Accepted: Natasha - University of Washington

Undergraduate education: BA Media and Communications at the University of New South Wales (Australia)

Overall GPA: 2.96 (last 60 credits: 3.60)

Science GPA: 3.39

GRE: 300

Total PCE hours: 11,000+ as a Medical Assistant/ X-ray Technician

Shadowing hours: 296 (from PA's in different fields: urgent care, primary care, neurology, women's health, and an MD)

Volunteer hours: 213

LORs: 2 PA's, 2 MD's, 1 Biology Professor

How many times did you apply?:  2

Age: 29

Gender: Female

How many programs did you apply to? 13

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 1, accepted! - it only takes one! :)

Where will you be attending? University of Washington

Anything you found surprising about interviews? Surprisingly, they really just want to get to know you. The focus won't be on your stats, that only gets your foot in the door, it's about how your personality will fit the rest of the cohort, they look at you as a future student and colleague. The interviewers will thoroughly review your application so make sure you know it by heart and can answer questions based on your answers. I had a group interview which consisted of different interview panels, and the common theme with each panel is interviewers building upon your answers by asking follow up questions. It was more conversation like so as long as you're confident and know your application inside out it will be smooth sailing. The faculty is also aware of how stressful the day is for everyone so they tend to be more accommodating and comforting.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps, etc...) that you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or the interview process? The PA Platform, Physician Assistant School Interview Guide, Physician Assistant Forum, beaphysicianassistant.com, thepalife.com, mock interview service with the PA Platform, Instagram of various PAs

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Don't stress by comparing yourself to other pre-pa students. We all have our own journey that makes us unique and worthy to be a PA. I am not by any means a traditional PA applicant, at times that discouraged me but I kept on persevering. Never give up, there will be that one school that is a perfect match for your vision and goals as a future PA. Find your niche and make sure that shines, find something that will make you unforgettable, it doesn't even have to be medically related but anything that will make you stand out, it can be as simple as you make your own jewelry, or cook for your dog, anything that will make the interviewers remember you. It's already a given that we are passionate about this profession and this is the career for us so make sure you don't only focus on that aspect during the interviews or even while writing your personal statement. Make your personality shine!

Where can we find you? Instagram: @vs22mix

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Accepted: Aubrie - Marshall B. Ketchum University

Undergraduate education: San Diego State University - Kinesiology Pre-PT and Honors Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies

Overall GPA: 3.75

Science GPA: 3.63

GRE: Did not take

Total PCE hours: ~1,600

Total HCE hours: 70

Shadowing hours: 52

Volunteer hours: ~1,200 - Pre-PA Peer Mentor, Pre-PA Organization president, MDA Summer Camp, misc

LORs: 4 - PA, clinical director of the clinic I volunteered at, advisor and music professor from my school abroad

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 22

Gender: Female

Why PA? I have always been interested in anatomy and science, but I didn’t really consider using that interest to help others until my last year of high school. After I started my first PCE role, interacted with patients and networked with PAs through our pre-PA club, it just felt right. Also, I have an interest in becoming a travel PA and I really loved that this career will let me do that AND change specialties without extra schooling while doing so.

How many programs did you apply to? 4...risky, I know!

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes?One and done!

Where will you be attending? Marshall B. Ketchum University

Anything you found surprising about interviews? My interview was very causal and we got off topic quite a bit. It really just felt like a conversation with other adults in a more professional setting. They truly just wanted to know who I was as a person!

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? Of course, @thepaplatform’s interview book was extremely helpful! But honestly, just networking on Instagram helped me SO much. I would also get involved in your pre-PA club on campus.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? The path to getting into PA school is not an easy one. You will have to put in a lot of hard work and sacrifice a lot as well, however, it is SO worth it when you see those words, “Congratulations! You’ve been accepted”. I highly recommend having at least one pre-health friend so you have someone to vent to and study with, especially since they’ll really understand the dedication you need to have to get into school. Also, I recommend creating a spreadsheet of schools you’d like to apply to early on so you can focus on those schools and what they’re looking for! It can get overwhelming to prepare for school if you don’t have your school choices narrowed down.

Where can we find you? YouTube: Aubrie Jones and Instagram: @whitecoatchasing

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Accepted: Matthieu - University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Undergraduate education: University of Florida

Overall GPA: 3.53

Science GPA: 3.4

GRE: 300

Total PCE hours: 1,450

Total HCE hours: 0

Shadowing hours: 63

Volunteer hours: 310

LORs: 5 ( 2 PA, 1 MD, 1 clinical supervisor, 1 Founder of an international public health organization)

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 22

Gender: Male

Why PA? I truly wanted to begin a career in medicine that would allow me to play a big role in decision making as well as give the ability to gain experience in different specialties.

How many programs did you apply to? 12

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 12 applications 7 total interview offers 5 denied application submission 4 declined interview offers 3 attended interviews 2 acceptances

Where will you be attending? University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Anything you found surprising about interviews? Being yourself is strongly suggested because it’s true! Faculty really want to learn about the real you and learn everything about you that’s not on the application.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Stay positive and trust the process!

Where can we find you? IG: Personal @_mattyymatt Medical: @_mattymeds

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Accepted: Ariana - Stony Brook University

Undergraduate education: I received my Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from the University at Buffalo.

Overall GPA: 3.82

Science GPA: 3.82

GRE: I chose to not take the GRE

Total PCE hours: At the time of application: ~2500 hours as a Medical Assistant and Phlebotomist at a primary care office.

Total HCE hours: At the time of application: ~60 hours as a hospital volunteer.

Shadowing hours: ~110 hours shadowing a PA-C working in primary care.

Volunteer hours: I have some teaching experience: I worked approximately 100 hours as a teaching assistant for a human anatomy course during my undergraduate career.

LORs: 2 from D.O's that I have worked directly under through my job, 1 from the physician assistant I shadowed and worked with, and 1 from my office supervisor.

