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Consult the (ARC-PA) for requirements and admission statistics to the 190+ U.S. and for the most accurate information.

Four-year plan with pre-requisite courses to meet requirements for regional PA programs.

Physician Assistant: Four Year Plan

Four Year Plans for common majors of PA students at Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Any undergraduate major is acceptable, as long as you fulfill the PA programs pre-requisite requirements.

Highly recommend that you consult the (ARC-PA) for requirements and admission statistics to the 190+ U.S. and for the most accurate information.

Personal Statements are an important part of a graduate and professional school application. A personal statement is your opportunity to bring your individual voice and personality to your application, and its purpose is to convince the reader that you are an ideal candidate to enter the program.
You need to show evidence that you have the research skills, mindset, and scholarly interest to succeed.

PA programs require you to take Physician Assistant College Admission Test (PA-CAT).

PA-CAT Content

The PA-CAT was developed to assess common basic science subjects and statistics consistent with what is typically required for admission by a majority of PA programs. Test items were developed and reviewed by both subject matter experts as well as PA educators.

Subjects

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• General biology
• Biochemistry
• General and organic chemistry
• Microbiology
• Behavioral sciences
• Genetics
• Statistics

Details

• 240 multiple-choice test items
• 4.5-hour total exam window
• Special Accommodations available

CASPA is a service of the PA Education Association (PAEA), the only national organization representing physician assistant (PA) educational programs. CASPA simplifies the PA school application process by allowing you to apply to multiple programs with only one application.

Mid-April - CASPA application opens

You need to review the particular health profession programs that you plan to apply and letter requirements for each particular program. The number of letters accepted may vary and whom the letters need to be written by may also vary by program.

Allopathic Medicine MD — AMCAS centralized application (10 total allowed)
Recommend three or four total: one or two science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Physician (MD), work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Osteopathic Medicine DO — AACOM centralized application (Unlimited allowed; not yet in centralized application)
Recommended three or four total: one or two science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Doctor of Osteopathic medicine preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Physician Assistant — CASPA centralized application (3 total allowed)
Recommended: one science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Physician assistant preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Dental — AADSAS centralized application (4 total allowed)
Recommended: one or two science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Dentist preferred/or or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Pharmacy — PharmCAS centralized application (4 total allowed)
Recommended: one or two science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Pharmacist preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Veterinary — VMCAS centralized application (3 VMCAS evaluations allowed)
Recommended: one science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Veterinarian preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Physical Therapy — PTCAS centralized application (4 total allowed)
Recommended: one or two science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Physical Therapist preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc. 

Occupational Therapy — OTCAS centralized application (3 total allowed)
Recommended: one science faculty, one non-science faculty in the humanities or social sciences and one Occupational Therapist preferred/or work supervisor, volunteer supervisor, research supervisor, coach, etc.

Develop a relationship and connect with your faculty and supervisors EARLY in your college career. It is important that you start building relationships early in your college career (freshman year). Waiting until your junior or senior year to start making connections will result in a forced and shallow relationship. Making a strong connection early on will allow potential letter-writers to get to know you on a personal level, witness your growth over a period of time and ultimately develop the basis for writing a more compelling letter.

Selecting who will write your letters is an important decision. While it is important who the letter writer is, it is equally important what the writer has to say. The writer needs to offer additional information to complete and complement what you have already shared through your application materials. Do not select a writer simply because they hold an important position, "like you" or you "like them." Rather, select a writer that has a basis (evidence) for being able to write a letter that can make a strong case for the strengths you exhibit. Have a balanced approach to selecting your writers; select writers that know you from different areas to give the selection committee a well rounded look at you as an applicant.

When asking for a letter, make an appointment to meet in person (if at all possible).

Before designating your writers, schedule an appointment with each potential writers to let them know why you want to go into this particular health field and explain to them why you think their perspective of you as an individual will best support yours application. Be sure to share when the letter is needed, and ask if they would be able and willing to write a strong letter of recommendation.

Give letter writers plenty of advance notice, recommended (a month or even two).

Make sure that your writer knows your timeline for applying and when you are hoping to have their letter submitted.

Allow the person the option of saying NO. You need a strong letter and if the person is hesitant or uncomfortable or does not have enough time, you will NOT get a strong letter. Most likely it will be generic, short and weak. LISTEN to what the person is telling you. It is much better to have them be honest and to avoid a weak letter, so that you can identify someone different to write you a strong letter.

• Complete the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Letter of Recommendation Online Form
• During the Centralized Application process print off or email the Letter Request Form to your letter writers with directions and information about how to upload and submit the letter.
  • For Medical School Applicants: AAMC Guidelines for Writing a Letter of Evaluation
• Friendly reminders about your letter are helpful, but do not pester/annoy them. Interpersonal interactions and effective communication skills are things that your writer will most likely be referencing.

