Selection Criteria & Procedures

Criteria

Selection for the PA Program is based on a variety of criteria including the applicant's overall strength relative to the applicant pool. The Admission Committee, made up of all full-time PA Program faculty, assesses a combination of academic background, type and amount of previous clinical experience, community service experience, knowledge of the physician assistant’s role in health care, and personal and professional qualities including knowledge of and sensitivity to multicultural issues relevant to the organization and distribution of medical care services. Applicants are also expected to have a realistic plan for managing the financial requirements of the Program (including tuition and living expenses).

Procedures

1. CASPA information is screened for completeness (i.e., to determine if the application has been filled out properly and submitted/postmarked no later than the December 1, 2008 deadline). Please note: the PA program highly recommends submitting the CASPA application by October 1, 2008. CASPA notifies the PA Program regarding the date the application and supporting documents are postmarked and provides the Program with a summary of applicant data.
2. Applicants are required to submit the USC PA Program Supplemental Application. The Supplemental Application can be obtained by clicking on the "Application Form" link on this website. Please note: the PA program highly recommends submitting the Supplemental Application by October 1, 2008 and no later than December 1, 2008. It is the responsibility of applicants to submit the Supplemental Application. To be considered for an interview, applicants must submit the Supplemental Application.
3. Applications that have met these criteria are evaluated to determine eligibility for admission (i.e., if a Bachelor's degree has been granted and all PA prerequisites completed by the deadline).
4. Applicants are rated on the following factors: Cumulative grade point average, science prerequisite grade point average, paid clinical experience, community/volunteer service, related health care experience, CASPA/ Supplemental essays, GRE/MCAT scores, and the three letters of recommendation.
5. A select portion of the applicants are invited to interview with Program faculty, alumni and PA students. Interviewees are required to submit a (non-returnable) passport-size photo I.D.
6. The PA Faculty Admission Committee reviews the files of all interviewed applicants and selects the incoming class.
7. Initially, please complete only the CASPA report and the Supplemental Application. The USC PA Program does utilize the USC Online Graduate School Application. However, only admitted candidates need to complete that application. Instructions will be given at the time of admission.
   

Applicants are notified by email of their status as the PA Admission Office and the Faculty Admission Committee progress through the selection procedures. Travel costs related to the interview are the responsibility of the candidates. The class is selected on a rolling basis from late Fall through early Spring. Applicants offered admission must accept a seat by submitting a formal reply and deposit, usually within 2-3 weeks of the offer. Those who accept a position will be required to submit official transcripts to the USC Graduate Admissions Office prior to enrollment. Classes begin in mid- to late- August for those who accept the Program's offer to be a part of the graduating Class of 2012 (Fall 2009 entry).