Admissions

The Midwestern University PA Program considers applicants who possess the academic and professional promise necessary for development as competent, caring members of the healthcare community. The admissions environment is highly selective with approximately 1,800 applications received each year.

Completed applications received on or before the application deadline are reviewed to determine applicant eligibility for interviews. Interviews are typically held between July and December. The PA Program conducts rolling admissions and admissions decisions are generally made within two weeks following an interview. Candidates are notified of status shortly thereafter. Cumulative and science grade point averages (GPAs), letters of recommendation, health care experience, knowledge of the profession, and motivation for a PA professional career will all be considered when reviewing applicant files.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the PA Program must submit the following documented evidence:

1. All applicants must apply through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) and meet the published admission criteria.
2. Minimum cumulative science and overall GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
3. Completion of prerequisite courses as listed below from regionally accredited colleges or universities.
   • All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of a C or better
   • Life experience credits do not count toward fulfillment of any prerequisite courses
   • Courses in which "credit" or grades of "pass" are earned will be counted only when applicants canprovide verification that the earned grades were equivalent to grades of C or better (grades of C- are not acceptable)
4. Completion of prerequisite courses prior to matriculation.
5. Applicants must determine which prerequisites are missing and which courses must be taken to fulfill any outstanding prerequisites.
6. Completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university before matriculation.
7. Motivation for and commitment to health care as demonstrated by paid direct patient care hours, volunteer work, shadowing, or other life experiences.
8. Demonstration of service and leadership through community service or extracurricular activities.
9. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
10. Satisfactory Midwestern University criminal background check.
11. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
12. Successful completion of all required immunizations prior to matriculation.
13. The applicant must meet the technical standards prior to matriculation.

Prerequisite Courses

All science prerequisites must be courses designed for science majors. No survey courses will count to fulfill science prerequisites.

Application Process and Deadlines

1. CASPA Application
   Completed applications with all required materials must be submitted to the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) at www.caspaonline.org by October 1st. Please refer to the CASPA application instructions for specific details about completing the application, required documents, and processing time. CASPA applications are typically available beginning in April of the academic year preceding the year in which applicants plan to matriculate. Due to the large number of applications and the limited number of seats available, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete CASPA applications early in the cycle. Applications are reviewed continuously throughout the admissions cycle.
2. Letters of Recommendation
   Applicants are required to submit a minimum of two letters of recommendation from professionals to CASPA (www.caspaonline.org). The Office of Admissions will only accept letters of recommendation receiveddirectly from CASPA. It is preferred, but not required, that one letter be written by a science professor who has taught the student or a pre-health advisory committee. The second letter can be written by any one of the following: pre- health advisory committee, pre-health advisor, college professor, or health care professional (preferably a PA) who knows the applicant well. Personal references are discouraged. Please refer to the CASPA application instructions for specific guidelines and requirements for submitting letters of recommendation. The Office of Admissions must receive letters of recommendation no later than November 1st.
3. Completed Applications
   The Office of Admissions will send a letter verifying receipt of the CASPA application to all applicants who meet the minimum cumulative science and overall GPA requirement of 3.00. Letters will also include instructions on tracking application status online. Applicants are responsible for tracking the receipt of application materials to ensure the submission of all required documents.  Applicants will only be considered for entrance into the Program when the Office of Admissions has received all required application materials which must be received no later than November 1st. In-progress prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation.
4. Advanced placement credit may be awarded for comparable Midwestern University courses only. Advanced placement credit is considered once applicants have been accepted into the Physician Assistant Program. Credit is not guaranteed and is awarded on a course-by-course basis consistent with the CHS Advanced Placement Policy.
5. Once the admissions cycle is underway, the Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program strongly encourages applicants to provide the Office of Admissions with updates to applications (i.e., transcripts of courses completed since the initial application, additional health care experience, etc.).
6. Once a CASPA Application is submitted, the Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program faculty are not permitted to discuss an application with the applicant other than at a formal interview. If you have an open and pending application, please address all inquiries to the Office of Admissions.

Please note: Applicants are responsible for notifying the Office of Admissions of any changes in mailing address or e-mail address. All requests for application withdrawal must be made in writing via e-mail, fax, or letter to the Office of Admissions:

Midwestern University Office of Admissions 1
9555 North 59th Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85308
623/572-3215 or 888/247-9277
admissaz@midwestern.edu

Interview and Selection Process

After the Office of Admissions receives CASPA application reports, applicant files are reviewed to determine whether applicants merit an interview. The following criteria are used to select the most qualified candidates for interview invitations: GPA, letters of recommendation, healthcare experience, knowledge of the profession, and motivation for a PA career. Evaluation of completed applications will begin in July and continue until all seats in the class are filled. Eligible candidates are typically invited to interview during the months of July through December. Applicant files may also be placed on an interview wait list pending possible openings toward the end of the interview cycle.

Applicants selected to interview will be notified by letter or telephone of available dates and asked to contact the Office of Admissions to confirm one of the dates offered. Letters of confirmation will be sent to applicants that include travel information for visiting the MWU campus (i.e., directions to campus and local lodging information).

A typical interview day involves participation in the following activities, which are coordinated by the Office of Admissions: a presentation by the Chair or member of the PA Admissions Committee, interaction with faculty members and meetings with current Midwestern University students. During each interview session, prospective students may be asked about academic, personal, and professional aspirations and preparedness for admission to the Program.

Prospective students will be rated on a standardized evaluation form, which is included with the applicant's file and forwarded to the PA Admissions Committee for review.

The PA Admissions Committee meets within one to two weeks after interviews have concluded. The Committee reviews complete application files for all applicants who were interviewed and formulates recommendations. The CHS Dean, via the Office of Admissions, notifies applicants in writing of admissions status. Applicants may be offered seats following interviews and subsequent Admissions Committee Meetings, until the class is filled, up until the time of matriculation.

Reapplication Process

After receiving either a denial or end-of-cycle letter, prospective students may reapply for the following year's admissions cycle. Before reapplying, however, applicants are encouraged to seek input on strengthening the application from a counselor in the Office of Admissions after the admissions cycle is officially over. To initiate the reapplication process, prospective students must complete and submit new applications and proceed through the standard application procedures.

Transfer Policy

MWU PA Program does not accept transfer students from other programs.