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Admissions

The Physician Assistant (PA) program receives hundreds of applications every year, causing the selection process to be highly competitive for the 45 seats available in each class. The PA Admissions Committee reviews applications holistically and selects applicants with above-average proficiency in academic history, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and medical experience/training to be considered for admission. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications when they have completed all the requirements for the program. The program only reviews CASPA-verified submissions and does not receive documentation submitted after verification of the CASPA application. Applications are reviewed continuously until the cohort is filled.

Veteran and FIU Students/Alumni (A3.12a)

Favorable consideration for admission is given to applicants who are Veterans and/or have graduated or will be graduating from Florida International University. 

  • All veterans and FIU students/alumni who meet or exceed the program’s selection factors will be granted an interview and an opportunity to earn acceptance into the program.
  • All applicants should understand that acceptance into a physician assistant program is an extremely competitive process. An interview does not constitute or guarantee acceptance.
Experiences in Areas of Health Care Need (A3.12a)

Additional preferences, such as, ranked higher, will be given to all applicants who have direct health care experience serving areas with health care need.

Advanced Placement Credit (A3.12c)

The program does not grant advanced placement credits to students for courses required within the PA curriculum. Advanced placement credits may be accepted for PA prerequisite courses.

Experiential Learning Credit (A3.12d)

The PA program does not grant credit for prior experiential learning (i.e., experience working in the field of physician assistant practice or related health care experience).

Transfer Credit (A3.12b)

The PA program does not accept transfer credit from other institutions of higher education for courses required within the PA curriculum. Transfer credits may be accepted for PA prerequisite courses.

FIU PA Deferral Policy

  1. Accepted applicants may request a deferral of their matriculation to a future year’s entering class if:
    • Their written request, which fully describes the reason for the deferral, is accepted by the PA Admissions Committee.  The written request should be accompanied by official documentation of the activity for which the deferral is requested.
    • The requesting student must additionally agree in writing to the following requirements:
      • The deferment will be for 1 year only and there will be no extensions.
      • The student must commit to the program and withdraw from all other schools to which they may have been accepted and may not apply to other physician assistant schools during the deferred period. Students who choose to apply to another physician assistant school will be withdrawn.
      • The student must submit a letter to the program between February 1st and April 30th of the year in which the deferred matriculation commences committing to enter the program in August of the deferred matriculation year.
      • The student will submit an official document verifying the activity or transcript for educational training received during the deferral year by April 30th of the matriculation year.
      • The student will appear either in person or via electronic means if out of the country (Zoom, FaceTime) for a brief interview by April 30th of the deferred matriculation year by one or more members of the PA Admissions Committee.
      • The student complies with all admissions requirements for the deferred matriculation year including, but not limited to, criminal background checks, drug testing, and all pre-matriculation health requirements.
      • The student agrees to disclose any felonies or misdemeanors that have occurred between the time of the initial PA Application and the time of matriculation.