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 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
- Question: What is a PA?
- Question: Why do you want to be a PA?
- Question: Why have you chosen PA over NP?
- Question: Are you familiar with any national or state-level regulations for PAs?
- Question: How many hours a week do you plan on studying?
- Question: Tell me what your typical day looks like.
- Question: How many tests and quizzes do you expect to take a week, and what can you handle
- Question: Do you have a car? Where do you live, what is your social support, and are they close?
- Question: How do you plan to pay for your education?
- Question: What kind of stress do you see associated with the PA profession?
- Question: Have you applied to other programs?
- Question: What have you done to prepare yourself for this profession?
- Question: Have you done anything to increase your chances of being accepted to the PA program?
- Question: What makes you stand out from the person sitting next to you this morning?
- Question: What is your understanding of what PAs do?
- Question: Tell us about the role you see the PA playing in the health care system.
- Question: How do you feel about taking call or working 60 or more hours per week as a second-year student?
- Question: Describe an interaction you have had with a patient that made an impact on you.
- Question: What do you think is the most difficult situation described in the interview scenarios that you completed earlier today? Why?
- Question: Describe the most stressful work or academic situation you have been in and tell us how you dealt with it.
- Question: How do you usually deal with stress?
- Question: What kind of personal stress do you see associated with our PA program?
- Question: Describe the history of the PA profession.
- Question: What do you do outside of work or academic studies?
- Question: Please discuss your answer to question #__ on the interview questionnaire. Or, what did you mean by __ in your essay?
- Question: Your file indicates that you have had difficulty with __ (e.g., time management or science coursework). Would you like to explain this?
- Question: What accommodations, if any, do you need to successfully complete this program?
- Question: So, tell us a little about yourself. In other words: Why are you here?
- Question: You have had several jobs in the past; how do we know you will finish the program if we accept you?
- Question: Why do you think Duke turned you down?
- Question: What are your strengths as an applicant?
- Question: What are your biggest weaknesses as an applicant, and what do you plan to do to correct them?
- Question: Do you manage your time well?
- Question: Do you prefer to work with others or by yourself?
- Question: Your supervising MD tells you to do something that you know is dead wrong; what do you do?
- Question: What interests you most about our school?
- Question: What would be your ideal job as a PA?
- Question: What did you learn from your overseas internship/experience?
- Question: What do you want to be doing five years from now?
- Question: Have you ever seen anyone die?
- Question: How are you today?
- Question: Did you have any trouble finding us?
- Question: What was the last movie you saw?
- Question: What was the most difficult question they asked you at Bowman Gray?
- Question: What will you do if you don’t get in this year?
- 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 You Should Be Ready to Answer
300 PA School Interview Questions You Should Be Ready to Answer300 actual PA school interview questions that have been asked of the generations of PA school applicants who walked before you.
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)
- Tell us about yourself.
- What makes you sure you want to become a PA?
- Why should we pick you?
- Where do you see the future of medicine heading?
- If you could pass a law that would help PAs, what would it be?
- What experiences influenced you to pursue this career?
- What are the greatest problems facing the field of medicine in America?
- If you saw someone stealing medications in the hospital, what would you do?
- 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!
More PA School Interview Resources
- Recommended Book: How To "Ace" The Physician Assistant School Interview
- Recommended Book: The Physician Assistant School Interview: Essential Strategies to Blow 'Em Away and Claim Your Seat in Class
- Blog Post: A Look At Two PA School Interviews
View all posts in this series
- My PA School Interview: The Journey of a Lifetime
- The Top 46 Physician Assistant Applicant Interview Questions
- Use this Interview Hack to Get The Physician Assistant Job of Your Dreams!
- The Physician Assistant Job or PA School Interview – Email Etiquette
- The Physician Assistant Interview: Thank You and Follow-up (With Sample)
- A Look Inside Two PA School Interviews
- 5 Things I’ve Learned Going Into My Fourth Physician Assistant Application Cycle
- 300 PA School Interview Questions You Should Be Ready to Answer
- PA School Mock Interviews: Prepare with a Live, Recorded Video Interview
- Mock Physician Assistant School Interview With Taylor Hill Pre-PA
- Mock PA School Interview With Pre-PA Lily Boyle
- The Interview That Got This Pre-PA Into 5 PA Schools
- 101 PA School Applicants Answer: What’s Your Greatest Strength?
