DPAS Admissions Policy 24-25 Final

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES

POLICY

OLICY NAME:

ADMISSIONS

RESPONSIBILITY For

Development/Review :

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University

Admin

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Dept. Chair/

Program Director

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Academic

Director

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Clinical

Director

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Faculty

☒

Medical

Director

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Administrative

Secretary

APPROVED BY:

Faculty

DATE CREATED:

5/17/2013

DATE REVISED:

2/14/2024

REVIEWED: Annually

2/14/2024

SUPPORTIVE DOCUMENTS:

Interest Email sent from Graduate Admissions or Department Chair/Program Director to

include link to the DPAS Website

Prospective Student Meeting Form

Curriculum

Admissions Requirements

Application Cover Sheet

Application Review Rubric

Application Missing Information Email

Interview Offer Email

Interview Not Granted Email

Admissions Candidate Interview Form

Admissions Candidate Scoring Form

Interviewed But Not Accepted Email

Hold Email

Wait List Email

Applicant Full Acceptance Email and Letter

Applicant Provisional Acceptance Email and Letter

PA Intent to Enroll Statement and Email

Admission Requirements Checklist

Cohen Health Information Packet

Enrollment Confirmation

Graduate Student Application Evaluation Form

Order forms: Medical Equipment and two lab coats provided at Meet & Greet

Technical Standards Form

https://www.mercyhurst.edu/academics/grad/physician-assistant-studies/application-

process

OCCURRENCE:

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Daily

☐

Weekly

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Monthly

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Quarterly

☒

Yearly

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As Needed

PURPOSE:

To define and publish DPAS policy on the admissions procedures and process.

POLICY:

Application Process

1. Inquiries to the office of Graduate Admissions will receive electronic

correspondence with program information, financial facts, contact information,

and application process.

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES

POLICY

2. Inquiries to the DPAS will receive electronic correspondence with the program

website link that includes required academic standards for enrollment, prior

education prerequisites, curriculum outline, application process, and Graduate

Admissions contact information.

3. Students apply online through the Centralized Application Service for Physician

Assistant (CASPA) service at https://caspa.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login

a. Application cycles open annually in April

b. Application must be verified in CASPA by December 1

4. CASPA will collect and collate all application materials submitted by applicants.

a. CASPA will verify all academic transcripts and degrees, and review

references for completeness and authenticity.

5. CASPA will post verified applications to the program if designated by the applicant

in a timely and efficient manner.

a. A submitted/received application includes:

 An application e-submitted by the December 1

deadline

 All fees have been paid to CASPA

b. A completed application includes:

 An application e-submitted by December 1

 All fees have been paid to CASPA

 Receipt of official transcripts for all schools reported as attended

 Receipt of two of the three required references

 All documents received by the deadline

6. The Administrative Secretary reviews all applicant documentation through the

WebADMIT Admissions Portal at

https://caspa.liaisoncas.com/applicant-

ux/#/login.

a. A local status will be assigned to each verified applicant:

 Application Under Review

b. An email will be sent through CASPA to the applicant stating we have

received their application and it is being reviewed by the Admissions

Committee

7. The Administrative Secretary confirms completed applications to ensure all

defined requirements have been met and will download the application and all

supporting documents to the MU secure server.

8. The Administrative Secretary submits the application to the Admissions

Committee for review. The application review rubric will be calculated for each

qualified candidate.

a. Defined requirements for an interview include the following:

 Degree completion (or evidence of degree completion) prior to

matriculation

 Meets overall and prerequisite GPA requirement (or evidence of

course work in progress that will meet requirements)

 Course requirements met (or evidence of course work in progress

that will meet requirements)

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES

POLICY

 Health care experience, evidence of 200 hours (or evidence of

health care experience in progress that will meet requirements)

 TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) if needed

International or non-native speaking students must submit

official, notarized scores from the TOEFL exam and must meet

the minimum score requirement of 79+

 Two of three letters of recommendation

 Personal statement on file

9. The Admissions Committee will indicate on the application a local status and

admission decision. The application will then be returned to the Administrative

Secretary.

a. The Administrative Secretary will log into the CASPA Admissions Portal

 A local status and the corresponding admission decision will be

assigned to each verified applicant:

