Physician Assistant Program

600 S. Paulina Street, Suite 746 AAC

Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 563-3234
Email: pa_admissions@rush.edu
Web: www.rushu.rush.edu/pa-program

Physician Assistant Program FAQs

2016 2017 Admissions Cycle
General Questions About the Physician Assistant Profession
1. What is a physician assistant (PA)? PAs, as defined by the American Academy of Physician Assistants
(AAPA), are licensed health professionals who practice medicine as members of a team with physicians and
other health care providers. PAs deliver a broad range of medical and surgical services to diverse populations
in various types of clinical settings. For more information about the PA profession, go to www.aapa.org.
2. What are some typical PA responsibilities? The scope of a PAs responsibilities varies according to his/her
employment setting. Generally, a PA has a set of comprehensive patient care responsibilities including, but
not limited to: conducting physical exams, diagnosing and treating illnesses, ordering and interpreting
diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, counseling patients on preventive health care, performing diagnostic
and therapeutic procedures, and assisting in various types of surgery. PAs work collaboratively as an integral
member of the health care team in the care of patients.
3. Do you need board certification to practice as a PA? Yes. After successfully completing an accredited PA
program, all graduates must take a comprehensive exam provided by the National Commission on
Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Once a PA passes the PA National Certifying Exam
(PANCE), they may apply for licensure, according to individual state guidelines. For specific questions
regarding the board exam, visit: www.NCCPA.net. For more information about PA licensing requirement
and state regulations, visit: https://www.aapa.org/career/state-licensing-requirements/.
4. Can PAs prescribe medications? As of 2008, all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Guam,
allow physician assistants to legally write prescriptions for patients. Contact an individual states licensing
board for more information about their specific PA prescription laws.
5. Can PAs perform surgery? PAs can perform a variety of minor surgical procedures. These procedures
vary depending on what is delegated to the PA. In the operating room, a PA can provide care up to the level
of a first assistant for a licensed surgeon. The PA can also play in integral role both the preoperative
evaluation and the postoperative care of the surgical patient.
6. How many PAs work in the United States? According to the NCCPA, as of 2013, approximately 96,000
PAs have been certified to practice in the U. S..
7. Whats the average PA salary? According to the 2015 AAPA Physician Assistant Census Survey, the
median national salary for all PAs is $94,000. The median salary for a new graduate with less than one-year
experience is $86,500. For more information on PA salaries please refer to www.aapa.org
8. Where can I work once I am a PA? PAs can work in a variety of settings including but not limited to:
hospitals, clinics, operating rooms and the outpatient setting.

Physician Assistant Program

600 S. Paulina Street, Suite 746 AAC
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 563-3234
Email: pa_admissions@rush.edu
Web: www.rushu.rush.edu/pa-program

