One of the most important letters of recommendation (LORs) for your CASPA application is from a physician assistant—and for good reason. PA schools want to see that a practicing PA can vouch for your understanding of the profession, your work ethic, and your potential as a future PA.

But what if you don’t have a PA LOR yet?

Don’t panic—there’s still time to secure a strong letter, even if you’re applying soon. In this post, we’ll cover:
✅ Why a PA letter is non-negotiable for your application
✅ How to get a PA LOR fast (even if you haven’t shadowed a PA yet)
✅ Other great LORs to strengthen your application alongside your PA letter

Let’s dive in!

Why You MUST Have a PA Letter of Recommendation

Some students think they can get into PA school with just strong LORs from physicians, nurses, or professors. Unfortunately, that’s not usually the case.

PA schools expect at least one letter from a practicing PA because:

• It proves you understand the PA profession.
• It shows that a PA believes you have the skills and qualities needed to succeed.
• Most programs require a PA LOR—if you don’t have one, your application may be incomplete or automatically rejected.

Even if a school doesn’t require it, not having a PA letter weakens your application and could hurt your chances compared to other applicants who submitted one.

So, what can you do if you don’t have one yet?

How to Get a PA Letter of Recommendation Fast

If you’re short on time, here’s how to secure a PA letter before CASPA deadlines:

1. Shadow a PA ASAP

• Reach out to local clinics, hospitals, urgent cares, or private practices.
• If in-person shadowing isn’t available, use virtual PA shadowing options to network like PA-Cers Membership, which counts as both shadowing hours and a professional membership on CASPA.
• Even a few quality shadowing sessions can be enough to build a relationship and request a LOR.

2. Work with a PA (or Observe in a Clinical Setting)

• If you work in patient care (CNA, MA, EMT, scribe, etc.), find a PA you interact with regularly and express your interest in applying.
• Even if you haven’t shadowed them in a traditional sense, they’ve observed your work ethic, professionalism, and communication skills—which makes for a strong letter.

3. Network with PAs Through Pre-PA Events or Social Media

• Attend PA school open houses or pre-PA networking events.
• Join PA-related Facebook groups or LinkedIn communities and connect with PAs.
• Some PAs are open to providing mentorship and letters if you engage with them professionally and demonstrate genuine interest in the field.

4. Ask a PA You’ve Previously Shadowed or Worked With

• Even if your PA shadowing was a while ago, reach out and ask if they remember you.
• Remind them of specific experiences from your time shadowing (ex: “I loved observing your interactions with patients, especially when you explained treatment options clearly to them.”).
• Offer to provide your resume and personal statement to help them write a strong letter.

Other Strong Letters of Recommendation to Include

While a PA letter is strongly recommended to be a competitive applicant, other LORs in your CASPA application should also be from people who can speak to your strengths, skills, and professionalism.

Here are the best options:

1. A Healthcare Supervisor or Provider

• A physician, NP, or RN you’ve worked closely with in a clinical setting can provide a strong letter.
• This reinforces your patient care experience and shows that another healthcare provider values your skills.

2. A Professor or Academic Mentor

• A science professor can vouch for your academic ability and perseverance.
• Choose someone who knows you beyond just your grades and can speak to your work ethic, critical thinking, and growth.

3. A Clinical Employer or Work Supervisor

• If you’ve worked in healthcare or a leadership role, a supervisor’s letter can highlight your professionalism, leadership, and teamwork.
• This is especially helpful if you’ve taken on extra responsibilities or shown strong patient interaction skills.

What to Avoid:

🚫 Letters from friends, family, your personal provider, or PAs who don’t know you well
🚫 Generic letters that don’t provide specific examples of your strengths
🚫 LORs from people who barely interacted with you professionally

Final Thoughts: Take Action Now

A PA letter of recommendation is essential for your CASPA application—but even if you don’t have one yet, you still have time to secure a strong letter before you apply.

✅ Start shadowing or networking with PAs as soon as possible
✅ Reach out to past shadowing or clinical supervisors