What is your greatest weakness?

"I would say my introverted nature is my biggest weakness. I grew up pretty shy but as I have worked with populations that are unable to advocate for themselves and realized that as a PA, it would be my job to make my patients feel comfortable and confident in the care I provide. I always try to acknowledge the introverted habits that do not serve me and push myself to be more extraverted, by doing things like asking questions when I am uncomfortable and taking on more public speaking roles."

The person asking this question wants to know if you can critically evaluate yourself. It is important to recognize your weaknesses so that you are aware of how they can affect you as a PA student and as a working PA. Be genuine in your response and show them how you are trying to grow despite your weakness.

"I think that my greatest weakness is how introverted and soft-spoken I am. While being introverted in itself is not a weakness, I feel like it can sometimes be misunderstood as me not wanting to communicate or take part in the conversation. During my experience volunteering as an EMT and working as a clinical assistant, I have been able to find my voice a bit more to take part in conversations, especially when advocating for a patient and their needs."

"When I was younger I had a hard time saying no to people and often time felt overwhelmed by my workload. I use to get upset with myself for being such a “people pleaser”. As I matured, I learned skills to set healthy boundaries and self-reflect. I no longer have a negative connotation of being a “people pleaser” and now appreciate the fact that I genuinely care and want to help others. Before agreeing to a task, I now check in with myself and evaluate my capacity before over-committing myself."

"Communication is one of the most important factors in being a part of a well-functioning and efficient team and I have had to work on my communication skills in order to help run a team of nurses in clinical research. I do this by clearly laying out goals for the team, setting timelines, and making sure that other team members understand their roles. Communication is something that I am still working on, and I will continue to work on it. I will improve by taking any feedback that I can from instructors or coworkers, and constantly checking in with them to make sure we understand each other well."

If you were trapped on a desert island with food and water, what three things would you bring?

"I love music and I could not imagine being stuck on an island without it. Yet, I know that I would get tired if I only brought a few CDs. Instead, I would bring a guitar, drum, and piano so that I could make my music to enjoy with all of my free time."

The question covertly asks about your personality. Besides the need for food and water, what other things define your interests in life. Don't rush this question, provide thoughtful answers that give a good insight into your personality. Plus, it is another opportunity to leave a memorable impact on the interviewer's mind.

"I would bring a snorkel so that I could swim in the water and see what is beneath me, not only to be aware of my surroundings but also to appreciate its beauty. I would also bring a hammock with a bug screen to lounge and relax without mosquitoes. Lastly, I would bring a paddleboard or kayak to explore the water from above."

"Having shelter and entertainment are important to me. I would choose to bring a set of sharp tools, a very large tarp, and a snorkel. With the sharp tools, I would be able to build myself shelter and entertainment. I would use part of the tarp to keep my shelter dry from rain and the other to build a canoe to explore the water and lastly the snorkel to explore under the water."

"I would want something to keep my mind busy, maybe a chess set as this is something that can be used for a long time. I would bring a tent for shelter and I would bring my dog to keep me company."

If you could be any flower, what flower would you be?

"The flower that I would be is a water lily. Besides being a very beautiful flower, I love how water lilies are an important part of the ecosystem. They help provide shelter for frogs and other amphibians and provide food for fish."

Hypothetical questions are a great chance to show your creative side. There are lots of flowers, what about you allows you to relate to a particular plant. The answer is not as important as a thoughtful explanation as to why you choose that plant.

"I think that I would be a water lily, floating in a pond. We are similar in that we are able to go with the flow and gather what we need from our environment in order to survive and flourish. Additionally, water lilies provide shelter for animals like I provide a safe place for people to come to if they need a listening ear."

"I would be a jasmine flower. The fragrant smell is calming and inviting like my personality. It is a vine that grows to support structures. As I continue to grow by being a life learner, I will continue to support my community."

"I would be a sunflower, I really think that I thrive in the sunshine. I also love food so I would like to have those tasty seeds around. I also think they make people happy which is something that I strive to do."

What is your favorite movie and why?

