Physician Assistant

CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants) is the platform used by most PA programs for submitting applications. The PA application cycle opens in late-April each year and closes the following year in mid-April. However, each PA program has its own specific requirements for admissions, including prerequisite courses, so it is important to look at each PA program’s website carefully to ensure that your application meets requirements for the programs to which you apply.

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Standard vs Rolling Admissions

PA programs can have either standard or rolling admissions processes:

• “Standard admissions” means that the PA program will begin to review all applications received at a certain time, after an application deadline. Generally, in this process a pool of applicants are selected for interviews only after all qualified applications are reviewed. Seats are then offered to selected applicants following interviews.

• “Rolling admission” means that the PA program will review applications as they are received instead of reviewing all applications together as in standard admissions. In rolling admissions, admissions decisions may be made sooner. Therefore, it is important to apply early in the cycle if you are interested in programs with rolling admissions processes to ensure that you have the best chance for acceptance.

 

Personal Statement

This is the bread and butter of your application. In the personal statement, you are given 5,000 characters to answer the question of “Why do you want to become a PA?”. Spend extra time on your personal statement, as this is quite possibly the most critical aspect of your application. This is your opportunity to express your individual “why PA” and to describe the experiences that have led up to your decision to pursue this profession. Ask yourself, "What moment(s) have influenced me to pursue becoming a PA?" or "What challenges have shaped me into the person I am today?" Give yourself ample time to brainstorm, write, and have it reviewed. Remember, the person you are today is a culmination of the background and experiences you embody. You, being a first-generation college student and/or someone from a low income background pursuing this profession, is a remarkable achievement in itself. Be sure to highlight the distance you have traveled in your statement. Be authentic and use this as your opportunity to tell your story to the admissions committee.

 

LORs / Evaluations 

PA programs require different types of Letters of Recommendations (LORs). Some require LORs from a working PA, supervisors, professors, and others. Solicit letters of recommendation from evaluators who know you well and can attest to the attributes that demonstrate you are able to handle the rigors of PA school.

 

Transcripts

All transcripts from all colleges you have attended must be sent directly to CASPA. You must also manually input your courses and grades as seen on your transcript into CASPA (Note that there is an optional paid service that can do this for you). Once you submit your first application, CASPA reviews and confirms the accuracy of the information you’ve entered by comparing it to transcripts in a process called “verification”. This process can take a couple days to weeks so ensure you give ample time before deadlines.

 

Experience Hours

This section allows you to input both clinical and non-clinical experience you have had prior to PA school. Healthcare and patient care experience (ex: EMT, MA, CNA, RN, etc.), research, leadership, shadowing, and others are inputted here along with hours completed and a description of the activity. See the “Important Experiences” section for more information about experience hours.

 

Supplemental Essays

Many PA programs have supplemental essays to learn more about you as an applicant and expand on your interest in their particular program. A common prompt asks you to explain, “Why this PA program?”. This is your opportunity to express your interest in this program and what stood out to you when you applied to the program. Try to go beyond simply saying you appreciate the location or that it's close to home. Express how the program directly aligns with your beliefs and values. In essence, find which PA programs resonate with you where you can envision yourself thriving. More importantly, describe how you can contribute to the program at large. 

 

Application Fee

The application fees when applying to PA programs can be expensive. Fortunately, CASPA offers fee waivers to qualified applicants which cover the costs of the first two program applications. These waivers are first-come, first-served so apply early! Please note that some programs may have supplemental fees that are separate from the initial application fee.​​​