Easiest PA Schools to Get Into Currently

PA schools are difficult! Yes! But, contrary to what you think, there are very easy PA schools you can attend. This article highlights the easiest PA schools to get into this year.

Pursuing a career as a physician assistant is very lucrative but has a lot of rigors. Firstly, gaining admission into a PA school is quite difficult. You really need to have very high scores for you to be considered.

Study Abroad Team understands this frustration and to that effect, has curated this article to help you find the easiest PA schools to get into this year. 

The article will throw more light on the basic requirements for these PA schools. A glance at the table of contents below will give you an overview of the information found in this article.

What are Physician Assistant Schools?

In simple terms, PA schools are educational institutions that offer programs that are usually divided into didactic and clinical experiences. Individuals who complete programs at these institutions can proceed to obtain a license that allows them practice as Physician Assistants.

Majorly, physician assistants are medical professional who operates under a doctor’s supervision. To get the basic training, these individuals must attend an accredited PA program. Afterwards, they must sit for the state licensure which will now allow them to practice in any healthcare facility.

Read Also: List of Top PA schools with High Acceptance rate.

Are there Online Entry Level Physician Assistant Programs?

Yes, there are online Entry level Physician assistant programs. This simply means individuals who complete these PA programs can join the PA profession at an entry-level.

Even though PAs are not doctors (PAs are only required to have a master’s degree), they are trained and licensed to carry out many of the same essential tasks including:

  • Diagnosing illnesses and injuries
  • Prescribing medication
  • Creating and implementing treatment plans
  • Counseling patients about care and treatment options
  • Pre- and postoperative care

An entry-level is only possible online because the PA program cannot entirely be online. This is because both licensure and the required Master of Science Physician Assistant degree require substantial numbers of hours of hands-on, real-world practicum experience.

Below is a list of Online Entry Level Physician Assistant Programs:

What is PA Schools Acceptance Rate Statistics?

Generally, getting into a Physician Assistant School is quite hard. This can easily be attributed to the low acceptance rate for PA programs.

Some PA school acceptance rates can be as high as 20% or as low as 0.8%. According to the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), acceptance rate statistics for PA schools is about 20%.

Are There Physician Assistant Schools with low GPA Requirements?

Most PA schools require a certain GPA as an admission requirement. This is really essential as well as discouraging for individuals with passion but not to strong academic performance.

However, there are quite a number of Physician Assistant Schools that require a low GPA. This means as part of their admission requirements, students with GPA lower than the average GPA of 3.0 for most PA schools can apply and stand a chance too.

Below is a list of PA schools with low GPA requirements:

  • A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
  • Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
  • University of Utah

What Physician Assistant Program can I get Into Without GRE?

The Graduate Record Examinations is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools in the United States and Canada.

This test owned and administered by the Educational Testing Service is a major admission requirement for PA schools. However, some Physician Assistant Schools still grant admission to qualified students who do not have GRE scores.

This makes their PA programs one of the easiest to get into in 2021. Some of these PA programs without GRE include:

  • Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
  • Bethel University (Minnesota) Physician Assistant Program
  • Marquette University Physician Assistant Program
  • Loma Linda University Physician Assistant Program
  • Springfield College Physician Assistant Program
  • John’s University Physician Assistant Program
  • University of La Verne Physician Assistant Program

What are the Easiest PA Schools to get Into in 2021?

There is no supposed easy PA school to get into just like the easiest medical schools to get into. However, some PA schools receive applications from students with a low GPA and no GRE scores. This in turn makes it easier for individuals who have below expectations academic reports to gain admission.

United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) posits that the median annual wages for PAs were $104,860. So, most PA schools now adopt strict admission requirements.

For individuals who intend to attend a PA program, applying through CASPA which is a branch of PAEA is one way to apply to multiple programs with just a single application.

PAEA is the only national organization representing physician assistant educational programs in the United States. CASPA is an acronym for the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) which is a full-service, web-based application system for PA programs.

The schools below are easy PA schools to get into in 2021 alongside their admission requirements and PA program application link.

1. A.T. Still University of Health Sciences PA School

A. T. Still offers one of the easiest PA programs to get into in 2021. The PA program is offered as an Advanced Masters in Physician Assistant Studies. Its curriculum comprises clinical knowledge and skill level of practicing physician assistants.

Students will take key courses in ethical issues, healthcare delivery systems, and evidence-based medicine and clinical research design.

This program, however, is for only 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 from a regionally accredited college or university

2. 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 its 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 health care team. Graduates from this PA program graduate to render quality, patient-centered care.

However, the program as part of its admission requirements demand students to take prerequisite courses in

  • 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

Rosalinf Franklin PA school is one of the easiest PA schools to get into in 2021 because it grants some special consideration and accepts a GPA lower than the average PA school GPA of 3.0

3. University of New England PA School

The university of England offers one of the easiest PA programs to get into. Basically, it offers Master of Science Physician Assistant program that can be completed in 24 months on full time basis.

The goal of This PA schools’ program is to raise an indispensable team that can deliver care to patients through coursework and clinical experiences. Students who enroll for this program will take courses that have strong foundation in science and pathophysiology.

Hence, they will gain all round knowledge as regards to 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

4. Thomas Jefferson University PA School

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 in 2021. It offers a Master of Science 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)

5. Western University of Health Sciences PA Schools

The Western University of Health Sciences offers a PA program that can be completed in two years. Basically, students who graduate from this PA program are equipped to practice competently in established clinical sciences.

The program also grooms PAs with strong interpersonal and communication skills. In addition, the program graduates PA’s who are 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.

Official Website

6. Loma Linda University PA Schools

Loma Linda offers one of the best PA programs that is easy to get into in 2021. Its PA Program’s primary aim is to raise physician assistants that can provide quality healthcare.

Basically, students who graduate from this PA program, learn the compassion for the whole person and are able to 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 prior to enrollment
  • Three letters of recommendation

7. Missouri State University PA School

This PA School offers a two-year PA program that equips students with all the needs to succeed in the national certification exam. This PA school which is one of the easiest to get into achieves this feat through its didactic and clinical experiences offered to its students.

Students who enroll in this program will learn under a state of art facility with a small class size. This means students will get attention individually improving the quality of the lecture they have received.

Its admission requirements include;

  • 3.0 GPA
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • GRE / MCAT scores

8. Barry University Physician Assistant School

The Physician Assistant program at Barry University 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 alongside 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 Physician Assistant School

South University offers a Master of Science degree program for Physician assistants. The PA program 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, its 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 Jesuit Memorial school, 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 health care experience.

Easiest PA Schools FAQs

Can I get into PA school with an online degree?

Yes, a bachelor’s degree earned online from an accredited school is duly recognized. So, individuals with a BSC in biology, chemistry or any related field can actually apply to a PA school.

What is the easiest physician assistant program to get into?

The easiest physician assistant program to get into is the PA program offered by Thomas Jefferson University. It requires the lowest GPA of 2.75, unlike other schools.

How hard is physician assistant school?

PA School is Hard! The academic and clinical experience are quite rigorous just as obtainable in a medical school.

Conclusion

PA schools are usually very difficult. The rigors of the admission process makes it very discouraging for students who wish to become Physician Assistants.

Attending one of these easiest Pa schools to get into will allow you to become a PA even without a high GPA.

This article ex-rays the easiest PA schools to get into in 2021. Trust you must have found one that suits you best.

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