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You are here: Home / Pre-Physician Assistant / Who Gets Into PA School? Here’s What You Need to Know

Who Gets Into PA School? Here’s What You Need to Know

September 29, 2014 By Stephen Pasquini PA-C 395 Comments

What Does it Take to Get Into PA School Here's What You Need to Know

Leslie Mean is a 26-year-old single white female who presents to the PA school admissions committee on her first attempt to get into PA school.

She has a 3.6 overall GPA and a 3.5 science GPA. She is holding a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry, had an SAT score in the 1000-1100 range, and a GRE score of 300.

She has two years of hands-on clinical experience working as a CNA and a long history of volunteer work which exemplifies her desire to help her community.

She is kind and considerate and has reference letters that demonstrate her maturity and strong interpersonal skills.

She was accepted into PA school on her first attempt.

Who is Leslie and why did she get into PA School?

When asking the question: What do I need to do to get into PA school? You would be smart to talk to Leslie.

Leslie is a hypothetical PA school applicant who went on to become a PA school student, an entirely average PA school student.

She also embodies what PA schools across the country are looking for at this very moment.

How do I know this?

Because the most recent data from the PAEA semi-annual report, representing responses from over 85% of PA programs detailing characteristics of the 27,283 PA school applicants and 8,802 students accepted in PA school, show that they are filling their seats with Leslie.

As much as I like to talk about not being average and differentiating yourself from the pack, it's nice to know what average is. Average provides a baseline by which you can measure your progress, set goals, and develop an application timeline.

Does this mean you have to be just like Leslie to get into PA school?

Absolutely not, first, factors such as race, age, ethnicity, etc. are of no importance and you certainly don't have to be female to get into PA school (I am living proof).

But it is safe to assume that most schools are looking to keep their graduation and certifying exam pass rates high. They have an incentive to take fewer risks, and because of this, anything below average is considered a risk.

Thus, take a good look at Leslie and focus on factors that you can control to differentiate yourself, like your academic standing, your experience, your volunteer activities, your references, and your essay.

If you set the bar at Leslie, and end up being a Mother Theresa, I am fairly sure you will be accepted into PA school, although I have no data on religious preference and PA school acceptance rates. 🙂

What are your chances of getting into PA school?

  • 27,283 people applied to PA school in 2021
  • 8,802 of those applicants were accepted into PA school (32% of all PA school applicants were accepted into a PA program)
  • Of the PA students accepted more than two out of three (65.3%) (a.k.a. the majority) had applied to PA school previously
  • The average PA program's acceptance rate is 7%

So, what does an average PA school applicant who is admitted to PA school (i.e., student) look like?

Let's take a look:

In studies, the five most influential noncognitive factors known to have an effect on PA school admissions are faculty interactions, career motivation, knowledge of the PA profession, maturity, and professionalism. - Journal of Physician Assistant EducationClick To Tweet

→ The average PA school student is 25 years old

  • The average age of first-year students ranged between 25 and 28 for all categories
  • The median age at application is 25 years old
  • The median age of recently certified PAs is 27
  • For the past six years, the median age of all certified PAs is 38
First-Year Class: AgeMSDMdn
Age of first-year PA student25.14.225
Age of youngest first-year PA student21.0321
Age of oldest first-year PA student40.41044
Source: PAEA program report (2019-2020)

→ The average PA school student is female

The gender distribution of first-year students has started to stabilize after a 20-year trend of a gradually increasing proportion of women. In 1980, 36 percent of PAs were female. Today, 71.9 percent of all certified PAs are female.

  • Female: 71.9%
  • Male: 28.5% (mean)
PA School 2020 Gender PAEA Program Report
Source: PAEA program report (2019-2020)

→ The Average PA school applicant has a bachelor’s degree

The majority of PA school applicants hold a baccalaureate degree.

  • No academic degree: 8.1%
  • Certificate: 0.2%
  • Associates Degree: 2.6%
  • Baccalaureate Degree: 70.5%
  • Master’s Degree: 6.6%
  • Doctoral Degree: 0.9%

→ The Average PA school applicant graduated with a degree in Natural Sciences

Most PA school applicants hold a degree in natural sciences (biology, chemistry, etc.) but this doesn't mean you have to!

  • 46.9% Natural Sciences (biology, chemistry, etc.)
  • 18.4% Applied Sciences (nursing, radiology, etc.)
  • 13.6% Health Science (pre-med, etc.)
  • 10.5% Social Science (psychology, political science, etc.)
  • 3.4% Business
  • 2.0% Humanities
  • 1.3% Public Health
  • 1.1% Math, engineering, technology

Here are some tips on how to choose the best undergraduate major for PA school.

