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Single Edit One-on-one Service Supplemental Essays
Your success is our passion. (See just some of our 100's of testimonials and comments below). We are ready to help. Our current PA school essay editing service status (18th April 2024): Accepting New Submissions
(Photo: Me circa 1987, just thinking about my future PA School Essay)
- Are you struggling to write your physician assistant personal statement?
- Are you out of ideas, or just need a second opinion?
- Do you want an essay that expresses who you truly are and grabs the reader's attention in the required 5,000-character limit?
We are here to help perfect your PA school essay
I have written countless times on this blog about the importance of your personal statement in the PA school application process. Beyond the well-established metrics (GPA, HCE/PCE hours, requisite coursework, etc.), the personal statement is the most crucial aspect of your application.
This is your time to express yourself, show your creativity, skills, and background, and make a memorable impression in seconds. This will be your only chance, so you must get it right the first time.
For some time, I had been dreaming about starting a physician assistant personal statement collaborative.
A place where PA school applicants like yourself can post their PA school essays and receive honest, constructive feedback followed by an acceptance letter to the PA school of your choice!
I have been reviewing a ton of essays recently, so many in fact that I can no longer do this on my own.
To solve this problem, I have assembled a team of professional writers, editors, and PA school admissions specialists who worked to revise and perfect my PA school application essay.
Beth Eakman has taught college writing and worked as a professional writer and editor since the late 1990s. Her projects have involved a wide range of disciplines and media, from editing technical reports to scriptwriting for the PBS Kids show Super Why! Her writing has appeared in publications including Brain, Child Magazine, New York Family Magazine, and Austin Family Magazine. Beth lives with her family just outside Austin, Texas. She is driven to help each client tell the best version of their story and achieve their dream of becoming a physician assistant.
Deanna Matzen is an author with articles featured in Earth Letter, Health Beats, Northwest Science & Technology, and the Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. With an early career in environmental science, she developed a solid foundation in technical writing. Her communication skills were further honed by producing and editing content for a non-profit website, blog, and quarterly journal. Inspired to extend her craft, she obtained a certificate in literary fiction, which she draws on to build vibrant scenes that bring stories to life. Deanna loves working with pre-PAs who are on the cusp of new beginnings to find their unique story and tell it confidently.
Carly Hallman is a professional writer and editor with a B.A. in English Writing and Rhetoric (summa cum laude) from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. She has worked as a curriculum developer, English teacher, and study abroad coordinator in Beijing, China, where she moved in 2011. In college, she was a Gilman Scholar and worked as a staff editor for her university's academic journal. Her first novel, Year of the Goose, was published in 2015, and her first memoir is forthcoming from Little A Books. Her essays and creative writing have appeared in The L.A. Review of Books, The Guardian, LitHub, and Identity Theory, among other publications.
Read more client testimonials or purchase a revision
We Work as a Team
Our team of professional editors is wonderful at cutting out the "fluff" that makes an essay lose focus and sets people over the 5,000-character limit. Their advice is always spot-on.
Sue, Sarah, and Carly are amazingly creative writers who will take your "ordinary" and turn it into entirely extraordinary.
I mean it when I say this service is one-of-a-kind! We have spent countless hours interviewing PA School admissions directors and faculty from across the country to find out exactly what it is they are looking for in your personal statement.
We even wrote a book about it.
To collaborate, we use Google Drive. Google Drive is free, has an intuitive interface with integrated live comments in the sidebar, the ability to have a real-time chat, to collaborate effortlessly, and to compare, revise, or restore revisions on the fly. Google Drive also has an excellent mobile app that will allow you to make edits on the go!
Our team has worked with hundreds of PA school applicants within the Google Drive environment, and we have had enormous success.
The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative
I have set up two options that I hope will offer everyone a chance to participate:
- One-of-a-kind, confidential, paid personal statement review service
- A collaborative, free one (in the comments section)
Private, One-On-One Personal Statement Review Service
If you are interested in the paid service, you may choose your plan below.
The Personal Statement Review Service is:
- Behind closed doors within a private, secure network using Google Drive.
- It is completely interactive, meaning we will be able to provide real-time comments and corrections using the Google Drive interface.
- Telephone consultations are included with all edits above the single edit level. It’s often hard to communicate exactly what you want hundreds of miles away; for this reason, we offer the option to edit right along with us over the telephone while sharing in real-time over Google Drive. This is an option available to all our paid clients who purchase above the single edit level.
- We provide both revision and editing of all essays. What’s the difference? See below
- We will provide feedback, advice, and help with brainstorming and topic creation if you would like.
- We will help with a “final touch-up” before the big day, just in case your essay needs a few minor changes.
Why Choose Our Service?
- It’s not our opinion that matters. We have gone the extra step and personally interviewed PA school administrators from across the US to find out exactly what they think makes a personal statement exceptional.
- We are a team of PAs and professional writers having worked over seven years with PA school applicants like yourself, providing countless hours of one-on-one editing and revision.
- Our clients receive interviews, and many go on to receive acceptance into their PA School of choice.
Because we always give 100%, we will open the essay collaborative for a limited number of applicants each month and then close this depending on the amount of editing that needs to be done and the time that is available.
Our goal is not quantity but quality. We want only serious applicants who are serious about getting into PA school.
Writing is not a tool like a piece of software but more like how a photograph can capture your mood. It’s more like art. The process of developing a unique, memorable personal statement is time-intensive, and it takes hours to compose, edit, finalize, and personalize an essay.
As Antoinette Bosco once said:
And this is why I am charging for this service. We love helping people find stories that define their lives, and we love helping individuals who have the passion to achieve their dreams. It’s hard to describe the feeling I get when an applicant writes back to tell me they were accepted into PA school.
There is no price tag I can place on this; it’s the feeling we get when we help another human being. It’s just like providing health care. But this takes time.
Interested? Choose your plan below.
Read more client testimonials.
Free Personal Statement Review
Post your essay in the comments section for a free critique
We want to make this opportunity available to everyone who would like help with their essay, and that is why we are offering free, limited feedback on the blog.
You post your essay in the comments section, and you will get our critique. It is that easy. We will try to give feedback to every single person who posts their COMPLETE essay here on this blog post in the comments section.
Also, by posting your comment, we reserve the right to use your essay.
We will provide feedback on essays that are complete and fit the CASPA requirements (View CASPA requirements here). We will not provide feedback on partial essays or review opening or closing statements. Your essay will be on a public platform, which has both its benefits and some obvious drawbacks. The feedback is limited, but we will try to help in any way we can.
Note: Comment Rules: Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That’s how we’re gonna be — cool. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, I will delete your stuff. Otherwise, have fun, and thanks for adding to the conversation! And this should go without saying: if you feel the need to plagiarize someone else’s content, you do not deserve to go to PA school.
* Also, depending on the time of year, it may take me several weeks to reply!
We love working with PA school applicants, but don't just take our word for it!
How to submit your essay for the paid service
If you are serious and would like to have real, focused, and personalized help writing your personal statement, please choose your level of service and submit your payment below.
After you have submitted your payment, you will be redirected to the submissions page, where you can send us your essay as well as any special instructions. We will contact you immediately upon receipt of your payment and essay so we may begin work right away.
Pricing is as follows:
Choose your plan, then click "Buy Now" to submit your essay, and we will get started right away!
Every purchase includes a FREE digital copy of our new 100-page eBook, How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement, Our 101 PA School Admission Essays e-book, the expert panel audiobook, and companion workbook. This is a $65 value included for free with your purchase.
All credit card payments are processed via PayPal over a secure HTTPS server. Once your payment is processed, you will be immediately redirected back to the essay submission page. There, you will submit your essay along with some biographical info and all suggestions or comments you choose to provide. You will receive immediate confirmation that your essay has been securely transmitted as well as your personal copy of "How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement." Contact [email protected] if you have any questions, comments, or problems - I am available 24/7.
The hourly service includes your original edit and one-on-one time over Google Drive. It is simple to add more time if necessary, but you may be surprised at what a difference just a single edit can make. We find our four-hour service to be the most effective in terms of time for follow-up and full collaboration. We are open to reduced-rate add-ons to suit your individual needs.
Writing and Revision
All writing benefits from rewriting when done well.
When you are in the process of writing a draft of an essay, you should be thinking first about revision, not editing.
What’s the difference?
Revision refers to the substantial changing of text. For example, it may include re-organizing ideas and paragraphs, providing additional examples or information, and rewriting a conclusion for clarity.
Editing, on the other hand, refers to correcting mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
On all submissions, we perform both revision and editing.
How to submit your PA school essay for the FREE editing service
Follow the rules above and get to work below in the comments section. I look forward to reading all your essay submissions.
- Stephen Pasquini PA-C
View all posts in this series
- How to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant School Application Essay
- The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative
- Do You Recognize These 7 Common Mistakes in Your Personal Statement?
- 7 Essays in 7 Days: PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 1, “A PA Changed My Life”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 2, “I Want to Move Towards the Forefront of Patient Care”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 3, “She Smiled, Said “Gracias!” and Gave me a Big Hug”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 4, “I Have Gained so Much Experience by Working With Patients”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 5, “Then Reach, my Son, and Lift Your People up With You”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 6, “That First Day in Surgery was the First Day of the Rest of my Life”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 7, “I Want to Take People From Dying to Living, I Want to Get Them Down From the Cliff.”
- Physician Assistant Personal Statement Workshop: “To say I was an accident-prone child is an understatement”
- 9 Simple Steps to Avoid Silly Spelling and Grammar Goofs in Your PA School Personel Statement
- 5 Tips to Get you Started on Your Personal Essay (and why you should do it now)
- How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement The Book!
- How to Write “Physician Assistant” The Definitive PA Grammar Guide
- 101 PA School Admissions Essays: The Book!
- 5 Things I’ve Learned Going Into My Fourth Physician Assistant Application Cycle
- 7 Tips for Addressing Shortcomings in Your PA School Personal Statement
- The #1 Mistake PRE-PAs Make on Their Personal Statement
- The Ultimate PA School Personal Statement Starter Kit
- The Ultimate Guide to CASPA Character and Space Limits
- 10 Questions Every PA School Personal Statement Must Answer
- 5 PA School Essays That Got These Pre-PAs Accepted Into PA School
- 7 Questions to Ask Yourself While Writing Your PA School Personal Statement
- 101 PA School Applicants Answer: What’s Your Greatest Strength?
- 12 Secrets to Writing an Irresistible PA School Personal Statement
- 7 Rules You Must Follow While Writing Your PA School Essay
- You Have 625 Words and 2.5 Minutes to Get Into PA School: Use Them Wisely
- What’s Your #1 Personal Statement Struggle?
- 31 (NEW) CASPA PA School Personal Statement Examples
- How to Prepare for Your PA School Interview Day Essay
- Should You Write Physician Associate or Physician Assistant on Your PA School Essay?
- Meet the World’s Sexiest PA School Applicants
- PA School Reapplicants: How to Rewrite Your PA School Essay for Guaranteed Success
- How to Write a Personal Statement Intro that Readers Want to Read
- PA School Reapplicant Personal Statement Checklist
- How to Deal with Bad News in Your Personal Statement
- Inside Out: How to use Pixar’s Rules of Storytelling to Improve your PA Personal Statement
- Ratatouille: A Pixar Recipe for PA School Personal Statement Success
- Personal Statement Panel Review (Replay)
- Mind Mapping: A Tool for Personal Statements, Supplemental Essays, and Interviews
- Start at the End: Advice for your PA School Personal Statement
Lauren says
My mother used to sing me the song “You are my Sunshine” each night before I went to bed. I imagine she had picked it with purpose. Not just a song, a melody, or a coo to calm me down but rather to instill in me compassion. The words soon became visible in my everyday life. “To make someone happy when skies are grey”. As I continued to grow, this desire to help and provide aid for those around me also grew. I continued to realize this was a quality I cherished. One that I knew I wanted to utilize in my future.
