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The Top 46 Physician Assistant Applicant Interview Questions

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The top 46 physician assistant applicant interview questions

Physician Assistant school interviews are extremely challenging.

Here is a comprehensive list of forty-six high-frequency pa school interview questions you will likely encounter.

This list of the "Top 46 Physician Assistant Applicant Interview Questions" is adapted from Andrew Rodican's excellent book "The Ultimate Guide to Getting Into Physician Assistant School," Christina's helpful video post from PrePARC (which is no longer available), actual physician assistant applicants, and my PA school interview. Have an answer ready for each of these questions, and you will ace your PA school interview!

Looking for answers to these questions? Check out our latest post, ChatGPT Answers the Top 46 PA School Applicant Interview Questions.

The Interview Process:

Most programs have several volunteers who sit on the admissions committee, evaluate applications, and conduct applicant interviews.  The committee comprises program faculty, program PA students, graduate PAs who work in the community, and various other medical professionals. Each committee member is issued a stack of applications to review and score. That same stack of applications is then passed on to two other committee members for review and scoring.  Once all the applicants receive a score, the committee meets to select a group of candidates to interview. The number of applicants invited to interview varies from program to program.  Many schools interview approximately 100 applicants per year.  The committee usually unanimously agrees on seventy-five or so candidates who are clearly and objectively the cream of the crop. The final twenty-five applicants are selected through a process of individual and group selection. The interview often consists of three parts: 1. The student interview, 2. The group interview and 3. The individual interview.

A look inside two pa school interviewsA Look Inside Two PA School Interviews

The PA school interview is daunting. You must be prepared, but not to the point that you sound like a robot. You must be relaxed, but not too relaxed as that might give the impression you did not do your research. Inside Two PA School Interviews, I interviewed at two PA schools in California in [read more…]

46 Physician Assistant Applicant Interview Questions

  1. Question: What is a PA?
  2. Question: Why do you want to be a PA?
  3. Question: Why have you chosen PA over NP?
  4. Question: Are you familiar with any national or state-level regulations for PAs?
  5. Question: How many hours a week do you plan on studying?
  6. Question: Tell me what your typical day looks like.
  7. Question: How many tests and quizzes do you expect to take a week, and what can you handle
  8. Question: Do you have a car? Where do you live, what is your social support, and are they close?
  9. Question: How do you plan to pay for your education?
  10. Question: What kind of stress do you see associated with the PA profession?
  11. Question: Have you applied to other programs?
  12. Question: What have you done to prepare yourself for this profession?
  13. Question: Have you done anything to increase your chances of being accepted to the PA program?
  14. Question: What makes you stand out from the person sitting next to you this morning?
  15. Question: What is your understanding of what PAs do?
  16. Question: Tell us about the role you see the PA playing in the health care system.
  17. Question: How do you feel about taking call or working 60 or more hours per week as a second-year student?
  18. Question: Describe an interaction you have had with a patient that made an impact on you.
  19. Question: What do you think is the most difficult situation described in the interview scenarios that you completed earlier today? Why?
  20. Question: Describe the most stressful work or academic situation you have been in and tell us how you dealt with it.
  21. Question: How do you usually deal with stress?
  22. Question: What kind of personal stress do you see associated with our PA program?
  23. Question: Describe the history of the PA profession.
  24. Question: What do you do outside of work or academic studies?
  25. Question: Please discuss your answer to question #__ on the interview questionnaire. Or, what did you mean by __ in your essay?
  26. Question: Your file indicates that you have had difficulty with __ (e.g., time management or science coursework). Would you like to explain this?
  27. Question: What accommodations, if any, do you need to successfully complete this program?
  28. Question: So, tell us a little about yourself. In other words: Why are you here?
  29. Question: You have had several jobs in the past; how do we know you will finish the program if we accept you?
  30. Question: Why do you think Duke turned you down?
  31. Question: What are your strengths as an applicant?
  32. Question: What are your biggest weaknesses as an applicant, and what do you plan to do to correct them?
  33. Question: Do you manage your time well?
  34. Question: Do you prefer to work with others or by yourself?
  35. Question: Your supervising MD tells you to do something that you know is dead wrong; what do you do?
  36. Question: What interests you most about our school?
  37. Question: What would be your ideal job as a PA?
  38. Question: What did you learn from your overseas internship/experience?
  39. Question: What do you want to be doing five years from now?
  40. Question: Have you ever seen anyone die?
  41. Question: How are you today?
  42. Question: Did you have any trouble finding us?
  43. Question: What was the last movie you saw?
  44. Question: What was the most difficult question they asked you at Bowman Gray?
  45. Question: What will you do if you don’t get in this year?
  46. Question: Do you have any questions for us?

"My PA school interview went well! Thank you so much for getting me in such late notice and helping me out during the mock interview! I feel really good about the interview but all thanks to you! As you mentioned, I was asked questions that had nothing to do with PA! One of those questions was If I turned your car on right now, what type of music will be playing Again, thank you! - Suleeporn S. Terrell, Pre-PA

Bonus questions:

300 pa school interview questions the physician assistant life300 PA School Interview Questions You Should Be Ready to Answer

300 actual PA school interview questions that have been asked of the generations of PA school applicants who walked before you.

