How to Find the Best Pre-Physician Assistant Internships in 2025

If you’re planning to become a physician assistant (PA), you already know that strong academics and clinical competence are key to a successful application. But there’s one element that can make all the difference in standing out: direct patient care experience through a pre-physician assistant internship.

It only academically prepared but also comfortable in healthcare environments—working alongside doctors, nurses, and patients. The earlier you start gaining clinical exposure, the more confident and competitive you’ll be.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to find a pre-PA internship that aligns with your goals, whether locally or abroad.

> Explore Go-Elective Pre–PA and PA Internships Abroad

Start with Your Professors and Career Services Office

One of the best ways to find a reliable internship is by tapping into the resources at your university. Talk to:

Your professors or academic advisors

Who may have connections with hospitals or clinics that accept undergraduate interns

Your career services office

Which often maintains a database of local internships and alumni mentors

The pre-health advising office

Which can recommend programs tailored to physician assistant school requirements

These on-campus resources can also help you refine your resume and prepare for internship interviews.

Ask Your Primary Care Provider or PA

Don’t overlook your own network. Reach out to your family doctor, primary care provider, or any physician assistant you’ve encountered through appointments. Ask if:

Their practice offers shadowing or pre-PA internship opportunities
They know of colleagues or clinics that regularly host pre-PA students
They’d be willing to provide a referral or recommendation

Many students find internships through informal introductions, so it’s worth starting a conversation. Even if it feels outside your comfort zone.

Leverage Your Personal and Academic Network

Your friends, classmates, family, and even student organizations can be powerful allies in your internship search. Ask:

If anyone has completed a PA internship and can share where and how they applied
If anyone has contacts in hospitals, clinics, or public health departments
If your university has a pre-PA club or student health organization offering structured mentorship or clinical experiences

Connecting with other pre-PA students often uncovers opportunities that aren’t advertised online.

Contact Local Clinics and Hospitals Directly

You can also be proactive by reaching out to medical facilities in your area. Try:

Searching “physician assistant internships near me” or by city/state
Visiting hospital websites to explore volunteer, internship, or shadowing programs
Writing a short, professional email to local clinics expressing your interest in gaining pre-PA experience

When reaching out, be sure to:

Introduce yourself clearly (include your school and major)
State your interest in a pre-PA internship or shadowing opportunity
Express your availability and willingness to assist in any capacity

Professionalism and initiative go a long way—especially in busy clinical environments.

Explore Pre-Physician Assistant Internships Abroad

If you're looking for immersive, hands-on experience with fewer regulatory restrictions, pre-PA internships abroad offer a compelling alternative. Inquire to programs like Go Elective’s physician assistant internships in Kenya and Tanzania place students in real hospital settings, where they:

Shadow licensed PAs and physicians across departments like emergency medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and internal medicine
Observe medical procedures and patient care delivery in low-resource settings
Participate in public health initiatives and community outreach

Unlike shadowing in the U.S., these programs provide structured, supervised experiences that fulfill PA school clinical hour requirements—and offer global insight into patient care.

Join Pre-PA Clubs and Online Communities

Many schools offer pre-PA clubs that host panels, organize shadowing events, and connect students with opportunities. Outside campus, you can also join:

Online pre-PA forums (like r/prephysicianassistant or Physician Assistant Forum)
LinkedIn groups and Facebook communities for pre-PA students
Local healthcare volunteer organizations or student health ambassador programs

These platforms are rich with advice, shared opportunities, and real-world application tips from current PAs and applicants.

Final Thoughts: Invest Early, Gain Big

Finding the right pre-PA internship may take persistence, but it’s worth the effort. Clinical experience not only prepares you for the realities of working in medicine—it also strengthens your application, clarifies your career goals, and shows PA schools that you’re serious about the profession.

Whether you pursue opportunities locally or abroad, be proactive, professional, and open to learning.

If you’re ready to take your clinical experience to the next level, explore Go Elective’s pre-PA internships abroad. Our programs in Kenya and Tanzania offer small-group mentorship, immersive hospital exposure, and the chance to make a real difference while building your future career.