Class & Student Profiles

What advice would you share with an applicant considering Northwestern?

Be yourself on your application. Every school is looking for a diverse set of individuals to make up their class and at Northwestern you’ll find yourself among classmates from a variety of backgrounds and specialties. Do your best to shadow and experience medicine in its fullest and understand that the desire to learn is what makes Northwestern’s program so fun! Realistically, I would say this program offers you all of the resources to succeed, both academically and clinically. Northwestern provides a safe environment to be wrong and to be happy to be wrong! As someone that genuinely loves learning and understanding the deep physiology behind our complicated cases, there’s no better place to become a PA in our current times!

What advice would you share with an applicant considering Northwestern?

One piece of advice I would share with an applicant considering Northwestern is to really lean into your clinical experiences prior to PA school. Make the most of every day at work or volunteering by being inquisitive! As you set up for an in-office procedure, ask your colleagues specifics about the procedure. As you care for patients of diverse backgrounds, make a concerted effort to learn new ways to integrate cultural humility into every patient interaction. The Northwestern PA program encourages students to be self-directed, curious learners, so beginning to think in this manner prior to PA school will set you up for success not only as a Northwestern PA student, but as a practicing PA as well!

What are your impressions of the curriculum?

Our curriculum is challenging and taught by experts on each individual subject. The pace is much faster than what you encounter at the undergraduate level, so come ready to work! Our professors and guest lecturers do an amazing job sharing their knowledge and are genuinely invested in making you an excellent clinician. The PBL curriculum encourages you to think for yourself, develop clinical reasoning, become comfortable teaching others, and learn how to find and appraise medical literature. The PBL coursework also develops strength through teamwork in small groups, which is a critical skill for PAs in the workforce.

What are your impressions of the curriculum?

Northwestern’s PA Program is truly a gem. By the end of each Problem-Based Learning (PBL) week, I am extremely surprised at how much I have learned and how tangible the information is to grasp. I am able to apply the clinical knowledge instead of just reading about it. PBL is what sets the curriculum apart from many other programs. You learn to think critically and problem solve when presented with a patient’s chief complaint. You learn to take an adequate history, perform the proper work-up, and develop a diagnosis and treatment plan. I cannot imagine a better way to prepare for becoming a clinician. We also receive amazing lectures from Northwestern clinicians who use their unique perspectives to really help solidify and bridge our clinical and scientific understanding. In addition, it is evident how much the faculty cares about us and our well-being. Despite the rigor of PA school, the faculty always make an effort to provide support in any way they can. Our cohort is also really close and we all work to help each other out, which supports our learning.

What attracted you to the Northwestern PA Program?

For me, Northwestern had it all! I loved the concept of Problem-Based Learning (PBL), a small class size, access to a wide range of clinical sites, being in Chicago, the list goes on! Of all the great things about Northwestern PA program, what really compelled me to apply was the mission statement. I felt that my own personal mission statement greatly overlapped with the goals and ideology that the program holds. A lot of my experience studying Medical Anthropology in undergrad made me inclined to find a program that went farther than just training me to be a PA; I wanted to attend a school that would help me be healer and advocate for patients. I love seeing our mission statement followed through in actions like the Education Centered Medical Home (ECMH) and the Behavioral and Preventive Medicine course. I feel that Northwestern is devoted to creating healthcare providers who can unlearn their own biases and do more in the communities they practice in, and I wanted to be a part of it!

What attracted you to the Northwestern PA Program?  

My interview with Northwestern was what sealed the deal for me. It was the only interview where I left feeling more confident in myself than when I arrived. It is natural to have some pre-interview jitters, but everyone involved in the interview day at NUPA did a fantastic job making me feel welcomed so that I could relax and show them my true self. Both the students and the faculty were so friendly, genuine, and approachable, and I still feel supported by them now that I am a student here. All my interactions with the faculty members have left the impression that I am not just a statistic but someone with unique strengths and the potential to become a great PA. I couldn’t be happier that Northwestern and I chose one another!  

What attracted you to the Northwestern PA Program?

Honestly, many things caught my attention about the Northwestern PA Program. First, the program’s affiliation with a nationally ranked academic medical center and four elective rotations will benefit me during clinical year, giving me exposure to more specialties and allowing me to learn from the best providers. Second, the program’s Problem-Based Learning (PBL) curriculum. As an active learner, I knew this type of curriculum would help me think more critically while learning. Third, the family feel I got from the faculty, staff, and students during the info session and interview day made me realize it was an atmosphere in which I knew I would get the support I needed to push through the rigors of PA school. The small class size helps make that happen. Lastly, I loved that the program has Medical Spanish in their curriculum. As a Spanish-speaking Hispanic, I feel it is important to increase the number of Spanish-speaking providers in order to bridge the language barrier gap in my community. Northwestern shares that same value.

