Selection Processes & What Makes an Applicant More Competitive

Selection Processes
It is important to understand that acceptance into any PA program is a highly competitive process. Meeting our entrance requirements in no way guarantees acceptance. Most competitive students will meet and exceed our entrance requirements.

For both the completed application and the completed interview processes, candidates will be evaluated based on both their CASPA application and On-Site Interview to determine their relative competitiveness to other candidates.


All applicants who meet our admissions requirements will be considered for inclusion in an on-campus interview. However, not all applicants who meet the minimum standards for admission will be invited for an interview. Each applicant is evaluated on the basis of her or his relative competitiveness to other applicants. 


The most competitive applicants will not only meet but exceed our admission requirements and have one or more of the following characteristics:

  • Completed their undergraduate coursework at two or fewer academic institutions
  • Completed their prerequisite science coursework at a regionally accredited 4-year college/university in mostly ‘face-to-face’ classes
  • Completed their prerequisite coursework within the last 10 years
  • Exceed the minimum required total cumulative, cumulative science, and cumulative prerequisite GPAs
  • Exceed the minimum required community service-related volunteer experience hours
  • Exceed the minimum required direct patient-care hours
  • Have three excellent letters of reference from appropriate sources highlighting adaptability, intellectual ability, reaction to criticism, interpersonal relations, reliability, and team skills.
  • Have one or more Admission Preferences (as noted below)
  • Not have attended a medical school
  • Not have attended another PA program

It is important to note that not having such characteristics does not preclude an invitation for interview or acceptance into the program. It is equally important to note that having such characteristics in no way guarantees an interview, acceptance into the program, or success in the program.