Dave DuBose http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com Become a Physician Assistant Tue, 01 May 2012 22:36:52 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Getting Into The Physician Assistant School Of Your Choice: 3 Steps http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/pa-mindset/getting-into-the-physician-assistant-school-of-your-choice-3-steps/ http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/pa-mindset/getting-into-the-physician-assistant-school-of-your-choice-3-steps/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 22:33:10 +0000 Dave http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/?p=393

Hello Future PA!

In this post I wanted to give you a few steps that may help you get into the Physician Assistant School of your choice. Having been on the Admissions Committe for a Top 3 PA School, I have seen just about EVERYTHING! :-) Good, Bad and Ugly.

I will say though, that there is light at the end of the tunnel for the informed applicant. With that being said, here is a list of things that you should do to get your seat in your favorite PA Program:

Step #1: Research The School–I want you to find out as much about this school as possible. Study their website, send for their brochures etc. Learn as much as you can about their mission, type of applicant, etc. Once you know what they are looking for, then you can reverse engineer the process to fit their mold perfectly.

Step #2: Attend the Open House:–I know that this seems like a no-brainer, but I am surprised at the number of students that don’t do this simple step. Here is your chance to get belly to belly with the powers that be. Are you kidding me!? you can potentially meet the Admissions Director, key faculty members, admission committee members, current students,(http://www.HowWeGotInPASchool.com)etc. Don’t miss this easy step.

Step #3: Rise Above the Competition–I need you to exceed the minimum requirements set forth by this PA Program. Exceed their number of Health Care experience hours needed, exceed the GPA and GRE requirments, write the most compelling, heart-touching(honest) essay possible and last but not least, “Rock” the PA School interview. (http://www.PhysicianAssistantSchoolInterview.com)

There is a lot more that goes into the PA application and acceptance process, but if you master the above 3 Steps you will be so much closer to getting into the PA school of your choice.

Helping you get into PA School,

Dave
“The PA Coach”

]]> http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/pa-mindset/getting-into-the-physician-assistant-school-of-your-choice-3-steps/feed/ 0 Information On The New GRE http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/caspa/information-on-the-new-gre/ http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/caspa/information-on-the-new-gre/#comments Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:23:35 +0000 Dave http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/?p=374

This video is a bit dated but Kaplan shares with you important information regarding the changes made to the GRE. As you know this exam is required by most if not all Physician Assistant Programs, so pay attention!

Hope that helps,

Dave
“The PA Coach”

]]> http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/caspa/information-on-the-new-gre/feed/ 0 Ask The Reader:What Is Your BIGGEST Challenge To Getting Into PA School? http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/physician-assistant-discussion/ask-the-readerwhat-is-your-biggest-challenge-to-getting-into-pa-school/ http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/physician-assistant-discussion/ask-the-readerwhat-is-your-biggest-challenge-to-getting-into-pa-school/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:15:35 +0000 Dave http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/?p=368

Future PA,

I have a question for you today. I would like for you to share with me your” BIGGEST” challenge to getting into PA School. I remember when I was going through the process, I faced numerous challenges yet I overcame them.

I want to help you overcome yours as well. So please share below by leaving a comment.

Dave
“The PA Coach”

Click here to see how current PA students overcame their share of challenges.

]]> http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/physician-assistant-discussion/ask-the-readerwhat-is-your-biggest-challenge-to-getting-into-pa-school/feed/ 17 Physician Assistant School–NEVER Give Up! http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/interview-tips/physician-assistant-school-never-give-up/ http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/interview-tips/physician-assistant-school-never-give-up/#comments Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:46:30 +0000 Dave http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/?p=362

Future PA,

When others try to steal your dream of becoming a PA, watch this video:

Helping you get into PA School,

Dave
“The PA Coach”

Need to see how others did it? Click Here

]]> http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/interview-tips/physician-assistant-school-never-give-up/feed/ 0 PA School…..I QUIT http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/interview-tips/pa-school-i-quit/ http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/interview-tips/pa-school-i-quit/#comments Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:27:01 +0000 Dave http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/?p=356

I QUIT.

Is that how you feel sometimes? I know I felt that way several
times on my road to PA school.

