10 Ways to Increase Your Chances of Getting into PA School

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

You can meaningfully improve your odds of getting into PA school by applying early and broadly, fixing your weakest areas, meeting every requirement, writing a standout personal statement, and preparing seriously for interviews. Apply with the mindset that you might reapply, and keep following up until you hear back.

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How do timing and school choice affect your chances?

Two of the most controllable factors are when you apply and where you apply.

Apply early. Many PA programs use rolling admissions, which means they review applications as soon as they are complete. Wait too long and interview slots may already be full. Submitting in May or June still counts as early.

Apply broadly. If you want the best odds, you will likely need more than a couple of programs. The average number of programs applied to among accepted students is around six, and if you can manage it, I recommend 10-12.

Make sure you meet the requirements. When you build your school list, do not waste time or money on programs whose boxes you cannot check. Requirements are not flexible and schools do not make exceptions, so focus on programs where you genuinely qualify.

In this post:

How do you strengthen the application itself?

Once your list is set, the application itself is where you can really shine.

Focus on your weaknesses. Look honestly at your application and find your limiting factor. It is tempting to keep stacking patient care hours when what is really holding you back is, say, a low GPA. Figure out what you lack most and work on that specifically.

Make your application as complete as possible before submitting. Apply early, yes, but also try to have your classes, experience, and any required GRE done so your application is as strong as it can be.

Write a killer personal statement. Your essay is what earns you an interview. It is your one chance to show the committee who you are and why you belong in their program.

Triple check everything. There is no reason to have typos or errors. A careless mistake is an easy way to look, well, careless.

In Our Experience

In our experience coaching applicants, the people who get in are rarely the ones with perfect stats, they are the ones who apply strategically and refuse to coast on autopilot. The single most common mistake we see is applying late or applying only to a handful of reach programs. Apply early, build a realistic and broad list, and treat your interview prep as seriously as your essay. And whatever you do, do not give up.

What should you do during interviews and the wait?

The application gets you in the door, but the back half of the cycle matters just as much.

Prepare for interviews. The interview is what ultimately gets you accepted, and it is easy to get a little too relaxed about it. Even with a great personality, put real work into your prep so you can speak clearly about your experiences and your fit.

Apply with the mindset of reapplying. It is not uncommon to apply more than once these days. The moment you submit, start thinking about how you would strengthen your application if this cycle does not work out, because you do not get a break if it comes to that.

Follow up on your applications. Waiting is the hardest part, but you can stay proactive. If you get a rejection, ask what you can improve. While you wait, send updates on any new hours or coursework you complete.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Accepted applicants apply to about six programs on average, but applying to 10-12 gives you a wider net if your stats are borderline.

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CTA: Free Application Timeline -> https://www.thepaplatform.com/services/free-application-timeline/ [QA: convert to lead-magnet button]

Listen: What Got Him Into PA School - Interview with Skylar

Skylar is in PA school now, and he's clear about what actually got him in.

Episode show notes & key takeaways

Skylar is in PA school now, and he's clear about what actually got him in.

We go through the moments that pointed him toward PA, the changes he made to strengthen his application, and then the part everyone underestimates. The sheer amount of information thrown at you in the first few months.

What we talk about

What made Skylar choose PA
The specific changes he made to strengthen his application
Why healthcare experience mattered more than he expected
Getting through the application process without burning out
How much material you're expected to absorb early in PA school
How he studies now compared to how he studied before

Resources

Follow The Pre-PA Club: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · All episodes

Listen: Taylor's Road to PA School Acceptance

One hundred episodes. I genuinely did not think this would still be going, and I'm grateful to every one of you who listens.

Episode show notes & key takeaways

One hundred episodes. I genuinely did not think this would still be going, and I'm grateful to every one of you who listens.

For this one I brought on Taylor, who works with me and is also one of my favorite people. She's now headed to PA school, and her road there was not quick. She went back for coursework, applied more than once, and kept going after being told no.

I wanted her on for episode 100 specifically because her story is the one most listeners are actually living. Not the applicant who got in on the first try with a 3.9 - the one who kept adjusting and reapplying until it worked.

Thank you for a hundred episodes. Here's to the next hundred.

What we talk about

Taylor's path to PA school acceptance
Going back for prerequisite coursework
Applying more than once and what changed each time
Handling rejection without quitting
Working at The PA Platform while applying
What she'd tell someone in the middle of it

Resources

Follow The Pre-PA Club: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · All episodes

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