You’re in the middle of jumping through all the hoops to fulfilling your dreams of becoming a PA…all that you are accomplishing is truly amazing…but if you have not yet applied this cycle, then it’s time to really take a look at where you are and what’s holding you back if you had initially planned to apply this cycle. Deadlines are zooming past, and the last thing we want is for you to miss out on your dream because of missed PA school application deadlines. So let’s talk about some actionable tips to ensure you don’t miss any crucial deadlines, and if it’s too late for you to apply.

We get asked all the time…is it too late to apply this cycle? And the answer is “maybe”. If you have listened to us for any amount of time, you know that one of the most important parts of your entire application is picking the right schools for you and YOUR stats. So if the schools that you matched with best – the ones that you were competitive for – if those deadlines have passed, then you may want to consider using the rest of this cycle to beef up your application AND to use this time to get your app ready, so you can submit early when the new cycle opens. 

Another thing to consider is how many PA school prerequisites do you have that are outstanding? What are you waiting on and when will you have it completed? Are you waiting on a final grade? Or a LOR? When will you have your outstanding items complete? If you are going to be cutting it really close to your school deadlines, particularly if it is a school with rolling admissions, is there a way to speed up getting these items checked off so you can apply sooner? Maybe schools on your list allow outstanding prereqs, or maybe you can see if your LOR writer is willing to expedite writing your LOR. If not, maybe waiting to apply next cycle when your ducks are in a row and you have everything completed may be better for you.

Finally, how much of your application is completed? Have you written any of your CASPA descriptions or personal statement or supplemental essays? All of these take a lot of time – especially if you don’t want your app to be put in the “no” pile. Putting together your CASPA app is not something you can do in a few hours. It takes lots of time to create a competitive application, and it’s really important you don’t rush through the application process because this will result in a weaker application. We see this every single year, and unfortunately the rushed apps go into the “no” pile because they aren’t as professional or compelling. So take the time to craft a stellar personal statement and write strong CASPA descriptions. And if you really want to submit this cycle and don’t want to miss anymore deadlines but are pressed for time – sign up for a VIP Day with us where we meet you on Zoom and write your PS and CASPA descriptions – so you know these are super strong and complete and ready to submit on CASPA. Definitely consider doing this if you want your most competitive application but haven’t really started or are only halfway through. 

Okay, so we touched on a few things that will help you determine your timing, and now we want to give you some tips to help get your gears in motion to get your app submitted: 

1. Harness the Fear of Missing Out to Motivate You

You’ve probably experienced FOMO in various aspects of life – missing out on a fun party, a great opportunity, or a memorable experience. Now, let’s apply that to your PA school dreams. Picture the incredible journey ahead – the lives you’ll impact, the friends you’ll make, the challenges you’ll conquer, and the personal growth you’ll experience as a PA student and PA. Now, flip the script. Imagine what you’d be missing out on if you let those application deadlines pass by – the sense of fulfillment, the chance to make a difference in healthcare, the ability to make an excellent living and the money to do the things you love like travel, and the personal satisfaction of achieving your dream career. Don’t let regret take a foothold…let the fear of missing out drive you toward success.

2. Create a Visual Countdown

Remember the excitement of counting down the days until summer vacation during your school days? Recreate that excitement now with a visual countdown. Place a large calendar that you can’t miss in your workspace or on the fridge or where you study…somewhere you see it every single day. As each day passes, mark it off with a bold “X.” Seeing those Xs accumulate is a powerful reminder of how close the application deadlines are getting. It’s like having a friendly countdown clock urging you to stay focused, stay on track, and take action. The visual countdown is your daily motivation to make the most of the time you have left.

3. Set SMART Goals

To avoid the stress of last-minute rushes, set smart goals for yourself. Break down the application process into smaller, manageable tasks, each with its own deadline and put it in your planner. For example, your goal could include completing your personal statement draft by a certain date, securing your letters of recommendation by another, and finishing your CASPA application. This approach of breaking it all down into smaller chunks makes it much more manageable, keeps you organized and also ensures that you make steady progress toward your goal of submitting a strong application.

4. Invest in Expert Guidance

While everything you have to do to submit is overwhelming , there’s a shortcut to success – our VIP Days will get you to the finish line fast and with an outstanding competitive application. Its a way of fast-tracking your path to PA school while ensuring that your application stands out among the competition.

So, if you haven’t applied yet this cycle and were really hoping and planning on hitting submit this cycle, really take all the things into consideration and mark out your next steps. Make an action plan and stick to it. No wavering allowed. There’s no right or wrong answer between applying this cycle or next, just what’s right for you where you are now and making sure you have everything lined up to create a competitive application so you aren’t wasting your money applying with a app that isn’t excellent.