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You are here: Home / Pre-Physician Assistant / The PA History Quiz: I Scored a 3 Out of 25, How About You?

The PA History Quiz: I Scored a 3 Out of 25, How About You?

December 15, 2015 By Stephen Pasquini PA-C 20 Comments

Do You Know Your PA History Take the Physician Assistant History Quiz

And the answer is . . .

You will have to take the quiz below to find out!

"Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past."

I wish the title of this blog post were an attention grabbing exaggeration, but sadly it is true, I scored a 3 out of 25 on my PA history quiz.

Statistically speaking I would have done better had I let my cat pick the answers.

The truth is, even after 13 years in the PA profession and over three years writing content for this blog, I know very little about the history of my profession.

  • Which nationally syndicated cartoon comic strip featured a physician assistant as a leading character?
  • What year was the first national certifying examination for PAs administered?
  • Which First Lady attended and spoke at an AAPA Annual Conference while her husband was still in office?

Know your PA history and Ace your PA school interview

Want another reason to know your PA history?

When you are preparing for your PA school interview, you must make it a point to have a solid understanding of our profession. It will help you answer questions about why you want to be a PA. You will be able to explain what this means, not just from a personal perspective but a historical one.

How do we as PAs address the many professional challenges ahead? We look to the past and learn from it.

Know your history, and you will be hard wired to impress!

Below is a compilation of five quizzes offered by the Physician Assistant History Society. I have gathered these 25 questions into an interactive quiz that you can take below.

A serious thank you for the amazing work of the PA History Society for celebrating our profession and creating the quiz content.

I encourage you to take time and follow the links embedded in the exam, go down the "rabbit hole," read about and understand every element of our history. It will give you confidence, not only during your PA school interview but as you make a life and career for yourself as a physician assistant.  

Now go ahead and see if you can beat my score.

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT HISTORY EXAM

How much do you know about the PA profession

Start
Congratulations - you have completed How much do you know about the PA profession. You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%. Your performance has been rated as %%RATING%%
Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1
Which state was last to pass physician assistant enabling legislation?
A
New Jersey
B
Mississippi
C
Montana
D
Louisiana
Question 1 Explanation: 
Mississippi HB 846 was signed into law by Gov. Ronnie Musgrove on April 24, 2000 after a 26 year struggle to gain legislation to license and authorize the practice of physician assistants. By doing so, all 50 states now authorize PA practice.
Question 2
Who was the physician who first introduced members of the AMA to the concept of “mid-level practitioners” and who published an article titled “Expansion of medical professional services with nonprofessional personnel” in a 1961 issue of JAMA?
A
Dr. Hu Myers
B
Dr. Eugene A. Stead, Jr.
C
Dr. Richard Smith
D
Dr. Charles Hudson
Question 2 Explanation: 
Charles L. Hudson, MD was one of the first physicians to suggest that non-physician clinical support personnel be trained and used to help alleviate a growing disparity between supply and demand for health care services. At an American Medical Association (AMA) meeting in 1961, he proposed that individuals with no previous medical education be trained to perform routine clinical tasks. His address was published in JAMA in 1961. Mississipi Enact PA Law Composite
Question 3
Who served as the first elected president of the Physician Assistant History Society?
A
J. Jeffrey Heinrich
B
Alfred Sadler
C
William Stanhope
D
Reginald Carter
Question 3 Explanation: 
Jeffrey Heinrich RecentThe Physician Assistant History Society was incorporated in January 2002 and became fully operational in July 2002 under the leadership of Dr. J. Jeffrey Heinrich, the Society’s first elected president.

About Us:

