Students apply to PA school through a centralized application system called the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Similar to the common application for undergraduate school, students can apply to the majority of PA programs through a single application on the CASPA. However, there is a handful of programs that do not utilize the CASPA. The CASPA application opens in April.

The CASPA application cost: $179.00 for one school and $56.00 for each additional school/program.

It is important for students to check each school's requirements carefully as some schools will require courses not listed below. For more information about a specific program, please contact that school directly.

Although many Physician Assistant Programs are moving away from standardized tests, some may require students to take the Graduate Records Examination (GRE). However, students should check each individual school to learn their specific requirements.

Cost: The GRE costs $205.00 

Preparing for the Test

Manhattan Prep

Kaplan 

Princeton Review

GRE Vocabulary Podcast

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science​

Midwestern University

Northwestern University

Rush University

Southern Illinois University

Students should meet with their academic advisor and pre-health advisor each quarter to make sure they are taking the correct courses for their major/professional interest. 

Below is a sample timeline for a Health Sciences major. Please be aware that PA programs do not require or prefer a specific major and the below timeline should not be used to replace regular meetings with your academic advisor.

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National Average Cumulative GPA: 3.6

National Average Science GPA: 3.5

​Physician Assistant Timeline and Checklist.pdf