• Local Status: Interview –Invitation Sent/Appointment Set;

Decision Code: Unassigned

• Local Status: Interview – Appointment

Declined/Cancelled; Decision Code: Withdrew

• Local Status: Applicant Did Not Meet

Requirements/Standards; Decision Code: Denied

• Local Status: Hold for More Information (there is no

decision code associated with this local status)

10. The Administrative Secretary reviews all applications that do not meet the

defined requirements with the Admissions Committee to determine status of

application, requirements and decision to continue to review or deny that

application.

a. The Administrative Secretary will log into the CASPA Admissions Portal

 A local status and the corresponding admission decision will be

assigned to each verified applicant:

• Local Status: Hold For More Information(there is no

decision code associated with this local status)

• Local Status: Application Did Not Meet

Requirements/Standards; Decision Code: Denied

b. If applicant did not meet requirements

 An email indicating the reason will be sent through CASPA to the

applicant

c. If applicant is placed on Hold For More Information status

 An email requesting the missing information will be sent to the

applicant through CASPA

 When information is received by the Administrative Secretary, the

application will once again be submitted to the Admissions

Committee for review

11. During the application cycle, the Administrative Secretary and/or the Office of

Graduate Admissions may reach out to in-progress applicants via email with

program information and/or to direct them to the Office of Graduate Admissions

for any questions.

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES

POLICY

12. At the beginning of the admission cycle the Admissions Committee, consisting of

the Department Chair/Program Director, Admissions Chair(s), faculty, and Office

of Graduate Admissions, reviews qualified applicants for interview based on the

applicant’s ability to meet the required qualifications.

a. Defined requirements for interview include the following:

 Ability to meet technical standards

 Degree completion (or evidence of degree completion) prior to

matriculation

 Meets overall and prerequisite GPA requirement (or evidence of

course work in progress that will meet requirements)

 Course requirements met (or evidence of course work in progress

that will meet requirements)

 Health care experience, evidence of 200 hours (or evidence of

health care experience in progress that will meet requirements)

 TOEFL if needed. International or non-native speaking students

must submit official, notarized scores from the TOEFL and must

meet the minimum score requirement of 79+

 Two of three letters of recommendation. Letters demonstrate

integrity, professionalism, good communication and intellect

 Personal statement on file

13. Candidates will be sent an interview offer email through CASPA from the

Administrative Secretary who will then schedule the interview.

a. Interviews may be scheduled June through April and may be extended

until May in the event a seat remains open. Interviews will be conducted

by the Admissions Committee

 A confirmation email for the interview date and time will be sent

through CASPA to the applicant.

b. The interview process will consist of a University tour (optional), a group

presentation on the DPAS program, a personal interview and candidates

will complete a writing assignment.

c. The interview will verify the candidate’s qualifications and evaluate the

candidate’s readiness for the program of study and the profession. When

members of the Admissions Committee are evaluating candidates, they

are assessing the following: Ability to meet technical standards, Academic

strength (overall and prerequisite GPAs), letters of recommendation

(CASPA), personal statement (CASPA), healthcare experience, the

candidate’s ability to offer personal goals in reference to the PA

profession and attributes that make them a qualified candidate for

admission to the program, including professionalism, confidentiality,

leadership, communication, teamwork knowledge, and their ability to

contribute positively to the learning environment and the profession.

d. The interview allows the candidate an opportunity to ask questions of the

Admissions Committee.

e. Candidates will be scored based on criteria in meeting or exceeding the

admissions requirements and the interview process. Candidates with

higher overall GPAs, prerequisite GPAs, and direct patient healthcare

experience are more competitive for earning admission. Mercyhurst

graduates are afforded preference when equally qualified. No points are

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES

POLICY

assigned for this preference; when equally qualified, the Mercyhurst

graduate is placed in front of applicants from other institutions.

f. Selection is determined by consensus of the Admissions Committee based

on the quality of defined requirements and the interview process.

