If you have not received an interview invite or acceptance by late November/early December, although there is still a chance you will hear back from your program this cycle, it is wise to act as though you are going to have to reapply.
PA school is getting more and more competitive each year, and much more difficult to get accepted. Because of this, many people have to apply more than once before they are accepted. That is becoming more normal. As a re-applicant, your goal with your application is to show the admissions committee that you have improved yourself and been working towards your goal since the first time you applied and if you are given an interview, those things will be your focus as well.
First and foremost, don't give up! Look at your application and reflect on your interview to see what you could improve on. Some options that you may want to consider to make your application stronger include:
- Revise your personal statement. You don’t have to rewrite the entire essay but consider updating it to reflect on what you have accomplished this year and how these accomplishments have helped you realize that a career in the PA profession is still one you want to achieve. Feeling stuck? I wrote an entire book to help you craft the perfect personal statement. Don’t forget, we offer professional editing here at The PA Platform.
- More healthcare experience. If you've been working in the same field or at the same job for a long time, consider switching to a different job to expand your experience.
- Look at your transcript. If you have any questionable grades, you may want to repeat these classes to show you are able to do better and also to raise your GPA. Also, check the programs you are interested in, and if there are any additional classes they recommend taking, you could take these to improve your application and again, raise your GPA.
- Volunteer. Find something you're passionate about and volunteer for the cause. If it's medical that's fine, but even if it's not, giving your time looks good on your application, and will probably make you feel pretty good too.
If you are offered an interview as a re-applicant, take some time to reflect on what you have learned over the past year and how it will make you a better classmate and future PA.
