For more information contact:
Email: paadm@gwumc.edu
Phone: (202) 994-7644

Physician Assistant Program

FAQs

• General Information
• Deadlines and Fees
• The Interview Process
• Tuition and Financial Aid
• Competitive Applicant Profile

General Information

1. What types of PA programs are offered at GW?
    We have two PA program tracks: the PA-MSHS and the PA-MPH. In both programs, the PA certificate is combined with one or more masters degrees. The PA-MSHS program is a two-year program that allows the student to obtain the PA certificate along with a Master of Science in Health Sciences. The PA-MPH program is a three-year dual degree program that allows the student to obtain the PA certificate, Master of Science in Health Sciences, and a Master in Public Health degree. In the PA-MPH program, you will be taking Physician Assistant and Masters in Public Health courses concurrently.
2. Which admissions terms are available?
   This is a fall-entry only program. Therefore the Fall term, which begins in August, is the only admission term that is available.
3. Which academic terms do students attend if they are enrolled in the program?
   The program goes through the traditional academic calendar; therefore, students will be required to attend the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. It is a full-time program. Classes are offered mostly during the daytime between the hours of 8 AM-5 PM and varies during the second year due to clinical rotations.
4. What is the mailing address for the program?
   Application fees and all other materials should be sent to:
   The George Washington University
   Health Sciences Programs
   Office of Admissions
   900 23rd Street, N.W., Suite 6179
   Washington, D.C. 20037
5. How can I reach the PA admissions office?
   Contact the admissions office by calling 202.994.8528 or e-mailing . Our office fax number is (202) 994-0870.
6. I will be in the area and would like to meet with an admissions counselor. Is this possible?
   Yes. Please call our admissions office to schedule an appointment with a counselor. If you are unable to make an appointment beforehand, you are still welcome to come into the admissions office. If a counselor is available, we will assist walk-ins on a first-come, first served basis.
7. Do you hold information sessions?
   Yes. Information sessions are held in The George Washington University Hospital. For the list of scheduled information sessions, please see our website: http://www.gwumc.edu/healthsci/programs/pa/infosessions.cfm

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Deadlines and Application Fees

1. What is the deadline for CASPA and the Secondary Application?
   The deadline for both the CASPA and secondary applications is October 1st, approximately one year prior to your desired fall entry term.
2. Do you have early decision?
   No, we do not have an early decision option.
3. What are the application fees for the CASPA and Secondary Applications?
   The CASPA fee is dependent upon how many schools you apply to and the date upon which you submit your application. Please see the CASPA website for specific information regarding the fee schedule. GWU fees for the secondary application are as follows: $60 for the PA-MSHS program and $100 for the PA-MPH program. You can submit your application fee online by using a credit card or mailing a check or money order directly to the Health Sciences Admissions Office. Applicants who are GW alumni are exempt from the secondary application fee; indicate “fee waiver” when prompted for payment. In addition, please upload a statement into your application that states the program you attended and the year you graduated. Please note: only GW graduates are exempt from the application fee.
4. If I am accepted into the PA program, is there a required deposit?
   Yes. We require a $1,000 non-refundable tuition deposit to guarantee your spot in the program. Once a letter of acceptance is issued, you will typically have several weeks to return your declaration of intent along with your deposit.