→ Most applicants had three years of hands-on clinical experience before applying

PA school applicants come to the table with a variety of medical experiences, especially if they are strong applicants.

  • Accepted PA students have, on average, 4,631 hours of paid direct patient contact (PCE) (e.g., nursing aid) earned over an average of 132 weeks.
  • Accepted PA students have on average 2,424 hours of paid healthcare experience (HCE) in the medical world without direct patient care responsibility (e.g., medical secretary) earned over an average of 88 weeks.

To be a successful PA candidate, you should aim to have at least 2,000 (preferably 3,000+) hours of hands-on patient experience at the time of application. This is 20-30 times more than the number of hours needed for medical school!

Experience in one of the following areas is common:

  • Nursing
    • Registered Nurse (RN)
    • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
    • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
  • Allied Health
    • Physical Therapist
    • Occupational Therapist
    • Registered Radiologic Technologist
    • Athletic Trainer
  • Emergency Services
    • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
    • Paramedic
    • Emergency Room Technician
  • Miscellaneous
    • Phlebotomist (that was me!)
    • Medical Researcher
    • Medical Volunteer

Medical Experience Statistics for PA School Applicants

Of applicants admitted to PA school, 90.5% worked in healthcare before applying to PA school. The most common healthcare experience is a certified nursing assistant (CNA) 30.4% and medical assistant (MA) 26.5%. Among those accepted, 23.3% worked as a scribe, 19.3% had experience as an EMT/paramedic, and 8.9% had experience as an emergency room technician. In addition to paid healthcare experience, 55.2% of matriculating PA students participated in volunteer community service work, such as Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, service-learning activities, and mission work.

Health Care Employment Prior to PA SchoolPercent
Nursing assistant30.2%
Medical assistant26.5%
Scribe23.3%
EMT/Paramedic19.3%
Emergency room technician8.9%
Home health aid8.7%
Phlebotomist7.3%
Clinical research coordinator/assistant7.3%
Physical therapist/Physical therapy assistant5.7%
Pharmacy technician4.1%
Athletic trainer3.8%
Medical technician3.3%
Medical reception/records2.9%
Medic or medical corpsman1.7%
Radiology technician1.6%
Dental assistant/hygienist1.4%
Source: 2020 PAEA student report

Average Health Care Experience Hours of Matriculating Students

According to the latest PAEA program survey and report, for those applicants accepted to PA school, the average student had 2,664 patient contact experience hours. Accepted students had, on average, 756 hours of “other healthcare experience”, 338 hours of community service, 2,155 hours of other work experience, and 94 hours of healthcare shadowing.

 Health Care ExperienceMSDMdn
Patient contact experience3,0202,0422,664
Other health care experience1,0231,074756
Other work experience2,0961,1192,155
Community service487573338
Shadowing14421494
Source: PAEA program report (2019-2020)

* 2022 Update: Some recent data suggests HCE hours are significantly declining with a new average of 1.88 years of healthcare experience among matriculating (accepted) students.

Admissions directors Q&A: What are some of the points that are extremely impressive to you in the application?

Commitment to community, overcoming adversity, a WELL written narrative, great letters of reference from someone that REALLY knows you, ability to juggle many responsibilities simultaneously, and activities that show a particular passion for something are what we look for in a PA school applicant  - Penn State University PA ProgramClick To Tweet

→ GRE scores of those accepted into PA school tend to be in the above-average range

According to the latest PAEA program survey and report, for those applicants accepted to PA school, the average verbal reasoning score was 152.2, and the average quantitative reasoning score was 152.0. The average analytical writing score was 3.9.

First Year Class PA School GRE Scores PAEA Program Report
Source: PAEA program report (2019-2020)

Competitive GRE scores average around a composite score of 300 and scores above 310 are extremely competitive. This averages to about 150 on verbal reasoning, 150 on quantitative reasoning, and a 3.5 in writing.

Please note that these scores are averages of past GRE examinations and you should consider your score competitive if they are above the 50th percentile.

Percentiles are more important than actual GRE scores. Every GRE differs in difficulty, which is why none of them can be considered equivalent, thus, necessitating the need to use a standardized ranking method.

