Transfer Admissions

We respect your time, and that of others. In alignment with this, we don’t ask for unnecessary paperwork (that you or someone else needs to generate). As standard practice across all degree programs, D’Youville University is a test-optional institution, which doesn’t require SAT/ACT, or graduate entrance exams. We won’t ask you for letters of recommendation, and official transcripts aren’t necessary to be admitted. Just focus on your life transition and provide verification of your official transcripts sometime after you choose DYU is right for you, but before your first day of classes.

Transfer students must have maintained a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher to be considered for admission. The average transfer student to D’Youville has a 3.26 cumulative GPA. Some academic programs may have specific requirements for admissions, so please review the program page of the degree you are interested to pursue.

• First-time college students and first-year transfer students are required to live on campus for at least their first year of study.

We have a housing requirement because national statistics show that students who live in residence halls tend to perform better academically and are more engaged on campus. Furthermore, students who share a living space more rapidly become comfortable in their new university environment and are more likely to develop valuable life skills such as conflict resolution, adaptability, respect, and openness to the ideas of others.  

Housing at D'Youville

Campus Life

Utilize our Transfer Credit Calculator for an idea of how far along you are towards possibly
completing your undergraduate degree. You can also use our Course Equivalency
Database

Applications must be submitted, marked complete, and verified by CASPA by October 1. Please be aware that verification of applications can take up to 4 weeks by CASPA.

Be sure to review the admission criteria for the Physician Assistant program before applying.

Transfer applicants to the physician assistant program must use the CASPA application. NOTE: Do not complete the D'Youville online application.

Submit transcripts for all previous college credits, including courses in progress to CASPA

If selected to advance in our application process, applicants must complete an interview with faculty, students, and preceptors in the D'Youville Physician Assistant Department.

Prior to enrollment, you may be asked to provide proof of high school graduation or equivalent.

Required Criteria

Received a baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale and a minimum science GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale as calculated by CASPA at the time of application.

• Graduate students who complete a majority of prior academic work at a 4-year school and/or earned baccalaureate degree in science field or other healthcare field will be considered more competitive candidates.
• Applicants with higher GPAs and more rigorous courses will be considered more competitive candidates.
• Official transcripts from ALL previously attended colleges/universities.
• Earned grade of B- or better in all science courses
  • Introductory and survey courses are not accepted to fulfill the required science prerequisites.
  • Applicants must earn a grade of B- or better in each of the following required subjects:
    • Human Anatomy & Physiology (I & II) including laboratory – 8 semester hours*
    • General or Developmental Psychology – 3 semester hours
    • General Inorganic Chemistry (I & II) including laboratory - 8 semester hours
    • Organic Chemistry including laboratory - 3 semester hours
    • Microbiology including laboratory - 3 semester hours
    • Statistics – 3 semester hours
    • English (including 3 semester hours of English Composition) – 6 semester hours

*Applicants who take the combination class of Human Anatomy & Physiology I (A&P I), then must complete the sequence by taking Human Anatomy & Physiology II (A&P II).

• Three letters of recommendation.
• Admissions essay specifically addressing the topic of why the student wants to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant.
• Compliance with technical standards of the profession as noted in the application.

Not Required (but utilized in a holistic review for admission if provided; may make an applicant more competitive):

• Documentation of completed hours of direct patient interaction either through volunteer activities or employment activities.
• Documentation of direct patient interaction (DPI), either through volunteer activities or employment activities, is strongly encouraged. While there are no current minimum requirements, candidates who have completed higher numbers of DPI hours will be considered more competitive.

Supplemental Materials

• The supplemental materials are available to applicants during the online application process. Transfer students will find these materials in the Course Materials section of the CASPA application.
• A provided essay should not exceed 750 words.
• For provided reference forms, one of the three references should come from a healthcare provider or professional (i.e., a physician, RN, PA, etc.) who has observed the candidate in a healthcare setting (either volunteer or employed).

Commitment to Social Justice/Community Engagement

The program seeks to enroll students who demonstrate a commitment to social justice and community engagement and will consider evidence of such a commitment in the applicant’s submitted materials. Applicants with a demonstrated commitment will be considered more competitive.

Advanced Placement

The D’Youville PA program’s curriculum is administered in a sequential fashion with each subsequent semester of coursework building upon the previous one. Consequently, the program does not consider applicants for advanced placement.

Interview and Acceptance

Following a review of application materials, select applicants are invited for an interview by the PA department faculty. Not all applicants who meet the minimum application requirements will be invited for an interview.

Preference for Specified Individuals or Groups Preference for Specified Individuals or Groups

The program does not maintain admission and enrollment practices that favor specified individuals or groups (e.g., military experience) except for those that are specified on the Admissions Requirements listed above.

Completion of an essay is optional but can be used to achieve a higher level of understanding of what makes you a unique applicant. Essays should not exceed 650 words. Please choose one of the following topics:

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. (or)
• The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you and what did you learn from the experience? (or)
• Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? (or)
• Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma — anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. (or)
• Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

Note: All essays can be submitted through The Common Application or through the D’Youville application portal when you submit your application.