ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

Below you will find the following information regarding the application process for the Master of Physician Assistant Program at EVMS:

• ADMISSION UPDATES & INFORMATION
• Application Process
• Application Timeline and Important Dates
• Application Checklist
• Admission Requirements
  • GPA
  • Citizenship/Residency
  • Degree Prerequisite
  • Prerequisite Coursework
  • Healthcare Experience
  • Technical Standards
  • Health Requirements
  • PA Shadowing
• After the Application
• Important Phone Numbers

ADMISSION UPDATES & INFORMATION

MPA INFORMATION SESSIONS

The EVMS MPA program will host several opportunities for prospective and current applicants to directly interact with the program. For more information or to RSVP, please call 757-446-7158.

MPA Information Session

These sessions will be held on campus and include a brief presentation, Q&A session, and tour the campus facilities. Both faculty and current students will be available for questions.

Upcoming Info Sessions:

• • Fall 2012
  • Winter 2013

MPA Admissions Webinar

The Director of Admissions for the MPA Program will host online webinars for those unavailable to attend on campus or who have further questions about the admissions process for the MPA Program at EVMS.

Upcoming Webinar Session:

• • May 24, (Thursday) | 12 Noon

ADMISSIONS CONSULTS

Applicants interested in a consultation regarding their application status should call the program at 757-446-7158.  Based on the nature of your inquiry, you will be directed to meet with either the Director of Admissions for the MPA program or the Health Professions Admissions and Enrollment Manager.

Prior to your meeting with either consultant, whether by phone or in person, please fill out the following form to help us evaluate your current application strength and standing.

2011/2012 APPLICATION CYCLE (January 2013 matriculation)

We are currently reviewing completed applications received last cycle and will be conducting interviews on July 13, 14, and 16. Invitations will be extended in June.

Mandatory Technology Purchase - Updated (04/02/2012)  

EVMS is in the third year of implementing EVMS 2.0 - an initiative to improve the quality of our teaching programs by better use of computer-based technologies.

In order to achieve this vision, EVMS 2.0 has outlined the following three goals:

1. 1. Enhance student learning through improved integration of educational technologies into courses and clerkships.
   2. Enhance student skills in clinical procedures through simulation and other emerging educational technologies.
   3. Strengthen faculty knowledge and skills in the use of emerging educational technologies.

Students matriculating at EVMS will be required to have a portable computer (laptop) in order to take full advantage of EVMS 2.0 and the technology incorporated in the new Education and Research Building.  There are two options available to incoming students:

1. 1. Provide their own computer that meets EVMS mandated minimum specs (to be released this summer) and be responsible for their own maintenance and upkeep. Software required by the program will be provided to the student at orientation.
   2. Purchase a pre-configured laptop from EVMS. The final cost (estimated to be approximately $1,600) will be included in the student's fees and will be used in determination of financial need and available financial aid. Support and maintenance will be provided by EVMS.

More information on the exact cost and specifications of the EVMS computer will be provided as they become available.

2012/2013 APPLICATION CYCLE (January 2014 matriculation)

Although we do not anticipate any substantive changes to our admission policies, we are introducing a new website this summer. Part of that transition will be a change in the online content related to admissions practices and information. As our new admission cycle gets underway, anticipate some content changes on this webpage along with a downloadable admissions handbook that will walk you through the application process.

2013/2014 APPLICATION CYCLE (January 2015 matriculation)

Applicants in this cycle can anticipate a small fee for the supplemental application to our program.

APPLICATION PROCESS for the MPA Program at EVMS:

STEP 1: Review all Admission Requirements outlined in the Admissions Guidebook booklet.

STEP 2: Complete the CASPA Application. Go to the CASPA web site and follow the instructions for participating in the national application process administered by the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).

• • Applications are accepted beginning late April and must be electronically submitted to CASPA by March 1st for entry into the class that will start the following January.
  • The PA Program reserves the right to verify credentials documented in the applicant's application.
  • You should review and adhere to the CASPA Applicant Responsibilities.
  • Waiver of Fees: If the CASPA fee is prohibitive to applying, please review the "Fee Waiver Division" information at the CASPA Web site to determine if you qualify for this service (See CASPA FAQ section).
  • Personal Narrative:  Applicants are asked to write "a brief statement expressing your motivation or desire to become a physician assistant," which should be written at a graduate level and demonstrate that you have an in-depth understanding of the PA role and functions.

NOTE: Applicants are also encouraged to explain any aspects of their application that may need further clarification (e.g., gaps in education or work history; academic inconsistency; difficulty or poor performance, etc.).