The Society for Preservation of PA History

Question 4
What is the title of George Skypeck's painting that contains thousands of names of Vietnam veterans who signed the artwork as it traveled throughout the USA in the 1980s and has a special significance for physician assistants who are veterans?
A
Life Saver Then - Care Giver Now
B
God Loves a Grunt
C
Angels and Brothers
D
Corpsman Up
Question 4 Explanation: 
With the artist permission, over 500 PAs signed the painting during the AAPA’s 10th Annual Conference held in Washington DC in May 1982. Prints of the painting and signatures have graced the walls of the White House and Congress and have appeared in the homes of military leaders and film and television stars. With the artist permission, the Veterans Caucus of the AAPA sale prints of the painting to generate scholarship funds for PA students who are veterans. "God Loves a Grunt" reminds us of the dedication and sacrifice of those first ex-military corpsmen who were selected to pioneer our profession. The Creation of God Loves a Grunt
Question 5
An advertisement promoting the training of former military corpsmen to be physician assistants was sponsored by the AMA (American Doctors of Medicine) and appeared in the July 30, 1971 Issue of Life Magazine. The advertisement shows a young African American male, a former military corpsman, doing what as a civilian?
A
Working as a nurse's aid in a long-term care facility
B
Doing janitorial work
C
Washing a car windshield at a gas station
D
Grilling hamburgers at a fast-food restaurant
Question 5 Explanation: 
Advertisement from the July 30 1971 Issue of Life MagazineThe accompanying photograph shows him washing the windshield of a car with the caption, “We want to put this man in the hospital.” The accompanying text relates that this young man spent two years as a medic in Vietnam on the battlefield saving “an arm, a leg—or a life.” Now in civilian life, “he’s pumping gas… a terrible waste of his training.” The advertisement goes on to inform the public and potential PA candidates about the development of PA educational programs to train individuals to help solve the shortage of doctors. “They’re [PAs] virtually an extra right hand for the doctor. And that’s very good news for the doctor’s patients.” From the Military Corpsmen Ranks
Question 6
Which nationally syndicated cartoon comic strip featured a physician assistant as a leading character?
A
Cathy
B
Mary Worth
C
Gasoline Alley
D
Beetle Bailey
Question 6 Explanation: 
Gasoline Alley Collage Promotes Physician Assistants In 1970, Dr. Robert Howard, the director of the Duke University PA Program, contacted cartoonist Dick Moores to ask him to consider having a PA included in the comic strip, Gasoline Alley. The following year, with background material supplied by Howard, Mr. Moores depicted Doc, the town's general practitioner, introducing Chipper Wallet to the PA concept. Chipper was an ex-military corpsman who served in the US Coast Guard in Vietnam. In the strip, Doc encourages Chipper to apply for PA training and return home to help him with his practice. Dick Moores joined Frank King, the creator of the comic strip Gasoline Alley, in 1956. Marketing the PA Profession
Question 7
Where was the first postgraduate residency PA program established?
A
Montefiore Medical Center
B
Norwalk Hospital/Yale University
C
Howard University Hospital
D
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Question 7 Explanation: 
gliedmanMontefiore's Physician Assistant residency is the oldest postgraduate residency program in the country. It was established in 1971 at the Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY by Marvin Gliedman, MD, Richard Rosen, MD, and Clara Vanderbilt, R-PA. Montefiore became the first hospital to include PA's as house officers on inpatient surgical services. Those PA's quickly became an integral part of the surgical team at Montefiore and their clinical experience was formalized into a 12 month residency in general surgery and surgical specialties. Montefiore PA Surgical Residency Program
Question 8
What was the title of the first book written about the PA profession and published in 1972 by Sadler, Sadler, and Bliss?
A
Physician's Assistants: Partners in Health Care
B
The Physician's Assistant: Today and Tomorrow
C
The Physician Assistant: Innovation in the Division of Medical Labor
D
Physician Assistant: Their Contribution to Health Care
Question 8 Explanation: 
The Physician Assistant Today and Tomorrow BookThe Physician's Assistant: Today and Tomorrow was published by Yale University Press in 1972. The three authors, Alfred Sadler, Jr. a physician who headed the Trauma program at Yale, his twin brother Blair, a lawyer also on faculty at Yale and Ann Bliss, a nurse and psychiatric social worker, were all heavily involved in the development of Yale's Physician's Associate Program. The authors provided an overview of issues confronting the newly emerging health professional, i.e., PAs, focused on lessons learned from the past, especially in nursing, and called for the development of better interdependent relationships between PAs and other health professionals. Read the book: The Physician's Assistant: Today and Tomorrow 2nd Edition
Question 9
What year was the first national certifying examination for PAs administered?
A
1968
B
1973
C
1975
D
1978
Question 9 Explanation: 
With the blessing of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and the Association of Physician Assistant Programs (APAP), the American Medical Association (AMA) with funds from the Kellogg Foundation requested the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) to develop and administer a national certifying examination for Assistants to the Primary Care Physician. The examination was first administered in December 1973 to PAs and was also open to nurse practitioners, nurse clinicians and to child health associate graduates. The examination was open to informally trained PAs in 1974. The AMA and NBME brought together 12 professional groups in late 1973 to form a free-standing, independent commission to certify PAs and others who successfully passed the national certifying examination and to work with state boards, employers, the PA profession and the public to assure the competency of PAs. The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) opened offices in Atlanta, GA in February 1975. History and Role of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
Question 10
What year and where was the first National Conference on New Health Practitioners held?
A
1972 in Durham, NC
B
1972 in Washington, DC
C
1973 in Wichita Falls, TX
D
1973 in New Orleans, LA
Question 10 Explanation: 
The First National Conference on New Health Practitioners was held April 10-14, 1973 at the School of Health Care Sciences, Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. Attendance was 325 individuals. The conference was cosponsored by the AAPA and APAP and attempts were made to attract nurse practitioners as well as PAs. The conference had roots in Durham, NC, the birthplace of the PA concept. There, in 1968, a handful of PAs convened the First Annual Duke Conference on Physician's Assistants. Additional conferences were held at Duke in 1969, 1970 and 1972. These early conferences helped standardize curriculums, develop accreditation guidelines and state enabling legislation, promote the PA concept to the medical and nursing professions, the Federal Government and funding agencies. They also helped solidify leaders of the "PA movement" into a highly organized and effective group of health policy innovators. First PA Conference
Question 11
Which of the following titles has NOT been used in the past by the PA professional organization known by the acronym AAPA?
A
American College of Physician's Assistants
B
American Association of Physician's Assistants
C
American Academy of Physician's Associates
D
American Academy of Physician's Assistants
Question 11 Explanation: 
The current American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) has had several name changes over the years. It was organized and incorporated in North Carolina in 1968 as the American Association of Physician's Assistants. In June 1971 the name was changed to the American Academy of Physician's Associates but because of controversy about the use of the term associate, customarily used by physicians to refer to another physician colleague in practice, was changed in February 1972 to the American Academy of Physician's Assistants. The 's was dropped in the mid-1970s because PAs believed that the possessive "s" misconstrued the interdependent relationship between them and their supervising physician. The American College of Physician's Assistants established in Cincinnati and the National Association of Physician's Assistants based in NY City, were two of three other competing organizations that emerged between 1968-1972 to represent PAs, some of whom were informally trained.
Question 12
Which First Lady attended and spoke at an AAPA Annual Conference while her husband was still in office?
A
Hillary Clinton
B
Barbara Bush
C
Nancy Reagan
D
Rosalynn Carter
Question 12 Explanation: 
Rosalynn Carter attended the AAPA Annual Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1980. Ms. Carter spoke to the general assembly advocating for improved delivery of mental health services, especially for homeless, uninsured and medically disadvantaged citizens. She is still an advocate and continues to work on the cause through the Carter Center's Mental Health Program. While President, Jimmy Carter signed on December 13, 1977 the Rural Health Clinic Service Act that provided Medicare reimbursement of PA services. Jimmy Carter Rural Health Act 3
Question 13
Who was the first woman to become president of the American Academy of Physician Assistants?
A
Sherri Stuart
Hint:
1991 Sherri Stuart became the second woman to head the Academy.
B
Judith Willis
C
Sherrie Borden
Hint:
Sherri Borden held the office between 1996-1997
D
Clara Vanderbilt
Hint:
Clara Vanderbilt was first woman to serve as vice president of the organization between 1975-76.
Question 13 Explanation: 
willisBio imageJudith Willis was the first woman elected to serve as president of the AAPA. She served as the Academy's president from 1984-85, the 14th person to do so in the Academy's 17th year of existence. In 1985, the Academy's membership surpassed the 10,000 mark. Many women have held the presidential office since 1991 when Sherri Stuart became the second woman to head the Academy. Sherri Borden held the office between 1996-1997. Clara Vanderbilt was first woman to serve as vice president of the organization between 1975-76. Read the full biography of Judith B Willis
Question 14
In what year did the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) administer the PA National Certifying Examination (PANCE) to informally trained PAs and nurse practitioners (NPs) for the last time?
A
1975
B
1980
C
1985
D
1990
Question 14 Explanation: 
Since 1985, only individuals that have graduated from educational programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or its predecessors, CAHEA and CAAHEP, are eligible to sit for the PANCE. Any individual who passed the PANCE prior to closure of the examination to informally trained PAs or nurse practitioners maintained their certification and remained eligible to become recertified every six years by taking the PANRE (recertifying examination). History and Role of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
Question 15
Which institution was the first to offer a bachelor's degree to graduates of its PA educational program?
A
Duke University, Durham, NC
B
University of Colorado, Denver, CO
Hint:
In 1974, the Child Health Associate Program based at the University of Colorado became the first program to offer graduates a master's degree.
C
Alderson-Broaddus College, Philippi, WV
D
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Question 15 Explanation: 
Hu Myers CollageDr. Hu C. Meyers founded and served eight years as the director of the nation's first degree program for physician assistants at Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia. The first students were enrolled in September 1968 and graduated four years later in 1972. It was the first program to offer a liberal arts-based baccalaureate degree, the first to accept students just out of high school and the first to accept students without previous medical experience - a major departure from Dr. Eugene Stead's PA model at Duke University and Dr. Richard Smith's MEDEX model at the University of Washington. In 1974, the Child Health Associate Program based at the University of Colorado became the first program to offer graduates a master's degree.
Question 16
The prime time NBC television program that aired in December 1970 portraying the medical legal plight of an ex-military corpsmen arrested for giving aid to an accident victim in a medically isolated community in California was:
A
The Young Lawyers
B
The Storefront Lawyers
C
The Bold Ones
D
Marcus Welby, MD
Question 16 Explanation: 
The 'People against Dr. Chapman' aired December 6, 1970 as one of four episodes of the lawyers that was broadcast under the NBC umbrella program THE BOLD ONES. The episode was scripted by Jerome (Jerry) Bredouw. Bredouw wanted to educate the public about the need to enact legislation (especially in California) to allow doctors to use physician assistants to extend their services to individuals living in medically isolated communities. Bredouw was motivated by the California case, Shasta County v. Whittaker (1966). Roger Whittaker, a surgical assistant trained in the military, was charged with practicing medicine without a license even though he worked under the supervision of a neurosurgeon, Dr. George Stevenson, during brain surgery, Bredouw was a big fan of the comic strip Gasoline Alley and convinced the cartoonist, Dick Moores, to have Chipper Wallet, a corpsman in Vietnam, become a physician assistant. The Bold Ones TV Episode and Gasoline Alley Comic Strip
Question 17
The organization incorporated in 1970 by PA program educators to assure the clinical competence of their graduates and served as the forerunner of the Association of Physician Assistant Programs was the:
A
Physicians’ Associates Education Research Foundation (PAERF)
B
American Registry of Physicians’ Associates (ARPA)
C
National Registry of Physician’s Associates (NRPA)
D
American Board of Physician Associates (ABPA)
Question 17 Explanation: 
The American Registry of Physicians' Associates (ARPA) was incorporated in 1970 to encourage a standard level of training and to promote the use of Physicians' Associates (now known as physician assistants). Those registered by the ARPA were entitled to refer to themselves as an RPA (registered PA) and were given an ARPA pin to wear on their clinical jackets. The ARPA was assimilated into the Association of Physician Assistant Programs (APAP) in 1972 and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants assumed its registration functions in 1975. The ARPA no longer exists as an organization. American Reigstry of Physician's Associates
Question 18
Who was the “doctor’s assistant” trained and employed by Dr. Amos Johnson in Garland, NC, who served as Dr. Eugene Stead, Jr.’s role model when he began formally educating PAs at Duke University?
A
Steve Turnipseed
B
Joyce Nichols
C
Prentiss Harrison
D
Henry Treadwell
Question 18 Explanation: 
Johnson Treadwell Collage Prior to the development of the physician assistant program at Duke University in 1965, many physicians were training their own assistants on the job. Stead was aware particularly of one such proprietary trained assistant, Mr. Henry Lee 'Buddy' Treadwell, who was trained by and worked with Dr. Amos Johnson in general practice in Garland, North Carolina. This relationship crystallized Stead's vision of how a physician's assistant could be used to help over-worked doctors deliver health care services.
Question 19
In 1967, Dr. John W. Kirklin initiated the first surgeon's assistant program at which institution?
A
University of Alabama/Birmingham
B
Weill Cornell Medical College/New York
C
The State University of New Jersey/Rutgers
D
Emory University/Atlanta
Question 19 Explanation: 
Dr. John Kirklin started the University of Alabama/Birmingham's Surgeon Assistant (SA) Training Program in 1967 and recruited his wife, Dr. Margaret Kirklin, to be the program's first Academic Director. There were initially four students – three of whom remained at UAB for the rest of their professional lives.
Question 20
What national legislation paved the way for the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Bureau of Health Manpower Education, to award contracts to fund the education of physician assistants for the first time?
A
Federal Economy Act of 1970
B
Comprehensive Health Manpower Training Act of 1971
C
Health Professions Educational Assistance Act of 1963
D
Higher Education Act of 1972
Question 20 Explanation: 
The Department of Health, Education and Welfare announced awarding $4 million in contracts in Fiscal 1972 to 25 institutions training Physician Assistants for primary care. This was the first time these type programs were awarded funds by the Office of Special Programs, under sections of the Comprehensive Health Manpower Training Act of 1971. President M. Nixon signed the bill on December 23, 1971.
Question 21
n 1968, Dr. Richard Smith created the first MEDEX program in the country at the University of Washington. What does the acronym MEDEX mean?
A
Med-ical Ex-tenders
B
Med-icine Ex-tension
C
Med-ical Ex-terns
D
M-edically Ed-ucated Ex-tenders
Question 21 Explanation: 
smithRADr. Richard A. Smith is assigned to Pacific Northwest by Surgeon General William Stewart to develop physician assistant training program. He develops the MEDEX (Med-icine Ex-tension) model with a strong emphasis on the deployment of students and graduates into medically underserved communities.