"My favorite movie is "˜A League of Their Own'. While I am not a big baseball fan, I love how the movie centered so many diverse female perspectives during a period before women had as much agency in society as they do today. Plus, I love how the movie shows the ways they develop into a team and support each other. I think that is a very important aspect of your relationships with the people you work and interact with."

They are not trying to judge your movie taste. The question is allowing you to express a side that they do not usually see. Your favorite movie is your favorite for a reason and they want to understand you better by knowing why.

"That is a very difficult question, but I would probably say my favorite movie is Good Will Hunting. I love seeing the underdog succeed in that story. The kid has every reason to fail, but he makes it out of Boston and is able to heed the advice of the people who care about him."

Which Hogwarts house do you think you would be sorted into if you were in Harry Potter?

"I identify with Ravenclaw of all the Hogwarts houses. I have always loved how the house celebrates knowledge and reason. As a book worm and perpetual studier I always felt like I would fit right in with them."

Questions like these are asked because you cannot prepare for them. Many PA school applicants are very logical and diligently prepare for their interviews. It is important to not worry so much about the 'right answer'. Just focus on expressing yourself authentically.

"I think that I would belong to Hufflepuff because they are hard-working, loyal, and patient. They go the extra mile for those they care about and tend to see the best in others."

"I would belong to Gryffindor as I value courage and bravery. I will always advocate for those in need."

What would you do if your patient is diagnosed with an STI, but doesn't want to tell his wife?

"This is a difficult question because you have an obligation to respect the patient's decision regarding their health diagnosis but you also want to limit the harm that may affect his wife because of the diagnosis. Still, legally, I cannot share personal health information without the consent of the patient or by the courts. Instead, I would invest in communicating with the patient as best as I could on the importance of notifying the wife for the sake of her health."

This ethical question is looking at how serious you take protecting a patient's PHI (personal health information). In this answer, it is important to use empathy with the situation, especially since there is often a stigma around STI, but stand firm in your ethical and legal obligation.

"If I had a patient diagnosed with an STI that doesn't want to tell their spouse, I would have to protect the confidentiality of their personal health information. However, I also ethically feel that the spouse should be made aware for the sake of her health, so I would take the time to educate and inform the patient that it is in their spouse's best interest to be told about the diagnosis. Additionally, I would inform the patient of my obligation to report the diagnosis to the local health department, as applicable."

"I would be empathetic to my patient and inquire about the reasons why he does not want to disclose this. To better understand him. I would make sure my patient felt heard and I was not judged. I would discuss the treatment plan and appropriate follow-up. Then I would educate him on the health implications if the STI is not treated and give him my ethical opinion regarding his wife’s health and reassure him that I am not able to disclose confidential and personal health history to his wife but I may be obligated to report the STI to the local department of health."

"I would need to coach the patient on the dangers of spreading the STI to his wife. The decision is ultimately up to the patient and I could never disclose their health info to the spouse without their consent, but I would remind the patient that this information greatly affects the wife, and encourage them to do the right thing."

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 he'll be fine. What do you do?

"I would talk to the supervising physician again and emphasize my concerns about the case and the need to contact the patient. Although the patient is discharged and not under my or the supervising physician's direct care, or I may have repercussions from my mistakes, I as a medical professional, am still responsible for what happens to the patient after they leave my care. If I fail to persuade the supervising physician to take action, I would take action myself and contact the patient."

This question is evaluated if you can perceive and anticipate many different consequences that can occur from your decisions. PAs are not independent practitioners and practice under an MD who has final responsibility for patient care. While you may practice under an MD you still have your independent responsibility to provide the best care you can and to do no harm.

"If I was in the situation where a patient was sent home with a medication they were allergic to, I would have a discussion with the supervising physician. I would inform them of my concern and let them know what I would like to do, including contacting the patient to change their medication. If they are still telling me not to worry about it after this discussion, I would have to let them know that I would be personally contacting the patient to change the medication or at least inform them of the mistake."

"I would go to the attending physician and explain my concerns. Personally, I would call a patient, apologize for the wrong medication, and prescribe a different medication. As a PA, I am responsible for my actions."

