Building a Competitive PA School Application | Aurthi, UofT PA-S1
In this episode, I sit down with Aurthi, a first-year PA student at UofT, who walks us through how she built her application without formal connections, why she chose UofT over other programs, and what the day-to-day looks like now that she’s in.
Her path includes kinesiology, coaching tennis, volunteering, and a few unexpected turns (including landing a job after a tennis match). Whether you're in undergrad figuring out next steps or mid-application, Aurthi’s story brings insight and clarity to a process that often feels overwhelming.
“What should I do to make my application stand out?”
“That’s a common question I get from Pre-PAs… There’s no magic formula. Just do what genuinely interests you. When you do what interests you, you shine in that field, and your passion shows—especially in interviews.”
AURTHI, PAS1, UOFT BSCPA
4 Key Takeaways from Aurthi:
1. Experience doesn’t always come from formal roles, look for impact. Aurthi’s most meaningful experiences came from volunteer roles and clinic support positions she sought out herself. She started small, built trust, and earned her way into paid roles. Her advice? Focus less on the title and more on how the experience helps you grow and serve.
2. Use your network, even if it doesn’t feel like one. One job came from a tennis match. Another through a visit to a family clinic. Aurthi reminds us that your “network” isn’t just professionals you know. It’s people you speak to, the conversations you start, and the chances you take to ask, “Are there any opportunities?”
3. UofT’s PA program is not fully online, and the in-person blocks matter. The program uses a distributed model: lectures are online, but residential blocks in Toronto give students face-to-face clinical training, simulation experience, and time with peers and faculty. These blocks are intensive, practical, and a core part of the learning experience.
4. Choose your PA program based on how you learn, not just reputation. Aurthi had to choose between UofT and McMaster. Instead of guessing, she made a decision based on learning style, structure, and long-term fit. If you’re applying to multiple schools, start by reflecting on how you learn best—and pick the program that supports that.
Watch the Episode
Resources
Visit the UofT BScPA Program Website
Follow Aurthi on Instagram @aurthi.pa
