Physician Assistant Information

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Admission

Admission to the PA profession has become increasingly competitive over the years. EVMS evaluates applicants through four lenses: cognitive/academic, personal/non-cognitive, healthcare experience and community service. Detailed information about admissions criteria for a competitive application can be found our Admissions Guidebook. It is a comprehensive guide about our application requirements and the admissions process.

Completed the CASPA application by March 1.
Following the online instructions, applicants must contact every college or university attended and request transcripts be sent directly to CASPA. Click here for help sending your official transcripts.
Citizenship: Applicants to the program must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents (Green Card)
Qualifying GPA of 3.00 or better (on a 4.0 scale)
Prerequisite Courses: All eight (8) prerequisite courses must be equal to a minimum of 3 semester credits (5 quarter credits) and completed at an accredited U.S. institution with a B- or better grade by March 1. Required courses include:
- Prerequisite Courses with No Time Limit for Completion:
  - Intro to Psychology
  - General Chemistry
  - College Math, Physics OR Statistics
- Prerequisite Courses that Must be Completed within 10 Years of Application:
  - Anatomy AND Physiology OR A&P I AND A&P II (2 courses required)
  - Organic Chemistry OR Biochemistry
  - Microbiology OR Cell Biology
  - Advanced Psychology Course
Bachelor’s degree (or higher graduate degree) is required by July 1.
- Specifics regarding applicants with foreign education can be found in the Admissions Guidebook.
Additional Testing:
- CASPer test is required by March 1 for all applicants.
- Specifics regarding TOEFL for applicants with foreign education can be found in the Admissions Guidebook.
Patient Care and Healthcare Experience: Although not required to apply, patient care and healthcare experience is desirable and rewarded in the application review process.
Licenses and Certifications: Although not required to apply, obtaining a certification in a healthcare field is often helpful in securing paid healthcare experience and is rewarded in the application review process.
Volunteer Experience: Part of EVMS’ vision is to be recognized as the most community-oriented school of medicine and health professions in the United States. Therefore, we reward applicants with a demonstrated commitment to community service.
CASPA Letter of Reference: EVMS requires two (2) letters of reference.
CASPA Personal Essay: The personal essay should be written at a graduate level and demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the PA role and function.
Technical Standards: Applicants to the program must be prepared to independently meet the technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Application Deadline

A complete application file includes a completed CASPA application and CASPer test by March 1.

If an application is not complete by the March 1 deadline, it will not be considered, regardless of the original CASPA submission date.

Ultimately, it is the applicant’s responsibility to be aware of all application requirements and comply with admissions deadlines for the current application cycle to ensure a successful application.

General Review Process and Timeline

Our program does not have rolling admissions and there is no benefit to submitting an application earlier in the cycle. It is best to apply to our program shortly after you have completed all 8 prerequisite courses and have the final grades listed on your transcript.

2020-2021 Cycle

The following dates and timelines are in effect for the 2020-2021 admissions application cycle:

CASPA application cycle opens: July 1, 2020
CASPA application due: March 1, 2021
CASPer test due: March 1, 2021
All prerequisites satisfactorily completed by: March 1, 2021
TOEFL completed by: March 1, 2021 (if applicable)
Applications reviewed for completeness by School of Health Professions Admissions: September 2020 - May 2021
Applications reviewed by PA Program Application Review Committee: January - May 2021
Interview offers made to selected applicants: June 2021
Bachelor’s degree completed by: July 1, 2021
Additional transcripts submitted to EVMS for any outstanding prerequisite courses since submitting the CASPA application by: July 1, 2021 (*prerequisite completion deadline is March 1)
Interviews conducted: July 2021
Offers of admission extended: August 2021
Acceptance of admission offer: 10 calendar days after offer
Matriculation: January 2022
Expected graduation: May 2024

Early Assurance Program

The Early Assurance Program (EAP) exists to offer outstanding and qualified undergraduate students with firm interests in a career as a physician assistant and in attending EVMS the opportunity to gain early assurance of acceptance into the PA program at EVMS before beginning their final year of college.

By granting early assurance of acceptance into the program, students will be able to broaden their academic focus, engage in extracurricular leadership activities and pursue first-hand, direct patient care experience.

Partner Institutions

Christopher Newport University
College of William & Mary
Norfolk State University
Randolph-Macon College
Regent University
Virginia Wesleyan College

Application & Admission

Each January, early assurance program advisers at each partner institution will forward names of eligible students who are interested in applying to the PA program through the Early Assurance Program to EVMS. Students interested in the program are required to maintain regular contact with the EAP adviser during their college career. Eligible students will receive an email containing the necessary links and instructions to apply.

Below are the main steps necessary to apply through the Early Assurance Program at EVMS.