  • GRE Percentile Math: 42.5%
  • GRE Percentile Verbal: 53.5%
  • GRE Percentile Analytical: 54.2%

→ The average PA school student has between a 3.5 and 3.6 overall GPA and an undergraduate science GPA of 3.5

  • According to the latest PAEA program report, the average undergraduate overall GPA for PA school applicants who were accepted into PA school was 3.6. Accepted students had, on average, a science GPA of 3.5, a non-science GPA of 3.6, and a CASPA BCP (biology, chemistry, and physics) GPA of 3.5
  • The average overall GPA for students who were not accepted into PA school was 3.28. Non-matriculant science GPA was 3.17.

Interesting factoid: As the age of applicants increases, GPA tends to be lower.

Source: PAEA program report (2019-2020)

→ Most PA school students are Caucasian

We can all agree that one's skin color should have nothing to do with your chances of getting into PA school but like many medical professions, the percentages of minorities accepted into PA programs do not mirror the national averages. As it stands in 2022 the majority of PA school students are white (77.7%) followed by Asian (10.9%). Black or African Americans comprised 5.9% of matriculating PA students and 12% were of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin.

 RaceMean
White77%
Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish in origin12%
Asian10.9%
Other9.2%
Multiracial6.5%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander6.4%
Black or African American5.9%
American Indian or Alaskan Native2.5%

→ What are your chances of being accepted into PA school?

  1. If you apply to one PA program - you have a 25% chance of getting in
  2. If you apply to 12 programs (or more) - you have a 49% chance of getting in
  3. The average number of PA programs applied to is 8

Interesting factoid: There is no additional benefit for applying to 12 programs or more!

→ Pucker up baby, most PA students are single!

Most students are single (72.2%), though about a quarter are married (23.9%). A little under two percent were divorced, and 0.7% were in a domestic partnership/civil union.

Most students (85.1%) have no legal dependents. For the nearly 15% of students that reported having legal dependents other than themselves, the average number of dependents was 2.02, with a range of 1 to 7 dependents.

Over 30% of respondents said they were considered dependent of their parents.

  • 72.2% single
  • 23.9% married
  • 1.7% divorced
  • 0.7% domestic partnership/civil union
  • 0.4% separated, but still legally married
  • 0.6% other

→ Most PA students are from "The Burbs"

Half of the students reported spending most of their time in a suburban setting. One-quarter of respondents reported spending most of their time in a rural environment, followed by 15% in an inner-city setting.

Where do PA School Students Come From

→ Most PA students don't come from extreme riches

Over half of PA students report a family gross income of less than $50,000.

  • 37.4% Less than $25,000
  • 21.8% $25,000 to $49,999
  • 14.7% $50,000 to $74,999
  • 6.8% $75,000 to $99,999
  • 6.0% $100,000 to $149,999
  • 2.4% $150,000 to $199,999
  • 1.5% $200,000 or greater
  • 9.6% other

Admissions directors Q&A: Who is the perfect PA school applicant?

Our program will look to utilize a holistic approach to admissions. We look at academic success, life experiences, and community activities to evaluate all candidates. There is no one mold to fit the PA profession. However, PAs need strong communication skills, leadership, grit, and a willingness to support the community - Michigan State University PA ProgramClick To Tweet
Students need to be well organized, know how to manage their time and outside influences, and have a genuine desire to help and care for people. PA school is rigorous, so we recommend honest conversations with family and friends ahead of your start. - CWRU PA ProgramClick To Tweet

→ PA school students don't smoke pot and are not drug dealers or part of the Italian Mafia

Over three-quarters (82.8%) of programs reported that students were required to have a background check upon matriculation to the program, while 78.7% of responding programs now mandate drug testing.

Some Important Points

It's Not Rocket Science: It is important that a candidate demonstrates reasonable aptitude in the hard sciences such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and biology. It is more likely that the committee may overlook a grade of C in U.S History or Spanish I. They will be less tolerant of a marginal grade in the sciences.

Show compassion: Your GPA is stellar, and you've amassed an impressive amount of medical work experience in the little spare time you have while keeping your grades pristine, but you still get that dreaded rejection letter. Why?

You didn't do enough volunteer work. Volunteering exemplifies your desire to help your fellow man—the attribute identified by schools as one of the most integral to becoming a successful PA.

Students who have had experience in working with underserved populations, rural or diverse populations, performing volunteer service or disaster relief, or other experiences that illustrate a drive and compassion for others often stand out to the admissions committee!

The view from the top isn't that crowded

Quote Run of a Ladder Thomas Henry Huxley

It's an easy race to the bottom, so set your sights on the top.

Many people will be set back when they read that only 25% of applicants will be accepted into PA school in any given year, but this should be good news. Being in the top 25% in any field is not nearly as hard as it sounds, simply because the majority of the competition is in the bottom 75% and has bottom 75% qualifications.