How many times did you apply?:  Once!

Age: 23

Gender: Female

How many programs did you apply to? 11

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I received 8 interview invitations. Of those 8, I attended 5 of them and in the end I was accepted to 4 programs and waitlisted at 1.

Where will you be attending? Stony Brook University

Anything you found surprising about interviews? I was very surprised at the great effort the programs put in to make everyone who was interviewing feel more at ease. They truly just want to get to know you!

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? To prepare, I used the PA Interview Guide by Savanna Perry, which I definitely recommend. I also watched some interview practice videos on Youtube, which were helpful as well.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Clinical experiences are very important. Don't be afraid to take a gap year if you need to! At your interviews, ask as many questions as you can. I met some of the current PA students at all of the programs I interviewed with and asking them about their experiences (what they liked/disliked about the program, their classes, professors, clinical rotations, living situations, etc) really helped me in making my decision! Also, most importantly, I know this sounds cliché but BE YOURSELF! :)

Where can we find you? @arianitaalmonte

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Accepted: Paige - Campbell University

Undergraduate education: Rehabilitation Science at the University of Pittsburgh

Overall GPA: 3.5

Science GPA: 3.36

GRE: 307 (156 verbal and 151 quant)

Total PCE hours: 2,000 - I did a lot of jobs: the bulk of my hours was as a patient care technician on a trauma and toxicology unit but I was also a sitter, personal care assistant for a man with quadriplegia, worked as a NA at a nursing home, and attended a medical mission trip in Honduras through Global Brigades.

Total HCE hours: 920 - volunteering in a hospital and studying comparative healthcare abroad

Shadowing hours: 70 - I shadowed 7 different specialties which gave me a lot to talk about!

Volunteer hours: 204

LORs: 1. Study Abroad Professor 2. Professor I did research with who is also a PA 3. Peds PA 4. Clinician at work

How many times did you apply?:  2

Age: 23

Gender: Female

Why PA? I think the PA profession is really valuable in its ability to help close the gap with physician shortages and provide excellent, competent care to underserved areas. Aside from that - I love the collaborative nature of the profession while still being able to remain relatively autonomous! I also love that you never have to remain in one specialty your whole life and can explore so many areas of medicine.

How many programs did you apply to? 8

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 3- 1 immediate acceptance (University of Pittsburgh) and two waitlists that turned into acceptance (Campbell University and Milligan College)

Where will you be attending? Campbell University

Anything you found surprising about interviews? I did a lot of research about each program that I interviewed at beforehand so that I wouldn’t be overwhelming surprised by anything. The only thing was that each interviewer truly knew nothing about me or my application.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? Physician Assistant School Interview Guide by Savannah Perry and How to Ace the Physician Assistant School Interview by Andrew Rodican

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Don’t be afraid to bug the programs you’re interested in! Don’t over do it but it’s okay to call them/email them to give them updates. They get thousands of applications, since I didn’t have a strong GPA I still wanted them to read my application because I knew I had a lot to offer in other areas. I ended up having to pitch myself to a program over the phone and that’s how I got an interview!

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Accepted: Brittany - Johnson and Wales University

Undergraduate education: Kinesiology

Overall GPA: 3.89

Science GPA: 3.7

GRE: 405

Total PCE hours: 4,000

Total HCE hours: 100

Shadowing hours: 200

LORs: 4: two PA’s, 1 doctor, 1 college professor

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 24

Gender: Female

Why PA? Lateral mobility, more one-on-one patient interaction, high autonomy

How many programs did you apply to? 12

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 6 invites, 4 interviews, one waitlist and 3 acceptances

Where will you be attending? Johnson and Wales University

Anything you found surprising about interviews? It was a really relaxed environment and the programs really just want to know who you are!

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? PA school interview guide- Savannah Perry

The PA Platform Podcast

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Accepted: Chianti - Northern Arizona University

Undergraduate education: Bachelors in Medical Laboratory Science from Arizona State University

Overall GPA: 3.8

Science GPA: 3.8

GRE: 309

Total PCE hours: 1500 at time of application (2000+ by matriculation)

Total HCE hours: 630 hours as a lab technologist and ICU volunteer

Shadowing hours: 120 (general surgery and orthopedic surgery PAs)

Volunteer hours: 350 volunteering hours. 250 research hours

LORs: 1 from a PA, 1 from an MD I did research under, 1 from the academic director of my lab science program

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 22

Gender: Female

Why PA? The lateral mobility and opportunity to provide high quality patient care with a large scope.

How many programs did you apply to? 10

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? Offered 8 interviews, attended 4, and was accepted at all 4.

Where will you be attending? Northern Arizona University at the downtown Phoenix Biomedical Campus

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? The pa platform book & Reddit’s prepa forumn!

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? My EMS experience was incredibly valuable to me and I highly recommend it for anyone searching for excellent PCE. Being in the field will prepare you for extremely stressful situations and challenge you to grow.

How to Prepare Yourself in Undergrad for a Stress-Free PA School Application Process - Guest Post by Kay Horan

If you are about to begin your undergraduate degree, or if you are currently amidst your college career, and you plan on going to PA school, start here! There are some key elements that you should have prepared before you begin applying to physician assistant programs.

The biggest tip I can give is to start. preparing. early. The importance of organizing early and planning ahead is insurmountable and makes the process of applying way less taxing. 

So, where do you start?

Let me break down the key elements, in order of importance, that you need to focus on throughout your undergraduate career to make everything a breeze when you start applying to PA school!

1.GPA: focusing on your GPA is vital. I suggest starting to prioritize your grades early (especially in your science courses), rather than leaving it all to your senior year when you have to bump up your GPA. This will pay off in the end when you have a decent GPA, which is the very first thing that PA programs look at. If you don’t meet their minimum GPA requirement, your application is immediately put to the side (harsh, but true). 

