Veterans are central to the history of the PA profession. Their service and dedication have helped to grow the foundation of the field into what it is today. For a small PA history lesson, it all started with Dr. Eugene A. Stead, Jr., MD, who saw the need for additional medical assistance following World War II and looked to expand access to care in rural and underserved communities. The first class consisted of 3 Navy Corpsmen, whose military medical training and experience played a major role in its establishment.

Since the infamous year 2020, there has been a major shift in how things are done. Although some time has passed since that first move to remote life, virtual platforms still play a big role in how our world operates today. Interviews are no exception. 

Duke Physician Assistant Program Admissions Blog There is a lot that goes into the waiting period between submitting CASPA and getting an interview. Like we mentioned in previous blogs, the wait can seem extremely long, but it’s a great chance to plan ahead. Being prepared can make things less stressful and take some of the weight off your shoulders.

Duke Physician Assistant Program Admissions Blog Here at the Duke PA program, we take pride in our strong history and deep roots. We encourage our students to feed into their personal development, collaborate, and connect to the community through service.

CASPA has officially opened. Perhaps you’ve submitted your application early. Now, after the rush of preparation, all that’s left is to 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!

Our own Dr. April Stouder talks about what the Duke PA Program looks for in a student

Many students worry that if they are not prepared to apply to a physician assistant program in concert with the end of their undergraduate degree, they are hurting their chances of getting into PA school at all. But did you know that only about 7% of our students in a given year come directly from college? For many, college is where the path to PA begins, but we do not believe that's where it must end.

You have successfully conquered the hurdle that is CASPA; now what? Most schools have a supplemental or secondary application that asks for additional information. Every school wants to get to know the “real you,” and supplementals go a long way towards filling in the blanks that standardized applications cannot.

Enhancing your application to PA programs extends beyond just showcasing your academic and technical proficiency. While a strong GPA and substantial healthcare experience are undeniably valuable, admissions committees are increasingly recognizing the importance of soft skills.  You can frequently highlight them in your application through the essays or by demonstrating them with your choices of patient care work, volunteering, or extracurriculars. 

You’ve finished (or are finishing) your prerequisites. You have the required number of patient care hours. You have written your own mission statement and figured out where you want to apply. And the moment you have waited for is here!