how to write a good pa school personal statement

Sign up to our Newsletter

Pa school personal statement: complete guide + examples.

Reviewed by:

Akhil Katakam

Third-Year Medical Student, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Reviewed: 11/6/23

If you’re applying to a Physician’s Assistant program, you will be asked to write a personal statement. Continue reading as we outline the dos and don'ts of your PA school personal statement. 

Are you wondering how to write a unique, stand-out personal statement for PA school? We’ve got you covered with our complete guide to writing a stellar personal statement. 

This one document has the power to set you apart from the competition, giving admissions committees a deeper understanding of who you are beyond your academic achievements and test scores. 

In this guide, we'll walk you through the dos and don'ts of crafting a compelling personal statement that will leave a lasting impression. 

Get The Ultimate Guide on Writing an Unforgettable Personal Statement

How To Write a Strong PA School Personal Statement

The first step is understanding what a personal statement is. A personal statement is a piece of writing that shares who you are to admissions committees. Many programs like humanities and social sciences ask applicants to write personal statements to learn about the applicant on a more intimate level. 

Unlike a statement of purpose, a personal statement focuses more on you and your interests and hobbies rather than academic achievements and accomplishments. 

A personal statement is usually less formal and may take a storytelling approach as you share how your experiences have shaped you and led you to apply to the specific program. 

While the tone is less formal than a statement of purpose, make sure your personal statement is well-written and engaging to your reader. You should proofread and edit your writing multiple times before submitting it. 

When writing a personal statement, think about answering some of the following questions: 

• Why did you pick this program?
• What experiences do you have that makes you a good candidate for the Program?
• What can you bring to the program?
• What can the program bring to you?
• What achievements are you proud of?
• What setbacks or challenges have you overcome?
• What are your career goals, and how does this program help you achieve them? 

As most personal statements are about 500 to 600 words, or two pages double-spaced, you won’t have the space to answer all of these questions. Pick a few to focus on. 

Now that we have a pretty good understanding of the expectations and tone of a personal statement let's discuss how to write a strong personal statement for PA school. 

The first thing to do before you begin writing is to read the school’s instructions carefully. Different schools may ask you to include specific pieces of information in your statement. The key to impressing the admissions committee is to demonstrate that you are detail-oriented and have actually read through the instructions. 

Admission committees for PA schools want to know if you are right for the field before admitting you into the program. If they think you won’t make a good PA, then they most likely won’t accept your application. 

Your personal statement for a PA school should demonstrate why you want to be a Physician Assistant and why you would make a good PA. When writing your statement, highlight specific attributes and characteristics that make up a good PA. Some specific traits to highlight may include:

• Attention to Detail 
• Compassion 
• Confidence 
• Problem-Solver
• Emotional Intelligence 
• Commitment 
• Professionalism  

All of these traits make up a successful Physician Assistant . Use specific examples from your personal experience to show off your great traits. As the saying goes, show, don’t tell. Pick a couple of examples that demonstrate you possess one or more of these traits for your personal statement. 

Successful PA essays are not about job experience; in fact, you should think of a well-rounded approach to medicine. For example, think of extracurricular activities that have shaped your interest in medicine and helped you grow as a person. 

Make sure to work on your personal statement well in advance of submitting your application. This will help ensure you have ample time for revisions, meet the application deadlines and can present the best possible version of yourself to the admissions committee.

What To Avoid In Your Personal Statement for PA School

There are a lot of tips on how to write a good personal statement for med school that you can use for a PA personal statement. However, it is important to know what to avoid doing as well. 

Don’t be dishonest and disingenuous in your personal statement. Admissions committees read thousands of personal statements and can spot those who feel off or insincere. 

You don’t have to be a perfect person or perfect applicant to get accepted; be yourself and be honest. In fact, acknowledging challenges or setbacks that you have faced and overcame is a great way to demonstrate your resilience and problem-solving skills that make you a stronger candidate! 

Also, avoid generic clichés and overused quotations in personal statements. This can include statements such as “I want to be a PA because I love helping people.” General statements such as this are overdone and come across as dull and impersonal. 

Also, steer clear of fixating on salary details. Focusing too much on the money aspect might make it seem like your main motivation for becoming a Physician's Assistant is financial gain, rather than a true passion for patient care and healthcare. Instead, let your personal statement shines with your real-life experiences and genuine enthusiasm for this profession.

Instead, try some suggestions for engaging ways to start your PA personal statement from Hamilton University: 

• Standard: Simply state what you will be talking about in your paper, basically like a thesis statement. 
• Creative: Find a creative and unique way to begin your personal statement. For example, you can start your piece with a relevant quotation that speaks to you and relates to your experiences. 
• Action: Begin in the middle of a story to draw your reader right into the action. 
• Personal: Start off your statement by revealing something personal about yourself that has led you to your interest in medicine. 
• Informative: State a fact that leads into your personal experiences. 

