Why You NEED a PA Letter of Recommendation (and the Easiest Ways to Get One)
If you’re applying to PA school and trying to figure out how to make your application more competitive, this is one area you cannot afford to overlook:
👉 A strong letter of recommendation from a Physician Assistant/Associate.
We know — letters of rec can feel awkward, intimidating, and confusing. Especially if you don’t know a PA yet or you’re early in the process.
But here’s the truth:
A PA letter of recommendation is one of the highest-impact, lowest-effort ways to strengthen your application!
Let’s break down why PA schools care so much, and then walk through realistic, proven strategies to help you earn a strong PA letter — even if you’re starting from zero.
Why PA Letters of Recommendation Matter So Much
PA schools aren’t just evaluating your grades, hours, and test scores. They’re asking a much deeper question:
Does this applicant truly understand the PA role — and are they a good fit for it?
A PA letter of recommendation helps answer that question in a way no other letter can.
While CASPA allows letters from professors, supervisors, physicians, and other professionals (all of which can be great), a PA letter adds something unique:
- It shows you’ve spent time with someone in the role you’re applying for
- It confirms that you understand what being a PA actually looks like day-to-day
- It tells admissions committees, “This PA sees potential in this applicant”
Even when a PA letter isn’t listed as “required” for a program, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU GET ONE ANYWAY! It’s often strongly recommended — and quietly expected.
One of the Easiest Ways to Make Your Application More Competitive
Here’s something we see every cycle:
So many applicants either:
- Don’t have a PA letter at all
- Wait too long to try to get one
- Or submit a rushed, generic PA letter
When an admissions committee reads a thoughtful, specific PA letter, it immediately elevates the entire application.
If you’re looking for a way to stand out without adding hundreds of extra hours or retaking classes, this is one of the smartest moves you can make.
How to Actually Get a PA Letter of Recommendation
There is no single “right” way to get a PA letter — but there are multiple realistic paths. You only need one strong relationship.
1. Shadowing a PA (But Do It the Right Way)
Shadowing is still one of the most common and effective ways to build a PA relationship — but timing matters.
One of the biggest mistakes we see is asking for a letter after just a few hours of shadowing.
Our general recommendation:
👉 Aim for ~20 hours of shadowing before asking for a letter.
This allows the PA to:
- Observe your professionalism
- See your curiosity and engagement
- Get to know you as a person — not just a name
Remember: strong letters come from relationships, not just hours.
2. Volunteering Your Way Into a PA Connection
This is one of the most underrated strategies.
If you volunteer at:
- A free or low-cost medical clinic
- A community health center
- A hospital or outpatient facility
There’s a good chance PAs work there — even if you don’t interact with them immediately.
Here’s how this plays out successfully:
- You volunteer consistently
- You show up prepared and professional
- You become a familiar, reliable presence
Then, when appropriate, you introduce yourself to the PA staff and express interest in learning more about the PA role.
You’re no longer a random student — you’re someone they already trust.
3. Leverage Your Current HCE or PCE Job
If you’re already working in healthcare (CNA, MA, EMT, scribe, tech, etc.), you may be sitting on your best opportunity.
Look around your workplace:
- Is there a PA on your unit or in your clinic?
- In a department you interact with?
- Upstairs or downstairs on a different floor of the hospital?
- Someone you could learn from more intentionally?
Your goal isn’t to ask for a letter right away.
Your goal is to:
- Build rapport
- Ask thoughtful questions
- Learn from their path
- Be excellent at your job
Over time (again, aim for 20+ hours with that PA), that relationship can naturally turn into mentorship — and eventually, a strong letter of recommendation.
4. Cold Outreach (Yes, This Works — Especially on LinkedIn)
This one surprises a lot of students, but it works really well when done correctly.
LinkedIn is one of the best platforms for pre-PAs to connect with PAs because:
- You can search by location
- Filter by job title (Physician Assistant)
- Narrow by specialty
LinkedIn tends to have a higher response rate than Instagram or random emails because it’s designed for professional networking.
Keep your message:
- Short
- Respectful
- Low-pressure
You only need one PA to say yes.
5. Know When (and How) to Ask
Timing matters.
Before asking for a PA letter, ask yourself:
- Do they know me well enough to write specifics?
- Have they seen my work ethic or professionalism?
- Could they genuinely recommend me?
When you ask, always:
- Give plenty of notice
- Ask for a strong letter (this matters)
- Provide your resume and application materials
- Be clear about deadlines
- Ask in the CASPA cycle you are applying in! (LORs do NOT roll over)
Make it easy for them to help you.
Final Encouragement
We know this part of the process can feel intimidating.
But here’s something important to remember:
PAs were once pre-PAs too.
Most of them remember:
- How confusing this process felt
- How nerve-wracking it was to ask for help
- How meaningful it was when someone said yes
You are not being inappropriate.
You are asking for mentorship — and that’s how this profession grows.
The Bottom Line
A PA letter of recommendation is one of the most powerful tools you can use to strengthen your PA school application.
With the right strategy, it’s not only achievable — it’s one of the smartest moves you can make this cycle.
And as always, we’re cheering you on every step of the way 🤍