How many applications do you typically get?
We have received 600-900 completed applications over the past three years.
How many new students do you enroll each year?
We enroll 42 new students each year.
What instructional methods does your program use?
We regard our students as adult learners who are guided in their education and are
held responsible for their learning. Our instructional methods include:
What is your program's mission statement?
The mission of the 澳门老奇人论坛 Physician Assistant Program is to graduate ethical,
competent, and compassionate PAs who are well versed in the art and science of medicine
and are prepared to effectively function as members of the interprofessional healthcare
team.
When is the deadline?
November 1. This deadline is the date by which you must hit the 鈥渟ubmit鈥� button on
the CASPA website. We require that all prerequisites be met before matriculation,
but you do not need to have them all completed prior to submission of your application.
See below for what our program requires by the November 1 deadline.
What are the steps in applying through CASPA?
First, before you begin a CASPA application, determine if you are a good fit for our
Program. Visit our website and read through these Frequently Asked Questions thoroughly.
Then, look at our prerequisites carefully to determine what you already have and will
need for consideration.
When you have decided to apply, go to the website and read the information thoroughly, including their FAQ page. Once you create an account with CASPA and start the application process, you can check the progress of your application鈥攍ook for outstanding documents, etc.
Be sure to print out a copy of your application for your records. Do NOT send printed copies to CASPA or our Program
When should I apply?
CASPA does not send an application to us until they have received the required references
and transcripts of ALL college work completed up to the time of application. This
usually takes 3-4 weeks. Therefore we encourage applicants to complete their applications
well before our deadline of November 1. You may send updated transcripts directly
to our Program once you have completed more courses, so there is no need to wait until
you have finished fall semester courses before you apply. Remember, however, that
the more complete your application is, the more competitive it will be.
CASPA begins accepting applications each spring. Our PA Admissions Committee begins reviewing applicationsas theya re verified, so it is in your best interest to complete your application early so that you can be considered for an interview when we start scheduling them. We begin the interviews in September.
After the posted deadline of November 1, you can no longer specify our Program on the CASPA application. However, supporting documentation can still be submitted to CASPA.
Can I apply directly to the Waldron College or 澳门老奇人论坛 rather than through
CASPA?
No, you must apply directly through CASPA.
Can I transfer credits from another PA program? Can I gain credit for experience in
the healthcare field?
The answer to both questions is no. All students in our PA Program must earn all their
course credits by completing at our institution all didactic and clinical courses
listed in the Plan of Study. No transfer credit is accepted, and no credit is given
for pre-admission experiential learning.
How can I update my CASPA application once I have submitted it?
At some point during the winter, CASPA will notify you by e-mail when they initiate
their academic update window, and you can update your coursework information at that
time. Any time you have new information for your application鈥攁n updated transcript,
for example鈥攊t is best to arrange to send it directly to the 澳门老奇人论坛 Carilion
PA Program.
What happens if my references or transcripts do not arrive at CASPA by the deadline?Sometimes supporting documents get delayed. Please check the CASPA site often to ensure they have received all your transcripts and references. If a transcript seems to be delayed, call the registrar鈥檚 office of that institution and remind them. Similarly, contact the person who wrote your reference if the reference has not arrived at CASPA within a reasonable time. People get busy, and sometimes, they need a little nudge.
This is why we suggest you start your application well before the deadline.
Does CASPA send my transcripts to your institution?
No, but CASPA does use your official transcripts to verify the information you fill
out online. After that verification process, CASPA sends us a folder of information鈥�
including your coursework, your personal statement, work and volunteer experience
and anything else you have entered on the form; it also sends copies of the reference
letters and checklists.
CASPA does not send original documents to any program. Only after you are offered a position in our PA Program will you be asked to arrange for all colleges and universities you attended to send original transcripts directly to the Program before classes start. 澳门老奇人论坛 Carilion cannot enroll anyone as a student until we receive those official transcripts.
Do you need my GRE score report?
The GRE is not required.
Do you require any other supporting documents to be sent directly to your program?
Send all required documents to CASPA鈥攄o NOT send them to our Admissions Office or
the Program. The only supporting documents you should send directly to 澳门老奇人论坛
at Carilion are your updated transcripts after you have been accepted. If you have
any new supporting documents after you have submitted your CASPA application, you
may send them directly to the Program.
What are the course requirements for entering the program?
Required prerequisites are the courses listed on our web page. In general, they are
anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, genetics or immunology, psychology,
medical terminology, statistics, biochemistry or cell biology and associated labs
where relevant. You will be required to communicate effectively both verbally and
in writing during our Program; we encourage you to take writing-intensive courses
(courses in the humanities that require a good bit of writing).
Prerequisites may be taken at any regionally accredited college or university, including community colleges. Online courses are accepted, provided the institution is regionally accredited and can issue an official transcript.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, with all coursework included, is required for consideration.
Will you do a transcript evaluation to determine if I have met the prerequisites?
