Admissions Requirements and Procedures

Admission to the Elon PA program is highly competitive. Each application is evaluated on its own merits. Admission decisions are based on all academic work (including overall GPA and science GPA), GRE scores, letters of recommendation, interview scores, patient care experience, demonstrated service and leadership ability. Motivation, maturity, interpersonal skills, knowledge of the PA profession and the health care system and the mission of the Elon PA program are also considered.

The Elon PA program participates in the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). All applicants will apply online using the CASPA application. To apply, visit caspa.liaisoncas.com.

Minimum admission requirements

• Each applicant must complete a bachelor’s degree in the United States from a regionally accredited college or university. International degrees that have been evaluated as United States equivalent will not fulfill this requirement. All prerequisites must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university.
• Minimum GPA of 3.2 for undergraduate work.
• Minimum Overall Science GPA of 3.0 for undergraduate work.
• Completion of prerequisite courses:
• Human Anatomy with Laboratory - 4 semester hours
• Human Physiology - 3 semester hours
• General Chemistry with Laboratory - 4 semester hours
• Additional Chemistry course with Laboratory – 4 semester hours
• Microbiology - 3 semester hours
• Additional Upper Level Science Course: one semester (a minimum of 3 semester hours) of upper level courses focused on deepening an understanding of human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. Examples include, but are not limited, to biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, exercise physiology, genetics, immunology, and organic chemistry.
• Additional Upper Level Courses: two semesters (a minimum of 6 semester hours) of upper level courses focused on deepening an understanding of the human condition. Examples include but are not limited to courses taken within the disciplines of anthropology, ethics, psychology, public health, sociology or religion.

Notes on Prerequisite Courses

• Five of the six required science courses must be completed at the time of application.
• Grades of ‘C’ or better are required in each prerequisite course
• No prerequisite course may be taken on a pass/no pass or credit/no credit basis.
• Each science prerequisite course must have been successfully completed within 10 years prior to January enrollment. Non-science prerequisite courses do not have a time limit.

Official graduate record examinations (GRE) scores taken within the last five years.

• Preference will be given to candidates who score above 297 on the revised GRE for a composite verbal and quantitative score.

Note: We accept the prior GRE General Test as well as the revised GRE General Test. Visit ets.org/gre for additional information about the revised scoring scale. Elon’s CASPA code is 0398.

Minimum of 250 hours volunteer or work experience in a health care setting with at least 20 of these hours spent working with or observing a physician assistant (may be in progress).

• Preference will be given to candidates who have direct patient care experiences that required a prior period of training based on the length/rigor of the required training. In addition, preference will be given to candidates who have completed greater numbers of health care experience hours.

Three Letters of Recommendation

Three recommendation letters are required, including one from a Physician Assistant or other healthcare provider; and two others. The admission committee has no preference of the two “other” recommendation letters and will accept two from the same category (such as 2 professors). Acceptable references include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following list:

• Physician Assistant or Healthcare provider (required).
• Other (choose 2): PA, health care provider (physician, NP, PT, ATC, etc.), supervisor during healthcare hours, professional supervisor, professor from any subject, academic or research adviser, coach.

Must be able to meet the Essential Function Requirements of Physician Assistant Studies at Elon University, which are detailed on our website.

A satisfactory national background check, at the student’s expense, is required prior to matriculation.