READ MORE

Bonus Question 47: Why did you choose PA school over medical school?

JD says: "Although it may seem silly, many of my friends were asked this question and it can really trip people up. You don’t want someone answering with “I want to become a physician later” or “I didn't get in” or even “I have applied to medical schools as well.” None of these answers give people the impression you are passionate about becoming a PA!"

Bonus Question 48: If we have only one position left to fill why should we pick you?

Bonus questions collected from the blogosphere (some may be variations of the above, but it is helpful to see the differences)

  1. Tell us about yourself.
  2. What makes you sure you want to become a PA?
  3. Why should we pick you?
  4. Where do you see the future of medicine heading?
  5. If you could pass a law that would help PAs, what would it be?
  6. What experiences influenced you to pursue this career?
  7. What are the greatest problems facing the field of medicine in America?
  8. If you saw someone stealing medications in the hospital, what would you do?
  9. What animal would you be and why? (This is weird and may not be super common, but they just want to see how you respond to a question like this)

PA School Interview Day Tips

If you have volunteered, shadowed, or had direct-patient care, be sure to mention this during your interview questions.

Prior to your interview, have the school put you in touch with a student or alumnus to discuss the program. Not only can you gain valuable information about the program but describing this conversation during your interview will let the program know you are especially interested in their program and you’re willing to go above and beyond to find out this information.

Don't imitate and don't copy! Escape competition through authenticity. Nobody can compete with you on being you!Click To Tweet

* Hint: Always be ready for the unexpected. On my application and during my interview I mentioned that my wife (she was my fiancé at the time as I was to be married in 2 weeks) was a registered nurse.  At the end of my interview one of the staff members on the panel asked me "since I was married why was I not wearing a wedding ring"... Valid question!  I told them the truth: that fiancé' just didn't seem to fit since we had been together for 6 years, we were to be married in 2 weeks and she would be traveling with me 3,000 miles in a U-Haul, changing jobs, and was the main reason I was sitting before them that day. One of the panel members gave me a look of disappointment. And I was worried.  I remember having this quick thought at the time that I should just lie and tell them that I left my ring at home or in the hotel room. But I am a bad liar, and that would have been horribly obvious. 

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What Our Clients Have to Say

I was interviewed and accepted into four of the programs I applied to (including my #1)! I am sharing because I want to say thank you so much for these questions! I went over them, and they helped me feel extremely prepared, and that confidence translated well during my interviews! I finally feel ecstatic when I think about my career path, and having the ability to finally work with patients, hopefully in a clinical trial setting where I can really be an asset, is more than I ever hoped for up until now. So, thank you, thank you, thank you! - Laurin, PA-S

Take-home lesson:

Always be honest, no matter how hard the question is . . . The road to PA interview success is lined with the building blocks of your life.  Don't try to be somebody you are not or try to answer the questions with some memorized rote version of what you think the interviewer wants to hear.  They have heard those answers a thousand times. Believe it or not, being yourself is a novelty at times. Wow them with your individuality, your passion, your compassion, your work ethic, and your knowledge of the PA profession.

Don't forget to leave your answers in the comments section!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hi Stephen,

    I realize this post is a couple years old but I still wanted to say thank you! In preparing for my PA interview, I came across your post and it was very helpful in my preparation. I just received my acceptance letter in the mail! I’m so excited and I’d like to give credit where credit is due! Once again, thank you!

    Charles

    Reply

    • You Rock! Way to go Charles and enjoy the PA school journey… It’s a bit tough at times but totally worth it. Take every chance you get to learn something new and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

      Take care,

      Stephen

      Reply

  2. Steve,
    I have wanted to be a doctor since I was 5 years old but decided to go the PA route now that I have a son, which I am thoroughly excited about. However, In the past I became addicted to prescription opioids for about two years and then I got to a very bad place and knew I needed help so I started on a methadone clinic which was about 4 years ago, I am clean and sober, in school working on my Bachelors, raising my son, working and doing just fine. My question is, how do I go about talking about this? I know drug testing is required which I would be positive for methadone but it is prescribed by my doctor and I have records of my clean time there so would that deter them from accepting me into the school? And if not should I talk about this in my interview?

    Reply

    • Hi Breanne,

      First of all great job on your sobriety, it is a testament to your grit, and I admire you for all that you have done and how far you have come!! The truth is you would probably not be able get a DEA license and honestly I am not sure if a PA program would be able to accept anyone currently on methadone. You would have to disclose this at some time, and I am just not sure how a program will respond. I suggest you make an anonymous call to a couple PA programs (maybe ones you are not going to apply to) and ask the admissions directors point blank how they would address your situation. If you can indeed continue methadone as a student and eventually as a practicing PA. I would also suggest you call your State PA licensing board as well as the NCCPA. They will be able to guide you so that you can make a concrete plan moving forward!

