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.
Masa Louis says
Hi,
My name is Masa.
I currently hold a BA in Liberal Arts, but would really like to attend a PA program. I virtually need to take every PA program requirement since none besides Writing are in my BA. Since I’m tight on funds I’ll be doing it at community college. Also I’ll be getting EMT certification and working in the state for 1 year. This is all future tense.
I wanted to know if taking community college courses will make me uncompetitive at good PA programs (ones with high certification rates). I went to Soka University, and it’s currently ranked in the top 50 nation Liberal Arts colleges but being that my prerequisites are going to be from community college I worry about being uncompetitive.
Soka is a peace and human rights college so I know it will benefit me to the extent of making me a unique applicant.
My second question is do you have any advice for someone with a BA, on a budget, and virtually starting with no prerequisites and patient hours yet. Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
Gari Thomas says
I am a 52 year old navy veteran with 20 years of medical experience as a surgical and Orthopaedic tech. I’ve taught at the NSHC seminars for casting and splinting. I have a degree in international affairs and anthropology. I have a wife and family. I need to take pre requisites but have little money as I am the bread winner in my home. I feel stuck. I have taken Micro. I need chemistry and stats as well as A/P. Any insight on how to get this done? I desperately want this. I’m in no way your average student
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Gari,
I would go to my local community college and/or university and make an appointment to speak with an academic advisor. Make a list of all the prerequisite courses you need and see what is available – as a busy dad (and the main source of income in your case) I would take a good look at online courses – distance learning is a wonderful option and geography won’t be a limiting factor. But start locally, and explain your situation and goals in detail – then expand out from there. In 2016 so many options exist that I am confident you will be able to tailor a plan to suit your needs – it’s certainly a wonderful time in your life to make this happen!!!
Stephen
Elizabeth says
Hello Stephen,
I am a senior graduating with my B.A. in Chemistry. I had a rough fall semester which reflects on my gpa but I would like to get it up to a 3.5 this semester. I am planning on taking at least a couple years off to gain medical experience. I was planning to get my EMT training and work in that for atleast a year. I was also planning to maybe work as a scribe for a while. Do you think it would be beneficial to work as a scribe before getting certified as an emt to get familiarized with medical terminology? I also plan on volunteering at a shelter during this time but perhaps volunteering at a hospital would also be beneficial?
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Elizabeth,
I am currently working with a medical scribe at my new clinical practice and I think this experience is one of the best you can have as a pre-PA. In fact (as a certified EMT myself) I think the hands on experience and learning opportunities are superior as a scribe if you work in a supportive practice setting – especially if you are able to work with a doctor who likes to teach. This can also be a wonderful place to get a strong medical reference.
And yes, any and all volunteer experience is helpful!
– Stephen
Ariel Bailey says
Hi,
so unfortunately I was previously on a nursing track and I struggled balancing a major of psychology and nursing so my GPA is hurting, sitting at an 2.6, there were a few classes that I knew for sure that I would be taking over but I am really concerned with what I should do now. I’ll be graduating in December with the plan to return back home to finish taking the prerequisites at an community college then retaking any classes that I have to but what should I do from this point.? I am also the president of 2 organizations but I am involved in more than 5 orgs, I’m a CNA and I have a boat load of shadowing hours.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Ariel,
As you probably know the nursing and PA school prerequisites are different. And although many of the nursing level sciences will satisfy the PA school minimum prerequisite requirements I would try to take the upper division science classes that are usually part of the pre-med track. Maybe you are doing this already. This will show that you are willing to challenge yourself and that you are able to handle the rigors of PA school. Also, make sure you are not overextending yourself, which could sacrifice your studies. I would continue accumulating paid and volunteer hands on patient care experience and focus on building your medical resume. It is extremely important that you use the next 2 years wisely to bring your GPA up and get the necessary experience to be a competitive candidate. Sounds like you have plenty of shadowing experience so that is a big plus! Keep up the good work, get yourself into as many challenging and uncomfortable situations that make you stretch and grow as a person, consider doing some overseas medical work as well for a couple weeks or more – sometimes you can find comparable programs here in the US as well. This can we a wonderful experience that will make you grow as a person and a future healthcare provider.
– Stephen
Kelsy says
Hi Stephen,
I was searching for PA schools and looking up things to consider when I came across this post. I wanted to thank you for writing this–it’s well written, thoughtful, and has just the right amount of humor. You’ve given me some things to consider as I move forward with my education, so I wanted to thank you for that.
