Program Spotlight: Oregon Health & Science University

Location:  Portland, Oregon

Number of students:  42

Application Cycle:  April - September 1st on CASPA with a supplemental application

Interview dates:  September - early January

Start date:  June

Length of Program:  26 months

Public/Private:  Public

HCE:  Minimum 2,000 hours by application deadline

Minimum GPA: 2.8 (Average 3.5)

Shadowing:  Valued, but no specific number

The Good Stuff:

• No preference for Oregon residents
• They are on a quarter system
• There is a Community Service Education project to teach the public about a prevalent health issue that is required for graduation
• The interview has a circle type format with multiple applicants and interviewers asking questions to everyone - a great way for them to see how you work as a team
• There are some classes taken with the medical students, but they may be transitioning to more of a team-based learning model

Program Link:  Oregon Health & Science University

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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Program Spotlight: George Washington University

Location:  Washington, DC

Number of students: ~60 (depends on MPH students)

Application Cycle: CASPA + supplemental application by October 1st

Interview dates:  Saturdays in September-November

Start date:  May

Length of Program:  25 months

Public/Private:  Private

HCE:  1,000 hours required, but recommend an additional 6 months experience

GPA: Minimum 3.0 (overall and science).  Must have a B- or better in all coursework

Shadowing:  No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

• Some integrated classes with medical students and other healthcare students
• Have a joint Master of Public Health program (3 year program)
• Coursework must be done within the last 10 years
• No minimum GRE
• Interview day is 10 seven minute scenario-based multiple mini-interviews (MMI style) and a panel discussion with current students/alumni

Program Link:  George Washington University

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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Program Spotlight: Wake Forest University

Location:  Winston-Salem or Boone, North Carolina

Number of students:  64 at Winston-Salem, 32 at Boone

Application Cycle:  April - September 1st through CASPA + supplemental application ($100 fee)

Interview dates:  September - December

Start date:  June

Length of Program:  24 months

Public/Private:  Private

HCE:  1,000 hours

Shadowing:  No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

• They just recently opened a new campus in Boone!
• There are open house events at both campuses you can attend to get more information.
• Teaching style is called "inquiry based learning," or small-group, self-directed learning, which is a style a lot of medical schools are moving towards as well
• If you don't end up going there for school, they do accept students for clinical rotations from outside programs
• They do require a genetics course, which is not something that is as commonly required
• No specific organic chemistry requirement
• No employment is allowed while in the program
• A computer is provided for use by the school while in the program
• Emerging Leaders Program - If you also have an interest in the business side of things, Wake Forest offers a 34 month program where you start with getting a Masters in Management and then attending the PA Program
• Joint PhD program - You start the PhD program and can apply anytime during the first 3 years for the PA program.  The cool part is that your clinical research experience counts towards your 1,000 hours.

Program Link:  Wake Forest PA Program

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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Program Spotlight: Emory University

Location:  Atlanta, Georgia

Number of students: ~58 (depends on MPH program)

Application Cycle:  CASPA April - October 1st (preference if before July 1st) and supplemental application (rolling admissions)

Interview dates:  October - January

Start date:  August

Length of Program:  29 months

Public/Private:  Private

HCE:  Minimum 2000 hours of direct patient care

GPA: Minimum 3.0 science and cumulative

Shadowing:  No specific requirement, but highly encouraged along with other volunteering hours

The Good Stuff:

• They have a yearly board review conference for the PANCE and PANRE that has CME. You can also buy this as a DVD series.
• There are some open house events if you are interested and want to check the program out
• Coursework must be done the December before you would start the program
• Require Organic OR biochemistry, so you don't absolutely have to take O-Chem
• There's a joint MPH-MPA program, which takes an extra year.  You have to apply to each program separately and start with the MPH program before starting the PA program.
• There are some great community service opportunities with this program
• From personal experience, they're quick to send out rejection letters if you don't meet the minimum requirements

Program Link:  Emory University

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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Program Spotlight: University of Iowa

Location:  Iowa City, Iowa

Number of students: 25

Application Cycle: April - November through CASPA

Interview dates: September - December, notification by March 1st

Start date:  August

Length of Program:  28 months

Public/Private: Public

HCE:  Minimum 1,000 hours of direct patient care completed by December of the year before matriculation

Shadowing:  No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

• One unique feature is that part of the didactic year is actually with the medical students
• Only accepts US citizens
• LOR - 3 total, must have 1 academic and 1 from healthcare supervisor
• They will accept the MCAT instead of the GRE
• They report a 100% employment rate after graduation
• No one has failed boards since 1996!  That's pretty amazing

Program Link:  University of Iowa

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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Program Spotlight: Duke University Medical Center

  
Duke's PA program is consistently ranked extremely high every year, and their standards and requirements reflect that.  Here's some info if Duke is at the top of your list!