• • Letters of Reference: Although CASPA only requires two (2) letters of reference to consider an application complete, EVMS requires three (3) references. All three MUST be submitted before your application will be considered complete and reviewed by the Admission Screening Committee. If your application is already submitted via CASPA, please have the thrid letter of reference sent directly to EVMS.
    
    • References should be selected from individuals who are well acquainted with you academically, personally, and/or professionally over a period of time.
    • References should be from a variety of sources.
    • References from family members are STRONGLY DISCOURAGED.
  • Contact CASPA at 617.612.2080 ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) if you have questions.

STEP 3: Complete the EVMS MPA Supplemental Application. Access to this application is granted after your CASPA application is submitted. Although there is NO FEE associated with this application, it MUST be completed in its entirety and submitted by the March 1st deadline before your application will be considered complete and acceptable for review by the Application Screening Committee.

• • The EVMS MPA Supplemental Application will not be available this cycle before September 1st.
  • Access to the EVMS MPA Supplemental Application will be granted AFTER you SUBMITyour completed CASPA application.
    • Applicants submitting their CASPA application near the March 1st deadline my have difficulty completing the supplemental application bfore the deadline. Applicants are advised to plan ahead and complete the requirements by the March 1st deadline.

NOTE: Early application to the PA Program does not provide any advantage in the admissions process. All applications will be treated as if they arrived at the same time (March 1st).

• • You will be REQUIRED to provide the following information:
    • Explicit information detailing your satisfactory completion for all eight (8) prerequisites

NOTE: The Supplemental application can only be SUBMITTED AFTER completing all eight (8) prerequisites for teh program.

• • • Citizenship Status
    • State Residency Declaration
    • Determination of TOEFL requirement

Upon submission of all application requirements, applicants will receive electronic notification of their application status from the Office of Admissions and Enrollment for Health Professions and be able to check their status online by clicking the "Check Your Application Status" link at the top of this page.

APPLICATION TIMELINE & IMPORTANT DATES

Please note that the following DEADLINES for consideration into specific classes remain in effect:

EARLY APPLICATION does not guarantee an interview or give the application any advantage. All applications will be considered as if they arrived at the same time. THE IDEAL TIME TO APPLY TO OUR PROGRAM IS SHORTLY AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR PREREQUISITE COURSES AND HAVE THE FINAL GRADES LISTED ON YOUR TRANSCRIPT.

Admissions Process Timeline:

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Below is a brief checklist of the major components of the EVMS Admissions criteria that will need to be completed in order for your application to be screened and considered for a potential interview. Please select any of the hyperlinks for more specific information.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

• • GPA: ALL APPLICATIONS must have one of the three qualifying GPAs described below of 3.00 OR BETTER for consideration. We will use the BETTER of the following THREE possibilities:
  • Actual undergraduate GPA (will consider foreign degrees)
  • Completed U.S. or Canadian graduate degree GPA, or
  • A Replacement GPA computed from the most recent 40 semester credit hours of U.S. or Canadian coursework (NOTE: this will be a onetime calculation from the information listed on your CASPA application at the time we process your application and will not be re-calculated as you complete additional courses. Not all applicants will qualify for a replacement GPA.)

NOTE: although 3.00 is the minimum GPA required, our average qualifying GPA is about 3.65

• • You MUST be a UNITED STATES CITIZEN OR PERMANENT RESIDENT (Green Card).

• • BACHELOR'S DEGREE:Candidates must have completed all undergraduate degree requirements and have been issued a bachelor’s degree prior to matriculating as an EVMS student. If the bachelor’s degree was issued by a U.S. college or university, as a general rule it should be from a regionally accredited institution. However, the program may grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Official transcripts from the awarding institution must specify the date upon which the degree was issued.
  • Bachelor's degree must be completed before July 1st of the year prior to anticipated matriculation.
  • Those with foreign degrees may be considered on a case-by-case basis. A written request MUST be submitted to the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  and provide ALL of the following:
    • An official evaluation of the foreign transcript. The evaluation must include course names, U.S. credit equivalency, and overall performance (i.e., GPA). Although multiple companies provide translation services, we prefer that you submit one completed by World Education Services, to provide us with the most complete picture of your previous educational background.  Please see WES' website for additional requirements and costs.
      • NOTE: all prerequisite coursework MUST be completed at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution with a B- grade or better in order to establish a track record of academic performance in this educational system.
    • Transcripts of ALL coursework done in the U.S. educational system to date.
    • TOEFL scores: some applicants with English as a second languageare required to provide TOEFL scores.
      • This requirement will apply to anyone who entered the U.S. after the age of 12 from a non-English-speaking country of origin (as determined by high school graduation or personal statement).

• • PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK:ALL PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK must be completed at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution with a B- grade or better for acceptance.
  • NOTE: although B- grades are acceptable, the average pre-requisite course GPA for successful applicants to our program is 3.75 or better.
  • The program does not accept transfer credits for advanced standing in the PA program. (Prerequisite courses are not considered transfer credits).
  • No more than two prerequisites may be accepted without a traditional letter grade (e.g., Pass, CLEP, Advanced Placement, etc.).
  • PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE MARCH 1 APPLICATION DEADLINE.
    • All prerequisite coursework must be listed on an official transcript submitted to CASPA or EVMS to complete your application. No application will be reviewed by the Admissions Screening Committee that does not have all course requirements verified by CASPA or the EVMS admissions staff.
    • In most cases, the final semester in which you will be able to complete prerequisite coursework to meet the March 1 application deadline will be the FALL semester (e.g., Fall 2011 for the March 1, 2012 application deadline). Two noteable exceptions:
      • Online Courses: taken from an accredited university, these will count toward completion of a pre-requisite course. Being able to work at your own pace may allow you to finish more quickly than a traditional semester course and still meet the March 1 deadline.
      • CLEP tests: passing one of the following CLEP tests in a general subject will also meet our pre-requisite requirement.
        • Introduction to Psychology
        • Human Growth & Development
        • College Mathematics, College Algebra or Calculus

 **Quarter system credit hours are converted to semester system by dividing by 1.5 (e.g., 6 quarter credits/1.5 = 4 semester credits).

*Ten-Year Rule for Prerequisites:

FIVE prerequisites (as indicated above) must have been completed no more than ten years prior to the application deadline to Eastern Virginia Medical School according to the following table:

 If prerequisite coursework was completed MORE THAN ten years ago:

• • An exception to the ten-year rule for courses successfully completed may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Petitions submitted to the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  for exceptions to the "ten-year rule" MUST include:

  • When and where you took the course

  • The grade received in the course

  • Your specific rationale for requesting the exception.

NOTE: we believe success in our program is dependent upon current working knowledge of the five courses with a 10-year time limit. Exceptions to the rule are likely to be rare.

Example: You took 5 semester credit hours of Organic Chemistry more than 10 years ago, received an A, and feel that you shouldn't have to repeat the course because you have taught organic and biochemistry at the college level for the past 5 years.

• • HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCE, although not required to apply, is desirable and rewarded in the screening process. We reward healthcare experience based on your CASPA application descriptions. It is important that you carefully follow the CASPA guidelines when describing the type of experience you have accumulated.

NOTE: Our average accepted student has about 2 years of paid healthcare experience.

• • Understanding of and compliance with the Program's TECHNICAL STANDARDS

The abilities and skills candidates and students must possess in order to complete the education and training associated with physician assistant education are referred to as Technical Standards. These abilities and skills are essential for clinical practice as a physician assistant.

The Technical Standards listed in this site reflect five categorical areas - observation, communication, critical reasoning (intellectual), motor and sensory, behavioral/social - and represent minimum competency levels.

Students must attest that they meet these Technical Standards prior to or at the time of matriculation into the PA Program at EVMS. Students found to be in violation of Technical Standards are at risk for dismissal from the program. Each standard is defined here and is followed by examples of indicators of minimum competence in that area.

• • Completion of all program HEALTH REQUIREMENTS (located here) prior to November 15th.

NOTE: failure to complete health requirements before the deadline may result in forfeiture of your seat in the class.

Clinical Role Modeling Experiences (PA Shadowing)

• • The American Academy of Physician Assistants http://www.aapa.org/
  • The Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants http://www.vapa.org/
  • The Physician Assistant Education Association http://www.paeaonline.org/
  • The US Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos081.htm

AFTER THE APPLICATION

Notice of Interviews

All applicants who satisfactorily complete both the CASPA application and the EVMS Supplemental Application can check their application status by clicking the "Check Your Application Status" link at the top of the page. This is the primary means of communicating information to applicants and you are encouraged to regularly check your status online. Keeping us updated with an active e-mail address that you regularly check is also encouraged.

Competitive applicants will be invited to participate in a half-day interview process conducted in mid-July. Interviews will be held on the EVMS campus and candidates will be given no less than two weeks notice to facilitate the necessary arrangements to participate in the interview process. Absence or withdrawal from the interview automatically places the applicant at risk for forfeiture of consideration for a seat in the class.

Acceptance into the Program

Wait List Status

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS