Supplemental Applications

Congratulations on completing your CASPA application thus far! You’ve now started to go over another pivotal phase of the process - the supplemental essays. Here are some common questions you might have:

How do I start?
1. Start by visiting each school's website and carefully reading their mission statement. Highlight keywords and characteristics they value in applicants. This will help you align your experiences and qualities with their expectations.
What can I recycle/reuse between schools?
1. While you can reuse some experiences and qualities, modify your responses to each school's specific mission and values. Highlight different aspects of your background that align with each program's unique requirements.
Should I use the same experiences I included in my personal statement?
1. Although elaborating on your experiences can demonstrate how closely you align with each school’s values, it is equally important to include more examples that will give the reader a comprehensive understanding of who you are.
How do I show that I am a good fit for the program?
1. After visiting a few of the school’s mission statements - you’ll notice common words or phrases they use to express what values they’re preferred qualities in a candidate. PA programs are looking for characteristics like integrity, compassion, commitment to service, and a dedication to lifelong learning. This is your opportunity to highlight instances from your life where you've demonstrated these traits and customize your responses to show why you uniquely fit each program.

Here are examples from three accredited California PA schools and their mission statements from their website:

USC

"The Primary Care Physician Assistant Program at USC is dedicated to the advancement of physician assistant education and emphasizes service to the medically underserved. The program is committed to preparing students from diverse backgrounds to positively transform the healthcare system. Students, graduates, faculty, and staff are committed to doing this through collaboration, inclusivity, innovation, integrity, excellence, and joy."

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Focuses on PA education, serving the medically underserved, diversity, innovation, collaboration, and integrity.

Marshall B Ketchum

"Our mission is to educate individuals to become compassionate Physician Assistants who provide the highest quality health care in a collaborative environment, are dedicated to their communities, and advance the PA profession."

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Values integrity, compassion, respect, service, excellence, and lifelong learning.

Touro California

"The mission of the Physician Assistant Programs is to educate capable students from diverse backgrounds to meet the challenges of practicing medicine in collaboration with physicians and other members of the health care team. The curricula are formulated to sensitize the student to diverse populations and the complexities of healthcare delivery that influence patients and their families. Students engage in community service to foster effective communication, compassion, and dedication. We encourage research and create life-long learners trained to utilize evidence to deliver safe, effective patient-centered care to patients and their communities."

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Emphasizes education, lifelong learning, diversity, and community service.

Identify these key themes and reflect on how your experiences align with them. Demonstrate through your responses why you're not just qualified, but also a cultural fit for each program. Next, research what makes each school unique. Consider their curriculum, learning format, extracurricular opportunities, and any special programs. Show genuine interest in these aspects in your essays. Remember, this is your chance to make a strong impression before interviews. Treat your essays like a paper interview, showcasing your understanding of the program and how well you would integrate into their community.

Lastly, thorough research is your best friend. Visit websites, attend information sessions, connect with alumni or current students, and even reach out to school representatives for clarification. The more informed you are, the more compelling your essays will be. By following these steps, you'll write thoughtful and tailored responses that demonstrate your readiness and enthusiasm for each PA program. Good luck with your supplemental essays!