I get asked a lot by prospective PA students how I got into PA school. "Was it hard?" "What are your stats?" "What kind of interview questions did they ask you?" and on and on and on. I don't mind talking about it. In fact, I really love talking about it. But here's what I've learned: you aren't going to get some magic formula from me or from anyone else. It comes down to knowing your strengths and knowing how to emphasize them.
Some PA's will tell you that applying for and getting accepted to a school is the biggest hurdle to the ultimate goal of practicing medicine semi-independently. I don't know if that's true--I'm still a lowly soon-to-be-PA-student. I'll find out soon. But I can say that it was a real challenge, and the process does require a certain degree of soul-searching and emotional endurance.
So, how do you get in? You don't get in by reading Andrew Rodican's "The Ultimate Guide to Getting into Physician Assistant School". You don't get in by having the best 'stats' (GPA, GRE score, volunteer hours, health care experience, etc). You get in if you have something to offer. You get in if you can tell prospective schools, "Look, I've got the aptitude to learn at your academic level and I've got the drive to do very well in the field. Also, I'm going to make a difference once I'm through with your program--I'm going to give you guys a good name when I'm a full-blown, practicing PA."
This, I've learned, is all PA schools want to hear. If you can communicate that with concrete examples through the various application materials, you will get in. If you can't, you probably won't. I truly think it's that simple.
It's a different formula for everyone. Some applicants will really pack a punch in their personal statement, others will let their grades and health care experience do the talking. It comes down to knowing how YOU can best show that YOU are going to be the student they want you to be.
And here's a little secret: that's how you can reach pretty much any career goal you set for yourself. Focus on what you can bring to the table. Focus on your strengths. Understand your weaknesses and don't give them undo light. Have an ultimate dream (like becoming a PA) and set realistic goals for yourself that will get you there. Also, turn in CASPA early and dress well for the interview.
That's all I got.
Nicole
Some PA's will tell you that applying for and getting accepted to a school is the biggest hurdle to the ultimate goal of practicing medicine semi-independently. I don't know if that's true--I'm still a lowly soon-to-be-PA-student. I'll find out soon. But I can say that it was a real challenge, and the process does require a certain degree of soul-searching and emotional endurance.
So, how do you get in? You don't get in by reading Andrew Rodican's "The Ultimate Guide to Getting into Physician Assistant School". You don't get in by having the best 'stats' (GPA, GRE score, volunteer hours, health care experience, etc). You get in if you have something to offer. You get in if you can tell prospective schools, "Look, I've got the aptitude to learn at your academic level and I've got the drive to do very well in the field. Also, I'm going to make a difference once I'm through with your program--I'm going to give you guys a good name when I'm a full-blown, practicing PA."
This, I've learned, is all PA schools want to hear. If you can communicate that with concrete examples through the various application materials, you will get in. If you can't, you probably won't. I truly think it's that simple.
It's a different formula for everyone. Some applicants will really pack a punch in their personal statement, others will let their grades and health care experience do the talking. It comes down to knowing how YOU can best show that YOU are going to be the student they want you to be.
And here's a little secret: that's how you can reach pretty much any career goal you set for yourself. Focus on what you can bring to the table. Focus on your strengths. Understand your weaknesses and don't give them undo light. Have an ultimate dream (like becoming a PA) and set realistic goals for yourself that will get you there. Also, turn in CASPA early and dress well for the interview.
That's all I got.
Nicole
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