The Pre-PA 'Glow Up': How You’ll Transform Throughout This Process

If you’re just starting out on your Pre-PA journey, you might feel like you’re at the very beginning of a long and challenging road. But here’s the thing: this whole process is like a glow-up. You won’t just be applying to PA school—you’ll be transforming into a more confident, knowledgeable, and determined version of yourself. And when you look back, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come. Let’s break down the glow-up stages of being a Pre-PA! 

1. The “What in the World Am I Doing?” Phase

Every Pre-PA journey starts here—the beginning. You’re excited but also pretty clueless about what’s ahead. You’re asking questions like, “What is CASPA?” “How do I even get clinical hours?” or “Can I really do this?” It’s totally okay to feel this way! The first stage of your glow-up is realizing that you’re about to take on something huge, and you’re not expected to have all the answers just yet.

This is the phase where you start looking at programs, researching prerequisites, and diving into the application process. It’s like planting the seed for your future—and trust me, that seed is going to bloom in ways you can’t even imagine yet.

2. The “Google Everything” Stage

Once you get over the initial shock, you’re on a mission to learn EVERYTHING about the process. You’re Googling “How to ace the GRE” and “What counts as healthcare experience.” You’re reading blog posts, watching YouTube videos, and asking every single person you know for advice. It can get a little overwhelming at times (especially when you find conflicting information), but this is part of the transformation.

The second stage of your glow-up is learning the ropes. You’re soaking up knowledge like a sponge, figuring out your next steps, and turning all those questions into actionable answers. By the time you’re done, you’ll know the ins and outs of PA school like the back of your hand. Not bad for someone who was just Googling “PA school basics” a few weeks ago!

3. The “I Can Do This” Confidence Boost

Now that you’ve done your research, it’s time to get started. You’ve scheduled your GRE, signed up for clinical experiences, and started drafting your personal statement. And guess what? You’re feeling pretty good about it. The third phase of your glow-up is when you realize you’ve got this.

You’ll start feeling more confident in your abilities. You might have a small freak-out here and there (don’t worry, it’s normal!), but you’ll also have moments where you think, “I’m actually on the right track here.” Those little wins, like finishing your personal statement or getting the clinical hours you need, will give you the motivation to keep moving forward.

4. The “I’m Actually an Expert” Phase

By now, you’ve been in the game for a while. You’re deep into the application process, tweaking your personal statement, and juggling shadowing hours with work or school. You’re starting to realize you actually know a lot about PA school. Whether it's what to put in your CASPA application, how to write an unforgettable personal statement, or which schools are a good fit for your goals, you’re becoming an expert in the field of “being a Pre-PA.”

At this point, you’ll probably even be the one helping out others with their questions, because you’ve learned SO much. And that confidence you’ve built? It’s shining through in everything you do. You’ve officially entered the expert phase of your glow-up!

5. The “I’m Ready to Own This” Stage

By the time you submit your applications, you’ll be in full glow-up mode. Your self-assurance is through the roof, and you’ve grown in so many ways—both personally and professionally. You’ll have faced challenges (like that nerve-wracking interview prep or a last-minute personal statement edit), but you’ve learned how to overcome them.

At this stage, you’ll have refined your skills, figured out your “why” for becoming a PA, and gained real-world healthcare experience that’s going to set you apart. You’ll be ready for PA school, and that’s when the glow-up feels the most real: when you realize just how much you’ve transformed throughout the process.

6. The “I Made It” Moment

And then, the day comes. The moment you’ve been working toward for months (or even years). You open that email, and it’s official: You’ve been accepted into PA school! Cue the confetti. The hard work, the late nights, the moments of self-doubt—all of it was worth it.

The final stage of your glow-up is the moment you get to bask in the glow of your success. You’ve taken on the Pre-PA journey, faced the challenges head-on, and now you’re on your way to becoming the PA you always dreamed of. The person who started out uncertain and nervous has transformed into a confident, goal-driven future healthcare professional.

The Takeaway: Trust the Process

So, what’s the takeaway from this glow-up journey? Don’t rush it. Enjoy each phase, from the “What am I doing?” confusion to the “I’m ready to own this” confidence. Every stage of this transformation is leading you closer to your goal. And trust me, when you look back on this journey one day, you’ll be amazed at how much you’ve grown.

You’ve got this, Pre-PA. Keep glowing!