Leslie Mean is a 25-year-old single white female who presents to the PA school admissions committee on her second attempt to get into PA school.
She has a 3.6 overall GPA and a 3.5 science GPA. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, had an SAT score of 1,200, and a GRE score of 303.
She has two years of hands-on clinical experience working as a CNA and a long history of volunteer work, which exemplifies her desire to help her community.
She is kind and considerate and has reference letters that demonstrate her maturity and strong interpersonal skills.
She was accepted into PA school on her second attempt.
Who is Leslie, and why did she get into PA School?
When asking the question: What do I need to do to get into PA school? You would be smart to talk to Leslie.
Leslie is a hypothetical PA school applicant who went on to become a PA school student, an entirely average PA school student.
She also embodies what PA schools across the country are looking for at this very moment.
How do I know this?
Because the most recent data from the PAEA semi-annual report, representing responses from over 85% of PA programs detailing characteristics of the 27,283 PA school applicants and 8,802 students accepted in PA school, show that they are filling their seats with Leslie.
As much as I like to talk about not being average and differentiating yourself from the pack, it's nice to know what average is. Average provides a baseline by which you can measure your progress, set goals, and develop an application timeline.
Does this mean you have to be just like Leslie to get into PA school?
Absolutely not, first, factors such as race, age, ethnicity, etc., are of no importance, and you certainly don't have to be female to get into PA school (I am living proof).
But it is safe to assume that most schools are looking to keep their graduation and certifying exam pass rates high. They have an incentive to take fewer risks, and because of this, anything below average is considered a risk.
Thus, take a good look at Leslie and focus on factors that you can control to differentiate yourself, like your academic standing, your experience, your volunteer activities, your references, and your essay.
If you set the bar at Leslie and end up being a Mother Theresa, I am fairly sure you will be accepted into PA school, although I have no data on religious preference and PA school acceptance rates. 🙂
What are your chances of getting into PA school?
- Approximately 27,283 people apply to PA school in any given year.
- Approximately 20% of all applicants across the nation gain acceptance to a PA program in any admissions cycle.
- Applying to one PA program gives you about a 25% chance of acceptance while applying to 12 PA programs increases those chances to 49%. There is no statistical benefit to applying to more than 12 PA programs.
- Of the PA students accepted, more than two out of three (65.3%) (a.k.a. the majority) had applied to PA school previously.
- The average PA program's acceptance rate is 7%. However, some schools have much higher acceptance rates, while others have much lower acceptance rates. For example, the acceptance rate at Harvard Medical School is 4%, while the acceptance rate at the University of Central Florida is 65%.
So, what does an average PA school applicant who is admitted to PA school (i.e., student) look like?
Let's take a look:
In studies, the five most influential noncognitive factors known to have an effect on PA school admissions are faculty interactions, career motivation, knowledge of the PA profession, maturity, and professionalism. - Journal of Physician Assistant EducationClick To Tweet→ The average PA school student is 25 years old
- The average age of first-year students ranged between 25 and 28 for all categories
- The median age at application is 25 years old
- The median age of recently certified PAs is 27
- For the past six years, the median age of all certified PAs is 38
Age Range | Percentage of Matriculants |
---|---|
22-23 | 21.6% |
24-25 | 24.5% |
26-27 | 22.2% |
28-29 | 17.1% |
30-31 | 10.8% |
32-33 | 3.6% |
34-35 | 1.1% |
36-37 | 0.6% |
38+ | 0.4% |
→ The average PA school student is female
The gender distribution of first-year students has started to stabilize after a 20-year trend of a gradually increasing proportion of women. In 1980, 36 percent of PAs were female. Today, 65.6% of matriculated PAs are female.
- Female: 65.6%
- Male: 32.9%
- Non-binary: 1.5%
Gender | Percentage of Matriculants |
---|---|
Female | 65.6% |
Male | 32.9% |
Non-binary | 1.5% |
As you can see, the majority of matriculating PA students are female. This is consistent with the overall trend in the healthcare field, where women make up a majority of the workforce.
There are a few reasons why there are more female matriculants than male matriculants in PA schools. First, women are more likely to be interested in healthcare careers. Second, women are more likely to apply to PA school than men. Third, women are more likely to be accepted to PA school than men.