Biography:

Richard Smith, MD

Question 22
Formally organized as a not-for-profit organization in 1974, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) opened its first office in 1975 in which of the following cities?
A
Chicago, IL
B
Durham, NC
C
Washington, DC
D
Atlanta, GA
Question 22 Explanation: 
With federal and private funding and under the auspices of the American Medical Association and the National Board of Medical Examiners, fourteen national health organizations came together in August 1974 to establish the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), as a free-standing, independent commission to assure the public of the competency of physician assistants. David Glazer was recruited from Emory University in December 1974 to serve as the organization's first executive director. With a staff of five individuals, he opened an office in Atlanta, GA in February 1975 and continued to oversee the development of a state-of-the-art certification and recertification process for physician assistants until he relinquished his position in 1996 The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants: History and Role NCCPA Incorportated
Question 23
The trial People v Whittaker involved an ex-military trained operating room assistant who assisted a neurosurgeon with surgery. The assistant was charged with practicing medicine without a license. The trial received national coverage in 1966. In the trials aftermath, which state developed and passed the first legislation to allow physicians to hire and use formerly trained physician assistants in their practices?
A
California
B
North Carolina
C
West Virginia
D
Washington
Question 23 Explanation: 
WhittakerShasta County, California v Whittaker is a seminal event that helped institutionalize the PA profession. The trial’s notoriety and adverse outcome for the defendants caught the national attention of many medical societies, medical boards, and individual physicians who supported the use of informally trained assistants to help reduce physicians’ workloads. In the end, many notable physicians rallied to the cause, and California’s health care professionals and politicians were prompted to become one of the first states to define the PA profession. People v. Whittaker: The Trial and its Aftermath in California
Question 24
Who served as Secretary of the Accreditation Review Committee on Educational Programs for Physician Assistants (ARC-PA) from 1972 to 1991?
A
David L Glazer
B
Lawrence M. (Mac) Detmer
C
Donald W. Fisher
D
William D. Stanhope
Question 24 Explanation: 
Detmer001Lawrence M Detmer served as Secretary of the Accreditation Review Committee on Educational Programs for Physician Assistants (ARC-PA) from 1972 to 1991 (when AAPA assumed responsibility for the administration of the ARC-PA). In this role he helped develop the initial policies and procedures used to accredit physician assistant programs based upon a set of Essentials. The Essentials were adopted by the American Medical Association's (AMA) House of Delegates in December 1971 upon recommendation of several medical specialty societies composed of a sufficient number of physicians providing primary patient care.

