When and How to Update CASPA After Hitting Submit

Posted on July 4, 2024 By editorComments Off on When and How to Update CASPA After Hitting Submit

You’ve hit the big “submit” button on your CASPA application. First off, congrats! That’s a huge milestone. But guess what? The journey isn’t over yet. There’s still more you can do to keep your app fresh and impressive. Let’s dive into when and how you should update CASPA post-submission to keep those PA schools loving what they see.

When Should You Update CASPA?

1. New Experiences:

  • Patient Care Experience (PCE) & Healthcare Experience (HCE): If you land a new healthcare job, start shadowing another PA, or significantly increase your hours, add an entry to CASPA. These experiences can really boost your application.
  • Volunteering & Extracurriculars: Joined a new club? Volunteered at a health fair? Perfect time to update. Schools love well-rounded applicants.

2. Academic Achievements:

  • New Grades: Did you ace a summer course? Make sure you update those transcripts.
  • Certifications & Trainings: Just got BLS certified or finished a medical Spanish course? These add value to your app.

How to Update CASPA

1. New Experiences:

  • Log into your CASPA account.
  • Navigate to the “Experiences” section.
  • Add your new experience with as much detail as possible. Highlight what you learned and how it makes you a stronger PA candidate.

2. Updating Grades:

  • Once your final grades are in, have your school send the updated transcripts to the schools you applied to.

3. Certifications and Trainings:

  • Add these under the appropriate sections (like “Certifications” or “Experiences”).
  • Provide details about the certification, including the date and the certifying body.

4. Communicate with Schools:

  • Besides updating CASPA, email the PA programs you’ve applied to. Let them know about your new experiences, grades, or any other significant updates. This personal touch can make a big difference.

Pro Tips for Smooth Updates

  • Be Timely: The sooner you update, the better. Don’t wait until the last minute.
  • Be Detailed: When adding new experiences or achievements, be thorough. More detail helps schools see the full picture.
  • Don’t Overwhelm: Avoid making too many updates for minor things. Wait until you have a significant chunk of hours or a major experience before updating CASPA or contacting schools. This keeps your application strong without seeming too eager or cluttered.
  • Stay Professional: Even though you’re making updates, keep it professional and polished. Double-check for typos and errors.

Wrapping Up

Keeping your CASPA application up-to-date shows PA schools that you’re continually growing and improving. It’s a chance to highlight new achievements and experiences that make you an even better candidate. So, don’t be shy about making those updates!

Remember, every new experience and achievement gets you one step closer to your dream. Keep hustling, keep updating, and keep shining. You got this!

If you need any help with your application or have questions, feel free to reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way.