Application Guide
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Applications: Applicants should check with the schools they plan to apply to for application information and timeline.
When to Apply: Application timelines will vary between schools. Most applications will open in early summer and will have a deadline of January for submission.
Coursework and Transcripts: The courses you have taken will need to be self-reported and you will also need to have official transcripts sent directly to the schools you are applying to.
You may order a transcript from the MSU registrar’s office from the registrar’s web site, reg.msu.edu. There is no charge for sending transcripts. If you are taking courses during the spring semester, it is advised you wait until your spring semester grades are posted to your record as professional schools will want to see those grades.
ENTRANCE EXAM
GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION (GRE)
The GRE is required for admission into some Pathologists' Assistant programs. Please see our GRE page for more information on this exam.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
The personal statement is a very limited in length essay that is used as a device to get a better understanding of the applicant. It is a very important element that should be prepared well in advance to the application and should be edited thoroughly by many different people, such as but not limited to, the writing center, friends and family.
Length: Will vary between programs.
Prompt: Will vary between programs. Focus on your experiences, your commitment to becoming a pathologists' assistant, and reasoning for pursuing this career.
What to include:
- Why you selected this field of health care
- What motivates you to learn more about health care
- Pertinent information about you not included elsewhere in the application
- Special hardships or experiences that have influenced your educational pursuits
- Commentary on significant fluctuations in your academic record not explained in the application.
Resources:
WORK/ACTIVITIES
This section gives applicants an opportunity to expand on their experiences. All of your work in leadership, clinical experiences, community service, research, publications, awards and honors are detailed in a single section. Pay close attention to character limits when writing your description of each experience.
Work and activities are often categorized into the following types:
- Employment
- Shadowing
- Volunteer
- Achievements: Awards, Honors, Publications
- License(s) and/or Healthcare Certification(s)
RECOMMENDATION LETTERS
Pathologists' assistant programs typically require 2-3 letters.
While you must pay careful attention to the guidelines of each school that requests your letters, we suggest you identify the following people to request letters of evaluation from:
- One-two science faculty who taught you in a class
- One non-science faculty
- One individual working in the profession you wish to pursue (example: an osteopathic physician, dentist, physical therapist, pharmacist, etc)
- One or two additional individuals who know you well from a work, volunteer or research experience
MSU does not have a pre-medical or pre-health committee and does not create letter packets for applicants. MSU students collect individual letters for their applications.
INTERVIEWS
After submitting the applications, students may receive an offer to interview. Programs that offer an interview have indicated an interest in selecting you, and the interview is a critical part of the application process. Remember, you are not only preparing to answer their questions, you are preparing to ask your own. While they determine whether you are the right fit for the program, you need to determine if the program is the right fit for you.
Schools use personal interviews with applicants to assess qualities such as maturity, interpersonal skills, and ability to articulate strengths and weaknesses. Be prepared to discuss why you wish to pursue a career in perfusion.
Resources:
- Interview Tips
- InterviewStream - Free mock interview software