Getting into a Physician Assistant (PA) school can be a monumental challenge. According to the US News & World Report, physician’s assistant school is more challenging than medical school. This is partly due to the stringent clinical experience required to get accepted into a PA school.
The Physician Assistant Education Association estimates about 20% of applicants get that acceptance letter. For med school, that number is closer to 41%. That means getting into PA school is more competitive. For students that are wondering how to become a physician assistant, planning is critical, and that includes finding a school that is the best fit for you. Acceptance rates per school are one metric worth considering.
Deciphering the Acceptance Rates of Top PA Schools in the Country
According to US News, the top PA schools report the following acceptance rates:
- Duke University: 2.3%
- Baylor College of Medicine: 3.7%
- University of Iowa: 3.6%
- Emory University: 2.7%
- George Washington University: 6%
If you want to get into one of the top schools in the country, it’s important to do your research. Identify their admittance criteria and acceptance rates, especially how many hours of patient care experience (PCE) they require.
For instance, to be considered by Duke University, you’ll need to clock in anywhere from 3,270 to 7,854 hours of patient care experience. Baylor College of Medicine, however, does not require patient care experience for admittance. George Washington University, the school at the top list with the highest acceptance rate, requires at least 4,000 hours of PCE.
The Significance of Acceptance Rates
The acceptance rate of a PA school isn’t as important as the application requirements. The acceptance rate is a percentage based on the number of applications. For instance, Duke University received 3,100 CASPA applications and 2,200 supplementary ones. From this group, they interviewed 250 potential students and then accepted just 90. They have a low acceptance
Importantly, smaller or less recognized schools might showcase acceptance rates mirroring those of top institutions, a factor largely attributable to their limited student intake. Therefore, understanding the broader context of acceptance rates becomes paramount in your application journey.
How Competitive is the Application Process?
While acceptance rates can give you a ballpark figure, it’s the competitiveness of the application requirements that truly paints the picture. Factors that PA schools weigh heavily include:
- GPA, both average and natural sciences
- GRE scores
- Baccalaureate degree
- PCE
- Pre-admission clinical experience
Understanding the scores and experience hours required in order to be considered competitive can provide more meaningful insight than the acceptance rate to get into that specific PA school.
Easiest PA Schools to Get Into
Looking beyond acceptance rates, certain schools might have less stringent entry requirements, making them seemingly easier to get into. For instance:
- A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Central Coast Campus – The minimum GPA is 3.0 on a scale of 4.0, prerequisite coursework.
- Loma Linda University Physician Assistant School – The minimum GPA is 3.0 on a scale of 4.0, GPA of natural sciences 3.0 on a scale of 4.0, 2,000 PCE hours—no GRE requirement.
- Marquette University – GPA of 3.0 or greater. GRE scores are optional.
Finding the Right Path to PA School With a Mentor
The journey toward getting accepted into a PA school can be intricate and challenging. But you don’t have to face this complex challenge alone. Advanced eClinical Training’s Pre-Physician Assistant Mentorship Program is designed to help you decipher the labyrinth of PA school applications, guiding you toward the right school for you.
Our PA mentors, armed with first-hand knowledge of the application process, provide you with a comprehensive one-on-one mentorship program. They assist in decoding how acceptance rates may influence your choice of schools and guide you through the application maze to boost your chances of success.
Our affordable mentorship program offers invaluable guidance in:
- Prerequisite coursework and planning
- PA school research and applications
- Interview prep
- Clinical experience guidance
- MCAT or PA-CAT preparation
- Rejection analysis and feedback
- Crafting compelling personal statements
- Strategic timeline planning
- Resume building
Engaging with a personalized offering like our PA mentorship allows you to opt for a membership that aligns with your application journey and budget constraints. Here at Advanced eClinical Training, we strive to ensure our mentorships are not only affordable but are also individually tailored and impactful, thereby guaranteeing that you receive the high-quality application guidance you need, all within your budget.
Enroll today and benefit from our vast library of resources and one-on-one sessions with your personal PA mentor.
