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

Application opened April 25, 2024

This Timeline provides a general sense of the overall arc of the application process.

Physician Assistant Application Timeline

Application Action Plan

For those of you who like a broad checklist of those things that need to be done, this is for you. Here are the action steps that will help you make a plan for tackling your application.

PA Application Action Plan

The Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) also has this Application Checklist.

The PAEA offers these tips for reapplicants to PA programs.

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. They have decided to keep this version even when COVID is under control. So it is much easier to schedule the exam and you can take it on your own computer.

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. Learn more at the ETS Fee Reduction website.

Testing Accommodations

ETS is committed to making the test experience accessible to everyone. Read more about their policies and procedures for requesting accommodations.

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

In recent years, the PA-CAT was developed, but only a few schools have adopted it, very little is known about it, and few prep materials are available for it. Consult the PA-CAT website for more information.

Helpful Resources