What is Pre-PA?

September 1, 2023

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A pre-PA, or “pre-physician assistant,” means you are working toward applying to a Physician Assistant program. The length of Physician Assistant programs range from 24 months to 36 months, subsequent to the completion of a bachelor’s degree. The primary difference is due to summer classes and/or additional supplemental areas of study such as public health.

Entry into these programs is highly competitive, so you’ll need to go above and beyond the basics of grade point average (GPA) and clinical experience. It is essential that you differentiate yourself from other applicants by gaining unique skills to contribute towards the creation of a diverse learning environment that’s sure to enrich the education for everyone.

What Is a Physician Assistant?

A Physician Assistant (PA) practices medicine under the supervision of a physician. PAs provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative medical care. They record notes, carry out therapy, instruct and counsel patients, prescribe certain medications, and even perform minor surgeries.

Although PAs are trained as generalist healthcare providers, they often specialize in specific areas like dermatology, orthopedics, cardiology, and emergency medicine, which is among the most attractive aspects of the profession.

How Do You Become a Physician’s Assistant?

You need to obtain a bachelor’s degree, but your major does not have to be in biological sciences. Students should select a major in an area of specific interest to them. A pre-physician’s assistant is not a major, so be sure to complete the most common prerequisites as follows:

Coursework Generally Required by Many PA Schools*        

  • One year General Biology
  • One year General Chemistry
  • One semester of Organic Chemistry
  • One year of English (Lower & Upper-Division Writing Courses)
  • One semester Calculus
  • One semester Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • One semester in Human Anatomy and one semester in Physiology or One year AP 1 & AP 2
  • Microbiology with lab

* Check for any additional requirements from the school to which you are applying.

Recommended courses:

  • Statistics
  • Biochemistry
  • General Physics
  • Genetics
  • Immunology
  • Medical Terminology

Factors of Consideration for Admission:

  • Cumulative GPA and science GPA
  • A Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  • Personal statement
  • Interviews (in-person and virtual)
  • CASPer situational judgment assessment
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Healthcare experience
  • Patient-care experience

Central Application Service to Physician Assistants (CASPA) is the centralized application system for applying to most PA programs, though some require direct application on their website.

Check out our tips for your CASPA Application

What Should You Expect in a Pre-PA Program?

Pre-PA programs combined graduate-level life sciences curriculum with professional competencies such as teamwork, public speaking, and an interdisciplinary approach to solving tomorrow’s healthcare challenges. Within a Pre-PA program, you’ll enhance your academic credentials while getting a taste of what life would look like as a PA student. 

With a Pre-PA, you can gain additional clinical hours and set yourself apart from other PA applicants.

At KGI, our students love our Pre-PA  program for the ALS 398 course, which was designed exclusively to support students with their applications, GRE prep course, and effective practice interviews. Our students also gain a tremendous amount of personal and developmental value through the program’s individual financial planning, collaborative culture, mentoring, and connection to our strong alumni network.

The following is a list of some of the activities and opportunities for our students:

  • Field trips to local and regional PA schools
  • Meet with professionals from various medical specialties
  • Simulated individual interviews, group interviews, and multi-mini interviews (MMI)
  • Guest speakers from various PA schools
  • GRE prep course (additional fee required)
  • Network opportunities with KGI alumni
  • Research opportunities
  • Clinical and shadowing opportunities

Get a Head Start On Your Physician Assistant Studies: KGI’s Post Baccalaureate Pre-PA Certificate Program

An excellent academic and personal enrichment is the Post Baccalaureate Pre-PA Certificate (PPA) program at Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) in Claremont, CA. This program is specifically designed to give PA applicants a competitive advantage with a comprehensive academic program and extra-curricular activities and work experience.

Want to learn more about what a Pre-PA Certificate looks like at KGI? Request more information! To learn more about careers you can have as a physician assistant, download our career guide, There’s More to Medicine Than Meets the Eye: Your Guide to a Career in Healthcare and the Life Sciences.

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE

 

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