We are often asked how to correspond with specific people throughout the application process. Over the last year, we have been sharing these email templates for our Instagram followers. Here is a full collection of them for you to refer to! Let me know in the comments what other templates would be helpful. Please remember these are JUST templates, a guide for you. Be sure to add your own personal touch to these.
How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation
It’s time to give your letter of recommendation letter writers a head’s up! Not sure how? Here are some tips and templates. Put these in your own words, but this should give you some direction.
When possible, ask through email so there is a paper trail and written reminder. Depending on your relationship with the letter writer, a phone call, text, or asking in person may also be appropriate.
Give your letter writer an idea of what you would like them to cover in the letter. For example, a professor’s letter should speak to your academic successes, not your demeanor during patient care. Sending your resume and personal statement can be helpful as well. Also, include the desired deadline of when you would like to submit your application. Letters frequently hold up application verification.
Don’t forget that LORs DO NOT roll over cycle to cycle so do not request them through CASPA yet. Just give your letter writers a heads up right now.
How to Ask to Shadow a PA
Found a PA you would like to shadow? That’s great! Here are some tips for when you’re asking to shadow a PA.
Keep it professional! It’s a crazy time in the medical field. A lot of PAs are very busy right now. If a response doesn’t come as quickly as you would prefer or you get a canned response. This seems like common sense, but I’ve seen some correspondences that are a little surprising in the tone.
Get to the point and be as brief as possible. In respecting your email recipient’s time, be concise and direct. Take out as much fluff as possible. If you have a question, make sure that’s clear without sharing your life story, but just include enough details to get an adequate response.
Be specific. I know I just said to be brief, but give your reader enough information to know their relationship to you and why you want to shadow them.
Remember, they are doing you a favor by allowing them to shadow you! Remember to be professional, polite and courteous.
What to say when Communicating with Programs
Multiple acceptances? Congrats! What a great problem to have! A lot of the questions you’ve been sending in are asking how to actually turn down a spot in a PA program. Here are some tips for when you’re communicating with a PA program.
Keep it professional! Whether you’re accepting a spot, declining, or asking for feedback, remember that the program faculty are very busy and doing the best they can. If a response doesn’t come as quickly as you would prefer or you get a canned response. This seems like common sense, but I’ve seen some correspondences that are a little surprising in the tone.
Get to the point and be as brief as possible. In respecting your email recipient’s time, be concise and direct. Take out as much fluff as possible. If you have a question, make sure that’s clear without sharing your life story, but just include enough details to get an adequate response.
Be specific. I know I just said to be brief, but give your reader enough information to know what you’re talking about and not have to go searching. Including identifying information will help with figuring out who you are among the thousands of applications a school receives.
Another common question is do you need to respond to a waitlist or acceptance offer? Yes. I recommend responding to any direct correspondence from a program to make sure they are aware that you received their email.
How to Ask a Program for Feedback
We always encourage pre-PA students, who are planning to reapply next cycle, to ask the programs they applied to cycle for feedback.
