Sample Pre-Physician Assistant Four-Year Academic Plans

Plan A: Starting with General Chemistry and Pre-Calculus

Year 1:

Year 2:

Year 3:

Year 4:

Plan B: Starting with Principles of Chemistry and Calculus

Year 1:

Year 2:

Year 3:

Year 4:

Notes for Sample Plans

^* Calculus is not required for the UI PA program but is required for most science majors. The major will determine which math class is taken.
^** The UI PA program prefers STAT:3510 Biostatistics, STAT:4143 Introduction to Statistical Methods or BIOS:4120 Introduction to Biostatistics, although any statistics course except STAT:1010 Statistics and Society is accepted.
^*** The UI PA program doesn’t require GRE or MCAT any longer.

Academic Guidelines

UI PA Class of 2023-2025: (25 students admitted each year_)

• Mean cumulative GPA: 3.87 on 128 hours
• Mean science GPA: 3.84 on 47 hours
• Last 40 hours of Science GPA is 3.83 on 40 hours
• Mean GRE scores: Verbal (157), Quantitative (157), and Written (4.5)
• Mean Health Contact Hours 2,508 hours
• Mean Research Hours 468 hours/ Mean Shadowing Hours 20

Application Process

Students should begin researching schools early because programs have different admission requirements. Students may find the information contained in the Physician Assistant Programs Directory helpful. This online directory is free of charge; visit https://paeaonline.org/our-programs

Students can apply to over 254 ARC-PA accredited PA programs, including the UI PA Program, by completing their initial application through the web-based Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).Programs not requiring CASPA will accept applications directly to their schools. Schools using CASPA may or may not require a supplemental application. Check with each program. The UI program does not have a supplemental application.

UI applicants must have achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 on all course work completed at the college or university level. In addition, UI applicants must have achieved a cumulative science GPA of at least a 3.20 on a 4.00 scale OR at least a 3.20 on a 4.00 scale on the most recently completed 40 credit hours of science coursework. They must have a minimum of 1,000 hours of direct patient healthcare experience. All applicants must be able to meet the program’s technical standards.

PA applications are accepted beginning in May and early submission is recommended. Each applicant must complete the CASPA application which includes letters of recommendation, transcripts, and personal statement. For the UI PA program, the application deadline is October 1. Most prerequisite courses should be completed by the time of application because the UI Admissions Committee gives special attention to an applicant’s performance in science courses. The only course that must be completed at the time of application is Biochemistry. Students should consult the PA Program Directory, or individual school websites, for application deadlines and other school-specific application information.

Early Admission
UI does not offer an early admission program.

Diversity in the Physician Assistant Profession
Most physician assistant schools, including the UI PA Program, seek a diverse class of students. Programs recruit individuals of the highest possible quality from diverse ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and life experiences. Diverse PA programs provide students with the necessary clinical and professional knowledge, skills and abilities to provide high quality, compassionate medical care to diverse patient populations. Students may contact their Pre-PA advisors and individual PA schools for more information.

Entrance Examination Requirement
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is NOT required for admission to the UI Program. However, other programs still require GRE. Arrange to take the test early to ensure receipt of the scores prior to the application deadlines. For more information about the test and to register, visit www.gre.org

Letters of Evaluation/Recommendation
Most physician assistant schools require two to three reference letters from faculty and supervisors of patient care experiences. Students should develop strong academic and work relationships early in their college careers and keep their references informed about their academic progress and work experiences. Letter writers submit their letters, whether paper or electronic, directly to CASPA. The UI program requires three letters. One must be an academic reference at the collegiate level and one must be from a healthcare supervisor. The third can
be the student’s choice).

Interviews
Interviews vary by school; students should check with the individual schools for their interview timelines. The UI Admissions Committee requires personal, on-campus interviews. Candidates selected will be contacted to arrange an interview. Interviews are scheduled from July through January. Practice interviews are available through the UI Career Center in C310 Pomerantz Center.

Criminal Background Checks
The CASPA application asks, “Have you been disciplined or placed on academic probation while attending an academic institution?” and “Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor?” Students answering “yes” will need to provide an explanation. When applicants are accepted into UI’s program, students agree to have a criminal background check completed.

Citizenship/International Students
Only citizens or permanent residents of the United States are eligible for admission to the University of IowaPhysician Assistant Program. A few PA programs admit non-citizens. Since the odds can be challenging, non-citizen students should thoroughly research and carefully consider such a decision and discuss it with their Pre-PA advisors early in their undergraduate years. For the UI Physician Assistant program, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants for whom English is not their first language. See your pre-PA advisor for more information.

Pre-Physician Assistant Coursework Checklist