Waiving your right to access the letter

Highly recommended you waive your right to access the reference letter. If you mark, "I do NOT waive my right to access this reference letter," the person writing the reference will know that you will be able to view the letter. Waiving your right indicates to programs that your reference will be more honest and candid in their remarks. If you choose to NOT waive your right, you may be asked to explain your decision during interview(s).

Follow-through expectations

Write a thank you note to each letter writer.

Email, call or stop by and let your writers know when you get accepted and where you have decided to attend school and thank them again for their assistance, support, encouragement and overall effort.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ does not have a pre-health committee or pre-health advisor that writes a committee letter. Three different types of letters can be sent to AMCAS; at Â鶹ÊÓƵ the method used is an individual letter written by one author. Below is a description of the types of letters that can be forwarded to AMCAS on your behalf.

Individual Letter: An individual letter refers to a letter authored by, and representing, a single letter writer. (Method at Â鶹ÊÓƵ- Individual Letter. Typically one science faculty, one non-science faculty, and one "other").

Committee Letter: A committee letter is a letter authored by a pre-health committee or pre-health advisor and intended to represent your institution's evaluation of you. A committee letter may or may not include additional letters written in support of your application.

Letter Packet: A packet or set of letters assembled and distributed by your institution, often by the institutions career center. A Letter Packet may include a cover sheet from your pre-health committee or advisor; however, in contrast to a Committee Letter, a Letter Packet does not include an evaluative letter from your pre-health committee or advisor.

PAs are health care professionals who are licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and in virtually all states can write prescriptions. PAs are trained in intensive education programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Physician assistants receive a broad education in medicine.

Because of the close working relationship the PAs have with physicians, PAs are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training. The relationship between a PA and the supervising physician is one of mutual trust and respect. The physician assistant is a representative of the physician, treating the patient in the style and manner developed and directed by the supervising physician. The physician and PA practice as members of a medical team.

PAs work in all areas of medicine, not just primary care. General rotations in PA school include (family medicine, internal med, general surgery, pediatrics, women’s health, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and electives); PA’s can work in any area of medicine including: neurology, dermatology, etc.

The scope of the PA's practice corresponds to the supervising physician's practice. In general, a physician assistant will see many of the same types of patients as the physician. The cases handled by physicians are generally the more complicated medical cases or those cases, which require care that is not a routine part of the PA's scope of work.

Physician assistants are educated in the "medical model"; in some schools they attend many of the same classes as medical students. One of the main differences between PA education and a physician’s education is not the core content of the curriculum, but the amount of time spent in formal education. In addition to time in school, physicians are required to do an internship, and the majority of physician’s also complete a residency in a specialty following that. PAs do not have to undertake an internship or residency. A physician has complete responsibility for the care of the patient. PAs share that responsibility with the supervising physicians.

Scribes are typically recent college graduates that do the medical documentation who assist a medical provider throughout his or her shift. They serve as a personal assistant to the provider to help make them more efficient and productive. The primary function of a scribe is the creation and maintenance of the patient's medical record, which is done under the supervision of the provider. The scribe will document the patient's story, the provider's interaction with the patient, the procedures performed, the results of laboratory studies, and other pertinent information. This is accomplished by using a laptop or tablet computer, which the scribe takes with him or her throughout the shift.

Additional functions of a scribe may include assisting with the patient's disposition, documenting consultations, and notifying the provider when important studies are completed.

Scribe Companies in Minnesota:

• (MN Emergency Departments) (Six 2014 Gusties working for ECC)
• (MN emergency departments)
• (MN and National, clinic and Emergency Room)
• (National locations, 95% Emergency Room placements, some clinic)

A certified nursing assistant, or CNA, helps patients or clients with healthcare needs under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Things to consider for CNA training:

Community College: Hours/schedule are more full-time in nature and college credit is also awarded along with certification. Therefore, cost might be higher for credit/certification.

Other Organization: Course offerings tend to be more part-time in nature to accommodate working/students schedules. Cost might also be slightly lower because of no academic credit earned.