However, it is important to note that the number of male matriculants in PA schools has been increasing in recent years. This is likely due to the fact that the PA profession is becoming increasingly popular, and more and more men are choosing to become PAs.
→ The Average PA school applicant has a bachelor’s degree
The majority of PA school applicants hold a baccalaureate degree.
- No academic degree: 8.1%
- Certificate: 0.2%
- Associates Degree: 2.6%
- Baccalaureate Degree: 70.5%
- Master’s Degree: 6.6%
- Doctoral Degree: 0.9%
→ The Average PA school applicant graduated with a degree in Natural Sciences
Most PA school applicants hold a degree in natural sciences (biology, chemistry, etc.), but this doesn't mean you have to!
Major | Percentage of Matriculants |
---|---|
Biology | 28.4% |
Health Sciences | 19.4% |
Psychology | 16.2% |
Chemistry | 12.2% |
Sociology | 7.7% |
English | 5.2% |
Other | 9.1% |
The most common major is biology, which makes up 28.4% of all matriculated PA students. This is likely because biology provides a strong foundation in the sciences, which is essential for PA school.
Other popular majors include health sciences, psychology, chemistry, and sociology. These majors also provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in PA school and in the PA profession.
It is important to note that there is no one "right" major for PA school. PA programs are looking for applicants with a strong foundation in the sciences, but they also value applicants with a variety of experiences and perspectives.
Here are some tips on how to choose the best undergraduate major for PA school.
→ Matriculating PA students had an average of 2,669 patient contact experience hours.
PA school applicants come to the table with a variety of medical experiences, especially if they are strong applicants.
It is important to note that the amount of clinical experience required for PA school varies from school to school. Some schools may have no minimum requirement, some may have a minimum requirement of 1,000 hours, while others may require 3,000 hours or more. It is important to research the specific schools that you are interested in to see what their requirements are.
To be a successful PA candidate, you should aim to have at least 2,000 (preferably 3,000+) hours of hands-on patient experience at the time of application. This is 20-30 times more than the number of hours needed for medical school!
Experience in one of the following areas is common:
- Nursing
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Allied Health
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Registered Radiologic Technologist
- Athletic Trainer
- Emergency Services
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Paramedic
- Emergency Room Technician
- Miscellaneous
- Phlebotomist (that was me!)
- Medical Researcher
- Medical Volunteer
Medical Experience Statistics for PA School Applicants
Of applicants admitted to PA school, 90.5% worked in healthcare before applying to PA school. The most common healthcare experience is a certified nursing assistant (CNA) 30.4% and medical assistant (MA) 26.5%. Among those accepted, 23.3% worked as a scribe, 19.3% had experience as an EMT/paramedic, and 8.9% had experience as an emergency room technician. In addition to paid healthcare experience, 55.2% of matriculating PA students participated in volunteer community service work, such as Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, service-learning activities, and mission work.
Health Care Employment Prior to PA School | Percent |
Nursing assistant | 30.2% |
Medical assistant | 26.5% |
Scribe | 23.3% |
EMT/Paramedic | 19.3% |
Emergency room technician | 8.9% |
Home health aid | 8.7% |
Phlebotomist | 7.3% |
Clinical research coordinator/assistant | 7.3% |
Physical therapist/Physical therapy assistant | 5.7% |
Pharmacy technician | 4.1% |
Athletic trainer | 3.8% |
Medical technician | 3.3% |
Medical reception/records | 2.9% |
Medic or medical corpsman | 1.7% |
Radiology technician | 1.6% |
Dental assistant/hygienist | 1.4% |
Source: 2020 PAEA student report |
Average Health Care Experience Hours of Matriculating Students
According to the latest PAEA program survey and report, for those applicants accepted to PA school, the average student had 2,669 patient contact experience hours. Accepted students had, on average, 1,490 hours of “other healthcare experience,” 378 hours of community service, 1,883 hours of other work experience, and 108 hours of healthcare shadowing.
