Most PA schools use the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) as a principal application service. The CASPA application usually opens for that application year in April, and all applications must be submitted by early September. HOWEVER, do not wait! Apply as early as you can! You will first need to complete the CASPA application and submit all additionally required documents and test scores. A secondary application may be necessary at specific schools. An application fee is associated with each school that you apply to. An on-site interview will be offered to students that the board of admissions deem as qualified. After the interview, you will hear back about your acceptance.
The PA application process and schools have “The Big Five” that are essential aspects of applying (and getting accepted) to PA school. These are extracurricular activities and clinical experience/patient care hours, coursework in undergrad, letters of recommendation, the GRE/MCAT, and a personal statement.
1. Extracurricular Activities/Work Experience/Patient Care Hours
Anything that you were actively involved in while an undergrad, whether it be a job, organization, club, team, volunteer work, patient care experience, etc. PA schools want to see that their prospective students are well rounded in their academics, as well as in their extracurricular activities. They can see your academic achievements in your transcript and application, but they also want to see the real you; they want to get to know you, and what “makes you tick.” Show them this side of you in your application as well, but also show them in your interview.
2. Coursework
You will need to submit a transcript from each undergraduate school you have attended and earned academic credit from. This will be submitted to CASPA. You will also have to manually fill out your transcript in the application service, so get yourself a copy of each transcript from your different universities right before you apply.
3. Letters of Recommendation
MAKE SURE YOU DEVELOP GOOD RELATIONSHIPS. We cannot stress that enough; you need to build good relationships with professors, healthcare professionals, and employers. Make them remember you for all the good reasons. You can conduct research with some professors; you can join organizations and clubs that certain professors represent. The bottom line is that you need to be more engaged with professors, employers, or healthcare professionals than just doing well in their class, or just shadowing them once. Be persistent. Also, you cannot ask for letters of recommendation at the last minute; you need to establish relationships early and ask for the letters early so they have enough time to write one for you.
4. GRE/MCAT
The important aspect of these tests is that you need to schedule enough time to take them at least twice if you feel the need. It is probably a good idea in case you have a “bad day” on the first attempt. Also, make sure you schedule enough time so that you receive your scores within enough time that you can put the scores on your CASPA application.
5. Personal Statement
Show the admissions committees who you are before they even meet you. Share with them your passions (which one of them better be medicine!), and why you want to become a PA. This answer will be a good “warm up” when they ask you “Why do you want to become a PA?” in your interview. IT IS GUARANTEED THAT QUESTION WILL BE ASKED. It is probably best to write this before you send in your application.
The PA application process and schools have “The Big Five” that are essential aspects of applying (and getting accepted) to PA school. These are extracurricular activities and clinical experience/patient care hours, coursework in undergrad, letters of recommendation, the GRE/MCAT, and a personal statement.
1. Extracurricular Activities/Work Experience/Patient Care Hours
Anything that you were actively involved in while an undergrad, whether it be a job, organization, club, team, volunteer work, patient care experience, etc. PA schools want to see that their prospective students are well rounded in their academics, as well as in their extracurricular activities. They can see your academic achievements in your transcript and application, but they also want to see the real you; they want to get to know you, and what “makes you tick.” Show them this side of you in your application as well, but also show them in your interview.
2. Coursework
You will need to submit a transcript from each undergraduate school you have attended and earned academic credit from. This will be submitted to CASPA. You will also have to manually fill out your transcript in the application service, so get yourself a copy of each transcript from your different universities right before you apply.
3. Letters of Recommendation
MAKE SURE YOU DEVELOP GOOD RELATIONSHIPS. We cannot stress that enough; you need to build good relationships with professors, healthcare professionals, and employers. Make them remember you for all the good reasons. You can conduct research with some professors; you can join organizations and clubs that certain professors represent. The bottom line is that you need to be more engaged with professors, employers, or healthcare professionals than just doing well in their class, or just shadowing them once. Be persistent. Also, you cannot ask for letters of recommendation at the last minute; you need to establish relationships early and ask for the letters early so they have enough time to write one for you.
4. GRE/MCAT
The important aspect of these tests is that you need to schedule enough time to take them at least twice if you feel the need. It is probably a good idea in case you have a “bad day” on the first attempt. Also, make sure you schedule enough time so that you receive your scores within enough time that you can put the scores on your CASPA application.
5. Personal Statement
Show the admissions committees who you are before they even meet you. Share with them your passions (which one of them better be medicine!), and why you want to become a PA. This answer will be a good “warm up” when they ask you “Why do you want to become a PA?” in your interview. IT IS GUARANTEED THAT QUESTION WILL BE ASKED. It is probably best to write this before you send in your application.
