I wanted to jump in today and talk about supplementals specifically. There’s not a lot out there on this subject. It’s something that we can talk about and hopefully shed some light for you.
One of the first questions is why do schools require supplementals? I’ve already done this entire CASPA application. What more information do they need from me? Why do they need more money, honestly?
Supplementals are very common and I would say a lot of programs do require supplementals. The purpose of this is to get more information from you and to find out more about you, that CASPA doesn’t allow for. I mean, if you think about the CASPA application for PA school, which is the universal application, it goes through the basics: It has all of your information, your coursework, your academic history, your test scores, your experience, and then your personal statement.
Your personal statement on CASPA only gives you 5,000 characters, including spaces. So that’s about a little over a page, maybe a page and a paragraph, single spaced.
That’s not a lot of information to tell them everything about you. CASPA is also general. It’s not specific to each program. You definitely don’t want, to anywhere on your CASPA application or in your essay, allude to one school. I speak directly to one program or about one program. That’s a mistake, because if you apply to more than one program, they’re going to get that essay and that’s a little bit awkward.
It’s really important that your essay on CASPA is general. Once you’ve submitted CASPA, you cannot change your application and you cannot change your essay. So some people will think, “oh, I can submit to one school and then go in and switch my essay and apply to another school”. Nope! Not going to work! That will get you into trouble.
One general essay on CASPA and then we have supplemental. Some programs have specific requirements as far as diversity, or they want to give you a chance to explain things on your application that you couldn’t necessarily on CASPA. Things like a bad grade or GPA, test scores, run-ins with the law, a mistake you’ve made, etc., they want to give you that benefit of the doubt to provide more information. To reiterate, the supplemental applications are important. They also are very time-consuming.
How Many Programs Should You Apply to?
When you’re deciding how many schools to apply to, my rule of thumb is 10 to 12 schools that you meet the minimum requirements for.
Side Note: If you don’t meet the requirements, they’re never going to look at your application, they’re never going to look at your supplementals in your wasting your time and money.
According to the PAEA, people who applied and started PA school most recently on average applied to six programs.
Now that’s an average. You have people with way less than that. Some people applied to one program and got in and you have people with way more. There’s a range there, but on average six programs. Choosing 30 programs, just because you fit the requirements is not the best plan, especially when it comes to supplementals.
You’re looking at fees, you’re looking at time, and trying to meet all these deadlines and keep up with a lot of stuff. It’s better to pair it down to a few programs that you feel that you can confidently complete the applications for versus just throwing a wide net and hoping for the best. That’s my 2 cents on that.
Some schools have supplemental some don’t and this is up to you to research this and make sure that you know if a program that you’re applying to has a supplemental. There’s nothing worse than going through CASPA, doing your application fees, applying to a program, and then not submitting the supplemental, and you end up not being qualified for that school because you didn’t complete one of their requirements.
Usually, this will be spelled out very clearly on each program’s website. Actually when I look at program websites, usually it’s one of the first things, “we use CASPA and you must submit your supplemental application click here to do so.” So usually it’s pretty clear. Now, if you’re not clear about it, there are a few things you can do. Check the PA forums.
So physicianassistantforum.com is a great place to go to see in the past, if there has been a supplemental requirement and to see if there’s one for this year that other people are working and then also contact the schools. And this goes for pretty much everything when in doubt, contact the program directly, they will give you the most updated information. You can call or email the program to try to get some information and make sure you’re not missing something.
Program Materials
Some schools are starting to incorporate some of their supplemental materials into CASPA. There is a section in CASPA called program materials. On CASPA, when you sign in, for each program, you’ve assigned your application to, you can check these program materials. It’ll have deadlines, and information for you, contact information, but it will also possibly have some supplemental stuff in that section sometimes you’ll have to assign grades.
If you’re choosing grades, if it wants you to assign “Biology 1”, you want to choose the class that fits most appropriately with that requirement. Let’s say they want you to assign “Organic Chem 1” and you took it three times, you want to choose the course with the best grade and the most recent one. You don’t have to assign all of them. Just choose the one that fits the best with that requirement.
Now schools are very particular about this too. If you get in there and are at that part of the supplemental, and you’re unsure if one of your courses fulfills a requirement, make sure you ask. Sometimes you have to send in your syllabus to get clearance that a certain program does fit with what they require because the title of the class may not make it entirely clear what the subject matter.
There may be questions. Some of the common supplemental questions, and we’ll get into this a little bit more, but some examples would be, “why did you apply here?”, “explain any academic issues on your application” Just a few questions and they’re going to have different space requirements.