I was a junior in high school when I decided that this desire needed to be put into action. I was interning at a radiology office, shadowing an ultrasound technician at the time. The last patient of the day presented with a lump in her breast. A Physician Assistant came in to perform a biopsy. She assessed the patient with compassion, helping her feel at ease and spending as much time as needed with her. The reassuring grin never left her face as she placed an ultrasound probe over the abnormality, guided a biopsy needle directly into the mass, and extracted the tissue. This small procedure changed me. The idea that I could finally be the one saving a life with such calmness hardwired my brain. That moment I knew I wanted to be a Physician Assistant.
I attended college at San Jose State University to gain the knowledge to embrace my dream. I majored in Biological Science with a concentration in Systems Physiology and a minor in Chemistry. The course load of students studying biology consisted of long nights in the library, weekends full of studying, and going the extra mile to make sure I could apply the concepts I was learning. As the daughter of a brave veteran, I was entering this part of my life as a first-generation student. I could no longer run into her room with a bad dream and lay there as she sang me back to sleep but rather face these challenges on my own. This came with its own hidden struggles as I tried to adapt as quickly as others. It took me longer to adjust to college-level coursework but I continued to persevere, breaking the stigma. Through this, I learned the complexities of biology and our human body as well as the ramifications of our chemical and physical world. I became a woman full of dedication, resilience, critical thinking skills, and a love for learning.
I did not stop at just learning through my courses. I became a teacher’s assistant for an anatomy lecture and lab. Through this, I was able to aid young minds while providing encouraging words since not long before I was in their shoes. I found it easier and easier to share my love for science with those who had just begun their journey. There was one student who I will never forget. She had expressed her worry for the semester ahead. There was no doubt in my mind that as much as she worried, it meant she cared. I saw myself in her, a ray of sunshine to all. I helped her consistently throughout the lab and lecture ensuring she understood her potential. By the end of the course, she reached out to me and told me she had received an A, that she couldn’t have done it without me, and that I had instilled confidence in her. This touched my heart, I could empower individuals just like the Physician Associate empowered me. In my future as a Physician Assistant, I will continue to provide this to all those I come in contact with.
As I found myself navigating to pursue more hands-on experience with patients while in the midst of a pandemic, it was not an easy process. I became a sterilization technician and patient care assistant at a dentist’s office. I was able to ensure patients were provided with a positive experience by escorting them to their chairs, taking blood pressure as needed, and providing them with their associated plan for the visit. While also having the chance to work in the sterilization center ensuring that instruments, rooms, and trays were sterilized associated with the COVID guidelines. A place of care such as a dentist’s office or doctor’s office may not be the most comforting place for patients but I made sure they had a pleasant and well-attended visit. Through this, I enhanced my communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to multitask.
No one can take my sunshine away as I strive toward my future as a Physician Assistant. In my months as an intern, I would end each day filled with a ball of excitement. That nightly lullaby has grown into a passion and has driven me in more ways than one. As time never stops, neither could I. My goal required continuous effort. As a first-generation student in college, I persevered with the intention of being a Physician Assistant. By putting my intentions into action I learned the responsibilities of what being a great healthcare provider truly means.
Selene says
Hi Stephen, I would appreciate any feedback on my personal statement. I think what you do here is such incredible work!
I can still remember the pounding of my heart against my chest and the air growing thicker and harder to bring into my lungs. My hand shook as I spoke into the phone, communicating with the dispatcher as she helped me calm down so I would be able to speak coherently. She guided me through some breathing exercises, which to my own surprise seemed to help ease me enough to articulate my emergency. It was hard to keep it together when my dad was only a few streets away, with not the same luxury of being able to breathe as I did. I was terrified of what I would see when I opened the door. I remember his lips had begun to turn blue and his eyes were rolled far back in his head. Within seconds he was no longer responsive. I remember feeling so helpless because I didn’t know what to do to help him, although the paramedics were already there doing their job to bring him back. It was frustrating nonetheless– wanting to help but not knowing how and not being equipped with the skills and training to do so. This was the first of many experiences that immersed me into the world of medicine and health professions.
Throughout my experiences, I realized how fickle life was– my dad’s asthma attack was only one of many. My family and I were driving on the freeway on our way back from a California trip this past summer. Suddenly, we drove past a thick, hazy cloud of smoke that seemed to go on for miles. We knew nothing good could explain its presence. Once we reached the source, we realized what had happened. It was a very terrible automobile crash– there were two people on the ground, and someone that looked like a teenager yelling hysterically. Other people had stopped by to help and so had my family and I. When I ran towards them, it seemed almost out of instinct. My legs took me to the guy who seemed to be in the worst condition compared to the other two individuals. Someone was already on the phone with 9-1-1, and I found myself crouched down by an adolescent who sustained major injuries to his head and a small gash on his abdomen that was not bleeding profusely. He seemed to be coming in and out of consciousness. Along with a few other individuals, I stayed with the man, talking to him and making sure he had a stable pulse and that he was breathing until the paramedics arrived. I have never forgotten about that man. I often wonder if he made it or not, and wish I could know if he ended up being okay.
These emergencies solidified to me that my place is within the health professions. I wanted to do more in terms of being able to help others and upon this realization, I signed up for a Certified Nursing Assistant program offered at a community college while simultaneously being a full-time student at the University of Arizona during COVID. This in itself was a real challenge. I juggled taking a full schedule of undergraduate courses while taking my CNA classes on the weekends for about 10 hours each day. I also went ahead and got CPR certified– further equipping myself with the skills to prepare me for any future emergencies.
Aside from being able to perform life-saving procedures, it is also important for me to connect with others in such a manner that builds trust between me and my future patients. This is what made the physician assistant career so appealing to me– being able to spend more time with patients and being able to build meaningful relationships of trust that will ultimately allow for better treatment catered to each patient’s unique needs. Working as a CNA/caregiver at an assisted living and memory care facility helped me strengthen these abilities to connect with others, provide good bedside manner, and to bring a bit of positivity to others during some of the hardest and frustrating times in their lives. Despite my duties consisting of assisting residents with their activities of daily living, which primarily consisted of physical transfers, dressing, feeding, and showering, among other activities, I always wished to be able to do more. On occasion, I worked as a medication technician within the same company and was able to administer a variety of medications to residents according to their prescription. This gave me the opportunity to learn new skills and expose me to a different side of medicine I had not seen until then.
I also had the opportunity to shadow a few physicians and observed the collaboration that occurred within the operating room. I got to see firsthand the role the physician assistant played within a surgical operation, and it was very exhilarating. It was fascinating listening to the PA converse with the physician over the case– they were performing a cervical spine fusion and spinal decompression. The two walked through the operation together as they performed it. This showed me that I really appreciated the autonomy a PA has while simultaneously working in a team with other health professionals in order to provide the best well-rounded care for patients. Collaborative spaces where different professions work together towards a common goal, and where the learning is endless is the kind of environment I see myself working in.
Stepping into the next phase of my professional career, it is exciting to think about the many people I will impact and all the new knowledge I will absorb. As a PA, I will have the flexibility to work in a variety of specialties and healthcare settings, see patients from different walks of life and with different conditions, and will be able to make many meaningful connections that will only make me a better provider.
Elizabeth Ward says
Hippocrates once said, “The love for the art of medicine cannot exist without a love for humanity.”
My love for medicine presented itself during my middle school years, making trips with Ben to the Children’s Hospital. Ben was my best friend’s brother who had suffered a traumatic brain injury at the young age of 16. Ben went from a fully independent teenager to relying on those around him entirely for his care. During those hospital visits with Ben and his family I was exposed to how a healthcare team works together to plan out and execute a patient’s treatment plan. I watched Ben’s therapists and healthcare providers become a second family to his own. It was through my time with Ben that I was encouraged to become a professional in healthcare so that I could provide the support and care to a patient and their family during their hardest times.
While in college, wanting something more than the classic spring break on the beach, I decided to spend mine participating in service trips with underserved communities. In these communities, my perspective of the world was changed. I witnessed how poverty can seep into all aspects of an individual’s life. I listened as people explained their struggles, realizing that I had taken for granted what so many do not have; reliable access to food, medicine, transportation, and education. It was in working with these communities and seeing the appreciation they had, and the impact we were able to make, I discovered my love for humanity.
Following the end of my college experience, I made the decision to take a gap year so that I could grow my knowledge and skills in medicine. I obtained my emergency medical technician certification and began my work in a medically underserved urban area. When I began my career, I was completely naive to the healthcare disparities that exist in low income and minority communities. My eyes were first opened the night I responded to a call for difficulty breathing. My partner that night explained to me that the patient we were picking up was a regular who I didn’t need to take seriously because he always presented as stable. Sure enough, after performing a full assessment, Mr X did not show any obvious signs of respiratory distress. However, while waiting with Mr. X in the triage area, he explained to me with frustration that he felt discarded by the healthcare system. What he felt was real, yet his pleas for help were overlooked because of his label as a “regular”. After hearing what he had to say I felt a great sense of hopelessness. It didn’t matter what I was going to say in my report, Mr X. would not receive the full attention to his complaints that he deserved. Mr X. was eventually diagnosed with lung cancer. Because the area he lived in was medically underserved, and he could not afford to travel, he was never able to go to another facility to get a second opinion. He had found himself stuck in a loop with providers who would not advocate for him. Had he been taken seriously from his first complaint, it is likely that his diagnosis would’ve been discovered much sooner. My experience with Mr X was just one of many patient encounters where I witnessed how the lack of access to quality care and education impacts individuals and their health outcomes. My experiences have left me wanting to do more for my patients and their communities.
While deciding what career I wanted to pursue in medicine, I had the opportunity to shadow a physician assistant. Through my time with her, I saw the strong interpersonal relationships she was able to build with her patients. Without the additional demands that her overseeing physician took on, she was able to devote her time to strictly working with them. The trust she built with her patients made them listen to her, follow their treatment plans, and ultimately led to improvement of their prognosis. I knew then that I wanted to be a PA so that I could devote my time and passion to the care and education of my patients and their communities.
Working in EMS, I have been exposed to a wide-variety of diseases and conditions. On a daily basis I am challenged with new presentations where I must use critical thinking to determine proper treatment for my patients. Ongoing training through my job has helped me to refine my skills and make me more confident in my decisions when facing complex situations. Through this I have learned the importance of continuing education. The adaptability of the PA profession supports the constantly developing healthcare system in our country and creates a role that continues to uphold optimal patient care. I am attracted to the lateral mobility of the PA profession where I can continue to build my passion for medicine and develop a deeper knowledge in various medical fields.
While my experiences as an EMT have been valuable and rewarding, the long-term impact I am able to make in my patients’ lives is limited. When I transfer care at the hospital, my time with my patient’s end. Through observing firsthand the role of a PA in the healthcare system, my determination to pursue a career as PA has been strengthened. However, it is ultimately my commitment to the well-being of my patients, both those who I have cared for in the past and those who I will care for in the future, that have truly fueled my passion. I believe that the PA profession is one that truly exemplifies the hand holding of a love for humanity and a love for medicine. I want to be a PA so that I can be a provider for my patients that will advocate, educate, and treat them with confidence and compassion.
Whitney Prosperi says
Elizabeth,
Your essay reveals your desire to serve and elevate patients. I suggest elaborating on your clinical skills and medical knowledge gained as an EMT. You want to show how this role, as well as any others, has prepared you for a rigorous PA program.
Also, in your conclusion you may want to tie back in some way to your story about Ben in your introduction.
I’m not saying you need this, but should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
Best to you, Elizabeth.
Lidiya says
I was six months old when my parents received notice of an eligible American sponsor able to assist our family with refugee placement from Ukraine to the United States in 1990. The process had to move quickly, otherwise we would lose our place and it could be given to another family. My parents had to choose what items to keep and leave in our home within a week and travel with nine children to Israel for departure preparations to New York City. After settlement, my father worked multiple jobs and attended English language classes on the weekends to attempt teaching the very little broken English he knew to our expanding family. Eventually my family grew to fourteen children. Growing up was tough but it made me even tougher and prepared me to face challenges head on. My parents enabled essential tools that allowed not only survival but thriving conditions for our family. They exemplified tools of grit, endurance, and perseverance. With these essential tools, I was able to advance in the medical field as a radiologic technologist.
