Post on 29-May-2020
CASPA: CENTRAL APPLICATION SERVICE FOR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS
Navigating the Beast that is CASPA
Natasha Alciso
GETTING AHEAD: PREPARING FOR CASPA• Compile all necessary info as you progress through your undergrad
• Track GPA • Save completed unofficial transcripts• Track volunteer hours, dates, titles, and
tasks/experience details• Track PCE & HCE (same details)• Shadowing experiences: provider, specialty, and
remarkable experiences/observations• Any info you learn that inspires you or shapes your
perspective on the PA profession. This may be useful for writing your personal statement
• You can make a login prior to applying to scope out CASPA!
CASPA DASHBOARD
• Navigate to different sections of your application via the dashboard
• See updates via the notifications
• Check the amount of fee’s you’re accruing by heading to “Submit Application” page.
• Use the “Check Status” tab to see if your submitted app has progressed
TRANSCRIPT ENTRY• Entry took approximately 45 minutes total
• You can request the unofficial transcript to enter your grades so long as it has all the necessary completed grade on it
• If you attended more than one Maricopa Community College, all grades will be on one MCC transcript
• To send transcripts from ASU via Parchment, download the Transcript Request Form and use the code under the barcode in the upper right corner
• Type in Course Code & Course Title exactly as seen on transcript
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION• Typically three Letters of Recommendation
required from a professor, supervisor, and physician assistant• Can vary by school
• Ask for LOR ahead of time, ideally 4-6 months
• Ask for STRONG LOR’s
• LOR writer will be sent an email from CASPA with instructions on submitting the LOR• Personal message to evaluator: short, simple, &
professional
• Choose to waive rights to access the evaluation
EXPERIENCES, ACHIEVEMENTS• Patient care experience or Health care
experience? • Generally, hands-on care is PCE
• Save time by tracking your supervisor contact
• Track the exact start/end date on your app
• Achievements: include all (medical-related or not) with a description and organization
Will provide a CASPA data template!
LICENSES / CERTS & ACHIEVEMENTS
• Licenses & Certs: Include all past and current licenses / certs
• Pre-PA Memberships• Join local state organization
(ASAPA) and/or the AAPA• Looks great if you do this early-
on in your undergrad
SUBMITTING YOUR APP!
• Submit all at once or individually• First submission: $172.00• Every app after: $55.00 per
• These may have changed since 2019
• Here’s the link to CASPA fees
• https://help.liaisonedu.com/CASPA_Applicant_Help_Center/Starting_Your_CASPA_Application/Getting_Started_with_Your_CASPA_Application/3_CASPA_Application_Fees
• Be patient. Double check your transcripts, personal statement, experience descriptions, etc.• Cannot edit most of app after submitting
• All LOR not needed to submit app
• Not all programs require the GRE
• Stages of submission:• Submitted à Completed à Verified