8 CASPA Application Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Posted Past: Paul | CASPA

The 2018-2019 PA school CASPA application cycle is here.  Applicants everywhere are working hard to polish their PA school applications. The new CASPA cycle will open on April 26, 2018.  Filling out an online CASPA Application can be tedious.  But it can make or interruption your chances at getting interviews for PA school.  Later on coaching hundreds of applicants we know the most common CASPA application mistakes, we've gotten familiar with a number of easily avoidable mistakes that can weaken an awarding.  Today nosotros share them with y'all and tell you how best to avoid them.

The Central Application Service for Physician Assistants
The Central Application Service for Doctor Administration

CASPA Awarding Mistake #1: Applying too late

There are many reasons why applicants utilise belatedly.  Applying to PA school is stressful which makes it like shooting fish in a barrel to procrastinate.  Some applicants wait to submit while one concluding course comes in then it can be included.  Sometimes waiting makes sense, merely in almost cases applying likewise late is the bigger adventure.  Applications open in Apr, and much of your competition will submit their apps in Apr.  Nosotros don't think applications need to be in as presently equally the starting gun goes off, but waiting until September is a error.  Schools with rolling admissions ordinarily take few seats available by that late in the twelvemonth, and interviews for them are already well underway.  Instead, endeavour to submit around mid June.  June is early enough to stay ahead of the masses, and just late plenty that you'll have your Spring class grades.  They can't save a seat for you if they don't know yous want one!

CASPA Application Fault #2: Not including information well-nigh your upbringing

In CASPA'south Identifying Data section you lot can provide some information on your upbringing, but most students don't.  We call back this is a missed opportunity.  Think virtually it: thousands of hopeful applicants are all vying for the same attention. Your goal is to attract a little attending to yourself and to exist memorable.  You want to make them see you lot as a real person they'd like to encounter (interview).  Why would yous pass on giving them a few details about you? Our advice: write a brief paragraph about the dwelling y'all grew upwardly in.  Include your family structure (siblings, parents and their marital condition, blazon of home surround) and a little information well-nigh the location (hometown and some basic demographics about it).  All these piffling data points help a reader picture you in their heed. If they don't know you lot, they can't like you enough to invite you to interview.

CASPA Awarding Mistake #3: Using "sales language" to describe your experiences

Along with applying as well late in the cycle, this is probably tied for the most common problem.  Applicants dress up their experiences with descriptions that endeavor to inflate their experiences or sound educated.  A couple examples we've run across:

I strove to provide fantabulous patient care and gain an intimate agreement of patient needs. Instead say: I cared for and interacted with patients.

I served equally the master liaison between provider and scribe teams. Instead say: I communicated with both providers and scribes.

I achieved a timely and successful setup of services according to customer needs, objectives, and contract specifications.  Instead say: I helped to managed needed patient services such every bit…

Observe how all of these examples audio complicated, biased, or use sales words similar liaison or successful.  Those are subjective descriptions. If yous want the reader to take you seriously, don't attempt to sell them a used car.  Remain neutral and factual.  Let the experience speak for itself by maxim specifically what you did.

Mistake #4: Misclassifying HCE

If you haven't read CASPA's definitions of the different types of experiences, and then read them now, and carefully (read CASPA'south FAQ hither).  The FAQ spells out what counts as:

  • Patient Care Experience
  • Healthcare experience
  • Shadowing
  • Extracurricular Activities
  • Leadership Experience
  • Teaching Experience
  • Volunteer
  • Research
  • Non-Healthcare Employment

Make certain yous use the correct category when yous describe your experiences.  Pay item attention to the difference betwixt the first two, which are oftentimes confused.   For instance, how would you allocate volunteering in an emergency room — Volunteer, Patient Care Experience, or Healthcare Experience? It depends a little on your exact responsibilities, but in most cases ER volunteer work should be classified every bit Healthcare Experience (because the Volunteer category is for non-medical types of volunteering, and yous had patient interaction, but were non responsible for the patients' care).  If y'all are unsure how an experience should be classified, we recommend contacting CASPA'southward customer service line and asking them.  Y'all can reach their customer service line at (617) 612-2080 or caspainfo@caspaonline.org Monday through Friday, nine-five Eastern.

Mistake #5: Submitting a forgettable essay

CASPA Application
Tantalize them with proficient bait: a stiff essay.

This mistake is mutual and more than piece of work to avert.  If #two above is a small missed opportunity, then using a bland or forgettable essay is a huge one (5000 characters)!  The essay is your chance to tell them any y'all remember they should know almost your desire to become a PA, and to do so as yous run into fit. Y'all will accept their attending, and a good essay can leverage that attention into an interview.  Some essays they read are very bones.  Many rely on generalizations or fail to show readiness for PA school.  About will lack whatever of their writer'south unique personality. A good essay starts with being original and taking a risk or two. If you're not a born writer, not to worry — become help.  Have at to the lowest degree iii people you trust read and critique your essay. For more than help, consider our ebook on essays, or hire us to coaching you lot through the process.

Mistake #6: Not applying to plenty programs

You know this is a competitive undertaking, so cast a big net.  Vi programs is the bare minimum, and only for top tier students (over 3000 hours patient intendance experience, 3.5+ GPA and strong essay).  Typical candidates (1000-3000 hours PCE and iii.2-three.five GPA) should employ to 12 or more. Everyone else (those with lower GPAs and minimal healthcare experience) should apply to 20 or more.  Yeah, it costs more than, but It'due south a numbers game, and the alternative is some other year waiting to reapply.

Mistake #seven: Non fully describing achievements, memberships, certifications, and licenses

The CASPA application has dissever sections where you are asked to list your achievements, memberships, certifications, and licenses.  Most students list them but exit the experience's description bare. If you made Dean's List, describe what that means: "Dean'due south Listing is reserved for students who achieve a 3.5 or higher GPA for any given semester."  Even if you think they will know what a phlebotomist is, or what it means that you are CPR certified, give at least some description of that achievement.  Non describing invites the reviewer to skim through this section without spending time thinking near the great things you have accomplished.  Describe everything.

Mistake #8: Not checking your application status

There are stages to the process.  Later you hit the large SUBMIT push, your job isn't over.  Every calendar week or and then you should log into CASPA to check your application's progress.  CASPA will tell you if your awarding hits a snag of some kind, and if it does, you tin can set it rapidly to avert delays.  If ane of your reference hasn't submitted their alphabetic character and a school's borderline is approaching, you can call him/her and encourage them to turn in in ASAP.  Or maybe they haven't received a transcript from Academy of Whateverville. You can all Whateverville and to figure out what's going on.

When all of your supporting documents accept been received, your application will be designated as Complete.  About ii weeks after that your courses will be checked, CASPA GPA calculated, and your application will be Verified. Verified means the fat lady has finally sung. Only so can you rest for a bit — until yous are invited to interview!

Want more help on your CASPA application?  Inside PA Training offers a comprehensive CASPA Awarding Review service and so your application will look its accented best.  We are as well in the planning stages for a webinar on making your CASPA application smoothen.  Again, if y'all have a annotate, leave information technology below. A question? Click Contact Us up pinnacle.