Advice & Insight From PA Application Specialists
The PA program at the University of Chicago is incredibly competitive, with 2061 applicants in the last admissions cycle, of whom 143 were interviewed and 44 subsequently admitted into the enrolling class. The average GPA is 3.8, and the average science GPA is 3.76. The median experience hours are 64 hours of shadowing, 243 hours of volunteering, and 324 hours of health related work. You will need to complete the CASPer test in order to be considered for the school. We advise that you prepare for this test well in advance with a suitable preparation tool.
The school uses a mixed format for its interviews. There are four interview days, which each have 36 applicants invited to attend. The day starts at 8am, when you will check in. You then have a 15 minute individual interview, a 25 minute group interview, and a 25 minute group exercise. Each applicant is interviewed by three teams, each consisting of a faculty member and a graduate, and a preceptor or a member of the Office of Outreach and Inclusion. The school advises that you do not need to be prepared with specific information for the discussions, and that questions will normally not have right or wrong answers.
You should also expect a lunch and campus tour. The university advises you to have breakfast to prepare for the morning, to wear professional dress, and to be honest.
From April 15th to September 1st the CASPA application is available online. From May 15th to September 1st the supplemental CU application is available online. Application review begins in early June and is rolling from thereon. CASPer scores must be received by September 1st. Interviews take place on the campus in September and October with interviews taking place on a rolling basis until the class is filled. Final decisions will be taken by early spring.
Per the University of Colorado, seats are offered to ‘applicants who appear to be the most highly qualified to meet the mission and goals of the program in terms of academic potential and previous achievement, character, motivation and understanding of the profession, and life experience.’
​Motivation and Understanding of the Physician Assistant Profession
Learn the best interview strategies and practice with interview questions & model answers.
Academic Potential and Previous Achievement
Character
Life Experience
