Research on the easiest PA schools to get into has shown that getting into medical school can be difficult. So it can be quite exhausting to meet the criteria needed to get into the Physician Assistants (PA) school.
Some schools, however, put certain things into consideration, thus bringing about our list today of the top PA schools to get into.
All these strict admission requirements placed by these PA schools are just a precautionary step to get the best candidates and reduce the number of poor students in medical schools.
What are physician assistant (PA) schools?
Commonly, physician assistants are medical practitioners who work under the supervision of a certified doctor.
They are those who have the desire to raise awareness about how to avoid diseases and all kinds of illnesses but do not have all that is needed to get into medical school.
These PAs must undergo an approved PA program to get the necessary training. They will then sit for state licensing, which would make them eligible to practice in any healthcare facility.
PA schools are, in simple terms, educational institutions that offer services that can be separated into didactic and clinical experiences.
Individuals who complete programs from these schools get licensed to work in medical centers as physician assistants.
What is the PA school’s acceptance rate?
Getting into a doctoral assistant program can be difficult, so it is not a mystery as to why the acceptance rate of PA schools is very low in medical and science academies.
According to the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), the acceptance rate for PA schools can be estimated to be approximately 20 percent.
But still, there are some PA schools that grant admissions at way higher rates, and below we have gathered up a list of the top 10 easiest PA schools to get into.
What are the easiest PA schools to get into?
Honestly speaking, there is no supposedly easy PA school to get into.
However, some PA schools (just like the ones on our list) receive and sometimes approve applications with low GPAs or no GRE scores from students.
Hence, it is easier for individuals with academic records below standard to get admissions.
While our list of the top easiest PA schools to get into below is not as comprehensively arranged in a specific array, we have been able to list out the top easiest PA schools to get into with less effort.
Below is a list of the top easiest PA schools to get into in case you are considering the possibility of applying for a PA program:
- A. T. Still University of Health Sciences, PA school
- University of NewEngland, PA school
- Thomas Jefferson University, PA
- The Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science PA school
- Western University of Health Sciences PA school
- Loma Linda University, PA school
- Missouri State University, PA
- Barry University PA school
- South University PA school
- Marquette University PA school
1. A. T. Still University of Health Sciences, PA school
The first on our list of top PA schools to get into is A. T. Still University, which offers one of the easiest PA programs to get into.
Their PA program is offered as an Advanced Master in Physician Assistant Studies. Its curriculum comprises the clinical knowledge and skill level of practicing physician assistants needed for fieldwork.
Students will take key courses in ethical issues, healthcare delivery systems, evidence-based medicine, and clinical research design.
These programs, however, are only for licensed or certified physician assistants. ATSU PA program admission requirements include:
- Official transcripts
- Minimum GPA of 2.50
- Applicants must graduate from an accredited PA program
- Bachelor’s degree in any medical-related field from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. University of New England, PA school
The University of England offers one of the easiest PA programs to get into. It offers a Master of Science in Physician Assistant program that can be completed in 24 months on a full-time basis.
The goal of this PA school’s program is to raise an indispensable team that can deliver care to patients through coursework and clinical experiences.
Students who enroll in this program will take courses that have a strong foundation in science and pathophysiology.
Hence, they will gain all-around knowledge as regards disease processes and clinical medicine. It is one of the easiest PA schools because it requires a low GPA of 3.0 and no GRE scores. Below is the admission requirement for the UNE PA Program:
- 3.0 GPA (cumulative and science)
- 500 hours of direct patient care
- PA shadowing for a minimum of 20 hours
- Three letters of recommendation
3. Thomas Jefferson University, PA
With a GPA as low as 3.0 and no GRE score requirement, Thomas Jefferson PA School is one of the easiest PA schools to get into.
It offers a Master of Science in PA program that strives to translate knowledge and skills into evidence-based, innovative medical practice.
The curriculum is delivered in a way that ensures students are prepared to be successful clinicians who can influence healthcare and impact public health. Its PA program admission requirements include:
- 3.0 GPA (cumulative and science)
- Official transcripts
- Personal Statement or Essay
- Direct patient care (no minimum hours, though the school recommends at least 200 hours)
4. Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science PA school
Rosalind Franklin PA School offers a Physician Assistant Program that provides students with competent, compassionate, and ethical medical care.
