Pre-PA Club Curriculum
Planning meetings can be time-consuming, and you want your Pre-PA/Pre-Health members to get the most out of each session. We’ve put together a curriculum of 28 topics and accompanying resources for meetings to make sure you’re covering all of the essentials. Use this as a guide to come up with your own schedule, and please send us any feedback or topics that need more information to info@thepaplatform.com.
Each meeting topic includes a video to watch either during the meeting or beforehand for discussion. There are also links to helpful blog posts, resources, and additional videos that accompany the topic to explore and answer more questions. Feel free to include these in an email or go through them together as a club. If you don’t have a club to attend, consider starting a group with friends or post in The Pre-PA Club on Facebook to start a discussion.
We also love speaking to groups! Please submit this form if you would like a PA Platform speaker for one of your meetings. And since we get the question frequently, there is no charge!!
We also offer discounts on bulk orders to Pre-PA groups of the PA School Personal Statement Guide and PA School Interview Guide.
Choosing a PA Program
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Make a list of your top 3 non-negotiables for PA school. List the factors that would be nice to have and things you would like to avoid. Make a pros/cons list for all of these factors and then readjust your list if needed. Choose 3-5 programs you think you are interested in and visit their websites to see how these programs fit with your list. Use these factors to research other programs further.
Helpful Links:
PA Program Map
Blog Post - Moving for PA School + Choosing an MPH
Blog Post - Easiest PA School to Get Into?
Blog Post - Choosing the Right PA Program
Podcast - Choosing a PA Program
Virtual Shadowing: Dermatology PA
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: What are 3 things you learned about the PA profession from this session? What are 3 specialties or settings you would be interested in shadowing to learn more about PAs? How did your knowledge of the PA profession change after watching this session? Make an actionable plan to find more local PAs to shadow in person by thinking of anyone you can ask for opportunities.
Helpful Links:
Blog - Shadowing Etiquette
Blog - Dermatology PA Q&A
Shadowing and Experience Log
CASPA
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: What can you do to prepare for CASPA at your current stage? Find an accountability partner to double check each other’s applications for typos or missed mistakes and encourage each other throughout the process. What are 3 things you learned about the PA school application process?
Helpful Links:
CASPA FAQ
Blog - Tips for Less CASPA Stress
Application Timeline Download
CASPA Walkthrough
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Set a deadline for when you want to submit your application and write it down. Make a list of materials you need to gather to prepare for filling out your CASPA application - transcripts, experience logs, resume, headshot, etc.
Helpful Links:
Blog Post - 5 Tips for Applying to PA School
Blog Post - Prepping for PA School Applications as a Sophomore
Letters of Recommendation for PA School
Video Link
Discussion Exercise:
What makes a good letter? What type of person should you look for to write your letters? Brainstorm a list of people you could potentially ask for a letter - professors, supervisors, PAs, etc. Take some time to draft an email asking a potential letter writer for a letter of recommendation.
Helpful Links:
Blog - What are Letters of Rec and How Do You Ask?
Blog - How to Prepare for PA School in Undergrad
Patient Care (PCE) and Healthcare (HCE) Experience for PA School
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Discuss positions and certification programs that other students have found in your area. Spend some time showing how to look up job opportunities in the area. Discuss pros/cons of completing a certification program. Look up your state medical board to see requirements for certifications.
Helpful Links:
Blog - How to Get Shadowing Hours
Blog - What I’ve Learned as a Medical Assistant
Shadowing and Experience Log
Free Experience Certification Search Engine
GPA + PA School
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Use the free GPA calculator and unofficial transcripts to estimate your current CASPA Overall and Science GPAs. Highlight any grades (particularly prerequisites) that are C or lower that may need to be retaken prior to applying.
Helpful Links:
GPA Calculator
Blog - What is my CASPA GPA?
Prerequisites for PA School
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Look at your school’s course catalog and major options. Determine if there are any specific courses that your current path requires and how those translate into required courses for PA school. Look for courses that fulfill both the science and non-science options. Look for unique courses that may be great for electives or information helpful prior to PA school.
Helpful Links:
Blog - Pre-PA Club FAQ
Blog - How to Prepare Yourself in Undergrad for Stress-free Applications
Blog - Prerequisites for PA School
Personal Statements for PA School
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Make a timeline for writing your personal statement. Discuss some main topics you would like to include and areas you may be lacking and need to seek more experiences. Try to verbalize your “Why PA?” Is it specific enough to PA?
Helpful Links:
Blog Post - Personal Statements 101: Content
Blog Post - Personal Statements 101: Editing
Personal Statement Worksheets
Supplemental Applications for PA School
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Look at the top 3 schools on your list to see if they require supplemental applications. Read the mission statements for the top PA schools on your list and make sure you feel you fit with them and can respond to prompts surrounding this mission.
Helpful Links:
Blog - Tips from an Undergrad - Preparing for the Medical Profession
Podcast - Supplemental Applications for PA School
Interview Preparation for PA School
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Find a partner to help each other prep for PA school interviews. What are you most worried about in the interview process for PA school? Brainstorm some questions that may come up during a PA school interview and quiz each other.
Helpful Links:
Blog - 100 Interview Questions for PA School
Blog - MMI Strategy for PA School Interviews
Interview Worksheets
Types of PA School Interviews
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Make a list of the types of PA school interviews discussed. Which one seems most exciting to you? Which one seems the most scary? Spend some time researching more about the interview types that concern you.