2. Prerequisites: I would meet with your advisor to schedule your classes for each semester. This will help you have full confidence that you will graduate with the necessary class credits to be able to apply to PA school. Do this your freshman or sophomore year, preferably. If you decide that you want to take the route of a career as a physician assistant later than this timeframe, that’s totally fine and doable! But, definitely meet with your advisor to see how many classes you may be missing. Here’s what I did personally; 

• I bought the Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs and flagged the pages of whichever programs appealed to me. The book has a comprehensive breakdown of every program in the country and provides important details like the program start date, tuition, GRE requirements, and minimum required clinical hours. Rather than searching every program’s website for all of this, this manual has it all summarized simply and clearly.

• I then made a list of the classes that these programs required. I made sure I had every required class so that no matter what school I applied to, I wasn’t going to be missing any classes. Most schools have common pre-requisites but some require a class or two that may sneak up on you so keep an eye out for those! Here are the most common pre-reqs you will see:

1. Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II (both with labs)

2. Chemistry I & II (both with labs)

3. Organic Chemistry I w/ lab

4. Statistics: 3 credits

5. Microbiology w/ lab

6. Psychology: 3 credits

7. Medical terminology: 3 credits

3. Patient care experience (PCE): this component of your application is one of the most important. Many programs require you to have a minimum of anywhere from 500-2,000 hours (1/2 – 2 years working full-time) of hands-on medical experience to apply to their program. Any extra experience on top of that makes you a competitive applicant. Although this seems daunting, it is easier to tackle if you begin early. There are many different positions that will get you the experience you need and that qualify as “hands-on” patient care. Here’s a few to start you off: 

• Medical Assistant

• Certified Nurse Aide

• Physical Therapy Aide

• ED Tech

• EMT

I know the feat of accumulating hundreds and even thousands of hours of patient care experience while also being a full time student seems nearly impossible, but I promise it’s possible if you break it up into smaller chunks.

Tip: Working when you’re on college breaks is a great way to do this and is what I did personally!

4. Letters of recommendation (LORs): LORs are very important to start thinking about early on in your undergrad career. When you start taking your core science courses and prereqs, work on creating a good relationship with your professor and doing well in these classes. If you go to a larger university like I did, make sure to go to your professor’s office hours so they know who you are. I went to every one of my professor’s office hours that I could for my Organic Chemistry I & II classes before I asked her to write my letter. 

Important note– ask your chosen professor EARLY if they will write your letter of recommendation for you. Give them at least a couple months heads up before you ask them. Have your resume ready for them to refer to and have a list of your programs you will be applying to as well as their application due dates. 

*Pro tip*: college professors are always busy so give them a due date that is actually a few weeks before the actual due date just in case they are late in completing it! Also, send them a quick email a week before it’s due to remind them that the due date is approaching. 

5. GRE: Many schools require their applicants to have taken the GRE and some require a minimum score as well. Definitely take the GRE just to be safe so you don’t limit your options. I recommend taking the GRE anywhere from 3-6 months prior to applying. As far as actually studying for the test, I bought the Kaplan GRE Prep Plus Book which was plenty of study material to help me do well on the test. The book comes with access to online resources and practice exams as well. My biggest advice is to do PRACTICE TESTS. Yes, practice tests are the worst, but it was the most important step I took to do well on test day.

6. Personal statement: Your personal statement is something I would just simply start to think about around a year before you apply to programs. I personally began thinking about what I wanted to write about for my personal statement very early on. I started simply by making a document on my phone called “brain dump”. This consisted of random ideas that had popped into my head for topics for my personal statement. It also had some experiences during my medical experiences that I thought could be useful to incorporate into my essay in the future.

In this way, I wouldn’t forget my brilliant idea and I knew I could come back to this document at a later date when I was ready to start. This helped SO. MUCH. Also, definitely use your university’s writing center if they have one. I brought my personal statement to my school’s writing center probably 5 different times. I also had several different versions of it before I was happy with it. Writing your personal statement is not something you want to rush or to be stressing over right before you have to apply. Take your time with it!

*A few other tips I found super helpful that I did before I applied!!*

MAKE AN EXCEL SHEET!

I created an excel sheet years before applying to keep track of all of my medical experience hours. I began tracking everything as a freshman in college. What I personally kept track of was as follows:

• Shadowing hours

• PCE hours

• Volunteering

• Research (if applicable)

For each category, write in separate columns:

• Name and position of your supervisor/who you shadowed

• Supervisor contact information

• Location and specialty in which you shadowed/worked

• Your job title and responsibilities

• How many hours you completed

• The actual dates of the experience

Having all of the information about your many hours of healthcare experiences already written down is so helpful so all you have to do is input it into the CASPA application when the time comes! Having the amount of hours you completed is especially helpful so you don’t have to do the math when it comes time to apply.

I also recommend including a -notes- section where you can debrief about each of your experiences. Here, you can include what you saw, something you learned, a story that moved you, or really anything that stood out to you. This will help in 2 HUGE WAYS:

1. Your personal statement: The notes section for each medical experience comes in handy when you have to reflect on your many hours of shadowing, working, or volunteering. I personally would not have remembered anything about what I did, what I learned, or any specific stories if it wasn’t for this log. I was able to read my notes and see if anything stood out that could be used to include in my personal statement. Moments like this can be used as a personal growth moment or an emotional story that would add depth to my essay. 

2. The interview: Having this log can he beneficial when it comes time to interview if you are granted one (yay!). You can scan over your experiences and how it benefitted you and what you learned from each one so you are prepared to answer any in depth personal development question in your interview. 

Another great tip!!

Create a CASPA account EARLY!

I made a CASPA account wayyyy before I actually applied. In this way, I was able to get familiar with the website itself, see what information I needed to be able to fill out the app successfully, and to even start inputting my medical experiences and classes. Putting these experiences in little by little makes it easier when it comes time to actually submit your app and you’ll be way less overwhelmed.