Avoid academic jargon or overly complicated language in your personal statement as well. Keep it simple and easy to read. Being over-dramatic can be off-putting and impersonal. Your personal statement should reflect who you are, so be authentic and genuine. 

It can be difficult to write something intimate about yourself for strangers to read. It can also be hard to balance between humility and boasting. If you need some extra help, you may find some tips on how to write a recommendation letter for yourself helpful. 

While a personal statement is not the same as a letter of recommendation, there are some core similarities. 

PA School Personal Statement Example

Now that we have discussed the components of a personal statement for PA school, let’s check out some essays that were accepted for PA programs to give you an idea of what a good personal statement looks like. 

Here is an example of a well-written personal statement: 

“Hey Doc, you might want to have a look at this.” On my computer rested a radiology report for a patient I saw with my rural preceptor. She came to the office with left upper quadrant pain, early satiety, and abdominal distention. Due to the patient’s age and family history, I was worried that her vague symptoms could be related to ovarian malignancy; thus, I enquired to my preceptor if he thought ultrasonographic imaging would be appropriate. He readily agreed with my rationale. This report reflected my gut feeling that something was wrong: “There are multiple solid masses in the liver…dominant mass measures 17.0 x 12.9 x 18.1 cm. Follow-up CT recommended.” Although it may sound strange, reading those words convinced me I wanted to become a radiologist. 

I wanted to be the person to give an answer for that patient. I wished I could have performed the patient’s ultrasound examination and subsequently analyzed the findings. One of my family medicine patients suffered mortal complications from the rupture of a massive basilar artery aneurysm, and I used his tragic CTA findings to give insights on how to understand the Circle of Willis and how its anatomy explained the patient’s unfortunate condition. 

I had done research one summer centered around using microbubble contrast-enhanced ultrasound to characterize indeterminate renal lesions. I began the project as someone who was incapable of understanding what those series of words actually meant, but by the end I was trying to explain the various septations and wall patterns of lesions suggestive of malignancy to my exasperated, but thankfully supportive, parents. It is this constant teaching aspect of radiology that attracts me to the field. The most obvious instruction one gives as a radiologist is assisting physicians with disease diagnosis and pathology localization, but I see a burgeoning, ever-questioning group of pupils waiting ahead for radiologists: their patients. 

As society becomes increasingly tech-savvy, there will be an increasing desire from patients to access their medical images digitally. With that, there comes the concurrent expectation that radiologists will have to be responsible in disseminating this information, as well as explaining the abnormalities. As this latter role has traditionally been in the hands of primary care physicians and/or specialists, radiology will have to adapt and rise to this challenge. 

I am looking for a residency program that wants to prepare its students for this inevitable future. Such a program would obviously need to be strong in giving its future radiologists extensive breadth and depth in commonplace and emerging image modalities with distinguished skills in fostering student independence. As part of that independence, the program must have a strong emphasis on how best to explain radiologic findings for both physicians and laypeople. Additionally, I hope for ample opportunities for resident research, as well as strong mentorship from both upper level residents and faculty.”

Why this personal statement works : The student clearly outlines their goals and how these goals relate to the PA program. The student also clearly demonstrates how their background and personal experiences support their career goals which shows the reader that they are capable of being a great candidate for a PA program.  

Here is another excerpt from a statement that shares a personal story: 

“Do you think we can take in a 2-year-old?” Unsure if my wife was joking, I stopped midway up the steep hill on 19th Street in Birmingham to catch my breath, which was now short for reasons other than the strenuous walk. My wife went on, explaining that her niece, Gabby, needed a home. Nobody else in the family was able to help, and if we didn’t, she would likely end up in foster care. Though we later discussed it at great length, my mind was made up before I submitted the hill. My parents, who worked at a children’s home in Alabama for most of my life, showed me the impact a loving home could have on a child’s life. I couldn’t imagine saying no to this little girl. Less than a month later, we received full custody of Gabby and it became the three of us (plus the cat). It was my first year of medical school, my wife worked full-time, and we were the sole caretakers of a toddler. Through all the stresses of those early times, one thing stands out in my mind as perhaps the most stressful of all—her nighttime cough. That cough kept us awake at night. Each time Gabby let out a string of coughs, I crawled down to the edge of the bed and put my hand on her chest to make sure she was still breathing. We had been told that she might have asthma, but that was all we knew. We didn’t have any of the documentation most places required for care. We had no Medicaid information, Social Security number, birth certificate, or medical history—only a piece of paper signed by a judge that said we were responsible for her. My wife and I were at a loss—how could we care for this child if we could not get her most basic healthcare needs met? Thankfully, we stumbled upon Christ Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health center (FQHC) in Birmingham. 

