New Year’s Resolution Ideas for PA School Applicants 

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Duke Physician Assistant Program Admissions Blog


As we enter this new year, we have some suggestions of attainable resolutions that will further you along your path to becoming a PA and prepare you for your time in PA school.    

  • Identify self-care routines – PA school is hard work. Most PAs will tell you it was worth it, but there’s no denying the fact that sometimes the journey is stressful. Think about what self-care looks like for you and how you might intentionally incorporate those activities into your time.   
  • Identify support systems – No amount of self-care can substitute for having people in your corner.  Who can you draw upon once you are in school? You’ll meet a lot of great classmates, but consider what additional support you might need. For you, maybe it’s friends or family. Perhaps it’s a therapist or researching future supports and accommodations.   
  • Find a concrete way to improve your application – We all dream of being the “perfect” applicant, when in reality, there is no such thing. Still, sometimes there are specific areas that could use some attention; take some time to brainstorm ideas to give you that edge.
  • Take a GRE prep course – The GRE may not hold as much weight for a lot of schools as it once did, but if you are nervous about taking it, do some legwork. If you are the type who needs to check items off a list, a GRE prep course is a great way to do something tangible to improve your application.    
  • Find your references – Don’t scramble for references at the last minute! Start a list of potential recommenders now. Schools have varying requirements as to the type of references needed; a certain number of health care providers, for instance. Beyond specific requirements, schools also value references from people who are most familiar with your abilities and potential.  
  • Search for scholarship opportunities – Every bit of money you can save through PA school will help. Think about what makes you unique and see if there are any scholarship opportunities geared toward you. You can also look for state and school-specific opportunities. This is a good time to browse the scholarships and financial aid sections on schools’ websites.   
  • Resolve to spend time volunteering – It’s true that volunteering can add to an application, but if you are going into a health care career, you probably find joy in helping others, which is a great reason all on its own.

If you have any other resolutions as you head towards PA school, let us know!


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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