Experience | Maximum | Mean | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patient Contact Experience | 25,000 | 3,240 | 2,669 | 3,850 | 5,834 |
Health Care Shadowing | 2,807 | 215 | 108 | 152 | 231 |
Community Service | 18,000 | 719 | 378 | 515 | 938 |
Other Health Care Experience | 9,000 | 1,791 | 1,490 | 2,098 | 2,903 |
Other Work Experience | 12,651 | 2,315 | 1,883 | 2,278 | 4,200 |
* 2023-2024 Update: Some recent data suggests HCE hours are significantly declining, with a new average of 1.88 years of healthcare experience among matriculating (accepted) students.
Admissions directors Q&A: What are some of the points that are extremely impressive to you in the application?
Commitment to community, overcoming adversity, a WELL written narrative, great letters of reference from someone that REALLY knows you, ability to juggle many responsibilities simultaneously, and activities that show a particular passion for something are what we look for in a PA school applicant - Penn State University PA ProgramClick To Tweet→ GRE scores of those accepted into PA school tend to be in the above-average range
The mean GRE scores for matriculated PA students are 152.2 for verbal reasoning, 152.0 for quantitative reasoning, and 3.9 for analytical writing. The 25th percentile scores are 140 for verbal reasoning, 139 for quantitative reasoning, and 3.0 for analytical writing. The 75th percentile scores are 164 for verbal reasoning, 165 for quantitative reasoning, and 4.5 for analytical writing.
GRE Section | Mean | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
---|---|---|---|
Verbal Reasoning | 152.2 | 140 | 164 |
Quantitative Reasoning | 152.0 | 139 | 165 |
Analytical Writing | 3.9 | 3.0 | 4.5 |
The average GRE score of matriculated PA school students has been trending up over the years.
Year | Average Total GRE Score |
---|---|
2021 | 303.6 |
2020 | 302.2 |
2019 | 301.4 |
2018 | 299.8 |
As you can see, the GRE is the most commonly required exam for PA school admissions. This is followed by the TOEFL, the MCAT, and the SAT.
Exam | Required by |
---|---|
GRE | 57.7% |
TOEFL (Internationl Students Only) | 71.3% |
MCAT or GRE | 14.0% |
SAT | 10.0% |
ACT | 7.0% |
CASPer | 5.0% |
Competitive GRE scores average around a composite score of 300, and scores above 310 are extremely competitive. This averages to about 150 on verbal reasoning, 150 on quantitative reasoning, and 3.5 on writing.
Please note that these scores are averages of past GRE examinations, and you should consider your score competitive if they are above the 50th percentile.
Percentiles are more important than actual GRE scores. Every GRE differs in difficulty, which is why none of them can be considered equivalent, thus, necessitating the need to use a standardized ranking method.
→ The average PA school student has between a 3.5 and 3.6 overall GPA and an undergraduate science GPA of 3.5
- According to the latest PAEA program report, the average undergraduate overall GPA for PA school applicants who were accepted into PA school was 3.6. Accepted students had, on average, a science GPA of 3.5, a non-science GPA of 3.6, and a CASPA BCP (biology, chemistry, and physics) GPA of 3.5
- The average overall GPA for students who were not accepted into PA school was 3.28. Non-matriculant science GPA was 3.17.
Interesting factoid: As the age of applicants increases, their GPA tends to be lower.
GPA type | Average |
---|---|
Overall GPA | 3.6 |
Science GPA | 3.5 |
Non-science GPA | 3.6 |
CASPA BCP GPA (biology, chemistry, and physics) | 3.5 |
GPA | Percentage of Matriculants |
---|---|
3.75 or higher | 56.5% |
3.50-3.74 | 28.5% |
3.25-3.49 | 8.5% |
3.00-3.24 | 4.5% |
Below 3.00 | 2.0% |
→ Most PA school students are Caucasian
As you can see, the majority of matriculated PA students are white. This is consistent with the overall trend in the United States, where white people make up the majority of the population.
However, it is important to note that the racial makeup of PA students is becoming more diverse. The percentage of Asian matriculants has increased in recent years, and the percentage of Hispanic/Latino matriculants is also increasing.
