Current-cycle decision support
Turn confirmed information into a first practice
Why the physician assistant profession?
Practise explaining why the PA role fits your experiences and goals. Review whether you distinguish the profession clearly, use specific evidence, and connect your motivation to patient care; then record again with a sharper answer.
Quick facts
- Degree: MPAS; 24 months and 101 credits; Hershey; May start; ARC-PA Continued.
Admission requirements
Applicants need a U.S. or Canadian bachelor’s degree, at least 3.0 academic thresholds, prerequisites, three letters, an essay, 500 healthcare hours by May matriculation and an accepted standardized test. International candidates are not eligible under the published rules. Official program
Important dates
- December 1: recurring CASPA deadline.
- December 15: LionPATH registration deadline for interview invitees.
- 2026-27: virtual interview cycle.
- May: matriculation; entry year is not explicitly labelled.
How selection works
Holistic review considers academics, care hours and type, leadership, research, volunteering and community contribution, with published preference factors for underserved, first-generation, military and Penn State connections. Official program
Interview details
Confirmed
The 2026-27 interview cycle is virtual and includes a programme-director interview, faculty, staff and alumni panel, programme presentation and current-student session.
Not published
Exact interview dates, duration, questions, file access, rubric and quantitative weights are not public. Official program
Who this program may suit
Penn State may suit applicants seeking an academic-medical-centre programme with virtual selection and service-oriented holistic review. Official program
Practice and next step
Record a first response explaining why the PA profession fits your goals. Review whether your example is specific and evidence-based. Record it again and compare.
Frequently asked questions
Deadline?
December 1.
Care minimum?
500 hours by matriculation.
Interview?
Virtual for the 2026-27 cycle.
Sources
Source check: August 22, 2026. Penn State explicitly labels the 2026-27 virtual interview cycle. The May matriculation month is public, but the entry year is not, so none is asserted. ARC-PA lists Accreditation-Continued.
Recommended preparation
Physician Assistant Interview Essentials
Build a credible PA interview foundation through four focused spoken responses: profession-specific motivation, interprofessional teamwork, fair clinical decision-making, and reflective use of feedback.
Page history
- Published