I first gained awareness of the physician associate (PA) profession during clinical rotations as a radiologic technology student 10 years ago. I discovered the necessary contribution that PAs performed in various hospital settings to outpatient clinics. Initially, I was taken by surprise at the high level of care that the position requires daily. I was unaware that reduction of dislocated extremities, wound suturing in the ER, bedside lumbar punctures in the ICU, or surgical biopsies could be conducted by a PA. As I stood back and visually absorbed the responsibilities of the PA role, the aspiration to become one flooded my thoughts and it began to shape my future medical career goals.
As my radiology career progressed, I was able to develop communication skills that help put patients at ease for needed x-rays, cat scans, interventional radiology, and vascular procedures. I grasped procedural techniques quickly to minimize radiation exposure to patients. I studied the physician’s motions throughout cases to anticipate their next step and hand supplies to them before it was even requested. I spent hours memorizing medical terminology and anatomy to comprehend patient conditions to better understand what they were physically going through. I wake up in the morning and truly love going to work, serving patients in complex cases, learning from the physicians, and enhancing my expertise.
With the growth of my skill set and knowledge, I found myself pulled to work very closely with the physicians, nursing practitioners (NPs), and PAs to provide maximum assistance needed for any procedure given at hand. This enabled undivided attention to intently observe how physicians and PAs performed procedures, developed diagnosis, and understand why and whether certain exams needed to be done to treat patients correctly. Experiencing the flow of teamwork between the physicians and the PAs was a beautiful merriment that just works successfully to treat individual patient needs for their health. This is why I want to become a PA; over the years I’ve continually been reminded of the integral link a PA holds between a physician and a patient. I crave to deepen my learning of this profession and hold this integral link to fill gaps where necessary and work alongside physicians to enhance support that patients require.
I started my undergraduate journey after a seven-year college gap as a full-time student while working full-time. As a wife and mother of two girls, the first semester back in school taught me how to rely on the essential tool of grit my father embedded in me as I grew up. I was able to find paths to establish an adjusted work-life-school balance and initiate new study habits that resulted in an upward trend in my grades. I don’t anticipate PA school to be easy by any means, but I’m determined I can successfully complete a rigorous program by leaning into the experience and good study habits I’ve accomplished during my undergraduate and radiology career.
Becoming a PA allows me to further my capabilities in assisting patients alongside physicians not only in interventional radiology but in any healthcare setting. The hospital can be a frightening setting for many patients, especially interventional radiology. Often patients don’t realize its similar to an operating room, when their eyes widen upon arrival my goal is to immediately make them feel comfortable and assure that collectively our team works to provide the utmost care. Patients open up and confide further concerns and ask for my professional opinion, I answer with the level my role allows for but refer questions to the PA or physician to answer. Once the procedure is complete, my current role as a technologist ends there and turnover for the next patient case starts. As a PA my desire is to continue care for patients, be able to answer concerns they have, proceed in follow-up care, and collaborate with physicians in setting a future treatment plan.
I’ve been fortunate to work with multiple vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists that invested a great deal of time teaching various concepts of patient care that prepared me for this next step. I’ve incorporated tools of grit to find paths to study successfully. I’ve implemented tools of endurance to never have any missed assignments even when working chaotic late night call ins for stroke, trauma, or internal bleeding cases. This pushes me to persevere in furthering my skills and capabilities into becoming a PA knowing that I’ve been equipped with the tools needed to serve patients with the care they deserve and require.
Whitney Prosperi says
Lidiya,
Indeed, you do reveal your fortitude throughout your essay. You also do a good job showing how your roles have prepared you to take the next step toward becoming a PA.
I suggest briefly elaborating on a patient interaction that shows you in action calming an anxious patient as you prepare them for a procedure. You want to reveal some of those skills that will make you an effective and compassionate PA.
Additionally, if you have any formal shadowing experience, describe that.
Should you like more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
I wish you good luck, Lidiya.
Mansi says
“Man-cee”, as the provider calls out, trying to ask a question. The patient presented with amenorrhea and Gujarati was her primary language. At the hospital where I was working, employees used an online translator called Crycom, but due to technical difficulties they had to shut down. As Gujarati is my second language, I had communicated with the patient asking all the necessary questions. Furthermore, the provider embraced my culture and I had the privilege to be a translator in order to plan a strategic treatment plan. I realized then and there, I wanted to step foot into medicine, not only to care for patients but influence the system as a whole. “Maun-cee”, as the provider correctly pronounces my name. I was greatly appreciated by the healthcare team and looked me in the eye and said, “you will be a great provider one day”.
It was not until sophomore year that I realized the importance of leadership, volunteering, shadowing and gaining patient care experience to acquire exposure in this growing field. My roles consisted of becoming captain of my dance team, serving as a global lion ambassador mentor, volunteering at a physical therapy clinic and working as a direct care worker. These were all baby steps I took to unleash the new me. I wanted to create a new identity for myself that started with giving back to others and growing as a professional.
It was an outpatient clinic when I met with a physician assistant in the Bladder and Pelvic Health. A 11 year old patient came back for a follow up from menorrhagia symptoms. I had the opportunity to sit down with the physician assistant and look at the patient’s ultrasound scans, which showed an ectopic pregnancy. I have to admit, I have never seen a young patient going through a pregnancy as such. Very thoroughly, the PA had explained what it meant, the prognosis, possible treatment plans~ most likely would be laparoscopic surgery, risk factors for the future and having an emotional support system at that very age. Before walking in the room, the PA explained with the given results, we have to help her through the pain and make the patient understand what is yet to come. I watched the PA as she demonstrated what to do. At the given moment, the patient looked worried and stressed, but the PA conveyed the results in the most comforting way possible. Her exceptional knowledge and professionalism, as well as her warmth and kindness towards the patient was what truly stood out to me. She became an epitome of a diligent worker and knew how to make a happy environment with that charming smile. While I have worked with Nurse Practitioners and Physicians, it was at that moment I decided on a career as a physician assistant.
Throughout my whole life, I have carried through different identities: Direct Care Worker, Patient Care Technician, Physical Therapy Aide and a Medical Assistant. Communication skills, strong worth ethic and working well under pressure are all attributes I have learned on the job. I enjoyed working in crisis situations through COVID where I realized I was appreciated for caring/serving the patients. I also enjoyed being the other set of ears when a new mother is going through a special milestone in her life. While I loved being a patient care technician, I also had interest in being a medical assistant. I tried out different fields because I was not sure if I wanted to just have one role. I wanted to forge relationships with a touch of every speciality, and I did just that.
It all comes down to, why PA? As a reapplicant I have learned the importance of growing, whether that means starting over. Through this journey, I had to work on myself and be truly convinced that this is what I want to do and without hesitation, it is. Working towards that goal meant retaking classes and utilizing my experiences as an embracement. The importance of personal responsibility, persistence, creativity, flexibility and passion are all life skills I have learned as a dance teacher and serving the community from these past couple of months. This is what inspires me to become a PA. Not only have I developed a level of autonomy which is vital in the PA role, but I have also become a skilled communicator with a patient-centered mindset. Becoming a PA will give me the opportunity to assess and help treat patients, to build a connection with patients, and to collaborate with medical professionals, patients, and families on a strategic care plan. As a future physician assistant, I commit to promoting wellness and compassionate patient care, while participating in life-long learning of medicine. I commit to a lifetime of learning about myself and others. Thus, I am ready for the next challenge. To be a future physician assistant.
Jessica says
Many kids dream of growing up to become doctors, movie stars, or even the president. As a child, I did not know physician assistants were a thing (the choices most kids are aware of are usually limited to doctor or nurse), but I did know very early on that I wanted to fight illness and help people. I spent much of my time between the ages of eight and ten watching my grandfather (and mentor) battle cancer. I saw how it transformed his strong, hard-working farmer’s physique into a frail skeletal echo of the “Papaw” I knew. It became my mission to help, however I could. Before my tenth birthday, I could change his I.V. bags, take his blood pressure, and was very familiar with his medicine and care schedule. The feeling of helplessness and wishing that I could do more as he lost his battle is my earliest memory of feeling as though I needed to wage war against illness and disease.
My healthcare journey began very humbly as a CNA on a “heavy lift” unit. I poured myself into caring for the many patients within the unit and learned valuable care skills, including bathing, feeding, turning, dressing, and charting. I looked forward to activity days and aiding with PT exercises, hoping to see improvement in many of my stroke patients. I loved the bonds we formed and listening to them relive their “glory days”. Despite these great experiences as an aide, I still felt helpless when it came to improving their health. The nursing side of medicine seemed more about comfort and less about healing, and I knew that I wanted to do more.
The first physician assistant I met was the initial spark in my pursuit to become a PA. I knew my friend worked at a hospital, but it was not until one evening of sharing Covid stories that his role truly came to light. He enlightened me to the depth of care a PA can provide and talked about the autonomy he had with patients. We discussed for hours everything he loved about his job, from the ability to go into specialty medicine to having enough time with his friends and family. The love he had for his job made me want to find out more. I began researching the role of physician assistants and shadowed different specialties to see first-hand what their daily duties entailed, as well as what each loved about their profession. What I found were other caring people who had that same drive to help others and the passion that made them love their career.
As I met more PAs, I noticed a shared empathy for people. Like them, my heart genuinely went out to those in need, driving this inner need to do something more. Discovering the depth of what the physician assistant profession felt like I had found my calling. As a lifelong academic, I certainly had the grades and love of medical science, but my experience in caring for people made PA the perfect choice for me. I am confident that these experiences, coupled with my passion for endurance sports, makes me suited for the rigors of the PA program and ultimately the demand of seeing several patients a day focusing for hours during surgical assists. Between running marathons and working while tackling 17 credit hours in a semester, I know I have the experience to endure both mental and physical challenges demanded of PA school.
My interest in becoming a physician assistant is a culmination of a lifetime of experience leading me toward a profession that feels as though it were more a calling than a career. Being a PA is more than working independently with patients (under a physician’s supervision). It is more than the ability to choose or change specialties. The physician assistant is this fabulous combination of patient compassion and medical training that can be there to empathize with those in need and have the ability to provide the necessary care to treat them. It is fulfilling that lifelong desire to help and to heal – a dream of which I wish to use to reach areas that might not have such easy access to healthcare. Growing up in a rural farming community, I know just how hard it can be to wait for an appointment to see the doctor, and I hope to be that aid for an area that is stretched thin on healthcare professionals.
Many people go through life with a feeling that they were meant for something more. Far fewer ever realize what that something is. Discovering the PA profession was that “a-ha” moment in my life that shouted from the rooftops “this is it”. From wishing I could do more to help as a child, to spending hours with stroke patients in long-term care, I knew there was something bigger I could do to help. Gaining the skills as a physician assistant will give new life to those dreams, and allow me to finally be the help for so many that I dreamed of being for so long.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
This is a strong personal statement. It successfully describes your desire and motivation to pursue the PA profession, beginning with a powerful narrative from your childhood and effectively showing your path towards understanding and wanting to be a part of the profession.
There are, however, a few suggestions for improving your statement:
1. Be Specific About Your Experiences: While you describe your experiences as a CNA and your interactions with PAs, you could provide more specific examples. Discuss particular instance(s) when you felt especially fulfilled or faced challenges in your role. This will provide a more vivid picture of your experiences and their impact on you.
2. Show More Than Tell: Avoid general statements like “I am confident that these experiences…makes me suited for the rigors of the PA program”. Instead, share experiences that clearly demonstrate these characteristics. Show the reader your suitability through your actions and experiences.
3. Make Clear Connections: There’s an excellent narrative thread about your desire to help others, but you should make the link between this desire and your decision to become a PA more explicit. Why does the PA profession allow you to address this desire more than any other medical profession? This is hinted at, but could be strengthened by clearly articulating the unique features of the PA profession that are aligned with your goals.
As for the character count, it is approximately 4300 characters long.
Remember that the personal statement is an opportunity to show the admissions committee why you’re a unique candidate and what you will bring to the profession. Strengthening these areas can help present an even more compelling argument for your candidacy.
Of course, we are more than happy to assist you further in expanding and refining these ideas through our revision service. Our team can work closely with you to provide personalized advice and detailed suggestions that will help make your personal statement even more compelling.
