Physician Assistant Program FAQ's

The admission process for this cycle has changed significantly from previous years. Please make sure to read the new Admission Requirements before completing your application.

Application deadline is October 1st

Do I need to have all of the prerequisites complete in order to apply?
No, you may have prerequisite courses still in process. They must however be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or higher prior to June 1st of the matriculation year if accepted into the graduate program. You will be able to indicate on the CASPA application which courses you still need to complete and the terms in which you plan to complete them.

May I take prerequisite courses at a community college?
Yes, you may take outstanding prerequisites at a community college or any other accredited school. Online courses offered by an accredited college or university are also permitted for courses that do not have a lab component. (If you are unsure whether courses meets our criteria and have a course description you may email it to the Admissions office for approval.)

If I have retaken a class; do Chatham and CASPA look at the new grade or the average of both?
CASPA does their overall GPA calculation based on every course taken, including repeated courses. Chatham takes the newer or better grade for your prerequisite coursework.

Is there a supplemental application for Chatham in addition to the CASPA application?
No, however, we do require that you complete the PA shadowing form. This can be found on our website: http://www.chatham.edu/departments/healthmgmt/graduate/pa/apply.cfm

Do I need to submit the Shadowing Form by the application deadline?
It is not mandatory. We do recommend that you complete your shadowing form prior to November 1st.

What are the group interviews and when are they conducted?
We no longer require an interview as part of our admissions process.

When should I have my materials in to CASPA in order to meet Chatham’s deadlines? CASPA recommends having your application completed 4-6 weeks prior to the deadlines. You may complete your application later but to ensure no problems a 6 week buffer is recommended.

Can I make an appointment to learn more about the program and see the campus?
Yes, individual appointments are scheduled on a continuous basis. However we recommend making an appointment to come and sit in on a class, meet with faculty and have a campus tour all at once. We have dates available for you to choose your visit. Please contact Maureen Stokan, Graduate Advisor, 412-365-2988 or mstokan@chatham.edu

Can I send you my transcript to review and advise me on which courses I still need to fulfill?
Yes, you may fax or email them to Maureen Stokan, Graduate Advisor, 412-365-2988 or mstokan@chatham.edu.

How many applicants does Chatham have for this program and how many seats are available?
We had about 500 applicants last year for 60 seats per incoming class. This represented an increase of 100 applicants from the previous year. The number of applicants is expected to continue to increase for the next several years.

What can I do to make myself a competitive candidate for program at Chatham?

• Meet our overall and science GPA minimum requirements.
• Select the factors found in the Holistic Approach to Admissions Process document that apply to you and make sure to report them in your CASPA application. In order to get credit, personal attributes must be justified with specific examples. If not specifically asked by CASPA, you can report these factors as part of your:
• Personal Statement
• References or recommendation letters
• Shadow a PA or multiple PA’s.
• Understand the role of a PA and be able to articulate your understanding as related to your personal academic and professional strengths and goals.
• Visit the campus, sit in on a class and meet the faculty and current PA students.