Entering Class Profiles
Penn State College of Medicine Physician Assistant Program students come from diverse educational, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
See below for profiles of recent entering classes.
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If you have questions about the PA Program entering class profiles, contact us at 717-531-0003, ext. 285595 or PSUPAProgram@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
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Learn about the application process2018 Facts and Figures
(Graduating Class of 2020)
Applications and Interviews
Applications received: 4,786
Class size: 30
Students from Early Assurance partnership program: 1
Applicants interviewed: 113 (2.4%)
Applicants offered admission: 39
Demographic Profile
Women: 15
Men: 15
Underrepresented or disadvantaged students: 19 (63%) - Underrepresented students include veterans, educationally disadvantaged, economically disadvantaged, and/or underrepresented minorities in healthcare.
Average age: 26
Pennsylvania residents: 12
Non-Pennsylvania residents: 18 (Countries represented: China, Colombia, Poland and Vietnam. States represented: California (2), Idaho, Iowa, Maryland (3), Michigan (3), New York, Ohio, Oklahoma and Vermont.)
Academic Profile
Overall cumulative GPA: 3.66 average (range 3.17 to 3.98)
Overall science GPA: 3.61 average (range 3.0 to 4.0)
Average healthcare hours: 3,238 average (range 500 to 16,800)
Average GRE total: 317 (range 300 to 330)
GRE quantitative: 158 average, 69th percentile (range 149 to 168)
GRE verbal: 159 average, 83rd percentile (range 148 to 167)
GRE writing: 4.3 average, 72nd percentile (range 3.5 to 6.0)
MCAT average: 515 (new scoring method)
Class members entering with advanced degree: 3: two master's, one doctorate
See admission requirements for GRE waiver eligibility.
2017 Facts and Figures
(Graduating Class of 2019)
Applications and Interviews
Applications received: 3,452
Class size: 30
Students from Early Assurance partnership program: 1
Applicants interviewed: 105 (3.0%)
Applicants offered admission: 35
Demographic Profile
Women: 17
Men: 13
Underrepresented or disadvantaged students: 14 (47%) - Underrepresented students include veterans, educationally disadvantaged, economically disadvantaged, and/or underrepresented minorities in healthcare.
Average age: 25.6
Pennsylvania residents: 11
Non-Pennsylvania residents: 19 (States represented: California (2), Florida (2), Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York (4), Ohio, Utah, Virginia)
Academic Profile
Overall cumulative GPA: 3.71 average (range 3.34 to 3.95)
Overall science GPA: 3.67 average (range 3.18 to 4.0)
Average healthcare hours: 3,145 average (range 500 to 15,000)
Average GRE total: 317 (range 305 to 330)
GRE quantitative: 158 average, 70th percentile (range 150 to 170)
GRE verbal: 159 average, 82nd percentile (range 152 to 166)
GRE writing average: 4.4 average, 77th percentile (range 3.5 to 5.5)
MCAT average: 37 (old scoring method), 510 (new scoring method)
Class members entering with doctorate degree: 1
See admission requirements for GRE waiver eligibility.
2016 Facts and Figures
(Graduating Class of 2018)
Applications and Interviews
Applications received: 3,326
Class size: 30
Students from Early Assurance partnership program: 0
Applicants interviewed: 101 (3.0%)
Demographic Profile
Pennsylvania residents: 12
Non-Pennsylvania residents: 18
Women: 18
Men: 12
Underrepresented or disadvantaged students: 16 (53%) - Underrepresented students include veterans, educationally disadvantaged, economically disadvantaged, and/or underrepresented minorities in healthcare.
Average age: 25 (range: 21 to 35)
Academic Profile
Overall cumulative GPA average: 3.64 (range: 3.21 to 3.97)
Overall science GPA average: 3.61 (range: 3.19 to 4.0)
Average healthcare hours: 3,896 (range: 508 to 22,917)
Average GRE total: 316 (range: 303 to 335)
GRE quantitative average: 158 (range: 147 to 168)
GRE verbal average: 158 (range: 149 to 167)
GRE writing average: 4.6 (range: 3.0 to 6.0)
MCAT average: N/A - See admission requirements for GRE waiver eligibility.
Class members with master's degree: 2
Class members with doctorate degree: 1
2015 Facts and Figures
(Graduating Class of 2017)
Applications and Interviews
Applications received: 2,175
Class size: 30
Students from Early Assurance partnership program: 1
Applicants interviewed: 107 (4.9%)
Demographic Profile
Pennsylvania residents: 13
Non-Pennsylvania residents: 17
Women: 11
Men: 19
Underrepresented or disadvantaged students: 14 (47%) - Underrepresented students include veterans, educationally disadvantaged, economically disadvantaged, and/or underrepresented minorities in healthcare.
Average age: 27 (range: 21 to 38)
Academic Profile
Overall cumulative GPA average: 3.63 (range: 3.02 to 4.0)
Overall science GPA average: 3.69 (range: 3.03 to 4.0)
Average healthcare hours: 6,522 (range: 500 to 31,265)
Average GRE total: 313 (range: 301 to 338)
GRE quantitative average: 155 (range: 145 to 168)
GRE verbal average: 158 (range: 148 to 170)
GRE writing average: 4.2 (range: 3.0 to 5.0)
MCAT average: 31.5 - See admission requirements for GRE waiver eligibility.
Class members with master's degree: 8
Class members with doctorate degree: 1
2014 Facts and Figures
(Graduating Class of 2016)
Applications and Interviews
Applications received: 1,921
Class size: 30
Students from Early Assurance partnership program: 0
Applicants interviewed: 109 (5.6%)
Demographic Profile
Pennsylvania residents: 13
Non-Pennsylvania residents: 17
Women: 17
Men: 13
Underrepresented or disadvantaged students: 12 (40%) - Underrepresented students include veterans, educationally disadvantaged, economically disadvantaged, and/or underrepresented minorities in healthcare.
Average age: 28 (range: 21 to 45)
Academic Profile
Overall cumulative GPA average: 3.64 (range: 3.11 to 4.0)
Overall science GPA average: 3.63 (range: 3.15 to 4.0)
Average healthcare hours: 4,835 (range: 500 to 17,108)
Average GRE total: 313 (range: 298 to 330)
GRE quantitative average: 157 (range: 148 to 165)
GRE verbal average: 156 (range: 148 to 168)
GRE writing average: 4.3 (range: 3.5 to 5.5)
MCAT average: 33 - See admission requirements for GRE waiver eligibility.
Class members with master's degree: 7
Class members with doctorate degree: 2