Now, this is the tough part about supplementals because just like program requirements, All of the supplementals are different. They all have different deadlines. Each school goes about this differently. Some may be in CASPA, some may be a separate application. Usually, there is a fee involved. Plan on this when you’re applying, it can range from $25 to a $100.
If you’re applying to 10 programs that can add up very, very, very quickly, and this is not a refundable amount, it’s something that you are giving that school so that they take the time to consider your application. Just plan for those fees and that should play into your decision again, of how many schools you’re applying to.
Program Deadlines
Now we’ve talked about program materials. Let’s talk about deadlines. You need to check on this before you apply to a program and before you complete the supplemental. Some programs will require that supplemental to be submitted with your initial application and then some will want you to submit it afterwards.
The supplemental may or may not be open to all students. There are some programs that wait until they get your initial cast application, they do a little review and if you meet their requirements, then you do a supplemental. You’ll get an email or something with a link to do that supplemental and that’s kind of nice because they’re not going to waste your time if they don’t feel like you’re a good candidate for their program.
Uploading a Picture
You may have to upload a picture and that’s something to be prepared for. Some schools want a picture, just so when you show up at the interview they can make sure you’re who you say you are and some schools will take pictures at the interview. Go ahead and have a headshot. Mine was done on my back porch of my college apartment up against the wall. I put on a business casual outfit and stood there. I had my roommate take a picture of me and send it in.
It’s not uncommon for them to want a picture. Some people feel like that’s kind of weird, but it’s just part of the process.
Essays
Let’s talk about essays. What should you include in a supplemental essay? And how should you go about this? This is the meat. This is what you probably want to know beyond the logistics.
How do I address these things? Your supplemental essays are your opportunity to really dive into the parts of your CASPA application that you weren’t able to explain thoroughly. If you touched on a story or an experience in the experience detail section or in your personal statement now in a supplemental, you can go further and explain it more and really talk about what you learned.
Make It Unique
Your supplemental essays should be distinct from your primary CASPA essay. Avoid duplicating content from your personal statement, as this will waste both your space and the admissions committee’s time. Treat each supplemental essay as a separate entity, offering fresh perspectives and expanding on relevant experiences. This is one of your only chances to really “talk” to the admissions panel and leave a lasting impression and earn that interview invite.
Research the Program
Tailor your supplemental essays to each specific program you are applying to. Show that you have done your homework and understand the program’s mission, values, and unique offerings. Familiarize yourself with the program’s website, mission statement, and any other relevant details that demonstrate your genuine interest and fit.
Answer the Prompt
Carefully read and understand the essay prompt for each supplemental application. To ensure you address all components of the question, place the prompt at the top of your word document. Highlight the corresponding sections of your essay in different colors, ensuring you provide comprehensive responses to each part of the prompt.
Mind the Limits
Supplemental essays often come with specific character, word, or page limits. While some essays may have strict constraints, others may provide ample space for your response. Regardless of the limits, aim to keep your answers concise and focused. Try to condense your thoughts within a page or less, respecting the reader’s time. Adhere to the specified limits to create a favorable impression.
Optional Questions
When faced with optional questions, it is advisable to take advantage of the opportunity and provide additional insights into your profile. Avoid leaving any question unanswered unless it explicitly raises red flags or presents a negative aspect. Use this space to share more about yourself, your unique attributes, or experiences that complement your application.
Addressing Academic Challenges
If there were extenuating circumstances that impacted your academic performance, use the appropriate supplemental essay to explain them. Be honest and transparent about the challenges you faced, describing what caused the struggles and how you actively worked to overcome them. Emphasize the lessons learned and how these experiences have prepared you for success in PA school.
Show Alignment with the Program
Many supplemental essays inquire about why you chose to apply to a specific program. Highlight the program’s strengths, such as location, class size, rotation opportunities, or learning style, and explain how these factors resonate with your personal goals and preferences. Additionally, focus on showcasing your unique qualities and how they align with the program’s mission and objectives.
Share Something Unique
Some essay prompts ask for a unique aspect of your personality or experiences not reflected elsewhere in your application. Take this opportunity to share an interesting personal story, a hobby, a travel experience, or a significant event that shaped your character. While it doesn’t have to be directly related to medicine, relate it back to how it contributes to your overall growth and how it will benefit you in your PA career.
Supplemental essays are a crucial component of PA school applications, providing valuable insights into your profile. By following these guidelines, you can effectively craft engaging and impactful essays that demonstrate your fit for the program, address the prompts comprehensively, and highlight your unique qualities and experiences. Remember, your essays can be the key to securing an interview and ultimately gaining acceptance into PA school. Good luck with your application process!