      I look at what you have been through as a strength that will make you a stronger, more compassionate and empathetic PA!

      Stephen

      Reply

  3. I am having a hard time finding the answer for question #4 regarding the regulations and state laws. Are their websites that are more specific to answering the question? I have found websites, but it’s a whole book! Thanks!

    Reply

    • You want to check out your state chapter and sign up to become a member. Here is a link to a map I created that links to every chapter in the United States: https://www.thepalife.com/state-chapters/

      For example, I live in California. When you go to the state chapter website there is a link in the sidebar specifically covering our states laws and regulations. At a minmimum know your own states laws and regulation and take the time to read the ones of the state where you are applying. Here is what is available for california as an example: http://www.pac.ca.gov/about_us/lawsregs/law-booklet.pdf

      Is it a pain to read through? Yes, but hey if you have made it to the interview you can spend an hour going through this and understanding it. Then you will be “Super Awesome” come interview time. Trust me, it could pay long-term dividends!

      – Stephen

      Reply

  4. Hi there!

    I was hoping you might be able to evaluate my answer to my biggest weakness. I’m reapplying to my top choice program and don’t want to give the same answer as last year. My answer is as follows:

    Currently, as a nursing assistant, my biggest struggle has been when my patients ask me what’s going on with their bodies or why they are sick. As a person that is passionately interested in physiology, I hate not being able to answer all of their questions because I haven’t acquired the education to do so yet. I’m, of course, working on this by trying to get into PA school. As a PA I will be able to fully answer my patients questions for them and better put them at ease when they are worried about their health.

    I appreciate all of the advice you have!

    Reply

  5. I have head of PA programs asking candidates about “managed care.” I have looked up the term but have not found a very clear answer or how it applies to the PA profession. Could you please help me to understand this?

    Reply

    • Hi Cara,

      This is confusing because the majority of medicine nowadays is managed care. That is unless (as a provider) you don’t accept health insurance. “Managed care contracts with a health plan to provide services for you in an organized and coordinated manner. The managed care plan must directly give, or arrange for all services to you.” This is how you end up with a bill from your insurance company claiming that something wasn’t covered, it is also why you can only see doctors within your “provider network”.

      Even the sought after “PPO” is managed care as you really can never see any provider you want, the provider cannot order any test he/she wants and you cannot expect to be reimbursed for any procedure you want. So in this sense it is “managed” by your health insurance agency. If you were to go into a self pay clinic and they billed you directly then this would be “unmanaged” care (if the term exists).

      Therefore, as a provider, you need to be aware of how this works for your patient, understand how to work within the boundaries of their insurer and make sure you are ordering tests, prescribing medicines and making referrals that are appropriate. Otherwise you are going to have a very angry patient, with a very big bill waiting for you in the lobby (we have all been there),

      Keep in mind though, managed care isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It also keeps medical providers in check, keeps health care costs down, and is designed to work in the patients favor, although there are always a few unscrupulous insurers out there (many in fact) that in a constant pursuit of the bottom line cut corners that cross boundaries. And you have to learn to work effectively within the system and advocate for your patients best interests.

      – Stephen

      Reply

  6. Hi Stephen,

    So I have two interviews coming up and I am kinda freaking out because they both seem to have writing sections incorporated in the process. I am bilingual and writing is not my strongest skill. How can I prepare/practice for this? Any advice?

    Thank you so much,

    Vivi

    Reply

    • Pick three questions from the post above, set a timer on your phone for 20 minutes and answer them right here in the comments section. If you want to challenge yourself choose 3 questions that you find the most challenging. I will provide you with feedback.

      – Stephen

      Reply

      • 1. What makes you stand out from the person sitting next to you this morning?
        My charisma, hard work and dedication to others are what I believe that makes me different from others. I have worked as an athletic trainer for the past two years in middle class communities and under served communities. I have seen both side of the spectrum. My health care experience has confirmed my love and passion for the medical field. Helping others is my aspiration in life because we often isolate ourselves from this world. We tend to forget the people around us and how they might be less fortunate. You never know when helping a person in need can change their life. While working in under served communities is where I learned the most about myself and need for better healthcare.
        I believe I am a great candidate because I strive to be the best I can every day for others who are less fortunate. Unfortunately, as an athletic trainer I am very limited to those who I can help. The athletic training field main focus is athletes and I wish to become a PA so I can help others beside athletes. I would love to eventually serve as a PA for the Air Force or even travel to developing nations and provide my services as a PA.
        2. What are your biggest weaknesses as an applicant, and what do you plan to do to correct them?
        My greatest weakness is saying “no” to others when it is necessary. I love to help and care for others in times of need no matter the given situation. However, I have come to the conclusion that in today’s world, one must be cautious at times because people will take advantage of you. I have gotten better at this by developing better relationships with people when establishing trust to determine their ultimate intentions. This has allowed me to improve my decision-making skills and be a more ethical professional in society.
        3. What is your understanding of what PA’s do?
        PA’s are healthcare providers who practice medicine as part of a team with physicians. They are allowed to perform physical examinations, ordering and interpret diagnostic test, diagnose and treat illness and prescribe medication (this can vary by states) and assist in surgery. In the state of FL the PA’s may dispense medications under the dispensing license of their supervising physician and are not required or authorized to get a separate dispensing license. PA’s may not dispense controlled medications. Also the patient has the right to see the attending physician prior to the medication being prescribed.
        PA’s are allowed to work in a clinical setting without the physician being present but they always work under the written protocols of the physician. So in other words the PA is allowed to see patients with their own clinic hours.