Biography:

Lawrence (Mac) Detmer

Question 25
Who is the first woman and first African American woman to become a physician assistant?
A
Ruth Webb
B
Brenda Jasper
C
Peggy Valentine
D
Joyce Nichols
Question 25 Explanation: 
joyceNicholsJoyce Nichols is the first woman to be formally educated as a physician assistant (PA). She also happens to be the first African-American woman to practice as a PA. Nichols was working as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at Duke University when Dr. Eugene A. Stead, Jr. established his 2-yr PA educational program in 1965. She learned about the program from a former Navy corpsman who worked with her in the cardiac unit. The program was originally designed to build on the past experience and training of ex-military corpsmen. Thus, Nichols had to overcome a number of obstacles to gain entrance into the program. She was a woman; she did not have a corpsmen background; she was an African-American; and she had little money to pay for her education. However she was persistent and gradually won the faculty’s confidence and support. She entered and graduated from the Duke PA Program in 1970.

Biography:

Joyce Nichols

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So how did you fare?  Post your score in the comments section below, and I will send the first three commenters a FREE copy of our new ebook "How to Write Your PA School Personal Statement"... A $15 value!

The Physician Assistant An Illustrated HistoryIf you want to learn all about the PA profession (which you should, especially if you have an upcoming PA school interview), make sure to spend some time at the Physician Assistant History Society Website, take in some PA History video at PAFLIX or purchase The Physician Assistant: An Illustrated History on Amazon. It will blow the socks of the admissions committee if you show up with this one under your arm! This may be the best $15 you ever spend 🙂

Check out The Physician Assistant: An Illustrated History

Have a beautiful day!

Stephen Pasquini PA-C

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About Stephen Pasquini PA-C

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

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bellene (Billie) Racowsky says

    December 3, 2018 at 10:08 pm

    I got a 60% which isn’t too good since I lived thru most of that history. Fun to take and read the answers – thanks for taking the time to do this.
    Billie

    Reply
  2. Shadai says

    August 9, 2018 at 7:04 am

    Im 22 and was intrested in making PA my major i decided to take the quiz with basically no knowledge of it and scored a 61%

    Reply
  3. Sana says

    July 16, 2018 at 2:41 am

    I got 13/25! But I gotta say, I guessed some of them! Thanks for the posting the quiz!

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      July 16, 2018 at 10:16 am

      Way to go… graded on the curve that definitely counts as an A+! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Naia says

    September 8, 2017 at 6:56 am

    48%!! Got some more to study!

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      September 9, 2017 at 9:49 am

      Hi Naia, I think you still did better than most 🙂

      Reply
  5. Irina says

    August 7, 2017 at 10:35 pm

    I got 8 correct out of 25. Need to improve a lot ?

    Reply
  6. Chelita says

    May 1, 2016 at 12:12 am

    I got 4 right

    Reply
  7. Raquel says

    April 12, 2016 at 11:39 pm

    6 correct at 53%. Since I am still in my BSHS, I have a little time to study 🙂

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      April 12, 2016 at 11:47 pm

      Not bad at all!!! I think the founders would be proud ?

      Reply
  8. Alex says

    December 15, 2015 at 11:36 pm

    I’m the 5th comment, 60 %.

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      December 16, 2015 at 9:10 am

      Hi Alex, 60% on the curve gives you an A++ ! Unfortunately, a couple other commenters beat you to the ebook, but I will do this again so stay tuned.. Thanks for taking the time to take the test and post your score!!

      – Stephen

      Reply
  9. Sarah says

    December 15, 2015 at 5:42 pm

    I got 80% 🙂 still could be better!

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      December 16, 2015 at 9:08 am

      Hi Sarah, if the PA History society sees your score you just may get a job offer… Way to go! Unfortunately a couple other commenters beat you to the ebook, but I will do this again so stay tuned.. Thanks for taking the time to take the test and post your score!!

      – Stephen

      Reply
  10. John O says

    December 15, 2015 at 11:19 am

    Just 20%

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      December 16, 2015 at 9:05 am

      Great job John! Thanks for taking the time to take the quiz and post your score. Since I grade on a curve 20% is still a B+ 🙂 Way to go! I just sent over a copy of your free ebook to your email address, take care and have a great day!

      – Stephen

      Reply
  11. Sam R says

    December 15, 2015 at 9:42 am

    I got a 62% ! I definitely need to brush up on my PA history..

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      December 16, 2015 at 9:03 am

      Great job Sam! Thanks for taking the time to take the quiz and post your score. A 66% is going be hard to beat, I think you join the ranks of official PA historian 🙂 I just sent over a copy of your free ebook to your email address, take care and way to go!

      – Stephen

      Reply
  12. Maddie J says

    December 15, 2015 at 9:27 am

    I scored a 44%…. Looks like I need to brush up on my PA history!

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      December 16, 2015 at 9:02 am

      Great job Maddie! Thanks for taking the time to take the quiz and post your score. I think a 44% is exceptional! I just sent over a copy of your free ebook to your email address, take care and have a great day.

      – Stephen

      Reply

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Testimonials

I just wanted to reach out to you and let you know that I got accepted into PA School and wanted to thank you so much for all of your help throughout this journey. I truly could not have done it without your help! Thank you again so much.

Emily Sharpe, Pre-PA

Sue Edmondson was VERY thorough in her editing of my essay, as well as the promptness of her responses to me. She not only took the time to edit the grammar of my essay but helped me remove a large portion of it to focus on the important aspects of it and draw in more details. Overall, a fantastic service!

Megan Hunstad, Pre-PA

Having my essay edited proved extremely helpful. I was having trouble connecting my thoughts, and the edit helped so much. I haven’t found out about acceptance yet. I’m just now about to submit my application!

Amber, Pre-PA

I thought that the service was very helpful in helping me with my personal statement. Duke was always prompt with responding to emails and made himself very available throughout the process. He was also good and helping, but also making sure that I was the one doing the writing. I think that the structure of the service helped me put in enough time to come out with a very good finished product.

David H. Pre-PA

I absolutely loved working with Sarah! I could not be any happier with how my personal statement turned out. She was incredibly encouraging, sensitive to my needs, and insightful. There is not enough praise that I could give her for the amazing work she did for me.

Vanessa, Pre-PA

I came into this with a half written personal statement and not a lot of time left. I am beyond pleased with the work Sarah and I were able to accomplish together, and I’m so grateful to have gotten the chance to work with her. She has helped me so much with getting my writing to where I wanted it to be, and has instilled in me a great sense of confidence in myself and my abilities. I highly recommend this service to anyone going through the stress of applying! Keeping my fingers crossed as I submit my applications!

