What should you be doing to get into PA school?

Stay busy by filling up the supporting information page of your CASPA application

Category 1: Evaluations

  • Start early!

    • Get to know your professors in your science courses well during undergrad; this will make the process of getting recommendations easier.

    • HINT: No matter if the number of students in your class is small or large, going to office hours is one of the best ways to get to know your professors, understand your coursework better, and let them get to know you as well.

  • For your CASPA application, you are required to submit at least 3 recommendations but are able to submit 5.

    • Make sure to look at the schools you are applying to for specifics on who the recommendations should come from

Category 2: Experiences

  • Your experiences are so important because they can really help you stand out as an applicant. Try to have something to fill in for as many categories as possible

    • Patient Care Experience (PCE)

      • Different programs vary in what they accept as PCE. If you are ever uncertain, reach out to the school you are looking at or go to their website to see details on what they do or do not accept.

    • Healthcare Experience (HCE)

    • Shadowing

    • Volunteer

    • Research

    • Leadership Experience

    • Extracurricular Activities

    • Teaching Experience

    • Non-Healthcare Experience

Category 3: Achievements

  • Including:

    • Keeping your GPA up to graduate with honors (PA schools are looking for applicants with a high GPA in both cumulative and science GPA’s so this one is EXTRA important!!!)

    • Graduation with leadership distinction

    • Scholarships

    • Honor roll recognition (President’s or Dean’s list)

    • Awards

    • Publications

Category 4: Licenses and Certifications

  • A lot of times while acquiring PCE you also acquire licenses and certifications along the way including but not limited to:

    • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

    • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

    • Medical Assistant (MA)

    • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

  • It is always smart to keep documentation of all licenses and certifications for proof if needed

Category 5: Essay (Personal Statement)

  • This is on the supporting information page, but it is not something that needs to be done right away. You should be thinking about things to include in your personal statement but you will usually write this essay the same year you are planning to apply.

    • Look under the members tab and click on CASPA for more details regarding personal statement.

Category 6: Memberships

  • Have fun in college!

    • Joining clubs is a great way to meet people, network, and get the most out of your college experience.

    • It is important to note that CASPA is looking for relevant memberships like APPAS, another PA group, or other health organizations.

    • Get involved with the groups you join because they ask for your role in the group as well as how you contributed.