        Reply

  7. Hello, I have an unconventional question. I have currently applied to 5 PA programs and am waiting on the interview invitations. I recently found out that I was pregnant and so i will probably be about 7 months pregnant by the time interviews rolled around. How can I reassure the admission committee of my commitment to the program. I am afraid they will be hesitant to admit a student with a newborn at time of commencement.

    Reply

    • This is a great question. We had two applicants accepted into our program the same year I was who were in the exact same situation, I believe it strengthened their resolve and made them better, more motivated and focused students. The admissions committee obviously felt the same way. They will ask you how you plan to support your newborn, how you plan to deal with late nights, child care, crazy schedules and the needs of an infant while trying to balance PA school. If you have answers to these questions and you feel confident in them you will shine. It is as simple (and as hard) as that) :-). As a father of two I am rooting for you big time!

      – Stephen

      Reply

  8. Hi Stephen! I have an interview coming up and I’m curious on the famous “Tell me about yourself” question. I’m not sure what kind of answer they are looking for here. I have so many things I can say! Any guidance? Thanks.

    Reply

    • Hi Ashley,

      Tell them what drives you, your interests, what hobbies you have, what a typical week looks like. What would you tell me if I say hi Ashley, it is nice to meet you, tell me about yourself, what do you do for fun? What interests you? (you can give it a test drive right now)

      – Stephen

      Reply

      • Your response actually clarifies it a bit because my issue is that I don’t know of they want to hear the academic/professional “about me” or the personal “about me”?

        Now that I know that, I’ll try to formulate an answer around me being a people person. I was a Marine and I enjoy taking care of others and myself. I like to exercise and keep fit. I really enjoy sports both for the team work aspect and the athleticism.

        But then I get stuck trying to formulate that into an answer. Do I have to relate it to PA? Or is this really my chance to show them what’s not on my transcript? Do I mention my love for science? Or keep away from the academics aixe we’ll get into that in other questions? You’d think this would be the easiest question but I’m having a very hard time! Thanks for your help 🙂

        Reply

  9. What is your weakness and how do you plan to work on fixing it?

    Preface: This is one of those questions that in my head my truthful answer sounds right but out loud or in text just seems a little off.

    A weakness that has taken nearly all of my educational years to see in myself is what used to be an insurmountable fear of making a mistake. It is not so much the mistakes that I have made that are my weakness but the fear that has reigned me in on certain occasions. This is something that I became aware of more fully during this application process where at every turn I wondered if what I had done or will do or will answer would be a mistake. I realized the best way to accept what has happened and prepare for what will happen is to attack every situation with simple honesty because an honest action is never a mistaken action. If I know the answer that is great and if I don’t that is fine too, there is someone that does and can teach me how to solve what I formerly would call a mistake which was something I merely wasn’t sure I knew how to do. I will only be able to grow if I am honest with myself and accept that making mistakes are only new places to learn and better myself. The past year this application process has been a great opportunity to practice the mantra of simple honesty.

    Reply

  10. 9. How do you plan to pay for your education?

    Ultimately, with a lot of hard work. There will be a fare amount of federal loans and hopefully financial aid awarded through the state and if I ever had a hobby it is the hunt for scholarship opportunities I may be eligible for.

    Reply

    • Good answer Kylie,

      It is either this or trying your luck in the lottery, and I think your answer is better than the latter 🙂 Don’t forget to consider the National Health Service Corps, I used the scholarship program, but they also offer a wonderful loan repayment program which is a great way to pay off your student loans while having an opportunity to provide service in an underserved community.

      Best,

      Stephen

      Reply

    • Good answer Kylie,

      It is either this or trying your luck in the lottery, and I think your answer is better than the latter 🙂 Don’t forget to consider the National Health Service Corps, I used the scholarship program, but they also offer a wonderful loan repayment program which is a great way to pay off your student loans while having an opportunity to provide service to an underserved community.

      Best,

      Stephen

      Reply

  11. Hello!

    I have a PA interview next week. I am a current high school student who was already accepted into my top choice of undergrad school, and now hoping to be accepted as Pre-PA with my graduate school for rolling admissions. This interview is huge for me and would knock a year or two off of schooling! Never went through an interview like this, so I was wondering if you have any tips for me. Considering I am only in high school, I only have about 40 hours of healthcare experience as a home health aide and very few hours as a hospital volunteer for that I just picked up on that. Do you recommend that I still bring an excel sheet to show how I have started to reach my 1,000 HCE hours (what is of required for the program I am applying to), or that I should not since its very little? Anyway.. My biggest issue is explaining my strength and weakeness.. hopefully you can help! I’d also love to hear your comments on my “why do I want to be a PA” answer which I think is of utmost importance for the interview.

