Getting into PA school isn't fast, cheap, or easy.  But it is possible.  This sample timeline should help you to get your application in order.

2+ Years Before Applying

  • If you're not completely positive that you want to be a PA, find some shadowing opportunities to learn more about the profession.
  • Start thinking about which schools interest you, and peruse the prerequisite coursework listed on each of their websites to get a feel for the classes you should be planning in your schedule.
  • Find some hands-on patient care experience, and keep track of how many hours you're getting.
  • Start saving your pennies - applying gets expensive very quickly.

6-12 Months Before Applying

  • Narrow your selections to the schools that interest you most, and recheck their admissions requirements.  Make sure that you have taken all of their prerequisites before you submit your application.  At this point you have to decide if you're going to cram that last prerequisite into your schedule or just not apply to that particular school.
  • Keep with the hands-on patient care, and keep documenting it.
  • Find shadowing and get to know a professor/doctor/PA/other coworker well enough that you would be comfortable asking him or her for a letter of recommendation.  You'll need three letters.
  • Take the GRE.

0-3 Months Before Applying

  • Decide where you are going to apply.
  • Re-check application requirements again, and email or call schools of interest with any questions you may have about their requirements or their program.
  • Get ready to ask for letters of recommendation (decide who you're going to ask).
  • Take the GRE if you haven't yet, and find the school codes for the programs to which you will be applying.  You can submit your GRE scores to them before you have submitted your CASPA application.
  • Start working on your personal statement/narrative/essay.
  • If you are a transfer student, make sure you know how to request a transcript from your previous college.

Applying

  • Generally, the earlier you apply, the better.  Most programs will review applications as they receive them, so it is to your benefit to get in there before the rush.  That doesn't mean you have to submit it the day CASPA opens (Usually April or May) - just don't wait until the last minute/week/month.
  • Finish your personal statement/narrative, and get it reviewed by as many people as possible.
  • Request your letters of recommendation (this can usually be done online through CASPA).
  • Plan to spend many hours tediously entering all of your coursework, personal information, and work history into CASPA. 
  • Send all transcripts to CASPA. 
  • GRE scores must be sent directly to the schools.
  • Beware of supplemental applications that can be found on the school websites.  Do them!
  • When CASPA has received your transcripts and all letters of recommendation, submit your application.  Even if they haven't processed your transcripts and determined your "CASPA GPA's" yet, they will get it done within a week or so of when you submit your payment.
  • The CASPA website will tell you when your application has been sent to all of your selected programs.

1-2 Months after Applying

  • Confirm with each school that they have received your application and that it is complete, especially if the program requires a supplemental application.
  • Thank your letter-writers.
  • Wait.

September-January after Applying

This is when the real fun begins.  During this time you will be invited to interviews, go to interviews, and get acceptances and rejections.  If possible, you might want to consider a somewhat lighter course load this term because interviewing may require you to miss multiple class days.  Most schools have finished interviewing by the end of the year, but each school is on a very different timeline, so it is completely plausible that you could interview and be accepted at one school before you even hear anything from another school.  It's complicated.

By March...

By February or March, you will know where you're going to PA school.  Now that we've gotten you through the application process, it's your job to graduate, go out there and be a PA!