Episode #29: Shada & Toni, Mac PAS1 | McMaster PA Q & A
Many students begin their undergraduate degrees believing the only path into medicine is becoming a physician. For Toni and Shada, discovering the Physician Assistant profession came later through conversations with mentors, shadowing experiences, and honest self-reflection about what they wanted from a healthcare career.
We learn from them that meaningful preparation for PA school is less about accumulating the perfect resume and more about understanding your motivations, developing interpersonal skills, and reflecting on experiences that shape how you work with others.
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Part 1: Pre-PA Journey
1:54 Why did you chose to become a PA?
6:21 How did you chose your undergrad degree?
12:55 What undergrad experiences made you a strong candidate for PA School?
Part 2: Life in PA School
22:28 Why did you chose McMaster's PA program?
30:22 What is Problem Based Learning (PBL) and how is it used in McMaster's PA program?
38:36 What is 1st year PA School like at McMaster's PA program?
45:15 What happens in 2nd year PA School?
Part 3: Applying to PA School - Admission Requirements, Interview Tips
48:45 What are McMaster's PA Program Admission Requirements?
51:54 Are Patient care experience hours required to get into PA School at McMaster?
54:13 What is the PA Supp App at McMaster? Any tips to do well?
59:41 What is the format of McMaster's PA School Interview this year?
1:01:06 How is a virtual MMI different than an in-person MMI?
1:04:39 Any tips for preparing for PA School Interviews? 1:18:45 How should you dress for a virtual MMI?
1:23:36 How to address nervousness and anxiety during the MMI?
Part 4: Other Questions
1:31:03 Parting Words from Toni and Shada
“You don’t need the perfect resume for PA school. You need meaningful experiences you can reflect on.”
Key Takeaways
There is no “perfect” undergraduate degree for PA school. Students from different academic backgrounds can succeed. Choosing subjects you enjoy often leads to stronger engagement and better reflection.
Reflection matters more than resume-building. Experiences become meaningful when you can explain what you learned from them and how they shaped your communication, leadership, and teamwork skills.
Non-clinical experiences are valuable. Leadership roles, summer jobs, volunteering, and teamwork experiences can be just as impactful as clinical exposure.
Problem-based learning builds clinical reasoning early. Learning through patient cases encourages deeper understanding and mirrors real healthcare collaboration.
ABOUT OUR GUESTS
Toni, PA-S1 Toni is a first-year PA student at McMaster University with a background in Honors Biochemistry and Psychology. Before PA school, she was a lead planner for McMaster’s Science Welcome Week and a volunteer assisting individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Shada, PA-S1 Shada is a first-year PA student at McMaster University who completed her undergrad in Biomedical Science and Neuroscience at the University of Guelph. A long-time camp counselor turned senior staff member, she brings a deep focus on advocacy and community to her journey toward becoming a PA.
