PRE-PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Admission to physician assistant (PA) programs is a highly competitive process. Because of this, it is vitally important that students who want to pursue a PA degree thoroughly prepare themselves to be competitive applicants during their undergraduate years.

It is the goal of UVU to prepare its students to be exceptional in any profession they choose. GPA and GRE scores demonstrate that you have the intellectual capacity to understand the science of medicine and the prerequisite courses provide the basic foundation you need to succeed in PA programs. The activities you participate in are an integral part of the learning process. These activities help you understand who you are and your motivation for pursuing a PA degree.

GPA AND GRE

GPA is a vital part of your application to PA programs. PA programs will consider your science GPA, non-science GPA and cumulative GPA. All courses taken for college credit will be calculated even if you have retaken a course and received a better grade.

The GRE general test is a standardized examination required by many PA programs as part of your application. Specific information on the exam is available at www.GRE.org. You should visit this site periodically to stay informed on updates and general information on the exam.

The GRE is administered via a computer-based format. There are 5 test sites in Utah: 1 in Orem, 2 in Salt Lake, 1 in Logan and 1 in St. George. Students select their preferred test site when they register to take the test.

The GRE general test measures:

• Verbal Reasoning
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Critical Thinking
• Analytical Writing

Three scores are reported on the general test: a verbal reasoning score reported on a 200-800 score scale, in 10-point increments; a quantitative reasoning score on a 200-800 score scale, in 10-point increments; an analytical writing score reported on a 0-6 score scale, in half-point increments.

PREREQUISITE COURSES

A Bachelor's degree is required before matriculation into a PA program. Although many pre-PA students select biology as a major, PA programs do not consider one major as better than another. Your major should be chosen based on your interests and strengths and can be in any discipline, science or non-science. It is important to select a major that suits you. Keep in mind that you may use your undergraduate degree to fall back on if you are not accepted into a PA program or if you choose to pursue alternate options.

NOTE: PA programs determine their own individual requirements. The courses listed below are a general guideline to help you prepare, but because requirements differ so much between programs, it is absolutely vital that you research the programs you are most interested in by going to www.caspaonline.org and the individual program’s website to determine the specific requirements for that institution.

Required by most PA programs with a grade of C or better:

• College Biology I with lab: BIOL 1610/1615
• Human Anatomy: ZOOL 2320
• Human Physiology: ZOOL 2420
• Microbiology for Health Professions: MICR 2060
• Principles of Chemistry I and II with labs**: CHEM 1210/1215 and 1220/1225
• Organic Chemistry I with lab**: CHEM 2310/2315
• General Psychology: PSY 1010
• Intro to Statistics: MATH 1040 or Principles of Statistics: MATH 2040
• College Algebra: MATH 1050

In addition, some programs require the following courses:

• College Biology II with lab: BIOL 1620/1625
• Organic Chemistry II with lab: CHEM 2320/2325
• Biochemistry: BIOL 3600
• Medical Terminology I: HLTH 1300
• Abnormal Psychology: PSY 3400

**Some programs will accept the 2 course series of Elementary Chemistry for the Health Sciences: CHEM 1110 and Elementary Organic Biochemistry: CHEM 1120 instead of 2 semesters of Principles of Chemistry and 1 or 2 semesters of Organic Chemistry.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

It is extremely important to be involved in activities outside of the classroom in order to be competitive for admission into PA programs. GPA and GRE scores are important, but they do not make you unique. Extracurricular activities are a chance for you to set yourself apart and display your motivation for pursuing medicine and serving the community. Preparing to apply for PA school is NOT about checking off boxes. PA schools are not going to care if you have done the experiences if you have not learned from them. Admissions committees want to know that you are willing and able to learn in any circumstance and/or environment.

The activities you should be involved in to be a competitive applicant are listed below:

• Volunteer Service: 50 hours during each of the pre-PA years including the year of application. To be a strong applicant for PA school you must show dedication to serving the community. Volunteer service can be done with any group or organization and does not have to be medically related. Being involved in 2-3 service opportunities will benefit you more than having several brief experiences.



• Leadership: 3 different leadership positions during the pre-PA years. These should be experiences that have lasted at least 3 months or more. This includes experiences as tutors, mentors, coaches, teachers or leaders in campus clubs and organizations as well as employment and church leadership.



• Physician Assistant Shadowing: 24 hours. Students should gain exposure to the medical field and have a clear understanding of what life as a PA entails. Shadowing is an opportunity to observe PA as they go through a routine day seeing patients, completing paperwork, talking with insurance companies, etc. You should shadow PAs in different fields of medicine to gain a diverse range of experiences.



• Medical Experience: 1000 hours to 3 years. Medical experience can be in the form of employment or volunteering and can take place in a variety of settings such as hospitals, assisted care facilities, clinics, etc. This shows admissions committees that you are comfortable around people who are sick or injured and have experienced some of the rewards and difficulties associated with patient interaction. Most PA schools prefer paid employment over volunteer experience.