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Personal Statements

Which personal statement editing service is better: myPArescource or The PA Life?

By Sunyyyyy April 7, 2019 in Personal Statements

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4 weeks later...

ResusCritPA

I personally would skip the "professional" services and take it to your local English major. You don't know what you are getting with these services and there's no data to support their use. I had a friend who received her master's in English do a peer-review of my personal statement and it was the best thing I could've done as she was able to really pull apart my paper and tell me what improvements to be made from a story-telling and literary standpoint. I feel like with a service you don't really know what you are paying for and those doing the "edits" don't have any qualifications other than being the few that are charging pre-PA students for something most people would gladly do for free. Just my two cents.

LadyNichiavelli

I disagree with the above user. As an English major myself, I could certainly revise an essay for grammatical errors, but wouldn’t have the experience necessary to judge errors of content and or discern what adcoms are looking for compared to a practicing PA or someone on a PA school admissions committee (i.e. the people revising your essay through one of those services).

That being said, I had a great experience with MyPAResource and would highly recommend them. Good luck!

4 years later...

68WEMTto65DPAC

I agree with both users above. I would take the essay for review at your university’s writing center to have it reviewed for grammar and graduate-level quality writing (this is usually free). But I would also want PAs with experience helping people get accepted to lay eyes on it to review the experiences and PA-specific/medical terminology. If you want to pay for a review, I would recommend paying for a service who are familiarized with the PA school admission process.

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Writing Your PA School Personal Statement with Impact [Including a PA Personal Statement Example]

There are approximately 300 accredited PA (physician assistant) schools in the United States. In the most recent application cycle, these schools received more than 27,000 applications. The matriculation rate for PA schools hovers near 30%, which is lower than the approximate 40% matriculation rate for medical schools. Is becoming a PA a competitive process? Yes! Is it impossible? No!

For you to stand out in this crowded applicant pool, your personal statement for your PA application has got to shine from the first sentence to the last. It needs to tell a compelling story that focuses on your sustained interest in the field, while at the same time building a case for your qualifications. It should not rehash your CV, be loaded with clichés, or focus solely on a story that portrays you as a victim.

The character limit for the CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants) personal statement is 5,000 – which includes spaces ! Some people at first believe the limit is 5,000 words and end up having to severely cut back their overwritten drafts. Don’t let this happen to you!

The following successful essay responds to the question, “Why PA?” After reading this essay, you’ll understand why the candidate was accepted into a PA program. The individual has given permission for their essay to be shared publicly. All personal identifiers and details have been removed to protect their privacy.

PA School Personal Statement Example

I was nine years old and in the middle of Mrs. Russell’s third grade class when my stomach began to itch uncontrollably. I remember thinking to myself, “Did I get bitten by a bug?” Completely distracted by the incessant itching, I asked Mrs. Russell if I could go to the nurse’s office. When the nurse lifted my shirt, I saw the biggest “bug bites” I had ever seen covering the majority of my stomach. She quickly called my mom, who took me to several different doctors as the “bug bites” continued to spread all over my body. None of the doctors could figure out what was wrong with me until I saw a Dermatology PA. He immediately diagnosed me with a delayed allergic reaction. He gave me a medication that almost immediately made the hives disappear. I no longer struggled to open my eyes! It was like magic! To this day, I still have no idea what caused that allergic reaction, but I am grateful for this experience, because it introduced me to a PA who continued to touch my life and cultivate my interest in medicine and healthcare.

Year after year, my love of learning continued to flourish. I began taking gifted classes in math and science in the fifth grade and continued to take honors and advanced placement classes when I reached high school. In addition to my studies, I also began to play volleyball and softball. Through these sports, I learned the skills that a textbook could not teach me, such as accountability, integrity, teamwork , and leadership. Through my academic achievements, active participation in numerous school clubs, and leadership role as the captain of my volleyball team, my high school nominated me to participate in a National Youth Leadership Forum in the summer of ——. I attended lectures by a PA, a nurse, a chiropractor, a veterinarian, and several physician specialists. In addition to the lectures and countless group activities, I visited several medical facilities. In one of the labs, I saw a table displaying human organs infected with different diseases and cancers. To my surprise, I was eager to touch them and learn why the people they once belonged to could not have been saved. From that experience on, I became determined to pursue medicine.

My interest in the PA profession quickly became a driving force in my life after my mom was diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma in February —— and quickly passed away in October of that year. I was devastated upon hearing her diagnosis. How could this happen when she went to the Dermatologist every three to six months? The same Dermatology PA who had healed me with his “magic pills” spent a significant amount of time with my mom after her diagnosis. He met with her and my dad following a long day of seeing patients, to determine if he had missed something in her regular exams. He also made himself available to my entire family and recommended specialists and experimental treatments. He explained everything we did not understand along the way. It is because of the compassion, sincerity, and care he provided to my mom and my family during this difficult time that I became certain I wanted to pursue my love of medicine as a PA.