If you are considering applying to PA school, it is important to be aware of the racial makeup of PA students. If you are a member of a minority group, you may want to consider applying to programs that have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Race | Percentage of Matriculants |
---|---|
White | 67.2% |
Asian | 14.3% |
Hispanic/Latino | 10.3% |
Black or African American | 5.4% |
Native American | 0.8% |
Multiracial | 2.0% |
→ What are your chances of being accepted into PA school?
- If you apply to one PA program - you have a 25% chance of getting in
- If you apply to 12 programs (or more) - you have a 49% chance of getting in
- The average number of PA programs applied to is 8
Interesting factoid: There is little statistical benefit of applying to more than 12 programs!
→ Pucker up, baby. Most PA students are single!
Most students are single (72.2%), though about a quarter are married (24.5%). A little under two percent were divorced, and 1.6% were in a domestic partnership/civil union.
Most students (92.1%) have no legal dependents. For the nearly 7.9% of students that reported having legal dependents other than themselves, the average number of dependents was two, with a range of 1 to 9 dependents.
Legal dependents | Percentage of Matriculants |
---|---|
With | 7.9% |
Without | 92.1% |
Over 30% of respondents said they were considered dependent of their parents.
Marital Status | Percentage of Matriculants |
---|---|
Single | 72.2% |
Married | 24.5% |
Divorced | 1.6% |
Domestic Partnership/Civil Union | 1.6% |
Separated but still legally married | 0.2% |
Widowed | 0% |
→ Most PA students are from "The Burbs"
Half of the students reported spending most of their time in a suburban setting. One-quarter of respondents reported spending most of their time in a rural environment, followed by 15% in an inner-city setting.
→ Most PA students don't come from extreme riches
According to the PAEA Student Report, the median family gross income of matriculated PA students was $110,000. This means that half of the matriculated students had a family gross income below $110,000, and half had a family gross income above $110,000.
The family gross income of matriculated PA students varies widely. The 25th percentile family gross income was $85,000, and the 75th percentile family gross income was $135,000. This means that 25% of the matriculated students had a family gross income below $85,000, and 75% had a family gross income above $85,000.
Family Gross Income | Percentage of Matriculants |
---|---|
Below $85,000 | 25% |
$85,000-$110,000 | 37.5% |
$110,000-$135,000 | 25% |
Above $135,000 | 12.5% |
Admissions directors Q&A: Who is the perfect PA school applicant?
Our program will look to utilize a holistic approach to admissions. We look at academic success, life experiences, and community activities to evaluate all candidates. There is no one mold to fit the PA profession. However, PAs need strong communication skills, leadership, grit, and a willingness to support the community - Michigan State University PA ProgramClick To Tweet Students need to be well organized, know how to manage their time and outside influences, and have a genuine desire to help and care for people. PA school is rigorous, so we recommend honest conversations with family and friends ahead of your start. - CWRU PA ProgramClick To Tweet→ PA school students don't smoke pot and are not drug dealers or part of the Italian Mafia
According to the PAEA Student Report, 99% of PA programs require a background check and 92% of PA programs mandate drug testing. This means that the vast majority of PA programs require applicants to undergo a background check and drug test before they can be admitted to the program.
The background check typically includes a review of the applicant's criminal history, driving record, and employment history. The drug test typically screens for illegal drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin.
The purpose of the background check and drug test is to ensure that the applicant is of good moral character and that they are not using illegal drugs. PA programs have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their students, faculty, and patients.
If you are considering applying to PA school, it is important to be aware of the background check and drug testing requirements. You should also be prepared to provide documentation of your criminal history and drug use.
Here is a table that summarizes the background check and drug testing requirements of PA programs:
Requirement | Percentage of Programs that Require |
---|---|
Background Check | 99% |
Drug Testing | 92% |
Some Important Points
It's Not Rocket Science: It is important that a candidate demonstrates reasonable aptitude in the hard sciences such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and biology. It is more likely that the committee may overlook a grade of C in U.S History or Spanish I. They will be less tolerant of a marginal grade in the sciences.
Show compassion: Your GPA is stellar, and you've amassed an impressive amount of medical work experience in the little spare time you have while keeping your grades pristine, but you still get that dreaded rejection letter. Why?
