How to Ask for a Strong PA School LOR

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

When you ask for a letter of recommendation, point the writer toward the specific strengths you want them to highlight, like your communication skills or teamwork. You can submit up to 5 letters in CASPA, and a variety of writers (a PA, a supervisor, a professor) usually beats five of the same. Letters must be uploaded by the writer once the new cycle opens, so build those relationships early.

Last Updated: June 12, 2026

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How do you actually ask someone for a letter of recommendation?

The trick is to give your writer a reason you picked them. When Jamie asked her chemistry tutoring supervisor, she did not just say "will you write me a letter." She said something like, "You have been one of the biggest witnesses to my interpersonal skills and how I apply science, and I was hoping you could speak to that. A strong letter will be really important for my PA school application."

Notice what that does. It is not demanding, and it does not box the writer in, but it gently points them toward the qualities you want them to mention. She did the same thing with her nurse supervisor, asking her to speak to how personable and friendly she was on the floor and how she worked as part of the team.

Anyone can get a generic letter. "She has good communication skills" is forgettable. Compare that to a letter that says she is personable and approachable, that students feel comfortable asking her questions, and that she connects through humor and great listening while staying professional. That kind of specific, story-driven letter is what you are going for, and you help create it by guiding the writer.

In this post:

Who should you ask, and how many letters do you need?

You can enter up to 5 letters in CASPA, though many schools only require a few (three is a common minimum). [VERIFY] If you have five people who will write you strong letters, use all five.

Jamie recommends thinking about variety so your letters showcase different sides of you. A solid mix might be:

- A PA who knows your clinical interest and potential
- A work supervisor who has seen your reliability and teamwork
- A volunteer supervisor
- A professor who can speak to your academic strengths
- An MD or other clinician

If a school specifically requires a PA letter, that one is non-negotiable, so make getting it a priority. The goal is to cover most school requirements while painting a fuller picture of who you are. Five letters all from PAs, or all from the same setting, tend to repeat the same strengths instead of rounding you out.

In Our Experience

In our experience coaching applicants, the strongest letters come from people who genuinely know your work, not the most impressive title on paper. A PA you have shadowed a handful of times who likes you will write something warmer than a famous physician who barely remembers your name. And do not be scared to ask, the worst thing that happens is they say no.

When and how do letters get submitted in CASPA?

This part trips a lot of applicants up. Letters must be uploaded by the writers themselves through CASPA once the new cycle is open, and you cannot reuse an already-written letter from a prior year unless the writer re-uploads it in the new cycle. CASPA does not currently work with letter-saving services like Interfolio. [VERIFY]

So plan ahead. Explain the process to your writers now, even if you are applying next year, and keep nurturing those relationships so it is easy to reach back out. Give writers a deadline about a week before you want to submit so you have time for a final review. Send the request only after the cycle opens, give them a heads up that the email is coming, and follow up with a reminder.

If a writer asks you to draft your own letter, Jamie suggests not writing it word for word. Instead, hand them a few main points to emphasize plus your resume, statement of intent, or personal statement so they have plenty to work with.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

You can submit up to 5 letters in CASPA, but a varied set (PA, supervisor, professor) almost always beats five letters that all say the same thing. [VERIFY]

Free Application Timeline → https://www.thepaplatform.com/services/free-application-timeline/

Listen: Letters of Recommendation for PA School

Your letters of recommendation are the only part of your application you don't write. That's exactly what makes them valuable.

Episode show notes & key takeaways

Your letters of recommendation are the only part of your application you don't write. That's exactly what makes them valuable.

Admissions committees have your transcript and your essay. What they don't have is somebody else's read on you - whether you show up, whether you're teachable, whether people want to work with you. That's what a good letter does.

So pick people who actually know you. A department chair who can't pick you out of a lineup writes a worse letter than the PA you scribed for every Tuesday for two years. Every single time.

Logistics: letters go directly from your writer to CASPA, you can't upload them yourself. Request at least three even though two is the minimum to complete your application, because people get busy and one will always be late.

What I cover

Who to ask and who to avoid asking
How many letters to request and why three is the floor
How letters get submitted through CASPA
What to give your writers so they can do a good job
When to ask, and how far ahead
Following up without being annoying

Resources

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

Need to Know:

Point each writer toward the specific strengths you want highlighted, without being pushy
Variety in your letter writers showcases different sides of you
If a school requires a PA letter, make getting one a top priority
Letters must be uploaded by the writer in the current CASPA cycle, not reused from prior years [VERIFY]
Give writers a deadline about a week before you plan to submit
Send the request after the cycle opens, then send a friendly reminder

FAQ

Do you need a letter from a professor for PA school?

It depends on the program. A professor letter is not always required, but it can be helpful for emphasizing your academic strengths, so check each school's requirements.

Does the letter have to come from a PA-C?

Only if the school specifically requires a PA letter. If not, any clinician who knows you well and will write a strong, supportive letter (PA, MD, DO, RN, or NP) can work.

How many letters of recommendation can I submit in CASPA?

You can submit up to 5 in CASPA. If a school has specific letter writer requirements, they will look for those preferentially. [VERIFY]

Can I ask a professor for a letter if I have been out of school a while?

Yes, especially if you had a strong relationship. If it has been a while, send them a resume, a cover letter, and your personal statement to refresh their memory.

Is it okay to ask a PA I have only shadowed a few times?

You never know until you ask. PAs understand how important a PA letter is and will usually be honest if they do not feel they can speak to your strengths.

Can my letter writer submit a letter from a previous year?

No. Letters must be uploaded by the writer in the current open CASPA cycle. If you applied before, ask your writers to at least update the date and re-upload. [VERIFY]

What if a school requires a PA letter and I cannot get one in time?

You may have to remove those programs from your list until you can secure one. Make getting a PA letter a priority by shadowing or even asking to grab coffee to ask questions.

CLOSING

A great letter of recommendation is really a team effort between you and someone who believes in you. Start building those relationships now, ask thoughtfully, and give your writers what they need to brag on you. If you want a second set of eyes on your full application before you hit submit, our team is here to help.

Pre-PA Counseling → https://www.thepaplatform.com/services/pre-pa-counseling/

How to Ask for a Strong PA School LOR