Applying to the Rush University PA Program

1. What is the minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement? A minimum Total GPA and Science
GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, each is required for admissions consideration.
2. What GPA is considered competitive for admission to the PA Program? Having a total and science GPA
greater than 3.3, each, is considered competitive for admission to the program. Having a total and science
GPA greater than 3.5, each, is considered highly competitive for admission to the program.
3. Do I have to take the GRE or the MCAT? All candidates must take the GRE in order to be eligible for
admissions consideration. We do not waive the GRE requirement for any candidate regardless of prior
education or professional experience. The GRE must be taken within five years of submitting your
application. We do not accept MCAT or other examination scores in lieu of GRE scores.
4. What minimum GRE score do I need for admission to the PA program? A minimal combined Verbal
and Quantitative score of 1,000, or 302 in the new scoring system is required for interview and admission
consideration. Having Verbal scores around 460, or 151 in the new scoring system, and Quantitative scores
around 630, or 151 in the new scoring system are considered minimally competitive.
The GRE score must be attained at a single seating of the exam; we will not batch or accept partial scores if
you take the GRE more than once.
5. What GRE score is considered competitive for admission to the PA Program? A combined score of
1,200, or 309 in the new scoring system is considered competitive for admission to the program. This
roughly correlates to Verbal scores above 500, or 154 in the new system and Quantitative scores of 700, or
155 in the new system. Scores above 1,290, or 314 in the new scoring system is considered highly
competitive for admission to the program. This roughly correlates to Verbal scores above 560, or 156 in the
new system and Quantitative scores of 730, or 156 in the new system.
6. How do I apply to the PA program? The initial application process is completed through the online
Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). The primary materials required for
application to the PA program will be forwarded to Rush University via CASPA. Go to
https://portal.caspaonline.org/ to begin the application process.
7. When can I start applying to the PA program? We start accepting applications from April 27th. You can
go to CASPA (https://caspaonline.org) to submit your application anytime after April 27th.
8. What is the application deadline? Submission of the CASPA application materials close on October 22nd of
each year. The deadline for providing all other application materials is December 22nd of each year.
9. What does a rolling admissions process mean? We admit students to the class on a rolling admissions
basis. Rolling admissions means that we offer seats in the class to successful candidates, and notify them of
our admissions decision, after each at each interview session. Once the seats in the class are full, remaining
interviews are for seats on a wait list. In a rolling admissions process, the class can fill before the end of the
application cycle. In order to be maximally competitive in a rolling admissions process, it is to the applicants
advantage to submit all completed application components as early as possible.
10. Do you accept online course work? Yes. Courses can be taken at any regionally accredited 2- and 4- year
college or university of higher education in the US, including online courses offered through such programs.
We cannot accept course work taken through non-degree granting programs. Courses taken at a nationally
accredited institution are evaluated for admissions eligibility on a case-by-case basis.

Physician Assistant Program

600 S. Paulina Street, Suite 746 AAC
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 563-3234
Email: pa_admissions@rush.edu
Web: www.rushu.rush.edu/pa-program

Applying to the Rush University PA Program

11. What if I attended a degree program outside of the U.S.? All degrees obtained at a program outside of the
U.S. must be evaluated by an independent agency for course equivalence. The two agencies accepted by our
program are: Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) and World Education Services (WES).
12. Do I need to take the TOEFL? If English is not your native language, you are required to take the TOEFL
before submitting an application to the program. Please review the CHS policy on the TOEFL, at:
www.rushu.rush.edu/pa-program, for information regarding this College standard.
13. Can I apply even if I have not finished all of the required prerequisites? The program does accept
applications with up to two prerequisite courses in progress. You must have four of the six prerequisite
courses completed at the time of application in order to be eligible for review.
Note: If you have only taken one of a 2-course sequence Human Anatomy/Human Physiology course to fulfill
prerequisite requirements, you are missing both human anatomy and human physiology courses.
All course work must be completed by the time the program starts, with a minimum final grade of a C or
higher. Students who are accepted into the program but are unsuccessful in completing the prerequisites prior
to matriculation will lose their seat in the class.
14. Can I apply if I have not yet completed my undergraduate degree? You can begin to apply in your senior
year of college, provided that you successfully graduate by the time of the PA programs in June start date.
You must have obtained your Bachelors degree prior to matriculation into the program..
15. Are there any additional materials that need to be submitted to Rush University for interview
consideration? Yes. You must have your GRE scores send directly to Rush University in order to complete
your application file. The PA Program has a unique GRE submission code from ETS. The PA Program
GRE code is 0962.
16. Does Rush require a supplemental application in addition to the CASPA application? Yes. A
supplemental application is required only if you are offered an admissions interview. Information regarding
the supplemental application and fee ($40, payable online by credit card) is made available only if you receive
an offer to interview at the program.
17. Who should I ask to write my letters of recommendation? We suggest that recommendation letters be
written by professionals you have worked with who can speak to your medical and academic performance
potential, and to your commitment to service, leadership, diversity, working with underserved populations.
At least one of the letters should be from an MD, PA, or other health professional, and one should be from a
college or university instructor. Personal references from family and friends are not competitive for
admission to the program.

