Applying on CASPA
Personal Information
Academic History
Supporting Information
Program Materials
CASPA Tips
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You can play around with CASPA before you apply (just be sure not to request recommendations or transcripts before you are ready to apply)
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If you make a CASPA account early, you can use it to apply to your desired cycle, even if you made it before that cycle opens (it will clear everything you enter, so track your progress elsewhere)
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Track everything you do on a spreadsheet even if it seems insignificant (certifications, volunteer hours, awards, leadership opportunities, etc.)
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Do Not Rush- Take the time to work on each section diligently. Your personal information is typically the quickest and easiest, so definitely start there. Transcript entry and patient care experience/ health care experience tend to be the most tedious, so work on these one at a time.
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The CASPA "Quickstart" and "FAQ" pages are great resources for additional tips.
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High School attended
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College(s) attended
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Transcript entry
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Standardized test
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​You will need to put in a request for an official transcript from all universities you have attended
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Release Statement
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Biographic information
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Contact information
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Citizenship information
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Race and ethnicity
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Other information
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Family information
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Environmental factors ​
This section is easy to fill out and can be done at any point in the application process. Make sure everything is correct, especially your contact information so that PA schools can get in touch with you about your application status/ interviews ​​
Personal Information
What is included in this section?​
Academic History
What is included in this section?​
Supporting Information
What is included in this section?​
Evaluations
Here is where you will make a request for evaluation (letter of recommendation). You must have a minimum of 3 for your application to be verified. The writer of the letter must submit their evaluation (you cannot upload it yourself)!
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When to do this section: ASAP! You will be relying on someone else to submit it, so give them ample time and reminders.
DO NOT make a request for evaluation until the cycle you are actually applying in
Experiences
Here you will add all patient contact experience, volunteering, research, shadowing, healthcare experience, leadership, teaching experience, non-healthcare employment, and extracurriculars
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When to do this section: As you complete each experience, keep track of it in an Excel spreadsheet and add it to CASPA early in your application process
Achievements
Here you will add honors, awards, scholarships, and publications
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When to do this section: Keep track of these as you get them as well and add them into CASPA once your cycle opens
Licenses /certifications
Here you will record any licenses (CNA, EMT, Phlebotomy, etc.) or certifications (BLS, CPR, etc.). Make sure you know where/ when you got it, and when it expires
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When to do this section: Keep track of these as you get them as well and add them into CASPA once your cycle opens. Do this early in case you need to contact the organization to obtain more information about your certification such as expiration
Essay
Here you will add your personal statement! The prompt is simple: why do you want to be a PA, but it needs to be brief, so be creative and concise
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When to do this section: Begin brainstorming and writing your essay a few months prior to the cycle you are applying to, continue to edit and proofread before you submit. As you complete your experiences, take note of moments that are meaningful to you. You may be able to incorporate them into your personal statement.
Memberships
Here you will add any professional memberships you are a part of and your role in that organization. This is not a section to add greek life or extracurriculars to (these would be experiences)
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When to do this section: Most applicants who are still in undergrad while applying will not be members of professional organizations, but if you are, keep track of your duties in that organization and add it before you submit!
Program Materials
What is included in this section?​
This section will list all of your schools and any extra materials they might need. It will also link to their website and program information such as location, start date, application deadlines and minimum requirements
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Examples:
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Documentation of hours completed
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Questions about previous applications
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More demographics info
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Additional supplemental essays
Make sure to check this tab early! Some schools may require verifications or other things you may not already have. Complete this early to give yourself time to gather those materials ​