No. We cannot provide that service, due to the many applications we receive. We apply
the 鈥渃ommon sense鈥� rule to determine if a specific course fulfills a requirement.
If the course title includes 鈥淏iochemistry,鈥� we will count it as a Biochemistry course.
If you have questions about a specific course with a title that does not reflect the
content, please get in touch with us.
Must I complete the required courses before I apply?
No, but you must show in writing, or at the interview if you are selected to be interviewed,
that you have specific plans to complete these courses by mid-August, when our Fall
semester begins. Once you have completed these courses, arrange to have original transcripts
sent directly to the 澳门老奇人论坛 Admissions Department. As mentioned elsewhere,
CASPA does not send transcripts to institutions, so you must arrange to have original
transcripts of all your college work forwarded to the 澳门老奇人论坛 Admissions
Department if you are accepted to the Program.
What courses would be good to take in addition to the required courses?
We recommend pathophysiology, critical thinking, pharmacology, cadaver-based human
anatomy, and additional humanities courses. Upper-level science courses are beneficial
for preparing you for the rigor of our instructional curriculum. Public health or
health care administration courses may also be useful in developing and demonstrating
your breadth of health care knowledge.
What about online courses for prerequisites?
We accept online prerequisite courses from any regionally accredited institution.
My GPA is a little lower than your recommended GPA. Do you make exceptions?
It is rare, but we have made individual exceptions. For example, if a student has
low grades at the start of their undergraduate career but showed improvement over
the course of enrollment, or if a non-traditional applicant has a lot of relevant
healthcare experience and demonstrates the ability to succeed in recent coursework,
these could befactors we would consider in the case of a lower GPA. We look at the
overall GPA, science GPA, and particularly prerequisite GPA.
Do you need the GRE before interviews?
The GRE is not required.
What are you looking for in the CASPA essay/personal statement?
We look for evidence of the following:
Do you have any recommendations about my references?
Make sure you tell the people from whom you request references precisely what you
are asking of them. Sometimes we get a reference from someone who thinks an applicant
is applying to medical or some other school. References should be from:
It should go without saying that references from friends and relatives are not acceptable.
Do you require previous healthcare experience?
Yes, 500 hours of healthcare experience are required of all candidates before enrollment
in the PA Program, but they do not have to be completed at the time of application.
The experience should be in areas that have patient/client contact. Examples are EMT,
respiratory therapy, medical technician, nursing, scribing, and phlebotomy.
Patient contact hours in health education, health promotion, and social work may also be considered as long as the work is in patient/client services. The hours can be either paid or volunteer. Applicants with formal certifications in a health-related field should be prepared to provide copies of licenses or certifications upon request.
Please realize that shadowing differs from direct patient care, and we do not count shadowing hours as patient care.
How do I arrange to shadow a physician assistant?
We cannot assist in locating physician assistants who will provide shadowing. You
will have to find PAs to shadow on your own.
I am an international student. How does the application process differ for me?
Please be aware that your university transcripts must be evaluated by a foreign credential
evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Inc., and sent to CASPA. Please
see the page FAQ for their policies and contact information for other evaluation services.
Even with a foreign medical degree, you still need to complete all prerequisites.
If English is not your first language, our school requires a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 80 (web-based) or successful completion of two college-level English courses. Have the TOEFL score sent directly to the Admissions Department. We encourage international applicants to have some coursework at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution.
Does every applicant get an interview?
No. The PA Admissions Committee holistically reviews applications and recommends invitations
for interview to qualified candidates. About 160 applicants are invited for interviews
each year. All interviews take place at 澳门老奇人论坛 at Carilion in Roanoke,
VA.
What main criteria will the admissions committee use to select applicants for interviews?
We look at many factors: overall GPA, science GPA, references, writing skills, and
healthcare experience. We are looking for an understanding of the PA role, communication
and problem-solving skills, patient kinteractions, knowledge of healthcare delivery
systems, leadership and experience, and the ability to work as part of a team. We
attempt to surmise these things from your essay and previous work experience, even
if it has not necessarily been in the healthcare field.
We do place an early emphasis on 鈥渁dequate鈥� academic numbers. Although the average GPA of accepted applicants is about 3.5, we accept a wide range. However, because we intend to graduate every student we accept, we want to be confident that they can maintain a 3.0 GPA in the program so they can graduate. If we have doubts about someone's academic ability, their application will become a lower priority.
What do you look for during the interview process?
We want students and subsequent graduates who are self-starters and able to handle
the stress of the academic load, people who understand the health care system and
the role of the PA, people who are confident but not arrogant, caring, capable, good
team players, and mature. Our students participate in many group projects during the
Program; we want students who can work well with others, share responsibilities, and
complete tasks on time.
What does the interview session involve?
At the interview session, candidates will
When will you be notified of your decision on my application?
If you have been interviewed, you will receive your admissions decision letter within
two weeks (usually less than one week) after the interview. Interviewees receive one
of three decisions: Accept, Waitlist, or Deny. If accepted, you are given two weeks
to make a $500 deposit, which will be credited towards tuition at the time of your
enrollment.
