7 Easiest PA Schools To Get Into (2024 Updated)
Students who wish to go to PA school with majors in public health will need to take a number of general education courses first. These classes will help students prepare for the rigors of PA school.
Students who wish to go to PA school with majors in medical assisting can also benefit from taking pre-health related courses. Some of these pre-health courses include Anatomy and Physiology, Health Administration, Principles of Medicine, Principles of Psychiatry, and administrative areas of practice.
Whether going to PA school to get a diploma or as an additional degree, the choice to pursue this career is a wise one. The career prospects for assistants in the healthcare profession are great, and the salary range is among the highest in the United States. Going to PA school can be an excellent choice for someone who wants a meaningful career in the healthcare profession.
Is It Hard To Get Into PA School?
According to an analysis by the Physician Assistant Education, Physician Assistant schools are actually difficult to get into. In the 2016 and 2017 cycle, there had been a total of 26,768 applicants. Out of all these applicants, only 31% got into a PA school. In short, only 3 out of 10 applicants were matriculated while the other 7 had no other choice than reapplying the year after or simply working hard to increase their knowledge.
If you have difficulty entering a PA school, don’t despair. You might be amongst the many thousands of people who are also going through the same problem. Even though you may have good grades in your academic record, there may be some impediments for you in getting admission into one of the best PA schools in the country.
How To Increase Chances Of Getting Into a PA School?
How To Increase Chances Of Getting Into PA School? Well, there are several areas that you can work on before applying. While applying to the easiest PA schools to get into is a good start if you want to make your life easier, these are tricks that will help you even more.
First of all, we highly recommend applying early. In fact, as mentioned before, only 3 out of 10 applicants manage to get into a PA school. That’s a really low number and, therefore, the earlier the better. Also, consider applying to multiple schools rather than only 1. This will increase your chances to get into a PA school.
Secondly, make sure you meet the school’s requirements and work on your weaknesses. Needless to say, that’s an important point to keep in mind and you want to give your best to enter your future school.
Last but not least, complete your application to the smallest details. In fact, the more complete and accurate your essay is, and the higher your chances to enter the school are. Don’t forget to double and triple-check everything to be mistake-free and flawless.
What GPA Do You Need To Get Into Physician Assistant School?
While the GPA to enter a PA school may vary from institute to institute, the GPA range is generally similar.
Most Physician Assistant schools require a minimum GPA and science GPA between 2.8 and 3.2. These are, in general, not negotiable. This simply means that, if the GPA requirement is 3 and you have 2.95, you will not be considered.
For this reason, and to build a better future, working hard during your studies and getting a higher GPA will get you into PA schools more easily. Especially with these easiest PA schools to get into, so make sure to read until the end.
7 Easiest PA Schools To Get Into (2023 Updated)
Getting Into a PA school is sometimes challenging and certainly not the easiest task. For this reason, these easiest PA schools to get into here below are competitive and great institutes while having lower requirements for applicants.
1. Barry University Physician Assistant
Main requirements:
- Minimum GPA and Science GPA – 3.0 or higher
- 2 completed courses of General/Inorganic Chemistry
- 2 completed courses of Human Anatomy and Physiology
- 1 completed course of Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry
- GRE needed
The Barry University Physician Assistant program teaches students in the study of collaborative health care and promotes life-long learning and professional growth. It also encourages a technology-based environment and extensive clinical training opportunities among varied patient populations.
The Barry University Physician Assistant program educates students on the basic principles and theories involved with the allied health care profession, such as collaboration, communication, and clinical practice.
This program also provides students with the knowledge to implement the collaborative practice. Collaborative practice means that physicians working in any health care setting work closely with other physicians in their respective offices, clinics, or hospitals.
Moreover, the Barry University PA school is a Catholic school and, therefore, offers Catholic reflection technique programs as well as science-backed medical programs to students.
Know More Details From https://www.barry.edu/physician-assistant/admissions/
2. Marquette University Physician Assistant School
Main requirements:
- Minimum GPA and Science GPA – 3.0 or higher
- A Minimum of 200 hours of contact with patients and other healthcare experience
- Knowledge of Physician Assistant profession
- GRE needed for seniors and undergraduate applicants
For those considering a career in allied healthcare, the Marquette University Physician Assistant School offers a number of courses to help prepare. Students taking courses at the university’s Physician Assistant School should have at least 200 hours of healthcare experience or general patient contact.
Getting admitted into the Marquette University Physician Assistant School is relatively simple and this makes it one of the easiest PA schools to get into. However, note that the application process includes a personal interview and it’s important to note that Marquette University is popular to have a holistic view of people.
Know More Details From https://www.marquette.edu/physician-assistant/apply.php
3. Missouri State University PA School
Main requirements:
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0
- 3 recommendation letters
- GRE needed
Missouri State University has long prided itself on providing quality medical education to its students. For students willing to pursue a career in medicine, the Ph.D. in Physician Assistant is a perfect choice.