Have a great day!
Kelsy
Matt says
Hi! I have a question about clinical experience. I have tons of hours shadowing and general volunteering (not in a specific department) especially in an underserved area, but I don’t have any paid patient interactions during my undergraduate schooling. I also have several hours of general volunteering at a hospital from high school. Will these items count towards the hours of experience they are looking for? Thanks!
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Matt,
More often than not shadowing and volunteer work will not count towards the direct patient contact experience schools are looking for. For this you really need to get your hands “dirty” and work with and suffer with your patients. This will not only make you a more viable candidate it will go far to make you a much better PA. Medical decision making is a big part of what we do on a day to day basis and shadowing places you in the role of an observer. As volunteers you may be given certain responsibilities, but this is still quite different from a paid position within the medical field. I would suggest making the time to gain some much needed paid, hands-on experience. It will help make you a better PA, a better PA school candidate and provide you with experiences necessary to gain strong references and material for your essay and interview.
– Stephen
Catherine says
Hello!
First of all, I have to say that I absolutely LOVE your website! I have always had an interest in health care yet I couldn’t decide whether or not I should go into nursing or medicine. After reading many articles and reading a few of the books you recommended I have finally decided that I would love having a career as a physician assistant. I am 19 and about to complete my 2nd year of college (the first semester I dabbled around in nursing courses but I decided that it would not be a good fit for me at the end of the semester) and I do not think that I will graduate with a biology degree focusing on medicine until 2018. By then, I will be 21 years old. Currently I am looking at becoming a scribe and I have recently became a volunteer at a hospital. My GPA was not too good last year (2.8) but I finally got out of my ‘rough’ and my last semester GPA was a 3.5!
As for my question: will I be too young to go into PA school? So far I think that my only problem is that I do not have enough hours in hospital volunteering/health care experience. I believe that if I do them only over the next 2 summers (while taking classes) then I will have around 2,000 hours of scribe and volunteer experience! I am not sure if I will be reaching the ‘average’ physician assistant student/applicant by then.
Thanks! 🙂
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Catherine,
You won’t be judged by your age as much as by the strength of your experience, your maturity, and how well you present this to the admissions committee. When you graduate from PA school (a very short 2 years) you will be expected to perform at a very high level the minute you pass your certifying exam and get your first job. The experience you garner prior to PA school is as important as your time in PA school in many ways. So you want to make sure you maximize this time and are ready to hit the ground running. PA schools want to graduate candidates who are able to succeed in school and afterwards. It may be possible to perform at a high level in school while working and volunteering and still get the hand on patient care experience you need. If you can sell yourself well enough you may stand a good chance. Often though, steady paid work (a scribe is a wonderful option) for even just a year after graduation will increase your odds. Of course you can apply to school while you are working. Having strong paid experience will also give you the material you need for your personal statement, help you to get strong references and carry you through an interview. But this is certainly on a case by case basis so you will have to evaluate your situation and determine when you feel you have the experience you need.
Sounds like you are already off to a great start!
Stephen
Iliana says
Hi there,
Most PA schools, at least here in CA, do not count hours from a scribe job as “clinical experience” although they do value them as a great experience. I was a medical scribe in an ER for a year and just started working as a CNA to get those clinical hours, but I don’t for a minute regret working as a scribe. It can be more stressful than working as a CNA depending on where you work but worth the effort 🙂 Love your site by the way!
Iliana
Rebecca says
Hello!
My name is Rebecca, and I am currently finishing up my fourth year in college. I will be graduating next year with a bachelor’s in Health Science because I am a transfer student, but it seems like I won’t be getting into any PA school due to the accelerated programs that are offered to a lot of them.
Where I’m from, a lot of places let freshman college students go into an accelerated bachelor’s program that allows them to get their bachelor’s and master’s degree as a PA in 5 years. They are also guaranteed a seat if they keep their GPA up to a 3.0. I currently have a 3.545 GPA and I’m taking 6-7 classes a semester, and I have almost 150 clinical hours as a volunteer at a residency home. However, my advisor tells me I might not get in because my GPA should be around a 3.8 and I should be an EMT or CNA to be highly considered. I only have one year left, and there are no places offering these classes around where I am. Is there anything I can do?