"I would review the patient's chart to see what type of reaction he had. I would then clarify with my supervising physician on why they thought the patient would be fine to be sure of any possible knowledge deficit I had. I would then call the patient about my mistake and discuss the treatment plan further. If I wasn’t able to reach the patient, then I would contact the pharmacy to have them hold the prescription until the patient contacts me."

"I would make every effort within my power to get in contact with the patient and ensure that they do not take something they are allergic to. If they have already taken it I would give follow-up medical advice. I would also get them a new treatment that they can better tolerate."

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

"It would be very unpleasant, but it would be necessary to report this co-worker before they were allowed to continue practicing medicine that day. While I will want to support a colleague through any struggles they may have that could lead to them showing up to work under the influence of alcohol, that is secondary to ensuring the safety of that provider's patients who trust us to care for them."

The focus of this question is not what you would do in a provider-client relationship but how you would respond in a situation that involves your colleagues. Questions like these test your ethical code against the pressures of personal connections that you may have with your co-workers and the potential ramifications of addressing the situation. Be sure to address all sides of the problem in providing your response.

"If I was at work and noticed one of my colleagues showing up under the influence of alcohol, I would respectfully pull them aside to have a one-on-one conversation with them. First of all, I would check in with them to make sure that they are okay and don't have anything that they need to discuss with me or with someone else. If not, I would talk to them about excusing themselves from work that day, so they can take care of themselves. If they were unwilling to excuse themselves, I would have a conversation with a higher-up in order to make sure they do not practice that day, so that our patients are safe and taken care of."

"I would take him/her aside and ask about any problems. Personally, I will ask him if I can assist in any way while staying within my limits. I would suggest my colleague take time off or rest a day. If he/she didn't listen to me, I would reach out to supervising physician."

"If I were in a situation where I noticed one of my medical colleagues showed up to work under the influence of alcohol, I would respectfully pull them aside privately to be sure that was the case before checking in about their welfare. Secondly, I would be compassionate and offer some help and have them excuse themself from work to not jeopardize the patients well being. Lastly, I would have them reach out to the supervisor to discuss the situation to have them be accountable or report them myself."

"I would first confront the colleague about my suspicion. If I still believed them to be under the influence and they denied it, then I would notify a supervising physician. The coworker could not be allowed to practice medicine under the influence in any way."

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

"Although healthcare has many costs, it is still an essential service. Wealth should not be a determining factor of the level of care you can access if you need medical attention. The ability to pay should not determine the worth of a person who needs treatment, and it is my responsibility to provide the best care possible I can for my patients regardless of their socio-economic status."

Working as a PA you will encounter many different ethical problems that will require leaning into your logic, value system, and the facts of the matter to determine what action should be taken. There may not be a right or wrong answer.

"I do believe that everyone deserves access to healthcare. I believe it to be a basic human right and not dependent on their ability to pay. We need more practitioners that serve those living below the poverty line and I plan to help serve those populations in my career as a PA."

Why do you want to attend this program?

"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."

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.

"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."

"I am drawn to the Midwestern University program because I love your commitment to interprofessional collaboration and I also think your program fosters close relationships between students and instructors. As PAs, we will practice in healthcare settings that are highly collaborative and I think that starting during school is essential."

What is your greatest strength?

"I am very proud of the time management skills that I have developed. I have worked full-time and attended school full-time from freshman year undergrad until now. As a result, I have been able to maintain a very important balance between my academics, social life, and work responsibilities that has allowed me to get to this stage, and will definitely help me succeed in PA school."

Compared to asking about your weaknesses, talking about your biggest strength is a great opportunity to sell yourself during the interview. Pick something that you are proud of and tie to PA school or how it will help you working in healthcare.

"I am detail-oriented, multitasked, a problem-solver, multilingual, and a quick learner."

"I have a lot of strengths, I am a very easy-going person, but I am also very straightforward. I am honest with people and I am always good about making them feel respected. People find me very personable and there are very few people that I don’t get along with. These strengths marry well with the requirements of a PA"

"Physician Assistants are advanced care providers that work as a member of a care team to diagnose illnesses, manage treatment plans, and prescribe medications. PAs do see patients independently and can practice in every state. From my experience shadowing PAs, I see PAs as a very important part of care communication and team integration. They communicate directly with the patient and other providers in a way that makes sure all the parts are working together to provide the best care for the patient."