Helpful Links:
Blog - What to Expect at a PA School Interview
Blog - 5 Tips for Nailing Your PA School Interviews
2 Week Personal Statement Course
What is PA School Like?
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Find some PA students to follow if you’re active on social media, and don’t be scared to ask questions! Make a list of questions you can ask PA students at an interview. What are you looking forward to most in PA school? What parts of PA school do you think would be the most challenging for you?
Helpful Links:
Blog - How to Study in Didactic Year of PA School
Blog - Clinical Medicine Study Tips
GRE + PA School
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Look up the top PA schools on your list to see if they require the GRE. check your local libraries to see if they provide GRE prep materials. Look at your schedule to find an optimal time to plan your studying for the GRE and pick a timeframe you want to have it completed, keeping in mind it takes 2-3 weeks to receive a test score.
Helpful Links:
Blog - How to Study for the GRE
Blog - GRE Resources
PA-CAT for PA School
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Have you heard of the PA-CAT. Facilitate a discussion about how this test contributes to the PA school application process and the pros and cons. Look at the subject list for the PA-CAT - which subjects do you feel most comfortable with? Which subjects do you feel less prepared for?
Helpful Links:
Blog - What is the PA-CAT?
Blog - Everything You Need to Know About the PA-CAT
Low GPA to PA School Interview (MEDEX)
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: What factor of your application is currently most concerning to you? What are some ideas for how you can improve on this potential red flag? Ask your peers for ideas and advice to see if they are in the same position.
Helpful Links:
Blog - Getting Into PA School with a Low GPA
Blog - How to Be a Competitive PA School Applicant
Resumes + CVs for PA School
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Do you have a resume? If not, use Canva or the resume template on The PA Platform to start your resume. Think about the categories you want to include and identify any areas where you need to focus on experience. Save your resume in multiple places just in case!
Helpful Links:
Blog - Writing a Resume for PA School
Free Resume Template
Podcast - Resumes and CVs for PA School
Science vs Non-Science Courses for PA School
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Pull up your transcripts and the course subject list for CASPA. Identify which courses will be considered science or non-science. Highlight specific prerequisite courses and double check that they are accepted by your top choice PA schools. Check your school course categories to see if there are any specific courses that may be considered science courses by CASPA.
Helpful Links:
CASPA Course Subject List
How to Pay for PA School
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Look up some of your top PA schools to see what the financial expectations are. Look at tuition and fees. Search for the cost of living in the specific area of the program. Spend some time looking into federal and private loans to understand what to expect.
Helpful Links:
Blog Post - How I Paid Off My PA School Loans
Blog Post - Planning Finances as a PA
Waitlists for PA School
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Discuss the process of waitlists for PA school and some ways you can improve your application if found in a situation where you end up waitlisted. Think about your PA school application and determine what the weakest area is. Brainstorm ways to improve this area.
Helpful Links:
Blog Post - What to Do if You’re Waitlisted for PA School
Blog Post - Reapplying to PA School
Personal Statement Boot Camp
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Use the personal statement planning worksheets from The PA Platform to map out the content you want to include in your personal statement. Set a deadline for when you want to be done with your essay and find an accountability partner.
Helpful Links:
Blog - Flashback to My Personal Statement
Blog - Steps to Writing a Personal Statement
2 Week Personal Statement Course
Personal Statement Mistakes
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: What mistakes stand out to you from the video? Which ones seem like common sense and which ones are surprising? If you have written your personal statement, revisit it with these mistakes in mind to make sure you don’t have any errors.
Helpful Links:
Blog - Do and Dont’s of Personal Statements
Blog - Tips from a Reapplicant
Personal Statement Worksheets
Admissions Insights with Jed Grant - University of the Pacific
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: What was the most helpful point from the video? With these insights, what do you need to change about your application or work on to make sure you are on track with your own process. Look at some of the programs you’re interested in to see if they have information sessions. Come up with a list of questions you would like to ask your top programs.
Helpful Links:
Blog Post - How to Make PA School Applications More Affordable
Blog Post - Myth Busted - You Can Go to PA School from Undergrad
Experience Overview
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: If you haven’t started tracking your experience, download the Experience Log from The PA Platform and save it somewhere safe like Google Drive or Dropbox. Record the experiences you have and look at your list to determine where you need to focus your efforts to gain more hours. Look at the PA programs to determine what their requirements for experience are to make sure you’re on track.
Helpful Links:
Blog Post - 6 Healthcare Jobs for Pre-PAs
Blog Post - Q&A with Paramedic
Free Experience Certification Search Engine
Admissions Insights with Jim Van Rhee - Yale Online
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Start a discussion in your group about online PA programs. What are the benefits and downsides to a program like this? Do you think you would be successful in a program like this? Why or why not?
Helpful Links:
Blog - Interview FAQ - Thank You Notes
Blog - How to Standout at Your PA School Interview
Reapplicants
Video Link
Discussion Exercise: Since reapplying has become a common part of the PA school application process, is this something you are okay with? What will be your plan if you have to reapply to PA school? Look at the strengths and weaknesses of your application to determine areas that could come up during your cycle.
Helpful Links:
Blog - Non-Traditional PA School Applicant - Teacher to PA
Blog - Successful First Time Applicant - George
