Leslie Mean is a 23-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 3.68 overall GPA and a 3.61 science GPA. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She never sat for the GRE, because most PA programs stopped requiring it.
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 PAEA publishes the numbers, and I went and got them. 35,280 people applied to PA school in the 2025–2026 cycle — the most ever. In the cycle before that, 34,625 applied and 13,195 matriculated. Those figures, and the profile of the students who got in, come straight out of PAEA's CASPA applicant and matriculation data files.
So when I tell you what the average admitted student looks like, I am not describing a stereotype. I am describing 13,195 real people who started PA school in the most recent class PAEA has counted.
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?
- 35,280 people applied to PA school in the 2025–2026 cycle — up from 30,049 four cycles earlier. The applicant pool has grown every single year.
- In the last cycle with complete numbers on both sides, 34,625 applied and 13,195 started PA school — 38.1%. Careful with that figure: it is matriculants divided by applicants, not an acceptance rate, and PAEA does not publish it as one. I am doing that arithmetic for you.
- From a program's side of the desk it looks nothing like 38%. Applicants apply to an average of 8.45 programs each — roughly 292,000 applications chasing about 13,200 seats, or 22 applications for every single seat.
- Both pictures are true, and confusing them is the most common mistake I see pre-PAs make. You are not applying once. You are applying eight times. That is the whole reason your personal odds look so much better than any one program's.
- Matriculating students applied to a median of 8 programs and finished the cycle with a median of 1 acceptance. One yes is all you need.
- 29% of this year's applicants were re-applicants, up from 24% four cycles ago. Nearly three in ten people in the pool got told no before and came back anyway. If that is you this year, read that sentence twice.
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 23 — and getting younger
- The median age of a matriculating PA student is 23, and the average is 23.71.
- 82.9% of matriculants are between 20 and 25. The single biggest misconception about PA school is that it is full of second-career thirty-somethings. It is not.
- But the range runs from 18 to 68. Read that again if you are a career-changer convinced you have aged out. Somebody started PA school at 68.
- The class is getting younger, fast. The average matriculant age has dropped from 25.67 to 23.71 in four cycles — nearly two full years. Pre-PAs are figuring this out earlier and applying sooner.
| Age at matriculation | Matriculants | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 19 | 43 | 0.3% |
| 20–25 | 10,932 | 82.9% |
| 26–30 | 1,517 | 11.5% |
| 31–35 | 378 | 2.9% |
| 36–40 | 150 | 1.1% |
| 41–45 | 68 | 0.5% |
| 46 and older | 38 | 0.3% |
| Did not report | 69 | 0.5% |
Median 23 · average 23.71 · range 18 to 68. Source: PAEA CASPA matriculation data, 2024–2025 cycle (n = 13,195).
→ Four out of five PA students are women
The PA profession skews heavily female, and the gap is widening. 81.45% of matriculating students are women, up from 77.27% four cycles ago.
- Female: 81.45% (10,747 students)
- Male: 18.48% (2,439 students)
- Declined to state: 0.07%
| Cycle | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–2025 | 81.45% | 18.48% |
| 2023–2024 | 80.33% | 19.56% |
| 2022–2023 | 78.52% | 21.39% |
| 2021–2022 | 78.30% | 21.39% |
| 2020–2021 | 77.27% | 22.52% |
Source: PAEA CASPA matriculation data (n = 13,195 in the most recent cycle).
So yes — the majority of your future classmates will be women, and more so every year. That mirrors healthcare broadly, where women make up most of the workforce.
I want to be careful here, because this is a place where people love to speculate. The data reports who matriculates. It does not report why. I have seen it claimed that women are "more likely to be accepted" than men — there is nothing behind that, so I am not repeating it.
If you are a man reading this and wondering whether you belong in a class that is four-fifths women: you do. I am living proof, and so are 2,439 of the students who started last year.
→ Two out of three admitted students hold a Bachelor of Science
Almost everyone who starts PA school already holds a bachelor's degree, and it is usually a BS. A small but real slice arrives with a master's already finished.
| Degree held at matriculation | Matriculants | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science | 8,730 | 66.2% |
| Bachelor of Arts | 1,629 | 12.3% |
| Master of Science | 323 | 2.4% |
| Other bachelor’s | 131 | 1.0% |
| Bachelor of Arts and Science | 86 | 0.7% |
| Master of Public Health | 69 | 0.5% |
| Bachelor of Science in Education | 50 | 0.4% |
| Master of Arts | 46 | 0.3% |
| Bachelor of Applied Science | 35 | 0.3% |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 33 | 0.3% |
Source: PAEA CASPA matriculation data, 2024–2025 cycle. Top 10 degrees only, so this does not account for every degree held by all 13,195 matriculants.
→ What do admitted PA students major in?
Biology dominates, but not as completely as people assume. Here are the ten most common majors among students who actually got a seat.
| Undergraduate major | Matriculants | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | 3,602 | 27.3% |
| Health science | 1,503 | 11.4% |
| Psychology | 936 | 7.1% |
| Biological sciences | 762 | 5.8% |
| Biomedical science | 750 | 5.7% |
| Exercise science | 722 | 5.5% |
| Kinesiology | 604 | 4.6% |
| Neuroscience | 538 | 4.1% |
| Public health | 502 | 3.8% |
| Human biology | 378 | 2.9% |
Source: PAEA CASPA matriculation data, 2024–2025 cycle (n = 13,195). Top 10 majors only, so this does not capture every major.
Group the biology-flavored majors together — biology, biological sciences, biomedical science, human biology — and they account for about 42% of the entering class. That makes sense, because a bio degree quietly knocks out most of your prerequisites along the way.
