I'm new here--help with preparing for a new CASPA application!

[FixIt]

Hey all,

I have been on the dental school track for a long time but I have decided to go to PA school instead. I've always been passionate about any kind of patient care, and dentistry sort of fell in to my lap so that's what I ran with. This past year has really shown me that I am more interested in medical stuff beyond the head and neck, so I'm starting to prepare to apply to PA school and have some questions. Also as some background, I have a B.S. in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota, am going to enroll in online classes for Abnormal Psych and Medical Terminology (Jan-Oct at UMN), and currently work as a recovery specialist--recovering human donor tissue for transplant surgeries and research.

 

I want to apply really early if I can so I have a better chance of getting in since my GPA really isn't that impressive, so I need to get this stuff in order now :)

 

1. I've already applied to AADSAS twice (similar to CASPA) so I know the general format. However, I can't find any info on an opening date for the 2011-2012 cycle and deadlines.

 

2. How many characters are allowed in the personal statement? I have mine pretty much written from dental school so I just need to tailor it for PA school (pretty much the same point of view and concepts).

 

3. What do I need for letters of reference? Dental school required 2 professors and 1 employer.

 

4. I'm starting to work on shadowing some PAs, but what is everyone's experience with setting up shadowing? Seems to be kind of a hassle because of privacy policies and HIPAA and such.

 

Thanks for any input and constructive criticism! :)

[FixIt]

Thanks PAMAC!

 

I do have over 1500 hours as a physical therapy assistant (2002-2005) and over 1500 hours as a PCA for a special needs child, with whom I still work with.

 

Also, I have lots of extracurriculars, including being part of a pre-dental club and volunteering for dental-related charities. Should I list those or skip them? I feel honesty is the best policy--I'm not applying to PA school simply because I "couldn't" get in to dental school, but because I really want to be a PA and put my skills to use as a medical professional. But is it going to hurt me more if I list those things?

[rudypa]

Its good to get your information all together and application out early, but as you'll find probably with dental school, it really depends on how competitive of an applicant you are. So, not to burst your bubble, but if you don't have the best GPA & GRE (and most schools require the GRE, so make sure you are preparing for that), it doesn't matter how early you are! ;)

 

1. CASPA opens April 15, 2011 for the 2011-2012 cycle.

 

2. You'll need to have three (3) LOR, and one should, should (has to) be from a PA. I think in the end, it really only helps you out tremendously. The other a professor or two or a supervisor/boss.

 

3. Your personal statement is 5000 characters as PAMAC stated. Its around 600-650 words... Now, on to your assumption that you may take your "dental essay" and mold it to a PA. You are gonna have to take a whole different approach. The essay is by far one of the biggest things on paper in the application process that gets you an interview. I would suggest buying Andrew Rodican's book: "The Ultimate Guide to getting Into Physician Assistant School." Its advertised quite a bit on this site on the top header. It will guide you to writing a great essay and tell you all about the application process. Trust me, your dental essay, however great it is, will serve you no good in applying and obtaining the all elusive interview.

 

4. Shadowing is gonna be tough. Look into an ER department and talk with the Emergency Room director, typically a nurse. If you are from Minnesota, as your screen name may suggest ;), it's primarily a teaching area up there with the medical school and all, as I lived there for a bit, so you should be able to sign a form that allows you to shadow a PA for a specific period of day & time. Otherwise, contact clinic office managers and inquire about your ability to shadow a PA. I would not try and contact the PA directly in a clinic, during clinic hours. I think the best way is to speak with the person that "runs" things. They know their providers best and is your best connection.

 

I'll tell you, applying to PA school is as or more competitive than dental or medical school on some fronts. You will find that you really have to portray a passion for medicine, specifically as a PA to be successful in this journey. And be prepared should you not make it in the first time around, many don't. I am on my first go around as I go from one aspect of health care to another, and I have had one interview, did not get accepted, and waiting on my other 2 choices patiently! :)

 

Good Luck and this forum is a great source and WORLD of criticism, advice, ragging, emotions, honesty, but above all, none of us sugar coat anything, so never take anything personal!! :)

[rudypa]

Thanks PAMAC!

