Can you get into PA school with a 3.0 science GPA?
Many PA schools have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 either in cumulative coursework or science courses. Some have higher minimum requirements while other have requirements that are lower than 3.0. Some programs do not list a minimum GPA requirement.
Most PA schools will consider your science, non-science, and overall GPA when evaluating your application. So selecting a major in which you're confident you can earn high grades is a smart move. You'll meet your minimum GPA requirement for PA school more easily if you're not struggling in your major coursework.
The latest PAEA data demonstrates that the overall average GPA of PA matriculants is 3.6, the average science GPA is 3.5, the average non-science GPA is 3.6, and CASPA biology, chemistry, and physics (BCP) GPA is 3.5.
Most PA schools require a minimum GPA of 3.0, but to be truly competitive as a candidate your GPA should be above 3.5 for most top-ranked schools. Even schools with no minimum GPA listed or a GPA minimum below 3.0 will be looking for the best candidates in the application pool.
But it is important to know where you stand and what you need to do to gain an interview to a PA program. The minimum GPA required for most schools is 3.0 (both overall and science), with some being slightly higher or lower.
Most PA schools will require a “C” grade or above in prerequisite science courses. If you receive a “C” in Chemistry but an “A” in Biology, your science GPA will still meet the 3.0 minimum. However, PA schools will take note of your “C” grade.
CASPA calculates all GPAs in semester hours. Courses that were completed in quarter hours are converted to semester hours. The conversion ratio is 1.0 quarter hour = 0.667 semester hours.
Most PA schools have overall GPA and science GPA minimums of 3.0. Some are higher and some are lower, but the AVERAGE student accepted to these programs definitely has GPA scores over 3.0.
- The George Washington University Physician Assistant School. ...
- Thomas Jefferson University Physician Assistant School. ...
- University of New England Physician Assistant School. ...
- University of Utah. ...
- Western University of Health Sciences Physician Assistant School.
You can say that getting into PA school is competitive. The statistics show that being accepted into an individual PA program or PA school require some effort. But improving your GPA, volunteering in the health care profession, and obtaining good letters of recommendation can improve your chances of acceptance.
Is PA school harder to get into than med school?
PA School Admission Is Not Necessarily Less Competitive
This is slightly lower than the average GPA of successful applicants to allopathic medical schools in 2018-19, who had average science and overall GPAs of 3.65 and 3.72, respectively.
In the same year, the average GPA of accepted PA students was a 3.5 science and 3.6 overall. So if you were to only consider GPA, you could say PA programs are easier to get into than MD programs—but by an extremely slight margin.
A science GPA around 3.3-3.4 is Very Good, one between 3.5-3.7 is usually Excellent and one above 3.8 is generally Superior.
Physician Assistant or PA programs are academically competitive. Top schools customarily have a GPA requirement of 3.0 to 4.0. Although there are varying admission factors, most PA schools have a minimum quality point average.
PA School Applicant Quick Tip:
Most schools require 2.7-3.2. The average for acceptance is around 3.5. Focus on science and overall GPA.
However, you probably need at least a 3.5 GPA to be competitive for most (if not all) medical schools. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, only about 30% of all applicants who have a GPA between 3.4 and 3.6 get accepted into a medical school.
According to the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), the average PA acceptance rate is 20 percent. While this acceptance rate is higher than it is for medical school, it still means that 80 percent of applicants are rejected.
- Boost your GPA with courses that interest you, but are not necessarily difficult (an "easy" A)
- Boost your GPA with post-bacc classes at a local community college after graduation.
- Boost your GPA by completing a post-bacc program or a Master's program.
And, if you're serious about getting into PA school, it might be necessary. Most PA schools have overall GPA and science GPA minimums of 3.0. Some are higher and some are lower, but the AVERAGE student accepted to these programs definitely has GPA scores over 3.0.
While perfect grades are not required for medical school admission, premeds "would want to be in the mid-3.0 range and higher to feel relatively competitive," Grabowski says. Still, it is possible to get into med school with a mediocre or low GPA.
Can I get into PA school with a 2.7 GPA?
PA School Applicant Quick Tip:
Most schools require 2.7-3.2. The average for acceptance is around 3.5. Focus on science and overall GPA.
A 3.0 GPA is considered a straight “B” average and makes you a competitive applicant for a number of colleges and universities.