You didn't do enough volunteer work. Volunteering exemplifies your desire to help your fellow man—the attribute identified by schools as one of the most integral to becoming a successful PA.
Students who have had experience in working with underserved populations, rural or diverse populations, performing volunteer service or disaster relief, or other experiences that illustrate a drive and compassion for others often stand out to the admissions committee!
The view from the top isn't that crowded
It's an easy race to the bottom, so set your sights on the top.
Many people will be set back when they read that only 25% of applicants will be accepted into PA school in any given year, but this should be good news. Being in the top 25% in any field is not nearly as hard as it sounds, simply because the majority of the competition is in the bottom 75% and has bottom 75% qualifications.
For example, you have read this entire post, so you now know what the average PA school applicant who has had some success looks like. You understand what a top 75 percent candidate looks like. Your goal now is to be better than the average 75% and exceed the top 25%.
If you aim high, you will be competing with a much smaller minority, and your odds of getting an acceptance letter will increase dramatically. It also helps if you apply to 12 programs. 😉
*Tables and data were sourced from the latest PAEA Semi-Annual Report.
Juli says
Hi Stephen,
I’m in my first year as an undergrad student working toward applying to PA school in the future. I’m taking/working toward all the correct prerequisites, going to work my HCE hours over Summer break, along with volunteer opportunities. With all that said, is it possible to make it into PA school straight from an undergraduate degree? I’m also concerned with paying my way through PA school. Are there very many scholarships available?
Thanks,
J.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Juli,
Yes, you can make it into PA school straight from an undergraduate degree. I would estimate almost 1/4 of my PA school class were in that category. This depends on where you apply, some schools require more hands on patient care experience and may not be an option in this case. So you will have to modify your application pool accordingly. As far as paying for school, here is a recent post I wrote on this subject: How to bankroll PA school without going broke.
Matthew says
Hello Stephen,
I have spent 6 years in the Air Force as a Public Health Technician, and will be seperating soon to pursue becoming a PA. Would this count as medical expereince and hold any weight when my package is reviewed? Or should I become an EMT while I am finishing up my last year of sciences to be more competative?
Jonathan says
Hi Stephen,
I am a 27 y/o and am an ER RN-BSN and have been for about 3 years now working only in Emergency Medicine. I really would love to pursue the route of P.A. but have difficulty seeing the commitment difference between pursuing P.A. vs just getting my FNP. I would love to do P.A. school but have a few more pre-reqs before applying. I have a 3.4 GPA and have several years of nursing experience, teching experience, as well as volunteer jr. high mentor counseling experience. Would you think my chances of getting into PA school are good? Also, do you think the time commitment is worth it seeing that I could just get my FNP a lot easier in a couple years?
Thanks,
Jon
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Jonathan,
That is an impressive resume, I think your chances are extremely good!
As far as FNP vs. PA it depends mostly on what you want to do. Is there a specific reason you are choosing PA over FNP? If so what are your reasons?
– Stephen
Jonathan says
The main reasons would be from an educational standpoint. PA going through medical model and NP basing theirs off the nursing model or nursing theory. Don’t get me wrong, I love the nursing profession and it is exciting and has given me irreplaceable experience but in terms of looking forward becoming a provider I would like to be “prepped” and educated as best as possible. Therefore, considering PA route to give me a deeper base of understand and education on the provider level.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
That is a good reason although having worked with many, many NPs I find their education and training to be on-par with that of PAs. The advantage I see is from a specialization standpoint – for example if you plan on going into a surgical subspecialty, this is often easier to do as a PA. Otherwise, I am not sure if the benefits would outweigh an additional time commitment, especially if you plan on pursuing family medicine, or even ER medicine for that matter.