Once you’re done with the initial screening, you will be called by the admission committee to give your personal statement.
Students in the program have a variety of options to choose from including working under the guidance of a licensed physician and completing an internship program in a medical facility or even with a local community health clinic. All classes are taught by professionals who have many years of hands-on experience as nurses and physician assistants.
Furthermore, and unlike other PA schools, the Missouri State University offers professional clinical experience at each stage of their two-year program.
Know More Details From https://www.missouristate.edu/futurestudents/apply-now.htm
4. The George Washington University Physician Assistant School
Other than being one of the easiest PA schools to get into, the George Washington University is one of the best institutes and has one of the best PA programs in the U.S. Though, it is important to note that their list of requirements is longer than the other schools.
George Washington University PA School Main requirements:
- One semester in Anatomy as well as one in Physiology
- Two semesters of chemistry for science majors
- One semester of Psychology
- One semester of Statistics
- Minimum science and overall GPA of 3.0
- Official transcript and degree evaluation
- GRE passed within the last 5 years
- 1000 hours of direct patient care
- 2 recommendation letters
George Washington University provides students who are seeking a way to earn a Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant. Located in Washington, D.C., the university offers classes in Psychology, Nursing, Medical Studies, and Biomedical Technology. As one of the prominent colleges within the District of Columbia, George Washington University is the ideal place for students who are interested in pursuing a career as a Physician Assistant.
The Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant (BSPA) program is perfect for applicants who wish to become involved in the medical field. In addition, they will develop the clinical skills they will need to provide excellent patient care. Furthermore, graduates of the program will be well trained in the latest technology used by physicians and specialists.
Know More Details From https://smhs.gwu.edu/physician-assistant/admissions
5. Rosalind Franklin University PA School
Main requirements:
- All prerequisite coursework grades have to be a minimum “C” and must have been completed within the last 10 years.
- A minimum GPA and science GPA of 2.75 on a scale of 4.0
- Special consideration will be offered to the last 60 hours of completed coursework.
- GRE needed
- 2 recommendation letters
- A personal statement
Other than that, there are courses that require to be completed before applying:
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Introduction to Psychology
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science PA School of Medicine offers many programs for medical students. They include Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Clinical Nutrition, Cellular, and Molecular Pharmacology, and even Microbiology and Immunology.
Overall, we think it’s one of the best and certainly some of the easiest PA schools to get into.
Know More Details From https://www.rosalindfranklin.edu/admission-aid/
6. University of New England Physician Assistant School
Main requirements:
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.0
- 20 hours of shadowing
- 500 hours of direct patient care
- 3 recommendation letters
The University of New England Physician Assistant School provides a two-year PA program that includes not only the coursework but also the clinic experience and practice.
As you can notice from the list of requirements, a GRE score isn’t needed, and rather, they fully rely on the GPA, your background, and the experience. Of course, that is certainly something to consider.
Know More Details From https://online.une.edu/gateway-portal-page/
7. University of Utah
Main requirements:
- 3 recommendation letters
- A minimum overall and science GPA of 2.7 (3.0 recommended)
- At least 2000 hours of healthcare experience
- Completed Human Anatomy and Human Physiology coursework or an Anatomy and Physiology coursework
The University of Utah is one of the easiest PA schools to get into for several reasons. First of all, while they recommend a GPA of 3.0, their minimum requirement is 2.7 which is the lowest on this list.
It is important to note that the University of Utah is one of the oldest PA schools in the US and they’ve been operating since 1971. In addition, According to the U.S. News & World Report, the University of Utah is the 4th best PA school in the United States.
Last but not least, they currently lowered their healthcare requirement hours to 1500 instead of 2000 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is definitely something to keep in mind.
Know More Details From https://medicine.utah.edu/dfpm/physician-assistant-studies/program/
How to Join a PA School With a Low GPA?
One of the most important requirements to get into a PA school is the GPA. For this reason, making sure that you have the best possible application will give you higher chances to enter the institute.
First of all, and if you didn’t give your best as a freshman, you should consider retaking the courses. In fact, this could give you the chance to get more course credits and, therefore, get more easily into a PA school.
Additionally, and apart from the GPA, make sure that your overall application is the best. While the GPA is key in an application, you should also make sure that the rest of your application looks good. Check the requirements and give your 200% to get into PA school.
Furthermore, you can look into taking region-accredited online courses that will help you improve your application.
Sure, some schools will not consider your application if your score is too low. However, if you have a great application to contrast your low GPA, then you could eventually make it into a PA school.
The Bottom Line
These were the best yet easiest PA schools to get into. While having a high GPA and lots of healthcare experience can greatly help, these programs can certainly consider your application regardless.
Most PA schools consider your GRE score, the hours of healthcare experience, and the coursework previously completed. Of course, PA schools have sometimes a long list of requirements, and applicants need to do their best to get their application successful.
To conclude, do your best to get a GPA score of at least 3.0, work as many hours as possible in healthcare, and make your application the best possible.