But look at the rest of that list. Psychology is the third most common major in the country. Exercise science, kinesiology, public health, neuroscience. There is no such thing as a "PA major." Programs care that you finished the prerequisites and did well in them. They do not care what your diploma says.
I have said this for twenty years and I will keep saying it: major in something you will actually work hard at. A 3.8 in a subject you love beats a 3.1 in biology you slogged through, every time.
Here are some tips on how to choose the best undergraduate major for PA school.
→ Matriculating PA students had a median of 3,200 patient contact hours
PA school applicants come to the table with a variety of medical experiences, especially if they are strong applicants.
This is the single most misunderstood number in PA admissions, so slow down here. The hours a program requires and the hours the people who actually get in have are two completely different numbers.
| The two numbers people confuse | Hours |
|---|---|
| What programs require — median minimum direct patient care | 500 hours |
| What matriculants actually had — median direct patient contact | 3,200 hours |
Requirement: PAEA Curriculum Report 6 (2021–22); 67.4% of programs required direct patient care, median minimum 500 hours, range 80–2,500. Matriculant hours: PAEA Student Report 6, Table 53.
Meeting the minimum makes you eligible. It does not make you competitive. If a program says 500 and you show up with 500, you are bringing about a sixth of what the median admitted student brought. Aim for 2,000 hours as a floor, and 3,000+ if you can get them.
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
96.1% of admitted students had been employed in a healthcare field before PA school. The most commonly reported roles were medical assistant (34.8%), nursing assistant (33.0%), scribe (21.4%), EMT/paramedic (17.8%) and home health aide (10.3%). Students could pick more than one, which is why the column below adds to well over 100% — most people did two or three of these jobs on the way in.
| Health Care Employment Prior to PA School | Percent |
| Medical assistant | 34.8% |
| Nursing assistant | 33.0% |
| Scribe | 21.4% |
| EMT/Paramedic | 17.8% |
| Home health aide | 10.3% |
| Emergency room technician | 8.8% |
| Phlebotomist | 7.8% |
| Clinical research coordinator/assistant | 7.0% |
| Physical therapy assistant | 5.5% |
| Pharmacy technician | 4.0% |
| Medical reception/records | 3.8% |
| Medical technician | 3.7% |
| Ophthalmic technician/assistant | 3.2% |
| Surgical technician/assistant | 2.8% |
| Athletic trainer | 2.7% |
| Healthcare administrator | 2.7% |
| Medical lab technician | 2.3% |
| Dental assistant/hygienist | 1.3% |
| Radiologic technologist | 1.1% |
| Health services researcher | 1.0% |
| Source: PAEA Student Report 6, Table 52 (n = 3,117). Students could select more than one role, so these do not sum to 100%. |
How many patient contact hours do PA students actually have?
Here is the full spread of direct patient contact hours among students who started PA school in 2022. Notice how enormous the range is — the top 10% arrived with nearly ten thousand hours, while the bottom 10% got in with 840.
| Direct patient contact hours | Hours |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | 840 |
| 25th percentile | 1,750 |
| Median | 3,200 |
| 75th percentile | 5,600 |
| 90th percentile | 9,600 |
| Mean | 4,994 |
Student self-reported hours, derived from weeks worked × hours per week — which is why the mean (4,994) runs far above the median. A handful of second-career nurses and paramedics with 20,000+ hours drag the average up. The median is the number to plan against.
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→ Do you still need to take the GRE for PA school?
For most applicants in 2026, no — and this is the biggest change in PA admissions since I first wrote this post.
The last time PAEA formally counted, reviewing program websites in 2021–22, 52.2% of PA programs required the GRE. Today it is a minority requirement. Our own running list of PA schools that don't require the GRE puts it at 92 of 338 programs (about 27%) as of July 2026, and an independent prerequisite tracker counted 86 of 318 (27.0%) in April 2026. Two people counting separately landed in the same place.
| Share of PA programs requiring the GRE | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 — PAEA Curriculum Report 6 | 52.2% |
| July 2026 — program-by-program trackers | about 27%, or roughly 1 in 4 |
The 2021–22 figure is PAEA's own count. The 2026 figure comes from program-by-program trackers, not PAEA, which has not published an update — I am labeling it that way rather than dressing it up as official. Note too that "requires" and "accepts" are different things: another ~70 programs will look at a GRE score if you have one but do not ask for it.
So what does this mean for you? It means the GRE is now a targeting decision, not a rite of passage. Build your program list first, then find out whether anyone on it wants a score. Plenty of applicants never take it.
If you do need one: among the programs that published a GRE expectation in PAEA's last count, the average total was about 307 — roughly 153 verbal, 152 quantitative, and 4.1 on analytical writing. A composite around 300 is workable, and above 310 is genuinely strong.
A note on what I am not telling you. You will find tables all over the internet listing "mean GRE scores of matriculated PA students," often down to a decimal. PAEA's student survey does not ask matriculants for their GRE scores at all — the only GRE data in it is how much people spent on prep books. Any national matriculant GRE average you see, including the one that used to sit in this post, is not coming from where it claims to.
| Admission exam | Share of programs requiring it (2021–22) |
|---|---|
| TOEFL (international applicants only) | 97.0% |
| GRE | 52.2% then; about 27% in 2026 |
| CASPer | 17.2% |
| PA-CAT | 5.6% |
| MCAT | 4.9% |
Source: PAEA Curriculum Report 6 (February 2023; review of 273 accredited program websites, October 2021–February 2022, of which 268 had usable admissions data). This is the most recent national count PAEA has published.
