Strategy for Physician Assistant and Anesthesia Assistant Applications

Handwritten vs. Digital Signatures: A key concern was raised regarding whether a signature obtained on an iPad is viewed the same as a handwritten signature by admissions committees.
Admissions Pickiness: The mentor noted that some schools are particularly picky about documentation formats.
Strategic Documentation:
- It is recommended to have at least one shadowing form with an in-person, handwritten signature.
- This specific form should ideally represent a shadowing experience that meets or exceeds the minimum hour requirements set by the target school.
- Following this "anchor" document, subsequent shadowing forms can be digital or iPad-based without significant risk, as the student has demonstrated adherence to traditional rules for their primary experience.

Submission Quantity: The student drafted two literature summaries because some applications (specifically mentioned in the context of Nova) allow for a maximum of two uploads.
Nova Southeastern University (Nova) CASPA Requirements:
- The application requires a one-page typed summary of a literature review.
- The summary must be sourced from one of three recommended journals specified by the program.
Formatting and Upload Strategy:
- While the CASPA interface might show "two remaining" slots for document uploads, the mentor suggested that if only one document is allowed, the student should merge the two summaries into a single final document, placing them back-to-back.
- If the portal allows separate files, they should be uploaded individually.
Leveraging Choice: The ability to choose the topic and the paper is a strategic advantage ("leverage"). Students should choose topics that are not just trending but reflect a deep interest in anesthesia or personal advocacy.

Poster Presentations: The student completed a summer research project that resulted in a poster presentation but did not lead to a formal publication with their name included.
The "Publication Research" Section: There is a dilemma about whether to upload a presentation to a section labeled for "publications."
Justification of Non-Publication: If a student is asked why a project wasn't published, a valid justification is that the Principal Investigator (PI) decided to rerun certain tests or gather more data to achieve higher "publication quality" results.
Communication with Admissions: The mentor advised reaching out to the specific schools to ask if they want the presentation details included in the publication section even if the student wasn't a named author. It is better to leave it out than to mischaracterize it if the school is strict.
Saint Louis University (SLU): Mentioned specifically as a school that may have distinct requirements for research article summaries or publication research.

Topic Selection Criteria: Instead of picking topics that "sound good" or are trending, students should use a research reservoir or funnel to identify topics they are genuinely passionate about.
Example of Poor Topic Choice: The student initially picked a topic regarding anesthesia drugs and their impact/care needed for children in labor and delivery (specifically mentioning the drug "Delirium"). However, the student admitted they could not go deep into the paper, making it a poor choice for an interview topic.
The Dual-Article Strategy: When allowed to submit two summaries, the student should vary the focus:
- Article 1: Clinical Anesthesia focus (actual clinical practice).
- Article 2: Advocacy and Professional Models.
The Advocacy/ACT Model: For students interested in global health or professional development, summarizing research on the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) model is recommended. This model is proven in the US and can be discussed in the context of being implemented worldwide.
Interview Preparation: These summaries serve as "back pocket topics." If an interviewer asks about research, the student can pivot to these articles. Being intentional with these choices demonstrates dimensionality to the admissions committee.

Case Western Reserve University (Case):
- Ranked as the top choice (#1).
- Proximity to home is a major factor.
- They offer the flexibility to do clinical rotations outside of Texas.
- Deadline Warning: In a recent webinar, it was noted that Case Western expected to finish interviewing for the cycle around July.
Priority List of Schools (Top 4 to 7/8):
1. Case Western Reserve University (Top choice).
2. Nova Southeastern University.
3. University of Maryland (UMH) (Moving up in preference).
4. VCOM Auburn.
5. Lipscomb University (Preferred over Emory for Tennessee exposure).
6. Emory University.
7. Saint Louis University (SLU) (Moving down in preference).
8. Kansas City University (KCU) (Kept as an eighth option depending on time/motivation).
Dropped Schools: UNM (University of New Mexico) and South University were discussed as being lower on the list or removed.
Selection Reasoning: The student wants to avoid broadening the school list too much because each school requires specific character traits to be highlighted in the personal statement, and too many schools can dilute the quality of the application.

Student Question: "If I make if I get, like, a iPad signature, is does that sound like, does that seem the same as a handwritten signature?"
Response: The mentor explained that it should be the same, but schools can be picky. The strategy is to ensure at least one form—the one with the most significant hours—is handwritten and in-person to satisfy strict reviewers.
Student Question: "Do they actually ask questions [about the research summaries in interviews]?"
Response: Surprisingly, they don't always ask. However, the student should treat the research summary as a "tool for the interview." It is about being intentional so that the applicant appears as someone who has researched their interests thoroughly, rather than someone who just filler their application with arbitrary topics.
Student Question: "Why is Case [ranked] one?"
Response: The student clarified it was due to the program's proximity to home and the positive feedback from a webinar regarding their interview timeline and clinical rotation flexibility.