    Strength:
    (I have one of two ideas for this.. deciding which is the best)
    1. I believe that my strength is to combine the two things I love, drawing and learning, to benefit myself as well as others. Being able to draw out detailed diagrams of systems, topics, or reactions that may be hard to grasp in words, allows me to visually understand and master the material I am struggling on. I am able to help others who struggle in a subject to comprehend it better by letting them borrow these diagrams. In AP BIology, protein sythnesis was a complex topic to most of my classmates, so I decided to make a diagram that gave my classmates a much better understanding.

    2. I enjoy wearing mutliple hats, or in other words I enjoy being a multitasker. I believe that time management, unlike most, is my strength. I am able to handle college level and ap courses as a high school student, two jobs, all of my responsibilities for the 7 clubs i’m in, the sports I am involved in, and free time with friends and family all while maintaining above average grades! School is always my top priority, but it i think it is also important to make time for other things in my life too. I believe that mastering time management will be beneficial for my years as a PA student. for me, a typical day is waking up at 6:00 am, studying any material I was not able to complete the night before, then I arrive at school by 7:45. During school I attend classes, meetings of clubs Imm in, and afterschool i’ll attend more meetings, or make my way to work until 6:30 When I come home I eat dinner and spend time with my family. Then, I take time to do my homework, and afterwards I unwind by drawing which is as the great picasso said “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”. thus, I like to pack my days from morning to night, making sure I have a balanced out life of challenges and laughter.

    Weakness:
    I have always put others before me no matter what the situation, and I’ve come to find that this is my weakness for that my life can certainly pay a price for this. One of my two jobs is a cashier at Shoprite, and it was during the busy weeks before Christmas that I became very sick. Knowing how busy my store was, I managed to push my self out of bed and go in for the sake of my managers and fellow cashiers. It was this constant putting them before me, that hurt me in the long run. I ended up having Mono and because I could never say no to people when I knew it would hurt them, It hurt me in the long run. i was hospitlized and missed a great deal of sschool. I’ve been fixing this through experience and I know that it is not something that can dissapear over night but that can fade over time

    Why PA:
    I want to be a PA because of the lifestyle that comes along with this profession. I want to be able to start my life early, and to beable to make a family of my own all while still providing excellent care to others. The PA profession will supply me this lifestyle. Along with the lifestyle, I strive to be a member of a team and to continue learning for the rest of my life. “Teaching is the ultimate result of learning” I love the idea that I will be required to earn 100 hours of continued education every 2 years, to insure that I am up to date on information that I will educate my patients with. Most importantly, I want to be a PA because of my personal experience with my own primary provider. My sister and I were both extremely sick as children, and I considered my pediatrics center my second home! She instilled in me the idea that I someday would like to take upon her role and impact peoples lives just as she has to me. As i grew up, my experiences of shadowing a surgical PA, And being a home health aid have confirmed my interest in the field, and made me that much more eager to become a PA…

    something I was considering to add or replace something else with for this response:
    As a home health aide I was truly able to understand the idea of patient contact interaction. I take care of an elderly woman on the weekends, and help her with activities of daily life (adl), and ensure that she receives proper medications. after just a short time of starting the job, I felt an instant bond between us. Unlike others who would come in and do their job and leave, I’d sit down and actually talk with her. She told me stories that she didnnot tell anyone else, stories of when she grew up in depression and stories anout the death of her daughter and husband. She told me thatnobody was able to bring a smile or laugh to her face like I did, and that if she lived to be 90 in december, Her goal is to leave this earth laughing. To know that I am able to bring this laughter into her life is huge. By not only acting as her home health aide, but a listener and someone who she can talk with, Iwas able to really bond with her. She told me, “You will be a great PA one day, always smiling and tending to others needs”. On valentines day she handed me a card when I went in, and in it it read that “friends are like flowers on the pathway of life.”. and at the end she wrote “welcome to the bouquet”. This marked a friendship I have made with her, and gave me instant gratificant as I was able to bring comfort into her life. This experience I believe serves as a stepping stone into my future of becoming a successfull PA.

    While I am at it.. If they ask the most difficult thing to deal with as a PA:

    I believe that the most difficult thing to deal with as a PA is the idea of having patients who refuse my recommendation of treatment. For example, a women refuses to vaccinate her child and I try everything in my power to educate her as much as possible until it reaches a point of uncomftorability, and if she still refuses than I must respect her autonomy.

    Sorry for making this so long 🙂

    Reply

    • Hi Brittany,

      Congratulations on your upcoming interview! I am very impressed by all that you have been able to accomplish.

