Physician Assistant Applications

Physician Assistants (likely changing to Physician Associates in the next 5 years) is one of the fastest growing medical fields! Diagnosing, prescribing, ordering and interpreting lab tests--they do it all!

Most PA programs accept applications through a common application called CASPA. This allows you to apply to numerous programs with a single application. For schools not participating in the common application, you will apply directly to those programs through their online applications.

Application is a complicated process, but you've got this! Keep reading for information and tips to help you with organizing your PA school applications. And remember, Pre-Professional Advising is here to help!

Application Timeline

Physician Assistant/Associate Applications Timing and Tips

Application opening date

April 24, 2025

Before You Apply--fall semester/early spring of application year

Check with schools about any questions on coursework. For example, will they accept CHM 12901 on its own? Will they accept the departmental credit for CHM 115 or the credit exam?
Verify that the letters you intend to get will meet the needs of the schools at which you intend to apply BEFORE you apply to those schools.
Consider taking your admission test(s) early, if possible.
Become familiar with the application process. Read the PA school websites and the CASPA Help Center.
Read and follow all instructions. Carefully edit materials that you submit and save a copy of everything you turn in to programs.General Timing Tips
Become familiar with resources for pre-PA students at PAEA site.
Familiarize yourself with the Application Checklist at PAEA.

General Information & Timing

National Admission Tests--early in spring semester in which you are applying or earlier

Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
- Research which schools will need the GRE
- You will need to provide yourself plenty of time to register in advance and study for the GRE
Physician Assistant College Admissions Test (PA-CAT)
- Not required at many institutions
- Give yourself plenty of time to study
Situational Judgment Test
- Some schools require the Casper situational judgment test.
- You will not need to study for this, but you will need to spend time preparing for it.
- More information on National Exams

Letters of Evaluation--ask letter writers by spring break of semester in which your are applying

CASPA Letters

CASPA Letters will be submitted electronically into the system by your letter writer using a system called Letters by Liaison
You will submit the letter writer's name and information
Your evaluator will then receive an email providing them access to the system to complete some questions about you as an applicant and then attach your letter file.

Non-CASPA Programs

For schools not using CASPA, you will typically apply through their graduate school application portal.
You will enter letter writer information and they will be able to submit letters directly.

Transcripts--send soon after final grades are available

Purdue uses a system called Parchment for transcript delivery. Information on ordering Purdue transcripts.
Through Parchment you will be sending an electronic transcript.

Transcript Entry

Part of the application requires that you enter every course you have taken semester-by-semester.
You will want an unofficial copy of your transcript to work from while you do this. You need to be precise when you do this and what you enter should match your transcript.
You do not need to pay for professional transcript entry.

Application Timing--submit your application by July if possible

Early submission is ideal.
Keep an eye on individual school deadlines and apply well-before these.
April-August of application year
- Some schools have supplemental/secondary application questions within the CASPA application in the "Program Materials" section. Those must be completed at the time CASPA is submitted to those schools.
June-August of application year
- Submit your application.
- Continue receiving supplemental information/application requests.
July of application year through following spring semester
- Interviews begin early at some schools and continue through the fall and spring semesters.

What Else Do You Need to Do?

Follow-Up

Ensure all documents (transcripts, letters, any school specific information) arrived to your application.
Write a thank you note to your letter writers.
Check your email (including junk folder/spam) often for any communications from schools.
Check online with the application portal and with school portals to follow your application status.

Prepare for Interviews

Plan for interviews
- Start practicing your interviews on Big Interview. Request practice questions from PPA. Before your first interview, schedule a mock interview with our PPA graduate assistant.
- Keep up on health news.
- Listen to the PA Path Podcast.
- Look at AAPA Advocacy Central.

Consider Funding

Read the Paying for PA School section on the PAEA site.
Although it is a medical school site, the resources at the FIRST site are very helpful.
If you are eligible for U.S. Federal Student Aid, file your FAFSA even before you have been admitted. You can always decline the funding if not admitted, but if you are waitlisted and admitted at the last minute, it may delay your funding.

Continue Building Toward Your Application

Keep up with volunteering, shadowing, research, work experiences, etc. Keep building your resume until you know you have been admitted.

Reapplicants

Familiarize yourself with the PAEA tips for reapplicants.
Request meetings with admissions staff at schools where you applied. Many will meet with students and these meetings can be helpful in guiding a future application.

PPA is here to assist you throughout your application even if you are applying after graduation.

Admission Tests

Graduate Record Exam

Most schools that require an admission test will require the GRE General Test.

What's on the GRE General Test

The GRE is sponsored by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test is taken on your computer and measures several areas of general knowledge.

Verbal Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Critical Thinking
Analytical Writing Skills

Who should take it?

Applicants to physician assistant programs that require the test.

Timing Your Test

First look at schools where you will be applying and determine if you need the GRE
If so, it is common to take the test in the spring/early summer at the end of your junior year (if you are graduating in 4 years).
You must have 21 days between tests. Try to take the test early enough that you have time to repeat it if you feel you need to.

When is the GRE Offered?

It is offered most days. When COVID began the ETS developed the at home version of the GRE called GRE at Home. You may also take the test in a testing center including one on Purdue's campus.

To take the test at home, you will need:

A quiet and private space to take the test with no distractions
A computer with a camera and microphone
You may have a small white board or a piece of white paper covered in a sheet protector so that you can use a whiteboard pen on it as scratch paper.

Costs

The cost as of March 2024 to take the test in the United States is $220. You can also opt for ScoreSelect which allows you to choose the scores you send to schools if you take it more than once.

Fee Reduction Program

Fee assistance is available for the GRE.

Testing Accommodations

ETS is committed to making the test experience accessible to everyone. Test accommodations are available.

Scores

The verbal and quantitative reasoning sections range from 130-170 in 1-point increments
The analytical writing is reported as a range of 0-6 in half point increments
Results are available in your GRE account in 10-15 days after the test
GRE scores are typically valid for 5 years, but individual schools may have different policies.

Learn more about score reports and sending your scores to schools.

Competitive Scores

What is considered a competitive score varies from school to school. Typically you want to be above the national average. The 80th percentile on the test is between a 150-160 in verbal and quantitative analysis and a 4.2 in analytical writing. Generally you want to at least be above the national average for the test (which is 150.8).

GRE Preparation

ETS offers some preparation materials. These are a good place to start. You can also find numerous other companies that offer GRE test preparation materials. These materials will help you learn about the various kinds of questions you will face on the test and help you practice these questions.

You must include full length practice testing as part of your preparation. This is the only way to determine the timing and pacing you need for the test.

The PA-CAT

The PA-CAT has not yet been widely adopted by PA schools. Some are using it as one factor in their admissions. Other programs are asking for the test but are still investigating whether to use it in admissions.

What's on the PA-CAT

The PA-CAT covers 9 science subject areas and has 240 questions.