The Application Process

1. Can I have outstanding prerequisite courses when I apply to the program?
   Yes, you can have a maximum of two outstanding prerequisites when you apply. This includes any in-progress or planned courses. At the time you apply, you must have at least four prerequisites completed. For more information about prerequisites, please see the admissions website for program-specific requirements.
2. What documents are required to apply to the GW PA program?
    The CASPA and GW Secondary applications are both required to apply to the program. Your application is not complete until both items are received.
3. Where can I access these applications?
   The CASPA application can be found at www.caspaonline.org. You should submit an application to ONLY one of the programs (PA-MSHS: 2 year OR PA-MPH: 3 year.) The secondary application is available online at www.gwu.edu. Once you have created an account and are logged into the application system, scroll down to the Secondary Application for Physician Assistant Program. Be sure that this is the application you fill out; the standard Application for Admission will not be accepted in lieu of the PA program-specific application.
4. If I only want to apply to The George Washington University (GW) PA program, can I apply directly to GW and not through CASPA?
   No, all applications to the GW Physician Assistant Program must include both the CASPA and GW Secondary Application. We will not honor one without the other.
5. Are paper applications available?
   No. The CASPA application and the GW Secondary Application are only available online.
6. Should I write a personal statement (essay) for the GW PA program?
   While you will provide a standard essay on your CASPA application, your secondary application will give you an opportunity to write an essay that is specifically tailored towards the GW program.
7. Where will I send my original transcripts?
   All original transcripts should be sent to CASPA. If you are asked to interview, be prepared to bring your official transcripts with you. For transcripts to be considered official, they must be in signed and sealed envelopes that they are originally distributed in from the institution. We will collect all transcripts on interview day and add them to your file accordingly.
8. Will I be able to send test scores directly to CASPA?
   CASPA will accept standardized test scores directly and in many cases, you will be able to use CASPA as a designation when you take the GRE. You can also identify GW as one of the schools to receive your scores. The GW institution code is 5246. No other program or department codes are needed.
9. When can I use CASPA?
   CASPA will be accessible beginning mid-April of each year. Please reference their website for the exact date: .
10. If schools have different deadlines, how will I know when to apply through CASPA?
    You should apply to CASPA by the earliest deadline of those schools you are applying to. Deadlines are the latest date you can submit your CASPA application and your GW Secondary Application. Our application deadline is October 1, which may not coincide with the deadline of other schools. Make sure to submit your application as early as possible prior to the deadline. Keep in mind that it generally takes between 3-4 weeks to receive a completed application from CASPA once they have received all of your required documentation. We will start reviewing as soon as we have received your completed application (both the CASPA and GW Secondary applications.)
11. Can I be accepted at more than one school?
    Yes, the CASPA is part of the application process, not the admissions process. If you are accepted at more than one school, you will have to make a decision about which school to attend.
12. Does CASPA require me to include a CV or resume?
    Yes, CASPA will allow you to fill in your work experience, which will be forwarded to the participating schools along with your application. In addition, you will provide a resume as part of your GW Secondary Application.
13. When will I hear whether I have been admitted to the program?
    Applicants will be notified on an ongoing basis about the status of their applications. All decisions are typically finalized by late January. Decision letters will be sent throughout December and January.

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The Interview Process

1. Is an interview required to obtain admissions to the program?
   Yes, an interview is necessary. Students who are not offered interviews have been denied from the program. If you are chosen for an interview, you will be notified immediately by e-mail and, in some cases, phone.
2. What occurs on interview day?
   Interviews are typically held on Saturdays during the fall semester prior to intended entry date. The interview process grants applicants the opportunity to meet prospective classmates, current students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Each interview day includes: a tour of the GW-Foggy Bottom campus, one-on-one interviews with three members of the team (faculty/student/alumni), and a panel discussion with current students.
3. If I am chosen for the interview process, what documents will I be asked to bring to interview day?
   You will be asked to bring your official transcripts. Official transcripts are those that are in the original sealed envelopes directly from the institution.
4. What criteria does GW use during the interview process?
   The interview process is designed to evaluate each candidate’s communication skills, maturity level, match to the GW mission, and their understanding of the role of the PA in today’s healthcare environment.
5. How many interviews will be conducted?
   In general, GW will conduct 3 interview sessions and invite 60 applicants per session. Interview days are usually the second Saturday of October, November, and December.

