How to Apply

The application for the OHSU PA program opens in late April and your verified CASPA application must be received by August 1, 8:59 pm PST/11:59 pm EST.  There are no exceptions to the posted deadline.

CASPA

The OHSU PA Program participates in the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).  This application process allows you to compile your application materials once and apply to multiple programs with one, centralized application.  The application fee is based on the number of programs to which an applicant applies. Please refer to CASPA for information on fees and waivers.  For questions about completing the online CASPA application, assistance can be provided by emailing caspainfo@caspaonline.org or visiting the CASPA Help Center.

An application must be verified by our deadline in order to be considered.  Please refer to the CASPA Help Center for information regarding the coursework verification process; CASPA states that the average application takes up to 2 weeks to be verified.  Please keep this in mind when planning your application to the program.  We recommend submitting your application 3-4 weeks ahead of the deadline to allow extra time (just in case!) for resolving any issues that  may arise during verification.  It is up to the applicant to ensure their application meets the program's deadlines.

There is no supplemental application. You will be required to answer OHSU-specific questions in the OHSU PA Program portal prior to submitting your CASPA application.

Financial Assistance for Application Fees

CASPA Fee Waiver Program

For applicants that are financially disadvantaged, PAEA offers a Fee Assistance Program that covers the cost of applying to the first two programs. Please review the CASPA Fees and Fee Waiver website or the CASPA Fee Waiver Infographic for information about eligibility and how to apply. To redeem the fee waiver, applicants must simultaneously submit their applications to the first two programs by clicking Submit All. Otherwise, the applicant forfeits any remaining balance.

OHSU PA Program application coupon code - NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR THIS CYCLE

Separate of the CASPA Fee Waiver Program, the OHSU PA Program is offering our own coupon codes to waive the application fee to our program for applicants in financial need. This can be used in addition to the CASPA Fee Waiver program. Please email paprgm@ohsu.edu to apply for the coupon code and provide your name, CAS ID and eligibility criteria as listed below. Coupon codes are limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Eligibility
To receive a coupon code, applicants must fulfill one of the following eligibility criteria.

  • Received a CASPA fee waiver and are in continual need for financial support.
  • Pell Grant recipients
  • Participant OHSU programs – On Track!, Build Exito, Equity Research Program
  • Applicants experiencing financial hardship

How to use a coupon code
Applicants granted a coupon code will receive instructions on how to apply it. Please note that coupon codes can be redeemed only once and must be used for the OHSU PA Program application. They must be entered at the time of submitting the application on the CASPA payment page. Coupon codes cannot be applied retroactively and expire on August 1st of the year it is awarded. Applicants must apply the coupon code at the time of submitting the application. For any question regarding coupon codes, please email Erica Hankins Regalo.

Transcripts

Official transcripts must be sent to CASPA for verification and inclusion in your application. Do not send official transcripts directly to OHSU unless requested by the program. Transcripts from all institutions you have attended should be sent to the following address:

CASPA Application Center
PO Box 9108
Watertown, MA 02471

Rolling admissions

The PA Program utilizes rolling admissions and early application is encouraged. Verified applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and decisions are communicated with applicants once they are made.

Application reviews

After the program has received the verified application from CASPA, an initial file review will be conducted. Applicants should allow up to 12 weeks for the review of their application. The program will communicate admissions decisions, including interview invitations, via e-mail once the review is complete.

The OHSU PA Program admissions committee utilizes a holistic, mission-based approach.  The committee is looking for overall well-rounded applicants who bring strengths in all areas of their application.  Each section of the application is equally important so no one area will be weighed more than the rest.  This approach allows the admissions committee to select a well-rounded cohort with a diverse make-up of previous academic, health care, and life experiences.

Interviews

Interview invitations are extended throughout the review process. For the 2024-25 application cycle, interviews will take place from September through November and will be held both virtually and in-person. The program will not completely fill the available seats until all qualified candidates have completed their interview. Selections will occur monthly throughout the interview season and final selections will be made by December.