That’s all y’all

Overall, all of these requirements will be necessary for you to be a great applicant, which in turn a great student, and a great PA in the future. You wouldn’t be able to get all these requirements done if you weren’t 100% committed to and passionate about the PA profession. That’s all the admission committee needs to see. Keep your end goal in mind and stay driven. Persistence, grit, patience, passion, and dedication is KEY!

I hope this helps and gives you ideas in how to prepare early for your application. I personally followed all of these suggestions and I was stress-free when it came time to apply. Right when the application cycle opens, you will have everything already inserted and ready to go and all you have to do is press submit! This then ensures that you are one of the earlier applicants, which for programs with rolling admissions, is extremely beneficial and increases your chances of being accepted! Woohoo!

Thanks for reading,

Kay

www.panamedkay.com

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Accepted: Carly - Midwestern University

Undergraduate education: Boise State University: Respiratory Care

Overall GPA: 3.9

Science GPA: 3.86

GRE: 314, 4.5 writing

Total PCE hours: 2000+ as a Respiratory Therapist.

Total HCE hours: 700+ hours of student clinical rotations.

Shadowing hours: 66

Volunteer Hours: 200+ hours volunteering through Tri Delta!

LORs: My RT manager, a shift supervisor, Trauma PA, and a professor from my Respiratory Care program.

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 22

Gender: Female

Why PA? So that I can be a better advocate for the patients that trust me with their health, and provide the best patient care possible.

How many programs did you apply to? 12

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 9 interview invites, I interviewed at 4. I had two acceptances, and two waitlists (still waiting to hear).

Where will you be attending? Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ

Anything you found surprising about interviews? How conversational many of the interviews were- they really wanted to talk and get a genuine understanding of how you interact with others. I was shocked at how much fun I actually had during the process!

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? The PA Platform interview guide and online interview course! I also used PAEA to research schools before deciding where to apply.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Don't over rehearse your answers and be confident in what your passions are. Everyone has their own timeline so don't worry if you're on a different path than others! Have fun with the process and know that it will be worth it in the end!

Where can we find you? @breathe.prn on insta!

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MYTH BUSTED: You Cannot go to PA School Straight from Undergrad - Guest Post by Jada

If this were a true statement, I wouldn't be sitting here writing this blog. With a little hard work (Okay- maybe a lot of hard work) and some planning ahead, it is possible to go straight from undergrad to PA school. 

While Gap years are great for some people, they aren't for everyone. In my case, I have known I wanted to be a PA since I was 14 years old and I have been ready to get into practice. Knowing this I got my CNA in high school and started planning my college course accordingly. I worked all of my summers and breaks and spent my free time volunteering and shadowing just about anyone who would let me. Because I knew early on in my career, by the time I graduated from college I had been working towards this goal for 8 years. I was ready.  

I did spend some time contemplating taking an official gap year, but I ultimately decided to try my luck at applying my junior year of college- again, this took careful planning to ensure that I had completed all of my pre reqs by the time I applied. I applied with the mindset that if I didn't get in, then I simply wasn't ready, and I would use the gap year and apply again next cycle. But the truth is, I WAS ready. Why did I decide to go to PA school without a gap year? Well, a few reasons: 

•  I was ready- When I applied to PA school my junior year of college I had more than enough hours, tons of shadowing, volunteering and community involvement. I had the grades and the relationships to ask for strong LORs. When I thought about taking a gap year, I felt like I would grow more as a person by starting PA school rather than working another year as a CNA. Don't get me wrong, I learned A LOT as a CNA, but I felt like I was coasting, and like I needed to challenge myself in order to continue to grow and eventually become the best provider that I can be. 

• Staying in School Mode - Another appeal of going straight out of undergrad is the continuation of school mode, if you are going straight from undergrad you have most likely been in school since you were 5, school is just part of your normal routine and life, so the transition into even more school is a little easier than if you had taken time off and been out of the classroom  for a few years. 

• Starting my Career- With knowing I have wanted to be a PA for so long I am so ready and eager to start my career. I am so amazed and in love with the PA profession that I just want to work in it for as long as I can. The longer I am in the field, the more I can learn and hopefully give back to students as so many of my professors and mentors have done for me. 

These are a few of the reasons I chose to apply straight. The way I did things isn't better than the way someone else did it, it was just best for me. Despite the people that told me otherwise.  

 To the student that is going straight and has heard something along the lines of “You are too young, not mature enough, or not ‘READY’- Whoever told you that- is wrong. You were accepted for a reason. You were chosen out of thousands and thousands of applicants for a reason. You are ready for this. You are enough, and you are going to be amazing! 

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Looking for guidance? We are here to help. Sign up for a Pre-PA Counseling Session.

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 Side note: I think oftentimes when we talk to people about their thoughts on Gap years, they tend to support the idea that what they did was “Best”. We are all different, and no one's experience is identical to our own. I challenge you to think about YOUR needs and YOUR Personal pro and cons to taking a gap year when making a decision. This is your education, not someone else's.  This blog is not meant to sway your opinion, rather to give you an experience and my reasoning so you can make a decision for yourself. Chances are, if you are reading about this you are already ahead of the game. YOU can do this!! Keep going, and don't give up. And if an admissions decision pushes you into a Gap year that you did not initially plan for, take that as a gift of time to learn more and be even more prepared when you do get accepted to absolutely CRUSH it in PA School! 

PA school is filled with students of ALL ages. There is no “right” age to go to PA school. Gap years are great because it gives you time to truly immerse yourself in the field and soak up just about everything that you can, it's also great to go straight into school because you are already in school mode, your knowledge is fresh and you are used to having a school routine, this can be helpful in the PA School transition. You have to do what is best for you, and when you do you will come out as an incredible provider and I am truly honored to call you all my future colleagues. 

 Best of luck to you. I will be cheering for you. 

