First Time in College Admissions

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 and requests for letters of recommendation can be completed through The Common Application or through the D’Youville application portal once you submit your application.

To keep their early assurance seat, students must do the following:

1. Must maintain a cumulative science grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0.

2. Must maintain an overall semester and cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0.

3. A minimum grade of a B- for all science courses (C for all other coursework) specified as a PA prerequisite. However, students must be aware of the 3.0 minimum semester and cumulative GPA requirements and 3.0 minimum cumulative science GPA.

4. Complete a successful interview with the PA Department during their junior year. The interview process includes: submitting three letters of recommendation, a written essay, and documentation of direct patient interaction hours if applicable, in addition to an interview with a member of the PA Department.

5. If a student’s GPA falls below the requirement or they are not successful in their interview, they will lose their early assurance seat. However, a student can still apply at the end of their undergraduate program to the M.S. PA program.

Students who are not accepted into early assurance (or lost their early assurance seat) can still take PA pre-requisites in either our BIO B.A. or Health Humanities B.S. programs.

Curriculum requirements for each program can be found in the Academic Catalog (Biology B.A. or Health Humanities B.S.). Students on a “PA-track” can then apply into the M.S. PA program at the end of their BIO or Health Humanities programs. D’Youville students on these tracks are guaranteed an interview if departmental minimum standards are met, and do not have to apply through CASPA.

The following are the PA Department's minimum standards required for a guaranteed interview:

1. Must maintain a cumulative science grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0.

2. Must maintain an overall semester and cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0.

3. A minimum grade of a B- for all science courses (C for all other coursework) specified as a PA prerequisite. However, students must be aware of the 3.0 minimum semester and cumulative GPA requirements and 3.0 minimum cumulative science GPA.

*Please note: as part of the interview process, the student must also submit 3 letters of recommendation, a written essay, and documentation of any direct patient interaction hours if applicable.

1. Create an account and submit your application in our application portal or submit your application through The Common Application.
2. Forward one official copy of your high school transcript.

Note: All essays and requests for letters of recommendation can be completed through The Common Application, or through the D’Youville application portal once you submit your application. For students using The Common Application, the physician assistant essay can be found under writing supplements.

First Time in College Student Requirements

• Official high school transcripts.
• A minimum class average 85 with successful completion of high school graduation requirements and three years of math.
• Math and science subjects must have a minimum grade of at least 83 (B).
• One-year high school science courses in biology/living environment and chemistry.
• Applicants with higher GPAs and more rigorous courses will be considered more competitive candidates.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Admissions essay addressing all of the questions (below). Essays should not exceed 750 words.

ESSAY

You can answer each of the following questions (below). Essays should not exceed 750 words. Please answer all of these questions in your essay:

1. Why have you chosen the physician assistant profession over other healthcare professions?

2. Describe what makes you distinctly qualified to pursue the physician assistant professional degree at D'Youville.

3. Identify the methods you used to research the physician assistant profession.

4. Provide examples of how you found the physician assistant profession to be different from other healthcare professions.

• 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):

• Standardized SAT/ACT test scores
• Direct patient interaction hours, 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.

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.