Preparation & Practice

Preparation & Practice

Before Your Interview

Research and Review

The specific PA program you're interviewing for: their culture, values, and morals
Current events, both medical and non-medical
Common healthcare ethical issues and how a patient-centered provider may respond
Your application and personal statement

Reflect on Key Experiences

Think back on your clinical, shadowing, volunteer, and academic experiences and choose the moments that stand out — a difficult patient interaction, a teamwork challenge, a time you overcame adversity. Programs aren't listening for the story itself; they're listening for what it reveals about your communication, empathy, resilience, and professionalism.

Dress Code & Expectations

Business professional/business formal attire
Minimal accessories
Closed-toed shoes
No-minimal fragrances
Well-groomed and conservatively-styled hair
Arrive early (at least 30 minutes!)

Prepare Your Bag

Personal identification and interview schedule
Portfolio
Pen/notebook to take notes during/after
Thoughtful questions for interviewers – remember, you're interviewing them, too!

The Interview

Types of Questions

Biographical: who you are and why you want to be a PA
Critical thinking: problem solving skills
Culture fit: how your skills match with the program
Ethical: ethical dilemmas
Random: explores the way you think

Body Language and Attitude

Positive, confident, and enthusiastic
Honest and genuine – show yourself, not what you think they want to see
Show respect: eye contact, handshake, sit up straight
Mirror your interviewer
Remain calm and breathe!

Answering Questions

Keep answers short and direct. Aim for your answers to be 1-2 minutes in length, but use your best judgment based on the flow of the interview
Personalize your answers and show your passion for the profession
Ask for clarification when needed; don't make something up
Use the STAR method

The STAR METHOD

When you're asked to describe a specific experience, STAR gives your answer a structure that's easy to follow and hard to ramble through. Set the scene briefly, name what you were responsible for, walk through what you actually did, and close with what came of it. Most applicants over-explain the setup and rush the end, but the action and results steps are where programs learn the most about you.

Tips & Considerations

Be specific: include concrete details rather than speaking in general terms.
Highlight your impact: end with the result and what you learned from the experience.
Use relevant examples: choose experiences that demonstrate qualities PA programs value, such as teamwork, leadership, communication, adaptability, empathy, and problem-solving.
Practice, but don't memorize: your answers should sound natural and conversational rather than scripted.

Situation

Briefly explain the concept.

Task

Describe the assigned task or challenge you faced.

Action

Explain the steps taken to complete/solve the task.

Result

Share the result of your action.

Closing Your Interview/After

Closing the Interview

Ask questions that are relevant to your interviewer and appropriate to the program
Thank your interviewer(s) for their time and the opportunity to interview
Reiterate your enthusiasm for the program and why it is a good fit for you
End the interview confidently with a genuine smile and professional demeanor

Next Steps

Send brief note/email within 24-48 hours to interviewers (and potentially admissions staff), expressing gratitude and interest.

**Does not serve to increase the odds of your acceptance and shouldn’t be used as a means to tell your interviewer something more.