Christ Health Center was exactly what our family needed. In addition to caring for Gabby’s needs when most other places would not, I saw there a model of the sort of clinical work I intend on doing after residency. I was so impressed I signed up to do an elective rotation with them between first and second year. Prior to that, I was fairly certain I wanted to practice family medicine and work with the underserved in some way; after my first day at Christ Health Center, there was no doubt left in my mind. My draw to family medicine in general, and FQHCs in particular, is the potential for community change. At Christ Health Center, patients often came in with their entire families and everyone in the room had an issue to address, medical or otherwise. I learned some of the nuances of working with a community and gained skills necessary to help meet these needs. Usually, it was just a word of reassurance; other times, it was patient and family education; and occasionally, it was setting them up with resources for food and housing. 

The lessons of those few months are often in my mind as I see patients. During my family medicine clerkship, I was tasked with doing the H&P for three different children in the same room. Inside, I found a frazzled mother completing paperwork while the kids scrambled about the room. She tried her best to calm them as I started on the histories, but to little avail. She grew more and more dispirited as she continued answering, “I don’t know.” Finally, on the verge of tears, she said, “I’m so sorry. I just got custody of all three of them and don’t know anything about their histories.” I paused, remembering Gabby’s nighttime cough. Finally, I said, “Don’t worry, we’ll take care of them. I know exactly how you feel.” 

Why this personal statement works : This student takes a slightly different route than the first example but is also an effective way to write a captivating personal statement. 

This statement reads more like a story, and the reader gets to know the student on a closer level. 

By creating this sense of intimacy, the student demonstrates that their empathy and their ability to overcome personal challenges makes them a great candidate for a PA program. 

Both examples are strong, so the route you want to take is up to you.

Still have some questions? Keep reading as we answer some of your frequently asked questions. 

1. What Should Be In A Personal Statement for PA School?

You should highlight some of your traits and experiences that make you the right fit for the program and the field. Make it personal and make it about you, but remember to also be genuine and humble. 

A personal statement is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the admissions committee. Think about how you want to present yourself and what you want the admissions committee to know about you. 

2. How Do You Write A Unique Personal Statement for PA School?

The most important piece to writing a unique personal statement for PA school is to be yourself and write from your heart. 

3. How Long Should a PA School Personal Statement Be?

This all depends on the school and their instructions. However, most personal statements range from 500 words to 1,000 words. Unless stated otherwise, they should never be longer than 1,000 words. 

Final Thoughts

A personal statement is a key piece of your application. Like your interview , it’s your chance to introduce yourself to the admissions committee and really stand out amongst other applicants. A PA school personal statement is also a great opportunity to show off your writing and communication skills. 

Remember to read through the instructions posted by the school, keep it personal and honest, and proofread and edit before submitting. Follow these key steps to write a personal statement that will impress admissions committees.

Schedule A Free Consultation

You may also like.

How To Calculate Weighted GPA & Unweighted GPA: Guide + Table

How to Improve Your MCAT CARS Score

Which program are you applying to?

Accepted Admissions Blog

Everything you need to know to get Accepted

January 26, 2024

Writing Your PA School Personal Statement with Impact [Including a PA Personal Statement Example]

There are approximately 300 accredited PA (physician assistant) schools in the United States. In the most recent application cycle, these schools received more than 27,000 applications. The matriculation rate for PA schools hovers near 30%, which is lower than the approximate 40% matriculation rate for medical schools. Is becoming a PA a competitive process? Yes! Is it impossible? No!

For you to stand out in this crowded applicant pool, your  personal statement for your PA application  has got to shine from the first sentence to the last. It needs to tell a compelling story that focuses on your sustained interest in the field, while at the same time building a case for your qualifications. It should not rehash your CV, be loaded with clichés, or focus solely on a story that portrays you as a victim.   

The character limit for the CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants) personal statement is 5,000 – which includes spaces ! Some people at first believe the limit is 5,000  words  and end up having to severely cut back their overwritten drafts. Don’t let this happen to you! 

The following successful essay responds to the question, “Why PA?” After reading this essay, you’ll understand why the candidate was accepted into a PA program.  The individual has given permission for their essay to be shared publicly. All personal identifiers and details have been removed to protect their privacy.

PA School Personal Statement Example

I was nine years old and in the middle of Mrs. Russell’s third grade class when my stomach began to itch uncontrollably. I remember thinking to myself, “Did I get bitten by a bug?” Completely distracted by the incessant itching, I asked Mrs. Russell if I could go to the nurse’s office. When the nurse lifted my shirt, I saw the biggest “bug bites” I had ever seen covering the majority of my stomach. She quickly called my mom, who took me to several different doctors as the “bug bites” continued to spread all over my body. None of the doctors could figure out what was wrong with me until I saw a Dermatology PA. He immediately diagnosed me with a delayed allergic reaction. He gave me a medication that almost immediately made the hives disappear. I no longer struggled to open my eyes! It was like magic! To this day, I still have no idea what caused that allergic reaction, but I am grateful for this experience, because it introduced me to a PA who continued to touch my life and cultivate my interest in medicine and healthcare.