Percentiles matter more than raw scores. Every GRE administration differs slightly in difficulty, which is exactly why the percentile exists. If your score sits above the 50th percentile, treat it as competitive and put your energy somewhere it will move the needle more — like your hours, your grades, and your personal statement.
→ What GPA do you need for PA school?
Students who got into PA school last cycle had a 3.68 cumulative undergraduate GPA and a 3.61 science GPA. Both have climbed every year for four straight cycles.
But here is the number almost nobody publishes, and it is the most useful one on this page. Compare the people who applied with the people who got in, in the same cycle:
| GPA, 2024–2025 cycle | Everyone who applied | Everyone who got in | The gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative undergraduate | 3.47 | 3.68 | +0.21 |
| Science | 3.36 | 3.61 | +0.25 |
The science gap is bigger than the overall gap. That is the whole ballgame. Admissions committees are not just reading your cumulative number — they are pulling out your science coursework and reading that. A quarter of a grade point is the difference between the average applicant and the average admit.
| Cycle | Applicant GPA (cum. undergrad) | Matriculant GPA (cum. undergrad) | Matriculant science GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–2025 | 3.47 | 3.68 | 3.61 |
| 2023–2024 | 3.47 | 3.67 | 3.60 |
| 2022–2023 | 3.45 | 3.64 | 3.57 |
| 2021–2022 | 3.43 | 3.62 | 3.55 |
Source: PAEA CASPA applicant and matriculation data files. Applicant GPAs for the 2025–2026 cycle are already in: 3.48 cumulative undergraduate, 3.37 science — the pool keeps getting stronger.
| What programs set as a minimum | Value |
|---|---|
| Median minimum overall GPA (97.4% of programs state one) | 3.0 |
| Range of stated overall minimums | 2.5 – 3.5 |
| Median minimum prerequisite GPA (94.1% state one) | 3.0 |
| Range of stated prerequisite minimums | 2.0 – 3.5 |
Source: PAEA Curriculum Report 6. A 3.0 gets your file read. A 3.68 gets you admitted. If you are sitting below the median right now, the fix is an upward trend and a strong recent science block — not despair. Programs read the trajectory, not just the number.
→ What is the racial and ethnic makeup of PA students?
Most matriculating PA students are white — but that is changing faster than almost anyone realizes.
White matriculants have fallen from 66.8% to 59.1% in four cycles. Every other group grew. This is one of the fastest demographic shifts in health professions education right now, and it is happening quietly.
| Race / ethnicity | Matriculants | 2024–2025 | 2020–2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 7,801 | 59.1% | 66.8% |
| Asian | 1,998 | 15.1% | 12.3% |
| Hispanic | 1,734 | 13.1% | 11.0% |
| Black or African American | 690 | 5.2% | 4.5% |
| Two or more races | 576 | 4.4% | 3.2% |
| American Indian | 23 | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| Native Hawaiian | 8 | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| Did not report | 365 | 2.8% | 1.9% |
Source: PAEA CASPA matriculation data, 2024–2025 cycle (n = 13,195). Unlike PAEA's student survey, these categories are mutually exclusive and sum to 100%.
The direction of travel is genuinely encouraging. PAEA also reports that applicants from groups underrepresented in medicine grew by about 35% over the same stretch, rising from 21.4% to 25.5% of all applicants. That matters — patients do better when the people caring for them reflect the communities they come from.
→ How many PA programs should you apply to?
- Matriculating students applied to a median of 8 programs (mean 8.6).
- They received a median of 1 acceptance (mean 1.8). Most people who get in, get in once.
- Across the whole applicant pool the average is 8.45 programs — so eight is genuinely the national habit, not a rule of thumb somebody made up.
My honest advice: eight to twelve well-chosen programs, where "well-chosen" means you actually meet the prerequisites and the mission fits you. Firing off twenty applications to schools whose minimum coursework you have not finished is expensive and does nothing. Build your list first, then count it.
→ Pucker up, baby. Most PA students are single!
80% of matriculating students are single (including engaged), and 20% are partnered.
91.4% have no legal dependents. For the 8.6% who do, the average is two dependents, with a maximum of five. If you are applying with kids at home, you are not alone, and you are not disqualified — roughly one in twelve of your classmates is doing exactly the same thing.
| Legal dependents | Percentage of matriculants |
|---|---|
| Without dependents | 91.4% |
| With dependents | 8.6% |
→ Where do PA students grow up?
Not where you would guess. Six in ten matriculants grew up in a town or small city of fewer than 50,000 people, and only 5.6% came from a metro area of over a million. PA education has deep small-town roots, and a lot of programs are actively looking for students who intend to go back.
| Size of the community where the student spent most of their life | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Isolated rural (under 2,500) | 8.0% |
| Small town (2,500–9,999) | 22.6% |
| Large town (10,000–49,999) | 30.1% |
| Mid-size city (50,000–99,999) | 18.1% |
| Large city (100,000–1 million) | 15.6% |
| Urban (over 1 million) | 5.6% |
→ Do you need money and connections to get into PA school?
I get some version of this question constantly: everyone applying seems to come from a medical family with money, and mine doesn't. The data says otherwise, and it is not close.
CASPA asks every applicant a set of questions about disadvantaged background. Here is how the students who got in answered them.
| Among students who started PA school last year… | Matriculants | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Went to a high school where many students got free or reduced-price lunch | 4,774 | 36.2% |
| Come from a Health Professional Shortage Area or Medically Underserved Area | 2,681 | 20.3% |
| Come from a family that receives public assistance | 2,021 | 15.3% |
| Went to a high school where few seniors earned a diploma | 448 | 3.4% |
| Took part in a Health Careers Opportunity Program | 148 | 1.1% |
Source: PAEA CASPA matriculation data, 2024–2025 cycle (n = 13,195). Students could answer yes to more than one.
