Resources For Applications

Thankfully, there are many resources available for pre-PA students than when I started. To be honest, I just wanted to finish my applications and get into a program without having to deal with anyone and explaining my rejections. THIS IS A BAD IDEA! Connections with other pre-PA students, PA students, and PAs will make this process 10x easier. It is definitely challenging to figure out where you should spend your money because let's be honest, PCE jobs don't really pay well. In deciding this, I encourage you to look at your application and be honest about your own strengths and weaknesses on where you think you can use some extra help.

Here's my completely honest review on what I think really helped me and what I think is worth investing in on your pre-pa work pay.

  • GPA calculator - how to raise gpa link if you want to raise it before submission. Remember, you can’t have your GPA recalculated after you hit submit once. DO NOT apply to schools you don’t meet the prerequisite or gpa for. I used the pre-pa assessment on PA Platform 4 years ago when I wanted to be sure of my GPA as I had 6 different transcripts. You can calculate your own GPA by using the links provided in the GPA post

  • GRE prep - highly recommend Gregmat, especially for the Verbal section ($5/month when I used it) and if you want advanced problems Magoosh. If you share your Magoosh account, you won't be able to truly tell your progress from test scores and average work problems. I think their 3 month plan is more than enough. 5lb Manhattan Prep math book is also golden and very affordable!

  • Personal statement revision - ask pre pa students, current pa students and mentors. If you want to spend money on anything besides the application, spend it on this part because this is what gets you the interview. MyPAResource is one of the editing services, on the pricer side. I recommend getting multiple edits as one didn't do much for me. If you want an affordable option (not guaranteed that it'll be a PA related person) you can try fiverr. Out of the 3 services I used, my best edited statement was with @livingthatpalife on Instagram, she did a really good job!

  • Choosing your schools is also important and now there are 2 different platforms that provide lists based on your stats and preferences. I used MyPAbox because I knew I was going to apply to 20+ schools. Mark Volpe's Paperback School List and Online Search. You can try free resources as well: By State and PA School Finder

  • CASPA revision, secondary application revision - utilize your friends for this one! Does a third person who knows nothing about you, learn a lot about you from academic, personal and diverse aspects from the 15+ page application?

  • Excel sheet to keep track of schools applied, date sent, GRE sent, CASPer sent, secondary app sent, interview received, update letter sent etc.

  • Read forums and facebook groups to keep up with what other applicants are doing, if they’re receiving interviews etc. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, learn to disconnect if it’s affecting your mental health. This one was rough at times. You don't constantly want to think you won't get an interview because the class is almost full according to a stranger on the forum. You also don't want to feel disheartened by all the interviews and acceptances from people on the forums as you are waiting to hear back.

  • Practice your interviews with professionals! If anything, this is the second place where I would spend money knowing I can secure the spot. PA Platform has great resources from the book, online course, and mock interviews. Check out Archana Patel @ap.the.pac on IG for mock interviews! Please please take advantage of the resources you have available. Trust me, this will be worth it if you are like me and get nervous or can't formulate words out of anxiety. I personally did 7 different mock interviews with pre-pa students, PAs and professional services to prepare.

  • Be sure to check with the programs you're attending or your undergrad school to see if they have pre-pa clubs or pa mentor clubs. MBKU in California has a mentor club ($10/cycle), where they assisted students with mock interviews and answered any questions. You don't necessarily have to apply to their program to be a part of the club, so definitely check that out1

  • New thing that I started doing is listening to podcasts after I applied. PA Platform has podcasts from different programs and students. Spotify also has few podcasts, so search for physician assistant podcasts. I wasn't really regularly listening so can't speak for it much.


You can use the discount codes if you’ll be using any of these services:

FUTUREPA10 on PA Platform to get 10% off any of the services you purchase.

Nextpac on mypabox to get 15% off.