This and many more are achieved through the dynamic lectures delivered in very innovative labs.
The PA program’s major goal is to train PAs who can become integral members of the interprofessional healthcare team.
Graduates from this PA program graduate with the ability to render quality, patient-centered care.
However, the program as part of its admission requirements, demands that students take prerequisite courses in some medical field, such as;
- Biochemistry
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Microbiology
In addition to these prerequisites, other admission requirements are:
- 2.75 GPA (cumulative and science)
- Special consideration will be given to the last 60 hours of completed coursework
- All prerequisite grades must be a “C” or higher
- GRE scores in the 50th percentile or higher
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal Statement
5. Western University of Health Sciences PA school
The Western University of Health Sciences offers a PA program that can be completed in two years.
Students who graduate from this PA program are equipped to practice competently in established clinical sciences.
Read also: Easiest Medical Schools to Get Into in Texas
Their program also grooms PAs with strong interpersonal and communication skills. In addition, the program graduates PAs who provide effective, patient-centered, and compassionate care.
This PA program is one of the easiest to get into because of its low GPA. Aside from this, applicants must earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- GPA below 3.0
- GRE scores in the 50th percentile
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
6. Loma Linda University, PA school
Loma Linda University offers one of the best PA programs that is easy to get into. Its PA Program’s primary aim is to raise physician assistants who can provide quality healthcare.
Students who graduate from this PA program learn compassion for the whole person and can provide quality healthcare both locally and internationally.
Its admission requirements include:
- A Bachelor’s degree or a strong background in sciences
- 3.0 GPA (cumulative and science)
- Prerequisite courses in science and general education (C- grades are not accepted)
- 2,000 hours of hands-on patient care experience before enrollment
- Three letters of recommendation
7. Missouri State University, PA school
The MSU PA School offers a two-year PA program that equips students with all they need to succeed in the national certification exam.
This PA school, which is one of the easiest to get into, achieves this feat through the didactic and clinical experiences it provides its students.
Students who enroll in this program will learn in a state-of-the-art facility with a small class size. This means students will get individual attention, improving the quality of the lectures they have received.
Its admission requirements include:
- 3.0 GPA
- Three letters of recommendation
- GRE / MCAT scores
8. Barry University, PA school
The Barry Physician Assistant program is one of the easiest PA programs to get into. The program basically equips students with the right knowledge to practice collaborative medicine.
The program curriculum is designed to raise PAs that can aid various patients through its technology-rich environment and clinical experiences.
Its admission requirements include completion of prerequisites in general or inorganic chemistry, microbiology, human anatomy, and physiology, along with organic chemistry or even biochemistry. Other requirements are:
- 3.0 GPA (cumulative and science)
- GRE scores
- Official transcripts
- Evidence of experience in health care is highly recommended
9. South University PA school
South University offers a Master of Science degree program for physician assistants. The PA program’s main aim is to graduate PAs who understand the fundamental medical concepts and theories.
The PA program achieves this by offering courses that focus on evaluation, monitoring, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Also, students are exposed to counseling and referral.
As one of the easiest PA programs to get into, it has the following admission requirements:
- 3.0 GPA (overall and Biology-Chemistry-Physics)
- GRE scores (preference will be given to those with GRE scores at the 50th percentile or above)
- One reference from a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner whom you have worked with or shadowed
10. Marquette University, PA school
As the last on our list of the easiest PA schools to get into, the Marquette PA school offers a PA program that merges Jesuit traditions with didactic knowledge through its College of Health Sciences.
The program is designed to teach students how to care for the whole person. Hence, it takes into cognition ideal teachings for the spiritual, emotional, and physical development of the individual.
Marquette, PA, is an easy PA school to get into, and below is a list of its admission requirements:
- Submission of a completed application to the CASPA
- GRE scores
- Three letters of recommendation
- 3.0 GPA
- Minimum of 200 hours of patient contact and other healthcare experience
Conclusion
The stressful admission process for getting into PA schools makes it very discouraging for students who wish to become physician assistants.
Interestingly, a few PA colleges consider the feelings of students. Hence, they try to reduce the stress of admission requirements to the barest minimum while maintaining its accreditation status and a high PANCE rate.
This article gathers and compiles the top easiest PA schools to get into. Feel free to read through this article and pick a school where you satisfy their eligibility thoroughly.