Physician Assistant Timeline

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First-Year

  1. Focus on academics- This is the time to establish strong study skills and habits that will enable you to excel in upper level courses. #PRE-HEALTH LEARNING
  2. Start shadowing- Get into the clinic or hospital and begin to shadow Physician Assistants (PAs).  Use this opportunity to become sure that PA is the career for you.  Check out other health careers as well (RN, NP, MD/DO, OT, PT, RDN, etc).  PA programs want to know that you have a clear idea of the career you’re getting into- start gathering data and reflecting on it now. #MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS
  3. Gain clinical experience- Make a plan for how you’ll meet the clinical experience hour requirements for PA school admission. Consider completing certification requirements this summer to work as a certified nursing assistant, EMT or phlebotomist.  Alternatively find opportunities to work as a medical assistant. #CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
  4. Choose activities wisely- PA programs want to see that you care about people.  Get involved in organizations and activities that get you out into the community.  It doesn’t have to be a health-specific activity, just something that shows a drive to help others.  Start an activity now and carry it through the next four years.  #SHOW YOU CARE
  5. Meet with a pre-health advisor in the spring semester- Even if this person is not your major advisor, it’s good to establish a connection with someone who will help guide your academic and extracurricular decisions as you aim for PA school.  You should routinely evaluate your academics and activities, and an advisor helps you think realistically and objectively before making big decisions.  #PRE-HEALTH ADVICE
  6. Consider study abroad opportunities- Pre-PA students can fit in study abroad (typically during junior year) with careful planning and guidance from their advisors.  Most pre-health students choose the programs in Denmark, Kenya, New Zealand, and Australia, though other programs are certainly an option.  Even if you decide not to go abroad for a semester, consider these summer opportunities:  Health Care Delivery (Kenya), Extreme Physiology (Africa), Neuroscience of Fear (Denmark), Learn Spanish in Nicaragua (Health Careers Language and Internship) (Nicaragua). #EXPERIENCE THE WORLD
  7. Sign up for the SLU Health Careers Listserv  to get all of the latest information.  #BE IN THE KNOW
  8. As the year is ending, consider applying to be a TA for next year- As a TA or tutor, you will be tasked with communicating with and supporting students in their learning.  This is an excellent way to keep your knowledge of a particular topic fresh in your mind and will challenge you to communicate information in creative ways to help others understand.  And not to mention the great letter of recommendation you’ll get from the profs you work with…. #BE KNOWN
  9. Plan ahead- Many PA programs have different requirements for admission, and starting next year you will have some flexibility in your schedule to choose different courses.  Research 5-6 PA programs to which you’d like to apply and identify their pre-requisites.  #KNOW THE DETAILS

 

Sophomore Year

  1. Stay focused academically- You will encounter tough courses this year, so draw upon the skills you developed as a first-year and learn new ways to study as you move into upper-level courses.  #PRE-PA STUDY
  2. Keep up with shadowing and clinical hours- You should continue to periodically shadow PAs to demonstrate a sustained interest in the field AND to observe different sub-specialties. Clinical experience is also a necessary component of your application.  Be sure to carefully document hours and reflect on what you learned. #MORE SHADOWING #CLINICAL HOURS
  3. Keep up with extracurriculars- Be sure to make some time for the people-focused activities you started last year.  #CONTINUED CARE
  4. Consider research- An increasing number of students who get accepted to physician’s assistant programs have research experience.  This doesn’t necessarily have to be research in biology or chemistry, but can also include projects in psychology and sociology.  Talk to a professor whose course you liked or approach faculty whose projects sound interesting to you (read up on the department websites!) to find out what opportunities might be available to you.  Even if you don’t get involved as a sophomore, you can make plans to apply for a SLU Fellowship or external summer research programs.  Involvement in research shows that you’re interested in new ideas and continuing to learn. #ASK QUESTIONS
  5. Consider taking Health & Wellness Coaching course- This is an excellent opportunity to get patient experience.  The course is offered in the spring semester, and you will learn the foundational concepts for working with patients to achieve change.  You then have the opportunity to complete an internship working with a client in the community the following fall or to be a Peer Wellness Tutor on campus. #SLU HEALTH COACHES
  6. Meet with your pre-health advisor again in the spring- Be sure you’re still  #ON TRACK.
  7. Use your summer- Summer is a great time to do more shadowing or clinical work/volunteer within the health care environment.  Even if you have another non-health related job, reserve some time to work on the clinical experience portion of your #PA PREP.

