GETTING INTO PA SCHOOL

By Sarah Sanders, PAS-IIMidwestern University

Understanding the PA profession

Choosing the right school Becoming a competitive

applicant Utilizing available resources

OBJECTIVES

What is a Physician Assistant?

“Physician Assistants (PAs) are health professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Physician Assistants are qualified upon graduation from an accredited physician assistant educational program and/or certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Within the physician/PA relationship, Physician Assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision-making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. The clinical role of Physician Assistants includes primary and specialty care in medical and surgical practice settings in rural and urban areas. Physician Assistant practice is centered on patient care and may include educational, research, and administrative activities.”

www.aapa.org

PA vs MD

Points for the PAs: You can change specialties relatively easily You will go to school for 2-3 years You will have smaller debt You can find a job conducive to a family life

Points for the MDs: You will be “in charge” You will make more money

PA vs NP

Nurse Practitioners Are RNs with advanced training in a clinical

specialty Take a biopsychosocial approach as they

collaborate with physicians Are able to function independently

Physician Assistants Are trained much like physicians, focusing on diseases/pathologic aspects of healthcare

Take a team approach with their supervising physicians

WHAT PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Factors to Consider

Location How far are you willing to move?

Curriculum, length of program Do you have specific desires, such as

international rotations? Do you cringe at the thought of doing a

thesis? Do you need a part-time option?

PANCE pass rate Will they prepare you well?

Program reputation Are bragging rights important to you?

Degree awarded Certificate vs Bachelors vs Masters

Cost Most students will survive on loans and grants

So who has what I want?

Browse programs websites

Visit campuses

Call admissions advisors

Check out what others have to say

**Be selective, but remember that staying open-minded will increase your chances of acceptance!

OKAY, I’VE NARROWED DOWN MY LIST. NOW

WHAT?

The Application Process

As the PA profession grows in popularity, competition for admissions is becoming steeper and steeper Nearly 800 people applied to MWU last year,

86 were accepted

www.caspaonline.org You can apply to most of the schools through

this one central application Some schools require additional paperwork

To Do List

Pre-requisite coursework Each program is slightly different, so make sure

that you’ve completed everything you need If these aren’t required, you should still

consider taking them Medical Terminology Immunology Pharmacology

GRE Just do it

Healthcare experience Hands-on experience gives you a good

foundation to build on (ex. EMTs, MAs, athletic trainers, CNAs, EKG Techs…)

Unique situations help you stand out in the applicant pool and give you a different perspective on things (ex. Military, Public Health, PeaceCorps, medical lawyers…)

CASPA/Essay Keep in mind that this gives the Admissions

Committees their first look at you…avoid fluff and focus on what makes you special

Interview You’ve impressed the Committee on paper, or

at least intrigued them enough to meet in person

Prepare, but don’t rehearse Familiarize yourself with the program (mission

statement, unique aspects) and the faculty members

Make sure you have a clear goal in mind and think about how you are going to convey that to them

The most important thing to keep in mind is to BE YOURSELF and don’t overanalyze things

THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE PROCESS…

Remember That There’s Help Out There For You

Advisors

Current PAs

Current students

The internet www.physicianassistantforum.com www.aapa.org www…

Thank You!

~Sarah Sanders, PAS-II