Miyo, Manitoba PA-S1
Miyo is a first-year Manitoba MPAS Student and here she shares some tips for prospective students looking to apply to Manitoba’s PA program.
Miyo’s Pre-PA Stats
Accepted:
Manitoba Master of PA Studies, Class of 2023
Education:
Bachelors in Psychology
Bachelor in Health Sciences (80 credits)
Early Childhood Education
Montessori Education
GPA
4.0 out of 4.5 on the Manitoba GPA Scale
Work Experiences
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Coordinator
Research Assistant
Pre-School Supervisor
Volunteering Experiences
Pediatric Unit, Neonatal Care Unit, Geriatric Unit, and Psychiatric Unit
Cancer Care Manitoba
Blood Pressure Clinic
WISH Clinic
Soup Kitchens,
Mentor for Indigenous Youth
English Online Mentor for New Immigrants
About Miyo
I went to high school in Sri Lanka and came to Manitoba as a teacher. Working in healthcare has always been my dream and this opportunity was the best way to attain an education overseas. Some of my interests are travelling, trying new food and reading a good book at a waterfront.
I always doted the sciences and when I started university, I did my first year focussed on a Biology major. Very soon, I realized that University Biology centred a lot on other species and plants, versus the human body which was where my interest lied upon. I was also exposed to Psychology at the same time and fell in love with it! Hence, my first degree is in Psychology as it piqued my interest. During this degree, I took a variety of intriguing psychology courses such as brain and behaviour, Indigenous mental health, drugs and behaviour, human sexuality and much more.
Why I decided to pursue the PA profession
After I completed this degree, I heard about the amazing Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program at the University of Manitoba. I looked into qualifying for the program and discovered that some recommended courses, such as Microbiology, are not courses that I have taken. During this time, I had also been working as a Research Assistant in health sciences and community health-based research. Therefore, I began a second degree in Health Sciences.
While doing this degree, I applied to the MPAS program and got accepted the first cycle! Being a PA will allow me to be a generalist in medicine while addressing gaps in health care, a cause that is very dear to me since I lost my grandfather due to long wait times. In my application, I believe that my experience as a volunteer in many health care settings, a research assistant, a preschool supervisor and a vaccine clinic coordinator stood out most prominently.
My tips for Canadian Pre-PA Applicants
There are very few differences between my classmates and I regarding educational achievements, but we all have very different life/work/volunteer experiences.
To those of you preparing for PA school, my advice to you is to accumulate as many unique experiences as you can, whether they be volunteering, employment, or even life experiences. This is how you can stand out (while maintaining a competitive GPA). As part of the MPAS application, our letter of intent is important, which was 1000 words when I applied.
Show how unique you are and how you are more than a statistic; show how you will be a valuable addition to this program; express why the program should choose you!
