Some is common sense, some I discovered on my own, and some I learned the hard way. Here is the website for the the common application, CASPA.
It takes FOREVER to start PA school. I applied in June of 2013 and started classes 14 months later in August 2014. If you are concerned you don't have all your ducks in a row quite yet, DO NOT wait for the next application cycle. I applied with 4 incomplete prerequisites and about 200 clinical hours and still got 6 interviews! Most schools that require patient contact hours say you have to get them before classes start (not before applying), so you'll have a whole year to get experience after you submit your application. If you have a few weeks to strengthen your application, shadow a PA a few times and ask them to write you a recommendation for CASPA. If you have to reapply next cycle, you can pile up the clinical hours, finish your prereqs, and be 101% prepared then.
Let others proofread your narrative. Grammar mistakes scream inattention to detail- not a personality trait I want in a medical professional prescribing medications! Admissions committees might think this application is not important to you, or that you really might be dumb. It may be hard to let a friend read your personal statement, but you might end up paying for your shyness.
Spend time on other written parts of your application. Aside from the personal narrative, CASPA also requires you to explain your health care and work/volunteer experiences. Just as much thought (and proofreading) should be spent here. You can use these portions to show your passion, tell short stories, and even incorporate your sense of humor. Take the time to talk up your non-health-care experiences (did you volunteer for habitat for humanity, work with an animal rescue, or teach arts and crafts at a camp?). Your descriptions can give them a well-rounded idea of your teamwork skills and ability to adapt to new situations.
It takes FOREVER to start PA school. I applied in June of 2013 and started classes 14 months later in August 2014. If you are concerned you don't have all your ducks in a row quite yet, DO NOT wait for the next application cycle. I applied with 4 incomplete prerequisites and about 200 clinical hours and still got 6 interviews! Most schools that require patient contact hours say you have to get them before classes start (not before applying), so you'll have a whole year to get experience after you submit your application. If you have a few weeks to strengthen your application, shadow a PA a few times and ask them to write you a recommendation for CASPA. If you have to reapply next cycle, you can pile up the clinical hours, finish your prereqs, and be 101% prepared then.
Let others proofread your narrative. Grammar mistakes scream inattention to detail- not a personality trait I want in a medical professional prescribing medications! Admissions committees might think this application is not important to you, or that you really might be dumb. It may be hard to let a friend read your personal statement, but you might end up paying for your shyness.
Spend time on other written parts of your application. Aside from the personal narrative, CASPA also requires you to explain your health care and work/volunteer experiences. Just as much thought (and proofreading) should be spent here. You can use these portions to show your passion, tell short stories, and even incorporate your sense of humor. Take the time to talk up your non-health-care experiences (did you volunteer for habitat for humanity, work with an animal rescue, or teach arts and crafts at a camp?). Your descriptions can give them a well-rounded idea of your teamwork skills and ability to adapt to new situations.
Don't apply to schools you can't visit for an interview. If you live on the east coast and think it would be fun to apply to schools in California, just remember that you will have to pay the tab for a $500 flight, hotel room, and taxi to and from the school if you get an interview. If you actually want to go to school in California, go for it, but maybe take the schools in Oregon and Arizona off your list.
Don't apply to schools you would never go to. You should absolutely apply to safety schools, but if there is a school that you wouldn't go to even if it was your only option, do not apply. One school had embarrassingly bad reviews, but I still paid to send them my CASPA. I didn't end up completing/paying for their secondary application because I realized I'd rather not go to PA school this round than go there. Similarly, my first acceptance was from a school that was extremely expensive and 3 years in length. At first I was just glad to have an acceptance, but I came to realize that the time and money spent interviewing and the deposit that was holding my spot was just wasted. I honestly couldn't afford the program, so I would have decided to reapply the next year rather than attend that school. Luckily I got another offer so it didn't come to that.
I'm so glad I read this post! Just weeks ago, I decided the PA route is for me. I graduate with my bachelor's a year from now, and even though some of the schools on my list have prereqs I haven't completed yet, it gives me so much peace to learn about your experience applying before you'd completed all of yours as well. I have much more confidence to apply this application cycle! Wish me luck, I sure hope I can get in this first time round :) Thank you for the great info!
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