What advice would you share with an applicant considering Northwestern?

I would encourage you to seriously consider Northwestern University’s PA program. The program has an incredible array of resources and opportunities to prepare you to become a great PA. The organ system-based curriculum and the Problem-Based Learning approach are organized in a way such that your knowledge builds upon the previous system, and everything just starts to come together. All our faculty and guest lecturers are extremely knowledgeable because they are experts in their field, so we learn from the best of the best. Besides academics, we also get opportunities to expand our PA network.  Not only do we get paired with a “big sibling” from the cohort above us, but we also get the chance to be paired with a practicing Northwestern Medicine PA mentor so that we can receive guidance from all stages of this PA journey. As a cherry on top, Chicago is a beautiful city and our campus is located in a prime location in the heart of Chicago.

How has PBL prepared you for success during clinical year?

Without a doubt, Problem-Based Learning (PBL) has been the single most important factor in my education thus far. Being treated like a clinician from day one forces you to learn how to think, which is one of the most valuable skills in medicine. In other words, PBL trains you to learn to ask appropriate questions, teaches you how to think outside the box, and most importantly, forces you to collaborate with peers to reach a final diagnosis. PBL does a good job of taking you out of your comfort zone and challenging you in ways that make you grow. I would also say that PBL teaches you how to sort through complex medical literature and make it relevant. This is an important skill going into clinical year and beyond since medicine is an ever-changing, research-dominated subject.

Thinking back to your expectations about what the clinical year would be like, what has surprised you most now that you are taking care of patients every day?

During the didactic year, there was a steep learning curve. I was immersed in the curriculum, and I was looking forward to applying all the knowledge I accumulated over the first year. My clinical experience this year has reinforced the concepts I learned—it has also been so rewarding taking care of patients daily. All the hours I spent learning various medical concepts and reviewing slides have paid off. Patients have been so receptive to having another member of their healthcare team. You would be surprised how many patients have asked me to explain the basic pathophysiology of the condition they are experiencing or the progression of their recovery. It has been rewarding to contribute to their medical understanding and health literacy.

What has the transition been like between the didactic and clinical years of the program?

SO GREAT. It is so nice seeing patients every day and applying what I learned during my first year. I have learned so much in my first two rotations in such a short period of time. Building on my foundation from didactic year has made it so much easier to further my learning—to better understand diagnoses and how to treat patients. It has been an easy transition and I feel like I have made a huge difference in so many patients’ lives already!

What are your impressions of the curriculum?

The curriculum at Northwestern University's PA program stands out through its use of the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model. Unlike many programs, the clinical experience starts during our didactic year. As PA students, through the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine’s Education Centered Medical Home (ECMH) program, we work with medical students in clinical settings across Chicago once a month. We gather pertinent patient history, perform physical exams, present it to the medical team, and develop a treatment plan for patients with the help and approval of our overseeing preceptors. Having this early exposure in a clinical setting gives us an advantage during the start of clinical rotations since we have an idea of what to expect and how to start conversations with patients. In addition, going to ECMH provides a break from the studying routine of the didactic year. It serves as a reminder of, and motivator for, the professional life that awaits us post-graduation!

How did your first-year experience prepare you for clinical rotations?

Didactic year threw a whirlwind of information at us—at times, it was difficult to digest and integrate everything into an overarching clinical picture. However, we had opportunities such as weekly Problem-Based Learning (PBL) cases to develop our clinical reasoning, monthly Education Centered Medical Home (ECMH) clinical experiences to try our hand at taking histories and examining real patients, and occasional patient encounter workshops that allowed us to practice skills such as “delivering bad news” in a safe space. These additions to the curriculum made the transition from classroom learning to clinical learning more fluid.

How has PBL prepared you for success during clinical year?

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) was easily my favorite part of the first year of PA School. Very few PA programs in the country offer it, but I can't imagine learning as effectively any other way. With PBL, we are presented with a new patient case at the beginning of each week. The method for working through the case mirrors how patients are approached during clinical year. For each case assigned during the first year, we worked through all the different possible diagnoses that might present similarly, ordered labs and imaging tests, and arrived at treatment plans. This translated directly into how I approach my patient cases this year. During my clinical year, I have felt the direct impact of this, because I feel like we have learned how to critically think of ways different diseases can present similarly from the beginning our PA education. Initially, it may seem like a daunting way to learn, and it is a lot of work, but I can’t recommend it enough.