Year after year, my love of learning continued to flourish. I began taking gifted classes in math and science in the fifth grade and continued to take honors and advanced placement classes when I reached high school. In addition to my studies, I also began to play volleyball and softball. Through these sports, I learned the skills that a textbook could not teach me, such as accountability, integrity,  teamwork , and leadership. Through my academic achievements, active participation in numerous school clubs, and leadership role as the captain of my volleyball team, my high school nominated me to participate in a National Youth Leadership Forum in the summer of ——. I attended lectures by a PA, a nurse, a chiropractor, a veterinarian, and several physician specialists. In addition to the lectures and countless group activities, I visited several medical facilities. In one of the labs, I saw a table displaying human organs infected with different diseases and cancers. To my surprise, I was eager to touch them and learn why the people they once belonged to could not have been saved. From that experience on, I became determined to pursue medicine.

My  interest in the PA profession  quickly became a driving force in my life after my mom was diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma in February —— and quickly passed away in October of that year. I was devastated upon hearing her diagnosis. How could this happen when she went to the Dermatologist every three to six months? The same Dermatology PA who had healed me with his “magic pills” spent a significant amount of time with my mom after her diagnosis. He met with her and my dad following a long day of seeing patients, to determine if he had missed something in her regular exams. He also made himself available to my entire family and recommended specialists and experimental treatments. He explained everything we did not understand along the way. It is because of the compassion, sincerity, and care he provided to my mom and my family during this difficult time that I became certain I wanted to pursue my love of medicine as a PA.

Throughout my undergraduate career, as well as the time since I graduated, I have continued to explore the medical field to learn as much as I can about becoming a PA. Through countless hours of  shadowing and volunteering  as a medical assistant at —— Dermatology, I have learned how crucial teamwork, effective communication, detailed note-taking, and compassion are for effective patient care. There have been numerous instances where doing a simple and nearly painless biopsy could have turned into a serious and most certainly uncomfortable medical situation. By taking thorough patient histories, accurately noting any allergies, and verbally communicating these notes to the practitioner, I have been able to ensure that patients receive the best care possible while averting any avoidable crises.

Every challenge and opportunity that I have encountered since I was the itchy little girl sitting in Mrs. Russell’s class has brought me to this decision. My mom’s passing has only made me more passionate about this profession and has given me a new appreciation for life that I hope to share with my patients and community. With my love of learning and helping others, as well as the skill set I will gain from a PA program, I am certain that I will have the tools needed to become a valued member of a larger care team. I am eager to see how these opportunities will positively impact not only my life, but also the lives of others.

What makes this PA personal statement outstanding?

This essay shows that the writer invested the question “Why PA?” with a great deal of thought. It is exceptional for the following reasons:

1. The writer specifically explains “why PA” from the first paragraph to the last.

She writes with honesty and skill, directly responding to the essay prompt. Each paragraph illustrates an additional reason that becoming a PA is the only profession for her. She builds her case by discussing her academic achievements (advanced placement and honors classes in math and science), shadowing and volunteering as a medical assistant, and learning to appreciate the essential “soft skills” of compassion, sincerity, and care in a PA, which convinces the reader that she is grateful for, dedicated to, and thirsts for knowledge in the field of medicine. For these reasons, the candidate was  invited to interview  and received an acceptance.

2. The writer demonstrates a longitudinal pattern of behavior and involvement that supports her educational goal.

In my experience,  past behavior predicts future behavior . This candidate’s pattern of behavior aligns with the work and responsibilities of a PA. With a love of learning and teamwork, as demonstrated by the experiences she chose in the medical arena, the writer proves through her long-term involvement with medicine that she will seamlessly fit into the role of PA. It is clear how much effort she has invested into preparing for this career.

3. An appealing balance of personal motivations and professional goals are represented in the essay.

From her childhood experience of being successfully treated by a PA to appreciating the clinical skill and sensitivity of PAs she encountered over the years, this writer’s motivations are a perfect blend of the personal and the professional. She writes convincingly about why this career path will be so meaningful on multiple levels. By drawing on both her personal contact with the profession and her preparation for it, she convinces readers of the variety and depth of her commitment. Each paragraph builds from personal to professional motivations, culminating in a conclusion where she ties the two threads together.