I remember it like it was yesterday! I called my mentor and told
her in a very bold and confident tone that “I QUIT!”. She held the
phone for a few seconds and said “So just like that, you are going
to give up on a dream that you have worked so hard for?”

“You are going to “punk out” on me that easy huh?” As I held the phone
to my ear amazed that she called me a punk, I was truly embarrassed.

I said ” I don’t know if I can do this”. I just don’t feel that I
can compete with the other, better applicants”. Her next statement
practically changed my life when she said,

“If you believe in your heart that they are truly better than you,
than you have lost. But if you put that same belief in yourself,then
you WILL get in”

From that day forward I chose to believe in ME more than anything or
anyone else, and it is that belief that has shaped my life in everything
that I do.

I went on to apply and get in PA school on the first try!! I was so happy
that she didn’t let me quit or as she would say “punk out”. :-)

Sometimes we need those type of people in our lives that just won’t
let us give up. They force us to believe in ourselves.

Do you believe in yourself??? Well guess what? I believe in you and
I am not going to let you QUIT.

My mentor also took the time to put me in touch with some PA student’s
who were where I wanted to be. She said that if I could imagine myself
there,then I would one day be there.

After speaking with those students, I had a new found confidence. I
thought to myself, “If these folks could get in,then so could I”.

You are in luck because I have done the same for you! I’m about to put
you in touch with 8 current PA students who are where you wanna be.

Click below to see what I mean!

**********************************************************************
http://www.HowWeGotInPAschool.com
********************************************************************

I am so pumped to bring this to you! I hope that this will change
your life as it did mine some 14 years ago. :-)

Helping you get into PA school,

Dave
www.HowWeGotInPASchool.com

]]> http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/interview-tips/pa-school-i-quit/feed/ 0 Applying to PA School and Preparing for The Interview http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/interview-tips/applying-to-pa-school-and-preparing-for-the-interview/ http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/interview-tips/applying-to-pa-school-and-preparing-for-the-interview/#comments Wed, 21 Sep 2011 22:35:47 +0000 Dave http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/?p=349

**Below is a guest blog post from one of my former students, Kristy Fogle, PA-S. Read and Enjoy!

Hello PA school applicants for the 2011 cycle!! Some of you may be new applicants and some may be reapplicants. As many of you know, applying to PA school takes a lot of time and preparation. When gathering references, try and use some from school experience and some from work (preferably healthcare related) experience.

The schools you are applying to can easily look at your grades on the transcript, but they also want to know how you work in groups. Are you a leader? Are you a follower? Are you someone that works well in a team? I say this because a large majority of PA school is working in groups and readying yourself to work as part of the “healthcare team.” You are being primed from day one of PA school for this goal. If possible, it would be great to have someone who has been part of the “healthcare team” write you a reference i.e. PA or MD. This shows the school that someone who works in the healthcare team and learned within the medical model approves of your style of interaction.

I think one of the biggest things that I tried to sell to schools when I was applying is that I am a team player. Meaning, I know when to listen, but I also know when to stand up and lead. This was the underlying theme of my references, application essay, and interview.

The first time that I applied to PA school I did not get in. I wasn’t finished my pre-requisites, but I remember feeling like I lost a lot of confidence. For the second year, I reminded myself that this year is a new year. I continued to gain patient care hours, obtained brand new references (this is very important), and rewrote my essay. My essay had the same general concepts, but this time I discussed how I had amplified my experiences and knowledge. I wanted the programs to see that I had learned and grown in that year and that, now, I was even more ready to be a PA.

Whether you are applying for the first or second time, you want the programs to see that you are competent, a team player (I cannot stress this enough!!), and an empathetic person. Try and write about how your experience makes you a unique applicant that they cannot afford to pass by! No matter what the essay topic is for that particular year, you should try and add these things to your essay. Remember, these schools get tons and tons of applications (mine received 800 last year) so you want to stand out and not be generic. Once you peak their interests with the good grades, references, and essay you will receive an interview and the preparation continues…

Some people think they can go to the interview and, because they have an amazing background, they can just wing it. This couldn’t be further from the truth. You need to prepare. There are many books out there on how to apply and interview for PA school. I read one of them religiously. Research state and federal laws for PAs. Visit your state’s medical board website.