Meet with the EAP adviser at your institution as soon as possible.
Establish a plan to complete prerequisites, certification and patient care experience prior to application deadline.
Complete the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) application by June 15 of your junior year.
Take the CASPer test online by June 15.
- Submitted application fee to CASPer
Successfully interview with the PA program admissions committee in July.
Complete the undergraduate degree requirements and maintain EAP eligibility.
Establish a plan to complete prerequisites, certification and patient care experience prior to application deadline.
Complete the EVMS EAP application by May 30 during the spring semester of your junior year.
Complete the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) application by June 15 of your junior year.
Interview with the PA program admissions committee in July.
Complete the undergraduate degree requirements and maintain EAP eligibility.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the Early Assurance Program, a student must meet the following criteria:

Be an enrolled “career student” at a partner institution since your freshman year of college
- This program is not available to students transferring into the institution, with the exception of transfer students approved by the ODU EAP Advisor.
Be in their junior year at a partner institution
- Applicants should have no more than 1 additional academic year to complete at the time of their interview session.
Meet all institutional and degree requirements to continue as a student in good standing
Have no academic or conduct code violations
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Maintaining an overall (cumulative) GPA of 3.25 or better (on a 4.0 scale) with consistent academic performance.
- NOTE: The CASPA-calculated baccalaureate GPA reflects the cumulative undergraduate GPA we will be evaluating. CASPA uses a 4.0 scale when calculating their GPAs. More information, including a GPA calculator, is available online.
Satisfactorily complete at least 7 of the 8 prerequisite courses
Be able to accumulate 500 hours of patient care experience by September 1 with acceptance in the program.

Maintaining Eligibility

Continuation in the EAP will require evidence of general academic progress consistent with past performance. It will also require significant progress toward achieving individually specified goals outlined in the application.

In addition, the following criteria must be maintained by the student to continue eligibility:

Meet with EAP adviser each semester and maintain contact with the PA program after graduation (Advisor Meeting & Progress Form)
Carry sufficient credit load during the remaining regular academic semesters to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements
Maintaining an overall (cumulative) GPA of 3.25 or better (on a 4.0 scale) with consistent academic performance.
- NOTE: The CASPA-calculated baccalaureate GPA reflects the cumulative undergraduate GPA we will be evaluating. CASPA uses a 4.0 scale when calculating their GPAs. More information, including a GPA calculator, is available online.
Make significant progress toward achieving the individually-specified goals outlined on the Healthcare Experience Plan of Completion:
- To obtain strong, direct patient care experience, students should consider obtaining a certification as a healthcare provider (e.g., certified nursing assistant, emergency medical technician, paramedic, phlebotomist, etc.)
- The goal is for the applicant to have at least 1,000 hours of patient care experience before matriculating in the PA program.
Fulfill all institution and degree requirements to maintain status as a student in good standing (no academic or conduct code violations) and earn a bachelor’s degree prior to matriculating in the PA program
Complete the additional specific conditions set by the PA program at the time of acceptance notification (e.g., official transcripts confirming date of degree completion, a criminal background check, indication of ability to independently meet the and submission of all health requirements)
Remain free of any actions or conduct that would cause the admissions committee to question a student’s suitability to pursue a career in medicine.
- These include, but are not limited to, misdemeanor or felony convictions, academic dishonesty, other code of conduct violations and/or unprofessional conduct in a healthcare or educational setting.

Failure to meet or maintain these eligibility standards will constitute grounds for dismissal from the program. However, dismissal from the EAP does not affect the student’s ability to apply to the PA program through the conventional application process.

Technical Standards

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) requires all Physician Assistant (PA) programs to publish technical standards for admission. These are defined as “physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities required for satisfactory completion of all aspects of the curriculum and for entry into the profession.”

The technical standards for admission establish the expectations and abilities considered essential for students admitted to the EVMS PA program in order to achieve the level of competency required for graduation and the practice of medicine. Applicants to the program must possess independent ability, aptitude and skills in the following areas:

Observation
Communication
Critical reasoning (intellectual)
Motor and sensory functions
Behavioral and social attributes

It is expected in this age of technology that students also have sufficient computer skills and are comfortable with electronic communication and media to successfully and professionally function as a student physician assistant.

These standards will serve as prerequisites for entrance, continuation, promotion and graduation from the PA program; students must be prepared to indicate their ability to meet these standards as a condition of acceptance and during registration for each semester.

Note: The use of an intermediary (a person trained to perform essential skills on behalf of the student) is not permitted.

EVMS must maintain the integrity of the curriculum and preserve those elements deemed essential to the education of a physician assistant and cannot compromise the health and safety of other students or patients. PA program applicants must be prepared to meet the technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, in order to complete the program and indicate possession of such ability prior to their matriculation into the program.

Inquiry by the program faculty and staff regarding disability is strictly prohibited. The PA program, in accordance with EVMS policy and as delineated by federal and Virginia law, does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs or employment against any individual on the basis of that individual’s disability. The PA program will make good faith efforts at providing reasonable accommodation as required. However, the program reserves the right not to admit or register students who cannot meet the technical standards or who would constitute a direct threat to the health and safety or others.

