Admissions Policy

Admission Statement

Transfer Credit | Advanced Placement

Admissions Timeline

Minimum Requirements

Prerequisite Coursework

Admissions Process

Effective: November 9, 2022

Revised: February 15, 2023

Related ARC-PA Standards:

A2.05b | A3.13a | A3.13b | A3.13c | A3.13d | A3.14 | A3.16a | A3.16b | A3.16c | B2.01 | D1.02a | D1.02b | D1.02c

Admissions Statement & Process

ADMISSIONS STATEMENT

The University of California San Diego School of Medicine Atkinson Physician

Assistant Education Program is committed to building and sustaining a

diverse academic community of faculty, staff, and learners. We aim to attract

and admit culturally and cognitively diverse learners with the potential for

clinical excellence, whose interests align with the mission, vision, and core

values of the program. The program is dedicated to a holistic admissions

process that considers the lived experiences, attributes, and academic

achievements of each applicant, recognizing their unique potential to serve as

future clinicians.

In accordance with applicable federal and state law and university policy, the

University of California San Diego does not discriminate based on race, color,

national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy,

physical or mental

disability, medical condition (cancer related or genetic characteristics),

ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the

uniformed services.

2,3

This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access,

and treatment in university programs and activities. The University of

California San Diego recognizes its obligation to provide program accessibility

(as described in Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans

with Disabilities Act of 1990) for persons with disabilities.

Pregnancy includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth.

Service in the uniformed services includes membership, application for membership, performance of

service, application for service, or obligation for service in the uniformed services.

State and federal funding programs may require the program to recruit individuals who

are economically and/or educationally disadvantaged, underrepresented populations, military

veterans, and those from rural backgrounds.

ADMISSIONS PROCESS

Applicants must satisfy both the minimum and prerequisite coursework

requirements by the stated application deadlines. Admission is highly

competitive. Meeting some or all these requirements does not guarantee

admission.

TRANSFER CREDIT OR ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Learners granted admission must fulfill all program requirements. No

substitutions for program of study coursework will be accepted, including but

not limited to the following:

• Advanced Placement (AP)

• International Baccalaureate (IB) courses

• CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) examination

• Credit for experiential learning and continuing education

• Courses completed as part of a professional degree

• Medical school course completion (domestic or foreign)

Transfer of credit toward the MAS-PAS degree from other PA programs will

only be granted to ARC-PA approved transfers via the “Expansion of Class

Size” process. The program reserves the right to refuse transfer credit in part

or in whole or to allow credit provisionally. The program may request

additional information, materials, or passage of competency assessments

when considering a request for transfer of credit. Transfer credit outside of

the “Expansion of Class Size” process will not be considered.

Related Forms & Documents

• General Inquiry Form

• Self-Assessment Form

• Offer Acceptance Form

• Technical Standards

• Technical Standards Attestation Form

ARC-PA Standards:

A3.13b | A3.13c | A3.13d | A3.14

A3.16a | A3.16b | A3.16c | B2.01

PURPOSE

In order to achieve our goals and fulfill

our mission, the University of

California San Diego School of

Medicine Atkinson Physician Assistant

Education Program holds high

standards for its applicants.

The purpose of this policy is to define,

publish, and make readily available

admissions policies and requirements

for prospective students interested in

applying to the program.

April

• CASPA application portal opens for applicants.

• Data begins to be sent electronically to programs for the current cycle.

• Applicants are encouraged to apply early.

May – August

• The admissions team will review applications to ensure admissions and prerequisite

requirements have been met. Invitations for interview are sent throughout this time period.

August – September

• Applicants must complete and submit an online application through CASPA on or before August

1st 11:59 pm EST.

• Applicants must complete and submit an online supplemental application through UC San Diego

on or before August 1st 11:59 pm EST.

• Applicants must have a verified CASPA application and submit the supplemental application fee,

letters of recommendation, and transcript(s) with final prerequisite grades by September 1st at

11:59 pm EST.

Note: The transcript verification process can take CASPA up to 30 days to complete. Applicants should submit their application and

supporting documents to CASPA with this timeframe in mind. Check the CASPA application often to ensure no problems exist with

processing. Extensions will not be granted for any reason.

October

• Applicant personal interviews are conducted.

• After the conclusion of personal interviews, the Admissions Committee selects candidates for

admission.

• Applicants will be notified by email of their admission status.

January

• Matriculate into program

Admissions Timeline

ARC-PA Standards:

A3.13b | A3.13c | A3.13d | A3.14 | B2.01

Applicants to the Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program must complete an online application using

the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA), and a Secondary Program application.

