So, you’ve submitted your CASPA application. You were feeling pretty good about it. You clicked submit, and then the waiting game began. Maybe you even felt a little buzz of excitement at first. But now… nothing. Crickets. Or worse, you’ve been getting rejection letters instead of those long-awaited interview invites.

We get it—it’s frustrating, discouraging, and you’re left wondering what went wrong. Here’s the thing: if you’re not hearing back from schools like you hoped, or if you’re seeing those rejection emails pile up, it could be one of two reasons. Either you picked the wrong schools for your stats, or your CASPA application doesn’t highlight you in the best way.

Today, let’s focus on the first reason: Did you pick the right schools for your stats?

Not All PA Schools Are Created Equal

One of the biggest mistakes pre-PAs make is applying to schools without paying enough attention to how their stats align with the school’s requirements and what they value. We’re talking about things like your GPA (both cumulative and science), GRE scores, shadowing, volunteering, and the amount of patient care experience you’ve racked up.

The reality is that each PA school has its own set of requirements, and they can vary a lot. Some schools might have a minimum cumulative GPA requirement of 3.0 but prefer applicants with a 3.5 or higher. Others may weigh your patient care experience more heavily than your GPA. There are even schools that don’t care about the GRE at all, while some schools require it and expect high scores.

So, how do you know if you picked the right schools?

How to Know If You Picked the Right Schools for Your Stats

Here are a few things you can do to make sure your school choices match your stats:

1. Check the Class Profile of Accepted Students
   Many PA schools publish the average stats of their most recent incoming class on their website. Look up this information! If your GPA, GRE scores, or patient care hours are below the averages they post, that school might not be the best match for you.
2. Compare the Minimum Requirements vs. Your Stats
   Minimum requirements are just that—the minimum. Sure, a school might say they require a minimum 3.0 GPA, but if you have a 3.1 and their accepted students have an average GPA of 3.6, you’re probably not going to be their top choice. Look for schools where your stats are above or around the school’s average.
3. Pay Attention to How They Prioritize Experience
   Some PA schools place a huge emphasis on patient care hours, while others might care more about academic performance. If you’re stronger in one area (like experience) but weaker in another (like GPA), try to find schools that align with your strengths. For example, some schools require over 2,000 hours of patient care experience and will prioritize that over slightly lower GPAs.
4. Use PA School Tools
   Our PA School Directory inside Application to Acceptance Course is specifically designed to help you match your stats to schools. These tools let you filter schools based on your GPA, patient care hours, and more. While these databases aren’t perfect, they can help you narrow down your choices.

Real Talk: Re-Evaluating Your Schools

If you’ve already submitted your application and aren’t getting the results you hoped for, it might be time to re-evaluate your school choices. Take a hard look at your stats and see if the schools you applied to were realistic options for you. If not, add some schools now that you are a great fit for to increase your chances this cycle.

Don’t Let Stats Be the Only Thing Holding You Back

Remember, stats aren’t everything. Even if your numbers are lower than you’d like, a well-rounded application that tells your unique story can still get you noticed. But stats do matter, and picking the right schools where your numbers are competitive can save you a lot of heartache.

If this all sounds overwhelming, don’t worry. We’ve got a free Masterclass that dives deeper into how to pick the right PA schools for you based on your stats, giving you the best shot at getting accepted. Click here to watch the Masterclass now!

You’re not alone in this process. Let’s get you back on track and into the right PA schools for you!