For example, you have read this entire post, so you now know what the average PA school applicant who has had some success looks like. You understand what a top 75 percent candidate looks like. Your goal now is to be better than the average 75% and exceed the top 25%.

If you aim high, you will be competing with a much smaller minority, and your odds of getting an acceptance letter will increase dramatically. It also helps if you apply to 12 programs.  😉

*Tables and data were sourced from the latest PAEA Semi-Annual Report.

 

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About Stephen Pasquini PA-C

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

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. andres says

    March 23, 2022 at 10:50 am

    Hi Stephen,

    I graduated Undergrad in 2018 and since then I’ve held jobs in clinical research laboratories. Currently, I am set on switching to a job that will allow me to work with patients. I’d like to know if having experience in the research field is beneficial when applying to PA school, does it make a candidate stand out?

    Reply
  2. Patrick S Grabbe says

    October 27, 2021 at 4:22 pm

    I am trying to figure out a confusing thing. I see you listed the acceptance rate as 32%. This cycle University of Utah had 3000 applications….x32% is 960 peeps………another school had 4000 plus apps for much less than 100 seats. I realize with all the schools together. the percent is different….But I see on all the PA sites Utah has a high acceptance rate…..I know they interviewed less than 200….if they took 90 thats a 3% acceptance rate….
    Can you enlighten me??

    Reply
  3. Lia P says

    April 25, 2021 at 9:10 am

    Hi Stephen – thanks so much for writing this comprehensive and stellar article! It was helpful!

    I’m hoping you can give me some advice. I am a certified Birth Doula, have worked as a PCNA (unlicensed CNA with plans to become state certified this summer) for a world class healthcare system on an Oncology unit for the past two years, volunteer my spare time as a Doula at a nonprofit crisis pregnancy shelter, and am working on prerequisites for PA school at a community college where I hold A’s in both of my classes this semester. I am chairwoman of the PCNA Practice Council, and am currently working on an empathy initiative for my unit through the committee. I also recently became certified as a PCNA geriatrics specialist.

    I hold a BA in English, but switched careers to medicine two and a half years after graduation. My first career was in journalism and editing. I am highly interested in Bioethics and find that my degree comes in handy in this field. My experiences on the Oncology unit has turned my interest from OB/GYN to palliative medicine, and I have had the honor to shadow the Pallmed team at work for a week. I plan to shadow again soon.

    I’m finishing up Chem I and Bioethics this semester, and have quite a ways to go for finishing prerequisites. However, I’m wondering if it would be advantageous to obtain an Associate’s in Biology rather than take individual prerequisites. I have a meeting with a PCOM board member and a DO alumni in a few weeks to discuss my options for admissions, but would like to present multiple paths and ideas to them. PCOM is high on my list, and I plan on sending multiple applications to other universities as suggested.

    What would you recommend as a path for my prerequisite studies? How can I make myself a more appealing applicant academically given my undergrad degree?

    Thanks so much!

    Be well,

    Lia

    Reply
  4. Sheila Keating says

    March 3, 2021 at 8:24 am

    How does a full-time college student have an average of three years of clinical experience before applying to PA school? Does this mean I should get my college degree and then work in healthcare for three years and then apply to PA school? I am a sophomore getting a BS in biochemistry and do not have any job or volunteer experience in the healthcare field yet. Not sure how I would get this experience other than the summers. Or would it be better for me to postpone my college degree, work towards getting a medical assistant or phlebotomist certification, work for a couple of years, and THEN come back and finish my degree?

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      March 3, 2021 at 10:26 pm

      Hi Sheila! This is a great question!

      Speaking from experience, college is a full-time job and deserving of your full attention. As a freshman at the University of Washington, I was able to find a very part-time job working as a student intern at the campus health center. I started by working a few hours a week after classes as part of the medical records department and then transitioned to the lab where I was trained as a phlebotomist. I spent my summers working a variety of jobs. I was lucky to find a position through Seattle Parks and Recreation my Junior year working at a kid’s summer camp for children with disabilities. After graduation, I remained in Seattle and worked for the University Hospital as a phlebotomist, then transitioned into a job through the Puget Sound Blood Center as a mobile technician. I got to travel all over the State with the blood center and had some really awesome experiences. I completed my college prerequisites and still garnered quite a bit of HCE/PCE hours along with invaluable life/work/volunteer experience. After graduation, I also took a night class and trained as an EMT, and volunteered for both the hospital and various organizations around Seattle. The pay I received working as a student was as close as one can get to slave labor, but the experiences and the letters of recommendation I received from these jobs were priceless. It took a lot of asking around, a bit of hustling, and offering to work whenever and however I could and busting my butt! I am sure this is why I had any fighting chance of getting into PA school, and the lessons I learned and the skills and people I worked with at that time have made me who I am today as a PA. If I can give you a piece of advice, it is to seek out opportunities and be generous with your time, talents, and gifts… time comes to that make it not to those who try to find it.