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Rebecca,
Cast a wider net. There are plenty of PA programs all over the country looking for highly qualified candidates as yourself. Have you considered applying out of state? I traveled 3,000 miles across country to attend PA school at Rutgers. Not only was it a wonderful school, but the experience of attending in a new state so far away from home was invaluable. If I were you I would look far and wide, this should open up many possibilities.
– Stephen
Rebecca says
Thank you for the response!
I apologize for the delay in answering, finals are coming up and I need to focus. I am not really allowed by my parents to go to far away from home. I can try for schools in PA, NJ, and maybe NY, but that’s about it. The places I was considering was PhilaU (if I can get in), Arcadia, Pennstate, PCOM, Drexel (I know I won’t get in, but I gotta apply to as many as possible), Jefferson, and a few others.
Chelsea says
Hi!
First off I’d like to thank you for writing this post, I think its great that there are people like you giving pre-PA hopefuls like us a nice snapshot of what it takes to become a PA!
I am currently wrapping up my final semester as an undergraduate student. I majored in Political Science and finished all of my electives by junior year when I realized it wasn’t the right field for me. I got an internship at a hospital, loved the environment and the role of the PA and decided to double major in Biology. However, I’m haven’t had the chance to get any paid, hands on patient care experience which seems to be the key to success. I plan on getting my CNA certification this summer but wanted to know if you think that applying to PA school this coming fall would be too soon. My GPA is good and I’ve been committed to volunteer work since high school but I’m afraid that the lack of clinical experience will make me a weak candidate. Do you think that taking a year to work as a CNA would be the best option or should I shoot for the stars and apply right away?
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Chelsea,
The only thing you have to lose by applying early is your application fee, so if you are feeling like you would like to roll the dice this year and see what happens there is little “risk” otherwise. Some schools have minimal HCE requirements so the other factor at play is where you will be applying. If you are applying to MedEx in WA then I would say no, wait, if you are applying to several of the schools with lower requirements you may have a much better chance. I think the experience will help you as a PA and as an applicant, especially when it comes to writing a meaningful essay and during your interview. You will have to weigh the pros and cons in regards to the schools to where you will be applying and see what makes the most sense in your current situation.
– Stephen
Kelly says
Hi there!
My name is Kelly and I am looking to become a PA. I came across your blog when looking for advice on steps to becoming a PA. I am currently a senior in college but the only thing getting in the way of me becoming a PA is the fact that I am majoring in criminal justice. I came across the Physician Assistant career path about four months ago, and by that time it was too late to change my major. I know that I am passionate about helping people and I liked the idea of studying human behavior but now I know that I am passionate about making/keeping people healthy and curing them when they are sick. I would love to become a PA, but I am concerned about applying for school with my criminal justice major, especially because the schools are extremely competitive as is. I plan on taking all the Pre-Reqs before applying, and I also plan on shadowing a PA for as long as possible. I was just wondering if you could give me any advice on what a good next step would be for me. I am concerned about my background and applying to PA school, but I know it is what I want to do, and ill work as hard as I need to to get there.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Kelly,
I think your criminal justice background is a strength. PA schools love to accept a wide array of students with diverse backgrounds and interests. So please do not let your major discourage you. As long as you complete the necessary prerequisites and starting getting your “hands dirty” you will be on your way.
– Stephen
Stephanie says
Hello Stephen,
I am a second year Pre PT major at my university and has become very interested in the PA program. My main goal is to become a PA at a children’s hospital. While my hopes are high, I am a bit concerned. I was told by my academic advisor that I would not be accepted into an PA school let alone grad school and I should change my major towards the subject I am better at (math). As a sophomore, I have a 2.8 GPA currently. I had a rocky first year and will be retaking Anatomy for the 3rd time to earn a better grade. I feel like a have time to improve as sciences is very new to me. I am also worried that the statistics are against me. I am only 20 and will graduate by the time I am 22, I earned a dental assistant certification and feel that won’t be enough experience, and also I am a double minority. Are there any tips you can give me so I can get on the right track?
Thanks for any feedback!
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
My advisor told me the same exact thing my sophomore year, goes to show guidance counselors are not fortune tellers after all.
It was at that pivotal moment in my life where I regrouped and I changed majors – for me I changed to Zoology so that I could get more science and physiology exposure. I went from a 2.8 student like yourself to dean’s list for the next 2 years and earned my ticket to PA school. So my first piece of advice is don’t sell yourself short just because somebody else does. The second piece of advice is to start getting into the patient care trenches. Make it your journey to engage in the suffering of others.