Celine, PRE-PA

Susan did a fantastic job editing my essay! She guided me and gave me suggestions for strengthening certain sections and equally took out weak parts. After I followed her recommendations, I really felt like I had an essay where every sentence mattered and reflected who I was. Thank you so much Susan for your help. I feel that I have a stronger essay because of your honest feedback and your help!

Amanda Pre-PA

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for helping me with my personal statement. I have been accepted at Cornell, and will most likely be entering their program in March 2017. I have also received interview offers from Wake Forest, Duke, Pitt, Quinnipiac, Oregon Health Sciences, and Chatham so far. I am happy to share my success up to this point, because I would not be in this position without your guidance, wisdom, and talent.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with you, and I am profoundly grateful for your help. I wish you all the best in the future.

Stephanie Dwyer, PA-S

My editor did an amazing job of quickly getting my rough draft back to me. I paid for your service very late in the game, yet The PA Life worked with my timeline and was very thorough in the editing process. I am very impressed with how eloquent I sound in the personal statement. I can not recommend your service enough!!

Katie, Pre-PA

I am not sure if you remembered me, but you helped me exactly a year ago with my PA essay. Well, I got accepted into Barry’s PA program! I start this Monday. You were part of my journey and I wanted to say THANK YOU!

Catalina Bulla, PA-S

The edit that I received from Sue was exactly what I was hoping for. She was able to tighten up my draft beyond my personal skill level and made edits that I was would have never thought to make. She has definitely made my personal statement stronger. Thank you, Sue!

Ethan, Pre-PA

Deanna was so amazing! She was really thorough and strengthened my essay in one edit! I feel so confident submitting my essay and I have high hopes for interviews! Thank you for providing these services to those of us with stories that need help being told. I would definitely recommend this service to everyone who wants to apply to PA school!

Valeria, Pre-PA

Sarah was so helpful, accommodating my needs, and I would highly recommend her to a friend/peer. I love this company and the people that work here!

Erin Felter, Pre-PA

I felt our mock interview was an absolute necessity to prepare for the Academic and Personal interviews from Yale School of Medicine PA Program Online. I felt the calibre of questions you had asked me, in addition to the coaching and post-question feedback, really helped me understand what an ideal response looks like and gave me time to reflect and prepare my responses for the formal interview just two days later.

During my interviews I was asked plenty of questions I didn’t have a prepared response to (and I had combed through tons especially in the days following our mock interview!) I can say that I answered each question genuinely, authentically, and showed both interviewers the best version of myself. I didn’t stammer or lose my place, and I felt confident in my words and expressions. I don’t think I would have been as comfortable, calm, or confident without having accepted your guidance and feedback and learned from our time together.

Gratitude for your words, encouragement, and support is an understatement. Thank you, Sarah!

Best Regards,
Jacob

Jacob, PRE-PA

We worked on my essays back in summer and oh, how much work it was! But it all paid off because I just got accepted into the school of my first choice! Thank you so much for your time and dedication to my success. I will also be glad to recommend your services to other pre-PA students at my school!

Jennifer, H Pre-PA

Duke helped me with my essay and he was great! He really helped me fine tune my essay so it’s ready for submission and answered all of the question I had about small details in my essay. He was also great about responding to emails in a timely manner. I definitely recommend this personal statement review service to anyone who’s applying to PA school…even if it’s just as a final read-through before submitting it on their application.

Tyler J. Pre-PA

The editor I was assigned, Ms. Matzen, was incredibly friendly, courteous, and professional. This was easily the best experience I’ve had with any guidance or essay editing program.

Andrew, Pre-PA

So far, I’ve received 3 interview invites from Chapman, Drexel, and Tufts!!! I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to Sarah for polishing my PS, supplemental essays and giving me lots of awesome tips for my upcoming interviews!!!

Audrey, Pre-PA

I am very pleased with the services provided! I received an email almost immediately upon submitting my essay for review, and within 24 hours my essay review was completed. I would definitely recommend this service to any PA school applicant before they submit their essay to CASPA! Thank you for your help!

Hannah Watson, Pre-PA

After receiving two edits from Carly I feel extremely confident in my personal statement. She not only fixed grammatical error and syntax, but helped me better organize my thoughts into a competitive essay. To other Pre-PAs looking to submit their essays: I know it’s a bit of an investment but the peace of mind, comfortability, and confidentiality is so worth it! Thank you The PA Life!

Elizabeth, Pre-PA

Sue was very quick to edit my essay and give feedback. Any questions were answered very promptly. I am very pleased with the service provided.

Brandon, Pre-PA

Sarah Morris Schultz was my PA statement editor and she was absolutely fabulous! She helped to shave my original 4-page long, winding PA statement down to a 2 page impactful, poignant, moving statement that lead me to get accepted to a Doctor of Medical Science program in Physician Assistant Studies. She has such a gift for writing and knowing how to say things in just the right way and use the right words! One of the DMS PA program committee members started off my video conference online interview by stating that my PA statement was the best he ever read, not “one of the best” but THE BEST statement. My heart leapt. My PA statement years ago had caused me NOT to get accepted to the school that I had hoped. I did get accepted to a good PA school, got my degree, and started practicing in this field that I love. However, this time I decided to humble myself and get help writing a good statement. Praise God, it paid off. I am so grateful for the PA Life service and fee for the one-on-one service is worth every penny! I recommend everyone get Sarah Morris Schultz. She’s the bomb.com! I love you, Sarah 🙂

Sonja D. PA-S

I read my personal statement again today and got the chills. I am so happy with it and just wanted to thank you for all your help with my PA school essay!

Mikaela, Pre-PA

Carly was helpful and gave insightful comments while helping me to create more impact within my sentences. I feel confident and at ease knowing that my supplemental application has been reviewed in a thorough manner. Thank you for all your help!

Mina, Pre-PA

My editor with The PA Life was amazing! I am so thankful for her attention to detail and wonderful editing skills. I am thrilled with how my personal statement turned out and can’t thank you enough for all of your help.

Olivia, Pre-PA

Sue was amazing! She was very quick at replying to my emails and looking over my paper and application. She was so helpful and has a way with words. I know I will continue to use her services throughout my application process!

Miranda, Pre-PA

Wanted to let you know how this application season was going for me so far.

I’ve had two interviews, still have at least three more scheduled, and I received my first acceptance last week.

Thank you again for your help!

M.S, Pre-PA

This was my third time applying to PA school and I wanted it to be my last so I figured getting help with the essay would make a difference in my application. Paying for the one on one service was the best idea I’ve had to date. Sarah was great in that she literally combined three different essays I had written into one phenomenal essay! I literally have no idea how she did it. Sarah helped me focus all of my thoughts and experience down into one concise, yet personal essay. I truly think this will help me get into PA school!