Why did you select the Northwestern University PA Program?

What attracted me most to the PA Program was the opportunity to incorporate Problem-Based Learning (PBL) into my methods of learning. I had some experience with prior PBL courses and realized that although it is a lot of work, it helps to integrate the information with a deeper understanding. Now I could not imagine learning medicine any other way. My decision to attend Northwestern was further confirmed when I went to the interview and felt comfortable with the program, the faculty and the students that I met that day. The environment at Northwestern makes coming to class each day enjoyable and productive, which I don’t think can be found at many other programs.

Compared to your impressions before starting PA school, what has surprised you since enrolling in the Northwestern University PA Program?

Prior to starting PA school, I thought that I would have to put my life on hold and say goodbye to my family and friends for two years. I am pleased to say that this is very much not the case. Although there is a lot of work to be done and a lot to learn in a short amount of time, it is very possible in this program to balance life and school. I not only have time to see my family, but also to spend time with my classmates outside of academia.

What are your impressions of the PA Program curriculum?

My impression about the PA Program curriculum is that the program is designed for success. We are constantly reminded with Northwestern program statistics that we will become professional, competent clinicians just like all that have come before us. The system-based approach is one part of the curriculum that enhances the integration of our learning across our courses and helps us reach that success. Overall, it is important to trust the process of this program because it works. Additionally, since the students here at Northwestern hold themselves to such a high standard, there is no question that we will come to reach our own goals and those set by the curriculum.

What advice or other thoughts would you share with an applicant considering the Northwestern University PA Program?

Advice that I would give to those considering the PA Program is that you will not regret it. Any PA program you may choose will be challenging, there is no doubt, but at Northwestern I can say that you will have an enjoyable experience. The faculty and staff here are amazing: each with their own distinct personalities and quirks that make classes interesting and engaging. They also care about your learning and are willing to help in every possible way that they can. Your classmates are also one of the best parts about choosing Northwestern. They are some of the greatest people I know and will keep you smiling even when school becomes challenging. The program itself will give you the tools for success, but what makes Northwestern special is the positivity and team-based mentality that is incorporated on your journey to becoming a professional.

Why did you select the Northwestern University PA Program?

The Problem-Based Learning curriculum and reputation of the University.

How did you find your first job out of PA school?

I found my first job by way of our “career day” in March of my second year at Northwestern. We had representatives from different hospitals come to talk to us about applying for jobs. I went up and talked to one of the speakers after the presentation and told her I was interested in her field, and it eventually led to my first position out of PA school.

If you were going to do it all over again, what would you do differently (regarding the PA school experience, choosing PA school or anything at all)?

I would have taken my elective rotations in something different than my current profession. I knew I wanted to go into orthopedics, but I wish I had a better knowledge base in cardiology and/or respiratory by taking a four-week rotation in one of those subjects.

How did PBL prepare you for success during your clinical year and now in professional practice?

PBL helped me synthesize information from Didactic Year and gave it practical application that improved both my clinical and analytical skills. Alongside my classmates, I learned to be an effective member of a medical team, which has been invaluable in the clinical environment. PBL also taught me to be an efficient self-learner as I pre-pared to teach my classmates each session. This has given me the ability to operate more independently in the clinical environment and more effectively communicate information to patients, families and other members of the medical team. My didactic experience would not have been the same without PBL, and I am grateful for the vital role it played in preparing me for clinical success!

What attracted you to the Northwestern PA Program?

I knew that Northwestern had a great PA Program when I applied, but it was my interview day that really sealed the deal. From the first moment I walked in the doors, I felt welcomed by both students and staff. Everyone was genuine, willing to answer questions and truly happy to be here. The environment is so collaborative and supportive, which is exactly what I was looking for in a program. I can confidently say that I made the right choice. My advice for applicants: approach your interviews as a two-way street. You want the school to choose you, of course, but try to picture yourself as a student at that program. You'll be spending some very formative years at whichever school you choose. If the program feels like the right fit, you really can't go wrong!

Why did you select the Northwestern University PA Program?

In addition to going to school between the Mag Mile and Lake Shore Drive, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine has an exceptional reputation.

What aspect of the Northwestern University PA Program best prepared you for your current position?