Applicants must satisfy both the minimum and prerequisite coursework requirements by the application

deadlines. Admission is highly competitive. Meeting some or all these requirements does not guarantee

admission.

• CASPA application with official transcripts submitted by August 1; verified by September 1

• Secondary application submitted by August 1

• Evidence of U.S. citizenship, permanent U.S. residence, or current DACA recipient

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) from regionally accredited U.S. institution or equivalent prior to

matriculation*

• Completed prerequisite coursework

• Minimum overall undergraduate GPA of ≥ 3.0 or overall graduate GPA of ≥ 3.0 (4.0 scale)

• Minimum undergraduate sciences GPA of ≥ 3.0 or graduate sciences GPA of ≥ 3.0 (4.0 scale)

• Minimum of 500 hours of healthcare experience (volunteer or paid)

• Three letters of recommendation

* https://grad.ucsd.edu/admissions/requirements/international-students/english-proficiency.html

Entrance Exams

Entrance exams are not required,

e.g. GRE, PA-CAT, MCAT, etc. If entrance exam scores are reported in the

CASPA application, scores are not considered during the application review process

Useful Links

Address

CASPA Application

https://caspa.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login

Secondary Application

[insert hyperlink]

CASPA Fees & Fee Waiver

https://bit.ly/caspafeesandwaivers

UC San Diego PA Education E

-mail paeducation@health.ucsd.edu

UC San Diego PA Education Website

https://medschool.ucsd.edu/education/pa-education

Office for Students with Disabilities

https://osd.ucsd.edu

Minimum Requirements

ARC-PA Standards:

A3.13b | A3.13c | A3.13d | A3.14 | B2.01

Guidelines

● Completed at a regionally accredited U.S. institution. International prerequisite courses not accepted.

● Completed with a grade by the August 1 deadline and verified by CASPA before September 1

● Letter or numerical grade on transcripts is required.

● Grades of Pass (P) for 2020-2021 coursework will be accepted.

● AP/CLEP and concurrent enrollment coursework documented on the official transcript is accepted.

● Community college and online/distance courses from regionally accredited institutions are accepted.

● Prerequisite coursework does not expire/time-out.

Required Prerequisite Coursework

Biological Sciences

● 12 quarter credit hours/8 semester credit hours

● In addition to the Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology requirements

below.

Human Anatomy with Lab*

● 4 quarter hours/3 semester credit hours

Human Physiology with Lab*

● 4 quarter hours/3 semester credit hours

Microbiology with Lab

● 4 quarter credit hours/3 semester credit hours

Chemistry

● 4 quarter credit hours/3 semester credit hours

Organic Chemistry or

Biochemistry

● 4 quarter credit hours/3 semester credit hours

Statistics

● 3 quarter credit hours/2 semester credit hours

8 quarter credits/6 semester credits combination human anatomy/physiology with labs also accepted.

Recommended Coursework

Genetics General Psychology/Abnormal Psychology

Nutrition/Dietetics Medical Terminology

Advanced/Upper-Level Biological Sciences Medical Spanish/Spanish for Healthcare Professionals

Prerequisite Coursework

ARC-PA Standards:

A3.13b | A3.13d

Healthcare Experience

A minimum of 500 hours of healthcare experience must be

accrued at the time of application and recorded as part of

the official CASPA application. Healthcare experience is

required and is an indication to the admissions committee

of an applicant’s awareness of and commitment to a career

in healthcare. Either paid or un-paid experience is accepted.

Experiences in positions requiring autonomous, high-level,

medical decision-making are scored highest. Hours

obtained observing, volunteering, shadowing, or as part of

an educational program will be counted towards the 500

hours as limited-level (Level 1) experiences. Applicants

should seek experiences that expose them to the patient-

provider relationship. Healthcare hours/experiences are

subject to verification.

Applicants will be scored on quantity and level of

experience. A maximum of 5000 hours will be scored.

Community Service

Evidence of community service/volunteerism with local

programs or outreach initiatives in collaboration with

community organizations is desirable but not required.

When applicable, applicants will be scored on quantity of

service. A maximum of 1000 community service experience

hours will be scored.