Anna M. PRE-PA

I submitted my application this morning so I am not able to answer if I received an interview yet but I am THRILLED that I found this service. Sarah has been such a blessing working on my personal statement with me. She took my ideas and mediocre paper and turned it into a beautifully written story about my life. She helped me write exactly what I wanted to say and guided me with how to say it. I would recommend, without reservation, this service to anyone who is applying to PA school. I am one hundred times more confident about applying knowing my personal statement is exactly where it needs to be. Instead of feeling stressed and overwhelmed when I submitted my application this morning, I had complete peace. Thank you, for being a shining light full of kindness to applicants like myself.

Savannah, Pre-PA

I am amazed by what Deanna was able to do in helping me get my supplemental essays in shape. I had hit a serious roadblock and she was able, and in an incredibly quick manner, help me remove those blocks. I am very grateful!

Lily, Pre-PA

Sue was great to work with. Very prompt in responding to my submission. Asked good questions and incorporated my responses into my essay nicely. I appreciate the work.

Mary Peterson, Pre-PA

My editor with The PA Life was a grammar goddess! She provided amazing feedback and was quick with responding back to any emails, questions, and concerns!

Saniha, Pre-PA

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

Rebecca, Pre-PA

Carly edited my essay, providing a generous amount of comments on why she believes that her changes make for a stronger essay. She gave amazing advice and I know that my personal statement is much more well written than before the edits were made. Definitely worth the money!

Alexa, Pre-PA

Sue did a wonderful job. I know this is an extremely busy time of year as CASPA is accepting applications and Sue was great about responding to my initial submission and getting back to me. She provided thoughtful feedback and quality editing. Fingers crossed for an acceptance to PA school!

Jo Lynn, Pre-PA

Carly was so helpful and encouraging! I truly felt like I was in good hands, and I know my personal statement is much stronger now because of her!

Chloe, Pre-PA

Sarah was absolutely incredible to work with! My initial draft conveyed all the ideas that I wanted it to, but I wasn’t sure that it flowed well or was memorable. Sarah did a great job with helping me make my introduction stand out and also helped me immensely with the overall structure of my essay. My personal statement had initially been a source of stress but I am so happy with my final draft and extremely grateful to Sarah for her thoughtful insights!

Tina, Pre-PA

Carly from The PA Life was amazing as I knew she would be based on her bio! She touched base with me when she received my personal statement and gave me a turnaround timeframe that she stuck to. In fact, she completed it earlier than expected. I am beyond satisfied!!!! Thank you, Carly, and The PA Life!

Pamela, Pre-PA

Beth did great at editing my personal statement. I feel that she corrected a lot of my grammar and made my personal statement very well-spoken while not changing what I wanted to convey. She gave me additional thoughts to consider if I wanted to edit the essay again afterward, but I feel quite content! Thank you, PA Life!

Audrey, Pre-PA

I just wanted to let you know that I was accepted into PA school.  I start at Albany Medical College in January!  Thank you again for doing such an amazing job helping me with my essay…I think in the end it really carried my application.

Lindsey Porubcan PA-S

Carly was extremely prompt and helpful! She helped edit my personal statement into something that I am extremely confident applying with!

Danielle, Pre-PA

This is my second time using this editing service and I am highly satisfied with the results! Sarah Schultz worked with me on both my personal statement and a supplemental essay, both times providing excellent advice and editing on my papers. It was a pleasure working with her, and I look forward to hearing back from programs soon to see if I receive an invitation for an interview.

Sarah, Pre-PA

A couple of months ago you worked with me on improving my personal statement. I wanted to reach out and let you know that it worked out! I got 5 interviews and so far have been accepted to 2. I am so so thankful for all your help as I don’t think it would have worked out without your amazing editing skills. Thank you for all you do! Not just me but for all the applicants you helped get accepted this year!

Matthew B. PA-S

Just found your site today while trying to update my resume. Also, I have to recertify next year so your tests are great for a refresher course. I was in a specialty area of medicine so I now realize how much I forgot in the past 5 years. Thank you very much and I will pass on to other PAs.

Pattie Solomon PA-CNorTh Miami Florida

I have recently been accepted to a program that was one of my top choices, and I also was waitlisted with two other schools. I wanted to thank you again for all your help Duke.  Not only am I grateful for your knowledge of writing and grammar (which were invaluable), but most importantly your kind word and motivation, which I needed so much at the time.  You’re a great person!

Alex Taylor, PA-S

Thank you so much for your help with my personal statement. The process was everything I could have wanted and more. You were wonderful to work with and I appreciate very much how you were able to connect to my personal experiences and combine that with the traits that you know make a statement successful. I have applied to my first two PA schools and I owe a big part of that to you! Once again, Thank you very much!

Louis T. Pre-PA

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

Maddie, Pre-PA

Sarah was amazing and so helpful with thoroughly explaining her edits! I was so impressed with the first edit. She really took my theme to the next level and really helped tighten the flow of my essay. During our first phone call, I was amazed by how quickly she incorporated my new ideas/suggestions. Sarah is extremely clever with re-wording and cutting down unnecessary words, allowing you to elaborate more on important things. I can’t say enough good things about Sarah! I am so thrilled with my result!

Khanhi, Pre-PA

AMAZING EDITS. Really opened my eyes to a new perspective of what a personal statement should really be like!

Jasmine, Pre-PA

Awesome editing service! Everything was detailed, and I could tell that my editor really cared about helping me produce a great personal statement.

Ashanna, Pre-PA

Even at the busiest time of the year for applications, they got me my edit in a matter of days. They did a great job with grammar, punctuation and suggestions. I am very satisfied with the draft I got back from Sue.

Andrew, Pre-PA

Sarah was beyond amazing, she was always on time with my essay edits, took the time needed to really listen to what I had to say. Sarah pretty much transformed my essay form caveman style to an easy, awesome flow good content easy and fun to read essay. I am very thankful for her collaboration, I could not have done anything that resembles her quality of work. Thanks a million!!!!

Jerry C, Pre-PA

I am happy to provide an update. I received 5 acceptances for this cycle and will be attending Rush University PA Program starting in May 2022. Of course, I definitely have Sarah Schultz and Deanna Matzen from The PA Life to thank for their incredible help with my personal statement, instilling confidence in my ability to interview, and providing me with a lot of advice in this very difficult cycle.

Bristi (Future PA)

I just wanted to let you know that I got accepted into the RFU PA program! Thank you for all your help and support during the application process. Couldn’t have done it without you!

Zakira, PA-S

I am so thankful that this editing service exists. The personal statement is incredibly important which is why I was so nervous about it. It took me two weeks to even get started because I was so nervous about writing the wrong thing. After Carly helped me with my essay, I am now so much more confident in it. Her edits were very thorough and showed that she had a really good understanding of what is important for a PA personal statement. Her email detailing her overall impression of my essay also showed she understood every single point I was trying to make and what kind of feeling I was trying to give to people reading my essay. This has been the most reassuring thing.

Angela, Pre-PA

Excellent service! The editor did a great job of working with me to write my personal statement as I wanted. They also provide some pointers and tips on how to write which is good for supplemental essays and writing prompts.

Ryan, Pre-PA

I received an admission offer from Kansas State University PA program. Your input was essential in getting this offer. Thank you so much for your help and all you do!

Sibiya Sabu PA-S

I am pleased to tell you that I have been accepted to PA school, starting in 2-weeks.? I appreciate everything you have done for me, from helping with my personal statement to preparing me for interviews. You have been with me since the beginning of the application process and I really wanted to thank you.

Shane, Pre-PA

This company is THE BEST! Carly did such an awesome job of not only revising my personal statement but also explaining every step she made. It helped me understand why certain things fit better in different places and helped improve my writing. I am able to submit my applications confidently, knowing that I have a strong personal statement. I HIGHLY recommend this service!

Tiffany M, Pre-PA

Thank you for taking the time to edit my paper! The feedback was constructive and very helpful. I liked how you highlighted all the strong points in my essay. It made me feel reassured that my essay was heading in the right direction. I also liked how you told me exactly what I needed to add to make it stronger.

Juliana, Pre-PA

Thanks to the PA life and Deanna I was accepted to ECU PA program this cycle. I’m starting my program next fall. I have been part of the PA life community and a member of the leadership team at the virtual pre-PA club with Deanna and others. I’m preparing a video presentation about how to become a PA for IMG. I’m a nontraditional app and abnormally normal applicant 😆. The video will be posted on the IMG space of the community. I’m so happy to share my experience and help pre-PA like me.

Shynar Johnson, PA-S

I’ve had several people look at my essay in an effort to gauge whether the content was strong and to help clean it up and cut characters – none were as helpful as Carly. Carly’s editing truly helped make a difference in the quality of the essay, and while there’s still quite a bit of character cutting I have to do, I am more prepared now than I was before. I am so happy I chose to work with The PA Life.

Kristen, Pre-PA

I just wanted to reach out an let you that I actually got into PA school this year! Out of the 10 programs I applied to, 4 offered me interviews. The first interview wound up being my top choice and they offered me a spot. I accept and declined all my other interviews. So I am absolutely overjoyed!! I wanted to let you know though. Your editing and help, no doubt, helped me get through the initial phase. Thank you so much! I am truly grateful.

Deanna, Pre-PA

Sue did an excellent job. Despite my sending a request just in time for a holiday, not only did she meet my deadline-she was early. She asked questions beyond the provided text, in an effort to gain deeper insight into me as a person. Her positive attitude and professional review help to ease my stressful anticipation. I am happy I sought her service! (Thanks, Sue)

Angela, Pre-PA

Carly blew away all my expectations. She not only suggested edits to refine the content, but she also made grammatical and structural changes that fine-tuned my essay and allowed it to flow. I came into the editing process feeling hopeless about my personal statement, but with her edits, I feel confident that it will stand out. On top of all that, Carly was very timely in editing and returning my essay – I got it back within a few days! I’m very pleased with her service and recommend it to anyone out there who needs a fresh, professional set of eyes on their personal statement.

Stephanie, Pre-PA

Holy cow! I wanted to let you know I have been accepted to PA school.  I will be attending the Franklin Pierce Physician Assistant Program, Class of 2019 in West Lebanon, NH. I cannot thank you enough for being part of my journey.

If you are reading this you might have been like me skeptical and trying to find a way to write a stellar essay for your PA application.  I want to share with you my exceptional experience using this service.  First, do yourself a favor and BUY the eBook, “How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement.”  I read it twice. Once before I started my essay draft and then again during.  I cannot stress how helpful the book was in clearly stating what the Admissions Directors are looking for in an application essay.  Next, the book reviews how to formulate a proper essay with clear instructions, easy reminders of the writing process, and excellent examples of good and bad writing choices.  After several drafts of my essay, I made an appointment to work with Duke Pasquini, one of the authors of the guide, through the internet and via phone to help with editing and my length issue.  Duke’s professional experience and kind and straight forward demeanor allowed me to create a winning essay that was an authentic representation of me.  Not only did I receive an interview from my top choice of PA school I was accepted a week later into their Physician Assistant Program, Class of 2019.  Thank you, “PA Life” for being a part of my journey.

Michele Williams, PA-S

Just wanted to let you know I got into UC Davis! I can not thank you enough for all your help!

Rachael Thomas, PA-S

Deanna was very opening to helping me with my essay. Although I had the material, the way she edited gave it a very nice and easy flow for the reader. She gave me her critical suggestions and comments that I would have otherwise missed. I am so glad I chose The PA Life revision services for my personal statement for PA school.

Yana, Pre-PA

I had a great experience with The PA Life essay revision service. They were very professional and made revisions in a timely manner. My editor was very understanding about my schedule and when it would take me longer to reply to emails. I would recommend this service to any new grad PAs!

Sandy, Pre-PA

The edits I received were extremely helpful and insightful. I think they really brought my essay to the next level, and I am thrilled with the outcome. Thank you!!

Kelsey, Pre-PA

Very prompt response and turnaround time. While I did not speak with Duke over the phone, his team’s edits were thorough, clear and very helpful. Highly recommended.

Dave H. Pre-PA

Sue did a wonderful job. I know this is an extremely busy time of year as CASPA is accepting applications and Sue was great about responding to my initial submission and getting back to me. She provided thoughtful feedback and quality editing. Fingers crossed for an acceptance to PA school!

Jo Lynn, Pre-PA

I am so impressed by Carly’s editing, advice, and insight. It was incredibly thorough and helpful. I wish I would have done this sooner. I had three interviews this cycle and three waitlists. I believe I would have gotten more interviews this past cycle if I would have done the essay edit last year. As a waitlisted applicant preparing for another application cycle, I submitted my essay to two other services at the same time and The PA Life gave the most helpful, detailed, and professional edit.

Jenn, Pre-PA

Sue was a huge help with my essay. Her edits made my essay sound much better grammatically and she pointed out some content problems I completely missed. She prompted me to write a few more paragraphs before her edit and added the information into my essay. That made a big difference. She was very knowledgable about what PA programs were looking for. I am really happy with your service. Worth every penny, THANKS!

Megan Stephenson, Pre-PA

Sue did an amazing job editing my personal statement. She included all the aspects that I wanted in the statement and made it flow so much better. Thank You! Thank You!

Kendra Perkey, Pre-PA

I was accepted into PA last cycle and am currently in my second semester! I am a part of the inaugural class at Keck Graduate Institute. Your services really helped me during the application process. I enjoyed working with Sarah on my personal statement. She helped me view my experiences from a different perspective, making my personal statement more unique and stand out amongst other applicants. The mock interview was also very helpful and prepared me for my one and only interview. I was given great pointers and feedback on how to refine my answers. Thank you again for your services!