- Mastering Your PA School Interview: Tone Matters
- The Worst PA School Interview Question Ever!
- Why Choose PA Over NP? Here’s the Perfect Answer
- Don’t Make This Critical PA School Interview Mistake!
- 5 Best Ways to Give a Memorable PA School Interview
- 3 Things to Do the Night Before Your PA School Interview
- How to Prepare for Your PA School Interview Day Essay
- How to Squash PA School Interview Day Stress (4 Simple Steps)
- Mind Mapping: A Tool for Personal Statements, Supplemental Essays, and Interviews
- What a REAL PA School Interview Looks Like (in 2022)
- My PA School Interview Preparation Strategy
- How to Bring Your Best on PA School Interview Day
- How to Cope with PA School Application Rejection
- ChatGPT Answers the Top 46 PA School Applicant Interview Questions
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Hey Stephen, I’ve had one interview this cycle and it didn’t go my way. In retrospect, I feel like I didn’t actually articulate why I wanted to be a PA. I fall into the trap of worrying too much about telling admission committees what they want to hear.
That being said, I’ve collected my thoughts and decided to address the dreaded question: “why do you want to be a PA” again before my next interview.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Jared
I’m here today because my exposure to healthcare and the PA profession through my work in the emergency room has really instilled in me an understanding that we need more people who will diagnose and treat people respectfully, recognizing the importance of their individuality as our healthcare system grows. The PA’s I’ve worked for I’ve learned so much from diagnose critically and treat compassionately. I think the medical model of the profession plays a large part in crafting effective providers and the emphasis on developing well reasoned diagnostic skills over months of training was definitely a deciding factor for me when contrasting becoming a PA with other professions within allied health. I also consider my exposure to adult working environments from a very young age as part of my desire to become a PA. I’ve learned I function well as the leader of a team but I truly thrive when I’m a leader within a team. This is a small distinction but I appreciate that PAs direct others and inform their own decision making while being pushed to continually grow as members of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. Finally, my current role as an educator finds me wanting to those around me succeed. I hold the same love for knowledge that I try and foster in my students. As a PA, the opportunity to grow laterally and learn something completely new by working in a different speciality is very appealing and the ability to share this knowledge with patients is even better. All that being said, I feel really fortunate to be here and I’m so excited to jump into this profession and practice as a Physician Assistant if given the opportunity.
Oh, and my typos are noted. Just got done with a 12 hour shift. ?
Hi Stephen!
I’m so glad to have found your website! I have my second interview coming up in November. I had my first interview last December at a different school and was wait listed. I am at little discouraged thinking what if I interview at this next school and get wait listed as well?
Also this new school is brand new but is part of an established medical school. What are your thoughts in applying to brand new programs? Part of me is hopeful and wants to pave the way as the first graduation class but I’m alsoo a bit worried.
I think it is a wonderful opportunity and will likely be less competitive. If they have a good medical school with a strong history of success behind them this can be even more comforting. I think you have more lose from not applying in these situations. But, I am an optimist 🙂
Stephen
I am currently preparing for an interview I have in September and was wondering if many schools ask medical related questions. Is it common to be asked medical related questions during an interview?
Hi Arti,
No, you will lot be asked medical questions during your PA school interview… You will have plenty of those though to look forward to during clinical rotations ?. Best of luck come September!!
Stephen
Thank you very much!!
Could you give me an example of a critical thinking interview question?
Also, a role play example for an interview?
I spoke to one PA school applicant who said the school asked her if she was a type of tree what would she be. Does this qualify as role playing? 🙂 Honestly, I still can’t believe that this was actually asked during a PA school interview… Still trying to figure out the right answer to this one!
As far as critical thinking, this may involve a clinical scenario, I have been asked a riddle before in an interview which caught me off guard. I am horrible at riddles but had actually heard this one about the water and the bucket before and knew the answer… Talk about luck. It’s hard to prepare for these types of random questions and I swear they just do it to test your creativity and make you sweat.
Stephen-
Thank you so much for sharing such valuable information and tips regarding the process of becoming a PA! I have found your site very helpful and encouraging.
I am finishing up supplemental applications and came across a question that has me stumped- “What are the biggest challenges you face by returning to school and what will you contribute to your classmates?” What do you think the admissions committee is looking for here?
I know that I must answer this in the most honest and individual way possible, however, there are several directions I can go. I can answer in a way that will show I know a lot about the profession, answer in a way that tells them more about me and makes me stand out, or answer in a way that shows I am a qualified candidate for PA school in general.