Throughout my undergraduate career, as well as the time since I graduated, I have continued to explore the medical field to learn as much as I can about becoming a PA. Through countless hours of shadowing and volunteering as a medical assistant at —— Dermatology, I have learned how crucial teamwork, effective communication, detailed note-taking, and compassion are for effective patient care. There have been numerous instances where doing a simple and nearly painless biopsy could have turned into a serious and most certainly uncomfortable medical situation. By taking thorough patient histories, accurately noting any allergies, and verbally communicating these notes to the practitioner, I have been able to ensure that patients receive the best care possible while averting any avoidable crises.

Every challenge and opportunity that I have encountered since I was the itchy little girl sitting in Mrs. Russell’s class has brought me to this decision. My mom’s passing has only made me more passionate about this profession and has given me a new appreciation for life that I hope to share with my patients and community. With my love of learning and helping others, as well as the skill set I will gain from a PA program, I am certain that I will have the tools needed to become a valued member of a larger care team. I am eager to see how these opportunities will positively impact not only my life, but also the lives of others.

What makes this PA personal statement outstanding?

This essay shows that the writer invested the question “Why PA?” with a great deal of thought. It is exceptional for the following reasons:

1. The writer specifically explains “why PA” from the first paragraph to the last.

She writes with honesty and skill, directly responding to the essay prompt. Each paragraph illustrates an additional reason that becoming a PA is the only profession for her. She builds her case by discussing her academic achievements (advanced placement and honors classes in math and science), shadowing and volunteering as a medical assistant, and learning to appreciate the essential “soft skills” of compassion, sincerity, and care in a PA, which convinces the reader that she is grateful for, dedicated to, and thirsts for knowledge in the field of medicine. For these reasons, the candidate was invited to interview and received an acceptance.

2. The writer demonstrates a longitudinal pattern of behavior and involvement that supports her educational goal.

In my experience, past behavior predicts future behavior . This candidate’s pattern of behavior aligns with the work and responsibilities of a PA. With a love of learning and teamwork, as demonstrated by the experiences she chose in the medical arena, the writer proves through her long-term involvement with medicine that she will seamlessly fit into the role of PA. It is clear how much effort she has invested into preparing for this career.

3. An appealing balance of personal motivations and professional goals are represented in the essay.

From her childhood experience of being successfully treated by a PA to appreciating the clinical skill and sensitivity of PAs she encountered over the years, this writer’s motivations are a perfect blend of the personal and the professional. She writes convincingly about why this career path will be so meaningful on multiple levels. By drawing on both her personal contact with the profession and her preparation for it, she convinces readers of the variety and depth of her commitment. Each paragraph builds from personal to professional motivations, culminating in a conclusion where she ties the two threads together.

The profession of PA continues to grow in stature and popularity. When submitting your CASPA, remember you will be evaluated on the competitiveness of your holistic portfolio, with the personal statement being a critical component. Take time to craft your narrative, leave yourself additional time for reviewing and editing your drafts, and ensure that the statement you submit will captivate the admissions committee!

As the former assistant dean of student affairs and career development at the William Beaumont School of Medicine, Dr. Valerie Wherely worked directly with the dean of the School of Medicine, the associate dean of student affairs, the associate dean of clinical curriculum, and the assistant dean of admissions, as well as with Year 4 students on both residency application reviews/critiques and mock interview preparation. Work with Valerie! Schedule a free consultation today!

Related Resources:

How to Get into Physician Assistant Programs , podcast Episode 515
Reapplying to PA School: Tips on Polishing and Refining Your NEW Application
Why Should I Consider Allied Health Careers?

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Write The Perfect PA School Personal Statement [With Examples]

Filling out your PA school application is exciting and overwhelming. You’re beginning the first steps to your career goal, but it includes so much!

You’ll need to complete your application through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants ( CASPA application). The application includes letters of recommendation, service hours, and a personal statement.

Your personal statement is one of the most important pieces inside the CASPA application. A PA personal statement is really a personal essay that offers you a time to shine.

The goal is to pique the admissions committee’s interest in you, in hopes they will contact you for a school interview.

Your PA school wants to learn more about you and your past experiences. If you’ve kept a journal of your healthcare experiences, it will make the process a little easier. If not, take a week to think through your past medical experiences, patient interactions, and shadowing experiences.

Your goal is to be accepted into a PA Program, become a PA student, and join the PA profession . To get there, you have to complete your application essay. So, let’s get started!

What Is the Purpose of a Physician Assistant Personal Statement?

Your PA personal statement might be the toughest part of the application process. Ultimately, your application essay is a sales piece about you, and that can be difficult to write. Inside the application, your PA school sees an academic background that talks about what kind of student you are.

