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What is the Prehealth SharePoint?
What is the Prehealth SharePoint?
The Prehealth Sharepoint is a Microsoft Sharepoint dedicated to students pursuing a career in healthcare, such as dentistry, occupational therapy, optometry, nursing, and of course, physician assistant sciences, and many more. It is maintained by the Penn State Prehealth Advisors and contains valuable documents, zoom recordings, and tools aimed to help pre-health students obtain the information necessary for pursuing a career in healthcare. This SharePoint has restricted access, however, and is only available to students who have gone through the steps to access it.
Don't let the inconvenience stop you, as the steps to access the SharePoint are extremely simple and its contents are well worth the trouble.
How to Access the SharePoint
How to Access the SharePoint
A student interested in accessing the Prehealth Sharepoint should follow these three steps:
Navigate to the Prehealth Resources Linktree: https://linktr.ee/psuprehealthmc
Request Prehealth SharePoint Access
Attend a group advising session (or watch a foundational zoom recording)
Write a short reflection (~1 paragraph) on what you learned and why you'd like to access the SharePoint
Once your reflection is reviewed, you will likely be given acess to the Prehealth SharePoint and all its contents.
Common Prerequisites
Common Prerequisites
This Coursework Recommendations guide outlines the essential and supplemental courses for competitive Physician Assistant (PA) program applicants, with specific reference to Penn State University course codes. The document details prerequisite science courses (biology, chemistry, anatomy) and non-science requirements (psychology, statistics), and also clarifies variations between programs and recommendations for science versus non-science majors.
PA programs increasingly emphasize rigorous academic preparation, with most requiring the full two semester sequence of biology (separate from anatomy/physiology) and advanced social sciences like abnormal psychology. It's important that successful applicants typically complete upper-division science electives (e.g., histology, immunology) to strengthen their profiles, alongside maintaining a 3.6–3.7 GPA. It's common for students to take at least one gap year to fulfill patient care hour requirements, which programs verify at the time of application.
Healthcare Experience
Healthcare Experience
Gaining patient care experience is a crucial requirement for PA school, but many applicants struggle to meet these hours without prior certifications. Medical Aid’s guide provides practical strategies for securing hands-on healthcare experience—even without formal credentials like EMT or CNA licenses. The article outlines alternative entry-level roles, such as medical scribing, physical therapy aide work, and behavioral health tech positions, which allow aspiring PAs to accumulate direct patient contact hours while developing clinical skills.
The SharePoint also contains zoom recordings discussing how and where to get healthcare experience, however this article is aimed solely at those looking for experience towards a career as a Physician Assistant.
Since most PA programs require 1,000–4,000 hours of patient care experience, this resource is invaluable for applicants who need flexible, certification-free options. Pre-PA advisors frequently recommend these pathways to students balancing school, work, and application deadlines. The guide also highlights how to document and present these experiences effectively in CASPA to meet program expectations.
Tips for Obtaining Patient Care Hours:
Tips for Obtaining Patient Care Hours:
Seek roles like medical assistant (on-the-job training often available)
Prioritize positions with direct patient interaction over administrative work
Track hours meticulously, including supervisor verification details
Leverage volunteer opportunities in free clinics or hospice care
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