The profession of PA continues to grow in stature and popularity. When submitting your CASPA, remember you will be evaluated on the competitiveness of your holistic portfolio, with the personal statement being a critical component. Take time to craft your narrative, leave yourself additional time for reviewing and editing your drafts, and ensure that the statement you submit will captivate the admissions committee!

As the former assistant dean of student affairs and career development at the William Beaumont School of Medicine, Dr. Valerie Wherely worked directly with the dean of the School of Medicine, the associate dean of student affairs, the associate dean of clinical curriculum, and the assistant dean of admissions, as well as with Year 4 students on both residency application reviews/critiques and mock interview preparation. Work with Valerie! Schedule a free consultation today!

Related Resources:

• How to Get into Physician Assistant Programs , podcast Episode 515
• Reapplying to PA School: Tips on Polishing and Refining Your NEW Application
• Why Should I Consider Allied Health Careers?

About Us Press Room Contact Us Podcast Accepted Blog Privacy Policy Website Terms of Use Disclaimer Client Terms of Service

Accepted 1171 S. Robertson Blvd. #140 Los Angeles CA 90035 +1 (310) 815-9553 © 2022 Accepted

How to make your PA school personal statement SHINE

• March 30, 2022
• Rebecca DePalma

Consider a theme

A smart tactic for your statement is to consider a theme. It shouldn’t take up too many characters, and should be relevant to you. Generally you should bring it up in the intro, you can touch on it once or twice amongst the body, and recap in the conclusion. This will help make you unique and memorable. 

Edit, edit, edit

This goes beyond just eliminating typos, and grammatical errors. Every character used should be purposeful and necessary. You want to pare down characters so every sentence is rich with information as quickly as possible. 

You want to eliminate any “fluff”. For instance, you want to avoid saying two adjectives to describe something ex. “…this position made me knowledgeable and prepared”. It reads stronger to use just the one best word. You also want to make sure your message is clear within each paragraph and within the statement as a whole.

Writing about “PA stuff”

As someone who has edited many statements, you would be surprised how long it takes for many applicants to even mention the word “PA”. The prompt is “why do you want to be a PA” after all, so you want to get to the point as soon as possible. You should definitely mention it by the end of the introduction paragraph. You should also be tying points and examples back to this throughout your statement – pointing out why you want to be a PA and why you would be a good PA. 

Other notable points when mentioning PA: The first time you mention it, write it as “physician assistant (PA)”. Every time thereafter, just term it as “PA” to save on characters.

Touch on certain key points

You want your statement to be unique to you, however there are certain parts of the foundation that should be implemented in all effective statements. These good foundational things to mention include demonstrating that you know what a PA does, the interprofessional dynamic, how they compare to others in the medical field such as MDs, and why you prefer to be a PA. 

“Don’t just say “I like to care for people”, rather, provide an experience you sought out that showcases that as to illustrate these concepts for admissions.”

Use code “PATIPS20” to save 20% on your subscription to  myPAbox

What makes you…you!

This is the “fingerprint” of your statement. What about you, personally or professionally, have you experienced? How did that contribute to you deciding to be a PA and why will you be an effective PA? You want to give quality descriptive experiences/reasons with concrete examples. Don’t just say “I like to care for people”, rather, provide an experience you sought out that showcases that as to illustrate these concepts for admissions. 

You want to add PA-related experiences, of course, and it would be wrong not to; but you should also add personal details of yourself that mean a lot to you –perhaps something about your culture as an example. These will all contribute to making you and your statement more well-rounded and stand out to admissions.

Here are 5 more tips on how to get accepted to PA school 

Other Blog Post

Navigating the Maze of PA School Admissions: Rolling vs. Non-Rolling Strategies

The path to securing a seat in a Physician Assistant (PA) program is fraught with…

2024-2025 CASPA Cycle – The Do’s and Don’ts

Are you setting your sights on PA school for the 2024-2025 academic year? Let’s ensure…

The Crucial Role of Proofreading: Crafting a Stellar Personal Statement for PA School

Your personal statement is arguably the most critical component of your Physician Assistant (PA) school…

This Post Has 0 Comments

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to content

• Testimonials

PA STATEMENTS  RESOURCES

PERSONAL STATEMENT DO’S AND DON’TS

The personal statement requirement for PA school is one of the most important parts of your application. Your personal statement gives the admissions committee an inside look at your personality, aspirations, and experiences. This is an opportunity to show PA programs why you chose to pursue the PA field and why they should choose you to be a part of their next cohort of student. Use your personal statement to your advantage as an applicant! Expand on yourself and the experiences that ultimately led you to pursue the PA profession.

Here are some “Do’s and Don’ts” for the PA school personal statement:

Introduction:

Do: Grab the admission committee’s attention in the introduction paragraph right off the bat.

Tell a story, explain an experience, or make a strong statement. Imagine how many essay introductions admissions committees will read… how will yours stand out? Use your unique journey to capture the reader’s attention.

