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CASPA Application & Holistic Review Process

All applications to the Physician Assistant Studies Program – Pleasantville are initiated by the applicant through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) an application service for graduate-level PA programs. Applications are carefully reviewed by the Admission Committee utilizing a holistic approach which considers qualitative and quantitative factors to ensure that we are fulfilling the mission of the program. This multifaceted process focuses on academic credentials as well as prior experience, service history, aspirations and interpersonal skills. Those individuals that the Admissions Committee believe possess the quantitative and qualitative attributes that best align with the program’s academic criteria and mission will be selected for an interview and final consideration for admission.

The Office of Graduate Admissions in collaboration with the PA Program Admissions Committee, review and stratify all CASPA verified applications, via a holistic review, also known as a comprehensive review of all applicant files meeting the Program’s published admission requirements, is employed (see Admissions Pre-requisite web pages or CASPA Application Review List), to select candidates for recommendation to Interview. Selected students are contacted for interviews with the Physician Assistant Program Admission Committee.

Interview

Invitations for interviews will be extended to selected applicants starting about August of the year prior to the year of planned enrollment. Interviews will take place at the Pace PA Campus in Pleasantville NY. During interview day, students will be interviewed by either the Program Director, or the Medical Director, as well as multiple Program faculty. Included in this process, is a tour of the facilities, as well as interaction with the current PA students. These students will be available throughout the day, as well as provide resources for further information for potential candidates.

The interview is comprised of individual interview, group exercise, and completion of an essay. During the interview applicants will be evaluated on cognitive capability, professional awareness, commitment to the profession, leadership qualities, service and community orientation, communication skills including verbal ability, personal and behavioral qualities, interpersonal skills, self-confidence, motivation and initiative, professionalism, social support and coping abilities. These are assessed and scored using Rubrics to gather holistic data, for faculty decision to offer the candidate a seat. The Physician Assistant Program Admissions Committee will admit candidates who meet the admission requirements, are granted an interview, and present the best overall profile evidenced in these areas. Enrollment is limited to 40 maximum.

Hudson Valley Counties (75 MI Radius)

We encourage individuals from diverse locations to apply, including but not limited to residents of the Hudson Valley. Applicants within the greater Hudson Valley area are defined as those who identify their permanent address on the CASPA application as an address that is within 75 miles of the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ - Pleasantville campus. This will be determined by searching the CASPA applications for those within NY, NJ, CT, PA, and MA residing within the following counties:

New York Counties

• Westchester
• Rockland
• Putnam
• Bronx
• Orange
• New York
• Nassau
• Queens
• Dutchess
• Suffolk
• Kings
• Ulster
• Richmond
• Sullivan
• Columbia
• Greene

New Jersey Counties

• Bergen
• Passaic
• Hudson
• Morris
• Essex
• Sussex
• Union
• Middlesex
• Somerset
• Monmouth
• Warren
• Hunterdon
• Mercer
• Ocean

Connecticut Counties

• Fairfield
• New Haven
• Litchfield
• Hartford
• Middlesex
• New London

Pennsylvania Counties

• Pike
• Monroe
• Northampton
• Wayne

Massachusetts Counties

• Berkshire

Residents outside of the counties listed above, would also be considered for admission.

Underrepresented Groups In The Health Professions

In keeping with our Program goals which foster a diverse student body. We encourage all candidates to apply, including but not limited to Hudson Valley, veterans and graduates of health professions Pre-Health curriculums, and first generations students and individuals from other populations that are underrepresented in the health professions, to apply.

as recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Medically Underserved Populations

In keeping with our Program’s goals to develop students’ skills to function as culturally sensitive physician assistants, with a focus on medically underserved population, we seek candidates who demonstrate desire to work with medically underserved populations. Medically underserved populations are federally-designated population groups having a shortage of personal health services, often defined as groups who face economic, cultural, or linguistic barriers to health care, and limited access to services. They are specific sub-groups of people living in a defined geographic area with a shortage of primary care health services.

as recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration.

The Office of Graduate Admissions will also concentrate their marketing efforts including marketing materials, web presence and direct outreach efforts focusing on these groups.