Location:  Durham, North Carolina

Number of students:  88

Application Cycle:  Opens in April.  CASPA by Oct 1; supplemental application by Nov. 1 - priority if complete by August 15!

Interview dates:  October - January (~240 invites) with rolling admissions

Start date:  August

Length of Program:  24 months

Public/Private:  Private

HCE:  minimum of 1,000 hours of direct care by the time your application is complete (~1 year working full time)

Shadowing: No specific requirements

The Good Stuff:

• Diversity is encouraged!
• Technically no GPA requirement, but must have at least a C in all courses
• Although you are encouraged not to work, students may work up to 20 hrs weekly during the first year
• Pre-reqs must be COMPLETE by the December before matriculation
• Not good chances for college seniors (<5% of 2014 class) unless you have a ton of HCE
• International students must have 1 year (30 hours) of classes at a US college
• Prerequisites - doesn't specifically require Organic chemistry or labs with anatomy
• Relatively affordable at about 38,000 a year for tuition (similar to many public schools)
• Decision will come in the mail no later than March 1
• There's no specific time frame that prerequisites must have been taken in
• They lease computers to students to use during the program
• They offer Orthopedic and Surgical residency programs

Program Link:  Duke PA Program

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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Program Spotlight: University of Alabama at Birmingham

* updated March 2020 *

Location:  Birmingham, Alabama

Number of students:  80 students

Application Deadline: August 1st

Admissions: Non-rolling

Interview dates: October - November

Start date: August - annually

Length of Program: 27 months

Public/Private:  Public

GPA Requirement: Overall: 3.0, Science: 3.0

HCE:  Preferred, but not required (Average 3,446 hrs)

Shadowing:  Preferred, but not required

LORs: Three required, not specific

Seat Deposit: $300

Tuition: In-State: $63,825 Out-of-State: $146,280

The Good Stuff:

• No specific Organic chemistry requirements! This is a big one because that class is pretty ridiculous. My only C in undergrad.

• They offer info sessions about once a month if you are interested in visiting.

• Based on the stats provided on the website, it's about half in-state and half out of state

• While most programs do not allow working, it is strongly discouraged, but still allowed during the didactic year. Not during the clinical year though.

• 5 of the rotations are electives!!

• This is considered specifically a surgical program so there is more focus on surgery

• Offers dual degree MSPAS-MPH program where students begin online MPS courses in the spring and summer prior to PA program matriculation in the fall.

Program Link:  UAB

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Program Spotlight: Augusta University

Formally known as the Medical College of Georgia, and then Georgia Health and Sciences University, then Georgia Regents University, the name is currently Georgia Regents University.  And this particular program is near to my heart because it's where I went to school!

Location:  Augusta, GA

Number of students:  44

Application Cycle:  July 1-October 15 (Rolling admissions = apply early!) and their application is NOT through CASPA

Interview dates:  September - January

Start date:  May

Length of Program:  27 months

Public/Private:  Public

HCE:  100 hours (prefer direct hands on experience)

Shadowing: 100 hours in at least 2 different specialties

The Good Stuff:

• There's also an MPA bridge program for current PAs who finished a program before most became a Master's program.
• Look into going for a "Closer Look" tour if you're interested in more information and meeting some current students and faculty.
• Anatomy course has a cadaver lab w/ 8 students per body, and only 4 working on it at a time.  The lab can be accessed at any time during the first summer for studying.
• The PA program has a simulation lab set up like a real OR for learning skills like scrubbing and suturing.
• There's a PA run clinic for the underserved areas of Augusta that is held monthly.
• There's a new financial assistance program for veterans.
• This program has had a few different names in the past few years.  It may also be referred to as Medical College of Georgia (MCG), Georgia Health Sciences University, or Georgia Regents University

Link to program - Augusta University PA Program Website

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For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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