– Stephen
Heather says
Hi there. I have been a certified surgical technologist for almost 10 years and have finally decided that I should go back to school and really want to be a PA. I, as a teenager, wanted to be a forensic pathologist or a trauma or Orthopedic surgeon and I was content with working with surgeons for the last 10 years, but I know that I am smarter and would be a good PA. The problem that I am running into is that I love learning and I want to study everything in a lot of ways. I am not sure what major I should choose to have my bachelors in. The health sciences bachelors program at one of the colleges in the city I live in is so flooded with a mile long wait list. The college that has the PA program here doesn’t offer a health sciences bachelors degree. I am just trying to weigh and consider options for a good major to get into the PA program. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Heather says
side note, I am currently enrolled in a junior college to retake A&P, micro, etc for the pre-req classes required as it’s been about 10 years since I last took them and they require them take within the last 5.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Heather,
I ended up choosing Zoology of all fields because I wanted to take advanced cellular and social biology, physiology, anatomy, biomechanics and genetics and all of this was part of the Zoology track. Who would have known! I have to thank my guidance counselor for this one. So my first piece of advice is to speak with a guidance counselor at your college, they are the best at looking at your interests and combining your necessary prerequisite coursework into a major. You may be surprised at what they come up with. My cousin, who is a very happy orthopedic PA of 6 years, majored in Kinesiology – prior to discussing this with her, I hadn’t even heard of that as a major. Biology and biochemistry are common, but you could major in anything as long as you meet your prerequisites and show that you are a capable student who is proficient in the sciences. Also, if you have the time and resources, picking a minor such as Spanish can be a very good choice for the long term!
– Stephen
Sarah says
Great content on your site, and thank you so much for your insight! I would like to note that Athletic Training is recognized by the American Medical Association as an Allied Health Profession. 🙂
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Sarah,
I did not know that and I am sure I am not the only one! Just another reason to become an athletic trainer – it always seemed like it would be a fun job!
– Stephen
Erin says
Stephen,
I am currently a student in an MA program and I am thinking of continuing my education to become a PA. I will be finished with my MA program in May 2016 and hoping to start undergrad in the fall of 2016. My question is, what should I major in at undergrad school? Is there a specific major PA’S major in?
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Erin,
Here is a blog post I wrote on this topic, it also includes a bit about the approach I took: https://www.thepalife.com/prerequisites/
The truth is, you can major in anything you would like, as long as you complete the required prerequisite coursework and you are able to find the time (and mental stamina) to complete the higher level science courses. It is important that you show an aptitude for the sciences and it may be easier (and faster/cheaper) to choose a science major for this reason. This can match up well with a minor such as Spanish which can make for a very good combination that would prepare you not only for PA school but for your career afterwards.
– Stephen
Sergio says
Is it a good idea to get my Bachelors in Criminal Justice? I only have 5 more classes to finish up all my preqs for the PA Program. I’m just worried if were to get my Bachelor in Criminal Justice, it would lower my chances to get into any schools.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Sergio,
I sometimes feel that having a major outside of the sciences is of greater value. For one, it is harder to do, also it proves you are a well-rounded individual with interests outside of science and medicine, and it helps you stand out from a pool of biochem majors 🙂 You don’t need to worry about it lowering your chances for admissions to PA school. As long as you can show and aptitude for the sciences and an ability to handle the rigors of PA school, it really does not matter what your major is.
– Stephen
Henry says
Hi Stephen,
I actually have a question on behalf of my wife. Specifically, in regards to pre-reqs. Most PA program application instructions state that classes must be take within 5-10 years of applying to PA program.
Well, I’m afraid in my wife’s case, her pre-reqs are a bit more dated than that. Is there any chance of getting them accepted? If not, does that mean that she will have to re-take all pre-req’s if she has any hope of being considered?
John says
Hello,
I graduated college in 2014 and I have been applying to PA schools but feel discouraged because I dont think I met the requirements needed. My GPA is a 3.1 and my science GPA is a 3.2. However I have over 4+ years experience working as a scribe and as a lot of patient contact hours. Is there anything I can do to increase my chances of getting into PA. What i lack in GPA i make up with my work ethic and passion for wanting to be a PA.
Thanks,
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi John,
You shouldn’t feel discouraged, there is a lot more to PA school admissions above and beyond your grade point average. The key is to highlight these on your application. Trust me, everyone knows that undergraduate GPAs mean very little in the scheme of things and there is nothing linking high GPAs to better patient care or clinical outcomes (and vice versa). Programs are looking for strong candidates with grit, compassion, an empathetic heart and the aptitude to not only make it through PA school but to develop a career in medicine that reflects well on the program and your patients. This is why the personal statement, your letters of recommendation and all that health care experience is so important. A GPA is just a number, it is arbitrary and nothing more than a bar you must clear. Blow them away with your maturity, strong will, dedication and knowledge of the PA profession and you will have an excellent chance. Hang in there!