Levels of Healthcare Experience

Level 1

• Research Assistant

• Medical Interpreters

• Pharmacy Tech

• EKG Tech

• Psych Tech

• Laboratory Tech

• Phlebotomist

• PT/OT Aide

• Volunteer

• Shadow

Level 2

• EMT

• LPN/LVN

• Medical Scribe

• Radiology/US Tech

• Med Tech

• ED Tech

• CNA or CMA

• Dental

hygienist

• LCSW

• Speech Path

Level 3

• PT/OT

• Athletic Trainer

• Medic/Corpsman

• Pharmacist

• Dietitian

• Perfusionist

• Midwife

• RN/CRNA

• Resp

Therapist

• Paramedic

• International

Medical

Graduate

Scoring Healthcare Experience

Level 1 = limited

-level experience

Level 2 = intermediate

-level experience

Level 3 = advanced

-level experience

Special Populations

Applicants from the following affinity groups may receive additional

consideration:

• Grant-funded scholarship and pipeline programs

• Articulation agreement partnerships

• Veterans

• Federally-defined, self-reported disadvantaged backgrounds (educational and socioeconomic)

Non-Academic Prerequisites

ARC-PA Standards:

A3.13a

A3.13b | A3.13d | A3.14

Shadowing

The program values and encourages but does not require

PA shadowing experience. Shadowing hours with PA,

MD/DO, and NP providers will count toward the 500

healthcare experience hours as Level 1 up to a maximum of

5000 hours. Shadowing other types of healthcare providers

will not count toward the healthcare experience

requirement.

CASPA Supporting Documentation

Letters of Recommendation

A minimum of 3 letters of recommendation are required. Letters must be submitted through the CASPA

portal and should come from professional and reputable sources. Careful consideration should be given to

clear conflicts-of-interest; i.e., personal, familial/kin, and marital relationships. Letters submitted to the

program by email or postal mail will not be accepted. Applicants should consider garnering references from

healthcare providers, professors, academic advisors, and employers/supervisors.

Applicants will be scored on tabular/numerical reference entries. If an applicant has submitted more than

three letters, a mean score of all letters submitted will be calculated. Narrative entries will be judged

subjectively by trained personnel and included in the admissions decision.

Personal Statement

Applicant personal statements must be submitted via the CASPA portal. Narrative entries should be clear,

concise, well-written, and free of grammatical and spelling errors. Statements are reviewed and scored by

trained personnel utilizing a predefined rubric.

Custom Questions

Custom questions are designed to collect information such as an applicant’s career aspirations, academic

successes and challenges, and commitment to the program’s mission. Question prompts may be labeled

either required or optional. Required custom questions must be submitted through the CASPA portal.

Applicants are encouraged to submit narrative responses to optional prompts when applicable. Narrative

entries should be clear, concise, well-written, and free of grammatical and spelling errors. Custom question

entries are reviewed and scored by trained personnel utilizing a predefined rubric.

Criminal Background Checks

Several states have passed “Ban the Box” laws for higher education, which prohibit post-secondary institutions

from asking applicants about their criminal history during the admissions process. The law further prohibits

offering an applicant provisional acceptance to a program subject to a criminal background check. In 2020,

California became the fifth state to enact this type of law (Cal Educ. Code 66024.5).

The Atkinson UC San Diego Physician Assistant Education Program does not require a criminal background

check prior to matriculating into the program and will not have access to criminal background data submitted to

CASPA for programs outside the state of California. However, applicants should review the following:

• An admitted learner’s ability to complete the program successfully and gain the appropriate licensure could

be negatively impacted by their criminal history.

• Supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPE) are a critical part of the program’s requirements for

graduation. Many clinical sites will not place a learner on a clinical rotation unless they have successfully

passed a criminal background check. Background check results that limit the program’s ability to secure

SCPEs may prevent a student from progressing or graduating from the program.

• As a part of the licensing process, many states require that graduates undergo a comprehensive background

investigation. This process requires graduates of the program to disclose all past criminal convictions, even if

they have been set aside or expunged.

Applicants who have questions about criminal background checks should email the program prior to application

at paeducation@health.ucsd.edu.

ARC-PA Standards:

A3.13b | A3.13d | A3.14 | A3.16a | A3.16b | A3.16c

Residency Requirements

ARC-PA Standards: A3.13a |

A3.13b | A3.13d | A3.14

alifornia Residence

All learners, regardless of in

-state or out-of-state residence, will be subject to the same cost of attendance.

International Applicants

The

Program will consider applications from U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the U.S., and DACA

recipients.

Applicants that do not satisfy one of these three eligibility requirements will not be considered.

International Degrees

Applicants with international degrees equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor’s degree or higher may apply to the program

provided all minimum and prerequisite coursework requirements are met. International degree transcripts must

be translated and transcribed for U.S.

equivalency and submitted to CASPA for verification. English-language

proficiency may be required for international degree

-holding applicants. Applicants should seek more

information from the

Division of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

DACA recipients are eligible to apply for and obtain a license to practice as a physician assistant in California.

