Admission Requirements

The Manhattan Campus Physician Assistant Program participates in the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Applicants apply online by visiting https://portal.caspaonline.org. Applicants must also complete the PA Program Supplemental Application form, which should be mailed to:
Office of Admissions - PA Manhattan
Touro College School of Health Sciences
1700 Union Boulevard
Bay Shore, New York 11706

Decisions on admission are made by a committee of Manhattan Campus PA Program faculty, and are based on an assessment of the applicant's past academic performance, potential for success in the profession, as well as an understanding of and commitment to the PA profession. The program begins annually in the fall; students may begin enrollment in the program in the fall semester only.

For the class entering Fall 2012, the deadline for receipt of the application with all accompanying documentation is February 1, 2012. The deadline for early decision is November 1, 2011.

The following are required for consideration for admission:

• A completed CASPA application (includes a personal statement and 3 letters of recommendation)
• A completed PA Program Supplemental Application
• Documentation of a minimum of 150 hours of direct patient contact health care experience, either volunteer or paid.
• Documentation of a minimum of 50 hours "shadowing" a physician assistant in at least two different settings. (Shadowing Experience forms can be found in the PA Program Supplemental Application)
• Official transcript(s) indicating (1) a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.90, (2) a minimum GPA of 2.90 in science courses, and (3) successful completion of 90 transferable credits (60 of which must be in general liberal arts and sciences and specifically include 52 credits of prerequisites listed below) with grades of "C" or better* at an accredited college, university, or its equivalent. Please note: An applicant may apply to the program with prerequisite coursework in progress, but all prerequisites must be completed prior to entering the program.

  Distribution of 52 credits of specific prerequisites:

  General Biology I & II (with labs)**	8 credits
  General Chemistry I & II (with labs)**	8 credits
  Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry**	4 credits
  Natural Sciences (e.g., Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Genetics, Immunology)**	8 credits
  Behavioral Sciences (e.g., Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology)	6 credits
  English Composition and/or English Literature+	6 credits
  Humanities (e.g., History, Philosophy, Languages, Literature, Art)	6 credits
  Mathematics (pre-calculus level or above)	3 credits
  Statistics	3 credits

  * Advanced Placement courses taken in high school must have scores of 4 or 5 to transfer.
  **(1) Courses must be designed for science majors. Science courses designed for liberal arts/nursing/respiratory therapy majors, etc. are not acceptable. (2) Applicants whose science prerequisites are more than 10 years old will be required to take additional science courses, unless exempted by the Admissions Committee after review of a written petition.
  +Applicants must provide catalog descriptions for English courses not taught by an English department (e.g. through a core curriculum or honors program).

• For applicants who do not hold a baccalaureate-level degree from an accredited college, university, or its equivalent, an official high school transcript or proof of GED.
• For applicants whose native language is not English, or who did not attend college in the U.S. or other English-speaking country, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination with a score of at least 560 (paper-based), 220 (computer-based), or 83 (Internet-based) (Note: the TOEFL exam does not fulfill or substitute for the 6-credit English prerequisite requirement). They must also have their foreign credentials evaluated by a School of Health Sciences-approved agency. A list of approved agencies can be found by visiting www.naces.org/members.htm.

Please note:

• All prerequisite courses are offered by Touro College's Lander Colleges of Arts and Sciences and New York School of Career and Applied Studies, as well as by the School of Health Sciences' Undergraduate Studies department at the Bay Shore campus.
• The PA program does not award academic credit for experiential learning.
• Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview or admission to the program.

The program Admissions Committee evaluates an applicant's completed application and considers the following factors:

• Quality and content of the personal statement.
• Quality of the three letters of recommendation.
• Cumulative GPA
• Science GPA
• Quality of health care experiences

Based on this evaluation, selected applicants are invited for a personal interview, at which time they are assessed with regard to their understanding of the PA role, their motivation, maturity, intellectual qualities, insights, and interpersonal skills.

The Admissions Committee makes final decisions on admission to the program, taking all factors into consideration.

Students who do not meet admission standards may petition the Admissions Committee for consideration. The petition must be in writing and must accompany the application. It must clearly explain extenuating circumstances that have prevented the student from meeting established standards, and describe elements of the applicant's background that would indicate the potential for success in the program. The Admissions Committee may choose to admit students who have not met established admission requirements, based on the student's petition, application, interview and other supporting documents required as part of the application process.

Touro College
Office of Admissions - PA Manhattan
1700 Union Boulevard
Bay Shore, N.Y. 11706
(866) TOURO-4-U