Your counselor is there to guide and advise you on classes and how to best prepare
for Grad school applications. Meeting regularly with your counselor will give you
a higher chance of achieving your goal.
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It is important for you to research specific requirements for each school you are interested in applying to. It is advised that you avoid online pre-requisite classes.
Most schools will require:
It may be recommended that you take more science preparatory classes depending on your school choices. Meet with your counselor to plan out your schedule and specific courses you should take.
Not all PA programs require an entrance exam and you must review each of your program's
websites for information regarding this. Common admission exams include the GRE,
CASPer, and PA-CAT.
Excellent letters of recommendation are essential part of your application. The best letters come from people who have spent time with you and have gotten to know you well. The number and type of letters vary from one medical school to the next.
You should ask individuals who can objectively assess things such as: Academic Ability, Maturity, Team Work, Compassion, Leadership, and Communication skills. You should avoid asking family members, clergy/bishops, and lab instructors. If you do not think someone will write you a strong letter of recommendation, do no ask them for one. A bad letter can kill your application even if the rest are stellar. You may need up to 5 Letters of Recommendation, check individual schools for specifics.
Extracurricular activities help PA programs evaluate your application holistically and assess your potential as a clinician and professional. Extracurriculars can help you stand out as an applicant and demonstrate your motivation for pursuing a career in healthcare. Get started on your extracurricular activities early and engage frequently and consistently.
Extracurricular Activities Include (but are not limited to):
Many schools have a specific question that they would like answered. Be sure to answer the question. This is your time to describe who you are, what makes you unique, and why they should pick you. This should not be written quickly or without planning. Your personal narrative can determine whether you will be accepted into the program you want or not. It is the greatest tool an admissions committee has to get to know you, so it should be an accurate depiction of yourself. Remember it is what you learned, not what you did.
Plan on creating multiple drafts of your Narrative and allow plenty of time for the Pre-PA counselor to review and provide feedback before applying.
Most Physician Assistant programs use the centralized application service for Physician Assistant programs (CASPA) which allows you to fill out one application for several schools. CASPA opens in late-April. Plan to apply to at least 5-6 schools.
