PAAD
Physician Assistants Advancing Development
Physician Assistants Advancing Development (PAAD) is an opportunity for undergraduate students to better understand the physician assistant/associate (PA) profession. We acknowledge that many undergraduate students are not aware of the PA profession and/or are unsure of what it takes to get there. The Department of Physician Assistant Studies at Pitt hosts an immersive experience of all things PA!
PAAD is provided by the University of Pittsburgh Physician Assistant Studies program in conjunction with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).
This is a week-long, all-expenses-paid experience in May of each year. This opportunity is open to all undergraduate students within southwest Pennsylvania who meet admission criteria (see below). While all expenses are included, students are responsible for transportation to and from the Pitt Oakland campus at the beginning and conclusion of the week. This is inclusive of lodging, meals and transportation (if needed) to and from shadowing sessions.
Activities and Experiences
- PA classroom opportunities at the Fifth & Halket Building on Pitt’s Oakland campus
- Faculty teaching and discussions
- Coaching for the PA application process
- Clinical shadowing hours with UPMC clinicians
PAAD 2027 Program Dates
Sunday, May 9 at 5 p.m. – Friday, May 14 at 11 a.m.
(Arrival and dismissal times subject to change)
Application Information
Application Requirements:
- MUST have graduated from high school (or GED/equivalent)
- Demonstrate successful completion of at least 12 college course credits within the last 36 months
- While application is permissible during the final year of undergraduate studies, you CANNOT have graduated from any college/university/institution by the time of PAAD participation (i.e. prior to May 2027)
- Undergraduate students already accepted to the University of Pittsburgh Physician Assistant Studies Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP) are ineligible
- ALL elements for this application are included within the application form, specifically:
- Completion of application questions, including 3 written statements as attachments
- Submission of unofficial transcripts with current/cumulative GPA
- One letter of reference (from a college instructor/academic advisor/faculty)
Application Review Process:
The application portal is open from Monday, Oct. 26, 2026 through Friday, Jan. 18, 2027. This is NOT a rolling admissions process, and all applications will be considered simultaneously once the cycle closes. Offer decisions will be released (including 2 alternates) on Friday, Feb. 19, 2027 and candidate acceptance/commitment of such a seat offer will be required by Friday, Feb. 26, 2027 by 11:59 PM ET (lest a seat be offered to another candidate).
Application Deadline: Friday, Jan. 18, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Information Session:
Interested in applying? As the application window opens for PAAD 2027, this session will discuss what PAAD is, who should apply, and why this will be a fantastic opportunity!
- When: Monday, Nov. 9, 7–8 p.m. ET
- Format: Virtual via Zoom
Contact Information:
Please submit any additional questions about this program or the application process to Tara McSwigan (tmm142@pitt.edu).
Call for Preceptors:
If you are interested in serving as a preceptor, please email Tara McSwigan at tmm142@pitt.edu.