The Physician Assistant Applicant Attack Plan: Personalized Goal Sheet

Do you remember your New Year’s resolutions from January 1st?

It probably went something like this: After waking up slightly (or seriously) hungover, you said to yourself, “this is the year I’m going to get into PA school!” or “this is the year I'm going to finish all my PA school prerequisites.”

Maybe it was “I’m going to study for the GRE,” “shadow a physician assistant,” or “take up a yoga practice.” You joined Volunteer Match, started making a to-do list, made a list of physician assistants you should contact, and/or spent a few minutes researching how to get healthcare experience for PA school.

Two weeks later, things are going strong – yay, success!

And then BAM, you get sick/go on vacation/have a bad day at work, and you give yourself a few days off “until things get less hectic.” All of a sudden, it’s January 1st of the following year, and you realize that you don’t even remember your goals from last year.

Fortunately, a new year is a chance at a new beginning.

Here’s how to not suck this time around the sun.

Creating Your Personalized PA School Applicant Attack Plan

When setting a goal, you need to be as specific as possible.

If you want to pick up healthcare experience hours, what type of healthcare experience are you shooting for? Do you need additional training? When do you want to have it by? If you are working on your personal statement, when do you want the first draft done by? Who is going to critique and revise your PA school personal statement?

Be specific!

If you’re going to “get healthcare experience,” how many hours and by when? 1000 hours by June? 500 hours by November?
If you’re going to “be a competitive PA school applicant,” by what metrics will you measure yourself? Is it a specific GPA? 1.000's of volunteer hours? Killer letters of recommendation?

After establishing your goals, write them down and hang them on your door/bedroom wall/bathroom mirror. Look at those goals EVERY SINGLE DAY so that they’re always at the front of your mind.

By reviewing your goals daily, your subconscious mind will automatically begin working on helping you achieve them. This is a powerful technique, and it works.

The PA School Applicant Attack Plan

Click here to download and personalize your own attack plan: Download PDF.

The Physician Assistant Applicant Attack Plan Page 1

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The Physician Assistant Applicants Attack

Plan: PERSONALIZED GOAL SHEET

Fill out the following sheet and keep a copy on your person at all times. Read this sheet every morning when you arise and every evening before you retire. By reviewing your goals daily, your subconscious mind will automatically begin working on helping you achieve them. This is a powerful technique, and it works.

My goal is to apply to the PA program(s) and be accepted by (enter date) . Call each physician assistant program that you wish to apply to and find out when candidates are notified and accepted.

Programs:

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

To achieve this goal, I will have to overcome the following obstacles: (List all of the obstacles you are likely to encounter: financial, relocation, convincing a spouse, etc.)

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The following people and organizations will help me achieve this goal: (List everyone who can help you along the way, i.e., other PAs, the AAPA, your state chapter of the AAPA, friends, relatives, and me.)

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Beginning tonight, I will start putting into action the following plan: (Ask yourself what you can do right now to get started.)

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The benefits I will receive from achieving this goal of getting into the PA school of my choice include:

(Ask yourself, “What’s in it for me? Why do I want to pursue this goal in the first place?”)

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
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Notes:

Download Your Own PA Attack Plan

Note: This goal sheet was adapted from "The Ultimate Guide to Getting Into Physician Assistant School." It is available here as a resource and not intended to be a substitute for the book, which is chock-full of wonderful information!

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Stephen Pasquini PA-C Physician Assistant

Stephen has been a family practice PA since 2004 and is the creator of The PA Life, Smarty PANCE Board Review, and PASchoolfinder 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 to foster universal recognition/awareness of the PA profession. Read more about Stephen.

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Webinar: Crafting Your Best PA School Personal Statement

Hosted by Stephen Pasquini PA-C, Deanna Matzen

About this webinar Are you applying to PA school but worried about writing a compelling personal statement that will grab the admissions committee’s attention? Do you want to learn the secrets of crafting a PA school essay that stands out from the crowd and showcases your personality, motivation, and fit for PA school? If so, then you don’t want to miss our webinar on Crafting Your Best PA School Personal Statement. In this webinar, you will learn the following: What a personal statement is and how schools use them. You will understand the purpose and expectations of writing a personal statement and how schools use this information during the admission process. What to do before you start writing. You will learn how to prepare and organize your thoughts, research, and brainstorm your strengths and achievements. A successful structure for your personal statement. You will learn how to craft a clear, coherent, and compelling narrative that showcases your personality, motivation, and fit for their program. Common mistakes to avoid. You will learn how to polish your personal statement and avoid errors that could undermine your credibility or impact. By joining this webinar, you will gain valuable insights and tips on how to write a personal statement that increases your chances of admission to your desired PA school. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and get feedback from our experienced PA school coaches. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to write your best PA school personal statement. Register now and secure your spot for this webinar. You won’t regret it!