From PA School Reapplicant to Future Provider: How Persistence Helped One Student Succeed [Episode 621]
Applying to physician assistant (PA) programs is an incredibly competitive process, and for many applicants, the path to acceptance is not always straightforward. In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, host Dr. Valerie Wherley speaks with Cassandra Zoetjes about her journey as a three-time PA school applicant and the lessons she learned along the way.
Cassandra shares that after initially pursuing nursing as an undergrad, she discovered the PA profession through a college roommate and later confirmed her interest while working alongside PAs as an emergency department scribe. But despite retaking courses, expanding her clinical experience, and strengthening her volunteer work, Cassandra was not accepted during her first two application cycles. Ultimately, Cassandra decided to complete a master’s degree in nutrition at Columbia University, an experience she credits with significantly strengthening both her academic preparation and her understanding of medicine and healthcare.
One of the most powerful themes in this conversation is resilience. Cassandra reflects candidly on the emotional challenge of reapplying and the importance of staying grounded in her “why.” She emphasizes that rejection does not necessarily mean an applicant is incapable; it may simply mean they are “not there yet.”
Throughout each cycle, Cassandra focused on improving her experiences, refining her personal story, and finding programs that aligned more closely with her mission and background. Her story is an encouraging reminder that growth and persistence can make a meaningful difference in a competitive admissions process.
Now thriving in PA school at Sacred Heart University, Cassandra discusses the realities of managing an intense curriculum while maintaining balance through friendships, extracurricular involvement, and leadership opportunities, including serving as president of her program’s student government. Her advice for future applicants is both practical and compassionate: stop comparing yourself to others, and remember that your mindset matters. Rather than “blindly…believing in yourself,” she recommends “making a conscious effort to choose yourself and to choose your future you.”
Related Resources
- Sacred Heart University Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies
- Sacred Heart University Bachelor’s–MS in Physician Associate Studies
- The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Physician Assistant, a free Accepted guide
- How to Write an Impactful PA School Personal Statement (with Examples)
Related Episodes
- Becoming a PA at Sacred Heart: International Opportunities, Orthopedic Training, and Admissions Advice [Episode 613]
- How to Get Accepted to Duke’s Physician Assistant Program [Episode 591]
- How to Get into Physician Assistant Programs [Episode 515]
- Inside the Emory PA Program: Admissions, Curriculum, and Keys to Success [Episode 603]