Is it possible to defer to a later fall semester if I am accepted?
Sometimes, under unusual circumstances, it is possible. If circumstances arise after
you have paid your enrollment deposit that prevent you from starting the Program in
the current Fall semester, you may request to defer to the following fall. You need
to put your request in writing.
What if I applied for your program last year but didn't attend, now I have decided
that I still want to attend? Must I reapply?
Yes, you need to reapply, no matter what the situation was鈥攚hether you withdrew your
application before a decision was made, or you were placed on the waitlist and didn't
get an offer of acceptance, you were offered admission but declined, or even if you
paid the enrollment deposit and then canceled without being granted a deferral. Each
year, the applicant pool is new, and the competition is different. Anyone considered
in a previous year must start again with a new CASPA application, pay the fee, send
new references, and have the transcripts sent again.
What if I don't get accepted?
Review our Program鈥檚 requirements鈥攃ourses required, work experience, GPA, references,
and personal statement. If you could better meet these requirements in another year
or two, do the work and then apply through CASPA again.
How do I apply for financial aid?
Start financially planning with our Financial Aid Office. You need to fill out and submit the Free Application for . Our College FAFSA code is 003732. All students interested in federal financial aid
for college and graduate school need to complete this application to determine eligibility
for Stafford loans (the Federal Student Loan Program).
You should start this process even before you receive an admissions decision from the Program. The FAFSA has no bearing on the application decision.
The federal and non-federal aid may not be enough to cover the entire cost of attending the PA Program. We encourage you to seek scholarships and grants from other sources.
Do you offer on-campus tours or on-campus information sessions?
Yes, we usually have 3 or 4 Information Sessions per year. These are provided in a Q&A format with a short intro and last about two hours, with
an opportunity for a campus tour afterwards.
We are also happy to discuss specific questions with potential applicants and can arrange for individual meetings. It is best to contact the RUC Admissions office (888-985-8483 or email at rucadmissions@radford.edu) to schedule an interview with an admissions counselor or an on-campus tour. If you drop in, we may not be available, so it is best to make prior arrangements.
Is there a difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition?
There is a difference in in-state vs. out-of-state student tuition. Refer to the Estimated
Cost page for more information.
What about additional fees, such as lab fees, clinical fees and exam fees?
The student is responsible for paying for books, medical equipment, a computer, and
housing. The tuition includes most program costs. However, there are additional program
costs for some formative and summative standardized exams that the PA Education Association
has developed. These include a simulated PANCE Board exam (PACKRAT), exams for evaluating
clinical rotation learning, and a comprehensive exam at the end of the entire curriculum.
The total cost to the student for these exams is about $500.
Do you give preference to Virginia residents?
We encourage applicants from everywhere, including international students who meet
the requirements. No preference is given to any geographical group, and we have students
from all over the country. About half of our students are usually from Virginia.
When does the program start?
In mid-August of year year. There is no accommodation for alternate times, nor can
students attend part-time.
Are students required to purchase laptop computers?
Yes. Much of the curriculum and evaluation is shared via PowerPoint presentations and Web-based
testing. Much of our communication is done on the Internet鈥攖hrough e-mail and the
Desire 2 Learn (D2L) learning platform. D2L compatibility is necessary for online
testing. Computers with either Windows or Macintosh operating systems are preferred.
Chromebooks and iPads can work with D2L, but there may be other software that will
not work well.
Are smartphones/tablets required?
At this time, we do not require students to have smartphones or tablets (e.g., iPads),
but many students find them very useful, especially during the second-year rotations.
Smartphones have numerous medically-related applications.
Do your students get hands-on clinical experiences during the first year?
There is a scheduled experience at a local eye center. The COVID pandemic has impacted
other experiences, but we intend to reinstate these experiences when possible.
Do I have to find my rotation sites?
No. The Director of Clinical Education (DCE) and Clinical Resource Coordinator will
place all students in appropriate clinical rotations.
Where do students do their second-year clinical rotations?
In general, all clinical rotations will be completed at established program sites.
Many rotations are completed at Carilion Clinic in Roanoke and affiliated sites. Assignments
are based on the availability of clinical sites and accreditation requirements.
Generally, students are given more flexibility in selecting their elective rotations. However, assignments are on a case-by-case basis and are left to the discretion of the DCE.
What is the current and expected demand for PAs?
Most of our program's graduates are clinicians in family practice, internal medicine,
urgent care, and other medical areas. Others go on to do fellowships in specialties.
Many of our graduates serve as preceptors and guest lecturers for our current students.
Job outlook and starting salaries for PAs are excellent.
In answer to growing physician shortages, there is a push for more PAs to help ensure access to care. Coupled with this are the prospects of an aging population (who will need more healthcare services) and the fact that more people are expected to seek care due to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Do PA students have opportunities for professional activities?
Our students regularly attend regional and national conferences and develop strong
professional networks while they are still students. Several of our students have
had state or national leadership positions.