Why do you want to attend this program?
Do your research before your interview to find out that specific program. One great way to do that is by reading the school's mission statement to get ideas of what to focus on that relates well to your interests and goals. It is also important to reach out to current students to understand how the program operates.
"The school's mission statement value of serving the underserved speaks out to my personal values. I wanted a program with a smaller instructor to student ratio that was not in a major city. The program's volunteer opportunities in rural clinics were also an important factor in my decision to apply here, especially after speaking to current students in those programs."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
Aside from the plethora of honorable mentions and impressive rankings, I want to attend this program because its mission and program goals align well with my values. I value the emphasis on a team approach, collaboration, and inter-professional education. Working as a team is an essential aspect of working as a PA. I have been lucky enough to work in an emergency room where the staff is all committed to working together as a team. Knowing that this program fosters this kind of environment is very important to me. I loved learning about the state-of-the-art Health Sciences Library, Computer Learning Lab, and Health Sciences Clinical Skills Center including the Patient Simulation Laboratory that enables a high-quality PA education. The excellent student-to-faculty ratio also allows for the utilization of these resources with the best oversight possible. I have always enjoyed the chance to be close with professors to learn not only from the curriculum but from their own experiences. Another attribute that influenced me to apply is the emphasis on competence in primary care as the foundation of sound clinical practice. There has been an imbalance between specialty and primary care providers, even though primary care is central to a properly functioning health care system. With a good base in primary care, there would be better health outcomes as people have better access to health care, leading to less need for emergency hospitalization.
Stephanie's Feedback
Good work! This really shows that you've done your research.
