How To Get Accepted into a P.A. Program | Tips & Advice

Today I decided to write about advice on how to get accepted into a physician assistant program. I came across many of these tips when I applied to P.A. schools the first time around.

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1. Apply early!  Many P.A. programs have rolling admissions, so the sooner you apply, the sooner you can be invited for an interview. If you apply later, you might end up on a wait-list if the spots are all filled.

2. Try to acquire as many quality direct patient experience hours as you can.  Most programs have a minimum requirement for the number of direct patent experience hours needed in order to apply, but you should try to exceed that requirement. This is especially important if your G.P.A. is lacking. P.A. programs like to see more "hands-on" health care experience, such as an ED tech, CNA., or EMT. However some programs also accept other health care experience, such as an ED scribe. I was accepted only having experience as an ED scribe and hospital volunteer.

3. Have several people read/proofread your personal statement.  Make sure your personal statement reads well and really lets the reader know why you want to be a physician assistant. If possible, have a college professor, advisor, or mentor read over your personal statement.

4. Research the schools you are applying to.  Make sure you know as much information as you can about the schools and why you are applying to them, so you are prepared if you are asked on an interview.

5. Dress to impress at the interview.  For females, wear a well-fitting, conservative pant or skirt suit or a sheath dress with a blazer like I did. If you are wearing a skirt or dress, make sure to wear pantyhose and bring an extra pair just in case they snag. Wear conservative low to mid-heeled pumps or flats. Do not wear bright/dark nail polish and keep your make-up minimal. For males, wear a conservative suit with dress shoes. Make sure you are clean-shaven or have properly-groomed facial hair.



6. Try to relax and be yourself at the interview.  Believe me, I know this is extremely difficult. Try to prepare as much as you can for possible interview questions, but do not memorize answers to questions. The interviewer(s) will be able to tell, and it comes across as fake. They like to hear genuine answers. Try to think of the interviewer as a peer and not a professor. This tip definitely helped me to relax a bit more, but remember to still be professional!

7. Check out the Physician Assistant Forum.  I was on this forum often when I was in the process of applying to P.A. programs. There is a lot of great information on there!

8. Don't be discouraged if you are not accepted the first time.  P.A. programs have become very competitive. I was wait-listed at a couple programs the first time around and ended up being accepted to them the second time I applied!


Let me know if these tips were helpful!

-C