Applying to PA School: How to Choose the Right Program

By Katie Bean, DMS, PA-C and Beth Macintire, DMS, PA-C

According to the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), the PA profession has grown from 95,583 certified PAs in 2013 to more than 168,000 by 2022. This rapid expansion also coincided with an increase in the number of available and accredited PA programs. Currently there are 300 ARC-PA accredited PA schools in the U.S. (including one in Puerto Rico) and students now have the tough, but exciting, choice of deciding where they want to receive their PA education. With fierce competition between qualified pre-PA students and the rising cost of applications, students need to choose their prospective programs wisely.

The PA school application process involves a large time and financial commitment, and one of the most important aspects of the process for pre-PA students is deciding which schools to apply to. The number of schools that most pre-physician assistant students apply to can vary depending on various factors such as their academic performance, personal circumstances, and competitiveness of the programs they are interested in. On average, most students apply to at least six PA programs during an application cycle. Since competition is fierce, it’s important to select programs that not only meet one’s individual educational desires, but also consider how competitive a student is for a particular school. Not all students receive acceptances each year, so choosing the right schools for an individual’s background and experiences is crucial to successfully earning a seat in the next PA cohort.

Choosing the right PA program can be a challenging task, but here are a few tips to consider when making your decision:

  1. Accreditation: Make sure that the program you are considering is accredited by ARC-PA. This ensures that the program meets certain educational standards, and that you will be eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) upon graduation and work as a certified PA in the United States.
  2. Meet all the minimum prerequisites: Though admission requirements vary widely between schools, making sure you have all the required hours, classes, test scores, or grades is essential. Failing to meet each program’s unique requirements can result in a  rejected application or denial of an interview. Students need to carefully peruse program websites for admission criteria information and choose programs that fit their statistics. Most programs are extremely strict on their policies and very few have waivers. Prerequisites can change from year to year, so students need to stay up-to-date on what the requirements are for each cycle. This information can be found on each program’s website. You can search for programs by their requirements and a number of other parameters on the Physician Assistant Education Association website.
  3. Consider strengths and weaknesses: Taking an honest assessment of one’s strengths and weaknesses can help students determine which programs best align with their experiences. Programs place different emphasis on criteria such as grade point average (GPA) and patient care experience (PCE), so understanding what schools value most can help pre-PAs decipher which programs they match with best. Students can increase their chances of gaining acceptance if they choose programs who value their individual strengths.
  4. Consider program length: PA programs typically last around two years, but some programs may be shorter or longer. Consider how the length of the program will affect your career goals and personal life.
  5. Evaluate the curriculum: Look at the program’s curriculum to make sure that it aligns with your interests and career goals. Some programs may have specialized tracks or concentrations that may be of interest to you. Programs also have different teaching modalities and class structure, so understanding how the material will be taught is crucial to choosing a program where you can excel.
  6. Learn about the mission and values: Mission statements and program values can be found on every school’s website, and are good indicators of the culture and ideals of a program. It is pivotal to find programs that align with your goals and principles. A student’s success is often influenced by how well they fit into the culture and climate of a school, so evaluating the environment is necessary to ensure a positive educational experience. Attending program informational sessions or reading about their mission can help students understand the particular goals of each individual program.

Applying to PA school can seem overwhelming at times, but pre-PAs can use their individual  statistics and personal strengths wisely to narrow down the field. It’s important to meet all admission criteria, but also to find programs that will allow one to flourish and grow during the learning process. Overall, choosing the right PA program requires careful consideration of a variety of factors to ensure that the program aligns with your career goals and personal needs.

 

 

Katie & Beth are the co-founders of Pre-PA Clinic, an organization dedicated to helping students get accepted into PA school. They are both certified PAs and hold Doctorates of Medical Science Degrees, and have years of experience working at PA programs and as PA faculty.

Thank you for your interest!

Become an AAPA member today or log in to your member profile to access this content and other valuable resources and services.