Please describe how COVID-19 has impacted your pathway to becoming a Physician Assistant

COVID – 19

Please describe how COVID-19 has impacted your pathway to becoming a Physician Assistant. The questions below will help you get started, but do not limit your responses to only these considerations.

1. Academic: Did your school move to an online-only curriculum? Were you able to interact with your professors? Did you have to leave an academic program stateside or abroad? Did your school require you to move to the Pass/Fail grading system? Did your original GRE exam get canceled or delayed? Were there Other academic barriers?

Professional: Did you hold a job? Did you have to go out and seek new job opportunities? Did you lose a job? Were there other financial or professional barriers that you faced?

Personal: Did you have to move out of a house or dorm? Did you have to cancel travel plans? Did you modify your planned experiences related to healthcare or volunteer opportunities? Did you seek out volunteer opportunities that arose from the crisis?

******* USE THIS INFO AS CONTEXT WHEN WRITING: 

Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, it notably impacted my journey to becoming a Physician Assistant. Professionally, the pandemic had a substantial effect as my family and I faced job instability. 

This situation not only affected my financial stability but also limited my ability to gain relevant healthcare experience, which is crucial for a PA program application.

Before the pandemic hit i was struggling to adjust to the civilian lifestyle after coming back from the army. That transition was already difficult and then the pandemic hit which was another transition the hardship reflected onto my grades which was then improved once i finally got my footing. 

The onset of the pandemic let to the immediate transition from in-person to online courses. Adapting to the virtual learning environment was difficult as it took place in the middle of the semester. as teachers are trying to adjust and also students trying to grasp the education it was difficult to learn. 

Personally this time was extremely diffucult as I had experienced deaths in the family and close friends. it was hard to 

regardless of the pandamic and its obstacles, my path to becoming a pa was strengthened and these skills and insights.

2. LIFE EXPERIENCES 

Explain how your life experiences and/or perspectives could contribute to the PA profession. How can these experiences help advance the goal of having healthcare providers who reflect the population of the country?

This question provides an opportunity to describe impactful life experiences, especially challenges or adversity in areas such as family background, community setting, education, or other hardships or life experiences that may not be easily presented in other parts of the application. The experiences described can be from any point in your timeline and do not need to be directly related to the field of medicine or health care. This question is also intended to provide admissions committees with information to understand the context of your journey better and to assist with mission alignment through holistic review of applicants.

 USE THIS INFO AS CONTEXT WHEN WRITING: 

My parents immigrated to America in 19.. and growing up in Flushing, NY where many are medically underserved, it was interesting to see that PAs were a link to getting healthcare. I am inspired to serve the medically underserved as I have experienced this and i believe health is something tht every human should have access to. 

Being in the military, i was able to fully comphrehend the idea of serving other and making a positive difference in the community, world.

My journey to becoming a pa is deepy rooted in a blend of personal experiences, cultural background, and a commitment to service. Growing up in Flushing, NY, a diverse neighborhood witgh a high number of medically underserved individuals, and being a child of immigrants, have profoundly shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities and the critiacal role of accessible heathcare. 

My parents, who immigrated to america in the late 90s instillef in me the values of resilience and hard work. witnessing the firsthand challenges they faced including language barriers and limited access to healthcare, emphasized the importance of culturally competent care. Growing up in  Flushing allowed me to see the integral role PAs play in bridging the gap between diverse communities and quality healthcare. My familiarity with these challenges, combined with fluency in multiple languages, positions me to effectively communicate and empathize with patients from various backgrounds, ultimately enhancing their healthcare experience.

Serving in the military further honed my dedication to service, leadership, and teamwork. The military taught me discipline, adaptability, and the importance of serving a cause greater than oneself. These experiences have equipped me with the ability to handle high-pressure situations, a crucial skill in any medical setting. My military background also instills a strong sense of duty to advocate for and serve the underserved, aligning with the core missions of many PA programs.