PA School Mock Interview

Excel in your PA school interview with 21 questions covering clinical experience, patient scenarios, and professional motivation.

Question 8 of 21

What is the biggest adversity that you have overcome?

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Ryan Brown

Ryan Brown created and launched MockQuestions in 2008.

Going to PA school is stressful, being a PA is stressful, the interviewer wants to know if you can recognize a challenge, and if you can handle the stress that comes with the PA profession. Acknowledge the adversity you faced but be sure to emphasize the lesson you learned and how you have applied the experience to later challenges.

Ryan Brown

Ryan Brown created and launched MockQuestions in 2008.

"One of the biggest struggles that I have overcome is finishing my bachelor's degree after being required to withdraw after a period of academic probation. I went through a very hard time early in my college experience and it took a lot for me to get back on track. However, after that experience, I am confident that I can overcome any struggle by remembering that any obstacle is only a temporary roadblock to my goals."

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Jaymie

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Anonymous Answer

I decided to go back healthcare field after graduation, marriage, a baby, and a gap year. I didn't know how to start my career with a 7-month-old baby while my husband was going through a transition phase. I challenged myself and accepted a PRN position as a nursing assistant in a hospital. I was also breastfeeding and we were still in the pandemic period. On top of this, I had to through hospital training, in class/lab, quizzes, and exams. I took an exam and scored 98% in the final.

Marcie's Feedback

Wow! You are clearly determined, motivated, and self-disciplined. Any interviewer will be impressed by how you overcame all of these challenges. Your response also shows how strong your desire was to rejoin the healthcare field despite all the challenges you faced. Excellent!

Anonymous Answer

My parents divorced when I was in high school and my father moved out of the state soon after that. I was always really close to my dad so that was a difficult transition for me. Luckily I had a close group of friends and I really relied on them to get through that difficult time. I think the whole experience has made me a more empathetic person and I really try to pitch in when I can tell that others are having a difficult time in life.

Marcie's Feedback

It definitely sounds like that was very challenging. It's good, however, that there was a silver lining in that the situation made you more empathetic and understanding of others and the difficulties they might be facing. Talk more about how these traits that you developed will benefit you in the PA role. Nice job!

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21PA School Interview Questions & Answers

1.What is a PA?

2.What is the difference between a PA and MD?

3.Why do you want to be a PA?

4.How have you prepared yourself for the PA profession? How are you a competitive applicant?

5.What do you think is the biggest problem facing PAs?

6.What is evidence-based healthcare?

7.What are your hobbies and interests?

8.What is the biggest adversity that you have overcome?

9.Who is a person that you look up to?

10.What will you do if you do not get into PA school this cycle?

11.What is your greatest weakness?

12.What is your greatest strength?

13.Why do you want to attend this program?

14.Do you think everyone should have access to healthcare, regardless if they can pay?

15.What would you do if you noticed one of your medical colleagues showed up to work under the influence of alcohol?

16.A patient is sent home at the end of a long day, but you gave him a medication he is allergic to. Your supervising physician says not to worry and that heâ€™ll be fine. What do you do?