Idaho State University

Admissions: Frequently Asked Questions

Application Questions:
Question:	How do I get an application?
Answer:	You must complete two applications, which are available online: The Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) application; and, The Idaho State University Graduate School application. BOTH APPLICATIONS REQUIRE OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS. CASPA DOES NOT FORWARD TRANSCRIPTS TO THE PROGRAM.
Question:	When are applications available?
Answer:	Applications are available from CASPA the middle of April. Applications for the Graduate School may be accessed online at anytime.
Question:	When are applications due?
Answer:	The application deadline is December 1. Both the application to CASPA and to the ISU Graduate School must be submitted by this date.
Question:	May I send my PA Program application directly to ISU?
Answer:	No. You must apply through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants, or CASPA. The CASPA application requires official transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation and an application fee. CASPA’s application cycle opens up the middle of April and the application deadline is December 1. You must also submit an application to Idaho State University’s Graduate School. The Graduate School application requires official transcripts, GRE scores and an application fee. CASPA does not send your transcripts to Idaho State University.

 

Prerequisites Questions:
Question:	What are the prerequisite courses required for admission?
Answer:	See the PA Program entrance requirements for the prerequisite course information.
Question:	Can prerequisite courses be substituted with other/similar courses?
Answer:	Typically the answer is no. Please call the Program if you have questions (208-282-4726).
Question:	Will Organic Chemistry, Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry or Introduction to Bio-Organic Chemistry meet the Biochemistry prerequisite?
Answer:	Organic Chemistry, Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry and Introduction to Bio-Organic Chemistry will not meet the Biochemistry prerequisite requirement. Courses that meet the Biochemistry prerequisite requirement will have titles such as Introduction to Biochemistry (no other topic in the title), Medical Biochemistry, Biochemistry, or General Biochemistry. Please call the Program if you have questions (208-282-4726).
Question:	Will Introduction to Psychology meet the Abnormal Psychology or Developmental Psychology through the Lifespan prerequisite requirement?
Answer:	No, Introduction to Psychology does not meet the Abnormal Psychology or Developmental Psychology through the Lifespan prerequisite requirement. You must have a course in Abnormal Psychology or Developmental Psychology through the Lifespan (birth to death).
Question:	May I have prerequisites in progress at the time of application to the program?
Answer:	You may have up to two prerequisite courses in progress during the spring semester of the year you are applying for admission. All prerequisite coursework and degree coursework must be completed by June 30 of the year you are applying for admission. Proof of registration and progress may be required to verify course enrollment. For example, if you are applying for the class entering Fall 2011, the deadline would be December 1, 2010. Two prerequisite courses may be in progress during the spring semester of 2011. All course work and degree work would need to be completed by June 30, 2011.
Question:	What grades on prerequisite courses are required in order to apply?
Answer:	The cumulative prerequisite GPA must be 3.0 or higher AND each course must have a grade of C or better.

 

Health Care Experience Questions:
Question:	What kind of health care experience are you looking for?
Answer:	Health care experience is not a specific requirement for admission into the Program. It is strongly recommended that applicants shadow a physician assistant and seek out as much information as possible concerning what a physician assistant's role is and what daily functions are performed by a physician assistant. It is important that one is very familiar with the career he/she is planning to enter. Additional information about the physician assistant career can be found on the American Association of Physician Assistants website: http://www.aapa.org.

 

GRE Questions:
Question:	Do I need to take the GRE?
Answer:	Yes. The GRE is required for admission to the ISU PA Program. See http://www.ets.org for more information.
Question:	Do I need to take a subject test for the GRE?
Answer:	No, just the general test of the GRE is required. The GRE School Code for ISU is 4355 and the GRE Department Code is 0699. http://www.ets.org
Question:	Will you accept the MCAT in place of the GRE?
Answer:	No. The MCAT cannot be substituted for the GRE.

 

Program Cost and Financial Aid:
Question:	How much does the program cost?
Answer:	Cost is subject to change. See the Projected Expenses page for estimated cost.
Question:	Is financial aid available?
Answer:	Yes, in many cases. See the Financial Resources page for more information.
Question:	How are "Program Fees" used?
Answer	Program fees pay for the PA program's budget. See the How Program Fees Are Used page for more information.
Question:	Is there on-campus housing?
Answer:	Campus housing is available at the Pocatello campus. See: http://www.isu.edu/housing/

 

General Information:
Question:	Is the ISU PA Program accredited?
Answer:	Yes. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA). The program has been accredited since 1996.
Question:	What degree does the Idaho State University Department of Physician Assistant Studies offer?
Answer:	Graduates of our program receive a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS).
Question:	Must I have a bachelor’s degree to enter the program?
Answer:	Yes. Your bachelor’s degree must be completed by June 30 of the year you are applying to enter.
Question:	What major degree does the Program prefer?
Answer:	Virtually all bachelor’s degrees from regionally accredited institutions are accepted. The prerequisite courses will prepare you for the Program’s curriculum.
Question:	How many students / graduates have passed the NCCPA (PANCE) examination?
Answer:	Over the past five years, 92% of Idaho State University’s PA Program graduates have passed the PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam) on their first attempt.
Question:	How many people apply to the ISU PA program each year?
Answer:	In 2007, the program received 341 applications, 406 were received in 2008, and 443 were received in 2009.
Question:	How many open positions are available in the ISU PA program each year?
Answer:	Between 50 and 60 seats are offered each year with a maximum of 30 seats offered at the Pocatello campus and a maximum of 30 seats offered at the Meridian campus.
Question:	How important is one's GPA?
Answer:	You must have a minimum cumulative prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher and a grade of C or better in each prerequisite course in order for your application packet to be considered for review. As with any other university or college, higher GPAs are more competitive. Your goal is to be competitive and academically prepared to successfully handle the demands of the Program's curriculum. The Admissions Committee does not base its decision solely on grade point averages. It evaluates the application packet as a whole.