More than one in three admitted PA students came from a high school where hunger was common enough to be measured. One in five came from a place without enough clinicians. Those students got in. Read that again if you have been quietly wondering whether people like you get into PA school.
And here is the part I care about most: those are exactly the PAs the country needs. Students who come from underserved places are far more likely to go back and practice in them. If that is your story, it is not a weakness in your application. It is the strongest thing you bring.
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
Assume yes to both. Every PA program I am aware of requires a criminal background check, and the large majority require drug screening before you can start clinical rotations — hospitals demand it of the program, so the program demands it of you.
I am giving you that as my read of the landscape rather than a statistic, because the percentages that used to sit here were attributed to a PAEA student report that does not measure this at all. Check the program's own admissions page — that is the only source that binds them.
If you have something in your history, disclose it early and honestly. I have watched applicants with old convictions get into PA school. I have also watched applicants get pulled from a class over something small they tried to hide. The offense is almost never the thing that ends it. The nondisclosure is.
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.
People deflate when they read that only about a third of applicants get in each year. I think that is exactly backwards. Being in the top third of any field is not nearly as hard as it sounds — because most of the competition is not doing the work you just did by reading this far.
You have just read the whole thing. You know what the median actually is on hours, on GPA, on how many programs to apply to — and you know which "statistics" floating around the internet are made up. That already puts you ahead of most of the people you are competing with.
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. 😉
What is new for the 2026–2027 CASPA cycle
- The cycle opened April 30, 2026 and closes April 1, 2027.
- The COVID-19 impact essay is gone. In its place is a new situational question asking how future PAs should use emerging technology — AI, telemedicine, wearables — while keeping care patient-centered.
- There is now an AI attestation. You confirm the application is your own work. Write your own essay. I mean it.
- Fees are $185 for the first program and $65 for each additional one. Fee waivers are available at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, cover your first two programs, are first-come first-served, and the submission window is now 21 days.
- There are 330 ARC-PA accredited PA programs as of May 2026, and eight more were granted provisional accreditation at the April 2026 meeting. The number of places to apply keeps growing.
Sources — so you can check my work:
- Applicant counts, applicant GPAs and re-applicant share: PAEA CASPA Applicant Trend Numbers, cycles 2021–2026 (posted May 2026). This is where the 35,280 applicants for 2025–2026 comes from.
- Matriculant counts, GPA, science GPA, age, gender, race, majors, degrees and disadvantaged-background data: PAEA CASPA Matriculation Data, 2020–2025 (posted March 2026), covering the 2024–2025 entering class (n = 13,195).
- Programs per applicant and URiM growth: PAEA, "PA Program Applications Show Growth, Persistence."
- Admission exams, minimum GPAs and minimum patient-care hours: PAEA Curriculum Report 6, a review of 273 accredited program websites.
- Patient contact hours, prior healthcare roles, programs applied to, marital status, dependents and where students grew up: PAEA By the Numbers: Student Report 6, PAEA's most recent national student survey. CASPA's data files do not measure these, so this is the only national source for them.
- Accredited program counts: ARC-PA, Currently Accredited Programs.
- Cycle dates, fees and application changes: PAEA 2026–2027 CASPA Applicant Guide.
Where a number is my own arithmetic on PAEA's figures rather than something PAEA publishes directly — the 38.1% matriculation rate, the 22-applications-per-seat figure — I say so in the text. Where a number simply does not exist, I say that too instead of filling the gap. Numbers on this page were last verified in July 2026.
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Hi Stephen, my name is Anna-Barbara. I just got to know about pa school and I’m kinda confused on some stuffs. First-off, I’m an international student majoring in biology. And I’m also a rising junior. I understand that to apply, one has to have hands-on experience. I plan on taking my CNA class next summer, would that be enough time to have hands-on experience before graduation/ application. And does working as an home-care assistant for senior citizens count? What else do i have to do before applying?
Thanks.
Hi Stephen,
First off, I would like to say thank you for creating this website. It is so helpful, words could not explain how thankful I am to read insight on PA life and what it takes to be a PA, also to see others in the same boat as me. I am in desperate need of your help! I recently applied to several PA programs and did not get accepted into any… pretty depressing. I know my weakness is my undergraduate GPA esp my science GPA. At this point I am debating if I should go back to retake some science or if I should pick up more classes because I’m not sure how much it will help improve my overall GPA. I have a good amount of HCE currently working as a certified phlebotomist in a hospital and prior experience as an ER scribe, I did alright on the GRE (could be better I suppose), and have good references… What do you suggest I do besides going back to school to retake courses? Maybe volunteer work? I am frustrated and feel defeated after so many rejections but I know I can’t give up now after all that I have done to get where I am. I hope you can help me, thank you so much.
I am greatly enjoying this site, as I am in the beginning stages of the road to PA school. When I read this list of prior healthcare experiences, I was stuck on my own profession being listed incorrectly. I wanted to clarify that an “xray technician” is actually called a Registered Radiologic Technologist, and now is required to have an Associates of Applied Sciences in Radiologic Technology, if not a Bachelors, from an accredited program to hold this professional title. We do thousands of clinical hours and work closely with patients and other clinical staff. We have to sit for an extensive exam and have credentials equivalent to R.N. in our field, listed as R.T. (R). We tend to be lumped in with lab technicians and CNAs, but we actually fall in more with RRT and RN, and have worked hard to earn that degree and those credentials. We also add onto our titles by studying and sitting for other modalities, such as CT, MRI or Interventional. If you wouldn’t mind updating this post to reflect the correct title, we would all appreciate it. It is an amazing way to get hands-on experience with patients in all situations to take to the next level of career, as I have in the ER and inpatient hospital settings. Thank you so much!
