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How can military veterans translate their service, leadership, and clinical experience into a strong PA school application? In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, host Dr. Valerie Wherley speaks with Brandon R. Beattie, MMSc, PA-C, assistant professor and program director, about the George Washington University (GW) PA Program, the military roots of the PA profession, and the opportunities and barriers veterans face when applying to PA school.
Brandon brings both admissions expertise and lived experience to the conversation. Before becoming a PA, he served as a U.S. Army combat medic during multiple overseas tours. He later completed his PA training at Yale and now leads one of the country’s long-standing PA programs, which was founded in 1972 and was ranked sixth (tied with Baylor College of Medicine) in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Physician Assistant Programs rankings.
The conversation focuses on how veterans can tell their stories in ways that admissions committees will understand. Brandon explains why military jargon, acronyms, and modesty can sometimes hide the depth of an applicant’s experience. He also shares practical advice for the PA application process, including proofreading, clarifying military roles for civilian readers, choosing recommendation writers strategically, and showing evidence of grit, teamwork, communication, coachability, and mission fit.
If you are a veteran considering PA school, this episode offers a clear framework for presenting military service as a strength, not a complication.
0:00 From Military Service to PA School
01:32 What Sets the GW PA Program Apart
03:25 Veterans and the Origins of the PA Profession
05:27 Strengths Veterans Bring to PA School
07:03 Barriers Veterans Face in the Application Process
15:06 Strategies for a Strong PA Application
18:12 Choosing the Right Recommenders
20:21 What GW Looks for in Competitive Applicants
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