      Regarding strengths:

      I would avoid using the term “multitasker” I prefer your alternate explanation of “wearing multiple hats” and being good at “time management”. Studies don’t support the idea of multitasking, in truth we are actually task switching, which is fine but as a strength I would focus on your time management skills and your ability to balance multiple complex tasks. This is very important, and is a skill that will have big payoffs in life.

      Regarding weaknesses:

      I have heard many people say “putting others before me” as a weakness, and I get it, but I am not sure if it is wise to use thinking of others before yourself as a weakness. I think it may be better to say somethings in line with, overextending yourself, having difficulty saying no, taking on too many tasks in the hope of helping everyone. As you know, there are limits to the bounds of moderation, and wanting to help everyone is a strength, placing other people’s needs before your own only becomes a problem when you neglect to care for your needs, which may be more about setting appropriate boundaries for your time and attention.

      Why PA?

      I am leaning towards your second answer, I prefer story’s and this one shows the humanity that comes along with our profession. It also demonstrates how compassionate and caring you are as an individual and that you “get” what a PA is and does. I think you could also include how the lifestyle, autonomy, and constant learning fits your own version of how you want to live your life. At the end of the day, this is what separates us from doctors.

      And last but not least: the most difficult thing to deal with as a PA:

      “the idea of having patients who refuse my recommendation of treatment” this may not be how you want to word your answer. It is very hard to accept other people’s viewpoints, especially when they contradict what our medical training tells us. You give a great example of a mother who refuses to vaccinate her child, other examples that I have experienced is a patient whose religious values preclude them from accepting blood transfusions, or patients who declines a life saving procedure that seems like an obvious choice, or refuses preventative medical testing, etc. etc. etc. Just think about how you want to work your opening here.

      Great work, your answers show great insight for your age! You are going to make an amazing PA!!!

      Stephen

      Reply

  12. A positive attitude, strong work ethic, leadership skills (do you intend to run for student office)?. Do you work well in a team? Are you good at solving problems? Are you a creative person? Are you compassionate, caring, good at helping others who may be struggling? Are you a good listener? Do you have a good sense of humor? Maybe you have strong organizational skills or you like to lead study groups or organize class events. Maybe you have work or life experience that you bring with you that gives you a unique or fresh perspective. A PA class is a family, what role do you play in your family? It may be good to draw from this.

    Reply

  13. Hi Stephen,

    Your site has been such an inspiration for me. In 2008 I had a chance of graduating PA school but was unable to pass all 6 attempt of the board exam. I was extremely depressed n went through a lot of changes including my personal life. I have not given up on the dream of becoming a PA and has continued to retake my prerequisite to improve my gpa as well as keeping them current as well as working at a pediatric office for the past 4 years. I’ve tried to applied to PA school everywhere but doesn’t seem to be a competitive enough applicant. I did got one interview 2 yrs back but unfortunately I did not pass. Last year was my last attempt to applying and in the process I decided to start nursing school as an alternative route to applying again to PA school once done. Just last week I got an invitation for an interview to the one school I applied to which I am excited and nervous at the same time. I came across your page again today and I can’t say how relieved I am to be able to read all these interview questions. I am not sure if you have encountered anyone with similar situation as me and I if you have any advice on how i should prepare for this interview?

    Thank you for all the work and guidances that you have given us.

    Tina

    Reply

    • Hi Tina, hopefully my response isn’t to late 🙂 I have to first of all congratulate you for your persistence and grit, I believe it is these two factors that are the greatest determinant of success in life and throughout our careers!

      You are not alone, many people have been going through the process as you have for many years. You have done the right thing, which is to continue to improve and challenge yourself in ways that make you a better, stronger applicant. My advice going into your interview is to focus on this. We just finished interviewing 12 PA Schools from all over the country. When asked what they were looking to hear from re-applicants their answers were unanimous:

      “If you’re reapplying, it’s important to explain what’s different this time. . I love it when applicants say, ‘These are the things I did to strengthen my skills.’ It shows maturity and ownership” Lori Palfreyman, MS, Faculty Chair of the Admissions Committee at Rutgers
      University PA Program

      here is another:

      “If you’ve applied the year before, You should detail your recent experiences. Have you done more shadowing? Increased your work experience? Improved your GPA? Judith Stallings, EdD, MHE, PA-C, Director of Admissions at Georgia Regents University

      And of course just be yourself! I can’t stress this enough, its OK to be nervous, I was very afraid during my interview, but as you walk in, remember your love for people, your compassion for patients suffering, your commitment to not just being a PA but what it is to be a good person. Let this shine through and let them see you for who you really are. When they ask you about past applications, focus on what I mentioned above.

      You will kick ass 🙂

      God bless, I am rooting for you!