Our collaborative approach ensures you receive the guidance and support needed to create a personal statement that not only meets your unique needs but also stands out in the competitive PA school application process.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C
Courtney Hockey says
One day in the early 2000’s, I rode in the car through Downtown Syracuse New York with my mother, having just left my semi-annual nephrology appointment. These had become habitual since the nine surgeries I had at age six for my bilateral complete duplex kidney syndrome, so by the age of eight or nine I really didn’t mind the visits, the blood work, or the ultrasounds. I was young enough that most of the time I spent in the hospital was now a faint memory, and the visits, while uncomfortable, were never really deplorable. If anything, I recall the memories fondly that I have of seeing Doctor Schurman growing up; a friendly face who always cared to be caught up on my life and accomplishments, telling me every time to keep up the good work. Walking through the hallways of hospitals and seeing people in scrubs and lab coats, knowing they were on their way to save lives, I always felt comfortable in the environment, and in awe of all the people that worked there. As my mom and I drove home from my appointment that day, it crossed my mind to ask her “what can I do when I grow up to make the world better, Mom? Who really gets to change the world… the president?” My mom smiled and replied, “No; if anything, the president is the hardest position to change the world in. I would say… a doctor or a nurse. They save lives every day; that’s really changing the world. They just do it one person at a time.” That conversation ignited a dream in me that has stayed in my mind ever since. In less than a decade of life, I had seen the difference that a genuinely passionate caregiver can make in a patient’s experience, physically and mentally. I knew that I wanted to be that difference one day for someone else.
In my work as a patient care technician on a medical-surgical unit, I have been fortunate enough to observe firsthand what really makes a difference in the day-to-day care of my patients. I have learned that it is not the degree you have or the position you hold in a treatment team that makes you a valuable provider. Whether you are a doctor, a physician assistant, a nurse, or simply a technician in a hospital, it is how you show up for your patient in a genuine, caring, and empathetic way that truly makes them feel comfortable and at ease in what is otherwise a very stressful environment. It is the ability to treat any stranger like you would a loved one that makes you an essential asset to a healthcare team— that is what we as caregivers are here to do.
I have seen first hand the sense of comfort and relief that patients and families feel when my unit’s physician assistant, Michael Skroupa enters a room. In my time shadowing Mike, I have witnessed him carry this calming and personable presence into every patient interaction, creating an environment that made patients and family members feel free to ask questions and express concerns, which is especially meaningful in difficult end-of-life conversations. Watching him has truly solidified my ambition to pursue this career and inspired me to one day be this presence for my own patients and their families. In the last year and a half that I have spent working alongside healthcare professionals, I have been made certain that healing and providing unconditional care and acceptance to all people is my true purpose. Each day I see patients with different stories, from different backgrounds and walks of life. Some who are facing terminal illness, some undergoing life-altering surgery, and some whose lives have already been changed by a challenge they have undergone. Some are recovering from alcohol or drug use, some are struggling with mental illness, but one thing is the same for all the patients I have had. Everyone just wants a healthcare worker who walks in the room, greets them respectfully and treats them like someone they care about. For me, it is a pleasure to leave a room knowing my patient is happier than when I came in. Doing what it takes to ensure my patient’s peace and comfort is always worth it, from being the friend they may need and listening to their stories (which can often be quite fascinating), telling them your own story, or simply being silent if that’s what they need at that time, to taking the time to handle them slowly to minimize discomfort- it is always worth it to go the extra mile. I believe as a physician assistant, I will be able to take my positive impact on the patient’s experience to a much higher level as I will be that trusted “white coat” presence to them, and the fact that I will have the opportunity to make an impact on patients in a variety of specialties is especially exciting to me as I would love to impact as many people as possible. I am greatly enthusiastic to embark on this journey as a physician assistant and cannot wait to grow the list of lives that I have changed on a greater scale.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Courtney, your personal statement is quite powerful and it does a great job of showing your journey, resilience, and passion for medicine. Here are some suggestions based on the guidelines from the document you provided:
1. Introduction: Your introduction is engaging and sets the stage for your narrative. It’s a good start, but with a little work could be made more concise.
2.Personal Experiences: You’ve done a great job of sharing your personal experiences and how they’ve shaped your journey towards medicine. However, you might want to focus more on your professional experiences with patients, as suggested in our guide.
3.Addressing Weaknesses: You’ve addressed your weaknesses and struggles well, showing maturity and ownership. However, be careful not to dwell too much on them. The focus should be more on your growth and how you overcame these challenges.
4.Passion for the Profession: You’ve clearly shown your passion for the PA profession, but it would be beneficial to delve deeper into why you specifically chose this path over other medical professions. What about being a PA appeals to you the most?
5.Structure: Your personal statement has a clear structure and follows a chronological order of your experiences, which is great. However, some parts might benefit from a bit more clarity and cohesion.
6.Avoiding Errors: Your writing is clear and free of spelling and grammar errors, which is excellent.
7.Conclusion: Your conclusion is strong and ties back to your introduction well. It leaves the reader with a clear understanding of your determination and readiness for the PA profession.
Remember, your personal statement is your opportunity to stand out. It should tell your unique story and explain why you’ve chosen to become a PA. You’ve done a great job of this, and with a few tweaks, your personal statement will be even stronger. Good luck!
Stephen Pasquini PA-C
Courtney says
Would love some feedback on this, thank you for all you do!
“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” Unlike me, Amelia Earhart was confident that she belonged in the world of science by her early twenties. By 23, she had become determined to make headway in a field dominated by men and she would not be shaken. In the same amount of years, I had all but given up on the idea that I was good enough to be in medicine. Like many college freshmen, I changed my major shortly after my first semester. I excelled in my new domain but reinforced the notion that there were just some things I wasn’t smart enough to overcome. I walked through life with a silent fear and doubt about my abilities, and I wondered how everyone else was able to accomplish the things they set out to do. I thought, maybe, I just wasn’t trying enough. Eventually I stopped trying at all. Then I couldn’t fail. The crushing weight of fear and doubt was almost paralyzing. After years of assuming failure in a field I had once loved, I made the second most difficult decision of my life: I decided to accept a job in it.
My first day at work I had no idea what to expect, but I found myself immediately drawn to my patients and their stories. I found purpose in my connections with them, and I began to fall in love with medicine again. Talking out treatment plans, evaluating lab results, and learning about the art of medicine excited me in a way that no other job had before. My boss, a family practice physician, relished in having an eager student, and saw a potential in me that no one had encouraged before. At 24, six years after initially giving up on a career in medicine, I made the most difficult decision of my life: I decided to go back to school to pursue it.
In high school I loved chemistry. I excelled at it. When it came time to choose a college major I had no doubts. But my first semester was earth shaking, and I found myself falling behind. When the time came to take the course again six years later, I was petrified of failing again. But I pushed through the fear. I took the class and passed with flying colors. Not only that, I passed every chemistry class with flying colors, all while working full-time. I succeeded in classes I had been terrified to tackle. I worked harder than I had ever worked in my life and with a tenacity I had not known I was capable of. For the first time in a long time, I was able to silence the doubt in my mind, and I knew I was capable. As proud as I am of my accomplishments, I can’t help but mourn for the girl who spent years drowning in fear and doubt. Knowing she was always competent, but didn’t have the tools to succeed.
At 21, I, like countless patients I have seen since, came to my doctor in desperation. I left that appointment armed with diagnoses and treatments that would come to change the course of my life. Like so many of the patients I have come to know and care for, my struggles with Attention Deficit Disorder slid under the radar. My symptoms didn’t fully align with classical presentations, so I suffered in silence. What was simply an untreated chemical imbalance, became, to me, a moral failing. The day I took my first pill, I cried. I had long since felt that I was fighting my way through life in a riptide, but that day I felt like I had been given a boat.
For a long time, I yearned to be all-knowing, the person who solved problems no one else could, to be the very best at what I did. After years of self doubt, it was the best way I knew of to prove myself. I came to realize that, not only was it unsustainable, it wasn’t how the best people I knew operated. Not unlike physician assistants, they found success through their support systems and understood the value of working as a team. I began to grasp the value of a solid support system in the aftermath of my sexual assault. After years of fighting through the riptide of life, I felt instead that I was neck deep in mud. The pain of losing my autonomy, coupled with the personal disappointment of underperforming in my classes–and as yet still undiagnosed ADHD–culminated in a semester and GPA so grim that I contemplated dropping out. With the encouragement, support, and trust of my friends and family, I pushed through trial after trial. I regained my sense of self, learned to prioritize, and developed a sense of determination that will carry me through my career. I am strong not because of, but in spite of what I have endured, and that strength is fueled by those who form the backbone of my support system.
Being a PA is a challenging and ever evolving career, not unlike my story. I have not only survived every challenge in my life, I have learned, evolved, and thrived, and I know my future as a PA is a bright one. The qualities I have grown to cherish and embody–tenacity, humility, compassion, and collaboration–are what make a successful PA, and I am confident in my ability to translate those qualities into success in my studies, my career, and my future practice.
Susan says
PART 2:
Fast forward to February, I had started feeling pain on both my wrist but more painful in my right wrist. I went through physical therapy that medicaid would allow and completed an EMG exam from a neurologist, only to find nothing. So, I made a heavy decision to rest from my work as a PCA and complete my schooling at IUPUI. So, here I am writing this letter. I truly believe that my whole life journey and every decision that I made, whether it was to go away from this path of becoming a PA, still ended up in leading to this point of expressing my desire to become a PA. I often miss the impact that I made and their impact on my heart. When I saw patients that were Burmese who could not understand English and I could speak to them and take care of them, it meant the world to me. They often expressed their gratitude and relief that I was there, and I knew that I couldn’t do much but that made me want to do more. I could do more as their PA. Overall, I wanted to stay in each patient room and learn more about them. I met a missionary pastor, with a second lung transplant that was not possible but only by the grace of God, and he knew about my country. There were so many patients who I connected with and respected and valued. There were patients having a hard time. There were patients that I had to push them and prepare them for the morgue, one as young as two. There is so much happening in this world that I do not know about others and I want to learn those things, with the understanding that I will never be able to know it all. However, I truly want to serve others by allowing God to use me as a vessel to heal others physically and mentally.
All this to say that I cannot pinpoint the exact reason of why I want to become a PA but I know that this is where God is leading me. Everything that happened in my life tried to lead me to a different path, but here I am. I still discovered the existence of PA. I was still able to get over 1,500 direct patient care hours, I was still able to complete the pre-requisites. All this could not have been possible without God. I want to become a PA because I know that I will put my fullest efforts and pray before taking care of each patient, no matter who they are or what they look like. I may be an immigrant but I became a citizen of the U.S. three years ago. I appreciate this country and the people and I want to continue to make it great. I want to return it in ten folds for the opportunities and help I was given. You can be assured that I am going to speak to the patients with a great heart.
Outside of my healthcare career, I enjoy playing tennis, hanging out with friends and family, trying new recipes and new places to eat. I am also involved with the College Ministry from my church, where we provide campus visits for high school students at our church since most of them are first generation students, mentoring, fundraisers and more. I also volunteer to virtually tutor a student in India, who had to seek safety there because of the Coup that is happening in Myanmar. I dedicate 1.5 to 2 hours from Sunday to Thursday, to tutor him in English and Algebra. I also have been consistently going to the gym to gain more muscle because I am tiny and I want to be able to help and carry any patients in the future. It is also a great stress reliever.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Your personal statement is indeed a powerful one, describing your difficult background and the obstacles you’ve overcome to reach this point. It shows your strength and resilience, as well as your desire to make a difference in the world as a PA. However, there are ways to make it even stronger.
Here are some suggested edits and feedback:
1. Brevity and Clarity: Your personal statement is too long (currently 14,000 characters). This must be reduced to no more than 5000 characters (per CASPA guidelines). Reducing the details about your early life might be helpful to make the statement more focused and easier to read. For instance, the narrative about your father’s alcoholism and your mother’s struggle is crucial but could be made concise.
2. Why PA?: Expand on why you want to become a PA specifically. Right now, you mention that you found out about the profession from your friends and that you thought it was perfect. In part 2 you say you cannon pinpoint the exact reason of why you want to be a PA. Explain why you believe it’s perfect – is it the patient care aspect, the flexibility of the role, the opportunity to work in various medical specialities, etc.? What is it about being a PA that aligns with your interests, skills, and long-term goals?
