
CASPA
Tips and tricks for staying ahead of the game. Learn how to navigate through the online PA portal of your application.
CASPA PEARLS of Wisdom
- Apply early! Be proactive in knowing the date when CASPA opens.
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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.
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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.
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CASPA rolls over onto next year, so you’re saved of the hassle of inputting the same information for the next cycle!
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We recommend looking through missions statements of programs you are interested in and recognizing to see if they resonate with your values. dsfsd
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Below is a timeline we made for your reference
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The timeline below may be used to guide pre-PA students in organizing their application process to a PA program. All PA timelines vary with respect to each individual's experience and pre-PA journey. This timeline is meant to act as a guide.

Personal Statement/Essay
- Be genuine.
- Write many rough drafts (write internal monologues, streams of consciousness to start off if needed).
- Have others proofread your essay (those involved in the medical field and those who are not).
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Your school or university may have writing workshops available to help you through the process.
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Many programs require secondary applications with different deadline dates that may include additional essays. Allocate enough time for these deadlines.
Letters of Recommendation
- Ask in advance!
- A minimum of 3 evaluation letters and up to 5 maximum.
- We highly suggest that at least one recommender is a PA.
- One option is your employer as they are most able to comment on your work ethic and/or patient care interaction.
- Another option is a professor who is able to comment on your academic performance.
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Think through about whom you feel would be able to best advocate for you as an individual and is able to write you a strong letter of recommendation.
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Let your recommenders know that their email and phone number are required to be provided on the CASPA application.
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Follow up as needed and don’t forget to thank your recommenders!
Letters of Recommendation
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Ask in advance!
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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.
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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.
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We recommend allowing your recommenders a certain deadline of when you would like to submit your application to provide them an accurate due date.
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Follow up as needed and don’t forget to thank your recommenders!
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Academic History
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Be able to provide information on high school and college(s) attended.
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Transcripts will have to be ordered and sent directly from your undergraduate/community colleges to PA programs that you are applying to.
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Keep track of recent standardized testing, such as GRE, through the appropriate website here.
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Variable course requirements for different programs (ie: medical terminology, genetics, Spanish, etc.)
Logging Hours
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We recommend creating an excel log of patient care hours.
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Divide your hours into patient care and non-patient care hours for ease of CASPA organization purposes
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Be able to describe the details of your engagement in these activities.
Achievements and Awards
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Keep track and organize your achievements and awards that you may have obtained through patient care, academics, and volunteer involvements.
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This also includes academic publications and research pertinent contributions.
Shadowing Hours
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We recommend creating a shadowing hour log and keeping the contact information of the providers you have shadowed.
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A shadowing hour log should most likely indicate the dates attended, hours completed, the name of the provider and their specialty.
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If possible, once completed, have the providers sign the recorded hours for verification.
Licenses, Certificates and Memberships
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Be able to gather and organize your current licenses.
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Examples include BLS, ACLS, working licenses (EMT, MA, CNA, phlebotomy), licenses and student memberships (CAPA, AAPA).
Financial Aid/Fee Waiver
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CASPA charges a fee for the first program you apply to and another fee for each additional programs thereafter.
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PA 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.
Things We Wish We'd Known Before PA School
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Read the article "Things We Wish We'd Known Before PA School: A PA Student Survival Guide" here.
Re-applicants
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Don’t give up!
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Contact the school(s) that you applied to and find out what is weak in your application or call post-interviews to receive feedback.
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Improve your current application (work on your GPA, obtain more volunteer and clinical hours)
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Practice mock interviews, sit in on classes, information sessions from the schools willing to provide it.