Physician Assistants (PA) often face a lot of confusion about their role from people outside of the medical field. This question is asked to see if you can clearly educate others about what you and if you have a firm understanding of the profession. Be sure to hit the main points but do not be afraid to spice it up with your own observations from shadowing other PAs.

"A PA, or a physician assistant, is an advanced practice provider that is able to diagnose illnesses, develop and manage treatment plans, and prescribe medications. While able to practice autonomously and see patients independently, PAs practice as part of a team with a supervising physician and other providers. They are an integral player in the healthcare system and are able to help provide the best possible care to the patient, often acting as the patient's primary medical provider. In my experience working with and shadowing PAs, they are very good at communicating with patients and educating them on their conditions and medications."

"PA is an advanced practice health professional who can see patients, perform a physical examination, order labs, and tests, interpret results, and prescribe medication."

"A PA is a licensed medical professional educated to at least a master's degree who practices medicine, often under the supervision of a physician. They are seen in every medical setting and every specialty. They can diagnose and treat illnesses, assist in surgery, and prescribe medications."

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

"I recognize that no candidate is perfect and I would use the time to strengthen my application to fill out the areas that could be improved. One of the things I would like to improve is my community service work since it is lower than the average applicant. I would also do more shadowing with different PA specialties so that I can have a broader experience of different specialties' work expectations."

They want to know how committed to this goal you are and if you have thought through all the possible options if, unfortunately, you do not get into a school. Keep your response positive. It is an opportunity for you to highlight an area that may be a weakness in your application and express how you will work to strengthen that area.

"If I do not get accepted to PA school this cycle, I will be taking another look at my application and thinking back to my interview experiences to find out what I can do to be a better applicant. I would also continue to search for further opportunities to shadow PAs and volunteer my time in my community. I would also look for chances to receive constructive criticism on my application and my interview skills."

"It will be a major setback if I don't get into this cycle, but I would be forced to reevaluate my weaknesses. I would consult some people that I trust for advice and start working on my application for the next cycle. I am not the type of person who would let a setback like that keep me from achieving my goals."

Who is a person that you look up to?

"I look up to Malala Yousafzai a great deal. We are close in age and I remember reading her book and learning her story. I find her so courageous in how she is willing to stand up for what she believes. To me, she reminds me that it is important to always seek the truth in what you are doing no matter what."

Influential figures are a great way to find out about a person and their values without directly asking them. It can be a well-known figure or a family member. For example, a very giving person may talk about Mother Teresa and the qualities that they relate to and emulate in that person. Just be sure to explain what qualities you like about the person.

"Someone that I have always looked up to is my grandmother. I attended her retirement party as a child, and even since retiring, she has always kept herself busy caring for others. She volunteers at the local food pantry almost every day, and when she's not there she is making sure that her friends and family have everything that they need to be healthy and happy. She is always willing to lend a hand or just listen, and that is something that I have always tried to emulate."

"I look up to, Quaid -e-Azam Ali Jinnah who was the founder /great leader of Pakistan. He always promoted unity, education, and honesty, and belief in hard work. He said, "We can only succeed through continuous hard work, faith, and ambition"."

"John Stewart is someone that I look up to a lot. I loved his work on the daily show where he was able to make people laugh and entertain them while also conveying important information and casting light on some of the biggest issues in America. I also really admire the way that he has fought for veterans and first responders' rights since the end of that show. He lent his voice to some causes that are extremely important."

What is the biggest adversity that you have overcome?

"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."

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.

"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."

"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."

What are your hobbies and interests?

"I have run a virtual Dungeons and Dragons group for over three years with various friends and acquaintances. It is a great time to get creative and strategize with other people in a team environment. I have created games about Harry Potter, Star Wars, and even the Big Bang Theory to name a few."

Biographical questions are necessary for the interviewer to get a feel for who you are outside of your application. Be careful not to have too long of a response, you only need 2-3 items. Make sure you pick things that help you stand out!

