Applying/CASPA | trojanpa

CASPA

Tips and tricks for staying ahead of the game. Learn how to navigate through the online PA portal for your application.

Apply early! Be proactive in knowing the date when CASPA opens.
We recommend that if you are not applying this year, create a CASPA account to see what requirements are needed so you are able to become more familiar with the site and the application process.
To ease the CASPA application process, keep a log of different programs you are applying to, create a checklist of pre-requisites, hours (shadowing, volunteering, clinical), letters of recommendations.
CASPA rolls over onto next year, so you’re saved of the hassle of inputting the same information for the next cycle!
We recommend looking through missions statements of programs you are interested in and recognizing to see if they resonate with your calling/values.
Make sure to look through the list of accredited programs listed on our resources page before you apply and understand the importance.

Ask in advance!
Minimum of 3 evaluation letters and up to 5 maximum.
- We highly suggest that at least one recommender is a PA.
- A potential source is your employer as they are most likely able to comment on your work ethic or patient care interaction.
- Another option is a professor who is able to comment on your academic performance.
Think through about whom you feel would be able to best advocate for you as an individual, have your best interest at heart and is able to write you a strong letter of recommendation.
Let your preceptors, teachers or work leaders know that you will be applying to CASPA and their email and phone number are required for the application.
We suggest allowing your recommenders a certain deadline of when you would like to submit your application to provide them an accurate due date.
Follow up as needed and don’t forget to thank your recommenders!

- Ask in advance!
- Minimum of 3 evaluation letters and up to 5 maximum. We highly recommend that at least of the recommender is a PA. Other sources may be your employers who have worked with you and are able to comment on your work ethic or patient care interaction or a professor who is able to comment on your academic performance.
- Let your preceptors, teachers or work leaders know that you will be applying to CASPA and their email and phone number are required for the application.
- We recommend allowing your recommenders a certain deadline of when you would like to submit your application to provide them an accurate due date.
- Follow up as needed and don’t forget to thank your recommenders!

Be able to provide information on high school(s) and college(s) attended.
Be aware that transcripts will have to be ordered and sent directly from your undergraduate facility and community colleges (if pertinent) to your PA programs of choice.
Keep track of recent standardized testing (ie: GRE) through the appropriate website (example:
Variable course requirements for different programs (ie: medical terminology, genetics, spanish… )

Be genuine.
Write many rough drafts (write internal monologues, streams of consciousness to start off if needed).
Have other readers proof your essay (those involved in the medical field and those who are not).
Your school or university may have writing workshops available to help you through the process.
Keep in mind that many programs require secondary applications with different deadline dates that may include additional essays. Allocate enough time for these deadlines.

We recommend creating an excel log of patient care hours.
Divide your hours into patient care and non-patient care hours for ease of CASPA organization purposes
Be able to describe the details of your engagement in these activities.

Keep track and organize your achievements and awards that you may have obtained through patient care, academics, and volunteer involvements.
This also includes academic publications and research pertinent contributions.

We recommend creating a shadowing hour log and keeping the contact information of the providers you have shadowed.
A shadowing hour log should most likely indicate the dates attended, hours completed, the name of the provider and their specialty.
If possible, once completed, have the providers sign the recorded hours for verification.

Be able to gather and organize your current licenses.
Examples include BLS/ACLS, working licenses (EMT/paramedic, MA, CNA, phlebotomy) licenses and student memberships (example: CAPA, AAPA).

CASPA charges a set fee for the first program you apply to and another set amount for each additional program thereafter.
Other programs may have additional supplemental fees. A limited number of fee waivers are available on a first-serve basis. Find out if you qualify and how you can waive the initial CASPA application fee here.

Read the article "Things We Wish We'd Known Before PA School: A PA Student Survival Guide" here.

Don’t give up!!!
Contact the school that you have applied to (find out what is weak in your application) or call post-interviews to receive feedback.
Improve your current application (working on your GPA, obtain more volunteering and clinical hours). There is always room for growth. No growth allows for stagnancy.
Practice mock interviews, sit in on classes, information sessions from the schools willing to provide it.