Your work history tells them about what you’ve done professionally. Your letters from your PA evaluators show what others have to say about you. This is the only time in your PA school application that you hold the pen.

The American Academy of PAs recommends you pay attention to a few dos and don’ts as you consider what to put in your personal statement. Remember there is a 5,000 character limit. This means you have 5,000 characters, not words, in which to complete your essay. Often, this will come out to be about 800 words.

In your essay, clearly state why you’re pursuing the PA profession while demonstrating your knowledge of it. Communication skills are a necessity in the PA profession, and this is a chance for your communication skills to shine. Use your personal essay to communicate why you’re up to the challenge.

Don’t be vague, don’t use abbreviations, and don’t use informal language like contractions. Instead, write formally and identify the theme that brings the whole essay together.

Be sure to make every word count. Most importantly, do not make your personal statement a reiteration of your application. The admissions committee has already read your application. This is time to make yourself unforgettable.

As you are brainstorming, outlining, and writing your application essay, keep your audience in mind. Admission committee members are physician assistants, and they’re looking for good future PAs.

They’re interested in your desire to be part of a growing profession and your passion for patient care. Communicate this through your application essay.

Your PA School Wants To See You Shine in Your Personal Statement

Your personal statement is your unique story of why you want to become a physician assistant. To tell your story well, it’s important to do your homework on your audience. Start by investigating the physician assistant school and take note of their mission, ideas, and values. You can find most of this information on their website.

Look for the emphasis the school places on primary care or specialties. Do they encourage out-of-state applicants? What’s their vision for the future of education? As you find these answers of the PA program you hope to attend, ask yourself—How am I a match? Answers to these questions will help you as you write your personal statement.

Each week, skim through the articles that pop up in your news feed to get to know your intended school. The key word here is “skim;” it’s not necessary to read each word. You only need to read enough to find information to include that will help set yourself apart from other candidates.

Unless you’re perfect, you likely have had to overcome some challenges in your education or your personal life. Recount these challenges in your application essay and identify how you’ve overcome them. Above all, be human in your essay so the admissions committee connects with you and is excited about meeting you.

Prepare, Then Write Your PA Personal Statement

Let’s begin at the beginning. Don’t procrastinate! Some prospective PA students put off writing until they feel inspired or they feel the deadline is disturbingly close.

Sadly, this only feeds the anxiety that often accompanies writing a physician assistant personal statement. If you avoid procrastinating and instead use the process below, it becomes easier. The process includes brainstorming, outlining, and finally writing. But first, let’s start with the structure of the personal statement.

Anatomy of a Physician Assistant Personal Statement

The first thing you need to understand is the structure of the document. Once you know that, it’s easier to brainstorm the type of information you’ll need to write it. A PA personal statement includes an opening statement, a body, and a strong conclusion.

Opening Statement

Your opening statement sets the tone for the rest of your essay. It must grab your reader’s attention and make them want to stay along for the ride. This is where your research into the school comes in handy. Some schools prefer a straightforward statement while others are looking for a compelling story that sets the stage for your desire to become a PA student.

Opening statement stories can recount:

When you were cared for by a physician assistant.
What you learned from your personal medical experiences.
What you discovered from a friend or family member in the healthcare field that touched you.
Your volunteer experiences.
What it was like to live in a medically underserved area.

Providing a personal experience helps the admissions committee decide if they want to invite you to a school interview. Be sure to brainstorm multiple personal experiences to use in your opening statement. That way, as you move forward and start writing your first draft, you can change the opening statement to fit the flow of the rest of the essay.

Body of the Essay

This part of your essay tells the admissions committee why you decided to apply to their physician assistant school. Include in the body of your essay how you built an understanding of medicine and what drove you to want to become a physician assistant.

For instance, shadowing other healthcare professionals, reading, healthcare experience, and personal experience are ways of showing your knowledge and passion for the medical field.

It may also help to touch on why you chose to be a physician assistant and not a nurse practitioner or an MD . Remember, you’re speaking to PAs who already know what a PA does . Instead, address what it is about being a physician assistant that speaks to you personally.

Mention specific skills that make you a great PA, such as teamwork, communication, compassion, and your desire to work as a healthcare provider.

If you were faced with challenges and obstacles during your high school or college career, address them and discuss how you’ve grown from the experience. Don’t make excuses; just take ownership of the situation and address it honestly.

Strong Conclusion

You’ve finally finished the body of your PA school essay. This last paragraph of your personal statement should reemphasize your desire to attend physician assistant school, and, specifically, that school’s PA program. In your last paragraph, let your empathy, passion, skills, and dedication shine through.

Make a Personal Statement List, Then Check It Twice

If the process makes you feel overwhelmed, be assured you’re not the only one. However, taking these next two steps can make writing the essay much easier and less intimidating. Let’s start with a personal statement list from which you will later write an outline.