 

Junior Year

  1. Academics, shadowing, extracurriculars- You get it by now, maintain your #PRE-PA FOCUS.
  2. Study for the GRE- You should begin studying during the fall.  Buy GRE books and take some scored practice exams.  If you’re not performing well, consider an online prep course.  Regardless, start now. #GRE PREP
  3. Before Thanksgiving break, attend the HCC informational meeting- Learn about how to prepare for your HCC interview in the spring semester.  Sign and turn in your waiver form now to allow faculty members plenty of time to complete your recommendation in a thoughtful and non-hurried manner. #HCC INTERVIEW PREP
  4. Over winter break, complete your HCC Interview paperwork- In order to best represent yourself, you will need to complete these requirements in a thoughtful manner.  Waiting to work on this until when you get back to campus for the spring semester is not the best idea, since you’ll be busy with new classes.  Spend time on your personal statement and experience descriptions in particular.  #SELF-REFLECTION
  5. Complete a HCC Interview in February- Be prepared to discuss your submitted interview materials.  You will meet with one of the HCC co-chairs after your interview to gain feedback. #HCC FEEDBACK
  6. Consider applying for a SLU Fellowship to perform summer research with a faculty mentor.  Start planning this in the fall. #SLU SCHOLAR
  7. Take the GRE in late spring- You will not receive your GRE score until 2-4 weeks after you’ve taken the test, so taking the exam earlier will enable you to submit your CASPA application earlier.  #GRE DONE
  8. Start filling out the CASPA application as soon as it opens in May- There are multiple parts of the application, and you want to make sure each is complete, accurate, and grammatically correct.  So, begin to work on this in chunks, taking time to proofread as you complete each portion.  After you submit your application to CASPA, it takes at least 4 weeks for them to verify it before it can be distributed to schools.  The earlier you complete the application, the earlier it can get to prospective schools. #PA SCHOOL APP
  9. When you begin to submit your applications, take a moment to consider your online presence.  “Google” your name to be sure that no concerning content appears.  Change your Facebook and other social media accounts to “private” and verify that all publicly viewable information and profile pictures are appropriate.  Graduate and professional schools will look at these media sources when considering your application.  Be sure that any media or online resources linked to you provide a positive, professional impression of who you are. #PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE
  10. Submit your application as soon as possible in the summer- Some PA schools’ application deadline is in early July, but even though other programs’ deadline may be later, they typically review applications starting in July, and selectively offer interview spots. As time passes, PA schools fill more and more slots, so get your application in the mix while the odds are most stacked in your favor.  Schools typically send out supplemental applications two weeks after your application is complete.  If you submit by June, you can start your supplemental application essays before the semester starts.  #SUMMER SUBMISSION

 

Senior Year

  1. Don’t slow down before reaching the finish line- Continue to challenge yourself academically and don’t ease up on your dedication to courses. #LIMIT SENIORITIS
  2. Stick to the plan that’s gotten you here- Don’t give up your people-focused community activities.  Taking time to help others helps to keep your life in perspective. #MAKE A DIFFERENCE
  3. Finish your secondary applications- Research the schools you’ve applied to and make your responses as genuine and specific as possible.  Why is that school your number one choice?  #BE CONVINCING
  4. Go to interviews- Research the schools at which you will be interviewing- become familiar with their curriculum and the unique aspects of their program.  Have specific questions to ask if given the opportunity.  Practice MMI interview questions and keep up with current topics/controversies/issues in the field of medicine. #PA SCHOOL OPTIONS