Let’s be real for a second: PA school interviews can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. You’ve worked SO hard to get to this moment, and the pressure to impress while staying composed is real.

But what if you feel the tears coming on during your interview?

Is crying in an interview a total disaster? Is it an automatic “no”?

Let’s break this down with a big dose of honesty, compassion, and the behind-the-scenes perspective you really need.

First, Let’s Normalize It

If you cry during your PA school interview, you are not alone.

Admissions committees see it more than you think. We’ve seen it numerous times. This is a big moment in your life. You may be talking about something deeply personal—an experience with a patient, a loss in your family, a struggle you overcame—and it’s totally human to feel those emotions rise up.

What matters most is how you handle it and bounce back!

When Emotion Helps You (Yes, Really)

Showing **authentic** emotion can be a strength in your interview. It shows:

• You deeply care about this profession
• You’re connected to your “why”
• You have empathy and passion—two huge green flags for a future PA

If your eyes get glassy when you’re talking about a powerful patient interaction or how hard you worked to overcome a personal challenge, that’s okay – it may actually make your story more memorable and meaningful.

As long as you keep your composure and stay focused, a little emotion is not a terrible thing.

When It Might Hurt You

The moment crying becomes a problem is when it derails the interview. Here’s what we mean:

• You lose your train of thought and can’t continue
• You become visibly shaken and struggle to recover
• You leave the interviewer wondering if you can handle the emotional demands of this career

Remember, being a PA involves high-stress situations, emotional conversations, and tough cases. Admissions committees want to see that you have emotional resilience and professionalism even in difficult moments.

What to Do If You Feel the Tears Coming

First: Breathe. Slow, deep breaths through your nose can help you regulate your nervous system fast.

Then try this:

• Pause for a second: It’s totally OK to take a moment. Say something like, “This is really meaningful to me, thank you for giving me a second.”
• Keep speaking: Keep your voice steady. You can acknowledge emotion without letting it take over.
• Ground yourself: Feel your feet on the floor, press your fingers together, or take a sip of water to bring yourself back.

And if the tears fall?

It’s OK. Wipe them, smile, and keep going. You’re human. Just show them you can recover.

Practice This Ahead of Time

If you already know certain questions might bring up emotion (“Tell me about the most difficult moment in your life,” “Tell us about a time you faced obstacles?”), practice your answer aloud a lot.

The more you say it, the more control you’ll have over the emotion. You can still speak from the heart—but with clarity and confidence.

Pro tip: Practice with a real human (hi, that’s what we do at Pre-PA Clinic!) in a Mock Interview so you can get feedback and prep for these moments in a safe, supportive space.

Final Thoughts

Crying in your PA school interview is not the end of the world.

It doesn’t make you weak. It doesn’t disqualify you. It doesn’t mean you bombed.

If anything, it shows how much this dream means to you. And when handled well, that can actually help you stand out.

So if you’re heading into interviews soon, just know this: You don’t have to be a robot. You can be a real, vulnerable, passionate human—with some good interview prep to guide you.

And we’re here to help with that. 🤍

Jump into a Mock Interview so we can help you nail your interviews and feel fully confident every step of the way!