Pearls
-- Interview
•
Your acceptance is based on the "whole picture"; not solely
your grades, your experience, or your people skills, but the accumulation
of them all.
•
As the school is interviewing you, you are interviewing the school.
•
Just. Be. Yourself. Schools have heard all the canned answers to typical
interview questions before. Take a step back and reflect on the path
you are choosing for yourself and your life. Be clear and honest with
what you say, and mean it whole-heartedly.
•
Eat something before the interview! It will help soothe a nervous stomach,
and cut down on the hungry-stomach growling noises that can be embarrassing
during an interview!
•
Remember that you are interviewing the program as well! They are trying
to impress you just as much as you are trying to impress them. Bring
questions you have about the profession, the PA student experience,
and the program itself to faculty, staff and current students. This
will help you get a better sense of what the program values, typical
student life, and life after PA school.
Preparing
for the interview:
•
Prepare for commonly asked questions. Do your research on the internet
on FAQ's of the PA interview.
•
Become familiar with a couple current health care issues affecting the
PA profession prior going to interviews.
•
Be prepared to know and explain the difference between a PA
and an NP, and a PA and a physician.
•
Before interviewing for PA school, reflect on why you chose the PA profession.
That question never fails to be asked in an interview.
•
Being well informed about the profession, the directors of the program
will sense your passion.
•
Research the PA program, the profession, and important current events
affecting PA's.
•
Wear a nice suit or other professional attire for the interview.
•
Interview at a few different programs so you can assess the strengths
and weakness of each program to find the best program for you.
The
interview
•
Don't be late to the interview
•
Be yourself during your interviews. The only thing that matters is that
you can confidently be yourself.
•
Don't argue with the interviewer
•
If you don't know the answer, don't fake it!
•
Smile, speak clearly, and make eye contact during your interview.
•
It is okay to ask your interviewers questions at the end of the interview,
such as what they like about their profession and if they have any advice
for you as a future PA.
Thank your interviewers
at the end of your interview.
