1.  With the competitive nature of the PA program, what would you recommend that would benefit me to "stand out" when applying to graduate school?

 

For our program, we have a two-tiered approach to accepting applicants.  First we look at your GPA and your scores of the graduate record examination (GRE).  We invite the top 60 candidates for an interview based on just these two factors.  So, a very strong academic record is a must.

 

Once you make it to the interview, we then look at the following:

1.  Your essays:  write them early and review them carefully for errors.  Have others read them and ask them what they think the main points are so that you can be assured that your are conveying what you mean to convey.  It is really easy to tell when an applicant has written a last minute essay and usually these are not good ones!

2.  Your letters of reference:  It is important for you to get to know professors and people in the health care field that you have worked with well so that they can write meaningful letters of reference for you.  You will be required to submit 3 letters of reference for our program.  I like to see one from a science professor, one from a health professional with whom you have worked and then someone else who knows you well.

3.  Your healthcare experience:  the best experiences are those where you have responsibility for patients AND have the opportunity to interact with physicians, PA's and nurses in a hospital or clinic setting.  

4.  Your knowledge of the PA profession:  work experience helps with this but also being involved in the pre-PA club here at UW-L, talking with PA's in the community and thoroughly reading the AAPA website are all ways to gain additional information

5.  Rigor of your undergraduate education:  we look at the number of courses you take per semester, the number of upper level biology and chemistry courses you take, and what your other activities were doing your undergraduate education.  PA school is tough so we want to know that you can be busy and still handle your academics.  

6.  Your ties to the area:  are mission statement includes training PA's to work for the areas served by our clinical partners.  So, anything you can do  to show ties to these areas or to our clinical partners is helpful

7.  Your interpersonal skills during the interview:  practice answers to common interview questions.  Attend mock interview nights in the pre-PA club and meet with career services here on campus to practice.  Everyone can benefit from practice interviews!

 

2. I have been working as a Physical Therapy Aid/Technician since June of 2014 part time. Does this job help me in any way if I wanted to go into PA school? If not, what job would help?  

 

It does help but ideally I'd like to see you work as a CNA in a hospital setting for the best experience.  

 

3. If I want to go into pediatrics as a PA, how high is the job placement the year following graduation of PA school?

 

Our overall job placement rate is 100%.  With respect to pediatrics, we don't have many students who specifically want to go into pediatrics (usually only one per year- sometimes none).  However, everyone who has wanted a job in pediatrics has been able to find one.  For instance, I have one graduate in a pediatric allergy practice and one in a pediatric orthopedic practice.  There aren't as many pediatric jobs as adult jobs, so you may have to be flexible with respect to location to find an opening.  

 

4. At UW La Crosse, I am going to play soccer. Will this in any way inhibit me while I am in the difficulty of completing my undergrad?

 

We always have a few former student athletes in our program.  It is do-able but will be difficult.  If you are a student-athlete, you will still be expected to have healthcare experience.

 

5. With going to UW La Crosse for my undergrad, will this in any way higher my chances in getting into PA school at La Crosse?  

 

It does not increase your chances of getting an interview, however, if you do make it to the interview stage, if all other factors were equal, we would typically choose the UW-L applicant over an applicant from another institution.