Don’t: Start your personal statement off with a cheesy quote, a cliché, addressing the reader directly, or with a joke.

Although it is important to stand out, do not start your essay in an unprofessional way. This personal statement is supposed to encompass your passion for the profession and prove to admissions committees why you are a mature applicant who is ready for PA school. Keep it formal and do not address the reader directly anywhere in your essay.

Do: Use formal language and correct sentence structure.

Since this a professional essay, it should be written like one. Use full, complete sentences, proper punctuation, and always spell check. You may get creative with your writing style, but do not include anything that could take away from the overall message of the essay.

Don’t: Use informal language, unnecessary adverbs and contractions.

Avoid using informal language, such as slang words and contractions. Unnecessary adverbs, such as “very,” “really,” and “truly” should be cut out because they take up more space and lack authenticity. “I am dedicated to the PA profession” reads much better than “I am really dedicated to the PA profession.” Also, do not use abbreviations or acronyms without writing out the whole word first. For example, write out physician assistant (PA) once, then use PA throughout the rest of the essay. Since every character counts, you do not want to waste them by repeatedly writing out physician assistant.

PROFESSIONAL PERSONAL STATEMENT REVISION

Do: Emphasize why the PA profession is the only profession for you.

Show admissions departments your commitment to the PA profession through your personal statement. Demonstrate your knowledge about this profession and the specific aspects that draw you to it. Use firsthand examples of how you know this specific career is the right path for you.

Don’t: Mention other healthcare professions and go on a tangent about why being a PA is better.

Do not bash other professions or say that the PA profession is better. As a PA, you will work in a team of healthcare providers to care for patients, including physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, speech language pathologists, etc. Do not say anything offensive about these professions. Instead, focus your essay on “WHY PA,” and not “why not every other profession.”

Show, don’t tell:

Do: Include the most impactful moments in your life that solidified your aspiration to become a PA.

No two people have the exact same experiences, so use your unique encounters to stand out from other applicants. This could be from when you were a child, completing your patient care experience hours, shadowing, participating in a mission trip, etc. Always relate your stories back to the main point of the whole personal statement— why you are interested in being a PA student!

Don’t: State a list of adjectives to describe yourself.

It is great and important that you are a kind, caring, hard-working, dedicated individual… but use the space in your personal statement to show this to programs. Use specific examples of times you demonstrated perseverance, were impacted by a patient, inspired by a fellow healthcare worker, learned something significant from a shadowing experience, etc. Avoid making statements that could better be understood through a short anecdote.

You are applying to be a PA student, not a PA:

Do: Reinforce why you are qualified for PA school and will be a successful PA student.

Being a successful PA student means staying dedicated to the long years of furthering your education. Express your desire to learn and willingness to put in the work to complete the rigorous coursework required in PA school!

Don’t: Focus on being a practicing PA-C and what specialty you are interested in.

Although it is exciting to think about your potential future as a PA-C, do not create made-up scenarios of you as a practicing PA. Also, avoid stating the specific specialty fields you are interested in. As a PA student, you are trained as a generalist. Picking one specific “dream” specialty may deter admissions committees, especially from programs that have a focus on primary care.

PERSONAL STATEMENT EDITS

Conclusion:

Do: Summarize your passion for becoming a PA and leave the reader wanting to invite you for an interview.

This is the last paragraph of your essay that admissions committees will read, make it a good one! The conclusion should wrap up all key points of your essay in a new way. Tell these schools why they need you as a PA student and how you can contribute to their next cohort.

Don’t: Repeat sentences already stated in the essay.

You only have 5,000 characters for this essay, so do not repeat any sentences or phrases already stated. It is okay to repeat main ideas, but do not use the exact same phrasing.

You may also like

How Should I Start My PA School Personal Statement?

Count the Costs! A Guide to PA School Financing

Adding {{itemName}} to cart

Added {{itemName}} to cart

PA School Personal Statement Editing: Your Key to Success

PA school personal statement editing services do much more than check your essays for spelling mistakes. In this blog, we'll tell you all about what they do and why it is worth the investment. Your  PA personal statement  is one of the most important application components you will submit. When done correctly, it can humanize your application and show the reviewer why you are a perfect fit for their program and a career as a PA, thus improving your chances of getting into your chosen program. On the other hand, a weak personal statement can make you a less attractive candidate and cost you one of those coveted acceptance letters. So, keep reading to learn more about PA school personal statement editing services. 

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 9 min read

How important is the pa school personal statement.