Dental assistant is good but you need to get real hands on patient care experience – for you – specifically, pediatrics. Sounds like it is your passion so make it your passion. Start volunteering at your local children’s hospital, start working with kids in any capacity possible, prove to everyone around you that you are in this for the long run. The more you put yourself out there, the more connections you will make the opportunities will come your way and you may find that your performance in school improves as you passions and your purpose align. You may need to rethink your major, it could be math if you like, as long as you complete your prerequisite coursework. I suggest you hang in there and don’t give up, like you said, time is on your side, now you just have to use it wisely.
Warmly,
Stephen
Cuong Nguyen says
How do PA schools look at your GPA in graduate school? Is it based on the same scale in general? I am currently working on my Master Degree in Public Health, my GPA in the previous semester was average, not as good as I would wanted it to be. I understand that most PA students came with their undergraduate degrees, therefore, the GPA scale is based on that. I was wondering if it is the same criteria for graduate GPA as well. Thank you
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
This is a good question Cuong, I would suggest you contact several of the schools to which you are applying and ask them directly. It will probably vary from school to school and I don’t want to give you false information. If you get some good answers I would love it if you stopped by and let us know what you find out!
– Stephen
William says
Hi!
So I have just graduated from Georgia Southern University with an overall GPA of a 3.32 and science GPA of a 3.4. I am currently getting certified for CNA and plan to work at least 2000 hrs as a CNA before applying to PA school. Doespecially that sound like I have a good shot at being accepted into PA School?u
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi William,
These are what I consider to be the basic requirements of PA school. Where you will differentiate yourself (and where schools will make their decision) is in the areas that allow you to separate yourself from the 100’s of others with 3.4 GPAs and 2000 hours of CNA work. You will need volunteer and shadowing hours, a deep understanding of the PA profession, excellent recommendation letters and a personal statement that is above and beyond average. You have completed the basics, and this is a big accomplishment so pat yourself on the back, now get to work on making yourself truly stand out by focusing on those parts of your application that allow you to express your drive, creativity, positive attitude and ability to make a real difference in the lives of others. I have confidence you will do wonderfully!!
– Stephen
Jeniffer G. says
Hi Stephen,
My name is Jeniffer I am currently doing my B.S in public health in two more years I will graduate. My first semesters I used to be a Biology major but since I have to work I wasn’t having good grades, so I change to Public health. I already took A&P 1 and 2 I got B’s , Microbiology I got C, my college accepted some science courses from my country since I used to studied out of USA, they accepted my General bio 1, Chemistry 1, and organic chemistry 1 but without my labs. Right now I am applying to do volunteer hours at the hospitals and also I used to work in a pediatric office 3 years ago. I need some recommendations since I am doing Public health, if with this bachelor I could get accept to the PA program and if the rest of my pre-requisites is better to take it online or at the college. Thanks I appreciated your help.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Jennifer,
Since I am a little fuzzy on all of your details I would definitely suggest you make an appointment with an academic advisor and sit down for a couple sessions to lay out your plan and personalize your goals for the next 1-2 years. If you can compile a list of all the necessary prerequisite coursework and requirements summarized in a table of your top 12 schools you will be able to present this to your advisor and you can come up with a plan of action. It is not that important that your coursework is done online or on campus, what is important is that you have gone above and beyond the minimum requirements and show an upward trajectory with regards to your grades and overall performance. You will also need to get shadowing experience and more recent healthcare experience to be competitive, this will also lead to strong letters of recommendation. I am confident you will be able to develop a plan that works for you and makes you a competitive pa school applicant. I wish you the best of luck, drop me a line if you have any more questions along the way!
– Stephen
Jessica says
Hi Stephen,
I am having trouble finding a PA to shadow. I was also hoping to have a PA write a letter of recommendation. It appears that I will have neither of the two when I complete my CASPA. Many schools don’t require either, but I know it is definitely a plus. How do you think this will impact my chances off getting interviews?