Thanks for the help!
Brielle
Hi Brielle,
You are right you could go in many directions here with your answer, the one that is correct is the first one that comes to mind because it is going to be the most honest. What really is you biggest challenge to returning to school right at this moment. I can tell you right now is somebody asked me that it would be trying to find time to balance school work with my family time and make sure I was there for my wife and my kids. If you asked me what I will contribute to my classmates, it would be an ever positive attitude, a skill for listening and a love for life.
The admissions committee is looking for an honest heartfelt answer. They always are. You don’t want to sound too scripted. What are your biggest challenges? Don’t beat around the bush – say it like it is. What can you contribute? Think about what people say about you after they get to know you well. We all usually have one thing we are known for… being organized, a good leader, a hard worker, keeping positive, bringing people together, being good a Pokemon Go 🙂 What’s your gifts that people know you for. I know mine – I would start there.
Hope that helps. And best of luck on this application cycle.
Stephen
A friend of mine just got back from an interview and they asked her, “Give three different words that people would use to describe you. One from someone who inspires you, one from your best friend, and one from an enemy.” (As in, what would be the word that these specific people would use to describe you?). I found this to be a pretty interesting question!
I noticed Chad’s question below:
they asked me this question what will be your response for a nurse who doesn’t want to obey an order you already gave it to her???
Do PAs give orders to nurses?
I would want to know why? As a health care team it is always our top priority to provide the best care possible for our patients. We might refer to these as “orders” but what they really are, are objectives – the primary objective being – caring for our patients. If my medical assistant or a nurse I worked with wasn’t comfortable with my objective I would be concerned, not necessarily with their refusal to meet my objective but that my objective wasn’t in line with the patients needs. So I would take the time to discuss our patients needs with my colleague and make sure we were on the same page…
Hi Stephen,
Thank you in advance for this forum. Your help is most appreciated! Feeling a bit discouraged after recent interview where I learned 2 of the letters of recommendation sent to CASPA have negative comments. Overall GPA is 3.4, Science GPA is 3.1, 2 years of clinical experience as a Medical Assistant, have shadowed a PA and volunteered in various health care settings. 2nd year of applying, 3 interviews last year and 4 (so far) this year with no offers yet. My question is do I have a shot at ever getting accepted to a PA program or will the 2 negative letters of recommendation block my chances? What are your thoughts? Any words of advice are much appreciated. Thank you!
Buenas!! estuve observando las ultimas unas 4 horas en la nube esta manyana
y no he llegado a ver nada tan maravilloso como tu texto.
Me ha encantado mucho la forma que posees al escribir creo
que es lo que me ha llegado. Personalmente, si muchos de los redactores crearan este tipo de comentarios, Internet seria mucho
mas practico. Espero que vayas asi y siga bebiendo
comentarios tan brutales como este.
Hola,
No estoy seguro si tu comentario se refiere a lo que yo escribi, o a algo que Stephen o alguien mas escribio. Si es por mi, gracias por el mensaje.
Cuidate y saludos,
Carlos
Hi Stephen,
I just wanted to say than you again for your excellent website and for the outstanding support that you give to all of us.
I was accepted to the PA program I applied to on the first attempt. I used the bank of questions from your website, and also read a lot of information regarding the PA profession.
I’ll start school on August 29. I also wanted to share some of my experiences during my journey to become accepted. I am convinced that even though the path to get accepted is difficult, it is not impossible to successfully overcome it.
I am also an international medical graduate, like Suhaadil (from a previous post). However, I had to re-do all the core requirements since mine were over 10 years old. I completed 91 credits in one and a half year (I could have gotten a bachelor degree in two more semesters). That was not my goal, since I already had a Master degree in Public Health acquired in the US. I wanted to see patients, I wanted to become involved in the health care service field. I wanted to do what I do best, to help people feeling better, even though they are sick and suffering.
I had to retake Biology I & II, A&P I & II, Chemistry I & II, Orgo I, Pre-calculus, College algebra, Statistics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathophysiology, English Composition I & II, Spanish, Literature I, US History I, Medical Terminology, Computer Concepts, Homeland Security Topics, Sociology (2 courses), Psychology (3 courses), Anthropology, and Behavioral Sciences. I did all of that in 5 semesters. At one time I took 7 classes in one semester, (which I don’t recommend to anyone).