      Stephen

      Reply

  14. Hi Stephen,

    This website is such a valuable resource! This application cycle was my first, and I applied to 6 PA programs. To give you a brief background, I am finishing my PhD in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and have known for quite a while that I did not want to continue in the traditional career path of a research scientist. I’ve always wanted to work with patients, and when I assessed the different healthcare careers available, I was excited to find that the PA profession is perfectly in line with my goals! While I have thousands of hours of research experience (oh, the life of a grad student), I had no HCE other than shadowing. With this in mind, I did not have high hopes of being successful this year, and expected to take this coming year to gain direct patient contact hours so that I could re-apply.

    I was interviewed and accepted into 4 of the programs I applied to (including my #1)! I am sharing because I want to say thank you so much for these questions! I went over them and they helped me feel extremely prepared, and that confidence definitely translated well during my interviews! I finally feel ecstatic when I think about my career path, and having the ability to finally work with patients, hopefully in a clinical trail setting where I can really be an asset, is more than I ever hoped for up until now. So thank you thank you thank you!

    Reply

    • Congratulations Laurin on your acceptance! I am so excited for you and your first year of PA School! I can already tell you are going to love every second of it.

      Best wishes to you, drop me a line sometime next year, we would love to hear how it is all going!

      Stephen

      Reply

  15. This was my first time applying to any PA programs, and unfortunately, I only got 1 interview, and it was not my top choice. I have my interview this Friday, and, being just shy of 23, I’m afraid that my age will be a factor in the admission committee’s decision to choose me over a more “seasoned” (for lack of a better word) professional. Do you have any advice on how to make them take me more seriously? I’ve read two books by Andrew J. Rodican, and those have helped, but the part I am MOST nervous about is getting there and forgetting everything I have worked on.

    Reply

    • Also, please don’t take my comment as being ungrateful for “only getting one interview,” I am very excited 🙂 but slightly disappointed that I did not get interviews to my top choices.

      Reply

    • Hi Jenn,

      The key is to focus on your training and experience up to this point. It is true that a “seasoned” veteran may have more life experience but that doesn’t necessarily make them a better PA school candidate than a younger applicant with good experience, fresh educational training, excellent recommendations, time shadowing and a strong will to serve.

      Make sure to research their school and know everything you can about their program including their goals and mission statement. Make it your top choice and let them know how much you want to attend school at their program. When I jumped a night train to New Jersey on my way to interview at Rutgers I thought to myself “New Jersey, do I really want to go to school in New Jersey?” The minute I entered those program doors and sat down for what would be my only interview my first year applying like yourself, I knew the answer was yes. I was 23 as well when I interviewed. Be yourself, focus on everything that brought you to this point, have a “grab bag” of patient care experiences and know why you want to be a PA above all else… and of course smile! You will do great!!!

      And congratulations on getting an interview, the program administrators will “take you seriously” if you take yourself seriously, it is as simple as that.

      – Stephen

      Reply

  16. Hi! I have my first PA school interview this coming Friday! I’m nerves are beginning to turn to excitement which I hope works in my favor! I tend to do well under some pressure. I’m in the minority age range, meaning over 40, and deciding that now is the time for PA school. For a brief history (even though mine is anything but), I’ve been a Radiology Tech for 10 years now. Prior to healthcare, I was a customer service manager for a major airline. (Now that is a stressful job!) I have worked in many settings, hospital, outpatient, orthopedics, pain management, group Dr. office, and currently woman’s health (breast imaging). Everyday I assist in invasive procedures. I am the one who relay results to patients including when they need a biopsy. Sometimes I know that I am most likely looking at the person for the last time. Needless to say its a very delicate position to hold and I do love what I do every day! So, the question I struggle with most is “Why do you want to be a PA”. I could answer this question 100 ways probably. I know my answer is too long but it is a topic when I am asked by anyone that I am passionate about. But here is my shoot form the hip honest answer. I look forward to your input and advice!! Thanks!!! Kathie