Schedule a date for when you’ll start writing your first draft. Mark this date in your calendar so you won’t forget or procrastinate. Then, on your calendar, mark one week before your “start writing” date. This is your brainstorming date.

On your brainstorming date, make a list of points you want to cover in your application essay. Because this is a brainstorming session, you don’t consider the character limit, it does not need to be in logical order, nor does it all have to follow the same theme.

Your list should include from 3 to 5 experiences that demonstrate the path you’ve taken to become a physician assistant. Patient interaction, academic experience, shadowing, clinical experience, and volunteering all fit the bill. If you have a particular story that you would like to weave throughout the essay, then include that on the list as well.

If you’re considering beginning your application essay, with a story, it’s helpful to brainstorm multiple ideas. A good opening story will build the structure of the document, so add all potential ideas to the list. Again, this is brainstorming, so there’s no need to nail down your opening story right now.

Now, put the list off to the side for at least 4 days. This will give you a chance to mull over your ideas without pressure, so when the time comes, the essay flows naturally.

Create an Outline of Personal Experiences

After 4 days, pull out the list of your personal experiences and begin to structure your essay in the form of an outline. An outline can help you organize your thoughts, so your content flows together.

Remember, there is a 5,000 character limit, so the outline will help you stay on track as you write on the proverbial paper (because you’re writing it on the computer, right?). .

Most pre-PA students write their essays in chronological order. And, truth be told, this is also the best way for the admissions committee to absorb the information. If you do choose to flashback, make it clear so your reader isn’t confused.

Do not try to be perfect—neither in your writing style nor in how you portray yourself.

Your ability to be vulnerable about your challenges makes you more of a real, relatable person. Set aside 2 or 3 days to nail down the outline for your personal statement. Not 2 or 3 full days, but 2 or 3 days to write, mull, and contemplate over the structure, stories, and theme you’ll use.

Start Writing Your Personal Statement: It’s Time to Put Pen to Paper

It’s time to start writing. Set aside quiet time when you won’t be interrupted, and find a space where you can relax. Turn off your phone notifications and shut the door. Take time during the process to do what helps you to calm the butterflies. Simple exercises, music, prayer, and meditation are all popular methods of quieting your mind.

Then start writing using the outline. As you write, remember this is a first draft; you’ll spend time editing, rearranging, and proofing later. Writing your first draft might be one of the fastest steps in writing your personal essay. This is because you’ve already put in the time and effort to develop the ideas. Now is the time to depend on them.

If you feel stuck, many writers find freewriting loosens the creative juices and helps the words flow.

Freewriting is the practice of continuously writing the thoughts that come to you. It was discovered by Peter Elbow in 1973, and it’s been found to help “un-stick” content development. Plus, since you’re using a keyboard, this technique is much easier for you than it was for Mr. Elbow using pen and paper.

After you write your first draft, you’ll need to edit it. One editing technique is to speak your essay out loud as if you were telling it to someone. Use a recorder so you can playback your thoughts—especially those well-worded statements you can’t seem to recreate later.

Seek a Personal Statement Review

Once you’ve polished your personal statement to the best of your ability, it’s time to seek a personal statement review. This is a review process undertaken by an expert, licensed PA who can help improve the flow of your essay and guide you to produce your best possible personal statement for PA school.

Your PA school essay should not be the area of the application process that limits your acceptance.

Potential PA students do well to have a personal statement review, so they don’t get lost in a sea of applicants. The admissions committee is not looking for a cookie-cutter essay, but rather your strongest response to their prompt.

Some PAs that do personal statement reviews also offer services to review CASPA applications. Consider this when choosing a PA to perform your personal statement review. As you weigh your options, costs, and timing, remember the importance of the personal statement to your PA school application and ultimately getting a school interview.

Examples of a PA School Essay

It’s always easier to understand how to write your essay after you’ve read several examples. The PA Life published and analyzed 31 examples for you to read through. At the end of each of these real-world examples are brief comments to help guide the writer to produce a better essay.

The first time you read through a personal essay example, you may miss some points, so be sure to read through examples multiple times.

Here are two short examples using different perspectives to help you determine what the best option is for your personal statement. Neither of these meets the 5,000 character limit since the objective is to offer you different options in the way they could be written and not to develop a full physician assistant program essay.

Personal Statement: Example One

I was seven and my mother was once again giving me cough syrup. I took it standing over the toilet because the cherry flavor made me nauseous, and I was sure I would throw up. This went on for years.

Years of springtime coughing and cherry cough syrup. Years of coughing all night and well into the day. Years and years—until as an adult, I realized I had allergies. In those years, I was cared for by my family physician who was gentle, caring, and took the time to talk with me and my parents.

Over the years I have been treated by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians. Thankfully my lungs have healed well, and I use my inhaler once every two to three years.