PA program applicants or students who may have questions regarding these technical standards or who believe they may need to request reasonable accommodation in order to meet the standards are encouraged to contact EVMS Disability Officer, at 757.446.7443.

Revealing a disability is voluntary; however, such disclosure is necessary before any accommodations may be made in the learning environment or in the program’s procedures. Information regarding disabilities is handled in a confidential manner.

Observational Skills
1. Demonstrate sufficient attention and accuracy in observation skills (visual, auditory and tactile) in the lecture hall and laboratory as well as at the patient’s bedside and in outpatient settings.
2. Indicators include, but are not limited to, the following examples:
  - Accurate observation and participation in the lecture hall, laboratory and clinic with patients at a distance and close at hand including non-verbal and verbal signals.
  - Accurate identification of changes in color of fluids, skin and diagnostic media examinations.
  - Accurate visualization and discrimination of text, numbers, patterns, graphic illustrations and findings on X-ray and other imaging tests.
Communication Skills
1. Demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills with other students, faculty, patients and healthcare providers from different social and cultural backgrounds, varying degrees and types of infirmities as well as varying cultures and personalities.
2. Indicators include but are not limited to the following examples:
  - Clear, efficient and intelligible articulation of English language.
  - Legible, efficient and intelligible written English language.
  - Ability to prepare and communicate concise oral and written summaries of patient encounters
  - Ability to provide appropriate patient counseling and instruction to patients.
  - Record examination and diagnostic results clearly, accurately and efficiently.
Critical Reasoning Skills
1. Demonstrate critical reasoning skills required to undertake the full curriculum, achieve the level of competency required by the faculty and meet the demands of total patient care. These skills include, but are not limited to, intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities.
2. Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
  - Accurate and efficient reading skills (English language).
  - Demonstrate ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize information.
  - Comprehend the spatial relationships of structures (e.g. three-dimensional relationships).
  - Demonstrate ability to acquire, retain, assimilate and apply large amounts of complex, technical and detailed information.
  - Demonstrate ability to synthesize and apply concepts and information from various disciplines in order to formulate diagnostic and therapeutic plans.
  - Demonstrate appropriate judgment in patient assessment, diagnosis, monitoring, evaluation and intervention, including planning, time management and use of resources.
Motor and Sensory Function
1. Demonstrate sufficient motor and sensory function to perform typical functions of physician assistants including, but not limited to, physical examinations, treatment interventions and general care of patients.
2. Indicators include, but are not limited to, the following examples:
  - Functional and sufficient sensory capacity (visual, auditory and tactile) to adequately perform a complete physical examination and elicit information gained from proper use of examination tools and maneuvers (inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation).
  - Execute fine and gross motor movements with sufficient coordination, postural control, equilibrium and hand-eye coordination to safely participate in laboratory sessions, use standard medical/surgical instruments, assess patients, provide patient care and participate in basic diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers and procedures.
  - Execute motor movements that demonstrate safety and efficiency in the various learning settings (i.e., classroom, laboratories and clinical settings, including appropriate negotiation of self and patients in various patient care environments).
  - Accurately discern and evaluate various components of the spoken voice (pitch, intensity and timbre), percussive notes and auscultatory findings.
  - Physical stamina sufficient to complete the rigorous course of didactic and clinical study, which may include prolonged periods of sitting, standing and/or rapid ambulation.
  - Coordination of motor skills necessary to respond to emergency situations quickly and appropriately.
Behavioral and Social Attributes
1. Demonstrate the behavioral and social attributes vital to participation in a professional program and service as a practicing professional physician assistant.
2. Indicators include, but are not limited to, the following examples:
  - Possess personal qualities that facilitate effective therapeutic interactions (e.g., compassion, empathy, integrity, honesty, benevolence, confidentiality).
  - Possess the emotional health required for full use of mental faculties (including judgment, orientation, affect and cognition).
  - Ability to establish rapport and develop mature and effective professional relationships with faculty, patients, the public and other members of the healthcare team.
  - Demonstrate impartial motives, attitudes and values in roles, functions and relationships. Communicate and care for, in a nonjudgmental way, persons who differ from oneself and one’s beliefs in a variety of ways, including but not limited to gender, age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, culture, creed, military status, sexual orientation and identity and religious or spiritual beliefs.
  - Ability to monitor and react appropriately to one’s own emotional needs and responses.
  - Display appropriate flexibility, adaptability, composure and emotional stability during periods of high stress or uncertainty associated with didactic and clinical encounters and environments.
  - Ability to accurately follow oral and written directions with prompt completion of all responsibilities in the classroom and clinical setting.
  - Compliance with standards, policies and practices set forth in the program handbook.