The days of sitting down for a simple interview are over. Admission into PA school have become more elaborate in the past two decades in an effort to find students who best fit each program
Many schools have multiple interviews, school tours, Q and A sessions, and activities or tests for pre-PA students, and more….it’s gotten quite complicated.
If you don’t come mentally prepared to take a personality quiz or write an essay, these types of activities might throw you off your game… which could compromise your ability to highlight yourself successfully.
Be prepared for every eventuality so you can grab that seat. Read below for a list of a few things you might experience during your PA school interview.
Here are a few things you might experience on interview day:
Private interview: Whether it’s just 1:1 or you’re sitting in front of an entire panel, expect all eyes to be on you at some point. This is your chance to state your case and show the admissions committee why you would make an excellent addition to their next class! Make sure to be professional but also personable. Let them get to know the real you and stay genuine and passionate about your future profession.
Group interview– In addition to private interviews, some schools do group interviews or some form of group problem solving. One of the main things we look for is how you interact in a group. Remember being a PA means being part of a healthcare TEAM, and we want to see how you function in a team environment. Don’t dominate the entire conversation, but also don’t be a wallflower. Clear communication and teamwork are essential here!
Essay- You might be expected to write an essay or short answer to a health prompt. Make sure to bring a pen just in case! Keep an open mind and remember to follow the instructions given when completing any type of assignment on interview day.
Test– You might take a medical terminology test or even a personality test. Just do your best and don’t stress out about these.
Critical thinking- You might have to solve a logic problem that relies more on your thinking skills than actually knowledge. Thinking out loud and asking (is allowed) thoughtful questions, and being creative with your answer can really help you shine on interview day!
Student interaction– You might interact with current or past PA students during your interview. This could be a formal-type of interview setting or an informal question and answer session. It’s good to get a student perspective on the school you want to attend, but remember to stay professional at all times, even during these more casual student interactions.
These are just a few of the things you might encounter on interview day! It’s best to be prepared so you don’t freak out when schools throw you a curveball.
Remember, the most important part of interview day is convincing the school you are a right fit for their program (and making sure it’s a right fit for you)!
Our rule: if you get an interview invite, you should definitely land a seat! All you have to do is highlight your strengths and explain weaknesses in the right way. Go from having average answers to outstanding answers in our Mock Interview where we will make sure you are prepared to grab that seat and finally start your dream career!