But in those years, I grew to have an understanding of the different roles of mid-level providers and physicians. And, from that understanding, I grew to appreciate the flexibility, professionalism, skills, and abilities that a physician assistant brings to their practice each day.

During my hours of healthcare experience as an EMT, I have also had the privilege of working alongside physician assistants who have demonstrated the unique combination of communication skills, teamwork, and compassion that I believe I also hold.

My desire to practice as a physician assistant is driven by my own healthcare experiences as well as those I have witnessed at work.

Over the past five years, I have volunteered at homeless shelters and nursing homes, while working as an EMT. In that time I have come to realize I am driven to help others, and being a physician assistant is the best way for me to fulfill that life mission. [Character count: 1588, Word count: 281]

Personal Statement: Example Two

In the past three years, I have held the hands of children as they died, comforted their parents, and watched their siblings mourn. For three years I have watched the doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in our hospital work to save lives, and I have seen the difference they make.

As a nurse, I had always assumed I would go on to become a nurse practitioner, so I could see my own patients. But, in the past three years, I have had the chance to see these professions in action, and I have come to realize my goal is to become a physician assistant.

Growing up I lived in a medically underserved area of our large metropolitan city. I saw first-hand the injustices that led to the loss of life or permanent disability. Today I am a nurse in a large city hospital serving those same people, the people from my neighborhood.

In these years I have developed strong communication skills that have served me well as I teach my patients how to care for themselves at home. My experience has been that positive patient outcomes rely on patient understanding and a belief in their necessary care.

My patients and colleagues have taught me the meaning of teamwork, compassion, and understanding of cultural differences. In watching the practice of different medical professionals, it has become obvious that physician assistants are the embodiment of the kind of care I want to offer my patients.

Each medical professional comes from different backgrounds, with different perspectives. I know that my perspective has been impacted by the neighborhood and community of my childhood.

I believe this impact has been a positive one, as it has driven home the need for people who are sensitive to cultural differences, have the time and desire to work with patients, and who have the skills and knowledge to care for them. These characteristics describe me, and I believe they are a deep and integral part of the physician assistant’s practice.

During my freshman year of undergraduate school, my grades faltered as I was learning how to live away from home and control my own schedule. By my sophomore year, I understood what was needed to get the grades I desired, and I achieved high marks through the rest of my education.

To achieve my goal requires my diligence, focus, and ability to absorb and utilize knowledge. I believe I have demonstrated these characters in my undergraduate degree and during my work experience. I am confident in my ability to successfully complete my education and close the gap in healthcare as a primary care provider. [Character count: 2,562 Word count: 444]

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Writing Your Physician Assistant (PA) Personal Statement [Plus Sample Essay]

By accepted.com - Jun 12 , 09:30 AM Comments [0]

While there are many different ways to approach writing a personal statement (PS) for your PA application , I am including a successful example here. The character limit for the CASPA application PS is 5,000 characters with spaces.

In this essay, you are responding to the question, “Why PA?” To write a compelling essay, take some time to reflect on this question. After reading the essay below, you’ll understand why this student was accepted into a PA program. The student has given permission for it to be shared publicly. All personal identifiers or details have been removed to protect the privacy of the student.

<< Work with an admissions pro to create a PA application that gets you accepted to your dream school! Click here to get started. >>

Sample PA personal statement:

I was nine years old and in the middle of Mrs. Russell’s third grade class when my stomach began to itch uncontrollably. I remember thinking to myself, “Did I get bitten by a bug?” Completely distracted by the incessant itching, I asked Mrs. Russell if I could go to the nurse’s office. When the nurse lifted my shirt, I saw the biggest “bug bites” I had ever seen covering the majority of my stomach. She quickly called my mom who took me to several different doctors as the “bug bites” continued to spread all over my body. None of the doctors could figure out what was wrong with me until I saw a Dermatology PA. He immediately diagnosed me with a delayed allergic reaction. He gave me a medication that almost immediately made the hives disappear. I no longer struggled to open my eyes! It was like magic! To this day, I still have no idea what caused that allergic reaction, but I am grateful for this experience because it introduced me to a PA who continued to touch my life and cultivate my interest in medicine and healthcare.

Year after year, my love of learning continued to flourish. I began taking gifted classes in math and science in the fifth grade and continued to take honors and advanced placement classes when I reached high school. In addition to my studies, I also began to play volleyball and softball. Through these sports, I learned the skills that a textbook could not teach me, such as accountability, integrity, teamwork and leadership. Through my academic achievements, active participation in numerous school clubs, and leadership role as the captain of my volleyball team, my high school nominated me to participate in a National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) in the summer of 2009. I attended lectures by a PA, a nurse, a chiropractor, a veterinarian and several physician specialists. In addition to the lectures and countless group activities, I visited several medical facilities. In one of the labs, I saw a table displaying human organs infected with different diseases and cancers. To my surprise, I was eager to touch them and learn why the people they once belonged to could not have been saved. From that experience on, I became determined to pursue medicine.

