Physician Assistant Studies (MS)

For Incoming First-Year Undergraduate Students

Incoming first-year undergraduate students have the opportunity to qualify for a number of the “Pitt Guaranteed Admissions Programs” which guarantee students admission into a graduate or professional program, including the Physician Assistant Studies (MS) programs (on-campus or hybrid), providing they meet all criteria.

For more information about SHRS and the Pitt Guaranteed Admissions Program for current high school students and future Pitt applicants, please click here.

To complete the evaluation of your candidacy for the Physician Assistant Studies Guarantee, applicants will be required to submit the following:

1. Three letters of recommendation
2. Responses to the following two prompts. Each prompt must be 500 words or less:
   1. In your own words, write a brief statement expressing your motivation or desire to become a Physician Assistant. This statement must include a statement of intent (one sentence) indicating whether you prefer guaranteed admission to the residential or hybrid PA Studies program.
   2. How have your life experiences shaped your perspective and prepared you for a future role as a healthcare provider? Specifically, how do these experiences support our Program’s mission to develop PA’s who will advocate for all populations? Share meaningful experiences from any part of your life, even those unrelated to healthcare, that reveal your character, values, or growth. You are encouraged to include challenges related to your background, culture, identity, or education that provide insight into how you will contribute to a healthcare workforce that truly reflects the communities it serves.
3. Materials should be submitted together via one email to PittPA@shrs.pitt.edu, or separately with the subject line “GAP Application – (First Name) (Last Name)” by February 1. Based on a review of your essay and recommendations, the PAS committee will notify you directly, in April, if you are selected for the guarantee.

To maintain a guarantee if you are selected, you must:

1. Achieve a 3.70 or better science prerequisite and overall grade point average (GPA) while enrolled in an undergraduate program at Pitt
2. Complete all admission requirements for the PAS program,
3. Meet with PA faculty or staff members at least once per year providing proof of GPA and courses taken, and
4. Complete your undergraduate degree at Pitt in four years.

Apply to the program through CASPA by July 31. Students granted a PAS Guarantee will have the option of enrolling in our on-campus or hybrid program. You will make your selection upon application to the graduate program.

For Sophomores Applying to the SHRS Nutrition Science Program

The Physician Assistant Studies (MS) hybrid and on-campus programs will offer guaranteed admission to select admitted SHRS Nutrition Science (BS) students. Consideration for the Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) Guarantee is a multi-step process. Qualified students will be asked by the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences to submit supplemental information in support of their candidacy.

To be considered for the Guarantee, Nutrition Science (BS) applicants must:

1. Apply to the Nutrition Science (BS) upper-division program by March 1. Students are encouraged to apply early.
2. Hold a 3.60 or better science prerequisite and overall grade point average (GPA) at the time of application.
3. Eligible students will be invited to submit supplemental application materials, including recommendation letters and personal statements, to the PA program by April 1. The supplemental information will be reviewed by the PAS selection committee.

Students selected for the guarantee based on their submissions will be notified by the PAS program. Students offered the guarantee must:

1. Achieve a 3.60 or better science prerequisite and overall grade point average (GPA) while enrolled in the Nutrition Science (BS) program,
2. Complete all admission requirements for the PAS program,
3. Complete your Nutrition Science degree at Pitt in two years, and
4. Apply to the program through CASPA by July 1 following graduation from the Nutrition Science (BS) program. You must apply to the format of the program (hybrid or on-campus) to which you were guaranteed admission.

The program reserves the right to limit the number of students offered Guaranteed Admission each year. Only admitted Nutrition Science (BS) students can be considered for this guarantee.