PA School Interview Tips!

These are some interview points I shared with my best friend after she received PA school interviews:

• Practice your responses out loud. Practice with a friend or by yourself. I used to talk to myself by practicing in the car and in front of the mirror. It felt crazy at times, but it helped me develop my flow and transitions.

• Research interview formats/schedules. The main interview can be structured as a group interview, MMI (multiple mini interviews), or traditional one-on-one. There are often extra activities in addition to the interview, like a writing component or group activity.

• Review common interview questions and have your answers prepped, like:
• Your strengths and weaknesses
• Why do you want to be a PA and how would you describe the role?
• Ethical questions
• Tell me about a time… Have stories ready to tell.
• Why this school/city/town?
• For more interview questions check out the book "How to Ace the Physician Assistant School Interview" by Rodican. This book also provides a format for how to structure answers, which will help you avoid the common mistake of rambling. 

• Research the school and understand how you fit with their values. Look at their mission statement, history, and curriculum. I would also become familiar with the faculty, whether it be their interests or previous work experience.

• Be kind. Be kind to everyone you meet, not just your interviewer. Acknowledge the other applicants as future classmates instead of competition.

• Take initiative to stand out especially if its behind a computer screen. It can be difficult over Zoom or in-person interviews to speak up when so many others are trying to shine, but it’s important to be confident in your experiences and know you’re just as qualified.

• Be yourself. I know it sounds cliché, but you are unique and it’s your individuality that will make your story memorable.

• If the interview is in-person, become familiar with the campus, including the parking locations and building you'll be in. If you can't take an extra day to arrive early, identify these on the school's online campus map.

I love mentoring pre-PA applicants. My best friend was recently accepted into PA school and I’m so excited we’ll have the same career path. We literally do everything together