If you’re applying to PA school, you already know how important your CASPA application is. But there’s one section that can truly make or break your chances: your Experience Paragraphs. This is your opportunity to show admissions committees what you’ve done, what you’ve learned, and why you’re ready to succeed in PA school.

But how do you make sure your Experience Paragraphs stand out in a sea of other applicants? Let’s dive into practical tips, real examples, and common mistakes to avoid so you can craft paragraphs that make admissions teams take notice.

1. Start Strong with Context

Admissions committees won’t know what your job title or organization really entails unless you spell it out for them. Don’t make them assume or read between the lines. Go right into your strongest skills and duties for that experience. Start your paragraph by providing clear context:

• What was your role?
• Where did you work?
• What kind of setting was it (hospital, outpatient clinic, etc.)?
• What type of patients or populations did you serve?

Example: “As a medical assistant at Smith Family Practice, I worked in a busy primary care clinic serving underserved rural populations where my responsibilities included taking vital signs, performing IM injections, and scribing. The patient demographic ranged from pediatric to geriatric, with a high percentage of individuals managing chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension….”

This sets the stage for the rest of your paragraph and ensures the reader immediately understands your role.

2. Highlight Key Responsibilities and Skills

After establishing context, dive into your day-to-day duties and the skills you developed. Focus on actions that showcase your clinical knowledge, technical abilities, and patient care experience.

Use action verbs to describe what you did. For example:

• Conducted
• Assisted
• Performed
• Managed
• Coordinated

Example: “I conducted patient intake, including recording vital signs and medical histories, and assisted the provider with procedures such as wound care and joint injections. I also educated patients on medication adherence and lifestyle changes to improve health outcomes…”

This highlights a range of clinical and interpersonal skills while keeping the focus on patient care.

3. Showcase Impact and Growth

Admissions committees don’t just want to know what you did—they want to know the impact you made and what you learned from the experience.

Ask yourself:

• What difference did my work make?
• How did this experience prepare me for PA school?

Example: “This role taught me the importance of building trust with patients. I strengthened my bedside manners, attention to detail, and communication skills…”

This demonstrates your ability to connect with patients and the real-world impact of your efforts.

4. Quantify When Possible

Numbers grab attention and give admissions committees a sense of the scope of your experience. Whenever possible, quantify your responsibilities and accomplishments.

Example: “During my time in this role, I supported providers in over 1,000 patient encounters, managed inventory for 150+ medications, and trained three new medical assistants.”

This adds weight to your experience and shows your ability to handle responsibility.

5. Tie It Back to Your PA Goals

End your paragraph by connecting your experience to your future career as a PA. This shows reflection and purpose.

Example: “This role solidified my desire to become a PA by allowing me to witness the collaboration between providers and patients. It deepened my understanding of holistic care and reinforced my passion for serving underserved populations.”

This ties your experience to the “why” behind your PA aspirations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Being Too Vague: Saying “I helped patients” doesn’t explain what you actually did or the skills you gained. Be specific.
2. Focusing on the Organization, Not Yourself: Avoid spending too much time describing the clinic or hospital instead of your role within it.
3. Listing Responsibilities Without Reflection: Don’t just list tasks; explain how they shaped you and prepared you.
4. Ignoring Grammar and Spelling: Proofread carefully to ensure your paragraph is polished and professional.
5. Overloading with Jargon: Use clear, concise language instead of medical jargon that might confuse the reader.

Sample Before-and-After Paragraph

Before:
“I worked as a CNA at a nursing home. I took care of patients, helped with feeding and bathing, and reported to the nurses.”

After:
“As a certified nursing assistant at a long term care facility, I provided compassionate care to elderly residents. I assisted patients with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and feeding, while monitoring vital signs and reporting changes to the nursing staff. This experience taught me the importance of patience and empathy, especially when working with patients facing memory loss and chronic illnesses, and it reaffirmed my commitment to pursuing a career as a PA to provide comprehensive care for vulnerable populations.”

Final Thoughts

Your CASPA Experience Paragraphs are your chance to showcase your unique journey and the skills that make you a strong candidate for PA school. By providing context, highlighting your impact, and reflecting on your growth, you’ll create paragraphs that grab the attention of admissions committees and set you apart from other applicants.

Ready to craft a standout application? Start with these tips and watch your experience shine! If you’re looking for more personalized feedback, check out our VIP service where we write all your CASPA paragraphs with you 1:1 on zoom and provide expert guidance on perfecting your CASPA application.