3. Relevant Experience: It’s great that you included your experiences as a technician/customer service at MED-1 and as a PCA at Holland Hospital. Describe more about what you learned from these experiences. How did they shape your understanding of the role of a PA and healthcare as a whole?
4. Resilience: While you have overcome many challenges, focus more on how these experiences have shaped your character and prepared you for a challenging career as a PA. You want the committee to see that despite the hardships, you have grown into a stronger person who is ready to take on the demanding role of a PA.
5. Organizing your thoughts: Your personal statement seems a bit disorganized, which makes it difficult to follow your journey. Arrange your thoughts in a more coherent way, focusing on your motivation to become a PA, your relevant experiences, and what you’ve learned from these experiences.
6. Proofread: There are grammatical errors and awkward phrases throughout your essay. Make sure to proofread your essay or have someone else do it for you.
Remember, your personal statement should tell the admissions committee why you want to become a PA and why you would be good at it. Make sure your passion for the profession and your dedication to patient care come through in your statement.
Good Luck!
P.S. I love your journey, and I love this personal statement
Stephen Pasquini PA-C
Susan says
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND WILLINGNESS TO DO THIS. I APPRECIATE ALL YOUR WORK SO MUCH. (PART 1)
I was born in a small country called Myanmar. My alcoholic father traveled to Malaysia to earn money for the family but went MIA on my mother, my late younger brother and I. We were very poor and my mother’s friend kindly allowed us to live in their basement for the time being. My mother held many jobs such as working at a farmers market and I would go door to door, selling vegetables that my mother grew at age six. My mother would tear up whenever I asked her to share about the struggle and I could feel her pain when she said that I would ask for a small candy that she was selling at a sports event to make money and she couldn’t even afford to give me any and she would cry. She shared that I would come home crying after playing with a “friend” because they would say to me that I can only be a “servant” because I’m poor. Eventually, my mother bravely decided to search for my father in Malaysia and left my late brother named Phillip and I to live with my grandmother. A year or so passes and my mom finds my dad and they get back together and we learned news that my mother was pregnant. When I was about eight, there were plans made for Phillip, my cousin and I to join my mother and father in Malaysia with my uncle taking care of all of us. We all traveled together through harsh conditions, trains, forests, until the final step to seeing our parents. However, plans changed and they forced me to go with my aunt a day earlier because I was the oldest and they wanted to take the load of taking care of three children from my uncle. So, I left to go to Malaysia at night, on a canoe with a tarp that covered all of us because we were traveling illegally. Nearly seeing the shore, our boat catches on fire. Fortunately we were close to the shore and other people helped us get out of the boat. I stilled the burn marks as remembrance. Happily, I was able to reunite with my mom and dad. The next few days, it was my uncle, my cousin, and Phillip’s turn. They were also traveling in the same way, on a canoe at night all under a tarp to hide. Unfortunately, there was a big fishing boat that was traveling that night and did not see the canoe and they crashed. No one survived. I lost my brother, my uncle and my cousin that night. I am alive today but why me? What can I do? Growing up, I’ve struggled with this question whenever I couldn’t meet expectations. I should’ve been the one to stay and maybe my brother could’ve done better. I’m a failure. But I would often be reminded that I am alive for a reason. That reason is that God has a purpose for me. I want to reach that purpose.
I truly believe that becoming a PA is that purpose. Because no matter which route I have taken, I am presently writing this essay to become a PA.
My story didn’t end there of course. My mom gave birth to my new younger brother named Eddy in Malaysia. It was truly a blessing. Shortly after, my mother started doing all the paperwork and applications to legally get us to America and she was successful! My family arrived in the U.S. where our social worker welcomed us in Grand Rapids, Michigan in December of 2008. I started attending school near the end of third grade. Unfortunately, my dad was still an alcoholic. I remember when he was so drunk and angry for whatever reason while driving that he sped up the danky old car, with my mother in the back seat with Eddy and I, hugging as we thought we all would die from a car crash. But we survived. I also remember the time when he lost my baby brother in the snow because he was so drunk and we all went searching for him, thankfully we found him. Then we decided to move to Battle Creek, MI shortly after because there were Burmese friends that my mom knew and thought she would be safer with my father being so out of control. That was my environment thus far and I started to get very involved with Burmese church and enjoyed attending Sunday school and transitioning to the Youth group where I was able to do a lot more connecting, volunteering, helping with church clean up and so on. I was also participating in school through extracurricular activities such as tennis, honors clubs, key clubs and tons more because being a first generation student, I thought that was what I needed to be successful in high school. I was able to do all this because my mom worked long hours at a factory and my father would drink more than he worked. My home life was not as stable throughout the years. I struggled during my middle school years, convincing my mom to stay with my day. In 2014, my mom gave birth to my new sister, Rhoda. Hoping it would bring our family closer but it only did for a few short months. Entering high school, my mom got to the point where she left to live at her friend’s house for a few months with Rhoda since she was not old enough to eat by herself because she could not handle the verbal and physical abuse from my dad but I couldn’t imagine having them apart so I stayed at home with Eddy, to be with our dad so that my mom would return because I knew she wouldn’t leave us with him. And she returned. However, in 2016 was when I reached my limit. I saw my dad physically beat up my mom and right at that moment, I told my mom that I would follow her if she leaves and she hugged me with tears. We packed that night and we left our dad and our house. Thankfully, my mom’s sister, who was a widow with one daughter, was living in an apartment and we lived with her for the next several years. In June of 2016, the divorce was official. The court ruled for our dad to provide child support but after only one payment, he disappeared. He left Michigan, traveled to Indiana, then to Texas, then now to Arkansas, all receiving payment in cash so my mom had to take care of us all by herself without a single support from my dad or the government accepting free school lunches. I was grateful for that and I still am. My connection with my father was completely lost and he would not respond to my text messages or calls. So, I graduated high school and decided to go work at the factory my mom worked at where they assembled car parts for the summer and I did not last more than two weeks. It was 10 to 12 hours of non stop standing, while lifting heavy car parts. The pain in my feet and knees were unbearable. Additionally, because she could not speak English, some coworkers could try to take advantage by giving her extra loads or be rude in general because she cannot vouch for herself. This was happening to a lot of the Burmese parents that I noticed working. I was very heartbroken that all I could do was cry. I was also amazed that this was what my mom did for over 5 years, working overtime just to provide for us. It really broke my heart when I really understood her working environment. So, that moment I decided that I want to take off that load for her. I am going to take care of her. I am going to get a good job where I earn enough income to provide for her so she does not have to work at a factory. She has suffered enough and sacrificed enough. That is where my initial drive towards PA came from.
I went off to Hope College as the first in my family and we said our good-byes. It was hard leaving home but at least I knew she was safe. I was able to get a good scholarship and I could afford to live there with few part-time campus jobs that I got right away. I knew I wanted to make an impact in other people’s lives. I wanted to pursue something in the medical field and I thought about becoming a doctor, however, I realized that I would make my mom work so much longer at a factory to provide for my siblings and I, so I stopped. I did not know that a PA was even a thing until I asked to room with my friend, currently in Medical school right now at MSU, where 2 of our roommates were entering for PA. I asked more about the occupation and did some research and I thought, wow. This is perfect. That was the beginning of my junior year in college. I was majoring in Business at the time because I knew that I could make decent money and this was before I knew about PA existence. I even participated in a commercial lending competition and was a finalist where we received a cash reward. That was all enjoyable but I did not feel fulfilled. I gained the skill to analyze, construct and present to professionals in the field but I knew something was lacking. Then in 2019, I got a job as a Technician/Customer Service at MED-1 at the height of COVID-19 where I performed desk jobs for physical exams, drug tests, and watched the doctor take care of wounded patients. I got to observe closely alongside the doctors. It was my first experience in healthcare and I enjoyed it even though the patients were not the kindest at that time because of the stigmatism against Asians. But I couldn’t care less. Then, I got a job as a PCA at Holland Hospital emergency department to work the night shift. That was when I knew that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I worked alongside a PA, an NP, and doctors in the emergency. There were so many different events happening, it was exhilarating. I would work from 7pm to 7am and go home upbeat and be thinking about what had happened and just constanting reexamining the events with each individual patient. It was the happiest I had felt in years. I still needed to take a few classes because I found out about PA a little later than most and so when I thought this job is great. I am loving it here and there’s a university only 30 minutes away to take the rest of my classes, everything will go as planned. About three months into working at that hospital, I received a phone call from my mom that she wanted to move to Indiana because she can no longer afford to live in Michigan and she wanted me to help her initially. So, I had to leave the place where I found my momentum toward the future.
So, we moved to Indiana and I lost hope because I didn’t know any universities here. But something in me kept pushing so I searched for universities closest to my place and applied as a non-degree seeking at the very last minute. Then I applied to a few jobs and I decided to attend a career fair to work as a PCA at IU Methodist Hospital. The interview went great and I was hired to their biggest unit in August 2022. It was a Cardiovascular Medical/Surgical Unit. It was so different from the Emergency Department but I learned a lot. I loved the flexibility of Methodist Hospital allowance for us to pick up hours at different units like ICU as well. That exposed to almost all the areas of healthcare. So, here I am, two months after moving to Indiana, I was able to get into the classes I needed at a reputable school (IUPUI) with a great healthcare job. Paying for tuition was different and I had to apply for a loan because of out-of state-tuition costs. But it felt like I was where I needed to be.
Noelle Donalies says
Hello! I cannot decide what to cut/save as this is still too long and sound a little choppy on transitions. Any help would be so appreciated!
Dead-eyed and without the strength to stand, my sister lived on our couch for most of her early childhood. My mother became a researcher, healer, and spokesperson for her across more than seven different providers, trying to find her hidden illness. What she had was irritable bowel syndrome, electrolyte imbalance, strep gut bacteria, adrenal fatigue, and copper toxicity, but these diagnoses didn’t come until several years and many tears later. Some providers we trusted with her care were quick to blame stress, gluten, genes, or personality for her ill state, not giving the time to listen to my mother explain her findings. By exploring alternate paths such as holistic medicine and meeting our first physician assistant, we dug deep to find the core of her issues and transform her back into the joy we know and love.
The first PA we met changed our whole outlook on medical professionals; she took the time to understand our story and suggestions we found previously. She ran additional tests and consulted specialized doctors to see my sister to a full, healthy recovery. Through our checkups she knew our whole family by name and gave multiple options for treatment as she knew of our poor financial state. Through her care and compassion, she saw my sister to a full, healthy recovery. After this encounter, I knew I wanted to pursue the PA route and obtain the wisdom and care that touched my family so much. The more I shadowed and interacted with PAs, the more I fell in love with what they stood for. Their broad medical training, fast-paced program and emphasis on direct patient connection makes it possible to start serving quicker and be of help to all populations. It’s a dream career. Through my upbringing, I hope to become a provider who does not belittle a mother’s Google research, does not discriminate against those living paycheck to paycheck, and builds trust with patients by listening to their stories and respecting their wishes. I want to grow in wisdom to not only reach out to underserved communities, but also to know that I can help protect my family and friends with my knowledge.
Growing up I have always felt this pull to the disadvantaged and experiences dedicated to supporting those in need. I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Madagascar for four months to minister to and give food assistance to villages with little support or access to larger communities. Even a bucket of mangos was wildly accepted and rejoiced over. These people who have so little motivate me to make the most of my learning and provide medical care for underserved communities. Growing up well below the poverty line, I see my little sisters’ faces in the crowd of Madagascar children and want to give them the medical security we didn’t have.
By dedicating my time and energy to other people at risk, my goal is to prevent my sister’s fate from others by quickening correct diagnoses and taking the time to fully understand each case.
While shadowing PAs and being alongside them as I work, I feel their love and respect for the patient as they offer a more personal companionship vs other professionals who may be restricted time wise or are there to only discuss a specific aspect of their care. I love seeing PAs at my job because they engage with patients and take the time to comfort anxious mothers or explain personal symptoms to worried grandfathers.
