OHIO’s Physician Assistant Program’s Admissions Committee reviews each applicant’s experiences, attributes, and metrics as related to the Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession and New PA Graduates as defined by PAEA :
- Knowledge for practice
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Patient-centered care
- Interprofessional collaboration
- Professionalism and ethics
- Practice-based learning and quality improvement
- Systems-based learning
- Society and population health
The Admissions Committee determines whether the applicant will be granted a secondary application, interview, and ultimately acceptance to OHIO’s PA Program. Committee members perform a holistic assessment of each applicant that includes but is not limited to the following experiences, attributes, and metrics (in no particular order of importance):
Attributes
- Motivation for a medical career
- Intellectual curiosity
- Communication skills, including listening and empathy
- Languages spoken, particularly by underserved patient populations
- Critical thinking skills including problem-solving
- Professional responsibility and accountability
- Professional appearance
- Values and ethical beliefs
- Self-assessment and improvement skills
- Altruism and compassion
- Appreciation for diverse perspectives and patient populations
- Ability to work in inter-professional teams
- Honesty and integrity
- Resilience
- Geographic origin (Appalachia, urban, rural, or medically underserved area)
- Military (active duty or retired)
- Ohio University graduate
Metrics
- Undergraduate GPAs (CUM and Math / Science) and course load
- Most recent GRE scores
- Verified healthcare / patient care hours
- Environmental / Socioeconomic indicators as reported in the CASPA application