Pre-Physician Assistant Studies: Taking the Admission Test & Application Timeline

Freshman Year

  • Enroll in required pre-requisite science courses
  • Discuss options and goals with freshman advisor and pre-health advisor (if necessary)
  • Join a club (it doesn’t have to be a healthcare related one although many students do join a healthcare-related club)
  • Job shadow physician assistants and other health professionals
  • Work or volunteer in a healthcare setting
  • Consider a summer healthcare education program

Sophomore Year

  • Become more involved in your club(s) and/or community service activities
  • Job shadow physician assistants and other health professionals
  • Work or volunteer in a healthcare setting
  • Consider a summer healthcare education program
  • (Spring/Summer): Research physician assistant schools: check out their curriculum, campus, and how well their graduates do in the professional world.

Junior Year

  • Complete courses necessary for admission to the physician assistant school(s) of your choosing
  • Create an application timeline for applying to physician assistant school
  • Continue researching physician assistant schools you are interested in, talk to admissions, visit, etc.
  • Create a study plan and study for the GRE or MCAT
  • (Spring): Take the GRE or MCAT at least six weeks prior to the earliest deadline for the schools you are applying to
  • (Summer/early Fall): submit applications physician assistant school

Senior Year

  • Participate in mock interviews
  • Prepare for physician assistant school interviews
  • (Winter/Spring): receive offers of admission and deny or accept
  • Finish all degree requirements & graduate