Because PAs are offered broad clinical training, they are able to engage in a more holistic approach and help those with multiple diagnoses or complicated symptoms such as my sister. This learning also expands their population range, allowing them to be beneficial to any person, which can greatly help with providing care to the underserved.
I also greatly value the flexibility to work in different specialties due to their broad education. This allows transitions to different specialties based on where I can more greatly serve others. My sister’s fragile health has always been my motivator, and with the broad education PA programs offer, I can be equipped to find hidden, holistic answers to poor health for any population.
I seek out this same broad education in my job as a float pool CNA; every day I am sent to a different department and have to quickly adapt to new situations, acuity levels, and treatments. From the emergency department to cardiovascular ICU, it is so exciting to learn something new every day and be able to better care for different patients. I dearly love being able to assist in daily care and offer encouragement, but being unable to answer questions or give suggestions about their care is very disheartening.
While working one day, I will always remember meeting a scared girl my own age in the ICU. She had been abused to the point of being paraplegic, left by her family, had minimum insurance, and no one to talk to. While getting vitals, she explained her story but did not lose the smile on her face. I spent every minute I had free that day in her room, playing Candy Crush, and offering encouragement and love to this forgotten girl. As it grew time for me to leave, she burst into tears and explained that I was the only one to spend time with her during her hospital stay and had me promise to return to work tomorrow. Asking to pick up tomorrow’s shift was never an easier decision. I have found throughout my life that holding someone’s hand and staying for a story can do more healing than you know both physically and for forgotten hearts. Having other experiences like this when patients specifically thank me for my time and attention solidifies my passion to be a PA; they are equipped to give patients what they really need, medical expertise, and a patient, listening heart.
My goal is to not have my journey stop once I become a PA-C, but to become a more kind, wise person to do more for others. To give hope and healing in my career will be something I can take pride in my whole life. All my hardships and passions in life are what get me out of bed every morning, have led me to this career, and are my compass to guide my heart and help mold me into becoming a great PA-C. If chosen to join a program, you would not find a more dedicated, all-in student as this path has given me so much opportunity to engage in the making of others’ healthcare experience and so much joy knowing my passion can turn lives around.
Whitney Prosperi says
Noelle,
Your essay does a good job revealing your desire to elevate and empower patients. As to what to cut, I suggest condensing where you can, eliminating extra words in each paragraph. I would also include any clinical skills and medical knowledge you have gained throughout you work. You want to show how your roles have prepared you to take the next step. I wish you good luck, Noelle.
GREG YOUNGMAN says
This is my second time applying so I would like all the help I can get with this personal statement. Thank you for reading!
It’s 4:30am, I’m standing gowned and masked in Trauma bay three awaiting a call in from EMS; an unidentified male presenting with cardiac arrest. A small group of us waits and after about five minutes I hear the rhythmic pumping of the Lucas confirming the patient’s arrival.
“One, two, three,” the medic commands as we move the patient off their gurney and onto our stretcher.”
“Start compressions,” commanded the attending, as the medics began their report.
“The patient was found unresponsive outside on a bench.”
“One, two, three, four, five…” I hear my heart pounding as I count aloud with each compression.
My mind repeats, “Come on!” hoping that with each push on his chest will bring us that much closer to a heartbeat.
“Hold compressions…”says the Doctor, as he palpates the patient’s femoral artery, searching for a pulse in what seems like a lifeless body.
“Continue compressions,” and within milliseconds I’m hovering above the patient again, hoping that with each push, my efforts will make a difference in this man’s life.
After approximately twenty minutes of compressions, several shocks with the defibrillator and a multitude of life saving interventions, the patient’s pulse is back and strong. As the doctor dictates orders, nurses establish access and draw labs. The energy in the room shifts from panic to energized and I position myself at the head of the bed. The PA throws orders in the patient’s chart for x-ray and CT and I gather all necessary equipment needed as we begin the transport up to the ICU.
It’s moments like these that inspire me to become a Physician Assistant; It’s a role combining all of my interests including technical skills, leadership, innovation and passion for delivering quality patient care. After all, the PAs are the versatile team players and the ones who can practice in a variety of settings making them prized healthcare professionals. With such a diverse scope of practice and highly trained skill set, I instantly became drawn to the profession and it was clear to me that this was the path I aspired to pursue.
Working alongside PAs in the ED has granted me the ability to assist and learn about a variety of different emergency medicine related interventions from working up a full trauma to assisting with more bedside procedures like lumbar punctures or conscious-sedations. As a result I’ve become very familiar with the PAs role in the ED, how crucial they are to the flow of an efficient department and I’m inspired by their versatility and integratedness within the care team. I work with some of the most overlooked and undertreated populations in healthcare like the homeless and people struggling with mental illness disorders. The many challenges that come with treating such groups keep my interest in the field. The parallels between varying social factors and health conditions also influence my pursuit to become a PA as I’ll be able to further explore specific public health related issues.
When I reflect on my entire healthcare experience beginning back to 2018, something I find compelling is this idea of the revolving door; a revolving door of faces, complaints, stories, bodies. I’ve thought a lot about how access to healthcare resembles a revolving door: always a new face, new complaint or to the contrary, same face, same complaint. This revolving door also exists where I work on a per diem basis, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. Located at the epicenter of the Boston opioid epidemic, this clinic serves as a hub for many of Boston’s homeless population, often also struggling with substance abuse disorder, hepatitis and HIV.
Over time I’ve seen the same faces come in repeatedly for the same complaints, even after receiving treatment. Becoming a PA will fulfill my professional and personal goals in helping create longer term, healthier solutions for these populations and developing new ways to address our broken healthcare system. I’ve seen the repeated faces and complaints take up critical space for those who need it most, while providers end up working up patients who end up not following through with their care plans. Although I greatly enjoy the spontaneity and liveliness the revolving door can bring, it also resembles the many challenges of a broken healthcare system and as a PA I’m interested in helping develop solutions to these problems.
Since my last application, I’ve begun working as a medical assistant at Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program; a multifaceted primary care clinic offering services for those struggling with substance abuse disorder, homelessness and chronic diseases like hepatitis and HIV. My experiences at the clinic providing direct patient care have been just as rich and varied as working in the ER but has deeply expanded my outlook on homelessness and its connections to chronic illness.
Whether it be treating patients in a busy, urban emergency room to a primary care clinic at the crossroads of so many public health related issues, the opportunities of this career are endless, inspiring and something I aspire to be a part of.
Whitney Prosperi says
Greg,
You grab the reader’s attention immediately through your introductory story.
I suggest elaborating on some more of the clinical skills you have gained through your different roles. You want to show how these jobs have prepared you for a rigorous PA program.
Also, if you have any formal shadowing experience, describe that.
Lastly, physician assistant does not need to be capitalized unless it’s beginning a sentence.
Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. I wish you good luck, Greg.
Sally L says
Hi, I’ve finished my first draft of my PS, but am still 608 characters over. Any feedback would be helpful and much appreciated. Thanks
Crash! The next thing I know, I am laying on the ground facing the sky with the sound of sirens next to me. On my first day of junior college, I had been in a head on bike collision. My bike was mangled and my glasses were flung across the road. The events that followed were a blur, but I clearly felt the throbbing pain in my head. I was brought to the school’s clinic where I was greeted by a doctor, Kris, who performed a myriad of physical and neurological tests. Her calm demeanor alleviated my anxious nerves and assured me that I was being taken care of. She determined that I was fine, but likely had a mild concussion. She advised me to take it easy and get plenty of rest. Two weeks later, she was happy to find that I was fine and continuing my studies. Unexpectedly, I saw her a few weeks later as a guest speaker at my pre-health club. To my surprise, Kris introduced herself as a PA, not a doctor. Her autonomy, extensive knowledge, and compassionate care had convinced me that she was a doctor. My encounter with Kris sparked my interest in being a PA..
I had another pivotal encounter one night when I felt a sharp, persistent pain in my right lower abdomen. After five hours of nausea, vomiting, and holding the fetal position to no avail I went to the ER. I was seen by PA Mia, who thoroughly examined me and started me on painkillers. An ultrasound and CT scan later, Mia told me I had appendicitis and needed an appendectomy. Throughout the night, I awoke to a revolving door of doctors introducing themselves as the ones who would perform my surgery shortly. However, due to an unavailability of OR rooms, it wasn’t until the following afternoon that my appendix was removed and I was discharged. Mia was the one constant among the chaos that night. From beginning to end, she checked up on me every few hours, updated me on the situation, comforted me through my pain, addressed my concerns, and assured me that I would get the surgery I needed. She even got in contact with my mom, who was not allowed to be with me due to COVID restrictions, and let me speak to her. I am so grateful for and inspired by the intimate and personal care Mia provided. In my times of need, there was a PA at the forefront of my care, helping me get back on my feet, ultimately affirming my desire to become a PA.
As an ophthalmology MA, I realized the importance of establishing a connection. Patients often felt uneasy coming in as they would undergo a variety of vision exams with the fear that their vision had deteriorated. By offering a listening ear and words of encouragement as I administered their exams, patients immediately felt at ease and gained a sense of confidence not only in their own abilities, but also in the care they are receiving. Through the relationships I forged with patients, I learned of their daily struggles due to impaired vision, but seeing how they left happier than they had arrived demonstrates the power of exceptional patient care through patience, compassion, and empathy.
As a dermatology MA, I am exposed to a plethora of skin conditions, allowing me to seamlessly transition between situations. From botox injections to excising melanomas, I assist in a wide array of procedures which has prepared me to navigate the versatile landscape of specialties that PAs may encounter. During intake, I exercise autonomy by filtering through conversation and asking questions relevant to their condition to find pertinent information. Then, I hone my critical thinking skills as I present the case to the provider in a concise manner and propose a diagnosis and treatment plan. Being able to actively participate in the dialogue with providers has provided first hand experience into the complex thought processes involved in diagnosing and formulating appropriate treatment plans.
“You changed my life,” “I can finally sleep,” “I forgot what it felt like to not be in pain,” and “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you” are only a few of the indelible sentiments I have heard patients tell their PAs. Working closely with PA Krystal, I’ve seen how much she has improved her patients’ daily lives through prescribing medications to manage acne or clear widespread psoriasis. Krystal’s dedication to her patients is shown through her passion to thoroughly educate them and her unrelenting drive to devise an effective treatment plan. I observed PA Gloria demonstrate the versatility and wide scope of a PA as she utilized and applied her vast knowledge to diagnose both psychological and physical conditions, perform examinations, prescribe medications, and send referrals to the appropriate specialties. Her patients are always grateful for the exceptional care they receive and leave confident in their treatment plan. Witnessing the positive impact of the PA’s I have assisted and shadowed continually inspires and motivates my aspirations to become a PA. Their ability to change a person’s life during their times of need and make a difference in their community signify a PA’s vital role in medicine.
As a first generation college student and a child of immigrant parents, there’s a hierarchy of careers to aspire to. My mom criticized my choice to be a PA, scolding, “you went to college to be a doctor’s assistant? Not a doctor?” Although my efforts to defend the profession were in vain, I stand by my decision certain, unashamed, and proud of my unwavering resolve to be a PA. I want to provide others with the same exceptional care I have experienced. I am ready to help others in their time of need and change their lives for the better, one patient at a time.
Whitney Prosperi says
Sally,
You do a good job revealing how you arrived at the PA path. As you said you are over the character count, I would condense where you can. This will allow you to sharpen your focus and include more details that strengthen your essay.
I also recommend including a patient care story that shows you in action providing clinical care of some kind while connecting with the patient on a personal level. You want to reveal some of those qualities that will make you an effective PA.
Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
I wish you good luck.
Trenice Johnson says
Ever since it was revealed that Micheal Jackson took propofol every night before bed, I assumed that propofol gave you great sleep and made you wake up feeling well rested. After 30 hours of labor and actively pushing for five of those hours, I was in desperate need of some rest. It was nothing like that; I felt like I blinked, and the surgery was over. I was confused, irritable, and in pain. The last thing I remember in the operation table was, “Let’s count backward from 10, 10…9…8….”.
The birth of my daughter was my first experience witnessing the ACT model; Joe was my non-physician anesthetist. He was well-trained, compassionate, and a true team player. This experience planted a seed in my mind about the career of being an anesthesiologist assistant.