• 
  Programs at 12 of the major biomedical research institutions (below) program lengths range from 8-10 weeks, all students invited to attend the Amgen Scholars Symposium hosted at UCLA. The symposium is an opportunity to meet peers, attend workshops, network with professionals and get insights into what a career in industry and academia looks like.
• (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship)
• AAMC database enrichment programs on medical school campuses.
• AAMC Summer Undergraduate Research Programs
• Browse ALL summer research programs including REUs, STEM Programs:
• - This summer research program spans 8-12 weeks and gives students the opportunity to perform bench, clinical/translational or epidemiological research. Students will also be able to observe newborn care in hospital nurseries, clinics and NICUs.
• ) - Summer program offered by the University of Texas's MD Anderson Cancer Center for undegraduate, graduate, and health profession students interested in cancer prevention research.
• - This program is a 10-week competitive summer internship program for undergraduate students interested in careers in the biomedical sciences.
• - The Dialysis Clinic offers a unique internship across 19 cities in the U.S. in the clinical area of organ transplantation. The internship includes shadowing physicians, assisting in outpatient facilities and observing the coordination of a transplant.
• - This program is a mentored research internship offered by the Department of Pediatrics of Eastern Virginia Medical School at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia.
• -The Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, sponsors a ten-week research program for outstanding undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in the biomedical sciences.
• - The MHIF research internship program offers research internship opportunities to undergraduate premed students and those studying in other health care disciplines.
• - The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute also offers three Biomedical Research Training Program for undergraduates.
• - NYSCF offers a ten week unique summer enrichment internship program that provides students a glimpse into the fast-paced world of stem cell research.
• - Summer programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provide an opportunity to spend a summer working at the NIH side-by-side with some of the leading scientists in the world, in an environment devoted exclusively to biomedical research.
• - CURE (Continuing Umbrella of Research Experience Program) is a summer research program at the Lurie Cancer Center of Northwestern University for underserved college students interested in pursuing careers in the biomedical sciences.
• - NovoNordisk is a medical firm specializing in diabetes care and other chronic conditions and offers summer undergraduate internships.
• - The NYU Grossman School of Medicine, within the Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, offers qualified college students who have completed their sophomore or junior year the opportunity to participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program.
• - This Massachusetts General Hospital internship introduces students to the hospital experience through orthopedic research and observation. Students will gain a basic understanding about clinical research and have multiple opportunities to shadow doctors.
• - Pfizer offers student summer employment programs at Pfizer locations across the United States.
• - Red Cross offers a variety of volunteer opportunities across the country.
• - RAM is a major nonprofit provider of free pop-up clinics, with a mission to prevent pain and alleviate suffering by providing free, quality healthcare to those in need. RAM offers opportunities to volunteer at its various locations across the country.
• - NSF funded REU programs allow students to find research opportunities in the biological sciences, engineering, social sciences and more at various institutions such as Brandeis University, Department of Defense, University of Chicago and more.
• - Comprehensive list of summer opportunities for Pre-Med undergraduate students.
• - This program was developed to provide frontier-level, biomedical summer research projects for undergraduates in a supportive environment with supplemental educational activities.
• - The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center offers undergraduates the chance to explore clinical, translational, and basic science research in laboratories in the Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
• - The Vanderbilt Summer Science Academy (VSSA) gives college students earning a four- year degree the opportunity to participate in both research and clinical patient care at an academic medical center.
• - Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health Sciences and Health Careers Pipeline is excited to announce a comprehensive six week, interdisciplinary summer
 program.
• - Washington and Lee offers opportunities for student summer research with W&L faculty.
• including REUs, STEM Programs
• is a FREE (full tuition, housing, and meals) six-week summer academic enrichment program that offers freshman and sophomore college students intensive and personalized medical and dental school preparation.
• (Sophomores and Juniors only)

• - This site requires you to do a free registration then enter location(s) for where you would like to shadow.

• Job shadowing information

Several Â鶹ÊÓƵ Service Programs have a pre-health focus.

Listen to our podcast with Brieyanna Krug, Volunteer Ecumen Hospice Specialist to learn moreÌý.

To ensure you are an effective and confident team member, there are initial screening and training steps required, typically taking 3-4 weeks to complete.

First, ask yourself:

• Are you at least 18 years old?
• Can you commit to a minimum of four hours a month for six months?
• Are you comfortable with death and the dying process, or have an openness and willingness to learn?Ìýo Are you dependable and able to work independently?

If yes to all of the above, the following are steps to getting involved:Ìý

• Interview with a member of the services team
• Submit to background and reference checks
• Complete online training, available to do at your own paceÌý
• Attend a final wrap-up session

Locations

Our hospice services are provided wherever one calls home, which could include a private home or care community, such as assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing facilities.

Currently serving and looking for volunteers in the following communities: Mankato and St Peter, and surrounding communities.

Contact

Brieyanna Krug, Volunteer Specialist
w. (320)-221-7338 | brieyannakrug [at] ecumen.org (brieyannakrug[at]ecumen[dot]org)

Ìý

The primary role of the Caring Hands volunteer is to improve the patient experience. Successful Caring Hands volunteers are friendly, out-going, self-motivated, show initiative and can work well independently in an environment with little supervision. The Hospital setting can be extremely chaotic and hectic, but other times can be quiet and uneventful. A successful volunteer is able to thrive in both environments. 

This is NOT a shadowing and observation opportunity. The volunteer is observing and working in the medical environment, but the role of the volunteer is to improve the patient experience.

Requirements

1. Cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2.
2. Sophomore, junior or senior standing.
3. Good standing with the College and not on any type of College probation.
4. Willing and able to commit to a two-hour shift ONE day per week (no shift during college breaks, finals or January). Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, 6:00pm-8:00pm
5. Provide your own transportation to the site (car pooling is an option)
6. Meet requirements and training including but not limited to: Volunteer must be Covid-19 vaccinated and successful completion of criminal background check.