Common Questions for Reapplicants to PA School
Many applicants to PA School do not receive an acceptance letter. If you fall into this group, you are in good company. It’s a well-known fact that admission to PA School is competitive. The majority of those who apply are not offered a coveted seat. From my observation, it is often repeat applicants who make the best PA students (and PAs for that matter). It takes a level of determination and grit to overcome rejection and fight for your dream career. Those traits, though rare, make for excellent students and clinicians.
Here are the most common questions I receive regarding the personal statement when reapplying to PA School.
Can I reuse my personal statement from last year?
It is safe to assume that the programs you are applying to will have access to your prior personal statement. To be blunt, it would be viewed as lazy to reuse the same personal statement. But more importantly, not updating your personal statement is simply a missed opportunity.
"No man steps in a river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." -Heraclitus
You are not the same person you were when you applied last cycle. You've changed, and hopefully some of the weak points on your PA school application have changed as well. Your personal statement is the story of who you are and the journey you are on as you become a PA. When written properly, your personal statement is a magnifying glass that draws attention to your most important attributes. To reuse last year's personal statement is to neglect the most recent chapter of that story.
Just because you will need a different personal statement does not mean you’ll need to completely scrap your previous version. We’ll discuss further below.
Should I mention that I’m a repeat applicant?
Yes. When I read the personal statements of reapplicants to PA school, I notice a tendency to avoid the fact that this is a repeat application. No one likes to admit defeat, but let me assure you there is no reason to avoid the fact that you are a reapplicant. When framed properly, the fact that you are reapplying to PA school can be seen as a strength rather than a weakness.
Receiving a rejection letter for PA school is a pivotal part of your story. Many will become overwhelmingly discouraged and decide they do not wish to continue pursuing a career as a PA. Others decide they will try again next year, but do little to grow in the interim. They view applying to PA school like “rolling the dice” and believe perhaps next year will be their year.
However, the ideal reapplicant will use rejection as a catalyst for further growth and development. When writing your personal statement as a reapplicant, explain how you didn’t see it as a failure, but rather an opportunity to improve as an applicant. Explain the things you've done and how you've doubled down on your commitment to the profession.
As a PA student and as a practicing PA, you will face adversity and occasionally fall short of goals. This is unavoidable when taking on such difficult endeavors. As a reapplicant, you have an opportunity to demonstrate to the admissions committee how you respond to adversity. If you frame this section of your essay properly, it could truly give you a leg up against first-time applicants.
Do I need to completely scrap my old essay?
I know how difficult it is to write a personal statement, and the thought of rewriting yours may seem overwhelming. The good news is that you do not necessarily need to completely rewrite your essay from scratch. For most, there are many gold nuggets that should stay. Your inspiration to go into medicine, examples of patient care, and significant challenges you’ve overcome are examples of things you may choose to keep.
Chances are, you already know which portions of your personal statement are strongest and which should be revamped. I recommend asking friends or family to read your personal statement to help give you perspective on areas that need to be addressed. If possible, the perspective of a PA or PA Student could be invaluable.
What’s the first step I should take to re-write?
Evaluate your weakness. It’s our tendency to avoid our faults, but it’s crucial in this case that you lean into them. Ask programs why you were rejected. While the answer may surprise you, most likely you already know what your greatest weaknesses are.
Next step, stop calling them weaknesses. Start calling them opportunities. Trust me, it’s more than semantics. By viewing your weaknesses as areas of opportunity, you signal to yourself and PA Programs that you have a mentality of overcoming and growing.
Develop an action plan for each area of opportunity. Do this as soon as possible after receiving a rejection notice so that you will have ample time to improve your application for the next round. The positive actions you take in the weeks that follow a rejection notice will provide amazing content for your revised personal statement.
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What should be different about my new personal statement?
While much of your personal statement may remain the same, the enhancements you add to your essay will generally fall into one of two categories: “stats” and “development”.
Did you retake classes to improve your GPA? Did you earn a higher score on the GRE? Were you able to bump up your HCE from 450 to 1,600 hours? These would fall into the “stats” category. You should absolutely point out the measurable improvements between last year’s and this year’s application. While it is possible the admissions committee will recognize these changes on their own, remember to use your personal statement as a magnifying glass to draw attention to the right places.
In addition to the measurable changes, you should also include examples of immeasurable growth. The development you undergo as a person in between application cycles can be immense depending on the experiences you seek out. You will want to include this development in your essay because it shows that you prioritize personal growth and gaining life experience that will enrich your career as a PA. Whether it is an internship, volunteering, shadowing, or a job within the healthcare field, seek opportunities to discover more about your desire to go into healthcare as a PA.
Remember, your personal statement should be explaining why you want to be a PA, and examples from real life experiences are an excellent way to bring those reasons to life for the one reading your personal statement.
A Word of Encouragement
Many of the brightest PA students in my class (who are now amazing PAs) started their journey by applying to PA school more than once. You do not have to accept defeat. If you would like consultation with a PA who can coach you regarding the specifics of your situation, we’re here to help.
Need help revising your personal statement? Check out our services page to book a consultation or schedule a free 10-minute phone call to discuss your unique situation!