Have the answers to basic questions: “Why do you want to be a PA” “What is your understanding of what a PA does?” “Why would you be an asset to this program?” I also contacted PAs and asked them questions about their profession and how they deal with certain obstacles within the profession. Remember, the more you prepare, the less nervous you will be on interview day. I was still very nervous on interview day, but David DuBose, PA (The PA Coach) gave me some great advice: “Take a deep breath before you answer each question and remember, they are trying to impress you too.” He was right, it wasn’t one sided.

At both of my interviews (which I will write about later in greater length) I felt that my interviewers were doing this. With that said, practice, practice, practice the interview. I had friends and family read me interview questions from a book that I would respond to so that when the big day came, I was more than ready. Most of you have at least a month to prepare and research. This should be plenty of time. Relax and remember: Competent, team member, empathetic!!

Kristy Fogle, PA-S1
Anne Arundel Community College/ Saint Francis University
Class of 2013

***I hope that you enjoyed this post. I am honored to have Kristy write this guest post for us. We will hear more from her in the near future.

Please comment below as well as share on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks :-)

Dave,
“The PA Coach”

]]> http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/interview-tips/applying-to-pa-school-and-preparing-for-the-interview/feed/ 1 PA School: When You Feel Like Giving Up, Watch This http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/physician-assistant-discussion/pa-school-when-you-feel-like-giving-up-watch-this/ http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/physician-assistant-discussion/pa-school-when-you-feel-like-giving-up-watch-this/#comments Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:46:42 +0000 Dave http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/?p=345

Future PA,

The road to PA school can seem very long and hard. I know. I’ve been there! When you feel like giving up, you must dig deep inside and search for the will to continue towards your dream of getting into PA school. During those moments when you feel like quitting, watch the video below:

What did you think? Was that awesome or what?!?! Now get out there and make it happen.

Helping you get into PA school,

Dave
“The PA Coach”

]]> http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/physician-assistant-discussion/pa-school-when-you-feel-like-giving-up-watch-this/feed/ 8 Physician Assistant vs Nurse Practitioner http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/physician-assistant-discussion/physician-assistant-vs-nurse-practitioner/ http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/physician-assistant-discussion/physician-assistant-vs-nurse-practitioner/#comments Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:30:26 +0000 Dave http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/?p=340

In the video below I discuss the basic differences between Physician Assistant’s and Nurse Practitioner’s. I don’t mean to use the word versus in a negative way at all. It’s more so a comparison between the two highly respected fields. Turn up your speakers and watch the video below:

There you have it my friend. The major difference between these professions. I hope you enjoyed the video. Please leave me a comment below with your thoughts.

Helping you get into PA school,

Dave
“The PA Coach”

]]> http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/physician-assistant-discussion/physician-assistant-vs-nurse-practitioner/feed/ 0 Physician Assistant Programs—Why Did You Choose Ours? http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/interview-tips/physician-assistant-programs-why-did-you-choose-ours/ http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/interview-tips/physician-assistant-programs-why-did-you-choose-ours/#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 22:57:45 +0000 Dave http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/?p=337

Future PA,

In the video below I discuss how to prepare your answer for the question: Why did you apply to our Physician Assistant Program? Click on the play button and check it out.

So, are you ready to answer that question? If yes,great. If not, go ahead and start practicing your answers right now.

Helping you get into PA school,

Dave

]]> http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/interview-tips/physician-assistant-programs-why-did-you-choose-ours/feed/ 2 Physician Assistant School Interview–How To Handle Behavioral Questions http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/interview-tips/physician-assistant-interview-how-to-handle-behavioral-questions/ http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/interview-tips/physician-assistant-interview-how-to-handle-behavioral-questions/#comments Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:08:09 +0000 Dave http://gotophysicianassistantschool.com/?p=330

Future PA,

The interview is probably the MOST important part of the Physician Assistant School Interview process. You MUST do well in the interview to get accepted! In this video, I help you prepare for those tough behavioral style questions. Turn up your speakers and enjoy!

Ok. Hope you enjoyed the video. Remember to practice and prepare for these type of questions. Best of luck to you.

Dave
“The PA Coach”

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