While taking those courses I was working full time during the first 3 semesters, then I only worked part-time.
I also did extracurricular activities, such as being one of the student government council representative for almost the entire time in college (4 semesters). I was the Veteran liaison representative (I served in the US Navy for over ten years). I founded the first science club in my college, and I am still its president. Finally, I founded, along with a fellow veteran, the first Student Veteran Chapter (SVA) in my college, and I am the co-chair of that SVA chapter.
I was part of the volunteer teams (later on I was hired) helping Sandy victims in New York. I have over 10 thousand hours of health care experience (between military and civilian).
I was actively involved (organizing and participanting) in several activities while in school: health fairs, conferences, pizza-parties, etc.
I was truly committed and poised to become a PA. I never took anything for granted. The fact that I have a medical degree never made me feel entitle to special treatment. I knew that somehow, having the medical knowledge will eventually work on my advantage. I guess that it helped, but it was not the determinant factor. I was able to get a pretty decent GPA (3.75 general and 3.60 Sciences).
I am the oldest in my class (over 40 years old), with a family and a beautiful dog to take care of.
I am writing all of these, not to brag about myself (even though I could), but to show to all of those planning to apply that the road to get accepted is hard to walk on but not impossible to cross. Some people have told me that I went the “extra-mile”. Well, I guess I had to. I was competing against over 3500 applicants for only 155 seats, split on three campuses.
During my time in college I made sure that I wasn’t an invisible student. I was known by everybody, from the janitor up to the President of the entire college system. But the only reason that that happened is because I decided to get involved from the very beginning. I didn’t want to be just another student with good grades, and that it. I wanted them to see that I had the potential to become a serious candidate, and if they accepted me, everybody would win. I worked hard to get it, and I must confess that at times I was a little bit overconfident about it, so much that I only applied to one school, (I was planning to apply to more schools the next cycle in case I wasn’t accepted the first time). I wasn’t lucky, I worked for it. I was blessed. My faith in God and the support of my family and friends kept me going even during some down/blue times, caused by unimaginable stress and other personal situations.
Stephen, your advice and the experiences shared by other students posting on this website helped me a lot during my last months before application.
My focus now is on becoming a very good PA student. I won’t be competing with anyone, anymore. I know what I am capable of doing. This time I am going to take it easy, well, not that easy. I am going to study hard, of course, I am aware that PA school is not a walk in the clouds, but I am not to overwhelm myself. I’ve learned to manage my time, and it is now when my previous medical knowledge and experience will come handy.
I wish the best to all of you considering this wonderful path and career. Good luck and God bless you.
Kind regards,
Carlos
I am not sure how you answer question 14 when you don’t know the person sitting next to you.
Hi Kelsey,
This is indeed the point of the question… Did you take the time to get to know the person sitting next to you? It is subtle but extremely important. So take the time during your interview to engage with others in the room this is an important take home point!
Stephen
14. Question: What makes you stand out from the person sitting next to you this morning?
I am not sure how you really answer this question because you don’t know the person sitting next to you.
Hi Stephen! I’m back with another question! So I’m happy so say I have my first interview, despite thinking I would get zero! So now its game time for me and I really want to be well prepared. Because of this and the fact that i have a full time job, I picked the last date the school offered for an interview. Afterwards I was reading some forums and saw a lot of chatter about how its not good the take later interview dates for rolling admission schools? In your experience is there some truth to this? also have you ever had a school cancel your interview?
Thanks! your website has been such a useful resource of me so far in this process!
Hi Sonali,
Maybe there is some truth to this but it seems speculative. Schools want to make sure they get the best candidates so I would hope they would be thorough with the process. Also, why would they go through all the work of the interview process if they weren’t serious about you as a candidate? I would avoid reading too much into this and just go do your best and show them why they really need you in their upcoming class!!!
You are going to do great!
Stephen
they asked me this question what will be your response for a nurse who doesn’t want to obey an order you already gave it to her???
Do PAs give orders to nurses?
But when it comes to buying clothes for such independently-minded
young ladies, what are progressive, supportive parents to do?
Hi Stephen,
A question that trips me up a bit is the “weakness” question. I want to show that I’m capable of doing well in the program so coming up with a weakness that doesn’t appear awful is difficult. I would say for me it’s thinking that things should be done right the first time around and when its not, I get frustrated when other people’s work affects my ability to do my job. I’ve learned to lead by example and work as a team and try to show ways to get the job done right and once to my coworkers. But does this sound like I’m coming off like I just get things the first time while others don’t? That sounds awful and that’s not how I feel.
