Pre-PA FAQ: A PA-C Answers 12 Real Questions from Students

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By: Savanna Perry, PA-C · Last updated June 12, 2026

TL;DR

Answers from a live pre-PA club Q&A: a year of full-time work ≈ 2,000 hours; whether experience counts is program-specific (email and ask, since it creates a paper trail); the biggest interview mistakes are lack of confidence and generic answers; join AAPA or your state society for the extra edge; take the GRE about 6 months before applying; and PAs don't pick a specialty in school, because that flexibility comes after.

In this post:

How Do Work Hours Convert for CASPA?

The standard math: one year of full-time work ≈ 2,000 hours. Half-time for a year, or full-time for half a year, ≈ 1,000 hours.

Use that to plan backwards: if your target programs want 1,000+ PCE hours and you're starting from zero, that's roughly six months of full-time patient care work, which is exactly why hours are the slowest part of the application and the one to start first.

Does YOUR Job Count as Patient Care Experience?

It depends on the program, and there is no universal answer. The same medical assistant or scribe job can be PCE at one school and HCE at another.

So check each target program's website, and if your role isn't clearly listed, EMAIL the program and ask. Email beats calling for two reasons: programs would rather you ask before applying with the wrong experience, and a written answer gives you a dated paper trail if questions come up later. There is nothing set across the board, so never assume.

What Are the Biggest PA School Interview Mistakes?

I see the same two over and over:

Lack of confidence. Everyone's nervous; accept it and don't let it silence you. By interview day, the field is roughly even. Schools typically interview 2-4 people per seat, so you may have something like a 1-in-2 to 1-in-4 shot. They're mostly checking that you're a normal, likable person who fits their class.
Generic answers. A good rule of thumb is that if your answer could be Googled, it's too generic. Make it personal.

And remember you're applying to be a STUDENT, so show you're teachable and ready to succeed academically rather than acting like you're already a PA. Two red flags to avoid: implying PA is your med-school backup, and saying "physician's assistant."

What Should You Ask Interviewers, and What Should You Never Ask?

Ask real questions you couldn't answer from the website or tour: campus life, rotations, advising. Even better, ask personal questions like "How did you end up at this program?" or "What's been your favorite specialty?" Interviewers enjoy answering, and it turns the interview into a conversation. You can even ask THEM a question they asked you.

Never ask questions that suggest you expect to struggle: "What tutoring is available?" "What happens if a student fails a test?" "What do you do about PANCE failures?" Those are legitimate concerns, and you should research them anonymously, but in the room they make it sound like you're planning to struggle.

Do PAs Specialize? Plus GRE Timing and AAPA Membership

Specialization: you don't specialize in PA school. After graduating you can go straight to a job in any specialty, train on the job, or do an optional PA residency or fellowship. And unlike physicians, you can switch fields later, which is one of the best parts of the profession.

GRE: take it about six months before applying, which is close enough to be fresh but early enough to retake if needed. Study for 1-3 months. Vocabulary is the hardest part to cram, so start flashcards early. A combined 300 with both sections above the 50th percentile is the common benchmark, and schools see your highest score. ⚠ VERIFY current GRE and PA-CAT requirements by program

Organizations: joining AAPA or your state PA society as a pre-PA isn't mandatory, but between two equal applicants, the one supporting the profession gets the gold star.

Listen: the original FAQ episode

Episode 25 of The Pre-PA Club answered a similar batch of listener questions on gap years, healthcare reform, GPA and experience. Worth a listen alongside this one.

Episode show notes & key takeaways

You sent questions on social media. I answered them.

This one's a grab bag of what you've been asking me most, and a couple of the answers might not be what you're expecting.

What I cover

How healthcare reform affects PAs and the patients you'll see
How much health policy you actually need to know before an interview
Talking about choosing PA over medical school in your personal statement
The phrasing that makes admissions question your commitment
When to apply, and why meeting the minimums is the real trigger
What to do with your time while you finish requirements

Resources

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

In Our Experience

This whole post came from a live Q&A I did with a university pre-PA club, and it's why I still love speaking to them. Students ask the practical questions the internet answers badly. One thing I always flag for essays and interviews: keep salary and lifestyle out of your stated reasons. We all know the perks, but committees want to hear about the patients and the role, and an essay that never mentions physician collaboration makes me doubt the applicant understands the job at all.

Quick Tip

Schools typically interview 2-4 candidates per seat. If you've landed an interview, you've already beaten the worst odds in the process, so walk in confident!

Every Pre-PA Should Know

1 year full-time ≈ 2,000 hours; plan PCE timelines backwards from that.
Whether a job counts as PCE is program-specific, so email and ask before applying.
Interview killers: low confidence and Google-able answers.
Ask interviewers personal questions, and never ask ones that suggest you expect to struggle.
PAs specialize after school, not during, and can switch anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours is a year of full-time work for CASPA?

About 2,000 hours. Part-time for a year or full-time for six months is roughly 1,000.

Should pre-PA students join AAPA?

It's not required, but membership in AAPA or your state PA society signals investment in the profession, which can be a tiebreaker between similar applicants.

When should I take the GRE for PA school?

About six months before applying, which gives you time to retake if needed. Scores last five years. Aim for around 300 combined with both sections above the 50th percentile.

Can PAs choose a specialty?

Not in school. PAs train as generalists, then enter any specialty after graduating and can switch throughout their careers. Optional residencies exist for extra depth.

Should I mention salary in my PA school essay?

No. The perks affect everyone's decision, but committees want your patient-centered reasons. Focus on the role, the team, and the moments that led you here.

The Bottom Line

If you're part of a pre-PA club, these are exactly the conversations worth having, and I'd love to join one! Reach out and I'll happily speak to your group.