Whether you are applying to  Physician Assistant programs in Canada  or the US, you will likely need to write at least one personal statement or  statement of intent.  Unless otherwise stated, your essay should be 5000 characters (approximately 1000 words) or less. It is supposed to tell the person reviewing your application why you want to be a PA, what makes you a good fit for the profession, and their school. Admission committees want to understand where your interest in becoming a Physician Assistant stems from, how committed you are to becoming a PA, and what steps you've taken (besides the obvious) toward making this a reality. 

In other words, your PA personal statement is supposed to humanize your application by giving you a chance to talk to the admissions committee about your suitability for the program in your own words. This is especially important because PA programs are quite competitive. According to the Physician Assistant Education Association  (PAEA) , the profession seems to be getting more popular, which means that the level of competition is likely to keep rising. 

Let's start by clarifying that PA school personal statement editing services do much more than scan your essay for grammatical errors and syntax issues. There is plenty of software, and there are even plenty of people who offer that service, but the consultants who work on PA personal statement editing are not among them. They are actual human admission experts who know the process of applying to Physician Assistant programs inside and out.

However, it is also worth mentioning that PA school personal statement editing services do not write your personal statement in your stead. If you are hoping to pay someone to do the work for you, then a professional PA school personal statement editing service is not what you are looking for. We recommend that you avoid consultants who offer this service altogether because it is an unethical practice that can potentially cost you a spot in your chosen program.

Instead, PA school personal statement editing services review PA applicants' admission essays and use their knowledge and training to provide personalized feedback and guidance to help students revise and polish these essays. The aim is to draft and submit a personal statement that will be more compelling, thus increasing their chances of getting into their chosen program.

Want to know what the other requirements are for PA school? Check this out:

More specifically, PA school personal statement editing services help applicants with the following:

Proofreading, Editing & Polishing 

PA school personal statement editing services are typically offered by academic consultants, and while highlighting grammatical inconsistencies and spelling mistakes in your writing is not the only thing they do, it is one of the many things they can help with. It can be hard to proofread our own work. Not only because we are attached to what we write, but also because we've read it so often that we can easily miss little things like typos or bigger grammatical errors. 

The truth is that you only get a few chances to impress the admissions board, and your PA personal statement is the first of those chances. This means that your personal statement represents you to the admission board. Submitting an essay with grammatical errors and typos tells the board that you either did not care enough to review your work and edit it, or that you did not pay attention to the details enough to notice those errors when you did review your work. Either way, it is not a great first impression to make. 

Furthermore, not everyone is a gifted writer. And even gifted writers sometimes struggle to write about themselves or write in the appropriate format for personal statements. This is where PA personal statement review services come in. Consultants can thoroughly verify the grammatical syntax of your sentences, ensure that your essay is coherent and easy to follow; and, just as importantly, that it is free of grammatical or spelling errors.

As discussed earlier, your PA personal statement is meant to communicate quite a bit of information to the admissions board, but it can only relay the right information when it is done correctly. For example, if you use your personal statement to explain how you meet the different  PA school requirements , you are not providing any new information to the admissions board or convincing them that you are the right candidate. Doing so would be a waste because the admissions committee already has the rest of your application, so they know that you meet the school's  GPA requirements  and other admission criteria. 

Since PA school personal statement editing services are run by admission experts who have an in-depth understanding of the admissions world, they understand this and so much more about this process. For example, they are trained to decipher all the "admissions talk" on university websites, meaning that they can actually help you figure out what values and traits a specific PA program is looking for and ensure that you are highlighting those skills and qualities in your personal statement.

Furthermore, these consultants are objective third parties with expert knowledge, looking at the details of your academic background and experiences. That makes it possible for them to identify the activities and skills which make you a better candidate. For example, you may think that your love for nature or hiking is irrelevant to your PA application, but a consultant can help you understand how you can write about your experiences as a hiker in a way that will appeal to your chosen program.

Developing Writing Strategies & Improving Communication Skills

Writing a PA personal statement is no easy task, and often applicants are unaware that their essay writing skills may be lacking. Perhaps the last time you wrote an essay of this nature was when you were writing your college application supplemental essays, or maybe you have never written an academic admissions essay in the past. Unfortunately, most of us have not had lessons on writing academic admission essays or personal statements. So, even gifted writers like A+ English students don't have the tools to write a PA personal statement that will impress their chosen school's admissions committee.

Without personalized guidance, it is easy to write a generic essay that follows general tips from the internet and won't add real value to your overall application. But if you work with a PA school personal statement editing service, not only can they help you develop your essay writing skills, but they can actually teach you strategies and give you the tools you need to improve your written communication skills.

For example, let's say that you are working with a PA school personal statement editing service, and they determine that your essay needs a rewrite. Instead of writing this essay for you, consultants will help you brainstorm and teach you how to write a great original personal statement. Doing this will give you a chance to learn how to research, structure your essay better, and improve your writing abilities in general.  

