Passion and Understanding of PA Profession
Programs look for applicants with a passion for PA profession. They want to know why you want to be a physician assistant. It is an incredible profession with a challenging path; programs want to see applicants with the burning desire that inspires them to go the extra mile before applying to PA school. Getting accepted to PA school is extremely competitive, so they look for applicants who have been willing to put in the work to be an above-average applicant.
Programs want to see applicants who truly want to become PAs. It is vital to have an understanding of what PAs are, what they can do, their role in healthcare, and why you want to be a PA. It is also a good idea to know current events surrounding PAs and healthcare in general. Doing your research is crucial; a great place to start is the AAPA website and PA blogs. Additionally, shadowing PAs is by far the best way to learn about the profession. Observing in a variety of specialties and asking questions will give you a better grasp of this career. In researching and shadowing, I found it useful to be working toward developing answers to the following questions: Why do you want to be a PA? What stands out to you about this profession? What is the biggest challenge for PAs right now? What are the most important qualities for a successful PA? What is the history of the PA profession?
Academics and Test Scores
Undoubtedly, academic performance and test scores will be taken into consideration during application reviews. There is a lot to learn in PA school – it is essentially the first four years of medical school condensed into two to three years. Programs want to be sure that they admit students capable of handling the demanding course load. Didactic year is often compared to trying to take a drink from a fire hose. One student described it as “a year of damage control.” Programs will look at grades, course load, and standardized test scored from the GRE or PA-CAT to determine if you will handle the rigor of PA school. However, there is a portion of CASPA to explain any academic challenges. If there are any grades that need to be explained, use that section. You can also retake classes to improve your grade and increase your GPA.
An important note: the GPA on your school’s transcript is not necessarily the GPA that will appear on CASPA. CAPSA allocates points in way that may differ from colleges. Their website and FAQ’s are a great resource. You can also use this GPA calculator from one of my favorite blogs to have an idea of how your GPA will appear on CASPA (PA School GPA Calculator, n.d.).
Health Care Experience
This is one of the main differences between medical school and PA school applications: most PA programs require or prefer applicants with medical experience prior to applying. It is one of the best ways for programs to know that applicants have an understanding of what working in the medical field is like. For PAs especially, it is important to develop an appreciation for the different roles on a healthcare team, from the Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) and nurses to providers. In the 2018-2019 cycle, the average number of hours of healthcare experience was 2,684. I know that number seems daunting, but there is no need to be intimidated! It is important to remember that the average includes applicants with a wide variety of experiences. Some may be just finishing their undergraduate degree with less experience, while others might be switching careers after working in healthcare for years. Look at program requirements and do your best to gain as much experience as you can.
Maturity
PA programs are looking for applicants that demonstrate maturity, which is not necessarily defined by age. They are looking for individuals who will be able to provide care to patients in a professional, competent, and caring manner. Mature applicants: handle stress, make decisions, work independently, admit mistakes and shortcomings, use good judgment, know their knowledge (have confidence in what they do know, but enough humility to ask for help when they need it), and are empathetic and professional. There is a more complete list in The Ultimate Guide to Getting Into Physician Assistant School.