14. Candidates who are accepted will receive a phone call from an Admissions

Chairperson notifying them of their acceptance and will be sent an acceptance

email through CASPA from the Administrative Secretary. If a candidate has

outstanding admission requirements this will be stated as a provisional-

acceptance in the email. Candidates will be required to complete an Intent to

Enroll Statement including meeting Technical Standards. This statement will

confirm understanding of DPAS requirements and any conditions stated in the

acceptance letter.

a. This email will include the following:

 Acceptance email

 ARC-PA accreditation status

 The link for the student to complete a PA Intent to Enroll

Statement attesting to the Technical Standards of the program at

the time of enrollment and deposit

 A non-refundable deposit (found here

https://www.mercyhurst.edu/academics/grad/physician-

assistant-studies/application-process), must be received with the

online Enrollment Confirmation Form within 2 weeks of the email

notification to secure a seat. Seats are not guaranteed after 2

weeks

b. Upon deposit, the Graduate Admissions office will notify the DPAS of the

Enrollment Confirmation.

c. The Administrative Secretary will log into the CASPA Admissions

Portal:

 A local status and the corresponding admission decision will be

assigned to each applicant:

• Local Status: Offer Made; Decision Code: Offer Made

• Local Status: Offer Accepted; Decision Code: Offer

Accepted

• Local Status: Offer Accepted – Provisional; Decision Code:

Offer Accepted

d. The Administrative Secretary will log into the Slate System and move

the deposited students to the new que which Graduate Admissions then

releases and confirms in Slate moving applicant into Colleague.

15. Once a candidate’s deposit is confirmed, the Administrative Secretary will mail

and email the student the acceptance packet.

a. This packet will include the following:

 Acceptance letter

 ARC-PA accreditation status

 Admission Requirements Checklist

 Cohen Health Information Packet and forms

 Technical Standards Form

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES

POLICY

 Housing List

16. The Graduate Admissions office and the DPAS will communicate and keep on file

those candidates who do not accept admissions or withdraw once admitted.

a. The DPAS Administrative Secretary will log into the CASPA Admissions Portal

 A local status and an admission decision will be assigned to each

applicant:

• Local Status: Offer Declined; Decision Code: Withdrew

• Local Status: Withdrew After Acceptance; Decision Code:

Withdrew

17. After the interview process if a candidate is not offered an immediate seat, they

may be placed on the waitlist and remain there while the review of candidates

and interviews continue. They will receive an email through CASPA stating they

are being placed on the wait list while interviews continue. Candidates from the

wait list may be drawn for acceptance as openings arise due to students declining

acceptance or withdrawal of acceptance.

a. The Administrative Secretary will log into the CASPA Admissions Portal

 A local status and admission decision will be assigned to each

applicant:

• Local Status: Interviewed-Wait list; Decision Code: Wait

list

b. Candidates from the wait list may be drawn for acceptance or denial at

the discretion of the Admissions Committee after review and on a space

availability basis. Communication with the applicant will follow the

acceptance or denial process.

18. Candidates who are not accepted after the interview process will receive a Denial

email through CASPA.

a. The Administrative Secretary will log into the CASPA admissions portal

 A local status and an admission decision will be assigned to each

applicant:

• Local Staus: Interviewed – Not accepted; Decision Code:

Denied

19. The Administrative Secretary communicates all decisions to the Graduate

Admissions department via the Graduate Student Application Evaluation Form

with a copy of the application. The Graduate Admissions office will keep all

applications on file.

20. The DPAS will review the Admissions Requirement Checklist with all

accepted/deposited students at the spring Meet and Greet and/or through direct

communication with the student and confirm all required deadlines. Those with

provisional acceptance will be instructed to verify their outstanding requirements

with the DPAS; upon completion of their degree, verification must be sent from

their institution’s Registrar to the Mercyhurst Graduate Admissions office. The

MU Graduate Admissions office will communicate with the DPAS all degree

completion verifications.

a. Once students begin the program of study and degree completion is

verified, the Administrative Secretary will log into the CASPA Admissions

Portal

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES

POLICY

 A local status and an admission decision will be assigned to each

applicant:

• Local Status: Matriculated; Decision Code: Matriculated

OTHER NOTES:

All applicants can check their application status at any time on the ‘Check Status Tab’ by

logging into their CASPA account.