"My interests include kayaking and swimming in Lake Champlain, hiking in the Adirondacks, and spending time with my friends and family. I like to go camping during the summertime and set up a hammock between a couple of trees to read a book. I also really enjoy listening to music and spending time with my dog, Finley. I like bringing her to the dog park nearby to meet new people while she gets to run around."

"-Reading books-Cooking -Shopping -Liked to involve in STEM-related activities"

"I love anything that gets me outdoors with friends and family. I love skiing, golf, mountain biking, soccer, and hiking. I really use outdoor activities for stress relief as well as to get exercise. My other main hobbies are cooking and eating great food."

What is evidence-based healthcare?

"Evidence-based medicine is the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of the most current and best evidence-based knowledge when making decisions about patient care. Practicing evidence-based healthcare allows health professionals to combine their clinical expertise with current clinical research."

There are different models of action that are used to make medical decisions. Here, the interviewer wants to know if you are aware of current practice models used by PAs. If you have experience working in a hospital, you could describe an example you observed.

"Evidence-based healthcare is the practice of using the most up-to-date research evidence in order to guide your clinical decision-making. This approach allows you to utilize the clinical experience of your predecessors in order to provide the best care for your patients."

"EBM is the practice of decision-making and forming treatment plans based on research of best outcomes, personal clinical expertise, and the values of the patients."

What do you think is the biggest problem facing PAs?

"I think that the biggest problem facing PA's is the lack of general understanding of what PAs do when providing care. The profession is expanding greatly. It will be important as PAs take a primary role in patient care that people are well informed about what their PA can do so they feel comfortable about the transition."

The interviewer wants to know whether you are up to speed on changes in the profession because laws and responsibilities are constantly changing. One good topic to discuss is public confusion about what a PA does.

"I would say career advancement, the volume of work, personal/work-life balance, and staying up-to-date with state legislation."

"In my opinion, the largest problem facing PAs is a lack of advocacy in their scope of practice and the way they are utilized in healthcare. PAs need more advocates that are setting standards across states for the way they are utilized in different healthcare settings. PAs need a seat at the table for all important decisions that are made regarding their profession."

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

"Once I decided on becoming a PA, I knew that my journey would require multiple parts for me to be a success. I enrolled in classes and developed study habits that would push me so that I could be better prepared for the course load. I volunteered at low-income clinics so I could have a better understanding of life experiences outside of my own. I also worked in a cancer research lab so that I could be prepared for academic research in my career."

This is a time to talk about schooling and prerequisites, but don't leave out soft skills too. Being a good PA student and working as a PA requires many other factors besides grades. Address actions that you have taken to be a good provider or really excel in both the hard and soft skills.

"I have prepared myself for the PA profession and made myself a competitive applicant by obtaining a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Saint Michael's College in 3 years. During this time, I balanced the rigorous courses with a part-time job, as a supervisor, as well as volunteering as an EMT. I feel as though this experience helped me to learn how to manage my time and my priorities. I also have over 3 years of experience working in the emergency room, gaining patient experiences, and working as a team."

"My undergrad academic coursework prepared me for the rigorous nature of PA school as I took my all prerequisite courses in my junior and senior years. I participated in the healthcare club, community activities, and an internship at the hospital. I am a detail-oriented, multitasked, problem-solver, and multilingual, worked in different areas of medicine such as ED, PACU, AICU, behavioral health, and higher science GPA."

"I have shadowed PAs in both a surgical and primary care setting, I think one of the most important ways to prepare is by fully understanding the profession. I have worked very closely with PAs and also volunteered alongside them for the last seven years. I know what they do and I have seen how successfully they can be utilized."

Why do you want to be a PA?

"I grew up with a sibling that had a chronic health condition. That experience made me interested in medicine as a kid. It was after interacting with PAs that contributed to my sibling's care I became interested in the field. Later, in college, I did more research and discovered more aspects that I loved about the PA profession that worked better for me as a first-generation college student. PAs have fewer student loans than doctors which will allow me to support my family and siblings while still achieving my dream of being a medical provider."

Often they want to see why you settled on PA school rather than doing something else. Be authentic in your answer. It is okay if you repeat things that you have stated elsewhere in your application because the interviewer may not have looked at it before your interview. Having the interviewer relate to your motivations will allow them to see that you have a strong will to do well in their program and as a PA.

