Best Extracurriculars for PA School in 2025 | How to Stand Out as an Applicant

Getting into Physician Assistant (PA) school is highly competitive. With acceptance rates averaging just 20%, every part of your application needs to demonstrate that you’re prepared, motivated, and ready to succeed. Beyond GPA and patient care experience, extracurricular activities play a key role in showing admissions committees who you are outside the classroom.

This guide will explore the best extracurriculars for PA school, why they matter, and how to choose activities that strengthen your application.

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Why Extracurriculars Matter in PA School Applications

Academics and patient care experience are essential, but PA programs also want applicants who demonstrate qualities like leadership, empathy, adaptability, and teamwork. Extracurriculars are how you prove you have these traits.

I. Developing non-cognitive skills

Activities help you build problem-solving, communication, and decision-making abilities that can’t be measured by GPA alone.

II. Showing emotional intelligence

Volunteering and community service build empathy and compassion. Qualities PAs need to build trust with patients.

III. Highlighting time management

Juggling coursework with meaningful extracurriculars shows that you can handle the heavy workload of PA school.

IV. Standing out in a competitive pool

With limited seats, well-chosen extracurriculars can be the differentiator that helps you get admitted.

Required and Recommended Extracurriculars

Not every extracurricular has equal weight in PA admissions. Here are the categories that matter most.

1. Patient Care Experience (PCE)

This is the foundation of PA school preparation. Direct hands-on roles, like EMT, CNA, RN, or medical assistant, are preferred. Most programs require anywhere from 500 to 2,000 hours, with highly competitive schools leaning toward the higher end.

2. Healthcare Experience (HCE)

This includes non-direct roles in healthcare settings, such as medical scribing, lab tech work, or administrative roles in clinics. While less impactful than PCE, it still demonstrates familiarity with the healthcare environment.

3. Shadowing

Spending time with practicing PAs gives you first-hand insight into the profession. Shadowing in different specialties, primary care, emergency medicine, pediatrics, or rural clinics, can enrich your understanding and strengthen your application.

4. Volunteering

Service activities, whether healthcare-related or not, demonstrate commitment to community impact. Volunteering in clinics, shelters, or public health initiatives shows compassion and empathy.

5. Research

Participation in medical or scientific research demonstrates intellectual curiosity and a commitment to evidence-based practice. While not required, it can strengthen your application.

6. Leadership Roles

Leading student organizations, community projects, or advocacy groups shows initiative and the ability to collaborate. Skills essential in PA practice.

7. Teaching and Mentoring

Tutoring, teaching assistantships, or peer mentoring highlight your ability to explain complex topics clearly. A valuable skill for future patient education.

8. Non-Healthcare Jobs

Don’t discount non-medical roles. Jobs in customer service, athletics, or other industries can showcase professionalism, adaptability, and people skills, all relevant to patient care.

How to Choose the Right Extracurriculars

When deciding which activities to pursue, keep these strategies in mind:

a. Quality over quantity: 

Long-term, meaningful involvement carries more weight than a long list of short commitments.

b. Relevance to PA practice: 

Prioritize activities that develop skills you’ll use as a PA, like clinical care, leadership, or teamwork.

c. Follow your interests:

Choose things you genuinely enjoy. You’ll gain more from the experience and be able to write and speak passionately about it in your application.

d. Stay recent: 

CASPA typically focuses on the last 10 years of experience, so prioritize collegiate and post-collegiate activities.

FAQs: Extracurriculars for PA School

#1. What extracurriculars look best for PA school?

Direct patient care (like EMT or CNA work), shadowing PAs, and healthcare-related volunteering are the strongest extracurriculars for PA applicants.

#2. Do non-medical extracurriculars matter?

Yes. Leadership roles, teaching, athletics, or community service outside of healthcare can demonstrate transferable skills such as teamwork, time management, and communication.

#3. How many extracurriculars should I have for PA school?

It’s not about the number but the depth of involvement. A few well-chosen, long-term commitments will impress admissions more than a long list of shallow experiences.

#4. Do PA schools require research experience?

Research isn’t required but can strengthen your application. It shows critical thinking and a commitment to advancing healthcare knowledge.

#5. Should I prioritize patient care experience over other extracurriculars?

Yes. PCE is non-negotiable for most programs, but complementing it with leadership, volunteering, and shadowing will make your application more well-rounded.

Final Thoughts

Extracurriculars are more than just resume fillers—they’re proof that you’ve developed the empathy, leadership, and adaptability to thrive as a PA. From direct patient care to volunteering and leadership roles, the best activities are those that align with your goals and show authentic commitment.

At Go Elective, we offer pre-PA internships and physician assistant internships abroad, giving you guided hands-on global health experience that doubles as a powerful extracurricular for your PA school application. These programs not only meet patient care requirements but also build cultural competence. An invaluable trait for modern healthcare providers.

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Recent Articles , Pre-health, PA Internships,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Sep 19, 2025