Gannon University 3+2 PA Program: Student Interview

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

A 3+2 program is a direct-entry PA track you start out of high school, combining about three undergrad years with two PA-school years so you finish in roughly five years total. Abby, a PA-S2 at Gannon University, chose this path after healthcare providers helped her reach remission from a rare autoimmune disease. Direct-entry programs save time but lock in your commitment early.

Last Updated: June 12, 2026

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What is a 3+2 PA program?

A 3+2 program is a direct-entry, or accelerated, path to becoming a PA that you start right out of high school. As the name suggests, you spend roughly three years completing undergraduate coursework and prerequisites, then move directly into about two years of PA school at the same institution, finishing in around five years total.

The big appeal is that you don't go through the traditional CASPA application cycle as a college junior or senior, competing against thousands of other applicants. You secure your seat early, as long as you maintain the program's GPA and other requirements along the way. The trade-off is that you commit to becoming a PA, and to that specific school, while you're still very young. That works beautifully for students who are certain, and it's worth thinking hard about if you're still exploring.

In this post:

Why did Abby choose Gannon University's 3+2 track?

Abby is a PA-S2 at Gannon University, and when we talked she was halfway through her clinical rotations. She started Gannon's 3+2 program straight out of high school, which means she committed to the PA path as a teenager.

Her reason was deeply personal. Abby was inspired to become a PA because of the healthcare providers who helped her reach remission from Juvenile Dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease. Experiencing care from the patient side gave her clarity about the kind of provider she wanted to become, and that certainty is exactly what makes a direct-entry program a smart fit. When you already know this is your calling, a 3+2 lets you get there efficiently without the stress of reapplying or rebuilding an application later.

In Our Experience

In our experience coaching pre-PA students, direct-entry programs are wonderful for the applicant who is truly certain, and stressful for the one who isn't. We've seen students thrive in a 3+2 because they locked in early, and we've also coached students who needed a couple of years to confirm PA was the right fit. Both paths are valid. The key is being honest with yourself about where you are.

Is a direct-entry 3+2 program right for you?

Direct-entry programs are a great option for the right student, but they're not for everyone. Ask yourself how sure you really are. These programs reward students who know early that PA is the goal, because you'll need to maintain strong grades and meet benchmarks to keep your seat through undergrad.

You should also research each program carefully, since 3+2 and similar tracks vary in their requirements, GPA thresholds, and how much patient care experience they expect. If you're a high schooler or early college student drawn to the PA profession, a direct-entry option can save you time and a lot of application-cycle anxiety. If you're still weighing other healthcare careers, a traditional path gives you more room to explore before committing.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

A 3+2 program gets you from high school graduate to practicing PA in about five years total, versus the more common path that starts the PA application during or after a four-year degree.

Free Interview Worksheet → https://www.thepaplatform.com/services/free-pa-school-interview-worksheet-download/

Need to Know:

A 3+2 program is a direct-entry PA track you begin straight out of high school
You complete roughly three undergrad years plus about two PA-school years
Direct entry lets you skip the competitive CASPA cycle if you maintain requirements
You commit to the profession and the school early, so certainty matters
Requirements and GPA thresholds vary, so research each program closely
These tracks are ideal for students who already know PA is their calling

Listen: the full conversation

We covered this in a conversation on The Pre-PA Club podcast. Press play to hear it first-hand, in their own words.

Episode show notes, takeaways & chapters

Abby Prince's journey through the 3+2 program at Gannon University is a compelling narrative that reveals the intricacies of transitioning from undergraduate studies to a career as a physician assistant. In her conversation with the host, Abby shares her personal motivations for entering the medical field, rooted in her experiences as a patient with a chronic autoimmune condition. This background not only informs her passion for healthcare but also underscores the significance of empathy in patient-provider relationships.

The discussion delves into the specifics of the 3+2 program, which compresses the typical educational timeline for PA training. Abby outlines the structured nature of her studies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a high GPA and completing required patient care experiences. She responds to common criticisms about the program's potential lack of life experience, demonstrating how her proactive engagement in clinical roles during summer breaks allowed her to garner valuable insights and skills that enhanced her readiness for the PA profession.

Abby also addresses the rigor of the PA curriculum, comparing the demands of her didactic year to that of her undergraduate studies. She mentions the need to adapt study habits to cope with the intensive volume of information presented in PA school. As she reflects on her clinical rotations, Abby expresses excitement about her future in obstetrics and offers practical advice to aspiring PA students about the importance of commitment and the sacrifices required to succeed in this demanding field. Her story serves as a testament to the resilience and dedication needed in the pursuit of a career as a physician assistant.

What we cover

Abby Prince shares her journey through a 3 plus 2 program at Gannon University, highlighting its structure and benefits.
The 3 plus 2 program allows students to transition seamlessly from undergraduate studies to PA school, saving one year of education.
Abby emphasizes the importance of gaining clinical experience even during the undergraduate years in the program.
Students must meet specific GPA and clinical hour requirements to advance into the PA portion of the program successfully.
Abby discusses the sacrifices required during PA school, including limited social engagement and personal time.
Prospective students should ensure they are committed to the PA profession before enrolling in a 3 plus 2 program.

Chapters

0:00 – Introduction to the Episode
6:21 – Interview with Abby Prince: Insights from a PA Student
11:20 – Transitioning to the PA Program
14:33 – Transitioning from Undergrad to PA Program
19:51 – The Challenges of PA School

Episode: Gannon University's 3+2 Program - Interview with Abby - Current PA Student · Follow The Pre-PA Club on Apple Podcasts or Spotify · Browse all episodes

FAQ

What does 3+2 mean for a PA program?

It refers to roughly three years of undergraduate coursework followed by about two years of PA school at the same institution, a direct-entry path you typically start out of high school.

Do you still take the CASPA application in a 3+2 program?

Direct-entry programs generally let you secure a PA seat without going through the standard competitive CASPA cycle, as long as you maintain the program's GPA and other requirements. [VERIFY]

Is a 3+2 PA program faster than the traditional route?

Yes. You can go from high school graduate to practicing PA in about five years, compared with the more common path of finishing a four-year degree and then applying.

Who is a 3+2 program best for?

Students who already feel certain about becoming a PA. Early commitment is the trade-off, so it suits applicants who don't need extra years to explore other healthcare careers.

What are the downsides of a direct-entry PA program?

You commit to the profession and a specific school very young, and you must maintain strong grades and benchmarks throughout undergrad to keep your guaranteed seat.

What inspired Abby to become a PA?

Abby was inspired by the healthcare providers who helped her reach remission from Juvenile Dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease, which gave her clarity about her own path.

CLOSING

Direct-entry programs like Gannon's 3+2 can be a fantastic shortcut for students who already know PA is the goal, but they ask for early commitment in return. Do your homework on each program's requirements and be honest about your certainty. If you want help weighing direct-entry versus the traditional route, our coaching team is here to talk it through.

Mock Interview → https://www.thepaplatform.com/services/mock-interview/

Gannon University 3+2 PA Program: Student Interview