If you have any questions or just want to stay in touch you can follow me on Instagram @JadaMarie.PA

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Accepted: Haley - Touro University California

Undergraduate education: California Polytechnic State University

Overall GPA: 3.5 with an extreme upward trend

Science GPA: 3.4

GRE: 301

Total PCE hours: 1,000 at time of application

Total HCE hours: 400

Shadowing hours: About 75

LORs: Primary care PA and MD, urgent care PA, Pain management MD, college microbiology teacher/ pre-health club advisor

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 23

Gender: Female

Why PA? I come from an underserved area in central California and have seen how lack of healthcare can affect a population. It’s my hope that I can connect rural populations with the healthcare they so desperately need.

How many programs did you apply to? 5

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? So far just one still waiting on two

Where will you be attending? Touro University California

Anything you found surprising about interviews? It was a very welcoming experience! The director of Touro’s program is extremely down-to-earth and 100% lives the mission of the school. The students were very involved in the interview day with giving us tours around campus. I think it’s important when you go into an interview to realize all the work you’ve done to get there and believe in yourself, that’s half the battle.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? I completed a mock interview with Sam Berk of The PA Platform which was EXTREMELY enlightening. I also bought the how to ace a PA interview book as well as the PA platforms prep book. I think cross referencing those two books along with multiple mock interviews helped me walk into my interview with confidence.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? GET INVOLVED! Nothing shows a program that you really want to do this like volunteer work. I once was talking to a PA in the urgent care that I worked at about what I should do to stand out. He basically told me don’t try to get close to the “ideal candidate” with your stats, be the ideal candidate. Basically, go start that club, go volunteer, and work your butt off to stand out.

Where can we find you? @haley_witt

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Top 5 Tips for Applying to PA School - Guest Post by Melissa Lilian Elist

So you decided to apply to PA school? Congratulations on this big decision. The pathway to PA is highly competitive (and getting worse), but do not be discouraged! As someone who has been there, done that, here are some of my top tips for getting into your dream PA Program.

By the time you begin the application process you have most likely finished all of your classes (or almost finishing up) and have done most of your clinical hours and volunteer work. You should take a moment before even beginning your application and realize how far you have come. Most people (including myself) are so tough on ourselves that we rarely give ourselves credit for how far and how much we have accomplished and achieved at this point. Before beginning this process, reflect and realize that so many people have wanted to take this path and were not able to achieve it for whatever reason that may be. Give yourself a pat on the back that you have made it to at least this finish line.

Tip #1: Do not stress out, try to enjoy the process.

Beginning the application process can be very overwhelming because once you register via CASPA, everything hits you all at once and it's completely normal to feel anxiety about it. Do not worry or stress out, you should try to enjoy this process too. Every chapter in life has its own beauty and rewards, do not forget that you are in the process and will make it to where you want to be, just be patient and trust the timing of your life.

Every aspect of beginning PA school and applying has its own growth factor and time so take it all in. It's a marathon, not a sprint - you are not going to finish the application process in a day or a week, so take your time and try to be efficient and as effective as you can throughout this cycle. Do not forget that this is not a competition; so do not compare yourself to other people’s path and timing around you.

Tip #2: Make a to-do list and plot out your goals for your application.

Do not rush through it, try your best and start to slowly plan/map what you want to get done everyday or every week. Doing this will make it easier for you to stay on track with your schedule and not get overwhelmed or fall behind.

I started off by making a weekly to-do list so whatever I was working on would be productive. I would put my energy and mind to whatever section of the CASPA application I chose for that week. Some people are different, some people like to do a little bit of every section of the application everyday and that is completely fine if that is what works better for you. I just found it to be more efficient and less mentally draining to work on a whole section and then move on to the next once I felt ready.

Tip #3: Prioritize which parts of the application process should be done first.

One of the first things you should take care of as you start the PA School application process is to get your transcripts from your college or colleges that you have attended. It takes some time for schools to process transcripts and for CASPA to receive it.

The next thing I would start working on is thinking of which PAs, doctors, mentors, professors, etc. to get letters of recommendations from. Having a letter of rec from where you have done your clinical hours probably looks best on your application too. I would also recommend getting letters or recs from places that you volunteered or did medical missions with (if you did any).

My advice? Take care of these 2 easy steps first before continuing the rest of the application. Begin inputting any of your shadow, volunteer, clinical experience and etc after these 2 steps.

Tip #4: Tips for your personal statement.

While working on my statement I found myself asking myself: what could make me stand out the most? I did not want to sound boring, generic, or similar to many other statements. I realized that maybe incorporating some of my personality (while staying professional and academic) was not a bad idea. Any experience that you have had, anything that you have learned, grown from or gained medical insight from your experiences is also great to incorporate into your statement. Do not be afraid to be yourself in your personal statement, after all these schools are looking for people that stand out from the crowd.

Tip #5: Do not get intimidated.

Many people will try to scare you or will try to take your motivation away from you throughout this whole process. They will tell you things like “PA school is so hard”, “the application process is so hard”, or that “maybe you should think of another career path, it is getting competitive to get into”. Let this all be outside noise to you.

You are not them and they are not you. Do not lose sight of your future and goals ,and stay motivated in the path that you chose. If you have decided that this is the career you feel that you will thrive the most in, don’t forget why you began in the first place. While you are working hard and pushing throughout this journey, don’t forget that this will all be worth it in the end because nobody did this for you, you did it all yourself.

Once you begin to plot and start the application process you will see your stress begin to fade away and all of your hard work begin to flourish and work itself out. Stay persistent, consistent and motivated when beginning and completing the application. Do not forget to believe in yourself, because at the end of the day you are your own number 1 fan! Nobody else is going to be a better support system for you then yourself throughout this all. Good luck!

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Melissa Lilian Elist is currently a physician assistant student at University of California, Davis, cohort of 2021. She holds a B.A. in Sociology and an emphasis in Disability Studies from University of California, Los Angeles. She is a preventative care advocate and is very proactive in mindfulness, consciousness, and self-love. You can find Melissa on Instagram @melissaelist or reach her via email at melissaelist@gmail.com

Listen to Melissa’s Episode of The Pre-PA Club Podcast here.