      So, make the time, put in the effort today, and I know you will find your way.

      Stephen

      Reply
      • Sheila Keating says

        March 4, 2021 at 5:14 pm

        Thank you for your very detailed response!

        Reply
  5. Kyle says

    March 2, 2021 at 1:24 pm

    Any idea what percentage of applicants are paramedics? Why does PAEA lump EMTs and Paramedics in the same group for data on medical experience? It’s like asking CNA/RN on a survey, they have very different levels of education and responsibility. Thanks

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      March 3, 2021 at 10:48 pm

      Hi Kyle, I agree with you 100%. Even if the PAEA “lumps” these two professions together I am sure PA programs and the admission committee members that hold seats for these programs do not.

      Stephen

      Reply
  6. Elena De Loizaga says

    September 2, 2020 at 12:20 pm

    Hello,

    I am going into my sophmore year of universty studying Biologcial Sciences. However, I am very unsure whether a B.S or an B.A will affect my acceptance rate. I am more intrested in a B.A with a minor but I have read from mutiple sources that a B.S is more competitive and increses chances. Can you advice me?

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      September 5, 2020 at 1:57 pm

      Hi Elena, great question.

      PA programs do not require (or even prefer) an undergraduate degree in science in general, or biological science in particular, BS or BA. Diverse and well-rounded applicants go on to becomes diverse and well-rounded PAs, and everyone wins. Choose a major you will do well in — something that you are passionate about and that your undergraduate school can teach well.

      If you are financially constrained, an undergraduate degree that can lead to a job while you are working towards PA school applications is an excellent idea.

      No matter what degree you are getting, if you are currently enrolled in a 4-year degree program and planning to apply for PA school after you finish, you will save yourself time and money if you work on your prerequisites during your undergrad years. Do research on your favorite PA programs, read the list of requirements above, and try to use your electives to reduce the amount of post-bacc work you have to do.

      Your undergraduate degree can come from a small no-name school or from an Ivy League school. The effect of your undergraduate institution on admissions is minimal.

      Yes, PA programs know GPAs differ between schools, but there aren’t many times that’s going to make a difference in your life. If you did well in school, it doesn’t matter which school you went to. If you did badly in school, it doesn’t matter which school you went to. If you did okay in school, then you are one of many, many, many candidates in the same position, and what will set you apart from other candidates — more so than a small difference in GPA, or which undergrad institution your degree comes from — are other aspects of your application (like your essay and your interview).

      Stephen

      Reply
      • Elena De Loizaga says

        September 24, 2020 at 5:20 pm

        This was extreamly helpful! Thank you so much for your time.

        Reply
        • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

          September 24, 2020 at 7:59 pm

          Thank you Elena for taking the time to read the article and leave such a thoughtful comment. Have a blessed day!

          Warmly,

          Stephen Pasquini PA-C
          http://www.smartypance.com
          http://www.thepalife.com

          Reply
  7. Jagdish Rathod says

    August 4, 2020 at 5:33 pm

    I am a Master’s Degree holder as Surgeon from India. I practiced as a Doctor for more than 20 years. I am an USA citizens. I do not have license to practice in USA as a Doctor. I want to join PA and want to work as PA. Can you guide ?
    Thanks.
    Jagdish Rathod.

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      August 4, 2020 at 9:04 pm

      Hi Jagdish, are you living and working here in the US now?

      From the standpoint of the ARC-PA, individuals educated as health care providers (MDs, PAs, nurses, etc.) outside of the United States are not treated any differently than any other prospective PA student regardless of degree. To practice as a PA in the United States, one must graduate from an ARC-PA accredited program and be certified by the NCCPA. If interested in applying to a PA program, such individuals should contact the PAEA for information on specific programs.

      Here is a wonderful resource on the topic from the ARC-PA (they accredit US PA programs and determine who may sit for the PANCE exam): http://www.arc-pa.org/frequently-asked-questions/non-us-health-care-professionals/

      Before you can work in the US, you must contact the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International) to complete a visa screening program which, in part, will determine if your education was equivalent to that from a US PA Program. If your education is comparable, you are eligible for a certificate that you can submit with your visa application to the US State Department. The State Department’s approval of your occupational visa may help you enter the U.S., but you are still not eligible to work as a PA in the U.S.