Michelle Chen, PA-S

I wanted to tell you that I interviewed with MEDEX on Friday, got the call yesterday that I’m accepted! I also interviewed with Pacific University on and I felt that went VERY well too. I should hear from them any day now. I will keep you in the loop. I appreciate all your help and support!

Norah, PA-S

Duke helped me with my personal essay writing for PA school. He was very patient and helpful with me. I made lots of mistake on my Essay, but with Duke’s help I was able to write a sensible essay which was good enough to get Interview calls. I highly recommend his service.

Rajni M, Pre PA

I love Deanna! She was incredibly helpful and encouraging. I liked the way she constructively gave me feedback and I liked her ability to really strengthen my own ideas instead of dismissing them like other services. She is amazing at seeing things from different angles and that way rearrange and enhance my narrative. I did get an interview from the top choice and an offer a week later. Thank you so much and I will definitely recommend ThePALife to future prePAs.

Klam, Pre-PA

Carly did a fantastic job helping my personal statement create fluid and concise writing to help convey my experience! I highly recommend using this service even if you think your statement is solid because they will help make it better than you could have imagined! Thank you for everything.

Kelsey, Pre-PA

My editor knew exactly what kind of edits I was looking for and addressed all of my questions/concerns I had about my essay. I will definitely be recommending this service to my club members and friends.

Stephanie, Pre-PA

Sarah from The PA Life was an incredible resource for editing my personal statement. Her edits took into account the big picture of the message of the statement and helped guide me when writing additional content my statement was lacking. Her edits and responses were both prompt and thorough, and I truly feel that she made a huge positive impact on my personal statement.

Travis, Pre-PA

I can’t begin to explain how thrilled I am to have stumbled on this service. Like many other PA applicants, I was unsure of whether I was on the right track with my personal narrative. Reading Stephen’s two different PA school application essays showed me how to come up with something unique and creative, but the private personal statement review really made my essay shine.

Duke was so kind and helpful in helping me understand what admissions committees look for in a strong essay. Our phone conversations were so thorough, as we read through and discussed every word in my essay. Sue’s guidance helped me cut out the fluff to reach the character limit.

Melissa T. Pre-PA

I used the personal statement editing service with Deanna Matzen (April/May 2021) and the mock interview service with Mary Jones (June 2021). Both were exceptional to work with and helped me to achieve my goal. I applied to three schools and received interview invites from all three (I’m a first-time applicant). I was waitlisted at one in June and later accepted in November, received early acceptance to my top choice in November (UTSW), and I chose to decline my third interview scheduled in December. Thank you for your services!

Rachelle, Pre-PA

I really appreciated Carly’s attentiveness to my writing style and working to keep my message and content but working it in a way that reads easier. I appreciate her turnaround time, as well as priority deadlines for programs, are quickly approaching!

Jacob, Pre-PA

SUPER friendly and so helpful! I would recommend this service to everyone if I could 🙂

Gabby, Pre-PA

Carly did a great job helping my personal statement flow from paragraph to paragraph. She truly helped me show throughout the essay why I wanted to become a PA. What I really appreciated was she explained why each change was made; comments and reasons which not only helped with this one time essay but for all my future essays as well. Definitely was worth it!

Kathleen, Pre-PA

I hope this email finds you well. I would like to thank you for your help with my PA school personal statement. I’m glad to share that I did get into my top choice – Drexel!

Ashley, Pre-PA

Duke went above and beyond to help me. I so appreciate his help and would recommend this service to anyone!

Jessica H. Pre-PA

Sarah is the best! She gets me and puts all her efforts for my message to come across in a clear and concise way. Obviously, her editing skills are superb! But she also has a very sweet and pleasant way of being. I highly recommend Sarah and the PA Life Personal Statement Collaborative. I have not yet received an interview, but keeping my fingers crossed!

Raquel Poliwoda Pre-PA

I just wanted to share that I got into USC! Woohoo!!! They just called me to share the good news. I’m feeling pretty shocked since that interview did not go as well in my head. I can’t believe I got into school during my first round of applications. This would not have been possible without you, and I really appreciate all the support you gave me throughout this process. ?

Tiffany, PA-S

This was even more helpful than I anticipated! I am someone who finds it very hard to let others read my writing because it feels too personal. This made it much easier to let someone edit for me and all the suggestions provided really helped me pull together the parts I was struggling with. I would highly recommend this editing service to anybody who is having trouble strengthening their essay!

Lindsey C, Pre-PA

I just wanted to let you know that the majority of my interviews have gone really well! So far, I’ve received six interview invites and have interviewed for five schools. Midwestern (AZ) just got back to me a bit ago, and they sent me an acceptance email! I am beyond thrilled! I just wanted to thank you so much for your help! Your mock interview gave me a lot of confidence that I was able to carry into my interviews! I appreciated having the opportunity to practice my interview skills with you. I wanted to let you know just how much you’ve helped me with my application process (with my interviews, personal statement, and just my confidence in general)! Thank you so much for all of the advice over the past few months!

Sneh, PA-S

Duke helped me write a great personal statement. I won’t know if I’ve been accepted to the program until Christmas/New Year’s, but I feel that it was worth every penny!

Alicia C. Pre-PA

Sarah helped to condense my detailed thoughts into a powerful essay. Over the phone, she was careful to collaborate with me before making any changes so that the piece remained under my control and in my voice. She served as a guide and insured the essay brought out my strengths and reasons for pursuing the PA profession. Overall, I’m incredibly happy with the service!

Julie, Pre-PA

Sue’s comments were very helpful. Her quick turnaround time is very impressive. She responded to my concerns and questions promptly. She clearly knows what to present to the PA school admissions team. I am very happy with her work.

Kitti, Pre-PA

Susan did a fantastic job of editing my essay! She guided me and gave me suggestions for strengthening certain sections and equally took out weak parts. After I followed her recommendations, I really felt like I had an essay where every sentence mattered and reflected who I was. Thank you so much Susan for your help. I feel that I have a stronger essay because of your honest feedback and your help!

Amanda, Pre-PA

I just want to thank you again so much for being so awesome and helping me perfect my statement. I promised you that I would let you know if I got into any programs, and I was offered interviews at all the five universities I applied to. And I got offered positions at my top two school choices shortly after I interviewed. I am so ecstatic to say that I will be going to my number one school choice. I know multiple factors contributed to this opportunity being offered to me and the personal statement was surely a big one. Thank you so much for all that you do. It was really a great investment to have you edit my paper. I hope you have a fantastic rest of your day!

Elisa, PA-S

I finally have amazing news. So first of all, in total, I was offered 13 interviews. I was just offered a seat at Nova Orlando! I am finally going to be a PA and a big part of that was from all of your help with my personal statement. So thank you very much for helping me succeed during this round.

Jennifer, PA-S

Sue was very attentive to details and her comments and edits made a perfect sense. Thank you for your help!

Margaryta, Pre-PA

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