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Accepted: Carly - Midwestern University

Undergraduate education: Boise State University: Respiratory Care

Overall GPA: 3.90

Science GPA: 3.86

GRE: 314, 4.5 writing

Total PCE hours: 2000+ as a Respiratory Therapist.

Total HCE hours: 700+ hours of student clinical rotations.

Shadowing hours: 66

Other Volunteer hours: 200+ hours volunteering through Tri Delta!

LORs: My RT manager, a shift supervisor, Trauma PA, and a professor from my Respiratory Care program.

How many times did you apply?:  Once

Age: 22

Gender: Female

Why PA? So that I can be a better advocate for the patients that trust me with their health, and provide the best patient care possible.

How many programs did you apply to? 12

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 9 interview invites, I interviewed at 4. I had two acceptances, and two waitlists (still waiting to hear).

Where will you be attending? Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ

Anything you found surprising about interviews? How conversational many of the interviews were- they really wanted to talk and get a genuine understanding of how you interact with others. I was shocked at how much fun I actually had during the process!

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? The PA platform interview guide and online interview course! I also used PAEA to research schools before deciding where to apply.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Don't over rehearse your answers and be confident in what your passions are. Everyone has their own timeline so don't worry if you're on a different path than others! Have fun with the process and know that it will be worth it in the end!

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How to Study Anatomy in Undergrad and PA School

Thanks to Anatomy Bootcamp for sponsoring this post!

While prerequisites vary between physician assistant programs ton, there is typically always one class that is required no matter what - anatomy and physiology. Anatomy is also a core part of PA school curriculum in every program.

Having a thorough understanding of the various parts of the human body, along with how they work together to help everything function correctly, and what happens if something goes wrong, is the foundation of a medical education. How can you fix a problem if you can’t understand exactly where the cause is coming from?

If you’ve attempted any anatomy courses, you know just how extensive the lists of structures are. There is a memorization component, but pairing that with understanding is what helps the information stick. At an undergrad level, your goal may just be to pass and get through it, but as a graduate student, you’re studying to take care of actual humans and potentially save lives. That’s where Anatomy Bootcamp comes in to make sure you are gaining that comprehension of the material.

At the graduate level, like in PA school, anatomy is an entirely different beast. The structures have structures and they all have a specific role. (Except the appendix. No one can figure that one out.) That may require a change in study techniques or quick adjustments to keep up with the pace of PA school. I learned this myself in the first two weeks of school. Visual examples that Anatomy Bootcamp incorporates offers an easy, fun way to learn anatomy. By combining high-yield videos with an innovative question bank, you’ll master anatomy while applying your knowledge.  

During undergrad at UGA, anatomy wasn’t included as part of my biology major, but counted as an elective. It didn’t make sense then, and still doesn’t, but that meant I had to sign up for a summer course back at home. Over 12 weeks, I completed anatomy and physiology 1 and 2, and I scraped by on memorization. The lab portion of our course consisted of models, pictures, and frog and cat dissection. While those were good experiences, I can’t say I was fully prepared for PA school anatomy. If you’re going to be working on humans, using a tool that offers real HD cadaver images while studying like Anatomy Bootcamp will reinforce the information.

The first semester of PA school at Augusta University was primarily focused on anatomy. We started in May with 3 months to do a full cadaver dissection. We attended lecture from 8-12 Monday through Thursday, and then went into the lab from 1-5pm on two weekdays to dissect. We were combined with physical therapy and occupational therapy students, and we got very close over those 3 months. There were three separate test days with a traditional multiple choice section followed by a lab practical with the cadavers (spelling counted!).

I felt alright on the first test day. Until I got my score back. 74. Whoops. As a perfectionist who was used to doing pretty well school, that hit hard. I realized quickly that something needed to change. My study methods clearly weren’t translating to comprehension of the material. I reached out to my classmates and advisors for advice. I’m a note taker, but there just wasn’t time to write everything out like I was used to. By switching my focus to starting with big concepts and working down to the details and incorporating more practice questions, I achieved a B on the second test, and finally an A on the last test. Using a custom question bank with Anatomy Bootcamp will personalize your experience so you can make sure to study what matters most. Tracking the concepts you struggle with by tagging questions will help you come back to the topics that need a little more focus. By making some changes, I was truly learning the material to set up my foundation for starting the clinical medicine sections in PA school. Ari, the creator of Anatomy Bootcamp, shares a similar story of the difficulties he faced in trying to learn how anatomy works so quickly with less than optimal images for studying. 

Here are my tips for studying anatomy:

• Start with your well known study techniques. Give them a chance if you know what works for you. Figure out how the information is divided in your class to focus on each section appropriately. 

• If your methods aren’t working, it’s time to move on. Spend some time revisiting your previous study skills and try something new. Look into new resources and ways of learning. It may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but that’s the best way to find growth. 

• Assess yourself regularly. Practice makes perfect, and will also allow you to gauge where you’re at with the material. The test shouldn’t be the first time you are applying your information. With Anatomy Bootcamp, you can even study on the go by studying anatomy right on your phone. 

• Ask for help! If you’re still struggling, reach out. Fellow classmates, instructors, TAs, prior students, advisors, social media, etc. Anatomy Bootcamp offers a team of teachers that’s like having your all-time favorite TA right by your side 24/7. You don’t have to do this completely by yourself and others have done it before you. Use their experience to make yours less painful. 

If you’re struggling with anatomy or worried about how to make sure you get the best job the first time, check out Anatomy Bootcamp! The video below will show more information. This is a great option for supplemental learning with any anatomy courses that have been moved to a virtual platform as well! Follow along on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for updates and sneak peeks of the great images and lessons included with Anatomy Bootcamp.