      To become a PA in the United States, individuals must also attend and graduate from an ARC-PA–accredited entry-level PA program and pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certifying of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

      For information on PA programs, contact the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA): https://paeaonline.org/ and the directory of PA programs here: http://directory.paeaonline.org/.

      Eligibility criteria for taking the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) are available on the NCCPA web site: http://www.nccpa.net/.

      Additional information on practicing as a PA in the US can be found at the American Academy of Physician Assistants’ (AAPA) website: https://www.aapa.org/.

      To determine if an individual state allows non-US educated physicians to practice as PAs without additional education and national certification, you would have to contact the licensing bodies of the specific states.

      To find PA programs that accept international students:

      I would start by searching the PAEA directory website and click the box “Accept int’l applicants.” Currently, 138 programs accept international students. From there, you need to narrow down further based on requirements. I would then use my PA program picker table. You can narrow your search even further using all your variables: https://www.thepalife.com/pa-program-picker/.

      Then, follow the links to the PA program websites and reach out to them personally. They will be able to guide you better than me since every program is a bit different. If you have any questions afterward, just shoot me a reply.

      You can also browse my website at http://www.thepalife.com or visit our knowledge base, where I am growing a list of guides intended to cover a broad range of topics.

      Stephen Pasquini PA-C

      Reply
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Cintia Chávez, PA-S

This was an extremely helpful process! I still have work to do on my essay but Sue was very helpful by giving me criticism I needed to hear from an unbiased source as well as being very fast responding! I think this will help me moving forward and having a strong application!

Morgan Rial, Pre-PA

This is my third time applying to PA programs. With my first two attempts, I only had close friends, family, and peers help me with my personal statement. I never even thought about going through a professional personal statement review service until after I had failed to get into PA programs my second time around. My prerequisites are expiring soon and the thought of going through the entire process of applying a fourth time terrifies me. I was hesitant to purchase the one-on-one service but after going through it, I am so glad that I did. Sarah was my editor and she is incredible. She genuinely understands how frustrating yet exciting this process is. I submitted my initial personal statement to her and within a day, she had already gotten back to me with detailed feedback. She even goes as far as telling you how many characters she wants you to add in different parts of your essay – this was extremely helpful for me because I tend to be a little wordy sometimes rather than succinct. Sarah helped me to highlight my strengths, experiences, and reasons for why I have spent so many years pursuing the PA career. This is an incredible service and I highly recommend that you take advantage of it! I am still in the process of completing my supplemental applications but I am more confident now than I have been with my first two attempts!

Christian S. Pre-PA

The comments and edits made by Sue are exceptional! They’ve helped a lot in terms of helping me express my thoughts more clearly and effectively. It felt as if she was there with me, reading my thoughts and helping me with the entire process in person!

Amy, Pre-PA

I wanted to update you and say I’ve been accepted into two programs (waiting for two more responses) with Jefferson University (my program of choice) being one of them. Thank you for all your help and your tips and for making this a genuinely joyful 2022!

Yejin (Future PA)

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

Mary Peterson, Pre-PA

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

Khanhi, Pre-PA

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

Ashley, Pre-PA

This was the most amazing experience! I felt so confident about my topic and essay after our meeting. Duke got back to me quickly and worked around my crazy schedule. The editing of the essay was professional and gave me insight I could not have received any other way. I only applied to one school because it is really the one I would like to go to the most and I got an interview!!! Thank you so much for all of your help!

Kathryn R, PA-S

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

Tina, Pre-PA

Really helpful! Makes me feel confident.

Qui T. Pre-PA

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

Sneh, PA-S

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

Patrick, Pre-PA

I loved this service! Not only did my editor transform my essay, she helped me feel more confident in my application moving forward. She was extremely personable and efficient. I love my essay and now I’m even more excited about applying for school because of the help I received from The PA Life! Highly recommend!!

Aubrey, Pre-PA

I wanted to let you know that after 4 interviews and 4 waitlists, I was informed a seat opened up at my number one school Drexel in Philadelphia!! So I have officially enrolled in a PA program. This feeling is the lightest I have ever felt and it is incredible. Aside from myself and my mom who has emotionally supported me through this all, you were a huge part of making this happen. I cannot thank you enough for helping tell my story. If you ever want a review to be written somewhere, I would be glad to write one. I have nothing but respect for your talent in listening and translating someone’s intention and experiences into a rounded and full story. Thank you again.

