to being without my family. In response, I overcommitted myself to multiple jobs, volunteering, and leadership positions. By spreading myself quite thin and not managing my time well, there was a corresponding dip in my grades. Upon focusing on my mental health and effective study methods, I improved my grades and continued my other commitments. These recent grades show the type of student I am and my commitment to pursuing the PA profession.

   After a lull due to the pandemic, I volunteered at a blood donation site and physical therapy clinic for cancer patients. In the PT clinic, I observed and assisted therapists during treatments. Through this, I gained experience caring for diverse populations and people with cancer.

   I first learned about a PA when visiting my primary care office for an illness. The PA evaluated my symptoms, diagnosed me, and prescribed medication there. Immediately intrigued by this newly discovered position, I began researching. After learning about a PA’s flexibility and focus on patient care, I decided that the role was perfect for me.

   Working as an MA in an HIV/Infectious Disease clinic further reinforced my desire to become a PA. Currently, I work with a plethora of diverse patients, many of whom are homeless, non-English speakers, or LGBTQ+. Throughout the day, I coordinate patient care among doctors, social workers, pharmacists, nurses, PAs, and researchers. Once a week, I assist an oncology surgeon with anoscopy and ablation procedures. Also, I have experience with pharmaceuticals, diagnostic and point-of-care tests, and phlebotomy. As I work understaffed in several public health emergencies, interacting with patients revives my desire to become a PA.

   While giving a COVID booster to an elderly patient Kent, he expressed that he had lost his partner to COVID. He broke into tears, so I sat there consoling him and listening to him speak about his husband’s final days. Afterward, I helped him collect his HIV labs and fix his back brace. Before he left, he thanked me for taking the time to be there for him and letting him grieve. Connecting with Kent and providing a sense of comfort for him was fulfilling.

   Shadowing infectious disease, orthopedic trauma, polytrauma, and medical ICU settings gave me insight into the lateral mobility of the PA profession. On my first day observing a PA named Alison, we examined a prisoner with an amputation due to a preventable infection. Handcuffed to his hips and surrounded by three officers, he expressed frustration over his previous care. While assessing his wounds, Alison listened and validated his concerns. Alison exemplified everything that draws me to being a PA: working with doctors, interpreting lab results, assessing injuries, prescribing antibiotics, and connecting with the patient. That moment further motivated me to become a PA to help patients like him who deserve equal treatment regardless of their situation.

   Through my experiences growing up and working in healthcare, I remember why I’m striving to be a PA. Since that fateful day with my grandpa and my exposure to medicine through him, I’m driven to become a PA and positively impact healthcare. My passion is to help people and advocate for those unable to speak up for themselves. With a broader scope of practice, I will pursue my passions more significantly and use my lateral mobility to ease labor shortages.

   Reply

   • Whitney Prosperi says

     February 10, 2023 at 11:59 am

     Shelby,
     You do a good job of showing your commitment to expanding care to underserved populations. Also, your shadowing paragraph is effective at explaining what draws you to the PA profession. I think you are wise to address your grades, but you may want to move this to the paragraph before your conclusion. Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. I wish you good luck, Shelby!

     Reply

9. Destiny Lewis says

   February 6, 2023 at 12:49 pm

   Personal Statement
   Why do I want to be a physician assistant? I would love to say that it was expected of me and that both of my parents are in the healthcare field. But that is not my story. I am from a rural town in South Carolina and both of my parents have a high school education. I have had the desire to care for people since I was five years old. I had the desire to help those who couldn’t help themselves. That desire took form as I went through school. My goal as a teenager was to be Army medic and eventually an Army nurse. Although my military career did not lead me there, it did however lead me here. As the years passed, the path changed but the goal did not. Living in the South, I lived through the 2015 100yr flood. I was able to help those in need, with the military and it served as a reminder of my goals and aspirations. Over the pass few years, I have been blessed to have the opportunity to work with many talented healthcare providers, including a number of physician assistants. I yearn to be able to give back and help those in my community. Although there are a number of ways to give back and help those that need it. But my path, although not perfect and straight, has helped to mold and equip me, for my future. Having gone through failures and difficult times, makes this goal so much more valuable and precious. So in short, my “why” is simple. I want to help others. I want to be able to be able to make an impact in their lives. I want to be able help make the concern and issue of access to quality care, a distant memory.

   Reply

   • Whitney Prosperi says

     February 7, 2023 at 10:00 am

     Destiny,
     First of all, thank you for your service.
     I admire your desire to serve your community. I would suggest adding in more details as to what exactly appeals to you about the PA profession. Is it the ability to switch specialties? More time/contact with patients? The opportunity to expand access to care?
     I would also elaborate on what you have witnessed in working with PAs that solidified your decision to pursue this path.
     Also, you will want to include any work experience or clinical skills you have gained.
     Should you need more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. I wish you good luck, Destiny.

     Reply