Just like every year, the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) application cycle has started. Applicants are working hard to polish his or her PA school application to stand out amongst their competition.
This year’s CASPA Cycle 20 opened on April 30, 2020, and will close on April 15, 2021.
Filling out a CASPA application can be a very stressful and daunting task, especially when you do not really know about things you should do and avoid.
However, your application can make or break the chances of you getting interviews for PA school.
Because of this, here are a few of the most common mistakes applicants make while filling their application and how you can avoid them.
Applying Too Late
Since applying to a PA school is a bit stressful, people tend to procrastinate, which is one of the main reasons why they apply late. Sometimes applicants wait for the one last grade to be included so they can apply.
However, it is essential to know that sometimes waiting does make sense, but most of the time, submitting a late application can be very risky.
It is always a great idea to apply early. Interviewers will not save you a seat if you do not want one.
CASPA applications open in April, and most applicants prefer to apply in the same month. Sure, you can take some time, but waiting until August and September can be a huge mistake that you do not want to make.
Try to submit your application in early June to stay ahead of many applicants.
Not Mentioning Your Background
There is an identifying information section in the CASPA application in which you are supposed to put information on your upbringing.
However, most applicants do not provide this information considering it unnecessary. You do not want to do that.
In fact, this will help you get a little extra attention.
So, do not hesitate to write a brief paragraph about the place you grew up in. You can even include your family structure, so they see you as a real person and would like to interview you.
All these tips will help you stand out amongst the many. The data you will provide the reader will allow them to picture you.
Utilizing Sales Language
Another most common mistake people usually make while creating the CASPA application is they use “Sales Language” to define their experience.
For instance, people would describe their experience as “I served as a key liaison between the scribe team and providers”. Instead, they should describe it as “I communicated with both scribes and the providers”.
You must have noticed that this example uses sales words such as liaison and sound biased and complicated as well.
It merely means that if you want to be taken seriously, don’t sell your application reader a used item. Keep your language factful and neutral and let your experience speak for itself.