Prospective applicants should consult the requirements of the licensing authority in any state in which they

consider practicing to determine qualifications for licensure. Information concerning physician ass

istant

licensure in California is available from the Physician Assistant Board.

UC San Diego Undocumented Student Services

https://uss.ucsd.edu/graduate

-students/index.html

Higher Ed Immigration Portal

https://www.higheredimmigrationportal.org

https://www.higheredimmigrationportal.org/state/california/

California Physician Assistant Board

https://www.pab.ca.gov

Application screening and review - a six-level process -

will begin after CASPA notifies the program that an

application is verified, and the Secondary Application

and related fees are received prior to deadlines.

Level 1, 2, 3 – Initial Review

All applications undergo a three-level initial review.

During Level 1 review, admissions staff confirm receipt

of both applications and all supporting documents.

During Level 2 review, admissions staff verify that

minimum requirements, prerequisite coursework, and

all non-academic requirements have been met. During

Level 3 review, the application is holistically scored and

ranked using a predefined screening rubric. The

Director of Admissions & Recruitment (DAR) will

determine a Level 3 cut score to advance application

files to Level 4 review. Depending on Initial Review

scores, applicants will advance to Level 4 review or be

placed in a hold status pending any further adjustments

to the cut score.

Level 4 – Qualitative Review

Trained personnel will review all narrative sections of

the application and score them using a predefined

rubric. The qualitative reviewer score will be combined

with the Level 3 score and used advance application

files to Level 5 review.

Level 5 – Faculty Review

Competitive applications are reviewed by program

faculty. Faculty will make recommendations for

interview invitation. The DAR will compile a ranked list

of interview invitations, “Second Look,” and denials.

“Second Look” files will advance to Level 6 review.

Level 6 – Second Look

Applications receiving a “second look” Level 5 status

will be reviewed by a second faculty member who will

make recommendations for interview invitation. The

DAR will compile a ranked list of interview invitations

and denials.

Application

Submission

Applicants must submit a formal application and all

supporting documents to the Central Application

Service for the Physician Assistant. In addition, a

Secondary Application is required. Both applications

open in April annually and must be submitted on or

before August 1st 11:59 pm EST. CASPA Applications

must be fully verified by September 1st at 11:59 pm

EST.

Application

Screening

and

Review

Application

Submission

Application

Screening

and Review

Interviews

Applicant

Review

Notifications

Admission

Holistic Admissions Procedure (6-Steps)

Holistic Review

The Atkinson Physician Assistant

Education program is dedicated to a

holistic admissions process that

considers the lived experiences,

attributes, and academic

achievements of each applicant,

recognizing their unique potential to

serve as future clinicians.

ARC-PA Standards:

A2.05b | A3.14

POLICY

‒

Admissions Process

The physician assistant program regards the interview as an important component of our

holistic admission process. Invited candidates will be required to meet with Admissions

Committee personnel. The committee looks for such personal attributes as emotional

and academic maturity, empathy and compassion, motivation, ability to communicate,

cultural sensitivity and humility, critical thinking skills, knowledge of the PA role in

healthcare, understanding of the program’s mission and goals and the potential to

achieve career fulfillment within the PA role. Interviews will be conducted virtually with

Zoom technology during the months of September and October. A virtual multiple mini-

interview (vMMI) format will be utilized. Interview days will include a virtual

program/campus tour, a review of the program’s curriculum, technical standards, and

any timely updates. Applicants will have opportunities to meet with program faculty,

staff, and students throughout the day. It is anticipated that 90-120 applicants will be

invited to interview.

What is the vMMI?

The vMMI consists of a series of short, carefully timed interview scenarios organized into

stations. Each station aims to draw multiple samples of applicants' ability to think on

their feet, to critically appraise information, to communicate their ideas, and to explore

their reasoning with the station facilitator.

Applicants will complete a circuit of timed mini-interview stations, rotating from station

to station. At each station, candidates will have two minutes to read a 'scenario' or

question prompt. Candidates then have eight minutes to either interact with a rater who

may ask questions or be observed by the rater while interacting with an actor or another

applicant. One station will be devoted to a more personalized, 15-minute one-on-one

interview with program faculty.