My interest in the PA profession quickly became a driving force in my life after my mom was diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma in February —-, and quickly passed away in October of that year. I was devastated upon hearing her diagnosis. How could this happen when she went to the Dermatologist every three to six months? The same Dermatology PA who had healed me with his “magic pills” spent a significant amount of time with my mom after her diagnosis. He met with her and my dad following a long day of seeing patients, to determine if he had missed something in her regular exams. He also made himself available to my entire family, recommended specialists and experimental treatments. He explained everything we did not understand along the way. It is because of the compassion, sincerity, and care he provided to my mom and my family during this difficult time that I became certain I wanted to pursue my love of medicine as a PA.

Throughout my undergraduate career as well as the time since I graduated, I have continued to explore the medical field to learn as much as I can about becoming a PA. Through countless hours of shadowing and volunteering as a medical assistant at ——— Dermatology, I have learned how crucial teamwork, effective communication, detailed note taking, and compassion are for effective patient care. There have been numerous instances where doing a simple and nearly painless biopsy could have turned into a serious and most certainly uncomfortable medical situation. By taking thorough patient histories, accurately noting any allergies, and verbally communicating these notes with the practitioner, I have been able to ensure that patients receive the best care possible while averting any avoidable crises.

Every challenge and opportunity that I have encountered since I was the itchy little girl sitting in Mrs. Russell’s class has brought me to this decision. My mom’s passing has only made me more passionate about this profession and has given me a new appreciation for life that I hope to share with my patients and community. With my love of learning and helping others as well as the skill set I will gain from a PA program, I am certain that I will have the tools needed to become a valued member of a larger care team. I am eager to see how these opportunities will positively impact not only my life, but also the lives of others.

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Components of a successful physician assistant personal statement

This essay is exceptional for three main reasons, among others:

The student directly responds to the essay prompt. Each paragraph represents a different reason why becoming a PA is the only profession for this student. In reading it, you sense the applicant’s gratitude towards, dedication to, and thirst for knowledge in the field of medicine. It’s honest and well written. For these reasons, the student was invited to interview and received an acceptance.

In my experience, past behavior predicts future behavior . This student shares a pattern of behavior that aligns with the work and responsibilities of a PA. With a love of learning and teamwork, as demonstrated by the activities described above and how long term the student’s involvement has been in them, you can see how well this student will fit into the role of a PA. The student also reveals how much effort has gone into preparing for this career path.

View our Physician Assistant CASPA Application Package for help creating an exceptional application and personal statement that will get you accepted to the PA program of your dreams.

10 Tips for Acceptance to a PA program - download your cheat sheet today!

Related Resources:

From Example to Exemplary , a guide to writing outstanding application essays
How Did This Successful PA Applicant Get Accepted? a podcast interview with a soon-to-be PA student
How to Get Accepted to Physician Assistant (PA) Programs

The post Writing Your Physician Assistant (PA) Personal Statement [Plus Sample Essay] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog .

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Personal Statement editing

I have been looking at places to professionally edit my PS but there seem to be lots of options and I was curious as to what people on here did. The main two I was looking at were My PA Resource and The PA Life. Does anyone know if one is more helpful than the other?

Also- when the time comes for secondaries or the additional questions they have for some schools already on CASPA...how can we have that edited too? I certainly don't have the money to pay for evert single essay. Are there places that focus on the smaller essays too?

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The Do’s and Don’ts of Writing an Impactful PA School Personal Statement

Here’s what you should (and shouldn’t) include in your PA school personal statement.

So, you’re ready to apply to PA programs and are navigating your way through the application process. You’ve taken all of the right prerequisites, spent hours shadowing and working in health care, and sent out requests for references. Now comes what many consider the hardest part: writing your PA school personal statement.

The personal statement is one of the most important aspects of your application. how do you make it stand out from the rest and land yourself an interview here’s everything you need to know when it comes to your pa school personal statement., why your pa school personal statement matters .

The PA school personal statement is not just a chance to set yourself apart, it’s the only place that has a “voice” in your application. After all, PA admissions committees look at hundreds (if not thousands) of applications from well-qualified applicants every year. This is your chance to speak directly to them.

Your personal statement sheds light on who you are and what drives you toward becoming a PA. There are plenty of articles out there giving out the standard advice on what to include (and exclude) from your statement. Here are some do’s and don’ts that are not-so-standard.

Want to make sure your prepped for PA school? Try out our Pre-PA practice questions from anatomy and physiology to medical terminology, professional practice, and more!

How to Write an Impactful PA School Personal Statement

Do: use correct spelling, grammar, and formal language.

Ok, the first tip is fairly standard. Even though this tip for writing a PA school personal statement falls within the category of “basic” advice, it’s important enough to mention anyway.

