PA School Application Strategy for Pennsylvania Students
Getting into PA school in Pennsylvania requires more than meeting the minimum requirements. Here is how to build an application that stands out — from CASPA to the interview room.
CASPA: The Central Application
CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants) is the application platform used by virtually all accredited PA programs in Pennsylvania. You submit one application through CASPA, which is then verified and sent to your selected programs. Each program may also require a supplemental application with additional essays or fees. CASPA opens in late April each year.
| Timeline | Action |
|---|---|
| January–March | Request letters of recommendation. Give your writers at least 6–8 weeks. At least one letter should be from a PA or physician who has supervised your clinical work. |
| February–April | Draft and refine your personal statement. Have it reviewed by a physician or PA. Pennsylvania programs — especially Arcadia and Drexel — read thousands of personal statements. Yours needs to be specific and compelling. |
| Late April | CASPA opens for the new cycle. Begin entering your application immediately. Do not wait until it is "perfect" — submit early and update if needed. |
| May–June | Submit CASPA as early as possible. Early submission = early review at most Pennsylvania programs. Arcadia and Drexel begin reviewing applications as soon as they are verified. |
| June–August | Complete supplemental applications for individual programs. Drexel, Jefferson, and Arcadia all have supplemental essays. Pay attention to each program's specific prompts. |
| August–December | Interviews. Drexel uses MMI format. Arcadia and Jefferson use traditional panel interviews. Prepare for both. |
| October–March | Decisions released. Deposit deadlines vary by program. If waitlisted, send a letter of continued interest. |
Dr. Tomei's Perspective
The Personal Statement
CASPA gives you 5,000 characters (roughly 750–800 words) for your personal statement. This is your single most important written component. It needs to answer three questions clearly:
Not "I want to help people" — that's not an answer. Why PA specifically, and not MD, NP, or nursing? What experiences led you here? Pennsylvania programs — especially Drexel and Jefferson — see thousands of personal statements. Yours needs to be specific.
What patient care experiences have prepared you for the rigors of PA school? Be specific — name the settings, describe what you did, and explain what you learned. CNA work at Penn Medicine, EMT work in Philadelphia, scribing at UPMC — these are compelling.
What is your trajectory? Where are you going, and how does PA school fit into that path? Pennsylvania programs want to see that you have thought seriously about this decision.
Dr. Tomei's Perspective
Letters of Recommendation
Who to Ask
Pennsylvania PA programs want letters from people who have supervised your clinical work — a PA, physician, or other healthcare provider who has seen you with patients. Academic letters from professors are secondary. If you've worked as a CNA at Penn Medicine or UPMC, your supervising nurse or physician is your best LOR source.
What They Need to Say
The strongest letters speak specifically to your clinical skills, patient interactions, and professional behavior. Generic letters ("she was a great student") are weak. Give your writers a summary of your experiences, your personal statement, and specific examples they can reference. Pennsylvania programs — especially Arcadia and Drexel — can tell the difference.
How Many Letters
Most Pennsylvania PA programs require 3 letters. Arcadia and Jefferson require at least one from a PA or physician. Drexel strongly prefers a letter from a PA. Check each program's requirements carefully — submitting the wrong type of letter can disqualify your application.
Pennsylvania-Specific Supplemental Essays
Most competitive Pennsylvania PA programs require supplemental essays beyond the CASPA personal statement. These essays are program-specific and require genuine research into each program's mission, curriculum, and values.
Arcadia University
Prompt: Why Arcadia? Why PA?Arcadia values global health and interprofessional education. Reference specific Arcadia programs — their global health track, their simulation center, their clinical rotation sites. Generic "I love your program" essays are rejected.
Drexel University
Prompt: Diversity statement and research interestDrexel's diversity mission is genuine. If you have a diverse background, lived experience, or commitment to underrepresented communities, this is the place to articulate it. Research experience is also valued — mention any research background.
Thomas Jefferson University
Prompt: Why Jefferson? Interprofessional experience.Jefferson's interprofessional education model is distinctive. Reference specific Jefferson Health clinical sites, their JeffConnect telehealth program, or their interprofessional curriculum. Show you understand what makes Jefferson different.
Duquesne University
Prompt: Mission alignment and community serviceDuquesne's Catholic mission emphasizes service and ethical practice. Reference your community service experience, your commitment to underserved populations, and how your values align with Duquesne's mission.
Interview Preparation for Pennsylvania PA Programs
Pennsylvania PA programs use a mix of interview formats. Drexel uses MMI (Multiple Mini Interview). Arcadia and Jefferson use traditional panel interviews. Duquesne uses a combination. Prepare for both formats.
Common Pennsylvania PA Interview Questions
- →Why PA and not MD or NP?
- →Tell me about a challenging patient care experience.
- →How do you handle disagreement with a supervising physician?
- →What do you know about the PA profession's current challenges?
- →Describe a time you made a mistake and how you handled it.
- →Why this program specifically?
- →Where do you see yourself practicing in 10 years?
- →How have your patient care experiences prepared you for PA school?
- →What does interprofessional collaboration mean to you? (Jefferson-specific)
- →How would you contribute to our program's diversity? (Drexel-specific)
MMI Format at Drexel: What to Expect
Drexel's MMI stations are 6–10 minutes each, with a brief reading period before each station. Scenarios may include ethical dilemmas, role-play situations, policy questions, or personal reflection prompts. You are scored on communication, critical thinking, and professionalism — not on whether you arrive at the "right" answer. Practice thinking out loud and structuring your responses clearly. Drexel's MMI is known for being rigorous — prepare seriously.
Dr. Tomei's Perspective
How Many Programs to Apply To
Minimum recommended
8–10 programs
Below this, you're taking a significant risk.
Typical competitive applicant
12–15 programs
Mix of reach, match, and safety programs.
If stats are borderline
15–20 programs
Cast a wider net. Include programs outside Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania PA programs — with the exception of Lock Haven University — are private institutions and do not have in-state preference. Arcadia, Drexel, Jefferson, Duquesne, and Saint Francis accept students from anywhere. Don't limit yourself to Pennsylvania — apply to programs in neighboring states (New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware) if your stats warrant it.
Dr. Tomei's Perspective
Waitlist Strategy for Pennsylvania PA Programs
Being waitlisted at a Pennsylvania PA program is not a rejection — it is an invitation to demonstrate continued interest. A well-written letter of continued interest, sent in February or March, can move you off the waitlist.
Send a letter of continued interest in February or March — not immediately after being waitlisted.
Reference specific things that have happened since your interview — new patient care hours, a meaningful clinical experience, a course you completed.
Reaffirm your commitment to that specific program — mention something specific about their curriculum, clinical sites, or mission.
Keep the letter to one page. Admissions committees are busy.
Do not send multiple letters — one well-written letter is more effective than three generic ones.
Continue accumulating patient care hours while on the waitlist. Programs want to see ongoing commitment.
Need help choosing PA programs and building a competitive application? MedTrack Mentors provides physician-led PA admissions advising, school-list strategy, essay guidance and interview preparation. Prerequisite courses and patient care hour requirements vary by program — always verify directly with each program before applying.
Learn About PA AdvisingReady to Build a Competitive PA Application?
Dr. Tomei works with pre-PA students on every component of the CASPA application — personal statement, school list, interview prep, and strategy. Schedule a free 20-minute application audit to get started.