"From my experience as an EMT, I knew that healthcare was what I wanted to do, but I wasn't satisfied with the level of care that I was providing. I learned that I wanted to be more involved with finding diagnoses and managing treatment plans. As a clinical assistant, I have been able to work with nurses, nurse practitioners, doctors, and physician assistants, and it has enabled me to find out that being a PA would be the perfect balance of collaboration, autonomy, and flexibility throughout my career to change specialties."

"I knew since my freshman in college that I wanted to do something in medicine. Medicine is my passion and my inner voice has always said there is no better profession than medicine where I can help others. I wanted to make a difference in the world through my exemplary patient care, ceaseless motivation to help others, and solid commitment to medicine."

"I fell in love with the field of healthcare after college when I was working in clinical research. I was working closely with PAs and became so impressed with all of the skills that they were capable of as well as the way they were able to interact with patients based on their diverse backgrounds. As I researched the career further I was astounded by all the ways that a PA can be utilized. I am really drawn to the idea of continuing to learn more about practicing medicine throughout my entire career."

What is the difference between a PA and MD?

"Both PAs and MDs are taught on the medical model, however, PAs do not practice independently and report to an MD. The biggest difference between a PA and an MD is the schooling required for each path. MDs have a four-year medical school then residency route while PAs have two years of schooling and no required residency. Personally, PA school fits better for my life as a working mother, plus I enjoy that being a PA makes teamwork a requirement and that you have the support of the MDs you are working with."

Most people applying to PA school have also considered other options like becoming an MD or NP. It is important to know the difference in practice between a PA's role and the MD's role in the healthcare system. Show them that you are not just going to PA school because you could not get into medical school and highlight the parts of the PA profession that you like.

"While PAs and MDs can function pretty similarly in the healthcare system, one major difference is that PAs practice under a supervising physician, while MDs can practice independently. Another difference is that PAs are able to enter the workforce sooner, as PA programs last about 2 years and then you're ready to find a job, whereas MDs endure 4 years in medical school and then enter residency. Personally, I enjoy working as part of a collaborative team and I was drawn to the versatility that PAs have to change specialties to find where they are best suited."

"PA is a dependent practitioner who always worked under the supervision of a physician. PAs can perform a physical examination, make diagnosis, assist in surgery, order labs and tests, interpret results, and prescribe medication. MD is a medical doctor who can work independently and perform surgeries."

PA School Interview Questions

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1. What is your greatest weakness?
2. If you were trapped on a desert island with food and water, what three things would you bring?
3. If you could be any flower, what flower would you be?
4. What is your favorite movie and why?
5. Which Hogwarts house do you think you would be sorted into if you were in Harry Potter?
6. What would you do if your patient is diagnosed with an STI, but doesn't want to tell his wife?
7. 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 he'll be fine. What do you do?
8. What would you do if you noticed one of your medical colleagues showed up to work under the influence of alcohol?
9. Do you think everyone should have access to healthcare, regardless if they can pay?
10. Why do you want to attend this program?
11. What is your greatest strength?
12. What is a PA?
13. What will you do if you do not get into PA school this cycle?
14. Who is a person that you look up to?
15. What is the biggest adversity that you have overcome?
16. What are your hobbies and interests?
17. What is evidence-based healthcare?
18. What do you think is the biggest problem facing PAs?
19. How have you prepared yourself for the PA profession? How are you a competitive applicant?
20. Why do you want to be a PA?
21. What is the difference between a PA and MD?

PA School Interview Questions

1. What is your greatest weakness?

2. If you were trapped on a desert island with food and water, what three things would you bring?

3. If you could be any flower, what flower would you be?

4. What is your favorite movie and why?

5. Which Hogwarts house do you think you would be sorted into if you were in Harry Potter?

6. What would you do if your patient is diagnosed with an STI, but doesn't want to tell his wife?

7. 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 he'll be fine. What do you do?

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

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

10. Why do you want to attend this program?

11. What is your greatest strength?

12. What is a PA?

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

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

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

16. What are your hobbies and interests?

17. What is evidence-based healthcare?

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

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

20. Why do you want to be a PA?

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