 

 

Also, I have lots of extracurriculars, including being part of a pre-dental club and volunteering for dental-related charities. Should I list those or skip them? I feel honesty is the best policy--I'm not applying to PA school simply because I "couldn't" get in to dental school, but because I really want to be a PA and put my skills to use as a medical professional. But is it going to hurt me more if I list those things?

 

Put everything you have, should you get an interview, they are going to ask and pick away at what you have been doing and how you got to this point. You should have a specific event or instance that pushed you towards PA....you have to. Just deciding "I'll apply to PA school" isn't enough. Your path from dental to now PA, should be an interesting point/thesis in your essay. Nothing will hurt you, just how you explain it or write it will. Always, always, be positive!!

[FixIt]

Thanks everyone for the constructive criticism! It really is a combination of things over this past year or two that has pushed me toward medicine rather than dentistry. I assure you all (not that I need to prove myself on the internet) that the decision to apply to PA programs was not made on a whim. It's my career and my future and I take it seriously--which is why I made the conscious decision to pull out of dentistry when I felt I wouldn't be happy as a dentist. I am still technically waiting for schools to get back to me on their decisions about dental school and I just don't feel that I should pursue it anymore--the passion has navigated to PA school.

I based my personal statement on the concepts that Atul Gawande brings forth in his book, "Better: A Surgeon's Notes On Performance" and how they relate to me and my aspirations to succeed in my chosen field. I still want to use this approach, and I feel that I can do it effectively to convey why I want to be a PA. I will probably end up changing most of it, as I tend to revise and revise and revise until my fingertips are sore from typing anyway.

Thanks for your comment, rudypa. I feel better being transparent about my past as a pre-dental student and how that all helped me realize that the PA profession is a good fit for me.

 

Well this discussion has also prompted me to write some lists out to better prepare:

-Similar points of interest that attracted me to dentistry that also attract me to PA (autonomy, patient care, promoting prevention for better health, etc.)

-What I didn't like about dentistry and why I think being a PA will be different

-Things about the PA profession that attract me (and always have)

-Specific events that helped solidify my decision to leave dentistry and join the PA applicant pool

 

Any other comments will be welcomed. And don't worry--I know that public forums can sometimes be a harsh place, and I have a little thicker skin than some (hey, you have to in MN!) :)

[FixIt]

PAMAC thanks so much for taking the time to write all of that--I really appreciate your words and point of view! It's probably a more difficult transition than I realize, but I'm going to try my best to make the first application cycle really count! Even if I need to apply again the next time around, I think it's worth it to try in the spring.

Thanks again :)

[AJRcoach]

Hi: I recommend that you visit my web site and perhaps sign up for my free webinar this sunday. Many of your questions will be answered and you'll have the opportunity to ask questions too. I literallt "wrote the book" on getting into PA school and you would benefit from this orientation. The webinar is titled, "The 5 Mistakes You Must Never Make when Applying to PA School" My website is www.AndrewRodican.com I think you will need to focus on your carrer change from Dental school to PA schoo. My webinar will cover everything from applying, CASPA, letters of recommendation, the essay andthe interview. I strongly recommend you attend.

 

Regards,

Andrew J. Rodican, PA-C

Author of "The Ultimate Guide to Getting Into PA School" (McGraw-Hill, 3rd edition)

[FixIt]

AJRcoach: Is this forum sponsored by you in any way?

And are you typing on a smart phone by any chance? Lots of typos in your message...

[Planteater]

I haven't shadowed yet, but here is how I have moved past all the privacy issues. I am being trained as a volunteer at the hospital I want to shadow at. The volunteer program provides all the "training" you need to get your foot in the door at the hospital. I made sure that I will be volunteering with a program that will give me patient contact hours (no clerical), so that will count in my application as well. It also allows me to shadow anyone who will have me because my "training" is already done. Fortunately my husband works at this hospital so he introduced me to one PA that is happy to have me follow her around for 200+ hours. So, if you want to shadow in a hospital setting, you might consider becoming a volunteer first. You could ask to be placed in a clinic or somewhere that will allow you to work closely with some PAs and then maybe one of them will like you enough to let you shadow. HTH!

