The OHSU Physician Assistant Admissions Committee adheres to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination on the basis of sex, age, race, ethnic origin, religion, disability, military service, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law. The Committee fully recognizes the importance of diversity in its student body and in the PA workforce in providing for effective delivery of health care. Accordingly, the Program strongly encourages applications from persons from all socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, religious, and educational backgrounds and from persons from groups underrepresented in medicine.

Mission Driven

The OHSU PA Program values diversity in backgrounds, experiences and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and supporting a student body of varied demographics. We believe bringing together diverse students with varied backgrounds and skills enriches the learning environment for all. We strive to meet the healthcare needs of urban and rural underserved communities in Oregon and nationwide. In alignment with our Mission, the OHSU PA Program gives preference to 2026-27 applicants who fulfill one or more of the mission criteria listed below. The admissions committee reviews these criteria each year. Please revisit our website for updates prior to applying.

• Applicants who demonstrate great commitment to service and serving underserved communities through volunteerism (min. 400 Volunteer hours).
• Applicants who demonstrate outstanding leadership initiative in education, advocacy, healthcare and community demonstrated through hours served and long-term commitments (min. of 500 hours). 
• Applicants who are Veterans or active military.
• Applicants who bring a unique perspective to their learning environment and clinical practice through their lived experience or cultural lens. Applicants must fulfill a minimum of 2 of any of the criteria below:
  • Applicant from a rural environment, defined as the majority of childhood years in a frontier environment or rural town (i.e., a town of less than or equal to 40,000 population and at least 10 miles from a community of that size or larger)
  • Members of a federally recognized tribe
  • Applicants who experienced economic adversity such as income level or receiving public assistance in childhood
  • Applicants who attended an HBCU or Tribal College or University
  • Non-traditional applicants such as first-generation college students (defined as a student with neither parent having completed a four-year college or university degree) or those who received a GED
  • Applicants who participated in an educational support program promoting school readiness from infancy to post-secondary education.
  • Applicants for whom English is not their primary language
  • Other adversity as noted in the application that had significant impact (e.g. experienced homelessness, discrimination, racism, adversity experiences through immigration or refugee status, etc.)