How to Apply to the PA Program
Learn what you need to apply to the OHSU PA program. Review deadlines, the selection process, information sessions and what makes a competitive applicant.
Ready to apply?
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Application deadlines and timeline
- Applications open: Late April 2026
- Application deadline: August 1, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. PT/11:59 p.m. ET
- Program start: June 2027
CASPA must verify your application by the deadline. We do not grant exceptions.
Apply at least three to four weeks before the deadline, as CASPA verification can take up to two weeks.
Application requirements
To apply, you must have:
- A bachelor’s degree in any field
- A 3.0 GPA or higher (cumulative)
- A 3.0 BCP GPA (biology, chemistry and/or physics)
- A minimum of 2,000 hours healthcare experience
- Prerequisite coursework completed
How to apply to the PA program
CASPA, the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants, is the application platform for PA programs across the country. It allows students to submit one application to apply to multiple programs at once.
Fees vary based on the number of programs you apply to.
Step 1: Apply through CASPA
Create a CASPA account and complete all required sections. OHSU does not require a supplemental application.
Step 2: Send official transcripts to CASPA
Send transcripts to CASPA:
CASPA Application Center
PO Box 9108
Watertown, MA 02471
Do not send transcripts to OHSU unless we request them.
Step 3: Submit three letters of recommendation
Submit your letters of recommendation through CASPA online. We require three letters and will review up to five.
Step 4: Complete OHSU-specific questions
Answer the OHSU-specific questions in CASPA before submitting your application.
How we review applications and make decisions
We review applications holistically and with our mission in mind. The committee evaluates them on a rolling basis as CASPA verifies them, so submitting early improves your chances of receiving a timely decision. We consider the full picture of each candidate, weighing no single component above another.
Application review
The admissions committee begins reviewing applications in the fall and assesses each application across eight equally weighted areas:
- Academic preparation and prerequisite completion
- Quality of healthcare experience
- Alignment with the program mission
- Leadership and service
- Written communication
- Letters of recommendation
- Resilience and perseverance
- Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
The committee completes initial review within four to six weeks of CASPA verification.
Interviews
The admissions committee extends interview invitations to selected applicants throughout the review process. Interviews take place in the fall, both virtually and in person.
During interviews, the committee evaluates:
- Communication skills
- Self-awareness and reflection
- Empathy and teamwork
- Cultural sensitivity
- Ethical reasoning
- Professional readiness
Final selection and offers
The admissions committee selects 60 candidates through a blinded review of application and interview materials. The committee prioritizes applicants who bring varied backgrounds, perspectives and experiences that support the program’s mission and learning environment.
An OHSU search advocate — a trained, equity-centered advisor — observes the selection process to ensure fairness and equity. The committee makes final decisions by the end of December.
What we look for in applicants
The PA program seeks mission-driven applicants who are prepared to thrive academically and contribute to service-oriented, patient-centered care.
Competitive applicants demonstrate:
- Strong academic performance in science coursework
- Commitment to serving underserved communities
- Meaningful direct patient care experience
- Leadership or sustained service
- Clear motivation for the PA profession
- Strong written communication
- Resilience and adaptability
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Mission-driven selection criteria
The program gives preference to applicants who meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to serving underserved communities through volunteerism (minimum 400 volunteer hours)
- Applicants who demonstrate outstanding leadership initiative in education, advocacy, healthcare and community through hours served and long-term commitments (minimum 500 hours)
- Veterans and active military
- Applicants who bring a unique perspective to their learning environment and clinical practice through lived experience or cultural lens, and who meet at least two of the following:
- Grew up in a rural or frontier environment, defined as a town of 40,000 or fewer people and at least 10 miles from a community of that size or larger
- Member of a federally recognized tribe
- Experienced economic adversity, such as low income or receiving public assistance in childhood
- Attended an HBCU or Tribal College or University
- First-generation college student, defined as a student with neither parent having completed a four-year college or university degree
- Received a GED
- Participated in an educational support program promoting school readiness from infancy through post-secondary education
- Primary language other than English
- Experienced other significant adversity as noted in the application, such as homelessness, discrimination, racism or adversity related to immigration or refugee status
The program reviews these criteria annually.
Online information sessions
Join admissions staff and current students to learn about:
- The PA profession
- Admissions requirements
- Program curriculum
- Tuition and scholarships
- The application process
Register for an information session
All sessions begin at 5:30 p.m. and end at 7 p.m. PT.
Check back in the spring for upcoming information sessions.
Alumni and faculty panel webinars
Hear from faculty and alumni about career paths, challenges and opportunities in the PA profession. Panelists share practical advice to help you plan your next steps.
Check back in the spring for upcoming webinar dates and registration information.
Virtual fairs
The PA program participates in virtual fairs hosted by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), offering free online Q&A sessions. Find upcoming virtual fairs.
Admissions FAQ
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How many students do you admit each year?
The PA program selects 60 candidates each admissions cycle.
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Do you require GRE scores for PA program admission?
No. The PA program does not require GRE scores for admission. Review admissions requirements.
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Does the PA program use rolling admissions?
Yes. The admissions committee reviews applications on a rolling basis as CASPA verifies them.
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How can I strengthen my PA program application?
Strong applications show academic readiness, meaningful healthcare experience and alignment with the PA program’s mission. Review the admissions requirements and attend an online information session to better understand expectations.
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Do you offer transcript reviews or campus tours?
No. The PA program does not offer transcript reviews or personalized application feedback before you apply. Applicants may attend online information sessions or explore the virtual tour to learn more about the program.
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Can you help me find PA shadowing opportunities?
No. Applicants must find their own shadowing or healthcare experience through employers, professional networks or local healthcare organizations. Review healthcare experience requirements.
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Can I work part-time while enrolled in the PA program?
The PA program runs full time and requires a significant time commitment. The program strongly discourages outside employment, especially during the academic year.
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Do you offer online classes?
No. The PA program delivers coursework primarily in person. Students must attend required classes, labs and clinical experiences on campus or at clinical sites.
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Can I update my CASPA application after I submit it?
Applicants should follow CASPA guidelines for updating their application. The PA program does not accept additional materials unless we request them.
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Can I use CASPA's Professional Transcript Entry Service?
Yes. Applicants may use CASPA’s Professional Transcript Entry Service. Use of the service is optional and does not affect application review.
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Should I estimate the healthcare experience hours I expect to complete after I submit my application?
No. Applicants should report only the healthcare experience hours completed at the time they submit the application. Review healthcare experience requirements.
Scholarships available
OHSU offers a variety of scholarships that can help fund your education.
Join an online information session
Learn about the program, admissions requirements and hear from current students and faculty.
Contact us
- Email: paprgm@ohsu.edu
- Call: 503-494-3633
Meet Alex Edgell, PA alum
As a patient at OHSU, Alex saw care that inspired him to become a PA.
“The people I’d worked with as a patient [at OHSU] had just been so extraordinary. I figured, this is the place. These are the people I want to learn from.”
Title IX and equal opportunity
OHSU does not discriminate on any status protected by law, including sex and gender under Title IX.