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Choosing a career can be confusing and difficult. At the PA Zone we are here to help you. Once you have narrowed your decision to a medical career, the best way to find out is to shadow. Shadow a doctor, PA, Nurse, NP or any position you are interested in. This will allow you to see their daily routine, schedule and give you the ability to see the work life balance. Be sure to ask questions- this is your chance to gain knowledge of a potential path! If you’ve done this and still are experiencing confusion- Contact Us for a one on one personal session to help you navigate.
EXCELLENT Choice. The PA profession was ranked at #1 by the US News & World Report in 2020 and #1 in the Best Health Care Jobs in 2019. At the PA Zone we’re here to help you focus on this decision. There is a reason why the PA career is growing exponentially and is expected to continue! Let us help you get into PA School with a competitive Application!
If you’re in High School- you’re going to want to start BACKWARDS.
If you’re in College/Switching from another Profession:
Did you know there are over 40 Direct Entry or Dual Degree BS/MS PA programs Nationwide? These programs offer high school students the opportunity to get a head start on their path to becoming a PA. If you are interested and need further assistance don’t hesitant to Contact Us for a personal session.
PA Fast Track Facts:
Major does not matter. No Major Guarantees Entrance into PA school.
You Heard right! Major does not matter, some say pre-med majors are favorable but I have yet to confirm that. At the End of the day, what matters most with PA school applications is for you to have all the pre-req courses completed and a high GPA. Planning is important. Be sure to plan out the 4 years strategically with the courses you need to complete towards your Major and pre-req courses for PA school. Make sure that they are evenly spread between your semesters and you’re able to handle the load every semester. Taking classes during the summer or taking an additional semester to complete pre-reqs can be helpful. During this time, make sure to volunteer whenever there’s an opportunity and this would also be the time you’d be gaining patient and healthcare experience.
There are 238 PA Programs currently in the States! WOW! And this number continues to grow! So how do you choose the best PA Program for you? Do not allow your eagerness to begin your PA journey distract you from selecting the best PA school for you. Understand that it is important for you to create a list of your preferences and match that with your school choices.
This requires a quick brain storming session: You can either do this on your own or Contact Us! We are here to help at any point of your journey!
The application process can be scary! Don’t worry, the PA Zone is here for you! Contact Us for an easier application experience. We have helped hundreds of successful applicants.
Tips for a Successful PA school Application
An early application is always a good idea. Having all the requirements ready and uploaded will help you submit hassle free once the CASPA cycle opens. If you are applying to a school that is not participating with CASPA, you’ll want to prepare the individual packets with the same requirements as mentioned above. Make sure to FOLLOW the schools criteria with application packets. Some schools prefer everything paper clipped in a specific order while others prefer smaller envelopes within the application packet.
Pre- Requisite Courses: please refer to the PA school of your interest for a complete list of the courses needed to apply. Review this list multiple times to avoid mishaps while applying. Note that although majority of PA schools require some of the same courses (Biology 101 etc)- they do have additional courses that DO VARY with each school.
Patient Care Experience or PCE is when you are directly involved in a patients wellbeing. Health Care Experience or HCE is when you’re in healthcare but not directly involved in a patients care.
Quick Glance at this at the different ways to gain these hours! If you need help with obtaining these hours, Click Here for help!
Your PS is what will set you apart from all the other applicants. I encourage you, before you begin to write- brainstorm what makes you unique. What has happened to you and not the other 2000 applicants? The Personal statement is usually capped at 5000 characters (approx. 650 words) and should paint a picture in a story format. It should be honest and personal to you. Remember, keeping the reader engaged and inviting you to an interview is THE GOAL of the personal statement. Do not begin the PS with commonly used sentences. At the PA Zone we advise you to refrain from using
If you are having difficulty with your PS, Contact Us! We know what makes a PS interesting and Interview worthy!
Many PA schools require 3 Letters of Recommendations (LOR), some may request 2. It is in your best interest to have 3, more is better than less! Your LOR should be written by medical professionals you have shadowed or worked with (MD, PA preferred), a professor/ counselor or someone with a title that can advocate for your strengths, motivation and ability to succeed. Do not have your family, friends or neighbors write one. This is frowned upon heavily and are considered the least favorable.
Once you are aware of who you want to ask, either request them in person or send a professional email with your name, your title/position and something they remember you by. Do NOT wait till the last minute. All LORs should be uploaded at least 2 weeks prior to the opening of the CASPA application submission.
Click Here to Book a session with the PA Zone for the best mock interviews!
Just when you thought the most nerve wrecking part was over- you’re being called in for an interview. First, Congratulations! But there’s no time to waste. Practice does make perfect!
Check out our list of Interview Tips to make sure you leave an everlasting impression! Remember to be familiar with the schools mission statement, hospital affiliations, class size ratio, PANCE pass rates.
Most common PA School Interview Questions
Book a session with the PA Zone for the best mock interviews!
Be prepared for these questions. They like to pop up anywhere! Of course, do not limit your interview skill practicing to these questions. One of the most common mistakes pre-Pas make is to be under or over prepared for an interview. Not reviewing some of the most common interview questions can lead to hesitation during the interview and not providing an adequate or organized answer. Being “over prepared” can hurt your interview too. Remember to not set your responses on stone- anticipate variations of the same type of question so be ready to change the order of response but not the response in its entirety. Book a session with the PA Zone for mock interviews- one of the best ways to prepare! And yes, Practice does make perfect.
A quick Glance to the most common PA school Interview Questions.
Let the PA Zone help you prepare best for your interview- Contact Us.
Since the start of the Covid-19 Pandemic, many schools have switched to virtual interviews. We find that many of the things that were once in your interview bag should also accompany you while virtually interviewing.
Replace the rest with your laptop and phone charger at hands reach. Understand the functions of your laptop, know how to mute and unmute, remember to look at the CAMERA and not yourself on screen.
Chose to take a year off after College? Or maybe you weren’t accepted this Cycle. BREATHE and excellent Choice. But remember it might be time you get the help you deserve, Contact Us to make your application process less frustrating.
Gap Years are amazing. They’re meant to help you relax, reflect on your application and strengthen it for the next cycle. You have a whole year to take a vacation, visit different places, learn about cultures and most importantly spend time with your Family- Something you might have to schedule while in PA school! You have the whole year to “DO YOU.” During your Gap year, the PA zone encourages you to