Problem-Based Learning (PBL): At first I was hesitant for this form of learning and was even avoiding PA programs that offered PBL; however, my interview convinced me otherwise. PBL made the coursework exciting, encouraged team skills and, most importantly, helped me retain information because I was responsible for teaching my classmates. I can still recall our first case.

How did you find your first job out of PA school?

Mayo Clinic BMT saved my father’s life; therefore, I have the utmost respect for this institution. When I saw a job posting online, I immediately applied and the rest is history.

If you were going to do it all over again, what would you do differently (regarding the PA school experience, choosing PA school or anything at all)?

I would recommend choosing your elective rotations very carefully; pick a weakness, not a strength and become better at that particular specialty. Whatever you decide to do, an additional few weeks in cardiology or pulmonary will help you.

What are your impressions of the PA Program curriculum?

The Northwestern PA Program offers an immersive curriculum that, from day one, prepares students to become well-rounded providers. The system-based approach allows us to focus on one organ system at a time and thoroughly review all aspects of each, including the anatomy/physiology, patient assessment, laboratory medicine, pharmacotherapy and preventative medicine. The PBL curriculum, which goes through patient cases every week in small groups, sets the stage for the effective development of deep critical thinking skills, as well as emphasizing the importance of a team-based approach. In addition, I believe it was very progressive of the program to include Medical Spanish in their curriculum, to address the significant patient population of Spanish speakers in Chicago. Overall, I believe the PA Program curriculum reinforces life-long learning and encourages students to take ownership of their own education. I now realize that Northwestern’s unique approach proved extremely valuable when adapting to real-life situations. I consider myself lucky to have chosen Northwestern.

Why did you select the Northwestern University PA Program?

A number of factors went into selecting different programs; specifically the reputation of the program, opportunities and board pass rates. Additionally, being in Chicago only added to endless opportunities within the program.

What aspect of the Northwestern University PA Program best prepared you for your current position?

One thing that distinguishes Northwestern’s PA Program is the variety of rotations offered. I completed rotations at major academic medical centers, federal hospitals, community hospitals and even private practices. The variety of patients from inner-city to rural populations prepared me well to practice medicine.

What advice or thoughts would you share with an applicant regarding work or involvement in the PA profession after PA school?

Research. Research is imperative to success. Know expectations, set goals and make plans to accomplish those goals.

How did PBL prepare you for success during your clinical year and now in professional practice?

A unique aspect of Northwestern’s curriculum is its emphasis on PBL, a method of learning that allows students to apply the knowledge they have gained throughout Didactic Year to various clinical scenarios in collaboration with fellow classmates. The way in which students work through a PBL patient case is comparable to how a real patient would be approached — you learn how to formulate a differential diagnosis, conduct an interview, order appropriate diagnostic testing, create a treatment plan and present the patient. Not only has PBL allowed me to advance my critical-thinking and self-directed learning skills, but it has made me a stronger team member and more effective communicator. PBL truly trains you to think and work like a clinician and prepares you to become a confident and successful clinical student and future PA. I cannot imagine what my medical training would have been like without PBL!

Why did you select the Northwestern University PA Program?

I chose Northwestern for numerous reasons. First, the PA Program is situated in the downtown Chicago medical campus. The students have access to some of the most advanced medical resources (e.g., patient simulation lab) and have the opportunity to train at a nationally recognized healthcare system. With the strong reputation Northwestern University carries, I knew graduating from the program would help me during my job search process. Lastly, after my interview with one of the faculty members, Ms. Kris Healy, I was impressed by the program's commitment and dedication to reaching out to the underserved populations. 

How did you find your first job out of PA school?

Persistence. I knew I was interested in dermatology and that getting a job straight out of PA school would be difficult. During my clinical year, I completed an elective rotation in dermatology and shadowed a dermatology PA during my spare time. I was also very active in the Illinois Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants and began networking through the organization. After applying to every dermatology job posting I saw and sending out my CV to all the dermatology offices in the Chicagoland area, I finally landed my dream job.

If you were going to do it all over again, what would you do differently (regarding the PA school experience, choosing PA school or anything at all)?

I wish I could have been more involved with the student leadership. Don't be scared like I was. I was concerned that I would not be able to balance schoolwork and holding a leadership position. Looking back now, it would have been doable. 

Why did you select the Northwestern University PA Program?

I chose the PA Program because I had been working in the NMH system for a few years and knew both the reputation of Feinberg as well as the quality of the University as a whole. Regardless of being in the first class or not, which had inherent risk, I knew that being at such an esteemed institution I would be well educated and prepared at the highest level. And you can’t beat classes on the shores of Lake Michigan either. 