Sarah, R PA-S

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

Pattie Solomon PA-CNorTh Miami Florida

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

Chloe, Pre-PA

Sarah was amazing from beginning to end. Her listening skills are just superb. She edits in a manner that captures your story in a raw format and complete format. I loved my experience.

Vivian, Pre-PA

This service was invaluable – I felt decent about my essay, but it’s remarkably better. I appreciate the level of detail and courtesy even with my discounted rate. You guys are too great!

Taylor Hamstra, Pre-PA

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

Gabby, Pre-PA

I’ve been telling everybody that I come into contact with about the incredible value of your service and that I directly attribute your editing as a reason I got into two schools this academic cycle and received 8 invitations to interview. All the best! Read more at http://www.thepaessay.com

Jeremy Cohen Pre-PA

This review is long overdue, but my gratitude for how much The PA Life has helped me will never fade. Ms. Schultz went above and beyond to help me tailor my personal statement to my unique stories and qualities. She was open to my suggestions and often thought from my perspective instead of imposing her thoughts on my essay. I appreciate the time she took to help me create a personal statement that expressed my thoughts clearly and concisely. I am happy to report that I have been invited to interviews, and I’m on the waitlist for one of my top schools. If I don’t get in this cycle, I will be using the editing services again. Big shout out to Ms. Schultz!! Thank you for all your encouragement, patience, and support! I am honored to have the chance to work with you. 🙂

Amy, Pre-PA

This was just what my essay needed. I am confident that I have answered all the questions without sounding too “braggy”.

Kelsey, Pre-PA

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

Sonja D. PA-S

Sarah was a joy to work with! She was extremely helpful and patient with any questions I had for her! 10/10 recommend using this service!

Lori, Pre-PA

Hi, I am beyond words to express how I feel, I got accepted, contingent on background check which I think is a formality. I want to say boldly that I am going to be a PA, thanks to you. You will be always blessed for the wonderful service you provide.  You were very kind and worked beyond what I thought could be offered. Thanks again!

Pavithra, Pre-PA

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

Amanda, Pre-PA

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

Amanda Pre-PA

I wanted to give you an update and thank you. I just received my first acceptance and at the interview, they commented on how well written my personal statement was. I appreciate your hard work and working with me to create such an awesome piece! Hopefully, this won’t be the last time we talk- maybe our paths will cross again one day!

Janne Kim, Pre-PA

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

Lindsey Porubcan PA-S

I greatly appreciate the help because it answered questions and doubts I had about my personal statement. I feel much more confident in submitting to CASPA. Thank you very much, Sue!

Sarah, Pre-PA

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

Katie, Pre-PA

Duke and I worked really well together. Seeing my first draft in comparison to my final draft was like night and day. I really appreciate all the help!

Kenzi H. Pre-PA

I loved this service!!

Madeleine Zeichner, Pre-PA

Kelly M. provided an exceptional experience with detailed recommendations. I am upset that I did not find The PA Life editing service sooner! I will be referring anyone I know applying to pa school to this platform!

Manny, Pre-PA

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

Sibiya Sabu PA-S

I wanted you to know about my acceptance into Elizabethtown College’s PA program. I am incredibly excited – I loved the school, the program and thought the staff was incredible, especially the director. I know my personal statement was a key component of getting an interview with them, and I am so thankful for your help in getting my statement polished!

Steve, PA-S

Ms. Edmondson was incredible! She provided great feedback and answered all of my follow up questions. I will keep in touch as to my interview offers.

Ashley, Pre-PA

I truly appreciate the ideas and comments Deanna provided for my personal statement. Without her expertise in having an understanding of what PA programs are looking for in a personal statement, I would have gone in a completely different and possibly wrong direction. I highly recommend this service!

Victoria, Pre-PA

I wanted to reach out and thank you for your help in editing my personal statement this application cycle. I have been accepted to the University of Utah and I was lucky enough to get a number of interviews! I know that your help with my statement definitely made a difference and I am so thankful! Thank you so much!

Nicole, Pre-PA

Thank you for all of your help with my essay. You used my content, but refined it and made it more relatable. I believe due to your help I gained three interviews this cycle! I was accepted to two of the three schools and I will be going to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston this May. Again, thank you for all of your help, it has definitely changed my life.

Lauren Clewley, PA-S

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

Ryan, Pre-PA

Duke really pushed me to write from the heart and explore my true reasons for applying to PA school.  I was very pleased with the outcome.  I haven’t yet received an interview, but my fingers are crossed!