Hi Amanda, would you be interested in writing a blog post for the site about your experience as an RT? I loved your comment and it could be turned into a great post that would be beneficial for many people. I think you are right, most of us are not familiar with the many options and level of experience this profession provides to those who choose to pursue it. I always provide a $50 Amazon Gift Certificate for guest posts on the blog as well. If you are interested shoot me an email at [email protected] or you can simply respond here in the comments.
Thanks again, I will update the post to reflect what you said as well.
– Stephen
Hey Stephen,
I`m currently a 20 year old sophomore majoring in Biology. I currently have a 3.2 gpa but I`m expecting it to be a 3.4 by next semester since I most likely will pass all 4 of my classes with A`s. My main goal is to try to get into med school to become a radiologist but I`ve been researching and I`ve heard how difficult getting accepted to med school is. I`m the type of student whos hard working and tries my best but I`m usually a B average type of student. Unfortunately I`m not those type of students who are just gifted at school and can easily average a 3.8 like a lot of incoming med school students. I`ve read tons of articles about how you need a high gpa to even have a chance and that really frightens me. I don`t want to end up working my behind off for four years just to get rejected and get stuck. So I`ve decided to have a “Plan B” and considered being a PA because I really want to be in the medical field and being a PA interests me. I`ve research a bit about how hard it is to get into PA school and it seems like the requirements are pretty similar to Med school. I have no medical experience yet because I`ve been a full time student so far. Do you have any advice for me? I`m really interested in being a PA student if I can`t get accepted to med school but my question is this: If I can`t get accepted to med school, should I even bother trying to apply to a PA school or is PA school admissions more tolerable? I`m sorry that I`m asking multiple questions at once but I really want a realistic back up plan because I want to be in the medical field but I don`t want to get “stuck” by not getting accepted to med school or even PA school for that matter.
Thank you,
– A stressed student
Hi,
So I’m reapplying to PA school this year. I applied late and only to 3 schools and had limited HCE. I’m not surprised that I did not get in, I figured I spend the year getting more HCE because that was what I thought was my weak area was. Then someone made an offhand comment and now I’m questioning everything. I have a BS in biology and a minor in Spanish, my overall undergrad was 3.69 and 3.43 science. I got some B’s bio 1 and 2, and o-chem and C’s in physics 1, molecular biology, and biochem. Not ideal classes to have done bad in, but I don’t think retaking them will raise my GPA enough to make it worth it. My GRE was a 56% math and 81% written. I know the math is low, but I didn’t think it was a concerning low, is it? I don’t think any my stuff is bad, but nothing is outstanding. I finished my CNA and will have a couple hundred HCE. I gave my personal statement to my adviser afterward and she said it was good, and had tips for changing it if I decide to reuse it(is reusing bad?). Am I too average to get in? Or is there something I should be doing or courses that I should be retaking? I just really want to get in this year. Any advice is greatly appreciated
Hi Katie,
One thing you can do is contact the schools you applied to and ask them directly how you can strengthen your application. Strong HCE is extremely important as are the letters of recommendation that comes with that experience. I think this is far more important, it shows maturity and an understanding of the healthcare field which is so important as a PA. I certainly would not apply with the same essay to the 3 schools you have already applied to. Put yourself on the admissions panel, what would you think about an applicant in this case, especially competing against 1000’s of others with very strong backgrounds just like yourself? I know it is a bit of work, but it is nothing compared to the creativity you will have to muster while practicing medicine on a day to day basis. Use this year wisely and place yourself in uncomfortable situations that challenge you to the point that the discomfort is at times unbearable. If you go where others are too afraid to go, you will be so good that they can’t ignore you.
– Stephen
Hello Stephen,
I’ll get right to it. I have a 2.8 GPA overall for my BA of Psychology from a CSU; I have some reasons for this I can address in my statement. I am currently taking the hard science pre reqs at community college. I will have about a 3.0 GPA overall, after those classes are factored in. However, my science GPA is a 3.7 or 3.8. Basically, all A’s in the classes that “matter”.
I have multiple years of HCE hours, they are not “hands on”. My title is Discharge Navigator at a large hospital. I speak with patients, assess their needs, and make sure they get what they need on discharge e.g. home health, DME, SNF, and important follow up appointments (INR checks). I am working on medical assistant hours as a volunteer at a clinic, but will only have 1000s hours by the time I can apply. I should have PA shadowing hours covered, approx. 50 by time of application.
The thing that bothers me is that I only have about 100 hours of general volunteer experience at a mentorship program in 2013 (big brother type program). I can volunteer at my hospital which services the most deserving i.e. low SES, but at most I’ll only have maybe 200 hours given my insane schedule.
My question is that, should I apply as soon as I meet the basic pre reqs? Or wait until I have more volunteer hours? Also, what are you 2 cents about my overall credentials? Thanks in advance.
Hi Bob,
I think you are crushing it and you should apply as soon as you meet your prerequisites. There is an idea in business that it is best to release a product when it has reached the state of “MVP” (minimum viable product). The reason being that there will always be something you can add on, and build upon, and tweak to “perfection”… This can be done infinitely. But this can lead to procrastination in the hopes of being just a little more perfect. My mom always taught me that you never have a second chance to make a first impression. So I always worry that if I release an idea (or myself) into the world in an “unfinished” state I may lose the chance for a good first impression. But, you have an exceptional record, with an amazing 50 hours of shadowing, a good amount of patient care experience, a solid science GPA and plenty of life/work experience around which you can compose an excellent essay. You are an MVP, just waiting to shine – so my advice is go for it!