Physician Assistant Program

600 S. Paulina Street, Suite 746 AAC
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 563-3234
Email: pa_admissions@rush.edu
Web: www.rushu.rush.edu/pa-program

Applying to the Rush University PA Program

18. How do I know if the courses I took meet the programs prerequisite criteria? If the title of the
prerequisite course you took is the same as listed on our requirements, it should be fine.
We do not make any course acceptance determinations without a CASPA application on file. If we have any
questions regarding a courses eligibility to meet our requirements, we will contact you after reviewing your
completed CASPA application.
If we do contact you regarding your prerequisite coursework, we ask you to provide us with a copy of the
official course syllabus, course catalog description, and a copy of the lecture topic outline. It is a good idea to
keep all undergraduate course materials prior to applying to PA school.
19. What are some guidelines regarding acceptable prerequisite course content? Here is a list of the
minimal expected content for the programs prerequisite courses. If the course you took/are considering
include these topics, it should be acceptable:

Human Anatomy covers the structure and function of the major human body organ systems, including
the musculoskeletal, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, endocrine and reproductive
systems.
Human Physiology discusses basic biochemical principles, such as cytology, histology, immunology,
and the function and interaction of the major organ systems of the human body.
Biochemistry discusses the relation of molecular structures to the processes found in living organisms
such as kinetics, enzymatic reactions, metabolic pathway functions, and the genetic code. Includes the
structure of amino acids, nucleotides, lipids, and sugars, and their corresponding macromolecular
structures, such as proteins, nucleic acids, cell membranes, and polysaccharides.
Microbiology covers the biology of microorganisms - bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses - that
impact human health. Content covers the metabolism, genetics, identification, control, physiology, host
defense, and the relationship of microorganisms to health and disease.
Psychology/Behavioral Sciences covers the major principles of behavioral science, including factors
influencing behavior, personality, and mental processes, and the science of psychological investigation.
A wide range of courses that studies the human mind and/or the psychosocial dynamic may be accepted
towards meeting this course requirement.
Statistics discusses statistical reasoning and methodologies. Content should include methods for data
analysis, correlation and regression, sampling and experimental design, basic probability theory, normal
and binomial distributions, hypothesis testing, and confidence intervals for means, proportions, and
regression parameters. A wide range of courses that discusses statistical methodologies are acceptable
towards meeting this course requirement.

20. Do you accept substitutions for the prerequisite courses? In general, no. For example, we do not accept
vertebrate or mammalian anatomy or physiology as a substitute for a human-system based course. We also
do not accept combined organic and biochemistry courses, you must take one course of each. Nor do we
accept molecular biology for biochemistry.
We do recognize that there may be a wide variety of names for courses among undergraduate programs and
we will consider the eligibility of a course once we have a completed CASPA application on file for the
candidate.

Physician Assistant Program

600 S. Paulina Street, Suite 746 AAC
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 563-3234
Email: pa_admissions@rush.edu
Web: www.rushu.rush.edu/pa-program

Applying to the Rush University PA Program

21. Will you pre-screen my qualifications for admissions eligibility? Unfortunately, we do not have the
resources to offer individualized pre-admissions counseling. We also cannot make any definitive eligibility
decisions without an official CASPA record on file for the applicant.
Candidates should review all our application information carefully to determine their admissions eligibility
before applying to the program.
22. Do you accept AP or CLEP credits towards fulfilling the prerequisite courses? No. We do not accept
any advance placement courses towards meeting any of the prerequisite requirements.
23. Do you have prerequisite course currency requirements? Yes. All prerequisites should be taken within
seven years prior to applying to the program. The following courses must be taken within seven years of
your planned matriculation date into the program: human anatomy, human physiology, biochemistry,
and microbiology.
Applicants to the 2016-2017 admission cycle should have prerequisite courses taken in 2010 and later.
24. How many hours of health care experience (HCE) do I need to apply? A minimum of 1,000 hours of
hands-on, direct patient contact HCE is required for admissions consideration. This minimum must be
completed at the time of application submission.
25. How many HCE is considered competitive for admission to the program? Having greater than 1,500
HCE hours is considered competitive for admissions. Having greater than 2,500 hours of direct patient
contact HCE is considered highly competitive towards admission to the program.
Your application should clearly and succinctly describe your HCE. Provide concise details regarding the
nature of your health care experience, your roles and responsibilities, and your interactions with PAs and
MDs in the health care setting. Clearly documenting your experience helps the admissions committee
understand your accomplishments and level of preparedness for PA school.
26. Are there any other factors to consider when I look for health care experience? Yes, here are some
additional factors to consider regarding the health care experience requirement:
The experience should entail working with or shadowing PAs and MDs in a health care setting as much as
possible.
You need to have current health care experience within seven years prior to application to the program,
from 2010 and later. Only having health care hours accrued before 2010 are not considered competitive
towards admissions.
Health care hours attained while in a clinical training program for example, patient contact hours during
nursing or medical school do not count towards the requirement
27. Is working with or shadowing PAs required for admission? It is strongly recommended that you
document either working with or shadowing a PA. Working with or shadowing PAs will give you an
understanding of the role PAs on the health care team It is to your advantage to have work or shadowing
experience with PAs prior to applying to PA school. The more PA contact experience hours you have, the
more competitive your application file.

