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Admissions Process

UPDATE 4.15.2013 - The EMU PA Program requires both a completed CASPA application and EMU PA Program Supplemental Application. Details are below:

Applications

The Eastern Michigan University PA Program requires a completed Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) Application and an EMU PA Program Supplemental Application. The EMU PA Program will not accept applications through any other means and does not accept the standard EMU Graduate School Application. For those wishing to apply to begin the PA program in May 2014, both a completed CASPA application and EMU PA Program Supplemental Application must be submitted between April 17, 2013 and September 1, 2013. Applications submitted outside of this time frame will not be considered.

CASPA - By September 1, all of the following must be received by CASPA: application must be completed and submitted, appropriate application fee paid to CASPA, two letters of recommendation must be received by CASPA and official transcripts for all colleges/universities attended must be received by CASPA.

EMU PA Program Supplemental Application - This takes the place of the standard EMU Graduate School Application and is designed to provide a shorter and more straightforward process for the applicant. Standard EMU Graduate School applications are not accepted. The EMU PA Program Supplemental Application must include all required information provided along with necessary details for all pre-admission courses (including those in process or planned). An application with incomplete information will not be considered. Once the online CASPA application is completed and an applicant designates the application to be sent to the Eastern Michigan University PA Program, a link will be provided to the online EMU PA Program Supplemental Application. Please note that the Eastern Michigan University Supplemental Application includes a fee of $35.00 payable by credit card. The EMU PA Program Supplemental Application may also be accessed here. The EMU PA Program Supplemental Application and fee must be completed and submitted by September 1. Each candidate should only submit the EMU PA Program Supplemental Application one time, including all relevant information demonstrating completion or appropriate plan to complete all pre-admission course requirements. Applications with incomplete information may be removed from consideration for admission.

During the summer of 2013, the EMU PA Program will review applications and select the most qualified candidates for on-campus interviews based on a program-specific evaluation rubric. Any applicant who does not clearly demonstrate attainment (or appropriate plan for attainment) of all EMU PA Program Pre-Admission Requirements via the CASPA and EMU PA Program Supplemental Application will not be considered for admission.

Upon notification from the EMU PA Program, applicants must provide official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended and GRE scores to EMU. The GRE will only send official score reports from the most recent five years. For GRE tests taken more than five years ago, individual/personal score reports or copies of official score reports may be accepted by the EMU PA Program. In the event that appropriate score reports are not or cannot be provided, the candidate will be deemed to have not met the GRE requirement and will not be considered for admission. Candidates will be contacted with specific directions on how and when to submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended and GRE scores to Eastern Michigan University.

Interviews

The admissions interviews will occur during the Fall 2013 semester. Successful completion of on-campus interviews is a requirement for admission. Only the most qualified applicants will be invited to campus for an interview with the EMU PA Program Admission Committee. We anticipate interviewing about 3 candidates for each spot in the entering class (about 60 interviews for a class of 20). The interview will be approximately one half-day in length and will consist of individual and group interviews. In addition to the interviews, candidates will be provided with more information about the EMU PA Program, updates about program development and tour the PA program facilities and the EMU campus.

Admission Decisions

Following the admissions interviews, the EMU PA Program Admission Committee will meet to choose the top candidates. The EMU PA Program plans to admit up to 20 candidates to enter the EMU PA Program in May 2014 (Class of 2016). Students will only be allowed to start the EMU PA Program once annually in May. Applicants who are not accepted into the EMU PA Program must repeat the entire admissions process if they wish to re-apply. The application and review process will repeat at roughly the same dates on an annual basis. For the Class of 2017 (entering in May 2015), up to 30 candidates will be admitted and for the Class of 2018 (entering in May 2016), up to 40 candidates will be admitted.

Evaluation Criteria

Candidates applying for admission into the EMU PA Program will be evaluated on a number of cognitive and non-cognitive measures, seeking to assemble a class of students who are well-rounded, work well with others and bring a wealth of varied life experiences. The specific areas that will be assessed include:

Academic Background

• GPA (the highest of: overall, completed graduate or last 60 semester credit hours)
• Science GPA (Biology/Zoology, Inorganic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Other Science and Physics)
• Additional health care and science-related courses
• GRE scores (the GRE score will have only a minimal impact on candidate evaluation and there is no minimum requirement).

Clinical Experience / Health Care Hours

• Type and amount of Clinical Experience / Health Care Hours

Personal Statement

• Grammar, punctuation and spelling
• Writing style / maturity
• Content related to the prompt

Life Experiences

• Overcoming challenges (economically and/or educationally/environmentally disadvantaged)
• Community service
• Leadership & awards
• Degree received from EMU (this will have only a minimal impact on candidate evaluation)

Reference Letters

• Two reference letters

On-campus Interview

• Individual interviews
• Group interview

Other

• Exceptionalities that warrant further consideration

Note: Due to the highly selective admissions process, not all applicants will be granted an interview. There is no advanced placement or advanced standing for anyone chosen to join the EMU PA Program.