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Accepted: Vanessa - Boston University

Undergraduate education: Boston College, B.S. in Biology

Overall GPA: 3.60

Science GPA: Around 3.4

GRE: 315

Total PCE hours: About 1,500

Total HCE hours: About 200

Shadowing hours: 0

LORs: 5

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 23

Gender: Female

How many programs did you apply to? 2

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? Invited to 2 interviews, attended 1, accepted 1

Where will you be attending? Boston University

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? PA podcasts (The Pre PA Club! As well as the PA Startup Podcast) PA School Interview Guide (book by Savanna Perry), personal statement help

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? This sounds cliché, but be you! While in undergrad, do what you love! Join clubs that you’re genuinely interested in and build upon your passions.This will only make you a more interesting candidate in interviews, and make you uniquely stand out from the crowd. Don’t just do things that you think will look good for PA schools if you don’t enjoy them.

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Accepted: Rachel - Keck School of Medicine of USC

Undergraduate education: California State University, Fullerton

Overall GPA: 3.77

Science GPA: 3.87

GRE: 305

Total PCE hours: 500

Total HCE hours: 1,800

Shadowing hours: 54

Other Volunteer hours: 800

LORs: 4

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 24

Gender: Female

Why PA? I love how the PA profession emphasizes quality patient care, and the desire to help the underserved population. I was able to volunteer in underserved areas during my time as an undergraduate, which opened my eyes and inspired me to provide access to healthcare in disadvantage areas. Another reason why I chose to pursue the PA profession was because of the flexibility of the profession. There are many areas of medicine which interest me, and I find it exciting that I would be able to switch specialties as a PA without going through the many years of training if I were to have pursued a career as a doctor. Every PA I spoke with told me their career was extremely rewarding, and I knew that was the kind of life I wanted to have.

How many programs did you apply to? 12

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I received 8 interviews, went on 6 interviews, and declined 2 of them. I was accepted into 2 programs, waitlisted for 2, and am currently waiting to hear back from 2 programs.

Where will you be attending? Keck School of Medicine of USC

Anything you found surprising about interviews? I did not really expect to struggle with my confidence as much as I did during the interview process. While interviewing, I met so many amazing candidates and found myself doubting my abilities. I honestly don't think I did as well as I could have during a few of these interviews because I lacked confidence. But I also went through personal growth because of interviewing, and I learned how to believe in myself in the end. Before going into an interview, I think it is important to reflect on all of the accomplishments/struggles gone through to receive an interview. Every story is different and I cannot stress enough how you should NEVER compare yourself to anyone else.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? For the interview process, I bought the Physician Assistant School Interview Guide book and I also bought the online course

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Completing prerequisites and applying for PA schools has been one of the most tedious processes! My advice to pre-PA students is continuously remind yourself of your reasons for wanting to become a PA. Once you recognize those reasons, keep your head down and continue to work hard in all of your classes! But also make sure to take care of yourself and find balance with school/work/volunteering. Also, NEVER compare yourself to anyone else going through this process. Every person is unique and will have their own story to tell. If you have the heart and dedication to become a PA, it will happen.

Where can we find you? Instagram: Rach_would, surfingandscrubs

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Accepted: Cayley - Mercer University

Undergraduate education: University of Georgia- Health Promotion and Behavior Major

Overall GPA: 3.8

Science GPA: 3.71

GRE: 314

Total PCE hours: 650, though I am still working part time gaining hours every week.

Shadowing hours: 50

Other Volunteer hours: Gained a lot of volunteer hours serving as the Pre-PA President at UGA. I also volunteered as a tutor for around 100 hours and participated in UGA’s Shop With A Bulldawg.

LORs: Anatomy professor/ Pre-PA Association advisor, Dermatology PA, Surgeon at the Maxillofacial surgery office I work as a surgical assistant at, Executive Director of Good Samaritan Health Clinic (the office I volunteered as a medical assistant at for two years)

How many times did you apply?:  1

Age: 21

Gender: Female

Why PA? I love the ability to switch specialties throughout my future career, the teamwork aspect that is so prevalent in the profession, and the flexibility I will be able to have later in my personal life outside of work.

How many programs did you apply to? 1

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 1- accepted

Where will you be attending? YES, Mercer in Atlanta, GA

Anything you found surprising about interviews? Mercer’s interview was very laid back and very low stress. They switched this year from MMI to group interview style which I did not prepare for.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? The PA School Interview Guide was amazing!

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Start getting those patient care hours early! I think having all of the experience as a medical assistant and surgical assistant really set my application apart from other applicants. Also, having been involved with my schools pre- PA association for so long and served on exec twice showed my dedication to the profession, so I encourage everyone to look into joining their own schools chapter!

Where can we find you? Instagram- @cayleyjohnson

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Accepted: Maiya - Western University of Health Sciences

Undergraduate education: Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

Overall GPA: 3.8

Science GPA: 3.6

GRE: 301

Total PCE hours: 7,380

Total HCE hours: 284

Shadowing hours: 40

Other Volunteer hours: 45

LORs: Four: one from my EMT partner, a PA, a Physical Therapist, and my Physiology professor

How many times did you apply?:  Twice

Age: 25

Gender: Female

Why PA? Being a PA will allow me to give back to others in a way that fulfills me most. It's a role that's challenging yet rewarding, team-centered but also autonomous. I can utilize my clinical and interpersonal skills while thinking critically. I also have an interest in healthcare lobbying and feel the future of the profession could benefit from my activism.

How many programs did you apply to? 14

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? I received 6 interview offers and accepted 5. I ultimately received 1 waitlist and 2 acceptances

Where will you be attending? Western University of Health Sciences

Anything you found surprising about interviews? Each interview was so different. Programs used MMI, essays, math tests, one-on-ones, group interviews, etc. It was so important to be ready for anything! Regardless, each program made me feel as relaxed and comfortable as they could, which was helpful.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? The Physician Assistant School Interview Guide and The Ultimate Guide to Getting into PA School are my most recommended books. Having mock-interviews with my cousin (a psychologist) helped me be more personable and genuine during my interview. A mock interview with a PA from the PA Platform was also beneficial.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Don't give up! You fail at 100% of the things you don't follow-through on. Keep going, stay committed, and remember your purpose. Take your downfalls as a stepping stone for success.

