Marquette University PA Program: A Student Spotlight

Marquette University's PA program runs 2.5 years, or eight semesters [VERIFY]. The current class size is around 55 students [VERIFY], split roughly in half between internal Marquette undergrads and external students who earned their bachelor's elsewhere.

The program has historically offered a 3-3 pathway, letting Marquette undergrads apply early and complete three years of undergrad plus three years of PA school. That said, a lot is changing. A recent cycle accepted around 80 students in what was rumored to be the final year of the 3-3 program [VERIFY], and the school is expanding with a new building while moving toward only admitting applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree. The student noted that more than 1,400 external applicants competed for 27 external seats in her cycle [VERIFY].

This student did not originally have Marquette on her list. A PA she shadowed, who was a Marquette alum, encouraged her to apply, and the more she investigated the program's statistics, the more inclined she was to add it.

What ultimately won her over were the high PANCE pass rates, the urban Midwest location, and the larger class size. She points out that Marquette is one of only about 30 schools in the US with 100% first-try PANCE pass rates since the program began over 20 years ago [VERIFY]. While the program is slightly longer than average, the extra time in the third year allows for more clinical electives, which left her feeling she would be well prepared to practice.

Her hands-down favorite study tool is her iPad with an Apple Pencil. She is quick to note an iPad is not technically a study resource, but it has become her lifeline in PA school. She uses it for notes, flashcards, and as a portable whiteboard, since she learns best by writing and drawing material, then re-writing and re-drawing it until it sticks. Apps like Notability make that easy.

She also keeps her textbooks on a Kindle or the Amazon app so everything travels with her. The bigger lesson is to find the tools that match how your brain actually learns and then lean into them consistently rather than chasing every new product.

Her most surprising takeaway is that the hardest part of PA school was not academics. It was moving to a new city, living alone, and making friends. She emphasizes that personal health and happiness matter as much as studying, and that you need a network of friends and fellow PA students whether you are at home or somewhere new.

Her top piece of advice is to stop talking about how stressed you are with your peers. The people who only spill negative energy about their workload make everyone feel more anxious and more behind. Instead, understand how you personally handle stress and prepare for busy weeks in advance as best you can.

Marquette is a strong example of why it pays to look past rankings and weigh things like pass rates, location, and culture when you build your school list. If you are deciding which programs deserve a spot on your CASPA list, our coaching and PA Programs Map can help you find the ones that truly fit you. Don't be afraid to add a school a mentor recommends, just like this student did!