Sonya, 1st year Calgary MPAS Student
From Rejection to Acceptance: Sonya's Journey to Calgary MPAS
In this episode, I sit down with Sonya, a first-year Physician Assistant student at the University of Calgary, who shares her real journey to getting into PA school in Canada.
Sonya didn’t get in on her first or second try. She applied three times. But instead of giving up, she used each cycle to learn, grow, and refine her approach. Today, she’s thriving in one of Canada’s most exciting new PA programs, and she’s here to share what helped her push through the hard parts and find her place in the profession.
Whether you're feeling discouraged by rejections, unsure how to stand out, or just looking for a behind-the-scenes look at what PA school is really like, this episode is packed with perspective, encouragement, and practical advice.
What You’ll Learn From Sonya’s Story
1. Don’t fear the reapplication. Use it.
Sonya talks honestly about how she handled not getting accepted on the first try. She shares what changed between each cycle, including how she gained healthcare experience, retook courses, and kept her mindset in check.
2. The most competitive application is the one that’s authentic.
She explains how she leaned into her own story and interests, even when they didn’t match what others were doing. That meant joining biology clubs, shadowing virtually during COVID, and finding study tools that worked for her.
3. What it’s really like inside the Calgary MPAS program.
Sonya walks us through her weekly routine, how the spiral curriculum works, and how she balances lectures, clinical skills, shadowing, studying, and self-care. She also shares how she stays grounded while living across the country from her family.
Tools and Resources Mentioned
CASPer Test (required by UCalgary and others)
Want to Reach Out to Sonya?
Sonya is happy to support other Pre-PA students. You can find her email in the episode or reach out to me directly and I’ll pass along your message. She’s been where you are and knows how much it helps to hear from someone a few steps ahead.