[FixIt]

Ok...I'm signing a privacy agreement to shadow a PA at a pain clinic, and filling out an application to volunteer doing patient care stuff at a nearby hospital.

A coworker who's also a PA is also connecting me with the ortho doc she works with.

Woohoo, I'm on my way!

Thanks for the comments!

[rudypa]

AJRcoach: Is this forum sponsored by you in any way?

And are you typing on a smart phone by any chance? Lots of typos in your message...

 

Oh boy, attacking the "godfather" of PA with regards to typos?!?! :-/ jk I only saw one misspelled work and a space issue.... He does pay to advertise on the forum but that is it. Actually, only just recently.

[FixIt]

Hi: I recommend that you visit my web site and perhaps sign up for my free webinar this sunday. Many of your questions will be answered and you'll have the opportunity to ask questions too. I literallt "wrote the book" on getting into PA school and you would benefit from this orientation. The webinar is titled, "The 5 Mistakes You Must Never Make when Applying to PA School" My website is www.AndrewRodican.com I think you will need to focus on your carrer change from Dental school to PA schoo. My webinar will cover everything from applying, CASPA, letters of recommendation, the essay andthe interview. I strongly recommend you attend.

 

Regards,

Andrew J. Rodican, PA-C

Author of "The Ultimate Guide to Getting Into PA School" (McGraw-Hill, 3rd edition)

 

No offense, but after reading that, I'm not sure I'm interested.

[Allegro]

The book is good, but honestly, all these posts he makes sound like SPAM or that he's just advertising himself, repeating the same thing about webinars. It's getting a little old. He should just buy a banner ad on the site or something IMHO.

[FixIt]

I belong to other forums and spamming like that is strictly prohibited, so that is why I was so surprised and asked if he funded or owned the site. I am sure it's a valuable resource for many people, and I understand the tenacity required to market your own product. However, I don't want to start conflict and I'd like to stay on topic here. I just want some pointers because of my position as a previous pre-dental applicant. Thanks everybody!

[CJKitty]

What PAMAC said. I agree that the posts are getting old (although he does sometimes put in your username for that personal touch! LOL), but when you look at the cost of that banner....

 

728 x 90

Pricing Options:

Monthly ($299.00 for 30 days)

Quarterly ($849.00 for 90 days)

Yearly ($2,999.00 for 365 days)

 

I can't fork over that money, so I'm thankful that someone has so the rest of us have a place to chat and learn from one another. Unless we want to collectively migrate over to that single forum on StudentDoctor... *shudder*

[CJKitty]

LOL! I admit, I lurk over on SD... it's a great learning experience! For example, I learned today that the Secret PA Agenda involves demanding independent practice equal to DNPs and the push for a name change to "Associate" is prime evidence for said Secret Agenda. I haven't received my hive mind membership card yet (did apply to AAPA as a student member last week, so it should arrive any day), but I will fight the good fight once I complete the initiation sequence. Or maybe I shouldn't have said that, they are already on to us...

 

I really don't know how EMEDPA et al keep their heads from spontaneously imploding over there...

[crystaltide]

Agreed, PAMAC. The PA that I shadow has told me numerous times that it does no good for med students to complain about PAs. Sooner or later they'll be working with them, and they'll get a reality check about what the profession actually is and what PAs know. If they still have a problem, they'll be the ones who don't make it, not the PAs.

[Allegro]

the comercial posts are annoying, but ive said before that since i dont have a banner up advertising anything, then that puts me in a weak position to complain. if he were posting without buying advertisments on the page, then that wouldnt fly. its a grey area since ads make this place possible. his book also is pretty good, so that also quells my annoyance. just ignore it... it pays the bills here, and the powers that be are allowing it. that is an indication of thier stance on it. if this were my site, i would allow it... its money. nobody is obligated to cater to my desires.

 

Yes, fair enough. I guess there is such a thing as over-selling yourself to the point of ad-nausem, but he does seem to try to make it personalized. haha