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Jessica,
Part of this requirement is that they know finding a PA to shadow is difficult so it is a bit of a test of your determination and willingness to go the “extra mile”. Put yourself on the admissions committee and pretend you are looking at two applications with equal qualifications and one has strong shadowing experience and the other has none – would this affect your decision? It may be less of a concern during the interview as you can differentiate yourself with your winning personality, but getting to the interview is the key, so you will really want to try to make this happen. Kelly, in her videos makes some great recommendations on how to approach this very real problem: http://www.paflix.com/videoscategory/shadowing/
– Stephen
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Jessica,
Part of this requirement is that they know finding a PA to shadow is difficult so it is a bit of a test of your determination and willingness to go the “extra mile”. Put yourself on the admissions committee and pretend you are looking at two applications with equal qualifications and one has strong shadowing experience and the other has none – would this affect your decision? It may be less of a concern during the interview as you can differentiate yourself with your winning personality, but getting to the interview is the key, so you will really want to try to make this happen. Kelly, in her videos makes some great recommendations on how to approach this very real problem: http://www.paflix.com/videoscategory/shadowing/
As far as recommendations are concerned I don’t think it is all that important that one is from a PA as long as the ones you do have are strong and highlight your grit, determination, and all your amazing personality traits 🙂
– Stephen
Chris says
I see you listed “medical researcher” as an acceptable miscellaneous job for hands on clinical experience. Yet, I’ve seen several PA schools list “research positions” as a job that does not count as paid clinical experience. Could you please clarify this (ie clinical research assistant is accepted, but not wet lab research)?
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Chris you are right, this is a very grey area. Some researchers (studying cholera in a medically underserved area in Haiti for example) may have a lot of hands on patient care experience while other research positions would certainly not qualify – so user discretion is advised!
– Stephen
Christine says
Hi Stephen,
I was looking for advice on how to eventually become a physician assistant. I do not have a medical background at all since my whole career has been teaching in the special education field. I have been feeling that I want to go into the medical field for quite some time now. I have a personal interest with pediatric neurosurgery and that is the avenue that I might want to go. What do you suggest that I should do besides taking the prerequisite classes? I was thinking that I should shadow physician assistants or possibly go back to school first and get an associates degree as a surgical tech. Any advice that you have is welcome.
Thanks,
Christine
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Christine, shadowing is a must as is obtaining enough paid hands on patient care experience, volunteerism and community service can round out your resume. Make it a point to challenge yourself and go beyond your comfort zone, find ways to “suffer with your patients” in a way that builds upon your humanity, provides a better understanding of the challenges our patients face and makes you a more capable and empathetic healthcare practitioner. This is what the admissions committee is really looking for in an applicant. Your background is a wonderful start!!
– Stephen
Jessica L says
Hi Stephen,
Next year, I will be 29 when I graduate with my BS in biochemistry. I have 7 years of dental assisting experience in general/family, pedo, and surgical/outpatient dentistry. A few of those years were spent serving a rural community. My gpa is 3.2 while my science gpa is 3.5. There’s a few C s I got taking liberal art classes as an aimless teenager. I’ve gotten A s in physics, orgo, bio and calculus. I’ve been making dean’s list the past few semesters and should continue to increase my gpa as I have a solid year and a half of school remaining before I graduate.
I’m preparing to take the GRE with little study time and fear my score will not be competitive (average). I’m trying to start PA school the same year I graduate; however, my school finishes in mid June so I may have to wait another application cycle to apply if I don’t get accepted right away, in which case I can retake the GRE and study accordingly.
What suggestions can you offer regarding how I could potentially stand out as an applicant?
Cheers,
Jessica
Sonia says
Hello– I am in my second year at an elementary school as a Speech Language Pathologist (bachelors level). Do you think I should pursue becoming a cna on the side? Or is my experience enough to apply now? Would love your insight, thanks in advance.
Victoria says
Hi Stephen,
I’m a graduating senior for undergrad with a biology degree and a psychology minor. I don’t have a great GPA around a 3.1 and science around a 3.0, but I have clinical experiences with about 800 hours from interning at a family practice and being an EMT. I do community service and involved on campus. What do you suggest I do to become a stronger candidate. I would like to attend PA school as soon as possible.
Thanks ahead!
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Victoria,
I think you are certainly on the right track. You have a solid GPA and the kind of health care experience and volunteer hours that the admissions committee likes to see. If you can bring this all together with solid references and a well-crafted personal statement you stand as good a chance as any. Keep gaining experience, 1,000 hours I what I consider to be an acceptable minimum, and can take you far but chalking up those hours will help. Finding acceptable shadowing experience and understanding the PA profession inside and out, including your place in it. In the words of Dori from Finding Nemo “just keep swimming”! I think you are doing great and are certainly on the right track!!!
– Stephen