– Stephen
Marissa Walsh says
Hi Stephen,
I took the GRE today and only received a score of 298 (not sure of what percentile i’ll actually fall into but the gre website said around 37-41st percentile), which has made me very discouraged. My science GPA is a 3.45 and my overall GPA is a 3.5 and I have 1500 patient contact hours, but I’m wondering if I should waste my time and money on taking the GRE again. One of my schools requires a 302 so I would have to let that one go but the other 3 say they don’t have a minimum requirement but competitive applicants will fall in the 50th percentile range or above.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Marissa,
No, I wouldn’t waste time or money on retaking the GRE. Your overall GPA shows you are very competent and your science GPA is just further proof. Also, you have a good amount of patient contact hours so don’t sweat it. Also, I would still consider throwing my application into the applicant pool even if I didn’t meet this minimum requirement. I didn’t meet the minimum GPA requirement for Rutgers and not only did they still interview me, the accepted me. You just never know!
Hang in there, you are doing a great job!!!
– Stephen
Anna says
I was thinking about changing majors from occupational therapy to PA. The main thing preventing me from changing is the uncertainty of graduate school. How many times can you apply and should the fear of not getting in and spending all this money for an undergraduate stop me from pursuing it?
-Anna
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Anna,
You are asking the million dollar question. Pablo Picasso once said “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” What is your gift? And how do you want to give it away? This is what the real question is, because if these two thing are aligned (at least in my experience) it doesn’t matter what obstacles are in your way, the path will be a natural one. Although, it is not guaranteed to be an easy one. Also, this is not the same as simply pursuing one’s passion. Don’t let fear stand in the way of pursuing something you believe in, what do you believe in, what is your gift, and how are you going to give it away? Somewhere, buried in that I believe is your answer.
– Stephen
alyssa says
Thank you for useful info. I was just wondering if you knew any data of pregnant women or mothers of toddlers getting into PA schools, and how that goes? Is it doable?
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Alyssa,
It is absolutely doable. I had at least 5 classmates, all mothers, two of whom were pregnant during the didactic and clinical phase. I don’t have data (beside anecdotal) on actual numbers. But PA programs will usually go out of their way to provide the necessary to support to help you. If they don’t, then it is not a PA school you should be interested in anyway.
Cheers,
– Stephen
Carol says
Thank you so much for asking the right question! I was getting a bit discouraged myself because I’m a mom and I don’t want to give up on something that I wanted to be my whole life.
Nadia says
I was wondering if you had any information about online PA programs. Are they a good idea? Do you have any tips on what to look for when choosing one?
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
They are up and coming. There are many NP programs that are now online, and PA programs are just starting to come online. I think they are a wonderful idea that will drive down costs and make PA school much more accessible. Keep your fingers crossed that the schools currently applying for online components will become accredited. This is a big trend for the foreseeable future. Both in PA education and in the treatment and care of our patients.
– Stephen
Haley says
Stephen,
I hope this blog is still active! I’m in need of advice that I can’t seem to find anywhere else. I am a student who went to community college for three semesters right out of high school and my transcripts from those times are full of W,C,F’s whatever, because I didn’t care. I went on to a University and graduated with, again, a less then stellar overall GPA because of my freshman year. However, I definitely showed progress and my last semester was a 3.8. Now, 7 years from my community college transcripts and 2 years from graduating with my degree I’m trying my best to fix my overall GPA for my applications. Given that all of my low grades are from remedial work, I’m wondering if it would look less competitive if I repeated these online? This way it is self paced and I am able to knock them out before Feb when I’m submitting my apps. I have read that the most competitive is obviously in person from a university. Well, my two options are: in person at a community college or online from UNE which is accredited and accepted for my programs. I have already taken several online classes and I don’t want my application to be less competitive for it. I have not been able to get ahold of an admissions rep but I have discussed this with a “customer service specialist” at my number one school and she said that it doesn’t matter as long as it is accredited. Again, I’m repeating these classes for a better grade. Let me know what you think. Oh by the way, the classes in question are Chem 1 and Chem 2. Overall I have a minor in chem with A’s and B’s in Ochem 1, Ochem2, Biochem, Medical Biochem and all of their associated labs.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Hailey,
The quickest, easiest and least expensive option that fits with your schedule is the best option. Online courses fit most of these categories. If you are worried that it will make you less competitive, it will not. The school will applaud your efforts and it shows your determination. More important than this is what you have been doing the two years since graduation. If you have been building up your health care experience and getting hands on patient care, beefing up your resume, creating an eye popping personal statement and solid letters of recommendation. You should feel very confident in your chances despite these freshman year grades. We have all been there, it is more about the finish anyway, and you finished very strong. Congrats!