Check out these PA personal statement examples for some inspiration:

How to Find the Right PA School Personal Statement Editing Service

If you decide that working with a PA school personal statement editing service is right for you, then you need to find a consultant or consulting company that is worth the cost and investment. How do you choose the best PA consultant with so many services and hundreds of five-star reviews? Starting with a quick internet search is a good idea, but that will reveal dozens of options. How do you sort through them to find the best PA school personal statement editing service for you? We suggest that you pay attention to the following: 

1. Choose personalized service

Admission essays such as medical school personal statements and, of course, PA personal statements are meant to be highly personalized. This is why following a standardized guidebook or general formula usually doesn't result in an outstanding essay. We recommend looking for a PA school personal statement editing service that works with students one-on-one and provides personalized feedback. This is the best way to ensure that the consultants are providing you with tips, strategies and guidance that are specific to  you  and that will strengthen  your  personal statement. 

2. Consider their qualifications 

You should take the time to research your potential consultants by navigating their websites and looking for reviews from students they have worked with in the past. You can use the following questions as a guide to determine whether they are qualified to provide this service:

"},{"number":"4.","title":"What is their academic background, and what are their credentials?","comment":""},{"number":"5.","title":"What is their success rate?","comment":""},{"number":"6.","title":"What do their past students have to say about their services?","comment":""}]">

Cost is an important factor for plenty of students. Tuition for PA school is already a big expense, and so are the application fees. If you're fortunate to have a scholarship or funding for your degree, you may be able to designate some money specifically for consulting services, but if that is not the case, then finding a PA school personal statement editing service that can work with your budget is even more important. We recommend looking for a consulting firm that offers various payment options, such as installment plans to help you shoulder this cost. 

Additionally, we recommend looking for a PA school personal statement editing service that offers some sort of guarantee. It is the unfortunate truth that sometimes, a student can follow all the consultants' guidelines, write a jaw-dropping essay, and still get rejected. In that case, what happens to the money you spent on their services? Here at BeMo, for example, we like to put our money where our mouth is, so we offer a money-back guarantee. Look for a service that offers the same or at least something comparable. 

Good consulting firms or private consultants will offer a free initial consultation. Use that free consultation to ask questions and learn about them to determine whether they are worth trusting with such an important application component.  ","label":"Bonus tip:","title":"Bonus tip:"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

If you want to maximize your chances of admission to a Physician Assistant program in this increasingly competitive climate, then you need to do everything you can to take your PA personal statement from good to great. That is precisely what investing in a PA school personal statement editing service can do. The consultants who offer these services can help you highlight your strengths and address any potential red flags in a way that still makes you look like a strong candidate. Furthermore, working with a professional who knows this process inside and out will help you improve your overall communication skills. So take the time to research different editing services using the tips we've outlined above and invest in your future by getting this additional support from professional PA school personal statement editing services.

Physician Assistant programs are very selective and competitive. If you want to get into a PA program in the US or Canada, you need to submit an application that stands out. 

Your PA personal statement is one of the only application components that allow you to tell the admissions committee why you deserve a spot in their program in your own words, making it one of the most important parts of your application. Think of it this way, a candidate with a relatively low GPA can get into a PA program if they have a highly compelling personal statement, but good grades can't make up for a poorly written one. 

A good personal statement will show instead of telling the admissions committee why you are a good fit for their school and the profession as a whole. It will have concrete examples, a structure that is easy to follow and new information that contextualizes the rest of your application. Additionally, it will not have grammar or spelling mistakes. 

That depends on the school you are applying to. Generally, you will need to write at least one personal statement for your initial application, but several PA programs have a supplemental application with additional essay prompts or short answer questions that you will need to respond to. 

No, they do not! You should avoid any consultants or services offering to write your admission essays. Not only is this practice unethical, but it can actually land you in some muddy waters if the admission committee finds out or finds inconsistencies in your application.

It is a service offered by academic consultants where they review and help you edit your PA personal statement to ensure it represents you as a strong candidate, thus giving you a better chance of impressing the admissions committee and getting into your chosen program. 

They can be, but there are services offered at different price points. Look for an editing service that is within your budget and provides payment options to help you with the cost. 

Yes, they are absolutely worth it! Working with a professional can take your PA personal statement from okay to excellent, which is often needed to strengthen your overall application. 

Want more free tips? Subscribe to our channels for more free and useful content!

Apple Podcasts

Like our blog? Write for us ! >>

Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions, get started now.

Talk to one of our admissions experts

Our site uses cookies. By using our website, you agree with our cookie policy .

FREE Training Webclass: 

How to make your physician assistant application stand out, (and avoid the top 5 mistakes that get most rejected).

Time Sensitive. Limited Spots Available:

We guarantee you'll get accepted to PA school or you don't pay.

Swipe up to see a great offer!