You’re applying to a demanding and rigorous graduate-level program, and professionalism is imperative. Remember that this is your voice. Speaking in informal slang or using unprofessional language is going to reflect poorly on you. Admissions committees are looking for applicants who will be able to interact professionally in the classroom and on clinical rotations.

Don’t: Call the profession “physician’s assistant”

This goes along the same lines as using professional language. If you want to be a PA, then you must know what the acronym stands for.

The correct name of the profession is “physician assistant” or “physician associate,” without the possessive form inferring belonging. A permanent name change may be on the horizon but either way, make sure that you are using the correct terminology for the profession. Making a mistake here makes you look like you haven’t done your research and aren’t up to date on current PA events.

Do: Be interesting and honest

Do you have a life motto? A noteworthy quote from a favorite book? A life-changing event that drove you toward becoming a PA? Use it at the beginning of your statement to draw your reader in.

Beginning your statement with a story or words that are descriptive and stimulating creates curiosity and interest, setting you apart from other applicants. Make sure that you tie this initial theme into the rest of your statement by revisiting the theme intermittently throughout and mentioning it again before your conclusion. Be careful to leave out the drama. Expressive language is a tightrope to walk between interesting and theatrical.

Don’t: Emphasize a specialty you’ve selected

This is something you should absolutely avoid in your PA school personal statement. Why? One of the many wonderful things about becoming a PA is the job flexibility and the multitude of medical specialties that PAs are practicing. You may already be dreaming about becoming an amazing dermatology PA , but that is not what your statement should say.

Remember that you are applying to PA school, where your education will be broad and comprehensive. Your future institution needs to know you’ll be interested to learn about all of the modules and not just one topic. Your statement should speak to why you will be a successful PA student and not skip ahead to what your long-term goals are.

Do: Sing your own praises

Bragging about how great you are is probably the toughest demand in your PA school personal statement. Commonly, applicants write about anecdotes from patient experiences, meeting a PA that changed their life, or a family member that inspired them.

Be careful in choosing one of these topics. Although one of these topics may be appropriate, it may be too common a theme to set you apart. Instead, really speak to the reader about why you’re passionate about becoming a PA. Write instead about unique incidences when you overcame adversity, your diverse life experiences, and what you’ve done to prepare yourself for the next challenge.

Don’t: Explain what PAs do

This is another one to avoid in a PA school personal statement. Admissions committees already know what PAs do in their daily careers. Statements that discuss how PAs have job flexibility, work in team-based environments, and have a better work-life balance don’t give the reader information about what they’re really interested in, you!

Also, avoid statements about how the timeframe to obtaining your degree is shorter than other desirable careers. This makes it look like you’ve chosen to be a PA for the wrong reasons. Instead, discuss how you’ve prepared yourself for PA school and how being a PA aligns with your goals and values.

Do: Talk about your “soft skills”

There is a reason that most PA programs want applicants to have health care and shadowing experience . Many programs evaluate volunteer experiences as well.

Every patient experience is a learning experience. Highlight what you’ve learned through your caregiving encounters in your PA school personal statement. Have you volunteered your time serving and benefiting others? Have you put yourself in situations that challenge you to be more empathetic, more enduring, more confident, or more humble?

Emphasize the “soft skills” that you have learned. These skills are harder for programs to teach than academics and are just as essential as medical knowledge in caring for patients.

In summary, writing your PA school personal statement should be the most exciting part of your application process because it’s your chance to showcase who you are outside of the application boxes. Show the reader that you are a human with depth, motivation, and passion for your future profession. It’s not an easy task to do in less than 5,000 characters, but speak professionally, and with authenticity, and interviews are sure to follow.

Looking for more essay writing tips for your PA school application? Check out this post on how to write your PA school supplemental essays !

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By Jennifer Sample, PA-C

Jennie is a Physician Assistant currently practicing in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care Medicine for both University Hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic. She is also the Admissions Coordinator and an Associate Professor with Lake Erie College’s PA Program in Painesville, Ohio. She graduated from Lake Erie College in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree and graduated with a Master of Physician Assistant Sciences degree in 2006 from Gannon University. In 2019, she graduated from A.T. Still University with a Doctorate in Health Education. She has been a question author with Rosh Review since 2013. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her four children and her husband, traveling as much as possible.

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Regardless of your background, GPA, healthcare experience, and test scores, you CAN get into PA school. Your personal statement can ultimately make the difference between a denial, a waitlist, and an acceptance. Applicants for PA school come from all different backgrounds, and each candidate has something that makes them unique. Our goal is to emphasize your strengths, regardless of the numbers, to ensure your essay is the best it can be. Everyone has something to offer. We make sure your attributes are highlighted and separate you from the slew of other applicants.

