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Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us at paadmit@dmu.edu.
How do I contact Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)?
Phone: (617) 612-2080, E-mail: Caspainfo@caspaonline.org, Web site: http://www.caspaonline.org
What component of the application is most heavily weighed upon evaluation?
All components of the application are weighed equally. We look at the cumulative and science GPAs, age of academic experience (the most competitive applicants have completed the science prerequisites within the past five years), amount and type of hands-on patient care experience, letters of recommendation, and the personal statement.
What types of health care experience are acceptable to fulfill your prerequisite?
Any experience in which you participate in, or observe, the hands-on care of sick people will count toward our requirement. Some students have backgrounds in such areas as nursing, nursing assistant, medical assistant, EMT, paramedic, PA shadowing, and volunteer experiences.
I don't have the prerequisite courses completed yet. Can I still apply?
Yes! As long as you have a plan to complete the prerequisite courses by the time classes start, you are eligible to apply right away. Remember that it is important to apply early in the cycle because of our rolling admissions policy.
Do you accept transfer credits or allow advanced standing?
No. We do not accept transfer credits or experiential learning credits for the Physician Assistant Program. CLEP credit, AP credit and Pass/Fail credit cannot be counted toward prerequisite coursework either. We do not allow for advanced standing, regardless of previous graduate work in healthcare. All incoming students must complete the entire PA curriculum.
Can I work while I am in the PA program?
Our faculty recommend students do not work during the PA program. The curriculum is very demading in the first year and does not allow extra time for employment. In the secod year, you will be in full-time clinical rotations in various locations, making employment impractical.
Can I work and attend PA school at the same time?
It is not recommended that you be employed and attend the PA Program at the same time. The time commitment for attending the PA Program is too great.
Where are the clinical sites during the second year?
In the past, we have had hundreds of sites located all across the country. Students can expect to do clinical rotations in Des Moines, rural Iowa and in surrounding states. Of course, it is difficult to foresee exact future rotation sites availability.
Is housing provided for students at all clinical sites?
Some housing is provided for students free of charge, but in most cases, students will be responsible for finding and securing housing at clinical sites. Students are encouraged to budget for this expense when planning for their clinical rotations.
Will I have input to where my clinical rotations will be?
The clinical coordinators meet with each student to discuss site preferences. The clinical coordinators will take those requests into consideration when planning the clinical year. However, due to increasing demand and competition for clinical rotation sites, no guarantees can be made that requests will be fulfilled.
How do I find out more about your PA Program?
Schedule a campus visit. We will take you on a campus tour and have you meet with current students. Our Admission Coordinator will be available to meet with you individually to review transcripts or assist with your academic planning.
You may also contact us by phone at 515-271-7875 or 800-240-2767 ext. 7875 or by e-mail paadmit@dmu.edu.