– Stephen
Alyssa Santos says
Hi Stephen,
I’m a junior at Washington state university majoring in kinesiology. I took KINES 262 last year which is human anatomy with a lab. Will that count for the Anatomy prerequisite for PA school? My plan is to get my bachelors in kinesiology then do EMT training to get medical experience. What do you think my chances are? And what kind of classes do you think someone applying to PA school must take?
Thanks!
-Alyssa
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
In these situations, the only way to be sure that a particular class will count towards the prerequisite requirements is to go to the school in questions and start by consulting their website. If it is still unclear you should call the program directly.
My cousin graduated with her bachelor’s in kinesiology while working as an athletic trainer for the football team at Cal Poly. She then worked as a phlebotomist for 1.5 years prior to applying to PA school. She was accepted on her first attempt.
In regards to classes take a look at this post: Please feel free to leave me a follow-up comment if you still have questions, I am more than happy to help.
– Stephen
Jacob Waller says
“Roughly 5 out of every 100 applicants will be accepted into PA school or, if you like percentages, you have a 5% chance of being accepted.”
This is completely erroneous and misleading.This statistic assumes each application = 1 applicant which simply is not the case. If 100 people each apply to 10 different schools, there are 1,000 applications. Even if all 100 people are accepted and enroll, it would still seem like a 10% acceptance rate when reality, it’s 100%. In reality, Over 65% of PA applicants are accepted.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Jacob you are right!
Here are the actual numbers from the PAEA conference. I am going to update this post to reflect this. I, and the many disheartened PA school applicants thank you!
If you apply to one PA program – you have a 25% chance of getting in
If you apply to 12 programs (or more) – you have a 49% chance of getting acceptance
No additional benefit for more than 12 applications.
– Stephen
Jen says
Hi Stephen!
Thank you so much for this website and the plethora of wisdom (and encouragement!) you provide 🙂 I had a quick question – why is there no additional benefit for applying to more than 12 programs? I was trying to find this on the PAEA website, but I was not able to. I was originally going to apply to 20 programs to increase my chances as much as possible, but perhaps I should save some of that money and put it towards other school costs?
Thanks in advance!
Sarah Glover says
Hi Stephen,
I have a question. I’ve been working as a respiratory therapist for about 8 years, and I’ve decided to now try for PA school. I did not go for a Bachelor’s degree in college, opting for the AAS in Respiratory Therapy. However, by the time I finish a Bachelor’s I’ll be 30. Will this affect my odds at getting into PA school?
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Not at all Sarah, you are still a spring chicken in the eyes of the admissions committee. In fact, your extensive experience and training combined with the fact that you have returned to school to pursue a career in medicine after having already worked in the field for 8 years will give you an advantage over the competition. In all honesty, if you earn high marks and can showcase your strong academic standing you should be a shoe-in.
– Stephen
Logan says
Stephen,
I am a student from Canada. I was curious as to what my chances are or what schools you might suggest may be more likely to accept a Canadian applicant. I have an Undergrad in Honours Human Kinetics, two years of Naturopathic medical school (before choosing to leave to apply for PA), I currently work as a Personal Trainer and have applied and been accepted to PA schools in Canada. I wanted to attend a school in the US as they are more globally recognized.
Do you have any advice?
Logan