Writing a letter of recommendation for Physician Assistant (PA) school can be both a daunting and rewarding undertaking. As a recommender, you will have the opportunity to play a pivotal role in the journey of a potential PA student. Your letter will serve as an objective, third-party endorsement of the applicant’s credentials and qualifications, and as such, it should be carefully crafted and tailored to the criteria of the particular PA school. With the right approach, your letter of recommendation can have a powerful impact on a PA school admissions committee and increase the applicant’s chances of matriculating into their desired program. In this blog post, we will discuss the best practices for writing the perfect letter of recommendation for PA school so that you can be sure that you are providing an effective endorsement.
- Your eligibility for PA school.
- How the writer knows you and for how long.
- Medical knowledge and attitude towards the workplace.
- A willingness to recommend you for PA school and reasons why you would be a suitable candidate.
Why write a letter of recommendation for PA school?
When someone applies to PA school, they typically request letters of recommendation from individuals who have observed them in a setting where professional medical care is provided. They could also consult a teacher or their boss from a non-medical job. They may need a number of letters, depending on the school they’re applying to.
People typically request a letter of recommendation from someone they believe can speak well of their character or body of work. It means you can work with them to strengthen their application. Consider writing the letter for the applicant if you believe they have what it takes to succeed in PA school.
What is a letter of recommendation?
A letter of recommendation is a letter that is written on someone’s behalf that is typically written in a professional, academic, or personal setting. Applications for jobs or higher education are two of the most frequent reasons for letters of recommendation. It’s important to confirm if the institution has preferences on elements like format, content, or how to submit the letter because the requirements of a letter of recommendation can vary depending on the type and even what institution they’re being sent to.
How to write a letter of recommendation for PA school
You can use the following steps to create a letter of recommendation for PA school:
1. Consider the request
Before saying yes, consider the request carefully. Obtaining strong letters of recommendation is crucial for applicants because they can determine whether or not they are accepted. It’s acceptable to decline if you feel you don’t know the applicant well enough to provide anything more than a general statement or if you simply don’t believe you could write a letter that was entirely positive.
2. Explain how you know the applicant
It can be helpful for the admissions committee if they are aware of your relationship to the applicant in order to properly consider your letter. Describe how you came to know them and how long you’ve known them. In this section of the letter, you should also introduce yourself and list your qualifications.
3. Describe relevant skills
Talk about the candidates’ medical-related abilities. Remember that there are a few key competencies that hiring committees frequently look for in applicants, and make sure to highlight those in your letter. Here are some competencies that committees may frequently consider when evaluating candidates:
4. Talk about their medical knowledge
Include your own assessment of the applicant’s medical knowledge if you are familiar with them from a medical setting. Try to concentrate on the areas where they have particular talent. Additionally, it might be a good idea to highlight any abilities that support their medical aptitude.
5. Describe their behavior in the workplace
Describe the candidate’s actions at work, including how they treated coworkers and patients. Inform the selection committee if the applicant has a strong sense of empathy, works well with others, or has a knack for getting patients to open up. You could also mention how the applicant is perceived by others, such as whether or not coworkers are at ease approaching them for assistance.
6. Provide examples
Include concrete examples when discussing the applicant’s abilities, medical knowledge, and behavior. Anecdotes can be more persuasive than a list of qualifications. Instead of saying they are trustworthy, you could say something like, “They have perfect attendance, regularly arrive early to work, and everyone at the clinic knows they can depend on the applicant for help.”
7. Explain why you think the applicant can succeed
The applicant’s likelihood of succeeding in the program is what the application committee is looking for. Use the examples you provided earlier in the letter to demonstrate how the applicant could be valuable to the program. Give examples of their dependability and teamwork, for instance, and then state, “Their dependability and teamwork are precisely the qualities that may allow them to excel in PA school.”
8. State your clear support of their application
Declare your support for the applicant and their desire to be accepted into PA school to close the letter. The admissions panel should, in theory, conclude your letter by concluding that the applicant is a strong candidate for their program. By writing something like, “I urge you to give them close consideration for admission to your program,” you can prevent that from being their last impression.
Letter of recommendation for PA school example
Here is an example recommendation letter for PA school that you can use as inspiration when creating your own:
To whom it may concern,
My name is JJ Walker. For ten years, I’ve worked as a senior staff nurse at Rosalind Hospital. Sylvia joined our team two years ago as a certified nurse assistant, and she has been a wonderful addition to our hospital family. It gives me great pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for her because she has been every supervisor’s dream.
Sylvia’s first position as a CNA was at Rosalind Hospital, but she quickly made a name for herself as a kind, knowledgeable individual. Hospital staff and patients give her frequent praise. Patients have praised her for her ability to make them feel at ease and cared for, and staff members laud her for her quick, accurate work and proactive approach to learning new information outside of what is necessary for her position.
The incident that, in my opinion, best captures Sylvia’s character as a CNA and as a person occurred only four months into her employment here. One of our more challenging patients had been displaying extreme hostility toward everyone. Understandably, no one was eager to work with this patient. Sylvia volunteered. She listened to them and understood their complaints as she calmly handled the patients’ hostility. She even managed to eventually calm the patient down to the point where other nurses were willing to collaborate with them once more.
Because of Sylvia’s intelligence and empathy, I think she would do well in PA school. She would be a benefit to your program, so I urge you to give her careful consideration.
Sincerely,
JJ Walker, Senior Staff Nurse
Rosalind Medical Clinic
Letters of Recommendation for PA School
FAQ
How do you recommend someone for PA school?
We advise obtaining two professional references in addition to at least one academic reference. Ideally, you should have three letters of recommendation: one from a former professor or instructor, one from a physician’s assistant or another individual who has observed you working with patients, and a final letter from a different member of the medical community.
What letters of recommendation are needed for PA school?
Most schools should accept 1-2 evaluation letters from science professors who instructed you in a course, 1 from a college instructor who does not teach science, and 1-2 letters from physician assistants.
How do I write a letter of recommendation for a physician?
- Gather helpful information from the applicant. …
- Research the organization or school. …
- List your contact information and use a formal greeting. …
- Write the opening paragraph. …
- Discuss the applicant’s medical knowledge and skills. …
- Describe the applicant’s characteristics and demeanor.
How do you ask for a letter of recommendation for a PA school template?
Example of a Request to Someone You Know Well: Good morning, NAME. I’m planning on applying to PA school. I’ve always appreciated your advice, so I was hoping you’d be open to sharing your thoughts on the procedure and thinking about writing a letter of recommendation.