As someone with the capacity for compassion and empathy, a teamwork mindset, and an eagerness to learn, I knew this profession would suit me well. Two other significant experiences led me to become an AA: my experience with Sofia, a patient I grew to understand as a CNA, and shadowing Lance Carter.
Knowing how important it is to gain direct patient care experience for any medical profession, I opted to earn my CNA license and get a job at a long-term care facility. I enjoyed the relationships I built with my patients. The experience grew my capacity for compassion and empathy and taught me how building trust with patients makes you a better advocate for them. This is a lesson that I learned by interacting with my patient, Sofia.
Sofia was a newly widowed woman whose daughter could not care for her alone, and I admitted her to my job for help. I described Sofia as very particular; she may have been suffering from undiagnosed OCD. To her, everything had a place, and everything needed to be in that place before she could go to sleep. Pink blanket at the foot of the bed, yellow blanket at the side of her, bedside table perpendicular to her bed to the right, and the top at a particular angle with her knees propped up with pillows. As you can imagine, this routine was entirely involved, but I made it my mission to study her so that she could feel comfortable in her new home,
She got comfortable enough with me that I became an advocate for her on behalf of her family and other medical professionals. Making this extra effort to learn from and listen to her made her trust me. As her health declined, I was the one who informed her of the benefits of hospice care, enabling her to live out her last days comfortably.
In my nine months of direct patient care, I have experienced countless moments, such as these with Sofia, that have inspired my career choice. I constantly spent time learning about my patients to gain trust and become a better advocate for them; There is no greater reward in life than to share your love and compassion with the world to make everyone else’s life just a little bit better.
I learned PAs could only work in anesthesia after attending an informational meeting at UMKC. At this meeting, I realized that I did not want to be a PA; I wanted to be an AA. While lateral mobility is an aspect of being a physician assistant that entices many people, I was only ever interested in Anesthesia. I am a person who loves working with my hands, appreciates novelty in the workplace, and is intrigued by pharmacology. Although I was on the board of the Pre-PA Society at UMKC, I made the switch in this meeting. At this meeting is also where I met Lance Carter. Lance is a CAA whose passion for his career is evident in his speech. I was the only person there for the CAA portion of the presentation; he answered all of my questions, gave me his contact information, and encouraged me to reach out if I needed anything.
During my gap years, Lance allowed me to watch him work at Liberty Hospital. While there, I witnessed three procedures: an extensive toe amputation. a biopsy of a mass near the aorta, a urologist did a tumor dissection.
Lance gave me the whole AA student experience; he encouraged me to ask questions and gave me advice that would help me along my journey of becoming an AA. Under close supervision, he allowed me to draw up drugs and administer them via an IV. This shadowing experience got me even more excited than I already was and invigorated and motivated me to continue my journey.
I struggled with my grades during undergrad; I would spread myself thinly across extracurricular activities that I was involved in and should have prioritized studying more highly. Since getting my undergraduate degree, I was diagnosed with ADHD and sought help from a therapist who has helped me find coping mechanisms and learn regimens that work for me. Since making these life changes, I retook 12 credit hours post-grad, shadowed, studied for the GRE, and earned a 4.0 GPA. My most recent grades are more of a representation of my passion and determination to be a good student as well as a practicing anesthesiologist assistant. The journey of adjusting my strategy and reapplying myself to reach my full potential has made me a more tenacious and persistent person. These two qualities will carry me through a challenging and rigorous MSA program.
Whitney Prosperi says
Trenice,
I am glad you have found your preferred path. With that said, I would work on transitions in your essay, as well as elaborating on clinical skills and medical knowledge gained throughout your different roles. I wish you good luck, Trenice.
Zahra says
Hello! I’d appreciate any feedback on how to improve my statement!
As I meticulously scraped the calluses off of the worn pads of Hannah’s feet, she looked down at me, her muscles beginning to relax, and smiled wistfully, “I miss feelin’ cared for like this.” A motherly, strong woman of 38, Hannah was one of our regular clients at the Women’s Clinic in Berkeley who struggled with poverty, intermittent homelessness, and racial discrimination as a single black mother with four children. As she said those words, a sense of trust radiated from the familiar warmth of her skin to mine.
Through rolling up my sleeves, kneeling down to wash feet, and listening attentively each clinic night to appreciate women who have walked many miles, like Hannah, I discovered what Brett Feldman, PA-C, calls “radical humility.” Finding a brief respite in the bubbly, lavender-scented foot baths, our clients revealed a deeper need for connection, understanding, and acceptance—things all human beings require to thrive, but people who are too often othered for experiencing homelessness are least afforded. Hannah and I spent many clinic nights bonding over mutual experiences, from practically raising our younger siblings to translating for our mothers’ hospital visits in childhood. While commuting to college every day due to financial constraints initially gave me a sense of disconnection from the community, I felt at home sharing solidarity with other women and LGBTQ+ youth.
I did not foresee that a global pandemic would render this my last interaction with Hannah, and I continued to think about the material and mental impacts of structural inequities on our most vulnerable populations. Knowing that I wanted a career in which I could make others feel safe and help them heal, but unsure exactly which path to take there, I exposed myself to patient advocacy early on in college through the UCSF Patient Support Corps. While providing patients recently diagnosed with breast cancer with educational resources and navigating them to Covid-19 testing and vaccination at the height of the pandemic were valuable experiences that instilled in me a model for patient-centered care through professionalism, empathy-based communication, and respect for patients’ preferences, I sought opportunities to be more involved and began exploring pre-health professions through student clubs.
This was when I met two twin brothers and physician assistants (PAs), Eddie and Tony, who gave me the blueprint for a fulfilling career path. Sharing their unlikely journeys to medicine with first-generation students like myself, Eddie and Tony walked me through a day in their lives as hospital and street medicine PAs in San Bernardino and Sacramento, respectively. I learned that being PAs gave them the flexibility to work more closely with underserved populations in both clinical and non-clinical settings, which resonated with me. From there, I began to envision how I could combine my interests in community service and patient advocacy as a PA.
Eager to get direct patient care experience and see PAs in action, I became a medical assistant at a busy ear, nose, and throat clinic, where I work in a team with a PA and supervising physician and have learned critical lessons in teamwork, multitasking and prioritization, and the difference that listening closely makes in patients’ lives.
Mark came into our clinic with a sinus tumor presenting as unilateral nasal obstruction, pain, and bleeding. As I asked questions about his medical history, he revealed the depth of his anxiety and loneliness, as he recently moved away from his family to San Francisco for work, and his number of medical visits increased suddenly over the past month. Not long after, he was diagnosed with a rare case of malignant CD56-positive melanoma. Wendy, our PA, swiftly instructed me to send urgent referrals to medical and radiation oncology and order a PET CT. I listened intently as Wendy sensitively and thoroughly explained the diagnosis to Mark. When the PET CT was initially denied authorization, Wendy helped me support its medical necessity to his insurance with success. Then, as I finally relayed the treatment plan to Mark, he fought back tears and thanked me for taking the time to listen and advocate for him throughout this vulnerable process.
While I did my best to ensure Mark was informed and felt supported, I longed for the medical knowledge and training to do more. I admired how Wendy kept calm and prioritized amidst a seemingly endless list of tasks, and how indispensable she was in bridging the knowledge gaps between all of the physicians, medical assistants, and patients. After several months working with Wendy and observing the positive patient outcomes resulting from her seamless dynamic with Dr. Johnson, I became sure of my desire to create synergy as the reliable PA on my own medical team one day.
Through my experiences working with people from various walks of life—homeless, queer, or otherwise—I have learned that when we are willing to risk our own comfort to subvert power dynamics and do the deeper work of listening and connecting, we build trust and plant the seeds for positive health outcomes in our communities. As a PA, I will take the time to listen and think holistically to meet people’s physical and emotional needs, both within and beyond clinic walls.
Whitney Prosperi says
Zahra,
Your desire to include and elevate marginalized patients comes through every paragraph of your essay. Also, you do a good job of showing how your desire to pursue the PA path has strengthened throughout different interactions. I would describe any clinical skills and medical knowledge you have gained throughout your different roles. Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service. I wish you good luck, Zahra.
Rom Zukauskas says
Phewww, this is my 2nd cycle and I’m trying to “wow” admissions with my essay; I am on the lower end of the GPA requirements. Thank You so much for your time and critique! I will take your advice and I find this service invaluable. Thanks again, Rom
Whitney Prosperi says
Rom,
You’re very welcome! Good luck to you!
Rom says
The distinctive stench of alcohol, vomit, and antiseptics permeated the air, igniting my senses and I was firing on all cylinders; It was going to be a very busy night. As a clinical care technician (CCT), supportive yet crucial is my contribution to the mosaic of activity that is the ER. Not quite ready to start my shift, the transfer call from EMS alerted the team. The rhythmic pumping of the Lucas machine confirms the patient has arrived. I would feed off the energy of my coworkers; experiencing a co-adrenalin rush.
“One, two, three”, the medic commands as we move the patient off the gurney and onto the stretcher. Compressions start and I feel my own heart rate racing as I stay utmost focused on my tasks. I instinctively know who to trust and where to double-check things, evaluating the needs of the team rapidly.
From this body of intense activity, I hear, “Rom you’re up”. Taking over compressions was not only exhilarating but actually an honor; a testament of confidence from the team. I was hyper-cognizant that I wasn’t just doing compressions on a patient with no pulse; I was doing compressions on a patient who had a full life. In my mind, my goal became more than just getting a heartbeat; it was getting a heartbeat and reclaiming this life.
My CCT position provided me with direct patient interaction and additional clinical skills such as phlebotomy, performing EKGs, and point-of-care testing while functioning in a more hands-on role. I observed how involved the PA was with the care team and how much the clinical staff relied on them for additional support throughout the day. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my position was when my supervisor asked me to teach the medical students’ phlebotomy techniques. I implemented this mentorship with the patience, support, and encouragement that I so appreciated when learning a new skill. Several of my coworkers also asked for my tips and demonstrations in drawing blood. My experiences working alongside the PAs in the ER fostered my characteristics of efficiency, precise communication, focus, empathy, and the ability to multitask. As stimulating as the ER is, I want to explore much more and shadow PAs in many other specialties.
It was in the Cardio-Thoracic ICU that I engaged in thoughtful and deep observation in the role of a PA. During morning rounds alongside the MD, Intensivist, and RN, I observed how involved the PA was with the care team and how crucial their attention to detail enhanced the patient outcome.
They often encouraged me to assist in bedside procedures, attend morning rounds, and review any questions I had. It was impressive how much learning was taking place while shadowing PAs; I researched procedures, diagnoses, and care plans nightly. The nature of the ICU exemplified a genuinely collaborative working environment in which the PA played a significant role. Interpreting lab results, ordering diagnostic tests, conducting procedures at the bedside, or assisting in the OR presented itself as the most coveted career path for me. My shadowing of PAs immersed me in the collaborative workflow required of the care team and cemented my conviction to pursue the PA application process.
To further balance and enrich my healthcare experience I secured a part-time position at the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program; a Boston- based non-profit clinic providing crucial healthcare services to Boston’s homeless population. This position amplified the need to practice the greatest compassion, honoring the dignity and reaffirming the humanity of those individuals usually invisible to us. While taking Molly’s vital signs, the struggles she lives revealed her story through her hollowed and wasted face accentuated by protruding cheekbones. “Hello Molly”, the warmth of my touch quickly siphoned to her cold and discolored fingertips. After completing her vitals when she was about to see the physician, “Here take these;” I gave Molly my wool gloves. Is this all I can do? I absolutely treasured the emotional connections however I felt frustrated and empty for being unable to do more clinically. Attending a program committed to working with the underserved fosters my belief that I can play a part in gnawing away at healthcare inequities of a diverse, and constantly changing population.
Every experience I’ve had working alongside PAs since 2019, from desk to bedside, has enriched my knowledge of who they are, and what they do, has directly cemented my decision to pursue this profession. Between my recent work and extensive shadowing experiences, I’ve confirmed much about myself; my ability to multitask, remain calm, be efficient, and be empathetic, all while working incredibly long shifts with few breaks. These characteristics have shaped me into the PA I aspire to be.
