Are you applying to PA school in 2024? Here are the interview details from an accepted PA school applicant.
This is an email I received from one of our mock interview clients.
He describes in detail the elements of his PA school interview and how he successfully approached each portion.
I am sharing it with you here so you can see firsthand what a PA school interview in 2024/2025 may entail. PS There is some good news at the end! 😀
I just wanted to give you an update on how my PA School interview went.
The first hour was a program overview by the program director, Theresa. I learned that this year, instead of thirty seats, they will now be accepting sixty!
The second hour was the student panel, where eight applicants, including myself, asked two current students a bunch of questions. I made sure to ask some good ones.
The third hour was described as a group interview in the prep emails but was something a little different. I was placed in a Zoom breakout room with two other applicants and the program director herself!
I was a bit shocked and nervous, but after a minute or two, I calmed down and did very well with all her questions. Many of them were general individual questions about my life and experiences.
After the hour was finished, she asked if we had questions, and I asked her about her past research on prenatal genetics and opioid addiction. She was both ecstatic and impressed to see I did my research on her.
The final hour was an individual interview between a current student, a PA who graduated from the program, and me. A LOT of the questions were similar to the questions we practiced during our mock interview, just in a different format.
I feel I did amazing answering all their questions in a thoughtful and honest way. The weirdest question they asked was, "Teach us something?" They wanted it to be a lighthearted and fun response… so I ended up explaining how to cook a ribeye steak for a solid 5 minutes!
I finished all their questions within 40 minutes, so the rest of the time was filled with them asking about my life just out of curiosity.
I really enjoyed myself.
Overall, I am incredibly happy with how the entire interview went. Whether I am accepted or not, I'm proud of the responses I gave and how I carried myself.
I am truly super grateful for all your feedback and help this week. It made a world of difference. I should be receiving a decision within 2 weeks.
Thank you so, so much again.
Warmly,
K.W. Pre-PA
PS: Here is the follow-up email I received two weeks later from K.W.:
It's official! I got an acceptance call today from the program director, Theresa. I am so excited and thrilled about this next chapter. My family, friends, and I were very emotional this morning Haha.
This email from K.W. (now a certifiable PA-S!) provides insight into what PA school admissions teams look for when interviewing prospective students.
It's tough to consider that after all the demanding work of submitting your CASPA application, an interview may be just around the corner. Still, there are things you can do now that will help prepare yourself beforehand!
Don't wait until the last minute.
My advice? Don't wait until the last minute - start practicing common PA school interview questions early on to subdue your fears and solidify your strategies. The earlier you begin your practice, the more prepared you will be on your interview day.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C
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
- Here’s What a REAL PA School Interview Looks Like (in 2024)
- 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
- Why Our Program? How to Answer This Common Supplemental Essay and Interview Question
- What is a PA? How to Nail This Not-So-Easy Interview Question
- How to Answer Behavioral Questions in Your PA School Interview
- Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) Strategies for PA School: A Comprehensive Guide
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