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Direct Entry Physician Assistant (PA) Program
Are you planning to pursue a graduate degree to become a physician assistant after your bachelor’s degree? Baldwin Wallace University offers the direct entry physician assistant (PA) program, providing students with a streamlined path that better prepares you for our competitive physician assistant program.
The BW direct entry PA program allows 10 first-year students to be accepted each year into both an undergraduate degree program at BW as well as our Master of Medical Science physician assistant (PA) program. The direct entry PA program will guarantee incoming first-year students a space in the graduate PA program, while providing a robust, engaging student experience.
Benefits of BW’s Direct Entry PA Program
- A guaranteed space in BW’s graduate PA program as an incoming first-year student. BW’s graduate physician assistant program typically has more than 700 applicants for 35 slots each year.
- A streamlined pathway to graduate school, which means that the GRE, CASPA application and formal program interview are all waived.
- The best preparation for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). BW’s PA program has maintained a 99% pass rate on the PANCE since the program’s first graduating class in May 2015.
- A more robust undergraduate experience that will better prepare students for graduate school. Once enrolled, you will begin a four-year experience at BW that will include:
- Enhanced academic guidance from undergraduate advisors.
- Connections and mentorships with current graduate students.
- Participation in student-led skills sessions as part of the Pre-PA Club.
- Opportunities to sit in on select graduate classes.
- Access to clinical medical seminars as undergraduates.
Direct Entry PA Program Eligibility
BW will begin offering this program to undergraduate students in the fall of 2023. With the exception of students who have a higher class standing due to the College Credit Plus (CCP) program and/or AP credit, the first cohort of direct entry PA students will be eligible to start the PA graduate program in summer 2027. Academically qualified students admitted to the majors listed below will receive an email asking if they would like to be considered for the direct entry PA program.
Majors That Fulfill BW’s PA Program Prerequisites
BW offers several undergraduate majors that include the necessary prerequisite coursework to prepare students for the graduate PA program.
Additional Criteria for Direct Entry PA Program
- A cumulative high school GPA of 3.75 or higher at the time students are admitted to BW.
- Test scores submitted with the application that place you in the top 25th percentile at BW.
- ACT composite score of 27 or higher or SAT combined score of 1280 or higher.
Application Process & Maintaining Eligibility
- Application Process
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Beginning in November 2022, academically qualified students admitted to the majors listed above will receive an email asking if they would like to be considered for the direct entry PA program.
For continued consideration for the program, eligible students must log into their applicant portal to submit an essay (500 words max) by February 20 and attend the BW Presidents Day admitted student event on February 20, 2023.
January 13 - Registration opens for the BW Presidents Day admitted student event to register for both the full event and the direct entry PA program session. Register here.
January 15 – Deadline to be admitted to BW to be eligible for the direct entry PA program.
February 10 - Registration deadline for the BW Presidents Day admitted student event.
February 20 – Deadline for essay submission.
February 20 – The PA direct entry session is held during the BW Presidents Day admitted student event.
- This will be a session that takes place after the completion of the main Presidents Day admission event.
- The session will be no more than one hour in length. Anticipated format:
- Students and parents gather at the Knowlton Center at BW.
- BW faculty and senior administrators will discuss plans for the BW direct entry program cohort.
- A panel of three current PA students will provide perspectives on their BW PA experience.
- Q&A with the audience.
Following the Presidents Day event, an admission committee will review the pool of applicants and score the essays. Ten students will be notified of their acceptance into the program by the first week of March.
- There may also be a waitlist of 5-8 students to help ensure we reach the target goal of 10 students who enroll in the direct entry PA program.
- Students not selected for the direct entry PA program will still be welcomed to BW and have future opportunities to apply to BW’s graduate PA program if so desired.
May 1 – Deadline for submitting a deposit and confirming enrollment at BW and in the direct entry PA program.
- Maintaining Eligibility
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In order to remain eligible for the direct entry PA program, students must meet the following criteria.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.70 on a 4.0 scale by the end of their sophomore year at BW.
- Cannot have any grade lower than a C unless the class is repeated, and the overall cumulative GPA remains at 3.70 or greater each semester beginning their junior year.
- Students who have earned CCP credit in prerequisite courses need to have earned a C or better for those courses to satisfy prerequisites.
- Completion of the following PA prerequisite courses as an undergraduate:
- ENG 131: Workshop in Expo & Argument
- Statistics: We accept any credit bearing course
- PSY 100: Principles of Psychological Science
- BIO 121: Principles of Biology I
- BIO 122: Principles of Biology II
- CHM 111: General Chemistry I
- CHM 122: General Chemistry II
- CHM 252: Organic Chemistry I
- CHM 255: Organic Chemistry I Lab
- BIO 212: Microbiology
- BIO 203: Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIO 204: Human Anatomy and Physiology II
OR - BIO 330: Gross Anatomy
- BIO 333: Human Physiology
- ASW 206: Medical Terminology
- If a student chooses to withdraw from the direct entry PA program pathway or does not maintain the above requirements, the student will meet with their academic advisor to discuss other opportunities. Withdrawn students may still subsequently apply to the PA graduate program through the normal application process when appropriate.
Direct entry PA students are permitted to change their major after being selected for or starting the program, provided they change to one of the six majors required for program eligibility.