Advantages of the vMMI

• More reliable

• More chances to perform well

• More equitable opportunity for those of diverse backgrounds to demonstrate quality

• Less biased way to evaluate applicants

• Test characteristics such as cultural sensitivity, maturity, teamwork, empathy,

reliability, and communication skills

• Fast-Paced

The MMI has been evaluated by many Canadian and U.S. medical schools and PA

programs. The MMI has been shown to be more reliable and valid than the traditional

one-on-one interview process. In addition, both MMI raters and applicants alike report

positive feedback regarding the MMI. Education theory portends the performance of an

individual is highly variable across situations; therefore, evaluation using multiple

scenarios is a sounder psychometric approach. Literature also has shown that the MMI

allows individuals with diverse backgrounds to have a more equitable opportunity to

demonstrate the quality of their educational and personal backgrounds.

Scoring the vMMI

Each vMMI station will be scored individually by trained personnel using a predefined

rubric. The scores from all stations will be averaged as a single, final score for each

applicant.

Interviews

ARC-PA Standards: A2.05 b |

A3.14

Holistic Admissions Procedure (6-Steps)

The Admissions Committee will utilize a quasi-rolling admissions process. The committee

may begin contacting the most competitive candidates with offers soon after the interview

day(s). Candidates offered admission must complete the Offer Acceptance Form which

includes the Technical Standards within seven (7) days of offer notification. Failure to

respond will result in forfeiture of the admissions offer. A seat deposit is not required.

Deferrals of admission will not be granted for any reason. Candidates who receive an offer

and decline due to deferral are subject to reapply in future cycles without priority

consideration.

Applicants will be notified of their status throughout the admissions process. All applicants

will receive email notifications via CASPA at the following milestones:

• Level 1 review

• Level 5 review and invitation for interview

• Admit offer or alternate list with rank

• Denial of admission

• Forfeiture of admission offer

• Individual program requests; i.e., clarifications, additional documentation, etc.

Candidates will be notified by email via CASPA of their final status in late October – early

November. Declined offers of admission will be filled from the Alternate List in ranked order

in November – January up until the week of matriculation.

The Admissions Committeee is chaired by the Director of Admissions & Recruitment (DAR).

Admissions process recommendations and decisions are made collectively by the

Admissions Committee using a majority vote format. The Associate Dean/Program Director

has final approval of all recommended candidates and any admissions process changes.

After each interview day, the DAR will convene the Admissions Committee to review the

candidates’ application and interview scores in summation with their respective comments

and recommendations. The committee will rank applicants in order by classification in these

categories:

• Admit

• Second Look

• Do Not Admit

Admits

The Admissions Committee will select and offer admission to 30 applicants from the pool of

ranked candidates classified as Admit.

Second Look and Alternates

Some applicants who interview will be placed in a hold status pending a Second Look.

Following the completion of all interviews (all days), the Admissions Committee will convene

to review Second Look applicants. A ranked order list of Second Look applicants will then be

considered by the Admissions Committee to determine the final status of the applicant. A

ranked order alternate list will be created from the pool of applications receiving Admit (not

already offered admission) and Second Look classifications, respectively.

Applicant

Selection

Notification

Admission

Holistic Admissions Procedure (6-Steps)

ARC-PA Standards: A2.05 b |

A3.14

Accreditation Statement

The University of California San Diego School of Medicine

Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program has

applied for Accreditation

- Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the

Physician Assistant (ARC

-PA). The University of California San Diego School of Medicine Atkinson Physician

Assistant Education program anticipates matriculating its first class in January 2024, pending achieving

Accreditation

- Provisional status at the September 2023 ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation - Provisional is an

accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a

proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the

ARC

-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate

continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort)

of students.

Implications of Non

-Accreditation

If Accreditation

- Provisional status is not granted by the ARC-PA, the University of California San Diego School

of Medicine

Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program will not matriculate its first class in January 2024

as planned. The University will not be responsible for refunding application fees or expenses incurred by

applicants during the application and/or interview process (e.g., CASPA fees, supplemental application fees,

travel to/from campus, etc.).

MAS

-PAS Degree Approval

The University of California San Diego School of Medicine

Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program has

submitted the Master of Advanced Study in Physician Assistant Studies (MAS

-PAS) degree plan of study for

approval through the UC system. Approval is anticipated prior to the planned January 2024 launch. In the event

that

the MAS-PAS degree is not approved in time for a January 2024 launch, the program will not matriculate

its first class in January 2024 as planned. The University will not be responsible for refunding application fees

or expenses incurred by applicants during the application and/or interview process (e.g., CASPA fees,

supplemental application fees, travel to/from campus, etc.).

Useful Links

Address

ARC

-PA https://www.arc-pa.org

Atkinson UC San Diego PA Education E

-mail paeducation@health.ucsd.edu

Atkinson UC San Diego PA Education Website

https://medschool.ucsd.edu/education/pa-education

Accreditation Status

ARC-PA Standards: D1.02a | D1.02b | D1.02c