Tips for Pre-PA & PA Students

Here are my tips for Pre-PAs:

Accrue as many PCE hours as you can!
Read all the directions for each program you are applying for!
Create an Excel sheet or use Google Sheets to keep everything organized! I used these to keep track of all my hours for PCE, volunteering, shadowing and for all program requirements!
Keep all your academic transcripts and CASPA documents in one place! I love Google Drive for this!
Volunteer as much as you can, medical and non-medical.
Start asking for LORs as soon as you can.
Write a powerful Personal Statement and have others review it!
Be mindful of deadlines! Check and double-check the deadlines and make them visible on your Excel sheet or Google Sheets!
Put time into your Secondary applications as much as your primary CASPA application.
Do Mock Interviews for interview preparation!
Lastly, if you’re strapped for cash, apply for CASPA fee waivers at the very beginning of the cycle! You can find it in the menu options when you create your account. They have a limited amount of waivers each cycle so apply early!

Be adaptive and be open to different learning styles and methods
Ask for help from your classmates, faculty and mentor
Utilize academic triage and your Google Calendar
Practice self-care (mind, body, and soul) a couple times per week
Sleep, just sleep
Utilize all your resources (Learning center at your program, faculty, YouTube, Apps, Quizlet)
Take out loans and apply for scholarships
Spend time with family, friends and classmates when you can!
Volunteer during the weekends and apply your skills!
Do something fun with your classmates at least once a semester!
And if you have time for it, do something for you, something you enjoy (Mine is social media outreach!)

You can always reach out through social media~ DM me on Instagram!