Whitney Prosperi says
Rom,
Your introduction grabs the reader’s attention immediately. You also do a good job of showing what appeals to you about the PA profession and how you are suited for that role. I would suggest elaborating on additional clinical skills and medical knowledge you have gained. Good luck to you in the process.
Matt says
As tears streamed down my face, fear began to take over my body. Trying to stay calm, I took a deep breath and dialed 911. My grandfather, my hero, was having a medical emergency and there was nothing I could do. I watched as ambulance lights flooded the street and EMS personnel rushed into the house. They carted my grandfather out on a stretcher and drove off. That would be the last time I would see my hero. He had a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and died on the way to the hospital. It was a crushing moment of vulnerability and helplessness. A moment that has been seared into my memory forever. The persistent feeling of wanting to be able to do more is what led to my interest in medicine.
I knew that I wanted to be a part of the medical field, but the path to get there wasn’t as clear as I would’ve liked. My early years of college were challenging. I lacked focus and it reflected in my grades. It was time to make a major change. Following my grandfather’s footsteps, I enlisted in the United States Navy as a corpsman, where I found the discipline and direction that I needed to be successful.
After boot camp I was sent to Corpsman A-School and was thrown into the medical world that I admired so much—I was hooked. We got a crash course in vital signs, CPR, phlebotomy, IV administration, basic nursing, EMT skills, and tactical combat casualty care. I was consumed by my studies, but I craved more. How could I continue to broaden my knowledge and grow as a medical professional? I received that answer when I was selected for the Navy’s medical laboratory technician school. It was a challenging, fast paced program, but it gave me an opportunity to take a deeper dive into another level of the human body and healthcare.
Upon graduating lab school I was assigned to Balboa Hospital in San Diego, where an 8 year old patient named Lucy and her PA reminded me of the importance of compassion in healthcare. Lucy was having a bone marrow biopsy and she was nervous. I knelt down next to her, held my hand out, and she squeezed it tight. I talked to her through the entire procedure and watched that fear turn into bravery; she never let go of my hand. The next day I checked in on Lucy and was greeted with an ear to ear smile and a hug. She was in the middle of a follow up with her PA who pulled me aside to thank me and said something that still resonates with me, “At the end of the day we treat people, not patients. Those people just want to be heard and cared for.”
After doing some research, physician assistant sounded like the perfect way to build on the foundation that was laid out for me as a corpsman. I wanted to be a versatile caregiver, a jack of all trades. I was enamored with the idea of working in multiple specialties and utilizing a diverse set of skills and knowledge to care for patients. Camaraderie and communication are things that I value highly, both of which are vital to the success of a medical team. The prospect of working alongside a doctor and other like-minded medical professionals in a team environment has further grown my desire to become a PA.
I will always be proud of my military service, but it was time to bid farewell to the Navy. I moved back home and really hit my stride as a student. With my sights set on PA school, I was ready to make an impact on my community. I accepted a job as a phlebotomist at a local hospital, where I worked through some of the worst parts of the pandemic. Going in and out of isolation rooms, responding to code blues, and drawing blood from patients on ventilators was an eye opening experience and shined a light on the critical need for healthcare providers. However, it was an experience that cemented my decision in pursuing a career as a PA.
My path now is clearer than it ever has been. I no longer feel helpless. Becoming a PA would give me the opportunity to use the valuable skills I gained from the Navy. I have been through the rigors of fast, demanding academic programs and am looking forward to the next challenge. I’m confident that the teamwork, communication, and leadership qualities I have developed will help me be successful as a healthcare provider. My passion for patient care and my community will allow me to continue serving others in an impactful way.
Whitney Prosperi says
Matt,
I trust that you will be a compassionate provider who will honor the memory of your beloved grandfather.
I suggest moving your comments about grades to the paragraph before your conclusion. This will give you the opportunity to set up the positive aspects of your journey first. It is best to briefly mention what happened that resulted in the lower grades and then explain what tactics you used to raise them.
If you have any shadowing experience, I would also include a paragraph that describes that.
I wish you good luck. Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
Hannah says
I was 17 when I first found the tumor. Dread filled me as my fingers settled on the hard mass beneath my skin. I was 17 and alone in my bathroom, trying to assess the situation. I was 17 and alone, wishing I could undiscover the tumor in my left breast. “Is it possible to have breast cancer at 17?” Yes, according to the Internet, it was. I spent a few too many days stewing in fear of the situation until I eventually told my mom. Before I knew it, we were in the waiting room for an ultrasound of the tumor.
Both my mom and I had been nervous about the ultrasound, but it went by much faster than I expected. Soon after the visit, the physician was in the room with us to discuss the results. She explained that the tumor wasn’t something to be concerned about, unless it were to change size or shape. Tumors like mine can sometimes occur in girls my age for a number of reasons, but to be sure the tumor was benign, the physician had to order a biopsy.She asked me if I knew what a biopsy was or if I had ever had one before. I said no for both. She explained that they needed to perform the biopsy to analyze the tissue and see if the cells were cancerous or not. During the actual biopsy, I don’t think I could’ve been more scared. I didn’t know what to expect, even when the attending provider came into the room to go through the procedure. It wasn’t until the physician assistant (PA) entered that I started to calm down. The PA introduced herself and immediately began to set up the equipment. She explained what everything was for, and told me to look away if I needed to. Once we started, the needle hurt more than I thought it would, but the PA distracted me from the pain and discomfort.
She gave me her hand at the start of the biopsy and told me to squeeze as hard as I needed to. She let me hold her hand the entire time, all while using her free hand to assist with everything that was needed of her during the procedure. She started talking about her daughters, and then asked me questions about school. She asked me about college and about what I wanted to be when I got older. I wasn’t able to tell her then, but if I could now, I’d tell her that I want to be like her. I don’t think I would have made it out of the biopsy emotionally intact if it had not been for her. She distracted me from the pain, but she also distracted my mom from watching me go through it alone. She made me feel like I was no longer alone, like how I felt when I first found the tumor. Not only that, but she gave us the knowledge and support that my mom and I needed in a time of uncertainty. She reassured me that I would be okay, and that I was in good hands. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to work in medicine.
Shadowing PAs solidified my desire to work in medicine. The first time I shadowed was during an open heart surgery. Moments before the procedure, the PA I observed said a few words to the patient and his family, reassuring him that he was in good hands. I was immediately reminded of my biopsy. Surely, it wasn’t as scary as an open heart surgery, but the procedure still carried an uncertainty for me and my loved ones. Just like the PA who helped me through my biopsy, the PA assisting with the heart surgery made it her priority to care for her patient and his family during a scary time. Weeks after this, I shadowed in neurology and observed a nerve block being performed on a young patient with a traumatic brain injury. He was about the age I had been during my biopsy, with his mom in the room. I knew his condition was painful, and I could recognize the anxiety on their faces. However, as the attending physician performed the nerve block, the PA I was shadowing constantly reassured the patient that he was doing a great job. After the procedure, I then watched as she reached for his hand to tell him one last time that he had been great.
These PAs have all been inspiring to me during my journey to be like them. What they all have in common is that they deeply care about medicine, but they also care about their patients on a level that far exceeds diagnosis and treatment. They see their patients as people first, and they all recognize how medicine has effects far beyond the patient alone. What I see in the PAs that have guided me are people who always look for silver linings. What I see in them is something I hope to see in myself someday. Through all of my experiences, I have learned that I want nothing more than to be a PA as compassionate as those I have come to know and shadow. Everyday as I get closer and closer to this goal, I know I will always cherish the positive experiences I have had and use them to be a provider that cares about medicine, but also the ups and downs that come with it.
Whitney Prosperi says
Hannah,
You do a good job telling your story and how you found the PA profession. I trust that you will be a calming influence for your own patients one day.
I suggest tightening up your essay where you can so you can include more details from your journey.
Describe any work experience, clinical skills, and medical knowledge you have gained along the way. Also, if you have a patient care story, include that. You want to show some of the qualities that will make you an effective PA.
I would also elaborate on what exactly appeals to you about the PA profession over another type of provider. (more time with patients, ability to switch specialties, collaboration with a healthcare team, expanding access to more patients?
Should you want more help, remember that we are taking submissions for our essay revision service.
I wish you good luck, Hannah.
Jennifer says
Hi! I’m a bit over the character limit and have gotten a little stuck during this process so I’ll really appreciate it if you could provide some feedback. Thank you!
What is the value of life? It’s a question that’s often asked but rarely answered. As someone who has experienced the monotony of the daily grind, I know what it’s like to feel like a small cog in a big machine. I’ve spent countless hours staring at a screen, wondering if my work is making a difference in the world. Then, one day, my manager’s words hit me like a ton of bricks: “We’re not saving lives here. It’s just business.” That moment was a turning point for me. I knew then that I needed to make a real impact on the world.
I initially chose to major in Business Administration in college because I believed it was a financially prudent decision. Reflecting, I constantly found myself unfulfilled and uninspired by my business courses. This lack of personal and academic growth led me to seriously consider a change in my career path.
As I explored my options, I discovered that pursuing a career as a physician assistant (PA) would allow me to integrate my passion for healthcare with my desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives. I want to work alongside physicians and other healthcare team members to be able to communicate effectively with patients and their families, provide clear and concise explanations of their conditions and treatments, and offer compassionate care that took into account their unique needs and circumstances.
A visit to my physician, Dr. Lee, led to an opening to volunteer at her office on the weekends, which later turned into employment. During one of my first few days as a medical assistant, I witnessed a patient faint during a blood draw after denying any history of fainting. In a moment of panic, I called the closest healthcare provider to assist me, and Aubrey Li, a PA, quickly arrived on the scene. I was amazed by her composure and swift action in attending to the patient. Aubrey calmly assessed the situation, took the necessary steps to ensure the patient’s safety, and communicated effectively with both the patient and me. Her ability to stay calm and handle the situation with such grace and professionalism impressed me deeply. It made me realize how fortunate I would be if I could become a healthcare provider like Aubrey and have the skills to provide the best possible care to my patients.
Another experience, in particular, taught me that empathy is an essential component of providing quality care and serves as a reminder that small acts of kindness and advocacy can make a large difference in a patient’s experience.
One busy Saturday morning, I arrived at Dr. Lee’s office at 8:30 AM to find a room full of patients waiting to be seen. The office had just opened and the waiting room was packed. I attended to my first patient of the day, “Ken”, a middle-aged man who seemed nervous and restless. As I went about my duties, I noticed that Ken was fidgeting in his seat still waiting for his blood draw hours after arriving, while others who had checked in after him had already been seen.
Feeling frustrated on behalf of Ken, I decided to investigate the issue and discovered that his chart had been mistakenly placed last on the list. By taking the time to connect with him and understand his concerns, I was able to communicate effectively with the staff and ensure that Ken received the care he needed. Seeing the relief on Ken’s face when he was finally attended to made me realize the profound impact that healthcare professionals can have on patients’ lives, no matter how seemingly small.
Through shadowing and conversations with various healthcare providers, I confirmed my desire to become a PA due to the profession’s versatility and ability to work in multiple specialties. To accomplish this, I sought opportunities to better gauge what it was like to work in these settings. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked at an urgent care. Although it taught me to multitask in an extremely fast-paced environment effectively, it lacked the emotional bond with the patients I was seeking. I later left the urgent care and came back to Dr. Li’s as an employee. While working there, I took prerequisite classes and earned a post-baccalaureate GPA of 3.8. I also actively sought out additional opportunities to further my understanding of the healthcare field. This included shadowing and interning with a cardiologist, as well as participating in a virtual pre-health shadowing program.
The phrase “We’re not saving lives here. It’s just business” may be a common sentiment in the corporate world, but for me, it became a catalyst for change. As a future PA, I aspire to partner with organizations that offer healthcare services to underserved communities, remain knowledgeable about the latest medical advancements, and continuously enhance my communication skills to ensure patients feel at ease. The profession’s versatility and ability to work in various specialties, combined with my empathy and desire to establish genuine connections with patients, make me confident that I can make a difference in their lives. I am committed to pursuing this path and using my skills and experiences to become a compassionate and knowledgeable healthcare provider, because for me, it’s not just business, it’s personal.