– Stephen
Hi Stephen, my name is Adam, I’m 27 years old and I currently hold a BA in History and graduated with a 3.0 in college- I also possess a commission as an Officer in the US Army. I have spent several years doing law enforcement (and have recently relocated from TN to SC), and I keep coming back to the idea of a career in the medical field- becoming a PA seems like a great choice, but how feasible is it at my age and my lack of medical education? I also am looking at becoming an EMT / Paramedic to acquire the experience needed to apply.
Any input would be great. Thanks!
Hi Stephen,
This would be all new to me I am 29 years old and wanting to go back to school. Im interested in building myself into becoming a pa. I have worked only as a m.o.s therefore, I’d be starting classes fresh and new. Ive been reading up on the profession, but everywhere I read, there are some classes required that are not the same I read other places. Can you give me an Idea as where to start, classes I need, time frame, ect. Also, Ive read schooling takes about 5 years yet 4 years of experience is needed, how would that work. Sorry for so many questions, Im just really interested in this career path.
Hi Paula,
I know it can all be a bit overwhelming for sure. There really is no standard “pre-pa” curriculum. A good place to start is to browse through the PAEA PA program directory http://directory.paeaonline.org/ and get a general feel for what schools are requiring. You can build a spreadsheet, and with time you will start to see some patterns. Pick some schools you may be interested in and get a feel for their general requirements as well. Essentially the core of the curriculum is usually very similar. You can take what you learn to your academic advisor and start to build out a plan for the upcoming 3-4 years. Some colleges and universities offer a 3 + 2 program that allows you to combine undergrad and graduate PA training. Currently there are 33 +/- schools in the US that offer this type of combined program. Looking over their course curriculum can be helpful as well. Here is a link to an article I just wrote on that: https://www.thepalife.com/direct-entry-and-dual-degree-bsms-physician-assistant-programs/
You can start building HCE while taking undergraduate coursework. There are a million ways to go about doing this and I would encourage you to be creative. Their is a huge variation among schools for required health care experience hours, most east coast schools generally require less HCE than many west coast schools – although this is just my observation.
– Stephen
Hi Adam,
Honestly, I think you are just the kind of candidate most PA schools are looking for, even at the advanced age of 27 🙂 It wouldn’t take long to complete the necessary prerequisite coursework and with your background in law enforcement I am sure you have the grit and determination to get the HCE hours necessary – especially as an EMT/Paramedic. I feel very confident you could have a long and fulfilling career in medicine as a PA if you can make all the pieces come together.
– Stephen
Hello Stephan,
I have a bachelors degree in civil engineering and a masters degree in engineering management. I’ve always had a passion for medicine and to this day I regret my decision to go to medical school. Im now 27 and have been working as an engineer for 4 years. As more Time passes I start to realize that medicine is my true passion. In undergrad I have a 3.6 GPA and in graduate school I had a 3.3 GPA. What do you think my odds of being accepted to PA school would be? I’m hesitant of taking on such a significant amount of debt at this point which is pretty much the only thing holding me back. Unfortunately, I have no clinical experience.
Hi Ashley,
You probably have the majority of your necessary prerequisites, often times they like to see that you have taken anatomy and physiology within the last 5 years, but this is certainly not a rule. In a year you could have clinical experience sufficient to apply. I know the hard part is making the decision to leave a comfortable existence. But comfort (as I know you know) does not always equate to passion for what you are doing on a day to day basis. You will have to do some more soul searching, there are ways to decrease debt, such as the National Health Service Corps which combines doing good in medicine with reduced student debt, this is the route I went and I am so grateful for that.
I wish you the best of luck, if you aren’t ready just yet, get your feet wet by doing some shadowing, and if there is a way to pick up some part time work and decrease your hours at your current job this could be a nice way to transition and may help you make your mind… There are lots of options that may not involve going “all in” at first.
– Stephen
Quick Question. When you’re referring to the SAT, are you talking about the one usually taken in high school? And if so, why would it matter in a application to a PA program? Wouldn’t that score be outdated by the time you apply to PA school (in this cases, 27 years old)?
Hi Stephen,
First, I wanted to say thank you very much for the excellent advice you gave me about a month ago when I was getting ready for my interview. I did very well. I followed your advice about “just be yourself “. I received the news of my acceptance to the program yesterday. Im so happy and proud of myself. I was in a situation very similar to Isha’s. I am also an international medical graduate. Between paid and volunteer work by the time I applied I had accumulated over 16 thousand hours of direct patient care (including 700 hours of PA shadowing ), I had to complete all the prerequisites, (90 credits ), which i did in a little bit over a year (they told me that I would need at least 2 1/2 years to finish them). My final GPA was 3.73. I also served in the US Navy for over ten years, where I worked in the medical and human resources fields. While in school I was always involved in extracurricular activities, so that I founded the first science club and became its president, I was also a student government representative, student tutor, and organized conferences, participated in blood drive events, etc. I just want to let people know that the path to become accepted into the PA program is not easy, and we must strive to do our best at all times, however, it is not impossible to achieve it. There is never guarantee that you will get accepted, but the odds of this happening are greatly increased if you do more than the average student. Thank yiu again Steven.
Congratulations Carlos I am so very happy for you!
Stephen
Hi Stephen,
I received my official acceptance letter yesterday. I’ll start my PA program on August 29. I am so happy.