Physician Assistant Program

600 S. Paulina Street, Suite 746 AAC
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 563-3234
Email: pa_admissions@rush.edu
Web: www.rushu.rush.edu/pa-program

Applying to the Rush University PA Program

28. Does the PA program offer applicants assistance in finding clinical work or shadowing experience? No.
We cannot offer assistance to candidates looking for clinical experience.
29. Are there resources to help me find patient contact work or PA shadowing experience? Maybe. There
are many factors involved in finding PA shadowing experience, such as your personal history, your
professional qualifications, your schedule, etc. While no referral resource exists to find clinical work or PA
shadowing, the IL Academy of Physician Assistants (IAPA) may be able to help you find PAs in the state
who are willing to help PA candidates. Contact the IAPA at: www.illinoispa.org/ for more information.
30. Once I submit all of my application materials, how long before I hear if I will receive an interview? It
can take six to eight weeks after receipt of your application and GRE scores to be notified of your interview
status at the University.
31. How many students are accepted to the PA Program each year? Our class size is 30 students.
32. Who can I contact to see if all of my application materials have been received? Contact the PA program
at pa_admissions@rush.edu with any questions regarding your application.
33. Do you give preference to Illinois residents? No. Rush University is a private institution and residency
status is not a factor of consideration in admission decisions or tuition costs.
34. Can I send my application materials directly to the program? No. All application materials must be
submitted directly through CASPA. Contact CASPA at https://portal.caspaonline.org/ with questions
regarding their application process.
35. What is the profile of the typical successful applicant to the Rush University Physician Assistant
Program? Based on the demographics for the Class of 2018: the median Total GPA was 3.58 and the
median Science GPA was 3.54; the median total GRE score was 1090/308; the median number of health care
experience hours was 2,204. The majority students in the program are from the Midwest region, with
members of the classes from the following states: Michigan, California, New York, Florida, and Iowa.

About The Rush University PA Program

1. What is the PA Programs Mission? The mission of the Rush University Physician Assistant Program is to
train qualified general and advanced practice physician assistants to practice medicine with competence,
professionalism, and compassion driven by academic excellence in scholarship, research, and a spirit of
service to the community.
2. Is the PA program Accredited by the ARC-PA? The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for
the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Physician Assistant
Program sponsored by Rush University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a
currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until
accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next
validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2021. The review date is contingent upon
continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.

Physician Assistant Program

600 S. Paulina Street, Suite 746 AAC
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 563-3234
Email: pa_admissions@rush.edu
Web: www.rushu.rush.edu/pa-program