Emily P. Pre-PA

Awesome service. Duke did a great job editing my personal statement – his feedback was top-notch. For the 2014-2015 cycle, I applied to one school. I was selected for an interview and yesterday I received an offer of admission … which I quickly accepted. I know my Personal Statement played a huge role in my success. I highly recommend this service.

Nikki, Pre-PA

I wanted to let you know I got accepted into the PA program at Mercy College and have another interview at Pace University PA program next week. Thank you so much for guiding me through this process. I just want you to know I really appreciate the time you put into working with me.

Alex (Future PA)

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

Miranda, Pre-PA

My reviewer was Deanna Matzen who was incredible. I reached out to The PA Life’s editing service after being disappointed by myparesource, whom I was referred to initially. Deanna composed two alternate ways to structure my journey and allowed me to find a novel way to present my personal statement. After revision, I was able to flip my lens, utilize my introduction as my conclusion, and the rest of the paper began to fall into place. Very satisfied with the quality of her work, thank you so much, Deanna!

Steven, Pre-PA

I worked with Duke to edit and complete my essay. It was a terrific experience that I would recommend to everyone! Duke has an amazing ability to help you move things around and change it a little, while still making it feel like 100% your own work. We talked out every change we made, and we both conceded to each other in different places. He made extra time for me when I got stressed out about the deadline, and worked with me for a while each time we sat down. I paid $199 for this service, and I think that was the best bargain I ever got! I have been invited back to submit supplemental applications to some schools, and I will keep the team updated about my interviews. Thanks Duke!!!

Carly Bransky, Pre-PA

I want to let you know that I got accepted into Misericordia University PA program starting the Summer of 2021. So far, I have had two interviews, one rejection and one acceptance. I have two more interviews coming up, and other schools are still reviewing applications. You have been a huge part of my application process, and I just want to appreciate your time and efforts you put in during my application. Thank you, and God bless

Jani, PA-S

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

Yana, Pre-PA

Carly did a tremendous job of helping edit my personal statement. Her suggestions and hints have taken my personal statement to the next level!

Austin, Pre-PA

I am extremely pleased with this service. It is exactly the kind of constructive criticism I was hoping to receive. I had my essay reviewed by “myparesources” and was not very satisfied with their general comments. Sue put a lot of time and effort and gave me concrete examples of how to change my essay for the better. I WILL recommend this service over all others. Thank you so much!

Joe, Pre-PA

Sarah did such a great job editing my personal statement! She was receptive to my concerns and had awesome ideas to make my essay stand out. I am very happy with how it turned out and I am excited to submit it. Thank you!!

Hannah, Pre-PA

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

Kelsey, Pre-PA

I have been accepted to my first-choice program!! UC Denver, I don’t have to move! I have also received three other interviews so far. Thank you so much for your help with my personal statement. You eloquently helped me state my desires and strengths for the career. I am beyond thrilled and thankful.

Nika (Future PA)

My editor was amazing! She took everything I asked and did editing that was above and beyond. She was also great at communicating and taking my comments/opinions into consideration. 10/10 would recommend!

Ravee, Pre-PA

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

Vanessa, Pre-PA

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

Michelle Chen, PA-S

I LOVED the suggestions Carly made for my essay. Not only was she thorough with her edits, but she also provided a lot of quality feedback that really made my essay shine. Carly took my unedited, messy essay and helped me better convey what I was trying to say. I have nothing but positive things to say about this experience and feel this service was worth every penny.

Rachel, Pre-PA

I just want to let you know I got into the pa program! I want to give you a huge thank you for helping me nail the interview and make a great essay. Thank you, x 100,000!

Rachel J, Pre-PA

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

Jennifer, H Pre-PA

Your services have eased the stress and anxiety that results from guessing whether or not your essay contains the content that many PA programs are looking for. Your services were prompt and genuine. It is clear that you have the applicants success at heart. Thank you!

Madison Holtz

I just wanted to let you know I accepted a spot at the University of Dubuque’s PA program! I want to thank you for all your help and support in this process and for all the positivity you brought my way. Thanks for all you do and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with you! I would recommend you highly to anyone.

Meghna, PA-S

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101 PA School Admission Essays

Admissions Directors Know What They Want. Shouldn't You? You’re slaving away at your personal statement, but can’t help wondering if anyone will read past the first line. A troubling thought, isn’t…

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How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement

What Makes This Book Unique? We have worked with 1000’s of applicants through our Personal Statement and Essay Collaborative and have interviewed PA school faculty and Admissions Directors from 12…

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