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Tuition and Financial Aid

1. What is the cost of tuition?
   Tuition for the 2008-2009 academic year is $1065.00 per credit hour. Tuition for the PA program is capped at 11 credits per semester hour. This means that, although a student may be enrolled in more than 11 credits during a semester, they will only be charged for 11 credits.
2. Does GW offer scholarships for the program?
   Yes, there are a limited number of scholarships available. The scholarships are available after matriculation in the program. Information about the scholarship application will be available after admission offers have been made.
3. Should I submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?
    Yes. Whether or not you have heard back from all of the programs you have applied to, it is recommended that you complete the FAFSA if you plan to take out loans to finance your education.
4. Are there any programs that will finance my tuition?
   Yes, there are programs like the National Health Service Corps that you can apply to. If you   are    accepted and agree to fulfill a service requirement, some programs will finance your tuition. If you are interested in programs such as these, we encourage you to research them to see if they may be applicable for you. In addition, there are a number of independent scholarships that are typically available outside of GW.

Competitive Applicant Profile

1. What does GW consider to be a competitive applicant?
   The competitive applicant demonstrates the core values of the GW PA program: Respect, Integrity, Accountability, Compassion, Dedication, Tolerance, Flexibility, Self-reflection. In addition, the applicant has superior communication skills, a high level of maturity, reflects the mission of the GW Program, and understands the role of the PA in today’s healthcare environment.
2. What is the typically GPA of a competitive applicant?
   The average cumulative GPA of students in the Class of 2010 is 3.50 with a science GPA of 3.54. GPAs vary from one class to another as the applicant pool varies.
3. What is the average number of science hours completed by a competitive applicant?
   The average number of science credit hours completed by students in the Class of 2010 is 55 hours. In general, the more competitive applicants have more science hours completed.
4. What is the average GRE score of a competitive applicant?
   A competitive GRE score is over 1100 combined verbal and quantitative with a 4.0 or greater writing score.
5. What is the average amount of health care experience of a competitive applicant?
   Six months of direct patient care are required with an additional six months of health-related experience recommended. The more competitive applicant will exceed these requirements and recommendations.

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How can I learn more about the Physician Assistant profession?

Please take an opportunity to learn more about PAs and the PA profession at the following link: http://www.aapa.org/

What is the NCCPA board passage rate for the GWU PA program?

NCCPA PASS RATE SUMMARY

The past five year average NCCPA pass rate is 98.4%.

What are the technical standards for the program? 

The George Washington University Physician Assistant Program consider it essential for all physician assistant graduates to have the knowledge and skill to function in a variety of clinical situations and to provide a wide spectrum of patient care as required by the curriculum. Therefore, every physician assistant student must master a common body of basic science knowledge and master the principles, knowledge, and procedures of the major required clinical specialty clerkships, including internal medicine, surgery, emergency medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and primary (ambulatory) care medicine. This requires that every student have sufficient capacities and abilities in: Communication, Observation, Motor/tactile function, Emotions/Intellect.

Completion of this program requires that each student independently demonstrate these capabilities. Surrogates cannot be used to accomplish the essential requirements. Students may not have undue dependence on technology or trained intermediaries.

Communication includes the ability to speak, hear, read, and write sufficiently to achieve adequate exchange of information with other healthcare professionals and patients and their support network.

Observation includes the ability to perceive, using senses and mental abilities, the presentation of information through lectures, small groups and one-to-one interactions, and written and audiovisual materials. Students must be able to directly observe a patient’s medical condition. Other examples of use of perceptual abilities include, but are not limited to: gross and microscopic studies of organisms, cadaver dissections, and various diagnostic studies (including, but not limited to: interpreting electrocardiograms, chest x rays, mental status examinations, and auscultatory findings.)

Motor function includes the ability to perform physical examinations, basic laboratory, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures. These procedures include, but are not limited to: urinalysis, airway management, insertion of nasogastric tubes and urinary catheters, pelvic and rectal examinations, obstetrical maneuvers, suturing, venipuncture, and arterial blood draws.

Emotional and higher level-intellectual abilities must be demonstrated. These include aptitude for rapid problem solving; rational thought; visual-spatial comprehension; understanding, synthesizing and recalling materials; interpreting results of patient interactions, examinations and procedures; and ability to formulate diagnostic and treatment plans. Students must have the ability for sound judgment and be able to function under physically taxing and stressful situations such as overnight call and lengthy working hours.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for applicants with disabilities who can meet the requirements noted above. These accommodations must be accomplished without altering the essential requirements of our medical education.

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