Note: It is extremely challenging to be a competitive applicant to PA school without paid clinical healthcare experience.

Consider planning out your extra-curricular activities by semester, just like your pre-requisite courses. Starting early helps avoid the stress associated with cramming everything into the last few semesters prior to the application.

Minimum Recommended Extra-curricular Activities

• Volunteer Service: 50 hours during each of your pre-PA years including the year of application
• Leadership: 3 different leadership positions
• Physician Assistant Shadowing: 24 hours
• Medical Experience: 1000 hours to 3 years of paid experience