Thank you for helping us to achieve our goals.
Warmest regards,
Carlos
You rock Carlos, way to go!
-Stephen
Hello. Thanks for your article. I’m 34, am a licensed Masters degree social worker and have been doing psychiatric assessments and crisis work in an urban Emergency Department for the past 6 years. Prior to that I did therapy for people with mood disorders. I love my job but wanted to do more and decided to take the plunge and try for PA. So far I have made mostly B’s in my science classes. Lately I started making A’s as I’ve gotten more comfortable in a new field, but my science GPA is only a 3.1. If I make all A’s here on out I can get it up to a 3.4 for prerequisites. The physician’s at my hospital are encouraging me to apply early, they seem certain my background and letters of recommendation will be good and I don’t need to worry so much. But… it seems GPA is the most stressed factor for PA.
Being older I would love to not take an extra year of undergrad classes to bolster my science GPA. I have a 3.9 from my grad program (though I know that isn’t as important) and above average GRE. Do you think applying with a 3.1 is a waste of time regardless, or worth it if you have a strong background?
Hi Christina,
You just never know unless you try. I know it is not an easy decision, but my feeling is beyond the financial cost of applying this round you don’t have a lot to lose. With your background, experience and strong references you make a strong candidate who obviously has the academic capabilities to succeed. And worse case scenario, you don’t get in this year, you take what you have learned and apply again the following year. If you sit in your car at a stoplight waiting for all the lights to be green you won’t make it very far, so my thought is why let one tiny red light stop you? It is the same thinking I used when I applied years ago, and I am so glad I didn’t wait.
Stephen
Is there any colleges that you can apply to their college for the physician assistant program /degree and get accepted as a high school senior . Have heard of this in nursing, just do not know if this is a common practice for physician assistant ?
Thank you
Hi there, this was great question! I have just created a post listing direct entry BS/MS PA programs that you can apply to as a high school senior. Take a look and let me know if you have any questions. https://www.thepalife.com/direct-entry-and-dual-degree-bsms-physician-assistant-programs/
Stephen
Thank you for this thorough list! Is there any in West Coast or Midwest ?
Hi Stephen!
I am currently looking into applying to PA schools. I majored in Health and Human Physiology with a GPA of 3.75. I currently work as a medical assistant and I have volunteer hours.
What I’m finding confusing as I am looking at different PA schools are the “prerequisites” they require for their program. They all ask for different things (some classes with or without labs, different types of chemistry classes, and different natural science courses). If I don’t match every single one of the school’s pre-reqs, should I not apply? I’m getting disheartened when I have a degree in human physiology, but not the EXACT classes schools are looking for. Do you have any advice?
Thank you!
With those grades you could be a physician not a physician assistant
Or, with those grades you could be a physician assistant not a physician 🙂
– Stephen
Hi! I have a quick question and was wondering if you knew the answer or not! I go to an ivy league school and have made above average grades in my science classes there according to the university standards (mostly B’s and B+s). Several of my friends are coming from community colleges bolstering a 4.0 gpa. Is school rigor considered when applying to PA school or is this a factor that is not accounted for. Thank you for your time!!
HI Stephen,
I am an international medical graduate from India, and have not been able to match in a residency program here in the USA. I have been volunteering in multiple medical places over the past 3 years, and have experience practicing medicine independently running my own clinic in India for a year. Assuming my Indian education translates into the prerequisites, how good/bad/terrible are my chances of making it into PA school? I have a decent GRE score.
Thank you!
Hi Isha,
Obviously you are highly qualified, passionate about medicine and capable of doing very well in PA school, the hurdle you will have to jump is convincing the PA school administrators that you are truly passionate about the PA profession and are not simply “settling” for this degree as an alternative to practicing as a doctor in the United States. I am sure you would find the PA profession extremely rewarding even given your extensive medical background. Also, you have to make sure all your academic coursework translates appropriately to cover the PA school prerequisites, that you have shadowing experience and a very strong understanding of the PA profession and how it functions within the US healthcare system. I would attend some open houses and speak with the PA school faculty directly. Discuss your current situation with them and ask them what steps you should take. In the US we are in desperate need of good, strong and compassionate healthcare providers with experience like yours, so if you put in the effort I am sure you will stand a very good chance. But you will definitely have to put in some effort.
Stephen
Thank you so much for your advise!
I graduated with a B.S. in Biology (human-health sciences) about a year ago and am currently working as a Scribe (doing both scribe and Medical Assistant duties when needed). However, I am not certified as a Medical Assistant since I had initially taken on the position as a Scribe. Do you think that these hours would like be acceptable as I am not certified? I was initially leaning towards medical school but now am veering towards PA school after having had the chance to work alongside a PA student (who is now a PA-C).
While getting my Bachelor’s, I hadn’t considered taking labs for Anatomy or Physiology since the Medical Schools I was looking at didn’t require them. I took the lectures but not the labs. I was considering going back to the university to take the labs but tuition has sky-rocketed. Would it be acceptable to take the labs at a community college? Also, what is preferable – taking both a Human Anatomy AND Human Physiology lab (a 2 separate labs) or a combined Human Anatomy & Physiology lab?
**Sorry, there was a typo in the first paragraph – it’s supposed to read:
“Do you think that these hours would ‘NOT’ be acceptable as I am not certified?”
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.