HI Marlene,
I think that is a perfectly good response that sounds honest and balances weaknesses with some positive strengths to counter. This is always a tough question but I think you did a very good job.
– Stephen
Great, thank you Stephen, hope I did well. They did ask me that but I had to describe ithe as a one word characteristic and I said impatient, and I should have said perfectionist. Hope I didn’t screw that one up.
Hi Stephen,
I have my PA interview on March 16, 2016. I have been reading a lot of the information provided here and other websites. can you recommend a centralized place where I can find all the possible answers to those 41 + questions? Thank you so much in advance.
Regards,
Carlos
Hi Carlos,
I would say the best, most centralized place to find all the possible answers to these 41 questions is located about 3 cm superior and 5 cm lateral to your hippocampus ?.
I haven’t published answers for this reason. The best answers are yours, but maybe what I will do is provide some guidance as to what the admissions committed is really asking and some steps you can take to formulate the best answer that YOU can give. Try answering a few of the ones you find the most challenging here and I will be happy to give you some guidance.
Stephen
Thank you so much for your prompt reply. Regards, Carlos
Stephen I would like to have that same advice you gave Carlos on what the admissions committee is really asking and some steps to formulate the best answers for the 41 questions. thanks for your help.
Best answer imaginable.
Hi Stephen,
I used your site to prepare for PA school…CAPSA + interviews and got accepted. I don’t start school until August…so I still have another 8 months. What do you think I should do to prepare for PA school? I am trying to review anatomy and physiology. Do you think that it’s a good idea that I review? Thanks so much for this website and all of the help it has given me!
Congratulations Nicole on your acceptance, I am extremely excited for you! I didn’t do any preparatory work prior to PA school other than getting married and packing up the Uhaul with way too much of our stuff 🙂 . Hindsight being 20/20 if I had the time I wish I had studied Anatomy. My college course wasn’t that great and had I had the time to really begin memorizing the anatomical structures I think this would have helped significantly. There are some wonderful free online courses and other resources that weren’t available back in the day that I would use (and do use) now:
1. I would download Essential Anatomy 5 Essential Anatomy 5 – 3D4Medical.com, LLC
This is such an amazing app that I now use all the time for my own learning purposes and also with my patients. I would also suggest purchasing the muscle innervation package which demonstrates the muscle insertions and functions, it is worth the add on.
2. I would take the free online Anatomy course through Harvard on EdX Check this out! https://www.edx.org/course/anatomyx-musculoskeletal-cases-harvardx-at1x
3. I would consider taking the free onine physiology course by Duke on Coursera: You can see that here: https://www.coursera.org/learn/physiology
If you want to pick up a medical terminology book here is the one our school recommended and I found it to be very good: http://amzn.to/1O21Meq
That should be enough to keep you busy!
Hope that helps, and once again way to go, you rock!!
– Stephen
Hi Stephe,
I am an internationally medical graduate, immigrated to North America. Due to many factors , I will not able to evaluate my medical degree, Alternatively, I decided to apply for PA program. How can I answer why I want to be a PA? and not to work on licence. In fact I have family obligations deterring me from that. However, I dont like to appear as some one who gives up easily.
Hi Suhaadil,
Great to hear from you! Life is a process and as you know circumstances change constantly. Being flexible and having the ability to adapt is what is most important, I am sure the skills and experience you bring here to North America are invaluable and you will be able to help many people with your perspective and background.
If you are passionate about helping people and about medicine you simply have to convey this to the admissions committee. Share your story, help them to see your life through your eyes, and how the journey has brought you to the PA profession. It starts with having a thorough understanding of what it is PAs do, how we are different than doctors and knowing in your heart why this is the career path you truly want to pursue. If you don’t know you will have a hard time convincing anyone else, so make sure you have sold yourself on the idea as well. Go shadow a PA (if you haven’t already) read about the profession on the PA Historical Society Website, attend your state or National PA convention, get a job working in healthcare here in the US to start gaining US healthcare experience hours and make sure you have all the prerequisite coursework necessary to even consider applying.
International applicants bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our ailing US medical system so we can us all the help we can get. I wish you the best on your journey, feel free to contact me if you have any other questions along the way.
– Stephen