17 Jan Top 5 Things to do Before CASPA Opens

Things to do Before CASPA Opens:

1. Start working on your personal statement. Things for you to think about when writing: 

• What is your why? 
• What led you to pursue medicine and/or the PA career? 
• How can I demonstrate to the reader that I am prepared for this career?
• If I had any issues along the way, how did I overcome them or what did I learn from my experience?

2. Identify at least 3 people you want to write you a letter of recommendation (LOR). 

Helpful tips: 

• Provide them with a brief bio, your personal statement (if written already), or any other helpful info that can help them write a better well-thought out LOR.
• Provide them with some things you would like them to include in their LOR
• Give them a deadline of when you would like them to submit
• Try to have at least one LOR from a PA

3. Compile a list of schools you want to apply to and do your research to make sure you meet their requirements. Unsure if you do/don’t? Make sure you reach out to the program to find out for sure! 

Things to verify:

• Set cumulative, overall, and/or science GPA requirements
• Coursework (including completion timelines)
• PCE hours and/or job type
• LOR specifics
• Shadowing hours

4. Start saving and budgeting for PA school apps. In case you aren’t already aware, CASPA charges $179 for the first program you apply to and $55 for each additional program. Supplemental applications can range anywhere from $0-150. YIKES!

5. Update or edit your resume. Ensure you have included your most up-to-date information, and that it is easy to follow. 

• Need help? There are lots of free resume templates online as well as resume builder sites.