Let’s be honest – the cost of applying for PA school is no joke. Some expenses may seem obvious, but there are also some costs that may not be intuitive to include. Overall, be sure to budget and prepare however you need to for the cost of applications. This may also influence the number of …
Supplemental Applications
Not all programs require a supplemental application; the information will be on their website, and most will email you with a reminder that there is a supplemental component after receiving your CASPA. Most supplemental applications include additional essay questions specific to the program. A few that I applied to also required a headshot. Each of …
CASPA
The main component of actually applying to PA school is the CASPA (Central Application Service for Physician Assistants). Almost everything is encompassed in the CASPA. Create an account, and fill out each section of the application. You will select programs and pay for the applications from the CASPA website. CASPA opens at the end of …
Personal Statement
The personal statement might be the most important essay you ever write. That can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be. Start by creating a list of anything that comes to mind when you think about important parts of your pre-PA journey. It could be patient stories, shadowing experiences, or classes you took. It could …
Letters of Recommendation
The CASPA accepts up to 5 letters of recommendation. Some programs have specific requirements for who needs to write letters, so once you know which programs you are applying to be sure to check. It can be intimidating when asking for letters of recommendation; plan ahead and be prepared to make the process as easy …
Choosing a Program
After deciding to become a physician assistant and taking steps toward that goal, the next big decision is to choose which PA programs to apply to. If you have just started working toward your goal, it will be helpful to narrow down your options to a few schools to focus your efforts on meeting or …