What aspect of the Northwestern University PA Program best prepared you for your current position?

The single most important aspect that prepared me was the expectation for excellence. The program championed high expectations to perform at the highest level as well as represent a new program in the Chicagoland area. If we weren’t prepared for a clinical day or didn’t score well on national exams, it reflected poorly on a program that we were directly responsible for shaping. That being said, Northwestern gave us endless educational resources within the medical school that enabled us to succeed.

What was the biggest adjustment moving from PA school to your current position?

The most difficult part of the transition from student to practice was with confident decision-making. As a student, there is always someone superior to you that reviews your notes, assessment and plan, but as a practicing PA there is a level of autonomy that demands not only knowledge and compassionate decision-making but also confidence, which is difficult to develop.

How did you find your first job out of PA school?

I did my final rotation, an elective, at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Cardiothoracic Surgery and was hired before the end of the rotation.

What advice or thoughts would you share with an applicant regarding work or involvement in the PA profession after PA school?

I think the best initial step is to be selfish; concentrate first on your immediate position as a provider and get through your first year as a PA. Learn as much as possible about your field and yourself in that field. Once you begin to feel confident and see some real success as a healthcare provider, then start to transition into leadership and involvement. You can’t be a good leader without a strong clinical base.

If you were going to do it all over again, what would you do differently (regarding the PA school experience, choosing PA school or anything at all)?

Wouldn’t change a thing.

Prior to enrolling, what helped you feel prepared for PA school?

Some of the best advice I received from PAs was to take time and enjoy myself before starting school. PA school is an exciting and challenging two years, and it is important to do things that you love and want to check off your list before starting school, because you may not have time to do them. You'll learn everything you need to know in school. Another thing that was very helpful was reaching out to current PA students and practicing PAs to get an idea of what to expect and get any tips they might have about school, rotations and life as a PA.

Why did you select the Northwestern University PA Program?

The Problem-Based Learning (PBL) style was a major factor for me, in addition to the hospital connection with Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

What aspect of the Northwestern University PA Program best prepared you for your current position?

Ability to adapt to new situations and learn new information (preparing learning issues from PBL class). The ability to read through information and pull relevant portions to create a concise summary is an important skill to have. There will always be new information, and it will help you to create your own “learning issues” and share the information with other colleagues and residents. It helps move your knowledge base further than you will achieve with passive learning.

How did you find your first job out of PA School?

Networking, networking, networking. Know your interest (but don’t commit too soon to interest; keep your options open), always be “on,” everyone you meet on rotation is a potential colleague. Treat them as such.

Compared to your impressions before starting PA school, what surprised you about the Northwestern University PA Program?

What surprised me most after enrolling in the program was finding out how compassionate and empathetic the staff and faculty are. When you're interviewing, nearly all programs say that their staff and faculty care and is there to help you with anything, but the PA Program here actively puts that into practice. My class entered the program at a very unusual and difficult time during the pandemic. Staff and faculty were great at listening to our concerns and struggles and implementing changes when they could. I also entered the program with the understanding that PA school was difficult, but I was delighted to discover that the organ-based system of study provides an efficient way for the concepts from different classes to blend and complement each other well.

Why did you select the Northwestern University PA Program?

The Problem-Based Learning (PBL) aspect of the curriculum.

What aspect of the Northwestern University PA Program best prepared you for your current position?

PBL: Learning and practicing the process of how to approach topics in medicine rather than just learning information. You’re never going to be able to memorize everything, so PBL teaches you to be comfortable taking any clinical topic or question and knowing how to approach finding the answer and applying it to your patient.

How did you find your first job out of PA school?

Web postings on hospital websites.

What advice or thoughts would you share with an applicant regarding work or involvement in the PA profession after PA school?

Become a member of your state, national and specialty organizations. They are the only ones advocating for you, and they are a great resource when you have questions.

How did PBL prepare you for success during your clinical year and now in professional practice?

At Northwestern, we enjoy a quick development from student to provider, and PBL encourages this efficient  transition in unique ways. To start, many lessons are better taught in group discussion than in lecture. In PBL, we dissect these lessons by challenging ideas and sharing experiences in a small group setting. Another advantage to PBL is that, in simulated patient encounters, there is the option to take a time out and research the best way to approach a complex patient. This prepared me for clinical success by giving me a glimpse into a variety of patient populations and their unique challenges. Most patients I have seen relate in some way to a PBL case, so I have a head start in identifying their needs and creating a management plan.