How to Apply

The following steps are included in the application process. Review each step carefully as you prepare and submit your application. For more detailed information about dates and notifications, refer to our Admission Timeline page. If you have questions about your application materials, refer to our admission FAQ. 

Complete recommended preparatory coursework and recommended preparatory experience. Review our entrance requirements and recommendations carefully as you decide what courses to take and explore options for clinical, research, and volunteer experience. Review our Applicant Self-Assessment Checklist, and consider how to best align your coursework and experience with our program's mission and goals.

We use the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) to receive all applications. The application window for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle will open on April 27, 2024, and close on July 15, 2024, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

Please note that applications must be in "Complete" CASPA status by July 15, 2024, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time in order to be eligible for review. Because there may be processing delays, we strongly encourage applicants to submit several days ahead of the deadline. Deadline extensions for processing delays will not be granted. Learn more about CASPA statuses.

There is a fee to submit the CASPA application. Learn more about CASPA fees, including the CASPA Fee Assistance Program.

Completion of the GRE, MCAT, or PA-CAT is highly recommended. We highly recommend that applicants complete either the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT) examination, or the Physician Assistant College Admission Test (PA-CAT), we will review all eligible applications regardless of standardized test completion. The PA-CAT test is preferred among standardized testing. An application for partial fee waiver assistance for the PA-CAT is available.

Applicants with GRE scores should submit official scores for all sections (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical) in the CASPA application using the Stanford MSPA Program CASPA code 4510. Applicants with MCAT scores should provide their Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) verification code in the CASPA application using the Stanford MSPA Program CASPA code 4510. Applicants taking the PA-CAT should designate Stanford as one of the schools to send their scores to, and then PA-CAT will send official scores directly to us. Official GRE, MCAT, and/or PA-CAT scores should be verified either in CASPA (for GRE and MCAT) or received by our admissions office (for PA-CAT) by the application deadline in order to be included in our review. 

A minimum of three (3) letters of reference are recommended with a maximum of five (5) letters allowed through the CASPA application. Letters of reference from a physician assistant, a physician, and a person who can speak to the applicant's academic potential, such as a science professor or academic advisor, are strongly preferred. Letters from prior employers, professional colleagues, and mentors are also acceptable. Letters from applicant's healthcare provider(s), families & friends would NOT be considered. Letters of reference should speak directly to the applicant's alignment with the mission and goals of our program. In order to be considered in our review, letters of reference must be received in CASPA by the time of application submission. 

After our application review is complete, approximately 10% of applicants will be invited to interview. Interviews will be held in Autumn 2024. All interviews will be panel-style.

After the conclusion of our interviews, our Admissions Committee selects candidates for admission. Accepted and waitlisted candidates will be notified via email. A non-refundable seat deposit of $1,000, which will be applied toward the applicant's first-quarter tuition, is required at the time an applicant accepts a position in the incoming class.