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PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 6, "That First Day in Surgery was the First Day of the Rest of my Life". PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 7, "I Want to Take People From Dying to Living, I Want to Get Them Down From the Cliff.". Physician Assistant Personal Statement Workshop: "To say I was an accident-prone child is an ...
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I liked The PA Life slightly more. I used them and it was absolutely worth it. I consider myself a decent writer, and I feel like I gave them a solid essay to review, but they definitely made some edits and suggestions that took it to an entirely new level. I like that I can still hear my own voice and personality in the essay, but it is much ...
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PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 4, "I Have Gained so Much Experience by Working With Patients". PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 5, "Then Reach, my Son, and Lift Your People up With You". PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 6, "That First Day in Surgery was the First Day of the Rest of my Life".
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Do's and Don'ts for Writing a Strong CASPA Personal Statement
Writing the statement - do's and don'ts. Do demonstrate your knowledge of the PA profession. Your essay should make it clear why you are pursuing medicine, and why you have chosen to become a PA specifically. Don't say why you don't want to be a different kind of healthcare provider, write about how you want to be a PA!
Writing Your PA School Personal Statement with Impact
Writing Your PA School Personal Statement with Impact [Including a PA Personal Statement Example] There are approximately 300 accredited PA (physician assistant) schools in the United States. In the most recent application cycle, these schools received more than 27,000 applications. The matriculation rate for PA schools hovers near 30%, which ...
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Through community, mentorship, and expert resources, myPA Life supports the needs of PA students at each stage of their medical career so they can make a meaningful impact on the healthcare experience of the patients they serve. ... Personal Statement Review & Edit. Curated pre-PA Resources. Supplemental Application Review. PA STUDENTS.
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7 Essays in 7 Days: PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 1, "A PA Changed My Life". PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 2, "I Want to Move Towards the Forefront of Patient Care". PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 3, "She Smiled, Said "Gracias!" and Gave me a Big Hug".
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PA Personal Statement Example #1. Sarah: During my kindergarten graduation, I walked on stage and gave my exit speech: "When I grow up, I want to be a teacher because it's easy.". Reflecting back, I see the comedy in my naivety as every profession has its own unique challenges.
Write The Perfect PA School Personal Statement [With Examples]
A PA personal statement is really a personal essay that offers you a time to shine. The goal is to pique the admissions committee's interest in you, in hopes they will contact you for a school interview. Your PA school wants to learn more about you and your past experiences. If you've kept a journal of your healthcare experiences, it will ...
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Personal Statement 101: Editing. Pre-PA. Writing a compelling essay for your physician assistant school application is no easy feat. It requires dedication, creativity, and a strong focus on editing. Once you have a rough draft, the real work begins as you refine your essay to perfection! Editing for Content: One of the first things to tackle ...
Personal Statement 101: Getting Started
Personal Statement 101: Getting Started. After you've taken some time to brainstorm what content you want to include in your personal statement, it's time to actually start writing! There's no denying this can be difficult. My advice is to just start writing. You can always go back and edit your essay later, but just get some words down on paper.
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Personal Statement Example 1. By: Ashley T. As the sun was going down, the rain began to fall. Alongside the road there were sirens and flashing lights next to a black vehicle; it was completely destroyed. I was unconscious, stuck inside the vehicle. EMS extricated me and transported me to the hospital.
Writing Your Physician Assistant (PA) Personal Statement [Plus Sample
While there are many different ways to approach writing a personal statement (PS) for your PA application, I am including a successful example here. The character limit for the CASPA application PS is 5,000 characters with spaces. In this essay, you are responding to the question, "Why PA?". To write a compelling essay, take some.
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I recall people saying PA Resource addressed more so the grammar and technicalities of writing, whereas PA Life helped with enhancing what you've already written. For PA Life, you will submit your essay for revision and an editor will be in touch with you. They will read over your essay, make suggestions, add comments, ask you for further ...
Writing an Impactful PA School Personal Statement
Do: Use correct spelling, grammar, and formal language. Ok, the first tip is fairly standard. Even though this tip for writing a PA school personal statement falls within the category of "basic" advice, it's important enough to mention anyway. You're applying to a demanding and rigorous graduate-level program, and professionalism is ...
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Your FREE & helpful Physician Assistant Resource. Tips, Tricks & Guides for getting into PA school, Personal Statement Editing, Mock Interviews, CV & Resume revision, CASPA & Student Loan consultations. Dedicated to helping Pre-PAs, PAs, and PA Students. Read the blog, learn easily and fast with everything you need to know about becoming a physician associate. Apply for PA school, board exam ...
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Your personal statement can ultimately make the difference between a denial, a waitlist, and an acceptance. Applicants for PA school come from all different backgrounds, and each candidate has something that makes them unique. Our goal is to emphasize your strengths, regardless of the numbers, to ensure your essay is the best it can be.