Duke Physician Assistant Program Admissions Blog
CASPA has officially opened. Perhaps you’ve submitted your application early. Now, after the rush of preparation, all that’s left is to wait. Yes, the long, drawn-out wait. Application review times may vary and can sometimes feel like an eternity. While this can be nerve-racking, there are some helpful ways to stay busy and prepare for your next potential steps!
Stay on Top of Your Emails, but Don’t Obsess
While it’s super important that you keep up with your application’s progress, constant checking will not make updates come any faster. It’s easy to want to obsessively refresh your inbox over and over again, but the key is to not overwhelm yourself. Instead, try pacing yourself by setting periodic times throughout the day to take a look.
Don’t worry, CASPA will do its part by automatically updating your application after it reaches certain points throughout the process. When checking, you should also ensure that all required materials like transcripts, reference letters, and other documents have been successfully received. The awesome thing about applying early is that it gives you the chance to monitor your application without the extra stress of deadlines.
Patience is Key
As tempting as it can be, try not to contact PA programs for an update on your application unless you must. If your application materials were received and your statuses are checked out, it likely means that your application is in the review queue alongside other applicants. Reaching out too early may unintentionally come off as impatient. Trust the process and stay patient!
Keep Earning Patient Care Hours
You don’t want to pause your progress just because you finally submitted your application. Keep the hard work going! Continue to gain patient care experience by working and volunteering. This shows your devotion and commitment to the PA profession, and not to mention…It keeps you competitive!
Take Care of Yourself
Honestly, “what-ifs” and questions are normal. It’s easy to get discouraged, especially if this isn’t your first time applying. However, your best bet is to try and stay focused and keep a positive mindset. This may be easier said than done, but the truth is you never know what the outcome this time may be. That being said, try your best to stay away from PA forums and sites that promote negativity. Instead, you can try focusing on other (productive) activities that make you happy. This can be going for relaxing hikes, maybe spending quality time with family, or even teaching yourself a new hobby that can keep you busy. Additionally, you can use this period to grow your knowledge and skills. Doing so displays just how dedicated you are.
Reapplying is NOT the End of the Road
If you have to reapply, know that it is still okay and that the journey is not over. This doesn’t mean that you failed, the process just takes time. This is more common than you may think, not everyone gets in on the first try. It often takes multiple tries to get to the destination that you want, but it will all be worth it in the end. Remember “If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try, and try again!
The wait can be brutal but look at how far you’ve come!
Think about all the hard work you’ve put in to get to this point and let this motivate you. Use this time to get excited and stay grounded in why you wanted to start your PA journey in the first place. We hope that these tips can provide you with extra support when you need it the most. Good luck!
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The Duke Physician Assistant Program Admissions Blog presents information based on the experiences of Duke PA Program staff and faculty. While the information provided is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication, requirements can change. Please visit the Duke PA Program website for the most up-to-date information.
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