    Long before entering the medical field, I already had a deep respect and trust for PA’s because I had one as my primary care provider. I admit that I did not know how he became a PA but I was pretty sure I knew what his scope of practice was, because I never saw the physician unless it was the PA’s day off and I needed to see someone! So one day at work our head radiologist was sitting and chatting with us in our tech room and as conversations go, one topic lead to another, which lead to him asking us what we would each do if we could take what we know now and then go back and do it all over again. I humorously told him, “I’d be you instead of the tech!” He very seriously, which is a rarity for him, looked at me and said, “Medical school would be too long at this point but you’re already in school so why don’t you go to PA school?”, followed by a sincere vote of confidence and quick practical pro and con analysis. I can’t really describe how that moment made me feel other than it was like a neon arrow lit up pointing to a longtime unanswered soul searching question. I don’t believe that we are all born knowing what we want to be in life. I will be honest and tell you that I have never said that when I grew up I wanted to be a doctor, a lawyer, a nurse, or even an x-ray tech. If anything, life teaches us what we can be. So I took my inspiration and immediately started my doing my homework. During this time I reflected a great deal on what I already knew, respected, and admired about the PA’s I have known professionally and personally. As a radiologic technologist, I have personally worked with PA’s in family practice, surgery, orthopedics, dermatology, cardiology, and emergency medicine. Each PA I have worked with or saw as a patient were very impressionable. Their level of confidence, compassion, and delivery of the patient-provider relationship was nothing short of first class. Not only did they provide quality care but they treated their patients and staff with a great deal of respect. I can honestly say that each and every PA that I have encountered, professionally and personally, has displayed this type of above and beyond patient-centered care. It could be my past customer service manager experience that draws my appreciation to these distinctive qualities that are just as important to me as aptitude. Each day that I wake up and go to work, I employ these experiences with each patient I encounter. The patient is a person, not an appointment time. Once I greet the person whose name is on my requisition they become my focus of our healthcare team. I am dedicated to their care, concerns, accuracy of history interpretation, proper education, and emotional well-being before, during, and after their exam. In many cases the patient doesn’t even see the radiologist on duty until the moment a biopsy or other procedure is ready to begin. It is up to me to evaluate the patient’s symptoms and history then apply the proper imaging protocol that is in the best interest of the patient and their quality of care. My position is highly rewarding because I have the opportunity to establish and maintain that patient-provider relationship. Since entering healthcare I have always wanted to continue learning, adapting, and develop upon my dedication to patient care. Therefore becoming a PA will allow me to be a more proactive team player to provide a higher quality level of clinical care, education, and overall well-being for our communities. I feel that the PA profession and I are a good fit.

    Reply

    • Hi Kathie,

      This may very well be one of the best answers I have heard to this question. Now, all you have to do is simply condense this down to a 30 second response :-). I just added a speak-pipe link on the blog. If you load the home page you will see an option to record your answer on the right side of the page. Give it a try, feel free to write it out first if that helps. How would you take what you have written here, distill it a bit and answer this question during the interview?

      Hope to listen to your answer 🙂

      Stephen

      Reply

      • Thank you! I will check out the speak-pipe, though I’m not sure I’ll be able to before tomorrow! I worked late this week and had classes so I couldn’t get back to see your response until tonight! I’ve been pondering my condensed answer though. I usually just look for 4-5 key words and go for it! Wish me luck!

        Reply

  17. Hi, Stephen. I have my first PA school interview next week, so I am currently doing my ‘homework,’ and I must thank you for this site. I am a 38 year old wife, mother and high school science teacher who wants to become a PA. I have been in many interview situations, so I am not so nervous about that, but I am very nervous about being asked this question: Why do you want to leave teaching? I LOVE teaching. I LOVE my students, but I want to move on. Being in the classroom has been one the greatest highlights of my life, but I know that it is time for me to do a different type of teaching. Making connections with students and their families has been one of the best parts of teaching. I know that I will make the same types of connections with patients and their families. It is my hope to provide patients in a rural southeastern US clinic with information and guidance through some of our most worrisome health epidemics — type 2 diabetes and hypertension. How else might I explain this?
    –Lisa

    Reply

    • Hi Lisa,

      I think you hit the nail on the head with this one. Doctor is a Latin word, and it was borrowed from Latin already formed, with a meaning, namely ‘teacher’. The word is formed exactly the way teacher is. Thus what a PA does or what a doctor does is teach. The best part of being a PA is being a teacher, and the beast PAs are the ones that get this… something all PA school adminsistrators and faculty understand completely! I believe you made this point quite well in your answer above.

      I wish you the very best on your upcoming interview, you are going to do great!

      – Stephen

      Reply

  18. I have my first interview for PA school tomorrow, and am getting more nervous by the second. However, I know one of my strengths is being personable and speaking publicly so I think this will play to my advantage. This guide was really helpful in giving me things to practice and making me slightly less nervous. I picked this question because I think my answer is probably different than most people’s and it makes me nervous because even though it is honest, it isn’t necessarily about health care experience.

    What makes you stand out?

    Playing division one athletics has taught me numerous lessons about time management, teamwork and leadership. While I am sure people deal with tough situations every day, managing the personality’s of sixteen girls for four years is extremely unique. As a three year captain, I got to deal with every tough situation a team sees, both ethical (such as breeches of contracts ) and purely emotional issues (such as people being rude to one another). Through athletics I was able to truly find who I am as a person and learn how to deal with stress, which plays into how I will be as PA of course. I am extremely personable because of my outgoing and confident personality which I think puts patients at ease and gives me a different edge than most.

    I doubt you will see this before tomorrow! But I would love feedback before my others.
    Thank you again for these questions!
    -Jaclyn

    Reply

    • Hi Jaclyn,

      I hope your interview wen’t well and I am sorry I did not get back to you yesterday. I hope you answered this question just as you did here. In an interview they want to get to know you, they want to hear your story, they are looking to connect the dots from point A-B-C that brought you to them. Life experience like this speaks for itself, and the commitee members (unless they are truly dense) will be able to draw the obvious connections between leading sixteen girls into “battle” and managing a health care team. Anyway, I hope you rocked your interview. Thanks for sharing your answer with us here, I think it is a good example for everyone readin.

      – Stephen

      Reply

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