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Virtual Interview Tips for PA School

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many programs to move their interviews for PA school to be done virtually, you can still prepare to ACE your interview and leave a memorable impression. Here are a few considerations of how your experience may be a little bit different this year. These are all tips that we incorporate into our mock interviews, which are a great way to simulate a virtual interview experience. 

My biggest tip is to treat a Zoom interview like the real thing. (Be sure to head over to Youtube to check out my video where I discuss more Zoom Interview Tips for a Virtual PA School Interview) Even though you’re in the comfort of your own home, you should present yourself with the same professionalism that you would bring to an in person interview. Being able to stay home is one benefit, along with saving costs on travel for interviews, but it also means that you don’t get to see the program and facilities in person to truly judge whether a program will be the best fit for you. We are seeing more interview invites and acceptances go out earlier than in previous cycles, which is likely due to the ease of scheduling interviews sooner with less logistics to plan. Don’t worry, there are still plenty of programs who haven’t started interviewing as well!

To see an example of a virtual interview with the directors of Yale Online and Frostburg State University, sign up for the PA School Interview Course. 

Test Your Technology

Make sure you have a strong internet connection, a working camera and microphone. I would try to video call a friend (using the same platform, i.e. Zoom, if possible) to make sure that they can see and hear you clearly before the big day, and so you can become familiar with where the controls are. Technology can be intimidating, and technological difficulties can happen! The interviewers know this and will be understanding of something that is outside of your control. 

Ideally, using a laptop versus a smart phone will be a better choice if available. Make sure your device is fully charged or plugged in if possible. Don’t feel like you need to go out and buy any new equipment though. The question of headphones or AirPods versus no headphones keeps coming up as well. Choose the option that will give you the best sound quality for your interview.

Be Digitally Professional

With so many social activities going virtual in these past few months, I am sure you are familiar with the fun backgrounds Zoom offers. Make sure all of these are turned OFF before your interview! Instead, your  background should be clean and clear of any distractions that will take away from your interview. Ideally, the best background is a blank wall or something neutral. If a book or photo is seen in your background, be prepared for your interviewer to bring it up. 

On another note, make sure that your name is actually YOUR name and not a screen name to avoid any confusion for your interviewers. Check the settings beforehand when testing out your set-up. I’ve received questions about taking notes during the interview or having some “notes” posted on a wall in front of you during the interview. Anything you would not do or be able to do during a REAL interview should also be avoided in a virtual interview. It’s fine to take notes during an information session portion, but not the actual Q&A. 

Dress for Success

Time and time again, we have talked about the importance of professional dress for your PA school interview. I always say a suit is the way to go. Your hair needs to be well groomed, your suit free of wrinkles and you should dress the same way you would dress as if the interview were in person. Even though your interviewers will only see the upper half of your body, I would still wear professional bottoms (not PJs!) just in case you have to stand up for some reason.

Good lighting also makes a big difference in how professional your set-up looks. Natural lighting from a window is best, but if there’s not a good spot for that in your home, choose a brightly lit room or bring in some lamps to shed some additional light on the situation. 

Be Free of Distractions

Everyone is aware how difficult it can be to rid yourself of distraction, especially when at home, but there are some things you can do to avoid noise. Turn off the TV, turn off your phone, skip the Apple watch, close the door, shut off any notifications on your computer, keep pets out and make arrangements for your children. Let everyone in your household know the times of your interview and that you’ll be unavailable for a set period. Even put a sign on the door if needed as a reminder. 

Monitor Your Body Language

Since you can’t greet your interviewers with a hand shake, it is extra important that you convey confidence through your body language. Be sure to make eye contact with your interviewers by looking at your camera and not at yourself on the screen. Keep your shoulders back, sit up tall and be sure to smile and pay attention! No slouching or lounging during the interview. 

The interviewers know these are truly unprecedented times for everyone, and they are also trying to get adjusted to this new format. If you are worried about how COVID-19 will affect the 2020 cycle, be sure to read this blog post, check out my IG story highlights and most importantly, check your program’s website for updates. 

Will Virtual Interviews Stick Around? 

No one really knows the answer to this, but programs like Yale Online have been doing virtual interviews for years now, so it’s possible that they will continue to be an option moving forward. Watch our interview with the Yale Online director and admissions director for their inside information on how to make a great impression at a virtual interview. 

What questions do you have about virtual interviews? Leave them in the comments below! 

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Accepted: Michelle - University of Charleston

Undergraduate education: The University of Texas at Austin

Overall GPA: 3.33

Science GPA: 3.12

GRE: 300

Total PCE hours: 3,800

Shadowing hours: 400

Other Volunteer hours: 1,500

LORs: Surgical PA, Dermatology PA, Physician, Work Supervisor, Professor

How many times did you apply?: Twice

Age: 25

Gender: Female

How many programs did you apply to? 16

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes? 1 interview, 1 waitlist, 1 acceptance

Where will you be attending? University of Charleston

Anything you found surprising about interviews? I was surprised at how comfortable I felt throughout the entire interview. I felt so welcomed by the program, students, and faculty that I did not feel nervous at all. I think this really helped me throughout my interview!

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process? I used Savanna Perry's Interview Guide, along with the Pre-PA Club for interview tips and to answer CASPA questions.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students? Do not give up! There were so many times throughout my second cycle applying that I felt like giving up. The process is brutal and tiring, but it only takes one program to see what makes you a unique applicant, and to ultimately accept you. Things will work out for you in the end. So keep working hard on those patient care hours, prerequisite courses, or GRE study hours. You've got this!

Where can we find you? Feel free to follow me on my instagram or message me questions: michelle_levine4

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