About The Rush University PA Program

3. How many months is Rushs PA program? Our innovative curriculum is currently 33-months long. We
plan to transition to a 30-month long curriculum in the 2017-2018 academic year, pending approval from the
IBHE and the ARC-PA (See Announcement Rush University Calendar System Change for more
information).
The program utilizes the extensive resources available at Rush University to provide our students with an
excellent training experience. The 12-month didactic phase includes lecture, lab, and small group discussion
to prepare students for clinical rotations. The unique, 18-month clinical training portion of the program
prepares students to practice as primary care providers, while providing a one of a kind immersion experience
in a advanced PA clinical practice.
4. What is the purpose of the third year clinical rotations? The third year rotations are an opportunity for
students to refine their patient care skills through an intense rotation experience. The additional six-months of
advanced rotations gives students more patient management experience, and enhances their clinical
knowledge and confidence prior to graduation. It is the advance practice rotations that sets the Rush
University PA Program apart from others.
5. Will I be taking classes with other students at Rush? Yes. As part of the core curriculum, you will be
taking a number of classes with a variety of other students from the College of Health Sciences. The majority
of classes in the didactic curriculum are dedicated to the PA programs students.
6. Will I be on rotation with students from other programs? Yes. During clinical rotations, you will
function as a member of a health care team, and in many rotations you will be working along side students
and other trainees from a number of disciplines, such as medicine, nursing, as well as students from other
training institutions.
7. Where are clinical rotation sites located? We offer our students a wide variety of experiences in various
types of clinical settings, including hospitals, small and medium size clinics, and private offices.
All students are required to do a portion of their rotations outside of Rush. We consider a 90-mile drive from
our campus to be local rotation area.
8. What is the estimated cost of the program? Please refer to the Estimate of Program Cost information
contained in this packet, as well as the Rush University website for program costs.
9. How do I apply for financial aid? Please visit: http://www.rushu.rush.edu/finaid/ for further information
regarding financial aid.
10. Are there scholarships available for the Physician Assistant program? Rush University and the College
of Health Sciences offers limited scholarship awards on a competitive basis to students in the Physician
Assistant program. Criteria for awards include factors such as undergraduate academic performance,
scholarly activity, veteran status, and being from an underrepresented minority group in health care. The
College of Health Sciences awarded approximately $171,000 in scholarships to PA students in 2015.
For more information regarding scholarships, contact the College of Health Sciences Admissions Office at
chs_admissions@rush.edu. Additionally, there are several financial aid options available for students in the
program. For more information, contact the Office of Financial Affairs at: financial_affairs@rush.edu or
(312) 942-6584.

Physician Assistant Program

600 S. Paulina Street, Suite 746 AAC
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 563-3234
Email: pa_admissions@rush.edu
Web: www.rushu.rush.edu/pa-program

About The Rush University PA Program

11. Can I work while completing the PA program? No. The PA program is an intensive, full-time curriculum.
The rigorous class and study schedule needed to succeed in the program makes working at an outside job
impossible at any time during the program. For this reason, students in the program also cannot participate in
any student work-study programs.
12. Can I attend the Rush PA Program on a part-time basis? No. We do not offer a part-time or decelerated
curriculum.
13. Does Rush offer a Bachelor's degree in Physician Assistant? No. Rush Universitys program is an entrylevel Masters program. You must have a bachelors degree prior to matriculation into the program.
14. Does Rush University have student housing? The university does not have on campus housing, however
there are a number of local housing options available in the area. For more information, contact the Office of
Student Life and Engagement at (312) 942-6302 or visit the Rush University website.
15. Do you accept transfer students? Do you offer advanced standing to students based on prior
educational or professional experience? No. The PA program curriculum must be completed in its entirety
at Rush. We do not offer advanced standing or transfer credits into the program, regardless of prior
educational or work experience.
16. How often do classes begin? We admit one class of students each year. Classes will start in June of each
year and new students cannot enroll in the program once the class has started.
17. What are your programs NCCPA board exam pass rates? We have a 100% first time pass rate on the
NCCPA board exam in our first three graduating classes. Click on this link to see a summary of our NCCPA
pass rate performance to date: Rush PA Program Board Scores.
18. Are your graduates employed? All graduates from the first three classes secured employment as a PA
within 6 months of graduation. 30% of our graduates are currently employed at Rush.
19. Who do I speak to if I have more questions? We are happy to talk with you anytime if reviewing our
website does not answer your questions. You can call us at 312-563-3234 or email us at
pa_admissions@rush.edu. If you have questions regarding Rush University and its general policies and
procedures, you may call the College of Health Sciences Admissions Office at: 312-563-6626.

Thank You for Your Interest in the Rush University PA Program