Hi Masa,
My brother in law works for the admissions department for the University of California school system and he has assured me that community college courses (as long as the community college is in good standing) are looked upon equally to credits from 4-year Universities. So this is an excellent option in your situation, especially since you already have a 4 year degree and as you mentioned you will be able to save a lot of money by going this route. So my advice for someone with a BA, on a budget, starting out with no prerequisites would be to do exactly what your doing. Get your prerequisites at an accredited community college and start accumulating hands on healthcare experience right away. Join the AAPA and your local state PA chapters, attend the local and national PA conventions, get some shadowing hours and start immersing yourself into the field of medicine. As Steve Martin once said “be so good they can’t ignore you.” It’s good advice and requires that you come to the table with something Cal Newport (author of several books on the subject) calls “the craftsman mindset” – which asks that “you put your head down and plug away at getting really damn good. No one owes you a great career he argues; you need to earn it and the process won’t be easy”. Create your plan, outline your steps and get to work… You could have this done in 2 years if you are able to truly dedicate yourself to the cause.
– Stephen
Thank you very much for your response. I am at ease now about going the community college route, and am going to go ahead with vigor. I have already selected every class I will take for two years to get my Associates in Biological Science. Mahalo, Masa
Hi,
I’m 45 years old and thinking about making a 180° career change. I have no experience what so ever in the Healthcare field except having worked in “group homes”; and no volunteer hours. I currently make a decent earning ($90K + / year), double majored in college (BS-engineering , BA-business) and have completed those two in 5 years while staying employed (not my current employment ) for the major part. However, my cumulative GPA was only 2.75 with many pre-reqs still to be completed (mostly biology etc…)! Fluent in French and was learning English while attending college.
My current position requires a 24/7/365 “on call status” with frequent extended or “all day” work schedules with travel.
I deeply care about people and understand without a doubt that the Healthcare position is more than just about money!
Do I have a shot out of the dream room and into the PA program?
Hi Jack,
It is a long road for sure but many people enter PA programs later in their careers for the same reason you are entertaining the idea. At 45 you may still have another 20 years (or more) in workforce. A career change at this point in life can be reinvigorating. You obviously make a decent salary now so this is not your motivating factor. As a PA you will have the opportunity to pursue everything from specialty medicine to providing care to those most in need in rural Alaska or maybe even overseas in rural Cambodia. And maybe this is something you have wanted to do your whole life and have been waiting to pull the trigger. PA school is definitely competitive and GPA requirements have become much stricter over the years. That certainly doesn’t mean that PA schools wouldn’t take into consideration your depth of experience which will certainly shine above many younger, and less experienced applicants.
It is my belief that anything is possible if we want it bad enough. But you will have to go “all in”. Which will require a time commitment encompassing the greater part of the next two years. Can you make the time? Is it worth it? Will it negatively impact other parts of your life or take away from commitments you have to family, partners, children etc. etc. etc.? If you can make it work then by all means go for it, but you will have to weigh this carefully. I have a feeling you will accomplish anything you set your sights on. And it is absolutely not impossible, nor crazy to pursue this career change at this point in your life. I attended PA school with students in their 40’s, 50’s and even 60’s. And they enjoyed every bit of the experience!
– Stephen
Stephen,
Thank you very much for the thoughtful reply. I will make sure to update u should I manage to pull this off.
Thanks.
Hi there
My name is Jessica, im currently in my first year of college. And im planning on becoming a PA. Do you have any recommendations on what kind of majors PA schools like? Also im attendimg a junior college, and will be transferring into a four year in the future. Coming from a junior college and being a transfer student will this affect me into getting into any PA program?
Hi Jessica,
Your major is not nearly as important as is your ability to complete the required prerequisites and get the preparation you need in the sciences so that you are prepared for PA school. There are many options – pick the one that interests you and sets you on the right path. Make sure to take the time to meet with your academic advisor, they are a wonderful resource. Also, take science classes that challenge you and are competitive, not just the “minimum” requirements. This sends a message to the PA program as well.
Being a transfer student is perfectly acceptable and will not impact you negatively whatsoever. Just as long as you can demonstrate the drive and the determination they are looking for in an applicant.
There is a saying by the comedian Steve Martin – “Be so good they can’t ignore you” this certainly applies here!
Stephen
Hello Stephen,
I am a college freshmen with the hopes of getting into a PA program. I have looked at many PA schools and many of them require at least 1000 hours of experience in a medical setting. What medical/clinical experience do you recommend and how does one go about finding a program for it? I recently started looking into programs for CNAs. I would also like to see how to become a scribe. Do you have any advice on how to find a program and what would be best to do during school? I am very thankful I found this page because it is really helpful!
Bet regards
Natalie
Hi Natalie,
There are so many options out there for experience. My opinions have changed recently after having the chance to work with several medical scribes. I am now pretty convinced that this may be the best medical experience you can get in preparation for PA school. You get to work alongside MDs, PAs, nurses and all other types of medical professionals and you are in the room observing medical decision making in progress. You will learn to diagnose and treat, interpret tests and read x-rays, EKGs, CT scans and MRIs. Also, you will likely get some very good recommendation letters. It is a wonderful job. Many scribes land the job while performing other medical duties in a clinic or hospital. There are also companies such as Scribe America who have education programs and contract with clinics and hospitals. There is not standard yet, but it appears they are trying to come up with one (although this is probably just a way to make money off of eager applicants in my opinion). As a CNA you also get a lot of patient care experience, maybe what I would consider to be the “gentler side” – one shouldn’t ever underestimate the value of helping a patient to the toilet or caring for someone by giving them a bath. CNAs suffer with their patients and suffering is good – it makes us more human and better providers. The point is just get out there and find what excites you and don’t wait. The applicants with the most experience shine during interviews and this comes across throughout the application and in your personal statement.
– Stephen