Applicant Selection Factors

The NU School of PA Medicine admissions committee has adopted the use of an inclusive admissions framework that allows the admissions committee, faculty, and staff to capture the experiences, attributes, and metrics (EAMs) of qualified applicants. Although an applicant’s academic record is considered, strong academic performance alone does not ensure acceptance. Experiential factors are evaluated that help us examine beneficial attributes that focus on viewing each applicant holistically to garner a sense of who each applicant is and how they can contribute to the classroom, program, profession, and community at large.

In reviewing applications for interview selection and acceptance, many factors are evaluated. These factors include:

1. Academic Preparation
2. Patient Care Experience (PCE) – type and amount
3. Volunteerism – type and amount
4. Interview – MMIs
   1. EF Aptitude
   2. Professionalism
   3. Leadership positions held
   4. Knowledge of the PA profession
5. Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
   1. Service
   2. Leadership
   3. Faith Integration
6. Mission Alignment
   1. Service
   2. Leadership
   3. Faith Integration

Academics

Applicants will receive a weighted score on the following GPAs:

Science GPA, Prerequisite GPA, Last 60 hours GPA

• Applicants who demonstrate consistent academic success in prerequisite coursework, more so in their science coursework, and most particularly in their most recent 60 credit hours of coursework, will receive a higher GPA score and be more likely to be extended an interview. 
• For more information about scoring, visit our Admission Procedure page.

Patient Care Experience

The quality (type) of the PCE and number of hours are weighted during application evaluation.

• Minimum of 500 hours of qualifying PCE hours by deadline with a clear plan to complete 1,000 hours of qualifying PCE by August 1.
• A more competitive applicant will have completed 1,000 hours of qualifying patient care hours by the application deadline.
• Up to a maximum of 5,000 hours may be scored.
• For more information about scoring, visit our Admission Procedure page.

Qualifying PCE hours are direct hands-on paid positions with the exception of work as a paramedic or EMT when all emergency services are provided on an all-volunteer basis.

• Internships, clinical time as a student, shadowing, or volunteer experience do not meet this requirement.
• Additionally, PCE is not synonymous with Health Care Experience (HCE) as HCE is not limited to direct hands-on responsibility by CASPA definition.

PCE not listed below must be approved by the NU School of PA Medicine program prior to submitting the application in CASPA to ensure the experience will qualify. If the experience is not prior-approved, the application risks not meeting the minimum requirements for admission.

Applicants are encouraged to be detailed in their description of PCE listed in CASPA. Additionally, a CV/Resume needs to be included with the CASPA application listing the relevant PCE.

All PCE included in the application and the CV will be verified by the PA program and must include good contact information of a direct supervisor/HR representative.

Health care experience will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Type of PCE (position, decision making, supervision level, ability)
2. Total number of hours (paid or unpaid)
3. Specific duties performed and/or skills acquired

To assist you, we have compiled a Patient Care Experience Information Sheet with examples of types of positions to assist you with determining your potential scoring.

The following are approved lists of PCE:

Volunteerism and/or Community Service

To establish how well a candidate aligns with our program’s mission and goals, we will score their volunteer and/or community service hours as listed in their CASPA application.

There is no minimum volunteer or community service hours required to be considered for our program; however, an applicant must have at least 10 hours of volunteer or community service to be eligible for scoring in this category. A maximum of 500 total combined volunteer and/or community service hours of all values will be scored.

To assist you, we have compiled a Volunteerism Evaluation Chart to demonstrate how volunteerism hours will be assigned high, moderate, or low value as they align with our program mission and goals.

The quality of an applicant’s volunteerism experience will be weighted and assigned as high, moderate, or low quality. The hours in each of these designated categories will be multiplied by a predetermined modifier.

• High quality modifier = .002
• Moderate quality modifier = .0015
• Low quality modifier = .001

Interview (MMI)

The NU School of PA Medicine will utilize the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format to offer a more holistic evaluation of applicants beyond their academic achievements by providing a comprehensive view of the applicant’s suitability and program alignment.

Fairness and Objectivity: The MMI aims to minimize bias and subjectivity in the admissions process. Applicants will face the same set of scenarios and questions, ensuring a standardized evaluation process. Interviewers will assess applicants based on predetermined criteria and rubrics, promoting consistency and fairness. This approach reduces the influence of personal biases, leading to a more equitable assessment.

Assessment of Executive Functions (EFs): The MMI stations will focus on an applicant’s EFs which includes the evaluation of metacognitive, analytical, and relational skills.

Adaptability and Real-World Relevance: Applicants will be assessed and scored on real-life scenarios to demonstrate EF aptitude. The infographic lists examples of the EFs (meta-cognitive, relational, and analytical skills) which will be evaluated and scored within various stations. Applicants must adapt quickly, think on their feet, and respond appropriately to challenging or unexpected situations.

Assessment of Ethical and Moral Reasoning: The MMIs include scenarios that test an applicant's ethical and moral judgment. By evaluating how candidates approach ethical dilemmas who demonstrate a strong moral compass and a thoughtful approach to complex issues.

Additional Attributes Evaluated

Professionalism: Applicants will be evaluated during the ENTIRE interview process and are expected to conduct a respectful manner that is courteous to other PA applicants, students, faculty, and staff. Applicants are encouraged to seek input from advisors and counselors regarding various practices and principles of professional behavior, demeanor, and professional attire.

Leadership: Applicants will be evaluated based on leadership demonstrated in roles and positions of leadership held. Physician Assistants assume leadership roles in the health care setting and within the clinical team; as such, applicants should include in the Leadership section of the CASPA application evidence to support leadership experience. Please include the following information on the application:

• Hours of service.
• Job title and duties.
• Name of the organization.
• Contact information for verification.

Knowledge of the PA Profession: Applicants considering a career as a PA must demonstrate knowledge of the profession. The applicant must be knowledgeable enough to discuss various topics and issues related to the PA profession to determine a high-level understanding of a Physician Assistant.

For more information about scoring, visit our Admission Procedure page.

Letters of Recommendation (LOR)

Letters of Recommendation will be read prior to interviews.

Only three letters (submitted by CASPA) will be reviewed. If more than three letters are submitted, you must indicate in the Questions section of our CASPA page, which three you want the admissions committee to review. If no indication is provided, the committee will choose the first three from the CASPA list.

The following types of references are encouraged, but not required:

• Professor, Supervisor, Physician Assistant, Healthcare Provider (APRN, MD, DO).

Letters from friends and family will not be accepted.

Mission Alignment

Applicants will be evaluated on their volunteer or community service experiences as recorded in their CASPA application that align with the mission of the program. Applicants should review and consider the various activities that would align with the mission of the program and the university and include them in the Volunteer/ Community Enrichment section of the CASPA application. Please include the following information:

• Hours of service.

• Job title and duties.

• Name of organization.

• Contact information for verification.