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