Criteria for Interview/Acceptance
GPAs
Although the School does not set a firm minimum acceptable GPA, nevertheless as the applicant pool grows more and more competitive we are finding that the most qualified applicants have demonstrated consistently high GPAs and rarely fall below a 3.0 cumulative GPA as well as a 3.0 science GPA. In rare cases where an applicant’s GPA falls below 3.0 but the applicant otherwise appears to be a sound candidate for interview, the Admissions Committee carefully evaluates other criteria (see below) to determine the eligibility of an applicant for interview.
GRE
In screening applications for interview, the Admissions Committee looks carefully at an applicant’s scores on the GRE. In most cases an applicant is not invited for interview if his/her GRE total score on the verbal and quantitative sections falls below 1000. However, as is the case with GPAs explained above, in rare cases where an applicant’s GRE score is lower than 1000 but the applicant otherwise appears to be a sound candidate for interview, the committee carefully evaluates other criteria (see below) to determine eligibility for interview.
Transcript Patterns
Applicants’ transcripts are carefully reviewed by the Admissions Committee in order to identify patterns or trends in academic history and performance that may need to be addressed.
Academic Performance and Difficulty of Courses
Transcripts demonstrating consistency in academic performance and ability to carry a full course load of substantial content will be heavily weighed by the Admissions Committee.
“Survey” or “Introductory” courses, particularly in chemistry, are seldom equivalent to the intensive prerequisite courses accepted by the Admissions Committee.
Age of Prerequisite Courses
Because of the rapid evolution of the basic sciences, preference will be given to applicants who have completed their preprofessional prerequisite courses during the five years immediately before applying to the School of Physician Assistant Studies.
CLEP or Advanced Placement Courses
CLEP examination or advanced placement credit may not be used to meet any of the School’s requirements. Experiential learning is also not an acceptable substitute for prerequisite requirements.
Patient Care Experience
See “Patient Care Experience” under School Requirements above
http://pap.med.ufl.edu/admissions/patient-care-experiencepatient-care-experience/
References
Applicants should be especially careful in selecting three individuals to write references for the CASPA application. PROFESSIONAL references are recommended by the Admissions Committee. The School recommends at least one reference from a physician who has supervised the applicant in a clinical setting, one reference from a PA who is familiar with the applicant’s clinical work, and one reference from another health professional who has worked alongside the applicant and/or is familiar with the applicant’s clinical skills. In order to be considered “familiar with an applicant’s clinical skills,” the reference should have worked with the applicant for a minimum of six months.
References written by academic instructors and advisors will not carry as much weight as references provided by professionals who are familiar with the applicant’s clinical skills.
The School does not want references written by relatives, personal friends, or friends of the applicant’s family. “Character references” (from pastors, teachers, counselors, family doctors, etc.) are also not acceptable.
Applicants are discouraged from sending more than three references unless requested to do so. In most cases, the items required for the CASPA application provide sufficient information for the Admissions Committee to conduct a thorough review of an application. However, if the Admissions Committee determines that additional references or other materials are needed, the School will contact the applicant to request specific materials.
Communication Skills
Applicants’ written and oral communication skills are evaluated by the Admissions Commission and interviewers. The Narrative Statement found on the CASPA application, along with a 20-minute writing exercise required during the interview visit, provides the School with samples of an applicant’s written communication skills. Oral communication skills are evaluated during the actual interview process. Applicants must excel in both types of communication in order to be eligible for admission to the School.
Interview Evaluation
In addition to the above criteria, an applicant will be evaluated on the overall picture s/he presents to the Admissions Committee. Factors (in addition to those named above) that interviewers consider in arriving at a final decision about admissibility of an applicant include poise, maturity, understanding of the PA role on the health team, motivation for the PA profession, and perceived potential to be an effective practicing PA.
